SFV and Vista 64

[Marjay]

What are you guys using for SFV checking if you are running Vista 64.
Quick SFV is a 16 bit app and will not install on Vista 64.
Any help will be appreciated...

 

[Andrew McLaren]

What are you guys using for SFV checking if you are running Vista 64.
Quick SFV is a 16 bit app and will not install on Vista 64.

Hi Marjay,

You cannot run any 16-bit applications on 64 bit Windows. It is
architecturally impossible (but, read on ...)

32 bit Windows runs 16 bit apps in the so-called "NTVDM" or "NT Virtual DOS
Machine". This emulator uses a feature of the x86 CPU called VDM or "Virtual
DOS Machine", where the CPU creates a temporary, imaginary 8086 processor.
On 64 bit CPUs, the VDM facility still exists, but can only be accessed when
the processor is in 32 bit mode. If you flip the processor to 64 bit mode,
it cannot create a VDM. Without the underlying VDM support from the
processor, the NTVDM emulator won't run either. So, on 64 bit Windows,
there's no platform in which to run the 16 bit apps.

There are a couple of alternatives. Basically you install a more complete
emulator onto 64 bit Vista, which will create a complete 16 bit machine
using a slower, but more complete, emulation of the x86 machine.

The "canonical" Microsoft solution is Virtual PC 2007:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx
This creates an entire virtual PC, in a window on your Vista Desktop. You
can install Windows 3.1 or 32-bit XP or even 32 bit Vista into the virtual
machine; and then run your SFV app in the virtual machine. Virtual PC is a
free download. Note, you will need a copy of 16 or 32 bit Windows, to
install into the Virtual PC (Virtual PC just provides the hardware, it
doesn't come with a built-in OS).

VMWare is an equivalent, 3rd party solution. It is great software, and has a
few advantages over Virtual PC, but it isn't free (US$189.00). Plus the
"advantages" are more for high-end scenarios; for running 16 bit Windows,
Virtual PC is actually the better choice.

For pure DOS applications, DosBox is a great solution:
http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/download.php?main=1
but it sounds like this SFV app is a 16 bit Windows app? not a DOS app? So,
DosBox won't help there. Virtual PC would be your best bet.

Hope it helps,

 

[Nicolai]

Hi Marjay,

You may consider using this freeware tool. I have used it for years without
problems. Seeing it's kind of old, it does only use 1 thread - but it's true
32 bit hence it should run fine under Vista 64.

http://files.finger.dk/zcrc32/

Let me know if you have problems running it. It's coded in Delphi by the
way.

I use Vista 32 myself, so I can't test it for you.

- Nicolai

 

[Marjay]

Thanks, I'll give it a try...

Hi Marjay,

You may consider using this freeware tool. I have used it for years without
problems. Seeing it's kind of old, it does only use 1 thread - but it's true
32 bit hence it should run fine under Vista 64.

http://files.finger.dk/zcrc32/

Let me know if you have problems running it. It's coded in Delphi by the
way.

I use Vista 32 myself, so I can't test it for you.

- Nicolai