yes, but some functions like printing need special version of dosbox.
i could run gw-basic 3.23 on dosbox.

Joey_sw wrote:

yes, but some functions like printing need special version of dosbox.
i could run gw-basic 3.23 on dosbox.

Thanks Joey,
Did you run any compiled (QuickBasic giving .exe files)? What version of DOSBOX to you suggest if I am to print?

If you got Win7 Pro or higher, you can also use XP Mode.

I am afraid that I do not have win7 Pro. Just Win7 Home premium. Perhaps I should upgrade?

No. Just install Windows Virtual PC, Virtualbox or Vmware Player and install any Windows OS in it.

Except if he does not have an old full copy of Windows he will have to buy it. If he had Pro, the copy of XP used in XP Mode would be a free download.

kanga85 wrote:

What version of DOSBOX to you suggest if I am to print?

Generally people go with the Megabuild version for that purpose.

To clarify, I had a meltdown of my old PC motherboard, running WinXP. The hard drive has gone into a new motherboard, but there were apparently problems with drivers for the new motherboard in a system running XP, so I have upgraded to Win7 Home Premium. I have legal copies of Win7 Home Premium and XP. It seems that the best advice here, in order to run GWBasic (with printing), is to either upgrade to Win7Pro (~$200) or DosBox Megabuild. Do I read the above advice correctly?
Thanks

If you have a legal copy of XP already, upgrading to Win7Pro really isn't going to save you much trouble.

Anyway, are you saying you used to be able to print from GWBasic running under XP on your old computer?

Since you were running XP anyway, really the best advice might be to just get a modern Windows BASIC interpreter with the same functionality, like FreeBASIC. Of course, the ease of switching will depend on how complex your programs are. See for instance http://www.gw-basic.com/1/post/2011/02/gw-bas … -freebasic.html . And I guess that won't help at all if your programs are already compiled.

Thanks Jorpho. I know nothing about FreeBasic. it looks like I should explore it. Will it run on Win7 64bit? While I do have a legal copy of XP, it is not now on the computer as it has been overwritten by Win7 Home Premium. Yes, all my old GWBasic programs ran on the XP system before upgrade, and all talked to the printer. Most were run through GWBasic as the interpreter, although I did compile a number with the QuickBasic compiler, especially in the early days to increase the speed of running. In later times, speed has been no proiblem in running in interpreter mode. I have original copies of all my programs in GWBasic format for ease of editing.

While I do have a legal copy of XP, it is not now on the computer as it has been overwritten by Win7 Home Premium.

To be honest, you're probably the only one who is ever going to really care about the legitimacy of your OS. Anyway, as far as virtual machines are concerned, the important thing would be whether you have an install disc.

Yes, all my old GWBasic programs ran on the XP system before upgrade, and all talked to the printer.

Gee, that seems kind of surprising. Are you not using a USB printer, then?

I have no idea how well printing works from within a virtual machine, let alone how well it works from a DOS program running in XP in a virtual machine. The Megabuild version of DOSBox would probably be a safer bet, but try FreeBASIC first – I have no doubt it will run on all modern variations of Windows.

Thanks Jorpho. No, I have been using old HP LaserJet 5P and DeskJet 710C printers through old printer ports. My Basic programs always included the required printer code sent as askey code to tell the printer what I wanted it to do. So maybe this will no longer work. I have managed to move the LaserJet 5P to a different computer (printer port) running XP. I have had to move the DeskJet 710C to a computer running XP but with no printer port, and I have totally failed to get it to talk to the computer through a USB port. Others seem to have the same problem, but as yet I have found no solution.

If you already have Win7 Home Premium, an upgrade would be more on the order of $40-50. If you already have a usable copy of XP and as long as your disc is a full version instead of just a "restore" disc, you should be able to install it in a VM.

Thanks Collector,

I don't know how to install XP as a VM on top of Win7 Home Premium. Any advice would be appreciated.

Download Windows Virtual PC
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3702

Install Windows Virtual PC

Install Window XP in Virtual PC
http://www.ehow.com/how_5166329_install-xp-mi … virtual-pc.html

Thanks DosFreak. Do you recommend this approach, to install Windows XP in Windows Virtual PC, over the DosBox approach?

DOSBox is not particularly complicated to set up compared to setting up a virtual machine in Virtual PC. Why not try just try it and see for yourself?

Thanks Jorpho. I will! But my skills are not necessarily up there with the best these days - but in the 1970's: Yes!!

Collector, you must be in a different league to me. Windows online quote me $200 (probably Australian$ ~ US$) to upgrade from Win7 Home Premium (64 bit) to Win7 Pro. Where do you get your upgrades from?