DosBox Help

[gonwk]

Hi folks,

I just came across DosBox and I installed "DosBox 0.72" on my laptop which has Vista Home Premium, SP1, 64-Bit.

Q1: When I try to run DosBox it tells me it can Not run because it needs Windows Software!?!? What Windows Software?

Q2: I have read the Guides for DosBox ... but it sounds like Greek ... meaning I can NOT quite understand it! Is there a "Dummy-Proof" guide out there?

Q3: Wouldn't be easier if I just install a Virtual Machine OS with Windows XP SP1 and run the Old DOS Games?

Thanks,

G!

[DOSGuy]

A1: I have no idea. Are you running it from the Start menu or the command line?

A2: This guide is about as idiot-proof as I can make it.

A3: No, for several reasons. For starters, learning to use DOSBox should be way easier than learning to use virtualization software and installing a copy of Windows XP.

More importantly, Windows XP is not 100% compatible with DOS games. Some games might be too fast unless you used slowdown software, some games might not have sound unless you also used VDMSound, but some games still wouldn't work at all. The DOS Games Compatiblity Wiki lists which games work natively in Windows XP, and which would still requires VDMSound or an emulator like DOSBox.

If you prefer to use a virtualization suite instead of DOSBox, it would make more sense to install a real copy of DOS instead of Windows XP.

[gonwk]

A1: I have no idea. Are you running it from the Start menu or the command line?

Hi DOSGuy,

I am running it from Start Menu ... no CL for me since I am not that CL savvy or DOS based command person.

Thanks for your reply ... and I will try you above link for the Guide! If I run into more problems .. I will post back for help!

EDIT: BTW, I was wondering if I can run some of my OLDER games in Vista with Windows Compatibility 95, 98 version!?!? What do you think that might do the trick?

G!

[gonwk]

Hi DOSGuy,

I used your Beginner's Guide and it worked ... got the game come up in Virtual drive ... but then it says "You need Windows for this".

Q1: What Windows is talking about? And where do I get it?

Q2: How hard is it to convert DOS Games to XP Compatible?

Thanks,

G!:)

[DOSGuy]

I thought you were getting that message when you tried to run DOSBox, but now it sounds like you're able to run DOSBox, but get a warning that you need Windows when you try to play a game. If that's the case, then you're trying to run a Windows program in DOSBox. DOSBox emulates DOS, not Windows 3.1. It can run a copy of Windows 3.1 if you have it, but DOSBox itself doesn't emulate Windows.

There's no way to "convert" a DOS program to Windows XP. Windows XP is able to run some DOS games due to a program called NTVDM. Some games will run, but not with sound, so there's VDMSound to emulate the sound card. Other games won't run at all, so you get an emulator like DOSBox or ScummVM. There's nothing you can do to make a DOS game be a Windows game; you can't permanently convert a DOS game to work in Windows XP. If you need an emulator, you'll always need an emulator. For that reason, it's a good idea to learn DOSBox. It's easy to use, and it can play almost every DOS game ever.

[gonwk]

... For that reason, it's a good idea to learn DOSBox. It's easy to use, and it can play almost every DOS game ever.

Hi DOSGuy,

I got couple of Old DOS Games working using your Beginner's Guide ... pretty darn easy & "COOL" program ... DosBox is GREAT!

THANKS!

G!

[alonroz]

If DOSBox didn't work for you, try ExDOS, same idea:
http://www.taocs.co.il/exdos/?LangID=EN

[ThreeHeadedMonkey]

^ Well, he did say he was succesful. Also, the program you are linking to is commercial, while DOSBox is free. I don't see how anyone would pay for such a program anyway.

[gonwk]

Hi 3headedmonkey,

And I am not sure if I would trust a software download from .co.il outfit that I have never heard of ...

Thanks,

G!:)

[DOSGuy]

There's nothing scary about a .co.il domain name, that's just a commercial website from Israel. Tao Computing does seem like an odd name for an Israeli company though.