Dos programs
Author: m | 2025-04-25
Programming MS-DOS with Power - DOS Programming, Undocumented DOS, and DOS Secrets - System programming tutorials like disk handling, interrupts, inputs, sound, graphics.
programing in DOS? - C Programming
I noticed that DOSBox-X v0.83.0 has been recently released. So I made a long filename (LFN) emulation patch for it. With the patch, DOSBox-X provides support for long filenames that works the same way that LFN works in a MS-DOS prompt within Windows 9x/Me, including command shell support (DIR, CD, MD, DEL, COPY, etc) and external DOS program support (via Int21/AX=71xx functions). LFN support in DOSBox-X is disabled with the default DOSBox-X setting, but with the patch it will be enabled if initial DOS version is set to be 7.0 or higher.It has been tested with various programs, including LFN-compatible programs such as MS-DOS 7 EDIT, UPX and DOSZip Commander, and also programs that do not support long filenames, such as dBase 3/4, WordPerfect 5/6, WordStar, XyWrite and Word for DOS, as well as Windows 3.0/3.1/3.11 WFW. Both Windows 10 and Linux (Fedora) environments have been used for testing so far, and the above-mentioned programs are confirmed to run fine with the LFN feature either enabled or disabled. The LFN demo application for Clipper is also specifically used to test the LFN functions when available.The .diff patch for DOSBox-X 0.83.0 is available from: pre-compiled DOSBox-X Windows builds are also available from:Windows 32-bit binary: 64-bit binary: check it out and see how it works. You can let me know if any issue(s) are found (even though the programs I tried so far all seem to work).P.S. I thought there was some thread about an earlier LFN patch, but I cannot seem to find it by searching the issues within the project. So I am making this one. In any case, the patch I posted here is for the most recent DOSBox-X release, v0.83.0. Programming MS-DOS with Power - DOS Programming, Undocumented DOS, and DOS Secrets - System programming tutorials like disk handling, interrupts, inputs, sound, graphics. Controller mode. What the controller acts like.# ps2 PS/2 mode (most common)# ps2_model30 PS/2 model 30# at AT mode# xt PC/XT mode## Advanced options (see full configuration reference file [dosbox-x.reference.full.conf] for more details):# -> irq; io; dma; int13fakev86io; instant mode; auto-attach to int 13h; chip#enable = falsepnp = truemode = ps2[4dos]rem = This section is the 4DOS.INI file, if you use 4DOS as the command shell[config]# rem: Records comments (remarks).# break: Sets or clears extended CTRL+C checking.# Possible values: on, off.# numlock: Sets the initial state of the NumLock key.# Possible values: on, off.# shell: Specifies the command shell (COMMAND.COM or 4DOS.COM).# dos: Reports whether DOS occupies HMA and allocates UMB memory (if available).# fcbs: Number of FCB handles available to DOS programs (1-255).# files: Number of file handles available to DOS programs (8-255).# country: Country code for date/time formats and optionally code page for TTF output and language files.# lastdrive: The maximum drive letter (A-Z) that can be accessed by programs.# Possible values: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z.rem = This section is DOS's CONFIG.SYS file, not all CONFIG.SYS options supportedbreak = offnumlock = shell = dos = high, umbfcbs = 50files = 100country = lastdrive = zset path = Z:\;Z:\SYSTEM;Z:\BIN;Z:\DOS;Z:\4DOS;Z:\DEBUG;Z:\TEXTUTILset prompt = $P$Gset temp = install = installhigh = device = devicehigh = [autoexec]# Lines in this section will be run at startup.# You can put your MOUNT lines here.SET NWLANGUAGE=ENGLISHmount c c:\dos\#mount j j:\c:Comments
I noticed that DOSBox-X v0.83.0 has been recently released. So I made a long filename (LFN) emulation patch for it. With the patch, DOSBox-X provides support for long filenames that works the same way that LFN works in a MS-DOS prompt within Windows 9x/Me, including command shell support (DIR, CD, MD, DEL, COPY, etc) and external DOS program support (via Int21/AX=71xx functions). LFN support in DOSBox-X is disabled with the default DOSBox-X setting, but with the patch it will be enabled if initial DOS version is set to be 7.0 or higher.It has been tested with various programs, including LFN-compatible programs such as MS-DOS 7 EDIT, UPX and DOSZip Commander, and also programs that do not support long filenames, such as dBase 3/4, WordPerfect 5/6, WordStar, XyWrite and Word for DOS, as well as Windows 3.0/3.1/3.11 WFW. Both Windows 10 and Linux (Fedora) environments have been used for testing so far, and the above-mentioned programs are confirmed to run fine with the LFN feature either enabled or disabled. The LFN demo application for Clipper is also specifically used to test the LFN functions when available.The .diff patch for DOSBox-X 0.83.0 is available from: pre-compiled DOSBox-X Windows builds are also available from:Windows 32-bit binary: 64-bit binary: check it out and see how it works. You can let me know if any issue(s) are found (even though the programs I tried so far all seem to work).P.S. I thought there was some thread about an earlier LFN patch, but I cannot seem to find it by searching the issues within the project. So I am making this one. In any case, the patch I posted here is for the most recent DOSBox-X release, v0.83.0.
