The first thing you need to find out is if the program is even Windows XP compatible. If not there's no need to go any further. Many older programs and especially DOS programs will not run or run correctly on Windows XP, even in a "Compatibility" mode. The price of a new PC/Operating system.
Does the program have an "install" program so you can install it on the PC? If it's one without an install program you may be able to just copy the contents of the diskette to a folder on the PC and run it from the folder.
@tday60 wrote:
Mmmm. It does have an Install file that is a MS-DOS batch file. Are you saying you don't think that this program will work with WindowsXP?
td
No, what he said is that you need to check to see if the program is compatible with XP. In other words, YOU need to go to the company's site and see what it says. Given that it's an MS-DOS batch file, it's probable it isn't compatible, but the research needs to be done.
The company doesn't have a website and is no longer in business, so I don't know how to find out if it's compatible. I think the company was basically a couple of guys that wrote programs and I have lost contact with the person who wrote the program. But it is such a good program, I was hoping to be able to transfer it to my new computer.
I have also looked for similiar software to purchase, but it runs in the thousands of dollars and also has way more options than I need...like inventory control and that sort of thing.
I guess I will just have to leave the old computer up and use it exclusively for the estimating software.
Did you try running the install file from the floppy and see if it at least installs itself on your HD? After that, click on the main EXE file and see if it runs.
As far as the disk being write protected, if it's a 3.5" floppy slide the little write protect tab over to unprotect it.
Assuming it won't run under XP, you can try creating a bootable DOS floppy (www.bootdisk.com), boot from that, insert the program disk and try running it from the floppy. You'll be limited to generic video and printing but it might work. You may have to play around with setting up a Ram disk and copying the program there and running it with the DOS disk back in the drive.
If you really want it bad enough, you can create a small partition with DOS on it and set up a dual boot system.
I know how you feel. I had a nice DOS tax return prep program I used for years but the company decided to stop updating it when XP came out. Turbo Tax is ok, but it's a pain clicking through a zillion "No" buttons. Sometimes simplicity is nice.
I did try to install it, but got a message that the 3.5 is write protected. I don't understand why anything would need to be written on it during installation and I'm afraid to unprotect it because I don't want to jeopordize the program.
DaveJohn,
You said "you can try creating a bootable DOS floppy (
www.bootdisk.com), boot from that, insert the program disk and try running it from the floppy. You'll be limited to generic video and printing but it might work." I am willing to try that. Do I just go to that website and get instructions on how to do that? You also said "You may have to play around with setting up a Ram disk and copying the program there and running it with the DOS disk back in the drive." This is over my head. Since this is over my head, should I take this to someone who knows about how to do this or could I do it just by following some directions?
You also said "If you really want it bad enough, you can create a small partition with DOS on it and set up a dual boot system." I do want it bad enough!!! So, there is hope? Good news! I think I will print these posts and find someone who is more tech savvy.
Thank you everyone who posted! I appreciate your help!
The instructions at the website will tell let you make a bootable DOS floppy. There may be one there that already inludes a Ram disk program, which is just a small program that creates a virtual drive in memory.
You might be better off getting help with the second idea, a dual boot setup. It's easy to mess that up.
fireberd
9 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
0
March 11th, 2006 18:00
The first thing you need to find out is if the program is even Windows XP compatible. If not there's no need to go any further. Many older programs and especially DOS programs will not run or run correctly on Windows XP, even in a "Compatibility" mode. The price of a new PC/Operating system.
Does the program have an "install" program so you can install it on the PC? If it's one without an install program you may be able to just copy the contents of the diskette to a folder on the PC and run it from the folder.
tday60
4 Posts
0
March 11th, 2006 18:00
rickmktg
2 Intern
•
11.9K Posts
0
March 11th, 2006 20:00
No, what he said is that you need to check to see if the program is compatible with XP. In other words, YOU need to go to the company's site and see what it says. Given that it's an MS-DOS batch file, it's probable it isn't compatible, but the research needs to be done.
tday60
4 Posts
0
March 11th, 2006 21:00
RoadiJeff
1.2K Posts
0
March 12th, 2006 02:00
tday60,
Did you try running the install file from the floppy and see if it at least installs itself on your HD? After that, click on the main EXE file and see if it runs.
As far as the disk being write protected, if it's a 3.5" floppy slide the little write protect tab over to unprotect it.
davejohn
2 Intern
•
2.5K Posts
0
March 12th, 2006 12:00
Assuming it won't run under XP, you can try creating a bootable DOS floppy (www.bootdisk.com), boot from that, insert the program disk and try running it from the floppy. You'll be limited to generic video and printing but it might work. You may have to play around with setting up a Ram disk and copying the program there and running it with the DOS disk back in the drive.
If you really want it bad enough, you can create a small partition with DOS on it and set up a dual boot system.
I know how you feel. I had a nice DOS tax return prep program I used for years but the company decided to stop updating it when XP came out. Turbo Tax is ok, but it's a pain clicking through a zillion "No" buttons. Sometimes simplicity is nice.
Dave
tday60
4 Posts
0
March 12th, 2006 19:00
You also said "If you really want it bad enough, you can create a small partition with DOS on it and set up a dual boot system." I do want it bad enough!!! So, there is hope? Good news! I think I will print these posts and find someone who is more tech savvy.
Thank you everyone who posted! I appreciate your help!
td
davejohn
2 Intern
•
2.5K Posts
0
March 12th, 2006 21:00
You might be better off getting help with the second idea, a dual boot setup. It's easy to mess that up.
Dave