byckoff1,

You will have to run FDISK first to remove all existing partitions (which use the NTFS file system) and create at least two new partitions, one FAT for 95 the other for XP and the latter can use any file system although if you plan to have 95 access anything on that partition it will have to be a FAT partition as well, since 95 cannot see NTFS. Windows XP can see FAT, FAT32, and NTFS.

The procedure for FDISK is here. The link for a boot disk is no longer active. If you need a boot disk to run FDISK and FORMAT you can download one from here.

Finally!!! Thank you. Win95 is in. Unfortunately, I have to disable all 32 bit protect-mode disk drives otherwise I can only start in safe mode. This, I believe is making the CD-ROM inoperable as I have no CD-ROM, no mapping to a CD-ROM, and no drive detected for a CD-ROM. Can you point me in the right direction?

I have to ask why you want to install Windows 95 on a Dimension 2350?  You should know that there are compatibility quirks with Windows 95 and the Pentium 4 processor that make operation in Windows 95 unreliable and unpredictable.  As for getting your CD-ROM drives to work, you should download a generic CD-ROM driver off of www.driverguide.com, this site provides tons of drivers and can provide generic CD-ROM drivers and setup tools.  You should understand with this drive, you'll still have degraded performance in Windows 95 because it will be in MS-DOS compatibility mode.

Daniel, That is a very good question! It seems that the software manufacturer of my POS (read: Point of Sale) system did no upgrades to the software for some 20 years. Now they have introduced a new upgrade which requires all new hardware. Estimated cost $60-$80K plus license fees that are twice what I pay now. I approach retirement soon and would rather keep that money.

I have 2 Dimension 2350's to use as back-ups if they can operate the old POS system which is based on DOS.

As far as running in a degraded mode, get out your Com' 64 and that will give you an idea as to what I've been working with for 20 years.

byckoff,

Have you tried installing this software to the system as it is but under compatability mode to see if it will work that way?

I was led to believe that the DOS language on the POS software wasn't readable by WinXP. I'll give it a shot if you tell me how to get to compatability mode.

 

byckoff1,

Here is the information direct from the windows help file.

Getting older programs to run on Windows XP

Most programs run properly on Windows XP. The exceptions are some older games and other programs that were written specifically for an earlier version of Windows. To run your program on Windows XP, try the following:


Run the Program Compatibility Wizard. As an alternative, you can set the compatibility properties manually.

Update your program, drivers, or hardware.

These options are covered in detail below.

The Program Compatibility Wizard

This wizard prompts you to test your program in different modes (environments) and with various settings. For example, if the program was originally designed to run on Windows 95, set the compatibility mode to Windows 95 and try running your program again. If successful, the program will start in that mode each time. The wizard also allows you to try different settings, such as switching the display to 256 colors and the screen resolution to 640 x 480 pixels.

If compatibility problems prevent you from installing a program on Windows XP, run the Program Compatibility Wizard on the setup file for the program. The file may be called Setup.exe or something similar, and is probably located on the Installation disc for the program.To run the Program Compatibility Wizard


Start the Program Compatibility Wizard.

Follow the instructions in the wizard.

Note

To start the Program Compatibility Wizard, click Start, click Help and Support, click Find compatible hardware and software for Windows XP, and then, under See Also in the navigation pane, click Program Compatibility Wizard.

Set the compatibility properties manually

As an alternative to running the Program Compatibility Wizard, you can set the compatibility properties for a program manually. The settings are the same as the options in the Program Compatibility Wizard.

To set the compatibility properties for a program manually

Right-click the program icon on your desktop or the shortcut on the Start menu for the program you want to run, and then click Properties.

Click the Compatibility tab, and change the compatibility settings for your program.

Notes

The Compatibility tab is only available for programs installed on your hard drive. Although you can run the Program Compatibility Wizard on programs or setup files on a CD-ROM or floppy disk, your changes will not remain in effect after you close the program.

For more information about an option on the Compatibility tab, right-click the option and then click What's This.

Update your program or drivers

If your program does not run correctly after testing it with the Program Compatibility Wizard, check the Web for updates or other fixes, as follows:

Check the Web site of the program's manufacturer to see if an update or patch is available.

Check Windows Update to see if a fix is available for the program. Click Home on the menu bar of Help and Support Center, then click Windows Update in the right pane.

If the program is a game that uses DirectX, ensure that you are using the latest version of DirectX. In addition, check the Web site of the manufacturer of your video card or sound card to see if newer drivers are available for either of them.

AWESOME INFORMATION FROM EVERYONE!!!!!

Driver for MSDOS downloaded and works!!!!

Reloaded WinXP formatted FAT32 and the program works.

Thanks to all who helped.

You are great!