can't install windows 98

Discussions about using Windows guests in VirtualBox.
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MikeyG
Posts: 1
Joined: 26. Aug 2016, 02:42

can't install windows 98

Post by MikeyG »

I need it for a really old program that maps genes (link deviatted ) and won't run on newer windows. But i can't install windows 98 in virtualbox, it gives errors and shows msdos, help please
Last edited by MikeyG on 1. Sep 2016, 00:57, edited 2 times in total.
BillG
Volunteer
Posts: 5106
Joined: 19. Sep 2009, 04:44
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows 10,7 and earlier
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: can't install windows 98

Post by BillG »

Have you read the tutorial at the top of this forum?
Bill
mpack
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Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
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Re: can't install windows 98

Post by mpack »

You'd have to get way more specific than "gives errors".

How sure are you about your basic assumptions? I have Win32 programs written for Windows 95 that still run unmodified on Windows 10. If MS made the upward migration path difficult for people then that would be bad for MS wouldn't it? I can't think what would be in gene mapping software that would be Windows version specific, e.g. it shouldn't need device drivers.

The only exception I'm aware of is for software that's was originally designed for Windows 3, i.e. for Win16. That API no longer exists on modern 64bit hosts.

Beware however: some older 32bit apps actually had 16bit installers - so the app itself would be fine on a Win10-64bit host, but you can't run the installer. OTOH a lot of these older apps didn't really need an installer - if you know what you're doing you can just copy the executable folder, and maybe a branch from the registry.

p.s. 32bit versions of Windows 10 still include Win16 support (AKA. "NTVDM" support), but it is tucked away and not enabled by default. You need to go into Windows Features|Legacy Components and enable NTVDM. I'll say again that this is not available on Win64 hosts.
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