Introduction
How to Set WordStar to Use More Than a 25-Line Display
WordStar can be set to show more than the default 25 lines of 80 characters each; some of which will be consumed by WordStar's menus, status line, and line status indicators.
There are two stages to needed to set this under Microsoft Windows:
- Set WordStar to use more lines
- Set the Windows' DOS window to use more lines. The steps for this are slightly different for Windows 9x, and for Windows XP
WordStar Settings
- Start WSCHANGE and give a new name to the second option in the start-up screen so that your existing WordStar settings can still be used. For example: type WS.EXE for nthe first option, and WS50 for the second - assuming you're going to choose a 50-line display setting.
- Select A Console
- Select A Monitor
- Select C Screen sizing
- Select A Height
- Type the number of lines you want. Use 25, 43, or 50 if you're using Windows.
- Type X, X, X, X, Y to exit all menus and save settings
You now need to create and set up a Windows shortcut to run WordStar with the new settings.
Windows 9x Shortcut Settings
- Right-click the desktop, then in the pop-up menu click New, and then click Shortcut
- Browse for the modified ws.exe created above, or just type it's path and filename into the Command line box
- Click Next
- Give the shortcut a new name that means something to you: e.g., WordStar 50-Lines
- Click Finish
- Right-click the new shortcut
- In the pop-up menu, click Properties
- Click the Program tab
- Check the Close on exit check box to close the DOS window when you exit WordStar
- Click the Change Icon button
- Click OK in the warning that WS.EXE doesn't contain any icons
- Select an icon from the options shown, or click the Browse button to locate another icon file (try browsing to your WordStar directory and select an icon from there)
- With the chosen icon highlighted, click Open, then click OK.
- Select the Font tab and choose Auto
- Select the Screen tab
- Choose whether to start WordStar in a window or full-screen. You can switch between these two options when WordStar is running by holding down the ALT key and pressing the Enter key
- Set the Initial size to match the number of lines you set in WSCHANGE
- Click OK
Windows XP Shortcut Settings
- Right-click the desktop and in the pop-up menu, click New, and then click Shortcut
- Browse for the modified ws.exe created above, or just type it's path and filename into the Type the location of the item box
- Click Next
- Give the shortcut a new name that means something to you: e.g., WordStar 50-Lines
- Click Next
- Choose an icon from the selection offered - you can change this later if you wish
- Click Finish
- Right-click the new shortcut
- Select Properties on the pop-up menu
- Select the Program tab
- In the box at the top, retype the meaningful name you gave the shortcut before.
- Check the Close on exit check box to close the DOS window when you exit WordStar
- Click the Change Icon button.
- Select an icon from the options shown, or click the Browse button to locate another icon file (try browsing to your WordStar directory and select an icon from there)
- With the chosen icon highlighted, click Open, then click OK.
- Select the Font tab and choose Auto. This will allow you to resize the window if you want to
- Select the Screen tab
- Choose whether to start WordStar in a window or full-screen. You can switch between these two options when WordStar is running by holding down the ALT key and pressing the Enter key
- Click OK