Emulate Windows 98 or ME

Hi guys, I would like to know if any of you has been able to emulate Windows 98 or ME without any problem using any virtualization software (Virtual PC, VMware, etc), and how you did it.

I have a Vostro 1400 with Vista Business and Nvidia Geforce 8400 M GS graphic card. So far everything has been Ok, but I need to run software to operate some lab equipment which can only be done in Windows 98 or ME. I have already tried with Virtual PC, but the screen was very blurry because it didn't recognize my graphic card, which also does not have a Windows 98 driver.

I would appreciate any insights you could have.

 

Did you try compatibility mode? When I had Vista on my R60, I had to use compatibility mode to get a few pieces of software to work properly. I think it goes back to Windows 95 though I just needed to use XP.

 

When running ANY OS under Virtual PC the guest OS does not need a driver at all. Nor does it need to recognize your Video card or any other hardware for that matter. It uses "virtual" hardware provided by the host OS. I have a feeling I know what your problem was. Did you install the "VMAdditions" on the guest OS? If not the guest OS will run very poorly and none of the "virtual" hardware will be optimized. In the Microsoft Virtual PC program folder you will find one named "Virtual Machine Additions" in that is a file "VMAdditions.ISO". Using Virtual PC, mount that ISO to make it available to the Guest OS. The Guest OS will see it as a cd drive and autostart will start up the installer. Let it do it's thing. I believe you will have to reboot the guest OS after the install is complete. Unmount the ISO and reboot. You will see a MAJOR difference in the guest OS.

Now having said all that, what sort of interface does the lab equipment require? Some folks have reported issues with some external device connections when running under Virtual PC. I have not tried that so I can't vouch for it at all. But I use Virtual PC every day for some development work I do.

Gary

 

Thanks Gary and ZaZ. I tried using the compatibility mode with Final Fantasy 8 and didn't work.

About the VMAdditions.ISO, I am almost sure that I used it but I will reinstall Windows 98 under Virtual PC and try again, maybe I didn't do it. The lab equipment connects to a Serial port, which my laptop doesn't have, so I was thinking of using a Com port emulator + a USB-to-Serial adaptor. The Com port emulator would be installed on Vista, and then assign the emulated port to Windows 98 through Virtual PC configuration.

 

Here is a nice simulation of Windows ME.

 

That USB-to-Serial adapter maybe the deal breaker. I don't know if Virtual PC or any virtualization for that matter is going to handle that correctly. It is worth a try though for sure. I know a Vista app will see it as a Comm port but I don't know if the virtualization code will too. Please let us know if that works or not. I might have a use for it myself if it does!!!

Gary

 

Thanks, I just set that as my wallpaper.

 

I'll be in the lab probably on Tuesday, as soon as I test Windows 98 emulated with a virtual Comm port I'll post the result.