VOGONS


First post, by World Changer

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Hi Everyone,

I'm not too technical and I wonder if you can give me advice.

I need to use DOSBox to operate a database program from 35+ years ago, with a brand-new laptop I am planning to purchase.

A. Can I use DOSBox on ANY new laptop using either Microsoft Edge,or Google Chrome?
B. Are there any laptop characteristics that I should make sure I have, like RAM, HD size, and Mhz speed so I can use DOSBox on the new computer?

Just want to be sure I don't choose laptop traits that won't be compatible with DOSBox. Thanks for any advice you can give me!!

World Changer

Reply 2 of 6, by World Changer

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Hi DosFreak,

Actually, I'm using my 1988 version of Dbase III-Plus right now on my MS Edge browser, with my 2014 HP Pavililion 500 PC. However, my fear is that a new laptop may have elements that will not be compatible with running DOSBox. Once I get DOSBox to work, I think it will allow me to use the Dbase program because I'm using it now - but I'm not sure.

In your experience, does DOSBox work with your new computers? Any problems with any new browsers you've used? Do you think it will run well with any newer version of MS Edge or Google Chrome?

Thanks for anything you can advise me on. You and others on this forum surely have a LOT more experience using DOSBox than I do!!

Sincerely,
World Changer

Reply 3 of 6, by Dominus

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DOSBox is a native program and has nothing to do with your browser - I don't understand where you are coming from in this part of the question.
And apart from that DOSBox will just work on your new machine.

BUT as DosFreak wrote, DOSBox is aimed at games only and thus takes some shortcuts that might very well prove to be a problem with your database. Especially if it's not just for fun but a mission critical database. So yes, you will be able to use your database but it's risky and if mission critical it's almost criminal neglect 😀

Windows 3.1x guide for DOSBox
60 seconds guide to DOSBox
DOSBox SVN snapshot for macOS (10.4-11.x ppc/intel 32/64bit) notarized for gatekeeper

Reply 4 of 6, by World Changer

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Hi Dominus,

Thanks for your comments. Sorry not to be so clear. I'm using DOSBox right now with DBase III-Plus database program on the computer described above, it's working fine. It's an old computer with a several-year old version of MS Edge.

All I wanted to know was if I buy a new laptop computer that uses a new version of MS Edge or Google Chrome, will it be OK with any version of DOSBox? OK, you answered it has nothing to do with a browser. Thanks! But are there any specific traits that DOSbox needs to operate that new computers may not have? Can any DOSbox version work with any new computer?

I ask this just to be sure, so I don't buy a $700 computer then find out DOSbox is incompatible with it in some way. I have to be sure it's going to work. I don't know much about DOSbox, thus the seemingly low-level questions.

Thanks for any info you can give!

World Changer

Reply 5 of 6, by wierd_w

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Dosbox is a well contained program that has very few dependencies.

It needs:

an SDL or OpenGL friendly video device of some kind

An SDL, directsound, pulse, pulse audio, or alsa sound device

A supported host operating system (mac, windows, *nix)

Even on 'not really supported' host oses, like chromeos, it might still run with some prodding.