Did you configure DOSBox properly? If your application is a real-mode app then you need to change the "core=auto" option in dosbox.conf to "core=dynamic".

Also read the DOSBox README on how to adjust cycles.

DOSBox was too slow to be usable on a 500MHz computer when I first tried it around 6 years ago. You're probably best off booting to pure DOS on a machine that is that old.

6 years ago is an outdated comparison. 486@16 Mhz equates to ~6k dosbox cycles. Set to dynamic core, it peaks at ~4% on an e8300, with cpu load not even registering most of the time. That's ~100 MHz core2duo cycles. A core2duo IPC being 4, pentium1 a little under 2, so a 200 MHz pentium 1 is almost a perfect fit.

I'm not saying it's not worth a try, just don't get your hopes up too much.

HunterZ wrote:

DOSBox was too slow to be usable on a 500MHz computer when I first tried it around 6 years ago. You're probably best off booting to pure DOS on a machine that is that old.

Well, I can't agree. I've tested DOSBOX 0.72 under Athlon 600 Mhz, and most of games works very well, and emulation speed ist also quite good. I can play Wing Commander and other older simulators, also older FPP like Wolf 3D and Doom. I think, DOSBOX is very well programmed and can use so much power of older computer as possible.

Advice:
- If you're going to play games/apps that use OPL2/3 synth, use Hal's megabuild and do OPL passthrough. Otherwise, forget about it and disable it. OPL emulation is a killer on even Pentium II machines.
- Don't use a scaler. Set that sucker to 'none'
- Dynamic will squeeze the speed to somewhat usability.
- Surface output works best.
- You will want to raise the delay of the sound emulation buffer or turn them off completely. If you need sound, just be safe and use a rate of 8000hz

wow, thx for all the answers; finally a forum where you actually get real help 😁
I'll try it when I got the time for it and let you know about the outcoming 😉

Ben

okay, i got a little further with my problem; but it still doesn't work.

When i'm starting the desired software (tbe programm that controlls my instrument via a nullmodem connection), it says "hardlock not found". this hardlocked is plugged into the parallel port of the PC. Now, the idea was that maybe DosBOX emulated a unidirectional standard parallel port, while the hardlock needs a bidirectional enhanced parallel port.
Is there a way to change that? Maybe with DosBOX-Megabuild version?

Thx for your help!

Yeah, try Hal's megabuild, he just released a new one a couple weeks ago it looks like:
http://home.arcor.de/h-a-l-9000/mb4.html