Tech question for guys more in the know than I

[PistolPeteParticipant 27143]

I just tried to install a game made in 95 and the computer gave me the following error message:

The Win16 subsystem was unable to enter protected mode, DOSX.EXE must be in your AUTOEXEC,NT and present in your path.”

What the f~~~ does that mean?

O and when I tried to install on a newer computer I got: the program or feature “??\D:\SETUP.EXE” CANNOT START OR RUN DUE TO INCOMPATIBILITY WITH 64 BIT VERSION OF WINDOWS. PLEASE CONTACT THE SOFTWARE VENDOR TO ASK IF A 64 BIT WINDOWS COMPATIBLE VERSION IS AVAILABLE.

WHAT THE F~~~ DOES THAT MEAN?

[FrostByteParticipant 19005]

It means your computer is a female and doesn’t want you spending time enjoying yourself.

If you rescue a damsel in distress, all you will get is a distressed damsel.

[Anonymous 7]

Pete I am not a windows user but I will try.

If you have an newer version of Windows you will have to run the setup.exe with backward compaitablity.

1. Copy the contents of your cd to your desktop. You can probably just drag and drop.
2. Navigate to folder from step 1, right click on SETUP.EXE.
3. Set compaitablity mode to Windows XP

Some links with pictures.
If this doesn’t get you there I will have to defer to Windows users.
http://pearsonsupport.helpserve.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/210/21/how-to-install-or-run-a-program-in-compatibility-mode-in-windows-7
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/cdd894f8-1ee2-43e5-952b-d04c25779a7f/how-to-install-a-software-application-using-compatibility-mode?forum=w7itproappcompat

[XSDBSParticipant 3598]

Old(er) software was written/compiled for 16 bit software platforms, and simply won’t run on current platforms.

Windows 95/98 were 16/32 bit hybrids, allowing users to run both 16 and 32 bit programs.
More recent versions of windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7/8/10) are either 32/64 bit.

There are emulators that will create a “virtual windows95/98” platform within a current version of windows.

I actually have an old laptop with Windows98, every once in a while I fire it up so I can play Doom(1994) and Descent(1995).

[Veritech AceParticipant 699]

PistolPete wrote:

I just tried to install a game made in 95 and the computer gave me the following error message:

The Win16 subsystem was unable to enter protected mode, DOSX.EXE must be in your AUTOEXEC,NT and present in your path.”

What the f~~~ does that mean?

YIKES! DOS stuff. You’re really taking me back here. It’s been so long I had do Google it to refresh my memory.

The CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files in DOS is used to setup configurations and to automatically run programs when you boot up DOS. AUTOEXEC.NT and CONFIG.NT were used by Windows NT to simulate DOS configurations and maintain backward compatibility since NT eliminated DOS entirely. There was indeed much rejoicing when that happened, but it did create a lot of interesting issues.

So, here’s what you need to do: First, try Grue’s suggestion about setting compatibility mode…it probably won’t work but it is worth a try.

If it doesn’t work, try downloading DOSBOX, a DOS emulator for windows. https://www.dosbox.com/ I’ve had good success with it getting some very old 8- and 16-bit programs running. Since the program is complaining about Protected Mode, you’ll probably have to include “dos=high, umb” on the himem.sys parameters in the CONFIG.SYS file, and then have fun getting your sound card, joystick, and any other peripherials to work.

“No one will ever need more than 640k memory” — Bill Gates.

[Veritech AceParticipant 699]

XSDBS wrote:

There are emulators that will create a “virtual windows95/98” platform within a current version of windows.

If you want to go the full emulator route, I’d recommend VMWare Player; It’s free, but you’ll need to register to get an install key. https://my.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/free#desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_workstation_player/12_0

You’ll also need to have an old windows 95/98 install CD. You might have less trouble than with VMWare than with DOSBox, but you’ll still need to tweek the config.sys and autoexec.bat files.

Just out of curiosity, what program are you attempting to run?

[anonymousyamParticipant 4605]

PistolPete wrote:

O and when I tried to install on a newer computer I got: the program or feature “??\D:\SETUP.EXE” CANNOT START OR RUN DUE TO INCOMPATIBILITY WITH 64 BIT VERSION OF WINDOWS. PLEASE CONTACT THE SOFTWARE VENDOR TO ASK IF A 64 BIT WINDOWS COMPATIBLE VERSION IS AVAILABLE.

I am not an expert on computers but ill try my best here.

Simply put programs from 20 years ago were made and designed to run on the hardware from that era not on our modern computers. Our modern computers do not use DOS, do not use windows 95 to windows 98 technology and are not 32 bit operating systems (32 bit systems can only go up to 4 gigs of ram and most computers use more then 4 gigs these days).

So trying to use old programs is a pain in the ass unless someone already worked to create a program for modern systems to emulate it as you are not on original hardware. For example even Dosbox doom sucks without a third party program specifically made to play doom wads (if you bought doom on steam).

Just an east coast asshole who likes to curse, If you get offended by words like fuck, cunt, shit, piss, bitch or any racial slurs then you just scroll down.

