DOS ain't dead

Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS (Announce)

posted by Rugxulo , Usono, 27.09.2011, 05:05

> First, just to say a short hello as this is my first message on this forum.
> :)

Welcome.

> Anyway, I copied the contents of your lib and DJGPP archives to my dosemu
> setup. DJGPP did work and compiled nxlib demos, but broke at trying to
> compile FLTK demos with an "out of memory" error.

DOSEMU is 20 MB DPMI by default, which is ridiculously low. Try using "dpmi -m" or permanently via ~/.dosemurc file.

> The binaries that actually did compile wouldn't run on DOSEmu.

Same error?

> Strangely enough, they ran (rather slowly) on DosBox.

DOSBox actually comes default configured for only 16 MB and needs a separate DPMI host available (unlike DOSEMU). It can only utilize 64 MB of memory unless you tweak its sources and recompile. I don't know why it would run there and not DOSEMU without knowing more.

> I don't think it's got anything to do with my
> setup, as I was able to run many needy DOS apps (and games) quite
> successfully under DOSEmu.

DOSEMU is a bit pickier, and it's basically using V86 mode for most of its work. (I'm assuming 32-bit Linux here.) DOSBox has to go to greater lengths for compatibility, i.e. full cpu emulation.

> It might be possible that this requires a bit
> more modern machine. For example, a Pentium+ with a great deal of RAM. But
> that's just a wild guess. Has anyone tried it on a physicall DOS install
> whith lower specs than Georg's? If you have, what were the machine's specs
> and did it work?

No, I didn't try in pure DOS as trying to get DJGPP, LFNs, and various annoying Autotools working is a pain and often fails. I guess I've gotten more pessimistic over the years after having tried so many times.

> I read this forum for a long time (haven't tried to register before) and I
> know It would be better to answer some questions precautionary. :) No, I
> can't afford a dedicated DOS partiton, especially because I won't be using
> it very often. Usually, DOSEmu is more than enough for my needs.

Makes sense, it's easier to work with what you have than reinstall everything.

Complete thread:

• Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - georgpotthast, 07.08.2011, 18:56 (Announce)
  • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - DOS386, 08.08.2011, 03:27
  • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - Laaca, 08.08.2011, 15:59
    • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - georgpotthast, 09.08.2011, 19:29
      • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - roytam, 12.08.2011, 01:18
      • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - Laaca, 23.08.2011, 20:56
        • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - georgpotthast, 23.08.2011, 21:53
      • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS | What GUI apps ? - DOS386, 04.09.2011, 12:35
    • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - RayeR, 12.08.2011, 23:57
      • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - georgpotthast, 23.08.2011, 13:04
        • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - rr, 23.08.2011, 22:13
          • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - georgpotthast, 24.08.2011, 13:02
  • Nano-X source code posted - georgpotthast, 27.08.2011, 12:48
  • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - bocke, 26.09.2011, 20:57
    • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - Rugxulo, 27.09.2011, 05:05
      • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - georgpotthast, 27.09.2011, 10:32
        • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - bocke, 28.09.2011, 02:20
          • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - Rugxulo, 04.10.2011, 15:52
            • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - bocke, 15.10.2011, 12:45
      • Nano-X/NXlib and FLTK for DOS - bocke, 28.09.2011, 02:05