It Ain't Over Yet - DOS Gaming in Windows Vista

[Skybolt]

There has been much justifiable wailing and gnashing of teeth from the gaming community, regarding the difficulty of running old classic DOS games, or any 16 bit programs, under Windows Vista.

It certainly seemed to me that the imminent upgrading of my current Windows XP system would of necessity involve the loss of, not just Pac War, but a host of other older, but still enjoyable, games.

Then I read an article in the December 2007 issue of Computer Shopper magazine about running a virtual PC. This allows the creation of multiple operating systems which run in software within the host machine. The benefit of a virtual PC is that it has no effect on the host machine. It doesn't require disk partitioning, or dual booting. All you lose from the host system is an amount of disk space, and a percentage of the system RAM. Both of which are adjustable during or after set-up.

I have tried this, and it works.

After downloading and running Microsoft’s (free) Virtual PC 2007 from here;

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=78095

Then using an old Windows 98 SE disk, and running a normal Windows installation, I was able to create a virtual Windows 98 computer. After which, I copied across my Pac War folder from the host (Virtual PC 2007 supports drag and drop from the host to the virtual machine), and launched the program. It launched, and played ok.

You are not limited to Windows 98 either. The Virtual PC 2007 program will work for a number of different operating systems.

From what I can see, there should be no problem repeating the process from within a Windows Vista host. There is even a 64 bit version of Virtual PC 2007 for use with Windows Vista.

The article in Computer Shopper gives step by step instructions on how to complete the whole process, and is worth reading for the short cuts and avoidance of the minor pitfalls in installation and operation. For example, if you click your mouse pointer in the installed virtual PC, it becomes captured. To release it, just press the right hand Alt key on the keyboard (labeled Alt Gr).

The final DOS curtain may have just lifted for one more call.

[madgamer2]

I am happy for you but I am not shifting to vista real soon. The other problem with vista is that it does not support Open GL persay. I have read that the software folks can fix the open GL if they desire but I will have to see it.
I am glad your happy about the virtual MS program but for me I use as little of there stuff as possible. I have used duel boot setups in the past and would in the future. I am wondering what you find so appealing about the old DOS version vs. the matrix version.

Lawrence

[Skybolt]

Thanks for the reply madgamer. I was beginning to feel like I'd dropped a metaphorical fart at a party [:D]

From your reply though, I feel you may have misunderstood the points I was trying to make;

1. Anybody upgrading, or buying a new PC, is pretty much lumbered with Windows Vista as an operating system, and most games need Windows to run.

2. Windows Vista, unlike previous versions of Windows, including XP, is not backwardly compatible with previous versions in terms of the kinds of software it will run. It has been possible to run older games, albeit at times with some difficulty, on Windows XP. This will not be the case with Vista.

3. The kinds of games this is likely to affect are early 16 bit windows games, and all DOS based games, of which, Pacific War - The Matrix Edition, the version I play, is one (sorry).

4. A virtual PC is easier, and probably safer to setup and run, than a dual boot system which allows switching between two or more operating systems. Although I am the first to admit that I am no expert on the subject.

Mark

[madgamer2]

ORIGINAL: Skybolt

There has been much justifiable wailing and gnashing of teeth from the gaming community, regarding the difficulty of running old classic DOS games, or any 16 bit programs, under Windows Vista.

It certainly seemed to me that the imminent upgrading of my current Windows XP system would of necessity involve the loss of, not just Pac War, but a host of other older, but still enjoyable, games.

Then I read an article in the December 2007 issue of Computer Shopper magazine about running a virtual PC. This allows the creation of multiple operating systems which run in software within the host machine. The benefit of a virtual PC is that it has no effect on the host machine. It doesn't require disk partitioning, or dual booting. All you lose from the host system is an amount of disk space, and a percentage of the system RAM. Both of which are adjustable during or after set-up.

I have tried this, and it works.

After downloading and running Microsoft’s (free) Virtual PC 2007 from here;

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=78095

Then using an old Windows 98 SE disk, and running a normal Windows installation, I was able to create a virtual Windows 98 computer. After which, I copied across my Pac War folder from the host (Virtual PC 2007 supports drag and drop from the host to the virtual machine), and launched the program. It launched, and played ok.

You are not limited to Windows 98 either. The Virtual PC 2007 program will work for a number of different operating systems.

From what I can see, there should be no problem repeating the process from within a Windows Vista host. There is even a 64 bit version of Virtual PC 2007 for use with Windows Vista.

The article in Computer Shopper gives step by step instructions on how to complete the whole process, and is worth reading for the short cuts and avoidance of the minor pitfalls in installation and operation. For example, if you click your mouse pointer in the installed virtual PC, it becomes captured. To release it, just press the right hand Alt key on the keyboard (labeled Alt Gr).

The final DOS curtain may have just lifted for one more call.

I think there might be a better way to play DOS games. This is the second post about running the virtual PC from MS. I have this little rule: "I never put ANYTHING from MS on my system unless I have to do so". There is a much easier way to do it, at least for XP users. Go to www.dosbox.com and check out DOS Box. I am not sure if it runs in vista or not but is sure does in XP. I feel sorry for anyone who has to install Vista at this point. It will take much more to get me to change from XP. Not in till they tell us they will no longer support XP will I think of changing. If this is your choice I wish you luck. Juist because its new don't mean its better.

Madgamer

[hgilmer]

    I don't know if people like Dell or not - I have heard people have had recent issues and some have not, but they will let you configure a machine with XP if you desire. 

And Dosbox works excellently in XP from what I can see.  I'm a novice and I can use it pretty easily.  I got Silent Service 2 to run and have been playing it with no problems.

[madgamer2]

The choice is not really up to them as MS has alowed PC venders to continue to build XP systems till mid year because of the poor sales of Vista.  For what 20 years of buyin g and using PC's I have come to the conclusion that finding a good computer shop in your area and having one built will give you a better $$$ return mthan a online buy.  Failing to find a good local shop check out the many game companies that build systems with real parts not OEM stuff.  It will cost you morme but it is worth it.   DOS BOX is a great program also.
 Madgamer

[Remenents]

I HATE Windows Vista. This is so rediculous. I have the Home Edition and I cant get the game to work now. They need to stop coming out with "better" Windows every few years and just stick with the ones that work. So much for Pac War now I tried to download what Skybolt said, but it said it wasnt compatible and wont run. If anyone has ANY idea how to fix this "better" Windows system, please, please email me at Remenents@yahoo.com

[Capt. Harlock]

I HATE Windows Vista. This is so rediculous. I have the Home Edition and I cant get the game to work now. They need to stop coming out with "better" Windows every few years and just stick with the ones that work. So much for Pac War now I tried to download what Skybolt said, but it said it wasnt compatible and wont run.

From what I read from Microsoft, its virtual PC is not compatible with any of Vista's Home varieties. (Which of course is going to be 90% of the machines sold to individual users.) If DosBox doesn't work, my suggestion would be to try re-booting your system using FreeDOS.