2025-04-14Controller mode. What the controller acts like.# ps2 PS/2 mode (most common)# ps2_model30 PS/2 model 30# at AT mode# xt PC/XT mode## Advanced options (see full configuration reference file [dosbox-x.reference.full.conf] for more details):# -> irq; io; dma; int13fakev86io; instant mode; auto-attach to int 13h; chip#enable = falsepnp = truemode = ps2[4dos]rem = This section is the 4DOS.INI file, if you use 4DOS as the command shell[config]# rem: Records comments (remarks).# break: Sets or clears extended CTRL+C checking.# Possible values: on, off.# numlock: Sets the initial state of the NumLock key.# Possible values: on, off.# shell: Specifies the command shell (COMMAND.COM or 4DOS.COM).# dos: Reports whether DOS occupies HMA and allocates UMB memory (if available).# fcbs: Number of FCB handles available to DOS programs (1-255).# files: Number of file handles available to DOS programs (8-255).# country: Country code for date/time formats and optionally code page for TTF output and language files.# lastdrive: The maximum drive letter (A-Z) that can be accessed by programs.# Possible values: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z.rem = This section is DOS's CONFIG.SYS file, not all CONFIG.SYS options supportedbreak = offnumlock = shell = dos = high, umbfcbs = 50files = 100country = lastdrive = zset path = Z:\;Z:\SYSTEM;Z:\BIN;Z:\DOS;Z:\4DOS;Z:\DEBUG;Z:\TEXTUTILset prompt = $P$Gset temp = install = installhigh = device = devicehigh = [autoexec]# Lines in this section will be run at startup.# You can put your MOUNT lines here.SET NWLANGUAGE=ENGLISHmount c c:\dos\#mount j j:\c:
2025-04-20DOSBox is a portable DOS emulator or Portable DOSBox that can be used to run many old DOS games or applications that cannot be run on a modern Windows Operating System. It is great to use for those old DOS software applications or games you may have sitting around collecting dust.Extracted Size: This portable DOS Emulator requires roughly 3.6MB for complete installation.Authors Website: Project PageLicense: Open SourceSupported OS: Windows, macOS, LinuxRating: 3.5 StarDOSBox is a free and open source emulator that allows you to run software designed for MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) on modern operating systems. MS-DOS was a popular operating system in the early days of personal computing, and many classic games and applications were developed for it. However, modern computers no longer use MS-DOS, so emulators like this one provide a way to run these older programs on contemporary or newer hardware.Here are some of its popular featuresExtensive Configuration Options: Provides a range of configuration options that allow users to customize their experience. Users can tweak settings such as CPU cycles, sound, graphics, and more to optimize performance for specific applications or games.Mounting Drives and Directories: Emulates the MS-DOS file system, and users can mount drives and directories from their host system to make files accessible within the emulated environment.Support for Graphics and Sound: Supports various graphics modes and sound devices, allowing users to experience classic games and applications as they were intended to be played.Compatibility with DOS Software: Designed to be compatible with a wide range of DOS software, including games, utilities, and productivity applications.Command Line Interface: Like MS-DOS, it uses a command line interface. Users can run DOS commands and execute DOS programs from within the emulator.Dynamic Core: It uses a dynamic core to emulate the CPU, providing flexibility and better performance compared to static core emulation in certain situations.To use DOSBox, you need to configure it according to your preferences, and then mount the directory containing the DOS software you want to run. DOS programs can then be executed within the emulated environment.It is especially popular among retro gaming enthusiasts who want to play classic DOS games on modern systems. It's a valuable portable and free tool for preserving and experiencing software from the early days of personal computing.How to make DOSBox portableDownload DOSBox and run the installer installing it onto your computer.Copy the C:\Program Files\DOSBox-0.72 folder to your USB flash drive.From the DOSBox-0.72 folder, Click dosbox.exe to launch the program.Note: You can uninstall it from your PC once you have the Portable DOSBox on your USB drive.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is DOSBox?A portable DOS emulator that enables you to run legacy DOS applications and games on modern operating systems by emulating an MS-DOS environment.How
