Trying to use linux to run a complicated windows 3.1 program

TheMarkster · 01-30-2018, 06:09 PM

I would try DosBox first. If that doesn't work try Virtualbox next. If that doesn't work try vmware (this one's not free, but the vmware player is free). Wine would be a last resort as my personal preference. There are tutorials to be found via google for setting up all of these options. I tried to post some links, but as this is my first post I guess I wasn't trustworthy enough yet. Just search for "install windows 3.1 on xxx" where xx is DosBox, VirtualBox, etc.

jlinkels · 01-30-2018, 08:43 PM

VMWare has a free version (*) which is good enough for this application. It lacks certain functionality normally used in business environments such as copying virtual machines and a CLI interface. You certainly don't need that for running a W3.1 program. The good news is that VMWare allows the emulation of serial ports in the VM and can map those to physical serial ports.

(*) I mean VSphere ESXi, not the VMWare player

jlinkels