Windows 7 & 16-bit

[Cheemag]

Will Windows 7 Professional 32-bit run 16-bit DOS programmes?

I have the 64-bit OS installed but it will only run 16-bit apps under XP emulation. I notice that my retail Windows 7 box includes a DVD of the 32-bit OS.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Will Windows 7 Professional 32-bit run 16-bit DOS programmes?

I have the 64-bit OS installed but it will only run 16-bit apps under XP emulation. I notice that my retail Windows 7 box includes a DVD of the 32-bit OS.

As far as I know, 32-bit has no problems with 16-bit programs, so you could go back to 32-bit. The same Product Key works with either disc.

 

[Lemur]

Another option is to run a virtual pc with Windows XP, and install the program there. That way you can keep your 64-bit installation.

 

[DeaconFrost]

If it was me, I'd keep Windows 7 x64, and upgrade to 8 GB of memory, since memory is dirt cheap. Then I'd run VirtualBox or some other VM app and have Windows XP running inside it to handle all of my old legacy apps and old games. You could easily give 2 GB of memory to the VM and not notice any slow downs or performance hits on the host system.

This way, you get the best of both worlds.

 

[oreo27]

And another option is to use Dos Box. I used it on my brother in law's 64bit installation to run Turbo C.

DOSBox, an x86 emulator with DOS

 

[Hopalong X]

Will Win 7 run DOS programs - Microsoft Answers

Windows 7 32 or 64bit is not based on DOS so you will need XP VM or DOS emulator.
As posted at MS at above link.

 

[Cheemag]

Another option is to run a virtual pc with Windows XP, and install the program there. That way you can keep your 64-bit installation.

I have that system already. That means I would have to start the VM every time I wanted to use Q-Edit or LIST.COM. Not at all practical. There is nothing available in Windows (natively) which can equal the versatility of these two programmes.

There's also a problem with accessing the soundcard. As the VM soundcard is a virtual one, it cannot take external input. To do that I have to plug in a USB soundcard.

Frankly I can't see that a 64-bit system has any advantage over a 32-bit one anyway.

 

[Cheemag]

Will Windows 7 Professional 32-bit run 16-bit DOS programmes?

I have the 64-bit OS installed but it will only run 16-bit apps under XP emulation. I notice that my retail Windows 7 box includes a DVD of the 32-bit OS.

As far as I know, 32-bit has no problems with 16-bit programs, so you could go back to 32-bit. The same Product Key works with either disc.

I may do that as this 64-bit install is totally unable to support wireless networking among other things. It's probably been damaged at some time.

 

[Cheemag]

If it was me, I'd keep Windows 7 x64, and upgrade to 8 GB of memory, since memory is dirt cheap. Then I'd run VirtualBox or some other VM app and have Windows XP running inside it to handle all of my old legacy apps and old games. You could easily give 2 GB of memory to the VM and not notice any slow downs or performance hits on the host system.

This way, you get the best of both worlds.

I have that already in 4GB, but not practical for the reasons I gave to Lemur, particularly access to the host machine's peripherals.

Many VM experts say you cannot access the host machine's hardware - not true, but it's too cumbersome for me.

 

[Lemur]

Frankly I can't see that a 64-bit system has any advantage over a 32-bit one anyway.

And that's certainly your call.

As for one of the advantages of 64-bit...

You will be able to take advantage of all your memory, which you won't with 32-bit.

 

[Cheemag]

And another option is to use Dos Box. I used it on my brother in law's 64bit installation to run Turbo C.

DOSBox, an x86 emulator with DOS

Yes, that worked, but the tiny screen it worked in was totally limiting.

 

[oreo27]

And another option is to use Dos Box. I used it on my brother in law's 64bit installation to run Turbo C.

DOSBox, an x86 emulator with DOS

Yes, that worked, but the tiny screen it worked in was totally limiting.

Unfortunately, I have no idea how to maximize the screen but I'm sure you can find a user guide somewhere. Maybe in the site I provided?

I didn't use it long for me to find out how to do that

 

[Cheemag]

Will Win 7 run DOS programs - Microsoft Answers

Windows 7 32 or 64bit is not based on DOS so you will need XP VM or DOS emulator.
As posted at MS at above link.

After reading that I can't decide whether it's a CPU issue or a Windows limitation.

I may have another look at DosBox, perhaps the tiny window it was running in was because I didn't set it up properly.

In any case my present install of Windows-7 64 has to go as the networking is totally knackered.

 

[oreo27]

Will Win 7 run DOS programs - Microsoft Answers

Windows 7 32 or 64bit is not based on DOS so you will need XP VM or DOS emulator.
As posted at MS at above link.

After reading that I can't decide whether it's a CPU issue or a Windows limitation.

I may have another look at DosBox, perhaps the tiny window it was running in was because I didn't set it up properly.

In any case my present install of Windows-7 64 has to go as the networking is totally knackered.

That's very odd by the way as I've never encountered any driver issues with Win 7x64. And I've reinstalled Windows on my fair share of laptops and desktops.

 

[Cheemag]

Will Win 7 run DOS programs - Microsoft Answers

Windows 7 32 or 64bit is not based on DOS so you will need XP VM or DOS emulator.
As posted at MS at above link.

After reading that I can't decide whether it's a CPU issue or a Windows limitation.

I may have another look at DosBox, perhaps the tiny window it was running in was because I didn't set it up properly.

In any case my present install of Windows-7 64 has to go as the networking is totally knackered.

That's very odd by the way as I've never encountered any driver issues with Win 7x64. And I've reinstalled Windows on my fare share of laptops and desktops.

Getting off-topic a bit here: wireless networking complains of a driver fault, but the drivers installed (by Windows!) are up-to-date.

 

[Lemur]

Maybe we can try to resolve the networking issue. As you can see, we're trying to keep you on 64-bit - lol.

What model gigabyte mobo do you have?

 

[DeaconFrost]

Many VM experts say you cannot access the host machine's hardware - not true, but it's too cumbersome for me.

What hardware are you trying to access but having issues with? What apps are you trying to run that you can't in Windows 7 x64?

 

[Layback Bear]

Is it possible to just update the programs you are trying to use? Then use Windows 7/64 with lots of ram.

 

[Cheemag]

Maybe we can try to resolve the networking issue. As you can see, we're trying to keep you on 64-bit - lol.

What model gigabyte mobo do you have?

GA-EP41T-UD3L It allows virtualisation.

The networking issue: Two different adaptors have been tried with the same result. The adaptor is listed in Network Connections but 'Disabled'. Windows 7 installed the correct drivers from the Net when it found the adaptor. The system tells me the adaptor is working correctly, but I have no network although the router/modem is less than a metre away from the Win-7 machine. So I can't configure the wireless network and enter the shared key. Three other XP machines on the network connect wirelessly, so It isn't a router problem.

 

[DeaconFrost]

That motherboard has a built-in LAN adapter. Yet, you mention the distance away from the router, which suggests you are using wireless. So, before we can continue, are you using wired or wireless networking to connect to the router?

If you are that close, you should be using a wired connection. Realtek drivers are easy to install, and are available on Gigabyte's website.