Installing Windows 95 in VirtualBox

swarfega · May 15, 2009

Im trying to install Windows 95 from my old cd disc into VirtualBox but it gets as far as the message:

Please wait while setup initializes.
Copying files needed for Windows Setup...

and just stays there.

Ive installed Windows 95 successfully in the past so Im not sure why its not working this time.

Ive configured the settings with 8mb of ram, 74mb vhd.

After configuring the settings, I run fdisk and say yes to use maximum space and then set up a primary partition after which I reboot the virtualbox. I then format c: and run sys c: to install DOS (version 6.22 (is this the wrong version perhaps? Which version of DOS was around at the time of Windows 95?)).

jimbo45 · May 15, 2009

Hi there
Not trying to be stupid here but did you create your Virtual Disk(s) as NTFS ?

Added -- I mean the "Internal" Disks the W95 system will see not the VBOX images.

Remember it's Win 95 so even FAT32 might not be available -- it's that long ago I can't remember.

I don't think the DOS 6.22 is an issue -- in any case there's plenty of DOS image stuff around.

Google should give you plenty of DOS stuff to try.

Here's some just for starters

Cheers
jimbo

swarfega · May 15, 2009

Yeah with virtualbox you can specify which version of windows your going to be installing when you create a new project. I chose Win95 so I assume its using FAT.

I have a 6.22 dos boot disk currently set up and enabled and thats where i used the format and sys commands from.

jimbo45 · May 15, 2009

Hi there
does the "Virtual Dos" disk boot inside the VM. If you can bring a DOS disk up you could probably run the Windows 95 setup from inside the DOS system as it doesn't actually need a Windows system to start installing.

Note though if you do this you'll need the DOS CD drivers to be able to read the CD. (Gosh this is going back a long way).

If you get it booted (W95) show an image.

Cheers
jimbo

swarfega · May 15, 2009

Yeah I will, I plan to start a thread on "show us your virtulisations" or something.

swarfega · May 15, 2009

ok got a bit further on. I had to do c: first to be on the drive that Windows 95 will be installed on and then did r:\setup which worked.

Next problem is to find a qualifying product to allow me to proceed because this was an upgrade version not a full one.

jimbo45 · May 16, 2009

Morning there

Off to Old Trafford to watch "The Coronation" later this lunchtime.

What qualifying product does your W95 need -- I might be able to PM you a "Zipped" file which you could mount as an ISO.

Cheers
jimbo

swarfega · May 16, 2009

Ive managed to locate a copy of Windows 3.1 (which Ive successfully installed on another vhd btw). Windows 95 still seems to be having problems at the copying files part.

enjoy your day out

Orbital Shark · May 16, 2009

How would i go about installing VirtualBox? I would love to get Win95 running on it as I've got some games that just don't want to work, even on XP

swarfega · May 16, 2009

Downloads - VirtualBox and download it from there. And like XPM theres a settings page or you could use the wizard. If you are successfull in getting Win95 running, let me know how you did it.

Orbital Shark · May 16, 2009

Cool, cheers man

Orbital Shark · May 16, 2009

swarfega,

Have installed VirtualBox no problem, am downloading Win95 now but it'll take a while. Once done i'll let you know how I get on.

Plus: i'm gonna configure with 64MB RAM & 8GB HD space.

swarfega · May 16, 2009

I configured with 74mb hd and 8mb ram.

Orbital Shark · May 16, 2009

Hi swarfega,

How do you even get to the 'Installation'? I've got VirtualBox installed & have a Win95 ISO file but it won't boot and i can't get to even run any sort of setup.

Heeeeellllp

kensiko · May 16, 2009

Windows 95 CD wasn't bootable if I remember.

You should try to boot with a Dos 6.22 floppy. You can specify floppy and CD access from the virtual machine preferences.

Orbital Shark · May 16, 2009

Yeah, thanks man. I remembered that about 5 mins ago LOL.

I've had it installing but i think i've got a corrupt Win95 ISO file so i'll download another 1.

I used this file (just extract the .img file from the .zip file)
View attachment Windows95 Boot Disk.ZIP

The autoexec.bat file creates your CD drive as R:

Orbital Shark · May 16, 2009

Ok, the first part of the installation has gone according to plan, until it restarts & tries to load files from the CD rom drive. I've got a mounted CD rom set up but it just wont accept any source drive.

Any ideas? (Pic Included)

Orbital Shark · May 16, 2009

Cracked it

Just need to work out a few performance kinks now.

swafega i'll PM you the info you need & you could use it to maybe create a Tutorial

Jesus this brings back some fond memories

swarfega · May 16, 2009

You beat me to it :/ Thanks to your help Im pretty certain its because Im using the 64-bit VB.

Sorry Ive not been around much today to help with your Qs.

Orbital Shark · May 16, 2009

That's ok mate, i'm off to get some shut eye so i'll be back in a few hours.

Installing Windows 95 in VirtualBox

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