[SolidParticipant 7520]

PistolPete, can you give the name of the game ?

Depending of the game, you can run it in a dos emulator, which is far lighter to your computer to run than a complete machine emulator.

If it runs in MSDOS, you can search for dosbox, is a completely free software to run dos. There is also a port of this software to android, it means that if you put your installation files in your sd card, you can setup your game to play in your phone !

Dosbox link: https://www.dosbox.com

If it doesn’t run in MSDOS (But I suspect that it runs) follow the answers from other brothers not mine.

[SolidParticipant 7520]

Sorry for the repeated post, brother @VeritechAce already posted about dosbox !!

[PistolPeteParticipant 27143]

Anonymous wrote:

1. Copy the contents of your cd to your desktop. You can probably just drag and drop.
2. Navigate to folder from step 1, right click on SETUP.EXE.
3. Set compaitablity mode to Windows XP

Done but I got the same error message! DAMN! (The computer is using XT)

I very much appreciate the aid but the computer is also not connected to the internet–I only use it to play games off CDs. It appears somehow someway I may have to install windows 95/98.

[PistolPeteParticipant 27143]

The game is panzer General II, and Panzer General I which was designed for windows 95. And the computer I had it on has crashed–the hard drive is done for.

[anonymousyamParticipant 4605]

Solid wrote:

If it runs in MSDOS, you can search for dosbox, is a completely free software to run dos. There is also a port of this software to android, it means that if you put your installation files in your sd card, you can setup your game to play in your phone !

Dosbos is a bitch to use as i have tried running the classics on it.

The only way i can get it to work is if it is preprogamed to (like steams classics ports or other classic ports specifically programmed to run on modern hardware).

PistolPete wrote:

I very much appreciate the aid but the computer is also not connected to the internet–I only use it to play games off CDs. It appears somehow someway I may have to install windows 95/98.

That is gonna be a complete pain in the ass as windows 95/98 has limitations on the amount of ram your computer can use on windows 98 (the newest and the most capable of having large amounts of ram then the rest) only allows 1158MB of ram total in order to work.

If you go over 1158MB of ram the computer will not boot up and will give you an error message so if you are downgrading you have to downgrade your ram with it and that is only on the ram issue. All sorts of f~~~ing drivers and s~~~ may not work and you might as well dig a computer out of the garbage and try fixing it then downgrading a newer computer to work with it.

Just an east coast asshole who likes to curse, If you get offended by words like fuck, cunt, shit, piss, bitch or any racial slurs then you just scroll down.

[MonkeyMindParticipant 5340]

You need to run it in DOS Box or alternatively, use VirtualBox and install an Abandonware copy of Win95.

[Anonymous 42]

Just hit it with a hammer!

If that doesn’t work, hit it harder!

It that doesn’t work, just keep hitting it until it does!

[PistolPeteParticipant 27143]

Well I tried Grues’s solution, and I didn’t really understand XSDBS or Veritec Ace; Sorry guys I’m a real Luddite. But I really do appreciate the help.

I think the solution lies with going to yard sales and flea markets and trying to pick up a cast-off computer with windows 95/98 on it.

Honda was kind enough to send me Panzer General III which I couldn’t get loaded either so now I have ALL three versions and can play non-of-them…AH the age of technology.

[rightturnclydeParticipant 705]

I just downloaded and ran Panzer General 2 (404Mb) on a windows 7 64 bit computer and it seems to work fine. Got it here:
http://panzergeneraldownload.com/panzer-general-2.html
There is also a patch that supposedly helps compatibility (291KB)

[GregB0Participant]

PistolPete wrote:

I think the solution lies with going to yard sales and flea markets and trying to pick up a cast-off computer with windows 95/98 on it.

Or you could play the online versions of all three Panzer General games that are available from GOG Galaxy Link.

The current price for Panzer General I, II and III is $14.98. URL Link

Install any game with a single click, auto update, cloud save your progress, offline mode, rollback feature for update issues, etc. Might be the way to go as you would be able to use your new PC.

Another option for buying computer (PC or Mac) games is Steam entertainment platform. URL Link

A third options is ClassicReload which has LHX Attack Helicopter URL LINK and like the above allows you to play on line for free. There is not a manual and having a gamepad is recommended, but it’s free.

​"​My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.​" - Clarence Buddinton Kelland

[PistolPeteParticipant 27143]

I can almost understand the older XP machine not running it but I tried to load it on the new computer you sent me and that is when I got the 64 bit can’t run thing. If I’m doing something wrong I can’t figure it out.

[GregB0Participant]

PistolPete wrote:

If I’m doing something wrong I can’t figure it out.

Not your fault, the operating system just cannot run those older programs. I will look around to see what might be available that could run those old games.

​"​My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.​" - Clarence Buddinton Kelland

[PistolPeteParticipant 27143]

Well the little COMPAQ I picked up for $25 in WVirginia WILL run LHX, Empire and SOME 3DO games ie heros chronicles but NOT armymen NOR will it run PZG.

I might dust off Kurt’s old machine with windows 7 and see if that will work.

[Author]

Posts