Back to home page

DOS ain't dead

Forum index page

Log in | Register

Search:  
Back to the forum
Board view  Mix view

Considering MS-DOS (Users)

posted by Dennis, 31.07.2011, 03:53

> I'm beginning to think I don't want the complications of dual booting. I
> have an old desktop PC whose main hard drive has failed. I'm thinking of
> putting in a new HDD or swapping over the secondary hard drive and using
> this as a dedicated MS-DOS machine. I might as well use this PC since it's
> not doing anything at the moment.
Dual-booting isn't all that complicated, depending upon what you're booting. The question is whether it's the best way to accomplish what you want to do. In the case of running the odd MS-DOS application, I'd say no - go with one or another VM setup.

If you just want a retro toy to play with, it may be another matter, but that may be better done on a different machine.

> > Play with the values in CONFIG.NT. I don't need EMS, and don't care,
> > but it appears to be possible to configure it.
>
> I have seen that but I'm not sure I understand it :-)

I'm not sure I do either, save that it indicates EMS is supported. As mentioned, I don't require EMS for anything and haven't had cause to fiddle with it.

> > I have DOSBox under Linux and it works fine. My big complaint is that
> > DOSBox is intended for running old MS-DOS games, and thinks of
> > screen sizes in terms of graphics resolution. As a result, it appears
> > limited in character mode to 80x25 screen sizes. I want 80x50 VGA mode,
> > or at least 80x43 EGA mode if I can't get 80x50.
>
> You might find the first post here
> http://vogons.zetafleet.com/viewtopic.php?t=22617&start=19 useful and
> especially the file link (TEXTUTIL.ZIP). I have used 80X50.COM in a custom
> JAVELIN.CONF DOSBOX config file to boot Javelin straight into 80 X 50
> mode.
Thank you! The included 80x50.com does the trick.

> > Er, why do you want to run DOS full screen? I prefer large monitors
> > with lots of screen real estate, and the last thing I want is a DOS app
> > filling the entire screen. I want DOS apps in a window.
>
> I just find the DOS 'window' too small, especially on a laptop screen
On a laptop, maybe. My old notebook does 1280x768. and there I run FreeDOS full screen. My desktop has a larger screen, and DOS full screen is a bit too much of a good thing. :-P

The SO's 64 bit laptop is a "widescreen" model, and I'd want character mode apps in a window there, too.

> > In your position, I'd look at a VM solution, rather than trying to
> > multi-boot.
>
> See my first comment in this post.
If you have what has become a spare machine with no higher purpose in life, making a straight DOS box of it might be reasonable.

On the old notebook here. FreeDOS is essentially a tech toy to play with. Actual work is done elsewhere. I just enjoy fiddling with it.

> Thanks again.
You're welcome.
______
Dennis

Post reply
 

Complete thread:

Back to the forum
Board view  Mix view
21998 Postings in 2024 Threads, 395 registered users, 133 users online (0 registered, 133 guests)
DOS ain't dead | Admin contact
RSS Feed
powered by my little forum