2025-04-10A boot disk is a combination of programs and a DOS command is compressed in a removable data storage device. TipsMake.com - MS-DOS Disk Boot CD intermediate device is used to boot compact disk to replace the hard drive when booting Windows. A boot disk is a combination of programs and a DOS command is compressed in a removable data storage device. These data storage devices are capable of downloading and running the operating system or other utility software. How to create DOS Boot CD Picture 1 In addition, boot disk is also used in: • Installing the operating system • Recover lost data • Solving problems related to hardware and software • Introducing the software • Clean up data • Customize the operating system • Access administrator rights, enabling users to retrieve passwords when forgotten • Download games The boot disk can only run automatically on startup if the computer with the built-in program meets the disk's standards. This built-in program acts as a bootable, executing the programs included in the boot disk. In addition, there are some boot disks, because different types of operating systems require separate content in the boot disk. This means that a boot disk must be compatible with the system to be designed for. Step 1 Insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive of the computer. In this case, the user can use a rewritable disc or a blank disc. Step 2 When the CD-ROM drive has received the disc, access 'My Computer' from the icon on the computer screen or in the Windows Start menu. Step 3 In the 'My Computer' window, click on the CD drive icon, right-click and select ' format '. Step 4 After clicking 'Format', a small window will appear. The options are given in the Format window, providing users with a variety of actions. Check the box that says ' Create an MS-DOS startup disk '. Step 5 Click the ' Start ' button after checking the ' Create an MS-DOS startup disk ' dialog box. Step 6 Users can also copy additional files to the boot disk. The files added to this disk are the user programs that choose to run them when the system starts. This is done to support the operating system when running other applications or utilities such as antivirus programs and hardware drivers. Step 7 In addition, there are a number of different
2025-04-21Dosemu2dosemu2 is an emulator for running DOS programs under linux.It can also serve as a VM to boot various DOSes.Binary packages for ubuntu are available here: packages for fedora are here: packages for OpenSUSE are here: send bug reports to typeto run an emulator.Useto run and exit (add -T to not exit).Use -E ">dosemu -K -E or -- ">dosemu -- to run DOS programs from unix directory.If you want to run the DOS program from a DOS directory, use this syntax:dosemu -K :C:\\games\\carma -E carma.exeThis will run carma.exe from c:\games\carma. Note the leading colonafter -K: it means that the DOS path, rather than unix path, is specified.You can actually specify both paths:dosemu -K ~/dosgames:carma -E carma.exeThis creates the DOS drive for ~/dosgames, then chdirs to carma andruns carma.exe.ConfiguringPer-user configuration file can be created as ~/.dosemu/.dosemurc.Add your custom settings there.Look into the global configuration file /etc/dosemu/dosemu.conf forexisting settings, their descriptions and default values, and modifythe local config accordingly. $_hdimage is probably the first settingto look into, as it configures the host fs access.Create c:\userhook.sys and/or c:\userhook.bat files to customize yourboot sequence. userhook.sys can contain the config.sys directives anduserhook.bat can contain custom boot commands.Drive C: is usually located at ~/.dosemu/drive_c. You can add DOSprograms there. Or you can run dosemu -d to mount the as a new DOS drive.
2025-04-12Mouse wheel movement conversion is disabled.Support for starting programs to run on the host systemsIt is possible to launch a host application from inside DOSBox-X to run on the host system, either using START command or in the case of Windows also run it directly from the shell. This feature is disabled by default for security reasons, but you can set startcmd=true config option or -hostrun command-line option to enable the feature.Support for changing or synchronizing the date and timeYou can change the date and time either from DOSBox-X’s DOS shell (DATE and TIME commands), or using the DOS APIs or with DOSBox-X’s BIOS Setup Utility. DOSBox-X also provides the option to automatically synchronize the date and time with the host system.Support for quick-launching programs to run inside DOSBox-XDOSBox-X lets you use the system file browser to select a DOS program to quickly run inside DOSBox-X on all supported platforms, and file associations for DOS programs are supported for the Windows Explorer as well.Support for setting config options from the DOSBox-X command lineDOSBox-X allows you to set one or more config options from the DOSBox-X command line, overriding any preset config options that may be specified in the config file. For example, dosbox-x -set machine=pc98 forces DOSBox-X to start in PC-98 mode.Support for Ctrl+C/Ctrl+Break in the shell and DOS programsYou can press the Ctrl+C or Ctrl+Break key to break from the current operation when running in the shell, many DOS commands as well as DOS applications.Support for the mounting VHD, HDI, QCOW2 disk images and MAME CHD CD imagesDOSBox-X supports various different types of disk images, such as Virtual Hard Disk (VHD), HDI (for PC-98 mode) and QEMU copy-on-write v2 (QCOW2) disk images and MAME CHD images for CD images, in addition to the standard disk image types (IMG, ISO,
2025-04-06