How do I play a DOS game on Widows XP?

[Angel Tarragon]

I've found my copy of the original Oregon Trail. I've been dying to play it, but it won't install on Win XP. So what do I need to do to to be able to play it?

Please keep in mind that I am DOS illiterate.

 

[Orius]

Dunno. You'd probably have to use the Command Prompt to play it, if it's even doable on XP.

Also, WinXP might run an old DOS game so fast as to render it virtually unplayable.

 

[trancejeremy]

I would recommend DosBox, but I actually have no idea how to use it, really.

 

[Aus_Snow]

You can right-click on programs in the start menu, go to properties, then compatibility, and choose Windows 95 (the most 'backward' mode it does) - and if that fails, you might want to check out DOSBox or something similar.

Hope that helps. If not, I'll see what else might work.


edit --- damn ninjas.


further edit --- It seems that D-Fend (reloaded, in this case) might be a friendlier option - it's a graphical frontend for DB, and would make life easier for those not used to command line stuff (i.e., most people.) The download includes DOSBox, so don't bother with the separate one if you get this.

 

[Blackrat]

I too would promt you check dosbox. It has it's own gimmicks but works pretty well. Just remember to read the instructions as it has essential functions that need some learning before using.

 

[Blackrat]

And there is the one, a bit more expensive option, to go and get an old 486 or similar computer. I still have an older computer just for the times I wan't to play some really old games. It actually has windows 3.1 and as such runs mostly from DOS.

 

[Plane Sailing]

There are lots of other options too.

VirtualPC is available free from Microsoft and you can install DOS 5.0 in it and play in there.

I've found a slightly better solution is VMware, and they have a free VMware player which can be set up with DOS.

(I've been enjoying playing my old System Shock and Syndicate on the VMware setup)

Cheers

 

[TheYeti1775]

There are lots of other options too.

VirtualPC is available free from Microsoft and you can install DOS 5.0 in it and play in there.

I've found a slightly better solution is VMware, and they have a free VMware player which can be set up with DOS.

(I've been enjoying playing my old System Shock and Syndicate on the VMware setup)

Cheers

How well does Syndicate play on that setup?


I've actually been considering taking the old PII 300 and converting it to a old Dos box just for running a lot of older games.

 

[azhrei_fje]

If you get VMPlayer, be sure to check out their "Virtual Appliances" portion of the site. There you can find pre-loaded operating systems that you can download virtual images for and use as-is.

Obviously, they don't have Windows pre-loaded, but FreeDOS and every kind of Linux and *BSD that you can think of have already been done for you. Some even have huge application suites, like Oracle 11, Mail gateways, or Firewalls.

 

[Jasperak]

Jasperak has died of dysentery... Classic