Running up an old DOS machine on VM player

For anyone who would like to run an old  DOS computer as a virtual machine using VM Player, here are some steps you can follow to get it running.

(1)    Watch this utube movie to get an idea, and download the appropriate ISO file as indicated below. It shows all the steps for Workstation, but free VM player is not that much different.  I will show the steps how I completed my machine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwxoSnWsMdk

(2)    Thank you  dryblober2772.  There is only one tricky bit, getting into the virtual machines BIOS, and I have shown how that is done below. It does require good hand/eye coordination,  and keyboard dexterity skills.   Those ISO files. Put them somewhere where you can find them later for sure.

http://www.allbootdisks.com/download/iso.html

(3)    Download and install VMplayer. It’s completely free. Updated it when requested.
ttp://www.vmware.com/products/player/overview.html

 (4)    The really nice thing about VM player (for beginners) is that if you screw up installing a virtual machine, or you get really stuck with an application,  a couple of clicks and then mashing the “DELETE VIRTUAL MACHINE”  really does tidy up the mess as if it never happened and you can start again. You can also do all sorts of things virtually like  power down the machine instantly by pulling out the plug and kool stuff like that.  Very handy if you have completely forgotten how to exit out of an application you are stuck in, and it is no longer responding.

(5)    If you have an old operating system installation disk, try using it to build a new virtual machine, just to get the hang of things. The DOS installation isn’t that difficult though, it’s a good idea  do make up new folders to keep everything organised so you know where to find things.

(6)    Create a New Virtual machine. Select  “I will install the operating system later” radio button option.

Select “Microsoft Windows” and Version -à “Windows 3.1”.
Select defaults for disk size (8GB) and split disk (multiple files).
FINISH

(7)    Edit virtual machine settings. CD/DVD . Use ISO image file and select where you have stored the image file.

(8)    PLAY virtual machine. The DOS screen should come up if the ISO file runs OK.

(9)    Now comes the tricky bit. You need to get into the virtual machines BIOS and set up the correct boot sequence.  You can repeatedly restart the virtual machine by selecting the “Send Cntl+Alt+del” instruction from the player file menu. Not the actual sequence on your real PC.  You can can type in the virtual screen by clicking on it, you press  “Cntl” (keep depressed) then “”Alt” to get back off the virtual machine screen.

(10) Every time the machine reboots, you will see “Press F2 for SETTINGS” momentarily. Easier said than done.  You need to have your finger poised just above the F2 button ready for instant mashing when required. You press the “Send cntl+alt+del” using your other hand  to select the mouse click, but then immediately  (very fast indeed)  click on the virtual computer screen  to get the keyboard operational on the virtual PC, then press the F2 button immediately to get in the BIOS screen.  Practise makes it easier and you later wonder why it was so difficult at the beginning.

(11) Play with the BIOS boot up sequence to get the DVD to boot first followed by the Hard Drive.  Press F10 to save the new BIOS settings.

(12) Now its time to learn (relearn) DOS.  dryblober2772  leads the way.

(13) Just copy dryblobers  instructions exactly.  For clarity I have typed the sequence below. It all comes back to me now “MD” -->  Make Directory etc.  
(13.1) Execute fdisk  (type it and press enter). Enter defaults. Restart your machine.
(13.2) Execute Format C:/S
(13.3) C: (to change prompt to C: drive) MD (make directory) MSDOS
(13.4) Copy a:\*.* .MSDOS /v
(13.5) Copy A:\config.sys
(13.6) Copy A:\autoexec.bat
(13.7) Copy A:\Himem.sys
(13.8) Copy a:\CD1.sys

(14). After completion. Remove the ISO file from the CD/DVD in VM player settings and now your virtual PC will boot up in DOS from the C:\ drive.  If you select the physical CD drive any CD/DVD disk  you put in it will be the default boot up option.  Mission accomplished.