There's a topic how to install and run driver in pure DOS for SB Audigy2 ZS here in sound hardware section of the forum. I think there are some USB DOS drivers for mouse too, but since I use PS/2 mouse for old system builds I never dug for such a thing.

Several popular DOS games that get mentioned here runs within Windows. PIF shortcuts have settings to tweak the amount of available memory for DOS applications (some tend to crash when there is too much RAM), there is an option to disable Windows detection and another one letting you use custom CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT settings.

Note that Duke Nukem 3D requires a patch for PCI Sound Blaster cards, which can be found here. Descent requires slowing down the CPU or using the SVGA 640x480 option with a barebones HUD.

For those requiring and/or runs better in MS-DOS mode, just get a PS/2 mouse and keyboard or check if the motherboard BIOS has a legacy input support option for USB. Regarding the sound card, as analog_programmer said, there is a topic on how to install the DOS drivers for the Audigy 2 ZS, including using the VxD drivers on Windows 9x.

yep thanks guys.

I remembered the trick of creating a desktop shortcut to improve dos compatibility, I've also swapped my Audigy 2zs to a live (but using the Audigy drivers) and it seems much happier now and is running lots more DOS games from within windows....happy days 😀

I does have some IRQ sharing with the sound card and USB controller in Windows but I guess that's no big deal? It seems to run okay anyway 😀

There was a program called Power Play 2 that claimed it could increase DOS compatibility launching from Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. I've never tried it but it's floating around. It may just be a glorified PIF editor, who knows.

thanks for the info, I've had a pretty good results with most DOS games recently.

I've had problems with a couple of games.

Redneck Rampage - it works fine until the last level where you're supposed to be beamed up by a UFO. Under Windows it crashes, under DOS it runs.

Duke Nukem II - In Windows it crashes part way through the 2nd level.

Duke Nukem 3D - mostly OK under Windows but it crashes a lot in the secret rocket-ship stage. Need to save progress every few minutes until you can finally get through the stage.

thanks, good to know