Make 16-bit code work in WinXP or Vista (or alternately how to find Win98 retail licenses?)

views:

409

answers:

+2 Q:

Make 16-bit code work in WinXP or Vista (or alternately how to find Win98 retail licenses?)

We have thousands of DOS programs that were all written in the 80s using 16-bit C, comprising over 1,000,000 lines of code. Many of these programs utilize libraries that directly access the screen, drive, etc. (and we don't have the sources for these libraries). Whenever we try to run them in Win2000 or above, even in compatibility mode, we get access violations and blue screens.

Our solution so far has been purchasing Win98SE Retail Boxes and running Win98 in a VMWare session. The problem now is that we can't find enough non-OEM licenses (we last purchased in 2006 and need another 20 or so copies). Our company is extremely careful about licensing, so they have no interest in buying the OEM copies (since we are not a system builder).

Our new 32-bit software won't be ready for 3 years, so unless someone knows where we can buy lots of Win98 retail boxes, I'm stuck trying to figure out how to get 16-bit software with direct system access to run in 2000/XP. Any ideas?

+6 A:

You could see if they run in DosBox ?

http://www.dosbox.com/

Chris 2009-03-26 04:40:19

We tried that a while ago and DOSBOX didn't have printer support ... it looks like they still don't, at least according to their wiki.

Jess 2009-03-26 04:52:23

Well, if it does everything else you need, how hard is it to implement? It's open source after all.

derobert 2009-03-26 05:08:00

Ah, the catch-cry of the FOSS bods :-) "why don't you add the support yourself?" Well, if it's so easy for someone to do, why haven't the DosBox people done it? They presumably know the code a lot better. I suspect Lucky works in a business where they'd opt for the easiest solution.

paxdiablo 2009-03-26 06:28:52

It's very valid - if the only thing holding you back from using DosBox is print support, hire a consultant to add it; it's worth it compared to trying to dig up Win98 licenses

Paul Betts 2009-03-27 01:45:44

@Paul Betts: Plus - it's free (as in FOSS).

Cecil Has a Name 2009-07-06 07:58:25

I mean, in the long run it won't be impossible to obtain legal copies of DOSBox, as opposed to a *flawed* business-centric model.

Cecil Has a Name 2009-07-06 08:00:43

Have you tried asking for Win98 on Ebay?

MrTelly 2009-03-26 04:45:07

Yep, but all the copies are either pirated or OEM. We've sent back about 15 pirated copies so far ... it gets pretty annoying.

Jess 2009-03-26 05:01:35

Hmm, that's a real prob, I've also checked my MSDN, doesn't have Win98

MrTelly 2009-03-26 05:19:50

Even if MSDN did have it, we wouldn't be able to use it for production machines.

Jess 2009-03-26 05:24:08

Another possibility: i've heard that since MS isn't supporting Win98 any more, they've violated their own EULA, and as such the EULA doesn't apply any more, and so basically licensing doesn't apply to Win98 any more and there's nothing to stop you using it. Having said all that, IANAL...

Chris 2009-03-26 04:51:37

Do you have anything to back this up? I heard the same thing, but a few people who reviewed the EULA said that it guarantees no specific support (it even says "Product support for the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is not provided by MS, Microsoft Corporation, or their affiliates or subsidiaries ..."). Thanks!

Jess 2009-03-26 04:57:42

Even if the EULA doesn't apply, copyright law still does. For the next 90-ish years. You can't copy it without MS's permission. IANAL.

derobert 2009-03-26 05:03:01

Yeah, on i really wouldn't recommend this route...

Chris 2009-03-26 05:17:47

This is a massive liability - do you ever plan on getting onto modern software?

Paul Betts 2009-03-26 04:52:13

Tell me about it! I manage the IT Team and was brought on 5 years ago to convert to a new system. When I finally convinced the owners that a few developers couldn't just replace 1,000,000 lines of codes in a few months, they deferred until recently. But we still have 3 years until we're modern...

Jess 2009-03-26 05:00:00

How is this helpful? The poster stated that new generation of software won't be ready for 3 years.

levik 2009-03-26 05:30:36

+4 A:

What about a system like freedos which you could also run inside of VMWare?

levik 2009-03-26 05:05:22

+1 A:

I don't know if this would work... I believe that through our MSDN subscription we have access to all sorts of "fun" things like Windows 3.11 and, yes, even Windows 98. At least I saw that such files existed, not sure if they ere actually downloadable... something to check into perhaps.

TofuBeer 2009-03-26 05:14:44

MSDN licenses are for development machines only, though, not production.

bobince 2009-03-26 05:20:27

Thats what I get for teaching... no production machines :-)

TofuBeer 2009-03-26 06:27:23

+3 A:

Many Microsoft licenses (including OEM and enterprise licenses; actually pretty much everything except full boxed product EULAs) allow you to ‘downgrade’ to an earlier version of the product. Vista Business and XP may both be downgraded to Win98.

customers licensed for use of Windows Vista Enterprise are licensed for Windows Vista Business, and it can be downgraded to the Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows NT® 4.0, Windows NT 3.51, Windows 98, or Windows 95 operating system.

General info. Talk to MS, if you want ‘lots’, I'm sure they will be happy to sell you a bunch of licenses you can use for downgrades.

I like the FreeDOS idea too, that could save you a packet if it works.

bobince 2009-03-26 05:20:00

I'll look at that downgrade option ... that might work! We talked to MS, and they said since they stopped supporting 98 in 2006 they couldn't even provide us with any ideas on where to get it.

Jess 2009-03-26 05:25:51

If that text is correct re downgrading, it appears you only need one copy of Win98SE and you can install it on as many boxes as you have Vista licenses (provided you don't use the licenses elsewhere).

paxdiablo 2009-03-26 05:40:14

@Pax: Sure. Outside of retail boxed sales, the media you own/use to install Windows is generally pretty irrelevant as long as you have the usage licences. @Lindy: I'm a bit disappointed they didn't even mention downgrades... seems like some poor salesmanship there! :-)

bobince 2009-03-26 07:34:15

Since we aren't part of the Select or Open license programs, we actually have no downgrade rights (Microsoft would tell us this much ... and sent us a word doc showing which license options can be downgraded).

Jess 2009-03-27 04:40:41

Would it be possible to run the apps remote instead? i.e. have a bunch of PCs with Win98 that are shared among users?

Anders K. 2009-03-26 05:27:09

The main app is for data entry, so probably not.

Jess 2009-03-26 05:33:31

Ok. just a thought, wasn't sure of the reqs. :)

Anders K. 2009-03-27 01:35:43

+1 A:

Maybe you can make it run in linux with wine inside VMware? Should be quite simple to try without awaiting procurement processes and other bureaucratic overhead.

eirikma 2009-03-26 08:24:59

Great idea, we'll give it a shot.

Jess 2009-03-26 16:47:07

ansaurus

tags:

views:

answers:

Make 16-bit code work in WinXP or Vista (or alternately how to find Win98 retail licenses?)

related questions