MS-DOS programs in window and full screen mode

I noticed problems with window mode/full screen mode when running DOS
programs from the Vista command line "cmd.exe". Vista hangs and reboot is
necessary. Starting full screen mode manually by <ALT><RETURN> is not
possible. There is an error message which says that full screen mode is not
allowed under VISTA. I think, that this should definitely be implemented by
MS.

Let us take as example an MS-DOS program which you will find e.g. at INTEL.
It is the CPU command line identification tool CPUID.EXE. This program shows
up fine in window or full screen mode when started from the "cmd.exe"-window
until Windows 2000. When started under Windows XP in the "cmd"-window it is
not possible by any means to start this program in the original window mode.
It immediately shows up in full screen mode. Only after start in full screen
mode you can return to window mode by <ALT><RETURN>. Under Windows VISTA BETA
2 the same effect. There is no start in window mode possible. Even VISTA
might hang (graphics driver?).

I suppose, that the full screen mode might be preferably enforced when a
C-programm compiled with MS-C 8.0/Link 5.60 (which I use) is too big and/or
has an overlaid structure as is the case with my DOS program! Many other
MS-DOS programs which I tested started in window mode and could easily be
switched between this mode and full screen mode. So my question is, why do
some
MS-DOS programs start in a window while others always start in full screen
mode
on the same machine? Any property or .pif manipulations remain without effect.
Does anybody know possible reasons for this behaviour and why are there no
problems until Windows 2000? They exist only under XP and Vista. With Vista
might be, as Vista is still in Beta stadium and there could be a fix.

Jürgen Gau