Linux??

[JPG]

Is there a way to run dos .exe and .com files on linux?

[edma194]

There are emulators to allow that but the big question is why? Are you using Linux now or considering switching to it? Is there some problem you are trying to address?

[garys]

Yes, there are some dos emulators for that purpose. It might depend on what flavor of Linux you are using to decide which way is easiest for you.
https://opensource.com/article/17/10/ru ... ions-linux
https://www.howtoinstall.me/ubuntu/18-04/dosemu/

[roy_okc]

There is a project called WINE that works for some Windows programs to run directly within Linux. Best way to check whether to even attempt installing is to google <app name> and WINE. If you get mixed results, then install and try it out thoroughly for the app features you need. For instance, I use a CNC program called Vectric Aspire; some portions work very well, others mixed, and some not at all.

To get best results, a virtual machine running Windows should give you very near 100% compatibility. Any problems would likely be things that expect special hardware like a graphics card, such as high-end games.

[JPG]

Reason for he question:

I have about had it with Windows. My computer is inadequate for w11. I have been using vdosplus to create and run dos exe programs(using what I have).

I have ubuntu(currently non-supported) and have been using it as a workaround since windows is not recognizing usb drives and sd card reader.

I am seriously considering a shift to a newer linux version(recommendations sought!). I will keep w10 as a contingency. As long as w10 still accesses "C" drive, al lI have currently in that partition is available to both OS.

I find it enlightening that W10 cannot interface with my usb drives and sd card reader and old linux has no issues with them.

I am almost ready to drop back to XT!

[edma194]

Reason for he question:

I have about had it with Windows. My computer is inadequate for w11. I have been using vdosplus to create and run dos exe programs(using what I have).
I have ubuntu(currently non-supported) and have been using it as a workaround since windows is not recognizing usb drives and sd card reader.
I am seriously considering a shift to a newer linux version(recommendations sought!). I will keep w10 as a contingency. As long as w10 still accesses "C" drive, al lI have currently in that partition is available to both OS.
I find it enlightening that W10 cannot interface with my usb drives and sd card reader and old linux has no issues with them.
I am almost ready to drop back to XT!

I can't make a recommendation for a Unix type platform since I haven't been using any of them for a few years but it will be a way to keep you going on your hardware for a while. You'll just have to try out the different emulators and see what works best for the applications you want to run. For popular software you can usually find out online how well they will work with a particular emulator. As roy_okc pointed out some compromises are necessary. You probably want to find substitutes for your old software and get away from Windows altogether or just face a lot of future frustration.

Hope this all works out for you, happy to help if I can.

[roy_okc]

I am seriously considering a shift to a newer linux version(recommendations sought!). I will keep w10 as a contingency. As long as w10 still accesses "C" drive, al lI have currently in that partition is available to both OS.

I've been using Ubuntu MATE for various installs in the past couple years. It has a classic desktop look and feel, so it is easy for me to get around in without having to figure out the Unity desktop environment (DE) that was (is?) used by Ubuntu main. It still uses the official Ubuntu repositories, just comes default with a different DE.

[garys]

I've used the Linux Mint distribution exclusively for the last 5-7 years and find it incredibly easy to use. It comes with the Cinnamon desktop which is nice and easy to use. Mint is based on Ubuntu, but the Cinnamon desktop is probably easier to use than the desktops offered by Ubuntu.

[dusty]

Reason for he question:

I have about had it with Windows. My computer is inadequate for w11. I have been using vdosplus to create and run dos exe programs(using what I have).

I have ubuntu(currently non-supported) and have been using it as a workaround since windows is not recognizing usb drives and sd card reader.

I am seriously considering a shift to a newer linux version(recommendations sought!). I will keep w10 as a contingency. As long as w10 still accesses "C" drive, al lI have currently in that partition is available to both OS.

I find it enlightening that W10 cannot interface with my usb drives and sd card reader and old linux has no issues with them.

I am almost ready to drop back to XT!

Are you able to do that? Do you have XP on disk with a user key? I ask because it is beginning to look like my ssd is corrupted in such a way that it won't boot and can not be restored.

[JPG]

I think so! However the dvd player must function. Not sure where it is hiding though.