Running a program built for Win 95?

[luckyrick]

Recently I found my old copy of MindGym, a 1996 puzzle game that requires QuickTime 2.11

When I try to run it, the .exe is active but nothing appears. I set it to Win 95 compatibility but nothing changes.

How can I make it run on my PC?

 

[FuturDreamz]

Your bet bet would be to run it in a virtual machine. Windows 7 has drastically changed compared to Windows 9x editions.

 

[sygnus21]

I'm not sure but I'm betting that game uses a 16-bit application to install or run; if so, Windows 7 x64 won't run or support 16-bit components, processes, or applications - 64-bit versions of Windows do not support 16-bit components, 16-bit processes, or 16-bit applications

 

[luckyrick]

I'm not sure but I'm betting that game uses a 16-bit application to install or run; if so, Windows 7 x64 won't run or support 16-bit components, processes, or applications - 64-bit versions of Windows do not support 16-bit components, 16-bit processes, or 16-bit applications

do you think it will run on Win XP?

 

[luckyrick]

Your bet bet would be to run it in a virtual machine. Windows 7 has drastically changed compared to Windows 9x editions.

I want to install Win 95 and boot it separately without touching my existing Win 7 setup. How should I go about doing this?

 

[luckyrick]

I have already downloaded a set of Win 95 .IMA files

 

[indianacarnie]

Not 100% sure but have you seen this? Substitute xp for 95 :http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

You may want to wait for other advice though.

 

[FuturDreamz]

Your bet bet would be to run it in a virtual machine. Windows 7 has drastically changed compared to Windows 9x editions.

I want to install Win 95 and boot it separately without touching my existing Win 7 setup. How should I go about doing this?

I don't believe Windows 95 is even capable of booting on the same hardware as Windows 7. It's simply not supported anymore.

And if the game is 16-bit, standard visualizer won't work, either. You'll need an emulator like QEMU.

 

[sygnus21]

I'm not sure but I'm betting that game uses a 16-bit application to install or run; if so, Windows 7 x64 won't run or support 16-bit components, processes, or applications - 64-bit versions of Windows do not support 16-bit components, 16-bit processes, or 16-bit applications

do you think it will run on Win XP?

Probably. It's been awhile but I do believe XP supported 16-bit apps. I could be wrong though, as I said, it's been awhile. And honestly I can't remember using any software from Win 95 days, including games under XP.

 

[AstaLaVista]

If XP runs based on the same platform as NT or Win 2000 then Yes, 16-bit apps are supported.

+1 on just running a Virtual PC on your Win 7... that is what I do on my office PC. I run Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit and I also run Windows Virtual PC for those apps that require XP or less.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx


Extremely easy to install and run... even I was able to do so!

 

[sygnus21]

If XP runs based on the same platform as NT or Win 2000 then Yes, 16-bit apps are supported.

+1 on just running a Virtual PC on your Win 7... that is what I do on my office PC. I run Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit and I also run Windows Virtual PC for those apps that require XP or less.

Download Windows XP Mode

Extremely easy to install and run... even I was able to do so!

Please be aware that XP mode, which is what the OP would need to get XP with Virtual PC, is only supported under Windows 7 Enterprise, Professional, and Ultimate...

Note: Windows XP Mode is only available in Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate.

Source: Windows Virtual PC: Requirements

According to the OP's specs, he has Premium.

Yes, Virtual PC runs on all (or most) iterations of Windows 7, but Virtual PC with XP Mode only runs on noted systems.

 

[strollin]

I have Windows 95 running in a VMWare Player VM on my Win 7 Ult 64-bit machine so virtualization will definitely work.

However, to set up a VM, the OP will need a copy of Windows 95 to install inn the VM.

 

[sygnus21]

I have Windows 95 running in a VMWare Player VM on my Win 7 Ult 64-bit machine so virtualization will definitely work.

However, to set up a VM, the OP will need a copy of Windows 95 to install inn the VM.

This is where the difference in VM software comes in. In Virtual PC with XP Mode, you get XP for free. With WM Ware or any other, you need your own copy.

And no, I'm not arguing which is better, my only point is that with Virtual PC/XP Mode, you get XP free. However since the OP's version of Windows doesn't qualify, it's a moot point, and in that case I personally may go with VM Ware Player as that's what I'm using now to run Windows 8 in.

Also be aware that Virtual PC does NOT support accelerated 3D gaming. However, if you run a version of XP in VM Ware Player it should run 3D gaming as discussed here: http://www.sevenforums.com/gaming/97239-running-star-wars-kotor-2-problems.html#post840848

 

[AstaLaVista]

My bad, I did not check the specs... I don't know why I usually assume that most people running 64 bit are running Ultimate .

 

[sygnus21]

It's a common mistake; we all do it

 

[luckyrick]

I managed to obtain a boot disc for Win 95 and I wanna try dual boot.
how do I ensure my existing Win 7 setup is left unharmed?

 

[luckyrick]

It's a common mistake; we all do it

Is there any way I can bypass MS restrictions to use Virtual XP?

 

[luckyrick]

I have Windows 95 running in a VMWare Player VM on my Win 7 Ult 64-bit machine so virtualization will definitely work.

However, to set up a VM, the OP will need a copy of Windows 95 to install inn the VM.

do you know of any good tutorials?

 

[Richardc269]

I managed to obtain a boot disc for Win 95 and I wanna try dual boot.
how do I ensure my existing Win 7 setup is left unharmed?

You won't be able to dual-boot with newer hardware with Windows 95. Windows 95 can only handle the hardware made for the time period. Anything newer and it will not work. You will have to use a virtual machine to install Windows 95.

 

[sygnus21]

It's a common mistake; we all do it

Is there any way I can bypass MS restrictions to use Virtual XP?

No; however, if it could....

1. It would be in violation of Microsoft's EULA agreement.
2. It could be considered a form of piracy

That said, you should be able to find a copy of XP dirt dirt cheap. And VMware Player is free. Those two together would give you what you want, and then some.

I managed to obtain a boot disc for Win 95 and I wanna try dual boot.
how do I ensure my existing Win 7 setup is left unharmed?

You won't be able to dual-boot with newer hardware with Windows 95. Windows 95 can only handle the hardware made for the time period. Anything newer and it will not work. You will have to use a virtual machine to install Windows 95.

Agree. And as an example, I tried building a Windows 98 machine and had a heck of a time getting parts to work together. Motherboards, hard drives, sound & video had to be old school for 98 to work.

Here's the post: http://www.sevenforums.com/software/122905-building-windows-98-machine.html