Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of jmillsp
jmillsp

asked on

Win 98 vs. Win 95 and compatability issues with DOS

This is a question relative to the fact that I have a friend that just ordered a new Dell with Win 98 and they orderred some specialized program for there video rental store to be placed on the machine. The outfit they bought the software from says that it does not work very well with Windows 98 as it is a DOS based program and prefers 95. I am afraid I am going to be the one stuck with trying to install this very expensive software and want to make sure it works. If this Dell gets shipped out with the 98 on it will I have to completely reformat the harddrive then instal DOS and 95 or do you think 98 might run it just as well or is there another way around this thing you can think of? Thanks for the help
Avatar of tinkel
tinkel

I dont know if it will run or not, but I can tell you that if you have problems with the OS and you call Dell they will put Win98 back on the machine before doing any trouble shooting.  At least most of the techs will.
Around it? Not really. Best case is you don't load the WIndows GUI (easy by editing the MSDOS.SYS) and load only the command prompt, then run your app as if it's just a DOS app, as if WIN98 is not even there...
Avatar of jmillsp

ASKER

OK---, I am dumb. Will this enable me to leave 98 on it and use 98 when needed? Also can you walk me slowly through the process you describe above?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Patricia Siu-Lai Ho
Patricia Siu-Lai Ho
Flag of Hong Kong image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
I have 98 and have found no problems with the oldest DOS programs, minus maybe a couple of hardware diagnostics utilities, but even then 95 does no better. You can shut into DOS mode from Windows by selecting Start:Shutdown and Clicking "Restart Computer in MS-DOS Mode"
when you want windows back, and your in the command prompt you can type "Exit" or just simply reset it and it will re-open windows. You can also get into DOS by (in 98) holding down the Ctrl key just before the windows logo shows, and select "Command Prompt Only", or you can use the F8 key (press quickly) just as windows starts (this is the only way in 95, 98 will accept it also).
Hope I helped.
Avatar of jmillsp

ASKER

Thanks, we will give it a try.
jmillsp, if you do have computing problem of those programs in win98. Here EE has a lot of well-experienced techs to help you,too.
Thank your grade A.     ;p)     pslh