First post, by alex_ncfc
- Rank
- Newbie
Hi all,
I've always been interested in virtualisation etc, and have never really found a platform where Windows 3.11 is solid. Virtual PC comes closest, but will randomly crash out at times.
I've been reading all the Windows 3.11 in DOSBOX guides, and gave it a go on the NE2K patched version. I know it's not supported but I've been curious about getting Windows 3.11 networking to work. It didn't work in 'standard' DOSBOX because I can't load IFSHLP to start the network, but following the guide at:
http://www.transmissionzero.co.uk/computing/i … sdos-in-dosbox/
I have been able to install Windows 3.11 into an image in DOS BOX and it still seems very solid! And also I can now get Windows to see the network card and start the network. But when using TCP/IP, it is failing to grab an IP address using DHCP. When restarting Windows, there is a blank, black screen after the Windows 3.11 splash screen. This is, I assume, where there would be a blue screen saying it has been unable to allocate an IP address and "Do you want to continue receiving these messages?" because when I press 'N' on the keyboard, it then goes straight into Windows, albeit there is no working TCP/IP - IPCONFIG.EXE gives "failed to retrieve IP information from the driver" or something. I feel if I can get it to grab an IP address, then networking should work through DOSBOX, because it's seeing the card, and it's clearly attempting to get an IP - but I have had no luck using either DHCP or setting the IP statically.
Any ideas? When I set realnic to "list", I get these devices listed. How am I supposed to know which one is my actual NIC?
Network Interface List
-----------------------------------
1. rpcap://\Device\NPF_{1AE778F6-51B7-4D1C-8E6B-23AE902A7685}
(Network adapter 'Microsoft' on local host)
2. rpcap://\Device\NPF_{4B09BD78-A8A5-4997-A903-91E7391DD050}
(Network adapter 'Sun' on local host)
3. rpcap://\Device\NPF_{9D43D31F-5BAD-4EE1-B3CA-51767309BA87}
(Network adapter 'Microsoft' on local host)
4. rpcap://\Device\NPF_{33016A9D-87BB-4C52-9892-A1DA8D5B5989}
(Network adapter 'Microsoft' on local host)
As far as I can tell WinPcap is functioning OK, as Windows 3.11 is detecting the NE2000 card.
Also as a side question, why is there a blank black screen instead of the blue screen during Windows boot-up? Similarly, Scandisk.exe shows in Monochrome, but MSD.EXE shows in full colour.
Last but not least, I know that DOSBOX is purely intended for playing old games, a task I also use it for. But I see no reason why networking cannot work on this configuration and being as DOSBOX seems the most stable platform I have found for Windows 3.11, if it could get going it'd be great.
Thanks
CURRENT BUILD
Still using my 'retro'
AMD 64 X2 4200
3GB DDR400 RAM
400GB HARD DRIVE
WINDOWS 7
PNY GEFORCE 8800GT
ASUS A8N-SLI-DELUXE