MA as your desktop

streetwolf · 11-21-2009, 09:08 PM

Open up a DOS box. NOT the RUN command box.

type in MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552

MA is now your desktop. Minimize the DOS box. Use Windows key if you lose Taskbar. Somewhat flaky.

To return to normal desktop use Task Manager to end MA and also cmd.exe.

At the least it's an interesting effect.

Ralph · 11-21-2009, 11:31 PM

Its been a long time since I played in DOS.. To open a DOS box I run cmd.ex from the run prompt.. ? Then typing in your MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552 and hit enter.. nothing happens (except getting a new C:\documents and settings\ralph listing). Am I doing it wrong?

streetwolf · 11-22-2009, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by Ralph:

Its been a long time since I played in DOS.. To open a DOS box I run cmd.ex from the run prompt.. ? Then typing in your MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552 and hit enter.. nothing happens (except getting a new C:\documents and settings\ralph listing). Am I doing it wrong?

Do you have the SS in a different folder other then "C:\Windows\System32\MarineAquarium3.scr" ? Maybe it's named differently than my example shows. Wherever it is add the full path to the name. Sounds like it's not finding the SS

Ralph · 11-22-2009, 09:54 AM

Thanks streetwolf but I can not seem to make this work.. Anyone else try it?
Even moving to C:\Windows\System32 and typing in MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552 does not do it. My MarineAquarium3.scr is in the correct folder

streetwolf · 11-22-2009, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by Ralph:

Thanks streetwolf but I can not seem to make this work.. Anyone else try it?
Even moving to C:\Windows\System32 and typing in MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552 does not do it. My MarineAquarium3.scr is in the correct folder

What OS are you using? MA is not as compatible with this method as are other SS. For instance when I minimize the DOS box the taskbar is lost. Pressing the Windows key terminates MA. Try another SS and see what happens.

Ralph · 11-22-2009, 12:27 PM

I am using Windows XP sp3. I will give up on this until someone else has a go and makes it work.

streetwolf · 11-22-2009, 01:42 PM

I think it only works for Vista on up.

Dale · 11-22-2009, 06:03 PM

Originally posted by streetwolf:

I think it only works for Vista on up.

OK, so how do I "Open up a DOS box. NOT the RUN command box." in Windows 7? Precise, step-by-step instructions are requested.

streetwolf · 11-22-2009, 07:11 PM

Originally posted by Dale:

OK, so how do I "Open up a DOS box. NOT the RUN command box." in Windows 7? Precise, step-by-step instructions are requested.

I was somewhat unclear with my RUN command box statement.

Just enter cmd.exe in the RUN command box and press enter to open up a DOS window.

Or.... Hold the shift key and right click on the desktop. You will see an option to 'open command window here.'

Dale · 11-22-2009, 07:35 PM

Thanks. Yes, it's an interesting effect. The clock/calendar seems to work, but custom logos don't. And of course none of the hotkeys work.

nicwatters · 11-24-2009, 04:21 PM

Works well with Windows 7. I created a dos batch file (Very old school

) with the line:
C:\Windows\System32\MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552
and saved it to my desktop. To start, just double click on the batch file, then close the DOS box that opens.

If you click on the Marine Aquarium 3 program icon thats added to the task bar, the task bar dissappears. Press the Windows key to return to your standard desktop.

jleslie · 11-25-2009, 07:27 AM

Back in the day Windows DOS boxes were sorta DOS boxes, now they're just Command Prompts...

mrtew · 12-12-2009, 09:37 AM

Macs have quite a few free utilities that can do this trick and it's fantastic! You can have the fishes on your screen all the time as long as you set the pan for slow. Otherwise you get really dizzy while you're trying to work.

tmmacara · 11-27-2010, 12:17 PM

If you use this line in your batch file you won't have to manually close the DOS box. It will close itself.

start C:\Windows\System32\MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552

Enjoy!

11-21-2009, 09:08 PM	#1
streetwolf Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34	MA as your desktop Open up a DOS box. NOT the RUN command box. type in MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552 MA is now your desktop. Minimize the DOS box. Use Windows key if you lose Taskbar. Somewhat flaky. To return to normal desktop use Task Manager to end MA and also cmd.exe. At the least it's an interesting effect.

