DOS Issues
Lahar 2.X programs do not run very well under DOS, unless the programmer checks to see if DOS is running, then exits in a DOS manner. It is highly recommended that you do not install Lahar programs on a DOS bootdisk, or a hard disk running DOS/Windows. You will stop DOS from operating correctly. This is because Lahar 2.X uses a boot sector very similar to that of DOS. Despite this, DOS programs cannot be run from Lahar. However, in Twin Peak Account and Lahar 2.X, you can exit at the insert disk screen by pressing Shift and Q (Or just Q if Caps Lock is on).

Writing Lahar 2.1 Programs
Currently, programs for Lahar (including the operating system) are wirtten in a form of QBasic, Microsoft's Basic Compiler 7.10. You can theoretically write programs using any other programming language which outputs compiled executable files that can be run on any DOS based computer. To get an idea of how programs are executed in Lahar, and how you exit a Lahar 2.1 program, please look at sample.zip, or email me at [email protected].

Upgrading the Lahar 2.0 boot sector
Several bugs have been identified with the Lahar 2.0 boot sector. Download a patch for this boot sector here. You will need WinImage to write this boot sector to a disk or disk image. This bug is fixed in Lahar 2.1 and Twin Peak Account 1.11.

Running Lahar 2.0 programs on Lahar 2.1 and vice versa
Lahar 2.0 programs can only run on Lahar 2.1 if Lahar if Lahar is booted from the first floppy disk drive (A:). However, Lahar 2.1 programs can run on Lahar 2.0, as long as the programmer has followed the guidelines of the Lahar 2.1 sample program.

Upgrading to Lahar 2.1
You do not need to restart your computer to upgrade to Lahar 2.1, simply insert the Lahar 2.1 System Disk into your first floppy disk drive, then load the disk as you would any other Lahar 2 program. After that, you can throw out your Lahar 2.0 System Disk.

Booting Lahar 2.1 from a hard disk
Theoretically, you can boot Lahar 2.1 from a hard disk (although you could not then run Lahar 2.0 programs), but it would require advanced disk editing, and possibly a modified Lahar 2.1 boot sector. I am working on this, but it may take a while. You cannot boot Lahar 2.0 from a hard disk.

I've compiled my program, how do I make it work with Lahar?
Take an existing Lahar 2.X Program Disk or Lahar 2.X System Disk, copy your program to it, and modify the shell setting in the config.sys file on that disk to the name of your program. Include a folder name in the path if you did not place your program in the root path. If you do not want your program to boot without Lahar, simply copy the modified config.sys file and your program to a blank floppy disk.

Compiling Lahar for other platforms and source code issues
Lahar is essentially closed source, although if you ask me, I probably will let you view and use the source code, depending on your purpose with it. Lahar can theoretically be compiled on any platform with a BASIC compiler, but I have not tried this. If you would like to, or if you would like to view the source code, please email me at [email protected].

Doesn't this look like that QBasic sample program?
Yes, it does. The interface borrows heavily from the QBasic sample program Money Manager. This was because it is an easier to use interface than the previous Lahar version (and pc/OS 3, 4 and 5 which borrowed heavily from Lahar). However, the core operating system code is very different from Money Manager. Twin Peak Accounting on the other hand is a relabeled and slightly modified QBasic Money Manager (I needed a nice sample program quickly).

For anything else, do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].

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