If you are nostalgic for the days when you played old 2D games with 32-bit graphics or titles created in DOS and stored on good old floppies, nowadays you may run into serious problems trying to install one of these titles on a new generation system.. This happens because the new hardware and software architectures are no longer compatible with such outdated programming codes. However, there is a solution to every problem, in fact tools have been created that can make old video games compatible with new modern computers. Read on to find out how.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Install Video Games Made in DOS
Step 1. Download a DOS emulator
Most modern operating systems cannot natively run programs created for DOS environments, but it is still possible to work around the problem by using a special software emulator. One of the most used emulators and recommended directly by users all over the world is DOSBox. It is a free program that you can download directly from the web with a simple search. Download and install DOSBox on your computer.
Step 2. Find the DOS system game you want to install, then download it from the web
This step involves some research on your part, but the DOSBox.com site forum may give you faster results than doing an online search. After locating the desired title installation file, download it to your computer.
Step 3. If possible, follow the instructions provided directly by the game developer
In many cases the game you downloaded comes with installation instructions. For best results you should follow these guidelines to the letter.
Step 4. Create a special folder to store all the DOS games you download
This is just a suggestion, but creating a new folder directly inside the system hard drive (usually labeled with the drive letter "C:" or "D:") will make it much easier to "mount" the files inside DOSBox. Here is a series of simple and mnemonic names that you can use to rename the folder in question:
- Games_DOS
- DOS
Step 5. Mount the virtual memory drive
Start DOSBox, then use the text interface to type the command "mount c C: / DOSBox". This will create a virtual disk for DOSBox, through which you can install the games you want to use.
Step 6. Run the title installation file of your choice
The correct path to use for installing the game in question varies according to the game chosen. In principle you will have to use a command similar to the following "mount d C: / Games_DOS / Folder_Game_Installation - cdrom", but the precise syntax will be indicated in the instructions of the game itself, where you will find the correct path to use for the installation. In most cases this information is included with the game, but if not, you should be able to find it by doing a little research on the web or within the DOSBox website forum.
Method 2 of 3: Install Windows Applications Using Wine
Step 1. Download and install the most recent version of Wine, together with all the packages necessary for correct operation
Wine is a software program whose purpose is to create compatibility between Windows and Linux operating systems. Using Wine you will be able to recreate an environment, compatible with current operating systems, in which to run the old game of your choice. Your computer will continue to work as usual, while you will be able to install as many games as you like within Wine.
Many users recommend using the Ubuntu package which integrates a stable version of Wine. Check if this choice fully satisfies your needs before proceeding to download the files. Remember that there may also be other packages that can better suit your needs
Step 2. Download the application (or applications) you want
You can locate a large number of old games by searching online or by visiting the Wine site directly at "appdb.winehq.org", where there is a large list of downloadable programs.
Always pay close attention to what you do when downloading third party software from the internet. Some of these files may be potentially harmful to your computer or in other cases they may be different from what you expect
Step 3. If possible, compile the Wine source code
Based on your goals and the operating system you are using, you will need to find the correct package to run the program on your 32-64-bit system. Inside the page dedicated to the FAQ of the website wiki.winehq.org you will find the list of all the recommended packages. Each of these software tools is created for a specific operating system, so to compile the source code you will have to strictly follow the instructions supplied with the chosen package.
If you have chosen the Ubuntu package, you will not need to compile Wine to run old Windows applications
Step 4. Add Wine as a source
Depending on the package you have chosen, the procedure to follow will be different. Refer to the instructions you got by downloading the package file or, in the case of Ubuntu, access the "Applications" menu, choose the "System Settings" item, select the "Software and Updates" icon, open the "Others" tab software "and finally press the" Add "button. A dialog box will appear where you can enter the following address: "ppa: ubuntu-wine / pp". At this point, press the "Add source" button, then move to the "Authentication" tab, import the key for the added package and finally close the "Software and updates" window.
Step 5. Complete the Wine installation
Having added the Wine source and authenticated, a new dialog should appear asking you to update your data. Press the "Reload" button, open the Ubuntu Software Center, search using the keyword "Wine" (without quotes), then press the "Install" button for the Wine application. Once the installation is complete, Wine will be ready to install and run new applications.
Step 6. Create a new folder dedicated to Wine
This is just a tip, but doing so will make it much easier to access installed applications through the program. Create a folder on your system hard drive (usually indicated by the letter "C:" or "D:") and give it a name that is easy to remember, for example "Disk_C".
Step 7. Configure Wine
Now that you have created the workbook, you can proceed to configure Wine using a "Terminal" window. After opening the latter, type the command "winecfg" and press the Enter key. The Wine configuration window will appear, inside which you should find the "Units" tab. After opening the latter, select the "C:" option. Using the "Browse" function you will be able to locate and choose the "Disk_C" folder you created in the previous step and then press the "OK" button. Press it again to close the Wine configuration window.
Step 8. Install the Windows applications you want to use
Now, in the "Terminal" window, you will be able to install the desired program using the relative file. Access the "System" menu, choose the "Preferences" item and finally select the "WineFile" option. A new dialog will appear, use it to navigate to the folder that contains the desired application installation file.
Step 9. Run the installation file
You can do this by selecting the relevant icon with a double click of the mouse. At this point, a series of dialog boxes will appear to guide you through the installation procedure. The process will be very similar to installing a program within a current Windows version. When the procedure is complete, the executable file (with ".exe" extension) should be present in the installation folder, which will allow you to run the program. To do this, double-click on it.
Method 3 of 3: Install Programs via the Installation Disc
Step 1. Wait for the computer to finish booting after the initial start-up
If a disc were inserted into the optical drive during this step, the computer would most likely try to load the operating system from the optical drive. To prevent this from happening, you simply have to wait for the computer to finish booting.
Step 2. Insert the desired program installation disc into your computer's CD drive
In this case the problem Not it is the optical medium itself, but the language in which the executable program was written. To get around this obstacle you may need to use a tool that guarantees compatibility with applications for Windows systems.
Step 3. Install the chosen program
Ignore the installation window that appeared automatically after inserting the CD into the drive by pressing the "Cancel", "Close" or "Exit" button. Now select the program icon with the right mouse button, then choose "Properties" from the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 4. Go to the "Compatibility" tab and check if the application you are interested in is supported
If you know the version of Windows it was created for, you can select the "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" checkbox and choose the version of Windows it was originally created for. If you don't know this information, press the "Run the Compatibility Troubleshooter" button located at the top of the window. At this point, follow the instructions that appear on the screen to check if there is a solution applicable to your case.
Advice
- Some games will not be able to be used, unless you install specific software packages or virtual accessories for your computer. These additional tools vary depending on the video game you choose, so it can be useful to do a preliminary research in order to find out what you need in your specific case.
- Often the games on the "Jumpstart" site are more than enough to spend many hours of carefree fun. Some users don't recommend trying "Jumpstart Typing", but of course the final choice is up to you.
