recently i downloaded 'Borland C++ Compiler Version 5.5.1'. after installing it, when i started running the app a DOS window pops up for a second and dissapears. i can't even read what that says!!im running 'Windows Xp Pro'.
can anyone gimme a solution to this problem???

Are you sure its a dos prompt?
When it pops up, press pause really quickly to read what it says. If it's Dos, it will pause until you hit another key.

I'm having the exact same problem. I can't figure out how to compile anything.

They're command-line tools, so you need to open a command prompt first, and then invoke things from within the console window. Even if you compile a console project, you will need to invoke it from the command-line, unless there is some sort of input request or pause built in, such as getch or whatever. Otherwise the console (DOS emulation) window has no reason to stay open.

at the end of your main function right before the return; add "getch()". make sure to add "#include conio.h".
hope i understood your problem