Dos to Windows \ VOGONS

Dos to Windows

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First post, by ClipperQuest

Posted on 2014-07-25, 21:25

ClipperQuest Offline

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I am operating a couple of Dos-based programs on a Windows 95 machine. They are working really well but I need to modernize. The old computer won't last forever. One of the programs is written using something called Clipper. We use a dos version of R&R Report Writer to produce the end product. Can we run these programs correctly on a new computer with DosBox or some other emulation software?

Reply 1 of 3, by Zup

Posted on 2014-07-26, 07:57

Zup Offline

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You should be able to do that, but...

- DOSBox is meant for games. No one cares about applications, so you won't get support (but there are some threads talking about clipper on this forum). Don't try to get any support, it will end in tears.
- There are other emulators able to run DOS, like dosemu, PCem and some others. Maybe they'll give you some advices.
- The best option for DOS applications is to virtualize the damn thing. VMWare or Virtualbox could do the trick.
- None of this options would give you a seamless integration with Windows (sharing data between your DOS and Windows applications).
- Also, you could buy a new computer and install DOS on it. It would be the best option for compatibility.

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Sometimes going all the way is just a start...

I'm selling some stuff!

Reply 2 of 3, by Norton Commander

Posted on 2014-07-26, 12:16

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Someone mentioned vDos in a different thread - I haven't tried it myself but it is geared towards DOS applications.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/vdos/

Reply 3 of 3, by ClipperQuest

Posted on 2014-07-26, 13:03

ClipperQuest Offline

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Zup wrote:
You should be able to do that, but... […]
Show full quote
You should be able to do that, but...

- DOSBox is meant for games. No one cares about applications, so you won't get support (but there are some threads talking about clipper on this forum). Don't try to get any support, it will end in tears.
- There are other emulators able to run DOS, like dosemu, PCem and some others. Maybe they'll give you some advices.
- The best option for DOS applications is to virtualize the damn thing. VMWare or Virtualbox could do the trick.
- None of this options would give you a seamless integration with Windows (sharing data between your DOS and Windows applications).
- Also, you could buy a new computer and install DOS on it. It would be the best option for compatibility.

Thank you for the advice. We tried the transfer to a new computer a few years ago. I think the IT person was using a partition or emulator in XP, but I'm not sure. The program sort of worked but was slow and jumpy. We switched back to the 95 machine. No one has mentioned installing dos on a new computer. That sounds like a possibility. I'll look into that.

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