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Old 10-10-2007   #10 (permalink)
Andrew McLaren


 
 

Re: Why Can't I Play old dos games in vista?

"Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]" <andred25@xxxxxx> wrote ...
Quote:

> Also the DOS 16 bit subsystem is not supported in Vista. Best you play
> them in VM with Windows 95 installed. Just download the free Virtual PC
> 2007 and install Windows 95 and your favorite DOS games.
Hi Andre

This is a common misapprehension - but with respect, it is wrong. This kind
of misleading information should not be put out to the public.

The 16-bit Subsystem, in the form of NTVDM (NT Virtual DOS Machine) and
16-bit WoW (Windows on Windows) are present by default in 32-bit Vista, and
are fully supported by Microsoft. In general terms, 16-bit applications run
fine on 32-bit Vista. There may be specific compatibility issues, for
particular applications.

16-bit applications cannot run on 64-bit Vista. This is true, and is exactly
the same situation with existed for 64-bit XP, and 64-bit Server 2003.
NTVDM.EXE uses V86 instructions which are not compatible with the CPU's
64-bit mode.

I do agree, that Virtual PC is a good workaround for any applications
(16-bit or otherwise) which experience compatibility problems on Vista.

What is your basis for saying the DOS 16-bit subsystem is not supported in
Vista?

--
Andrew McLaren
amclar (at) optusnet dot com dot au


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