Q&A for How to Use DOSBox

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Are DOS and command prompt similar?

Community Answer

Yes. The Windows command prompt actually uses a language based on DOS. All the commands that work in DOS will work in Windows.

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Can I write new programs in DOSBox?

Community Answer

Yes, but you will need a compiler or interpreter. The simplest way it to use QBasic. Set up your compiler similar to how an old game is set up and it should work.

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Question

I have some QBasic programs from the Windows 98 days. Can I run them with DOSBox?

Community Answer

Yes, just load up the QBasic interpreter and your programs in DOSBox, similar to how old games are loaded up.

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What do I do if I am being shown ; instead of : and [ instead of \?

Community Answer

Try pressing NumLock. Also try pressing the keys at the same time as your "Fn" key. If those don't work ,try looking for other keys that say "\" and ":" and press Fn, Shift, and NumLock with those as well.

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How do I set up DOSBox in Macintosh?

Community Answer

First, download the installer, and tell it to install to "~/DOSBOX." Now, at "~" create a new folder called "DOSGAMES" and put your Dos Games into DOSGAMES. Then, open DOSBox and type in " mount C ~/DOSGAMES," press enter, and type "C:" Then, type "dir" and look at the list of files. It should show you name of your dosgames, e.g "DOOM." Now, type "CD DOOM" (assuming your game's folder is called DOOM) and type "dir" again. There should be a file called "Install," "Setup," or something like that. Type the name of the file, and it should start the setup.

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Question

How do I run a game in DOSBox that is a download and not a physical disk?

Community Answer

If it's an ISO Image, either extract it into a file or use imgmount in the guide. If it's already a file, type "mount C C:\DOSGAMES" and type C:. Now, if your game is in the DOSGAMES folder, then type "dir" and press enter. There should be a list of folders. Assuming it shows a folder named "DOOM," type in "cd DOOM" and type in"dir" again. There should be an EXE, COM, or BAT named "Install" or "Setup." Just type in the name of it. It should start up.

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What should I do if my computer says the directory C:\DOSGAMES doesn't exist whenever I try to mount it?

Community Answer

First off, if you're using Windows, look at the left bar that says stuff like "Desktop," "Documents," and "Downloads," etc. In there, you should see a thing that's named something like "Something (C:)." ("Something" would be your hard drive's name.) Click on your "Something (C:)," and you should see a bunch of files that say stuff like "Users," "Program Files," etc. Right click anywhere there are no files, hover over "New," click "Folder," name it "DOSGAMES," and put your games in there.

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How do I install a DOS program with multiplie installation floppy disks when I have no floppy disk drive?

Community Answer

Use a program like 7-Zip to extract the floppies into one folder like "C:\DOSGAMES\YourGameHere\" and make sure when you extract it, if they exist, take all the contents out of extra folders like "Disk01" and "Disk02," and put them straight into your "YourGamesHere" folder. Now, try running the installation program in DosBox. It should think that it's one disk now.

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What should I do when I get an error saying "This is a Windows NT Windows executable?"

Community Answer

Get a version of it that DOS box can run, or get a Windows NT emulator.

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Question

I've gotten as far as step 4, but all I see are a ".bin" and a ".cue" files. Does that mean it's impossible to run the game, since there isn't an ".exe" file?

Community Answer

If you head over to your C: drive where your game is stored, then there should be a file within your game that doesn't have a normal page image, try that name to open it.

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