Windows XP Command Prompt

Discussions about using Windows guests in VirtualBox.
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caltrop
Posts: 52
Joined: 7. Aug 2017, 16:07

Windows XP Command Prompt

Post by caltrop »

host: Linux Mint Mate 18.2
guest: Windows XP no SP's installed

Windows XP Command Prompt is problematic.

Some things run others do not.

I have an old IDE for the HP48GX Calculator and it needs a DOS environment.
It has issues with VirtualBOX that it never had with a native WinXP environment.
It somewhat runs full-screen but in a window it barely crawls.
The mouse in full-screen does not match the pointer, you have to capture the mouse to make it work.
Running in a window at start shows a blank screen and after several minutes it will resolve itself.
Running full-screen is the only option.

For something like this another emulator is advised such as DOSBox.
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39156
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Windows XP Command Prompt

Post by mpack »

caltrop wrote: I have an old IDE for the HP48GX Calculator and it needs a DOS environment.
Windows XP's command prompt is not a DOS environment.

If you need a DOS environment then I'd suggest DOSBox.
caltrop
Posts: 52
Joined: 7. Aug 2017, 16:07

Re: Windows XP Command Prompt

Post by caltrop »

Used to be able to run this app in a WinXP command prompt.

VirtualBox is not handling it well.

Yes I know about DOSBox and use it.
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39156
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Windows XP Command Prompt

Post by mpack »

Yes it is true that, understandably, supporting 16bit well seems to be a low priority in VirtualBox.

As I said, if you need a real 16bit DOS environment (or at least a better approximation of one) then I'd suggest DOSbox. That you're already familiar with it should help a lot.
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