DOS in Vista?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kjk
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kjk

Hi Folks,

Does anybody know if Vista will run old DOS programs, the way
XP does? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Ken
 
Hi,

The 32-bit version's virtual dos machine is almost exactly the same as in
XP, so if it works there it should work in Vista. In x64 however, no 16-bit
code can be run.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Thanks. I'm planning to install Vista Home Premium on an AMD Athlon
64 X2 3800+ system. If I get the 32-bit version in order to retain
DOS capability, what will I be forfeiting vs installing the 64-bit
version?

Ken
 
right now, the only advantage to using the 64-bit Windows is if you have 4
gigs of Ram or more.

if you use the 64-bit version though, you lose all 16-bit support and
support for most hardware out there (hardly any company has taken the time
to make drivers for 64-bit Windows).


so, for maximum compatibility, if you have 3 Gigs of RAM or less, go with
the 32-bit Windows.
 
If you are purchasing a retail edition of VHP then you are entitled to
receive the x64 dvd as well. There are instructions in the package to send
for it. Install x86 and send for x64.
(www.windowsvista.com/1033/ordermedia)
Put the x64 dvd away until some future time when you are ready to switch
from x86 to x64.
 
kjk said:
Thanks. I'm planning to install Vista Home Premium on an AMD Athlon
64 X2 3800+ system. If I get the 32-bit version in order to retain
DOS capability, what will I be forfeiting vs installing the 64-bit
version?
Click to expand...

About 32 bits.
 
But not exactly. On a machine here, an ye olde DOS program (SubCalc) that
ran on XP does not run on 32-bit Vista.

Saucy
 
The 32-bit version's virtual dos machine is almost exactly the same as in
XP, so if it works there it should work in Vista. In x64 however, no 16-bit
code can be run.
Click to expand...

Almost exactly, but not quite.

I can run an old style DOS program (Managing Your Money) in Vista 32
(but not of course on Vista 64) just like I can on Windows XP.

But one of those stranger programs -- Reflex 1.14 (Analytica Software),
runs in DOS graphics mode (requiring full screen). Win2K and XP
tolerate this, Vista 32 does not.

Not complaining about this, Reflex was definitely an odd duck program
from early on.

I'd expect similar issues with say Quattro Pro for DOS when trying to
display graphics (or MYM 11 for that matter - its charts were not all
that valuable anyway).
 
kjk,

One of the previous important questions that you asked, the below question:
The most significant difference (other than BitLocker) between Vista 32-bit
and Vista 64-bit, the 64-bit Version provides considerably enhanced security
compared to 32-bit Vista.

Considering you are using an Athlon x2, that alone provides you great
flexibility running x86 or x64 applications.

Unless you are a very heavy CAD and/or other graphics user, 2 Gig of (stick)
RAM should be more than adequate, and likely 1 Gig Ram would provide the
needs for typical multi tasking work loads.

By the way, the above information is easily located via Microsoft online
Search. Additionally, commonly that's one of the fastest and more reliable
source for information.

The fastest method while seeking information; using the"Start Search" Field
immediately above Vista's Start Button, just type you desired request, also,
Vista's inherent "Help and Support" Files are so filled with information that
it exceeds a broad and active imagination. The above Search methods are
remindful of a Magic Genie !
 
kjk said:
Hi Folks,

Does anybody know if Vista will run old DOS programs, the way
XP does? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Most do, some will not. If it requires full screen DOS mode, it won't
work. If it will run in a DOS window, it will probably work just fine.

However, all is not lost. You can get VPC 2007 (free download from MS)
and create a DOS virtual machine. Then you can run any app you want.
The advantage is that you can then run the VPC in a Vista window, and
the DOS app will think it's running full screen. I have just such an
app, and it runs fine in VPC using real DOS 6.2.2, but it would not run
in Vista.

It was a real trip down memory lane getting the DOS virtual machine set
up. I had to remember the old tricks of installing HIMEM.SYS and
loading DOS high to get a full 610K of available DOS memory.

Good times!

Mike
 
Most do, some will not. If it requires full screen DOS mode, it won't
work. If it will run in a DOS window, it will probably work just fine.

However, all is not lost. You can get VPC 2007 (free download from MS)
and create a DOS virtual machine. Then you can run any app you want.
The advantage is that you can then run the VPC in a Vista window, and
the DOS app will think it's running full screen. I have just such an
app, and it runs fine in VPC using real DOS 6.2.2, but it would not run
in Vista.

It was a real trip down memory lane getting the DOS virtual machine set
up. I had to remember the old tricks of installing HIMEM.SYS and
loading DOS high to get a full 610K of available DOS memory.

Good times!
Click to expand...
Well, thinking back on those days I don't know if I would call them "good
times". More like the "bad old days" when DOS memory management was a real
hassle.

However, you are right about VPC 2007. It's a great product. The fact that
it's free makes it even better. It is very handy to have around for a
variety of situations.
 
It was a real trip down memory lane getting the DOS virtual machine set
up. I had to remember the old tricks of installing HIMEM.SYS and
loading DOS high to get a full 610K of available DOS memory.

Good times!
Click to expand...
Well, thinking back on those days I don't know if I would call them "good
times". More like the "bad old days" when DOS memory management was a real
hassle.[/QUOTE]

Well, I was actually being sarcastic there. I knew I should have
included a smiley face! :-)

Yes, I remember endlessly tweaking QEMM386 (remember that?) to get every
last byte of DOS memory I could get. Doing tricks like using the CGA
graphics memory to get 704K of DOS memory, then loading your mouse
driver, CD-ROM drivers, sound card drivers, etc. and have like 670K of
DOS memory left, while maintaining your 64K EMM page frame at E000 so
you would have EEMS memory for those programs that could actually use
it! Then loading DOS high in the XMS memory first 64K area!

Yes, it all came back when I set up this DOS virtual machine.

Mike
 
Well, thinking back on those days I don't know if I would call them "good
times". More like the "bad old days" when DOS memory management was a real
hassle.
Click to expand...

Well, I was actually being sarcastic there. I knew I should have
included a smiley face! :-)

Yes, I remember endlessly tweaking QEMM386 (remember that?) to get every
last byte of DOS memory I could get. Doing tricks like using the CGA
graphics memory to get 704K of DOS memory, then loading your mouse
driver, CD-ROM drivers, sound card drivers, etc. and have like 670K of
DOS memory left, while maintaining your 64K EMM page frame at E000 so
you would have EEMS memory for those programs that could actually use
it! Then loading DOS high in the XMS memory first 64K area!

Yes, it all came back when I set up this DOS virtual machine.
[/QUOTE]
Your post has brought it all back for me. I looked around and I still
have my manual and disk for QEMM386. I'm going to set up a DOS VM using
all those old tricks you mentioned.

I'll use it to run the original DOS version of DESCENT - one of the all
time great games. Only problem is there will be no joystick support.
Harder to control the ship with only mouse/keyboard.

Warren
 
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