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Author Topic: Windows 7 won't recognize my old DOS programs  (Read 6678 times)

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michaeloppen

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    Windows 7 won't recognize my old DOS programs
    « on: December 16, 2009, 10:06:28 PM »
    I suppose it was inevitable, but my new Windows 7 won't load Multimate or my Nutshell Database which I've used since the 80s. The error message suggests I contact the software manufacturer for a program compatible with 64 bits, but it's been out of business for twenty years. Does anyone have a suggestion? 
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    Allan

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    Re: Windows 7 won't recognize my old DOS programs
    « Reply #1 on: December 17, 2009, 06:01:53 AM »
    One of the drawbacks to a 64 bit OS is it's inability to work and play well with some old apps. You can try running them in the various compatibility modes or a virtual machine, but in the end 64 bit is not as friendly as 32 bit.
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    BC_Programmer


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    Re: Windows 7 won't recognize my old DOS programs
    « Reply #2 on: December 17, 2009, 04:52:15 PM »
    Quote from: Allan on December 17, 2009, 06:01:53 AM
    One of the drawbacks to a 64 bit OS is it's inability to work and play well with some old apps. You can try running them in the various compatibility modes or a virtual machine, but in the end 64 bit is not as friendly as 32 bit.

    Replace$(Quote,"friendly","Backward compatible",vbtextcompare)

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    Allan

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    Re: Windows 7 won't recognize my old DOS programs
    « Reply #3 on: December 17, 2009, 04:59:42 PM »
    Okay, this time you lost me.
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    BC_Programmer


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    Re: Windows 7 won't recognize my old DOS programs
    « Reply #4 on: December 17, 2009, 05:20:12 PM »
     :P

    replace the word "friendly" with "backward compatible". Windows X64 isn't as backward compatible as the 32-bit versions. It only allows for running programs that are a mere 15 years old or so.
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    Geek-9pm


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    Re: Windows 7 won't recognize my old DOS programs
    « Reply #5 on: December 17, 2009, 06:20:38 PM »
    Wait. If you have a very old program you may not be concerned about speed.
    So why not just run it in a vertebral machine?
    Cant you do that will old DOS binaries?

    EDIT; My Bad. I just read this the other day and forgot it.
    Quote
    Versions of Windows NT for 64-bit architectures (x64 and IA-64) do not include the NTVDM and are unable to run DOS or 16-bit Windows applications. This is because an x86-64 CPU in its full 64-bit mode cannot go to virtual mode without a hard reset. Virtual mode is not part of the x64 specification; the CPU needs to be running in x86 mode.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_DOS_machine
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