I've managed to find a copy of an ancient DOS-based game (Ultima 7 from 1993) which I really want to play again. Problem is it doesn't like XP!! I've found references to a 'dos box' on the internet in connection with this game, is this a way of running the game?

Any help on this would be gratefully recieved!

If it's not running well, I'd suggest just booting DOS from a floppy disk when you want to play the game, or installing a virtual machine such as Microsoft's Virtual PC which I *think* is free software although you'll still need to find a copy of DOS somewhere (PM me if that's a problem )

Neither are particularly easy options, sorry, but it's likely (if the game's misbehaving) that it's trying to access hardware directly which Windows XP just won't allow.

You can try right clicking on the actual game .exe file

Select the "Compatibility" tab

Tick the box for "Run this program in compatibility mode for Win 95"

It may run ok

You can also change the display resolution to suit on the same "Compatibility" tab

I think the Virtual Machine running DOS will be the best and least intrusive option. I'm toying with trialling Virtual PC as I've just found some classic DOS games

Chris

I think the Virtual Machine running DOS will be the best and least intrusive option. I'm toying with trialling Virtual PC as I've just found some classic DOS games

Chris

I can assist with virtual PC

rather than try compatibility mode, you could just run the old command line "command.com" and then pop the path into the command line to the game and give it a whirl. Lot's of different ways to get old apps running on XP

I think the Virtual Machine running DOS will be the best and least intrusive option. I'm toying with trialling Virtual PC as I've just found some classic DOS games

Chris

Trialing?

Little tip although it feels like overkill it's in fact better than virtual pc.

head on over to VMware - Virtualization Software

Locate there free virtualisation server, vmware server and console. It's free and does everything virtual pc does and more, the fact big enterprises use it is just a distraction.

From there you can create your virtual machines in about 2 minutes + os install time. Very handy and virtualisation is a buzz word of today and maybe a bit tomorrow so no bad thing to know and drop into the odd conversation.

It's also fairly platform agnostic, runing native in windows and linux, with a mac beta on the way.

Enjoy

The worst game to get running on a modern PC is Frontier (Elite 2)

Nightmare that one.

Calderscots method works for a lot of games though and is worth trying first (IMHO)

Also you might need a program that slows down the CPU

Trying playing Populous on a Dual Core and you'll see what I mean

All sorted now. Thanks everyone.

Which way? (Just so that the solution can be tucked behind an ear )

DOSBox, a x86 emulator with DOS

That will be what you want.

Works very well too IMHO.

Scum VM is good for playing the old lucas games too

HTH

Trialing?

Little tip although it feels like overkill it's in fact better than virtual pc.

head on over to VMware - Virtualization Software

I dabbled with VMWare a few years back and was less than impressed. I'm hoping it's come on a long way since then! I shall add it to the trial

Chris

Actually ended up using an additional programme designed to work with the game to allow it to run under XP. It's a specialised program, called Exult (rewritted Ultima 7 I think).

BTW, Ultima 7 is addictive! Very good game for 14 years old lol.