12-12-2009, 09:37 AM	#13
mrtew Registered Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: michigan Posts: 109	Macs have quite a few free utilities that can do this trick and it's fantastic! You can have the fishes on your screen all the time as long as you set the pan for slow. Otherwise you get really dizzy while you're trying to work. mrtew

11-27-2010, 12:17 PM	#14
tmmacara Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1	Close DOS box automatically If you use this line in your batch file you won't have to manually close the DOS box. It will close itself. start C:\Windows\System32\MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552 Enjoy!

11-21-2009, 11:31 PM	#2
Ralph Retired Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Edmonton Alberta Ca Posts: 2,441	Its been a long time since I played in DOS.. To open a DOS box I run cmd.ex from the run prompt.. ? Then typing in your MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552 and hit enter.. nothing happens (except getting a new C:\documents and settings\ralph listing). Am I doing it wrong?

11-22-2009, 08:34 AM	#3
streetwolf Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34	Originally posted by Ralph: Its been a long time since I played in DOS.. To open a DOS box I run cmd.ex from the run prompt.. ? Then typing in your MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552 and hit enter.. nothing happens (except getting a new C:\documents and settings\ralph listing). Am I doing it wrong? Do you have the SS in a different folder other then "C:\Windows\System32\MarineAquarium3.scr" ? Maybe it's named differently than my example shows. Wherever it is add the full path to the name. Sounds like it's not finding the SS

11-22-2009, 09:54 AM	#4
Ralph Retired Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Edmonton Alberta Ca Posts: 2,441	Thanks streetwolf but I can not seem to make this work.. Anyone else try it? Even moving to C:\Windows\System32 and typing in MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552 does not do it. My MarineAquarium3.scr is in the correct folder

11-22-2009, 10:14 AM	#5
streetwolf Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34	Originally posted by Ralph: Thanks streetwolf but I can not seem to make this work.. Anyone else try it? Even moving to C:\Windows\System32 and typing in MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552 does not do it. My MarineAquarium3.scr is in the correct folder What OS are you using? MA is not as compatible with this method as are other SS. For instance when I minimize the DOS box the taskbar is lost. Pressing the Windows key terminates MA. Try another SS and see what happens.

11-22-2009, 12:27 PM	#6
Ralph Retired Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Edmonton Alberta Ca Posts: 2,441	I am using Windows XP sp3. I will give up on this until someone else has a go and makes it work.

11-22-2009, 01:42 PM	#7
streetwolf Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34	I think it only works for Vista on up.

11-22-2009, 06:03 PM	#8
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by streetwolf: I think it only works for Vista on up. OK, so how do I "Open up a DOS box. NOT the RUN command box." in Windows 7? Precise, step-by-step instructions are requested.

11-22-2009, 07:11 PM	#9
streetwolf Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34	Originally posted by Dale: OK, so how do I "Open up a DOS box. NOT the RUN command box." in Windows 7? Precise, step-by-step instructions are requested. I was somewhat unclear with my RUN command box statement. Just enter cmd.exe in the RUN command box and press enter to open up a DOS window. Or.... Hold the shift key and right click on the desktop. You will see an option to 'open command window here.'

11-22-2009, 07:35 PM	#10
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Thanks. Yes, it's an interesting effect. The clock/calendar seems to work, but custom logos don't. And of course none of the hotkeys work.

11-24-2009, 04:21 PM	#11
nicwatters Registered Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4	Works well with Windows 7. I created a dos batch file (Very old school ) with the line: C:\Windows\System32\MarineAquarium3.scr /p65552 and saved it to my desktop. To start, just double click on the batch file, then close the DOS box that opens. If you click on the Marine Aquarium 3 program icon thats added to the task bar, the task bar dissappears. Press the Windows key to return to your standard desktop.

11-25-2009, 07:27 AM	#12
jleslie Engineer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,279	Back in the day Windows DOS boxes were sorta DOS boxes, now they're just Command Prompts...