there is a WordPad in windows
there is openoffice

Virtualbox works with or without virtual capabilities.

There is LaTeX 😉

My sister MUST use Wordperfect 4.2 because that is the program and file format the people she sends the files to need. I am aware of other text programs. The only other text program that could work is a newer version of word perfect that saves in older WP file formats. Ideally I'd need WP 4.2 to work in a DOS window to make sure the files saved are exactly compatible with WP 4.2.

I may try Virtualbox, but I'd need to install an OS too. I can't find all my older windows 3.1 disks... :p

... how did you mount the stuff in dosbox ...

I followed the instructions, or so I thought. I used: mount c

I obviously found the file because it displayed the startup screen. I'm not sure why I got the error.

I used: mount c

Are you joking?

A "mount c" in DosBox is similar to use "mount universe" in Windows 7...

You should dedicate a directory on your drive to DosBox, where only files with 8.3 name format are available in ANSI compatible naming.
There you can place any DOS file you like.

A "mount c" in DosBox is similar to use "mount universe" in Windows 7...

No it's plain useless waste of webspace because it's as incorrect as it can
get including your reply that it'd be a valid command line.

Ok, let's start over. I said I followed the instructions, so when I said "mount c" I assumed people here knew I followed the rest of the instructions. There aren't any other files in the directory I mounted except x86 files that are related to WP 4.2. So, here is exactly what I did:

I put the WP files in a directory called WP and I put that in my C: drive. So my C:\wp is where the files are.

I used the command:

mount c c:\wp

At the Z: I type C: and I get a C: and typing dir shows all the correct files including the WP.exe file, but when I type wp, the above described error I originally mentioned comes up. It kills me that it shows the Wordperfect 4.2 and copyrights and yet says it's the incorrect file. Again, the same file works on my AMD64 3000+ 32-bit Win XP Pro PC.

I think I may try Virtualbox but that requires I install an OS too.

put the folder wp in c:\dos, then start dosbox and execute the following:
mount c c:\dos
cd wp
wp

If you do a "Mount c c:\wp" then the "WP" directory is now your "C:\".

You should do a "Mount c c:\DOS" then move your "WP" directory inside the "DOS" directory.

/action shakes fist at Dominus

Ok, I moved the WP directory into a dir called "C"\dos". So now it's set up C:\dos\wp. I ran Dosbox and mounted c c:\dos. Typed C: then typed cd wp to get into wp directory and typed wp. Again, it does not work. Same error.

I believe I've always been in the correct directory. I type DIR when I am in the mounted drive and directory that has the wp files and each time I see all the correct files. I just can't run the wp.exe file.

I don't think this AMD 64 TF-20 (1.6 GHZ) CPU does virtualization so even if I had WIN7 Pro I'd have to run something third party. Thanks for the help guys. I wish there was a simpler solution. I have half a mind to buy a used $100-$200 XP Pro laptop, but I shouldn't have to.

Try reinstalling WP inside DOSBox. Tell your sister to negotiate a different file format with whoever she's working together/for.

I can't use virtual capabilities as the CPU does not support them.

Yes, you can. The "real" PC emulators like VMWare, BOCHS, qemu, etc. don't need any virtualization support to work. But as you've said you'd have to install DOS/Windows on one of those.

Not sure how I re-install WP "inside" DOSBox. It's just a file that exists. There is no installation that I'm aware of. You just copy the files and run them. They do originate from a ZIPPED folder, but I've de-compressed them. Perhaps I need to change some sort of file attributes before they will work? They aren't READ ONLY.

As per not using virtualization capabilites, I just meant that I can't use compatibility file modes or the Windows XP mode because I don't think the TF-20 CPU supports the virtualization needed. But yes, I don't need that if I just run another program.

If I had another OS I could simply dual-boot with that. I don't think I should have to pay to run such an old program.

My sister is typing out documents for a firm that works with other firms and it's all the same wp 4.2 across the board. NO WAY could she ask them to change anything. It's become far too ingrained in their practices.

I don't think I should have to pay to run such an old program.

My sister is typing out documents for a firm that works with other firms and it's all the same wp 4.2 across the board.

Then ask the company for "support", not us.