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Windows 3.1 programs running on windows vista 64 ?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:26 pm
by eddywinch82
Hi there,

Just wondering does anyone on this forum know of any emulators,
that will allow you to install and run windows 3.1 programs on vista home premium 64 bit I have a science computer cd that requires windows 3.1 to run. I have tried to install the cd from the dosbox emulator but it says it cant run the file due to it not being dos based also the windows compatability mode doesn't go back to windows 3.1 I dont think. i have just checked the packet and you can also install in windows 95 however when I try installing in windows 95 compatability mode i click on the file and get the following message :-

"this file is not compatable with the version of windows you are running check to see whether you need an x86 (32bit) or x64 (64bit) version of the program".

Any help would be appreciated

Regards Smiley

Re: Windows 3.1 programs running on windows vista 64 ?

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:37 am
by richardd43
I am pretty sure 3.1 was an 8 bit OS.

I still have a copy but do not have anything old enough to run it on and am sure drivers for the OS are a thing of the past

Re: Windows 3.1 programs running on windows vista 64 ?

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:00 am
by NickN
only 32bit (and above) applications will run on a 64bit OS..

16bit and under will refuse to run


The only option is a emulator OS.. AKA: Virtual PC which is running a 32bit OS within the 64bit OS

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/

Re: Windows 3.1 programs running on windows vista 64 ?

PostPosted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:14 pm
by Ivan
Does that app require Win32S or not... if so it might run in win95 mode

16 bit subsystem was killed quite a few years ago.

Get VMWare or another virtual pc emulator... i dont think that you get the required direct DMA access that you need for win3.11

Re: Windows 3.1 programs running on windows vista 64 ?

PostPosted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 3:22 pm
by eddywinch82
Hi there,

I managed to get Windows 3.11 installed and run using dosbox, however only the 1st time did any icons of the windows 3.11 programs show up apart from program manager which shows up each time I run in dosbox. All the programs seem to be there i.e. clock, paintbrush e.t.c but they can only be run through program manager as the icons don't show on the desktop when I run in dosbox ? could anyone on this forum help me solve this problem ? any help would be appreciated,

Regards