[boris]

"Without either/both, your chances of running any DOS software under XP will be slight."

The reason is that XP does not have DOS; it "emulates" DOS (and not very well). Basically any program that used a DOS emulator has no hope of running under XP. I "solved" that problem with MS Virtual PC (purchased from another company, natch). The only problem--aside from the cost--is that the Virtual PC has a 640x480 screen and I have not found any way to change that.

Perhaps "Dosbox" does better?

--Boris

[holymoly]

The reason is that XP does not have DOS

I am well aware of that. Windows NT, 2000 & XP use the NT kernel.

Many in the DOS community do use DOSBox and/or VDMSound to run DOS software under NT/2000/XP successfully.

Are they perfect? No. They are not a panacea for running DOS software under NT-based Windows.

Will they allow all DOS software to run under XP? No.

However, I see no harm in trying them. They are free. If they don't work, all the user has lost is a little time.

DOSBox:
http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/

VDMSound:
http://www.ece.mcgill.ca/~vromas/vdmsound/