MSDOS 16-bit programs?

[mouse]

Would an MSDOS 16-bit application work under Windows Vista? Does NTVDM
or whatever it's called exist under this operating system?

If I send you a small 16-bit application would you be willing to try
it under Vista and tell me if it works? It's not virused or anything.
I would download Vista myself to try it out but unfortunately the
Microsoft beta program is not accepting new subscribers.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

If it worked in XP then it will likely work in Vista as the virtual dos
machines are quite similar.

If I send you a small 16-bit application would you be willing to try
it under Vista and tell me if it works? It's not virused or anything.

Um, no, and I'm sure it's not, but just the same I think I'll pass.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Peter M]

With a from " (e-mail address removed) " I wouldn't trust his application with a ten
foot pole, even with a heavy duty condom on it, even with a "pretty please
I'll put a cherry on top of it".

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM]

Would an MSDOS 16-bit application work under Windows Vista? Does NTVDM
or whatever it's called exist under this operating system?

If I send you a small 16-bit application would you be willing to try
it under Vista and tell me if it works? It's not virused or anything.
I would download Vista myself to try it out but unfortunately the
Microsoft beta program is not accepting new subscribers.

16-bit programs should work in the x86 (64-bit) version but not in the x64
version.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I suspect Frank meant "(32-bit)" in the above.

16-bit programs should work in the x86 (64-bit) version but not in the x64
version.

 

[Andyistic]

16-Bit DOS programs will run fine as long as they don't need to directly
access the I/O or memory above one megabyte.
Multi-tasking operating systems (i.e. Vista) are very finicky about programs
trying to get access to places where they don't belong.

-- Andy

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE]

I suspect Frank meant "(32-bit)" in the above.

Oops!

 

[Steve U]

Would an MSDOS 16-bit application work under Windows Vista? Does NTVDM
or whatever it's called exist under this operating system?

I fired off a Paradox DOS 4.5 application under Vista and excercise a few
CPU/keyboard only portions of it, as Vista Netware4.2 IPX print queues are
no longer a option under Vista.
Searches, sorts and data entry all ran as fast or Faster than they did on
this box under XPpro. No special settings used (did set the window font as I
always do in each setup)

If I send you a small 16-bit application would you be willing to try
it under Vista and tell me if it works? It's not virused or anything.
I would download Vista myself to try it out but unfortunately the
Microsoft beta program is not accepting new subscribers.

Steve

 

[roman modic]

Hello!

Would an MSDOS 16-bit application work under Windows Vista? Does NTVDM
or whatever it's called exist under this operating system?

If I send you a small 16-bit application would you be willing to try
it under Vista and tell me if it works? It's not virused or anything.
I would download Vista myself to try it out but unfortunately the
Microsoft beta program is not accepting new subscribers.

16-bit executables will not run in 64-bit version of Vista!
http://blogs.msdn.com/tims/archive/2006/05/28/609372.aspx

On the downside, you'll still see weaker downlevel compatibility on the 64-bit platform: for example, we don't support 16-bit code
from the Windows 3.x days (which is a little more of an issue than many people realize due to the inclusion of 16-bit code in the
installers for some decidedly 32-bit applications).

In 64-bit Vista you will need to use virtualization or emulation product like:
"DOSBox"
http://ykhwong.x-y.net/page.htm
http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/news.php?show_news=1
"VMware Server RC2"
http://www.vmware.com/products/server/
"MS VS 2005 R2 SP1 BETA1"
https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/downloads/servicepack.mspx

Another option would be dual-boot:
http://www.lifehacker.com/software/...-boot-windows-xp-and-windows-vista-179906.php
---
Does your 16-bit app run in Windows XP? Do you have source?
What company is the author of the application?
Is this Clipper / DBase application ???
http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusin...oftware_work_on_a_new_windows_xp_machine.mspx

BTW, "Tame" can "enhance" DOS application:
"Tame Version 5.1 Pre-release 1"
http://www.tamedos.com/docs/v51/updates.htm
"Tame Prevents DOS programs from hogging the system. The latest version of Tame supports Windows 2003 server, Windows XP, Windows
2000, Citrix, Windows XP, and Windows NT."

Cheers, Roman

 

[mouse]

Hello!

Would an MSDOS 16-bit application work under Windows Vista? Does NTVDM
or whatever it's called exist under this operating system?

If I send you a small 16-bit application would you be willing to try
it under Vista and tell me if it works? It's not virused or anything.
I would download Vista myself to try it out but unfortunately the
Microsoft beta program is not accepting new subscribers.

16-bit executables will not run in 64-bit version of Vista!
http://blogs.msdn.com/tims/archive/2006/05/28/609372.aspx

On the downside, you'll still see weaker downlevel compatibility on the 64-bit platform: for example, we don't support 16-bit code
from the Windows 3.x days (which is a little more of an issue than many people realize due to the inclusion of 16-bit code in the
installers for some decidedly 32-bit applications).

In 64-bit Vista you will need to use virtualization or emulation product like:
"DOSBox"
http://ykhwong.x-y.net/page.htm
http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/news.php?show_news=1
"VMware Server RC2"
http://www.vmware.com/products/server/
"MS VS 2005 R2 SP1 BETA1"
https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/downloads/servicepack.mspx

Another option would be dual-boot:
http://www.lifehacker.com/software/...-boot-windows-xp-and-windows-vista-179906.php
---
Does your 16-bit app run in Windows XP? Do you have source?
What company is the author of the application?
Is this Clipper / DBase application ???
http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusin...oftware_work_on_a_new_windows_xp_machine.mspx

BTW, "Tame" can "enhance" DOS application:
"Tame Version 5.1 Pre-release 1"
http://www.tamedos.com/docs/v51/updates.htm
"Tame Prevents DOS programs from hogging the system. The latest version of Tame supports Windows 2003 server, Windows XP, Windows
2000, Citrix, Windows XP, and Windows NT."

Cheers, Roman

That's very helpful, thank you.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Not quite. The 32-bit version of Vista does include NTVDM to run 16 bit
applications. However, this is limited to those that can be virtualized. If
the application tries to use direct hardware access, then like XP it will
not run in Vista as that function is not allowed.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com