Gooday Gaming Guests - I have Worked With Every DOS & Windows OS Systems since it's infancy

Episode Date: December 3, 2024

I am excited to see what is next but at the same time enjoying all Vintage.

Alright so today I decided to talk about operating systems. So I'm really into the vintage computing. So I'm 56 so I pretty much grew up 3.0. And then Windows 2000. I believe there's a Windows, well we know there's a Windows 95. And Windows 98. And then there was Windows NT, I believe. So I've had them all. And over the years I've had computers with them all. As each one was an upgrade from the previous. Then we get into XP, and then Vista.

And then for Vista, I believe it was Windows 7, which still is probably the best Windows. And then the dreaded Windows 8. There was no Windows 9 then Windows 10 and we're at 11 now but there's been many versions of it I have that insiders Windows inside a program where you get the newer updates a little bit sooner so I'm waiting for Windows 12 uh and significantly significantly more memory and a processor because i have like some computers this laptop by the way we're going to work on windows 10 it doesn't have the correct setup to go on windows 11 which to me there really is no difference um between the two.

So I don't know. Windows 12 should be significantly different, I think, whereas AI will be more integrated. And then going forward after that, I think there's going to be another Windows, or it'll be more of an AI operating system just in general. It'll be interesting to find out where it goes. But I've been here

since the original. Again, like I said, I'm 56, so I can't remember when the first operating system DOS, I was on the TRS-80. Model 1 was my first computer. I have a cool picture somewhere, and I've got to find it, because I want to blow it up

or get a picture of me now next to a computer as like a side by side from when i was like 14 i think it was but unfortunately girls and alcohol came in and then that ruined all my uh learning and puberty from that point on everything got messed up but now i can circle back which i have in the last three or four years of what well actually seven years for the gaming that i've been working on and the last few years for vintage computing so now i can go back to any system any error i don't have a lot of fun games from windows 95 error that i like that i like to at least play a little bit of each one Any error. I don't have a lot of fun games. From Windows 95 era. That I like. That I like to.

At least play a little bit. Of each one. I still haven't set up. A decent Windows 95. I tried to do it on an HP. Business computer. But it's just too new. I had to downgrade all the way down to 512K.

Just to get Windows 98 on it. But it doesn't recognize a lot of the stuff there are computers you can get that will simulate windows 95 and all that but i haven't gotten to that i really wanted an original one i have a laptop that has windows 98 on it however it's only disk hard disk floppy disk it doesn't have a CD-ROM yet. Early Toshiba. I got a few fun early Toshiba laptops that I collected. And then I got some early Apple stuff.

That's fun, but that's before. But you really can't play anything on Apple. I have a G3 that will play Riven. I've played it on the G3. But then I upgraded it and not realized 9.2 was better for it than the 10.2 that's on it now. I think that is listed as well. Then I have a newer 2009 Macintosh. But that was just pretty fun.

Using that to test my... I had some time capsules and a bunch of stuff so really is anything vintage older the better broken or otherwise collected a few of the Toshiba they ended up being my early laptop of choice from DOS I've got an early early DOS a T3200 that's pretty cool. And then I have a couple more that are a little bit newer than that as getting as far as

Windows 95 and then Windows 98. So I remember years of changing operating systems and upgrading and getting RAM. I remember RAM used to be really, really expensive. So I pretty much, again, been with computers since the beginning.

So it's interesting to see where it's going to go now. So let's put my buddy in here for a few minutes. Let's see if we can get some more insight. Just Windows in general or just operating systems and there's linux and then there was there was another operating system besides apple um linux i can't think of the other operating system not windows nt but there was a i think there's a windows ce windows light i believe hold on let's find my buddy here we'll get some

operating decided to do a little Windows action today hello hello hey Tom how's it going what's up today uh windows windows huh are you diving into some PC Windows. So, let's start with the original DOS. Was there anything before DOS? mainframes and early personal computers. One of the most notable was CPM, Control Program for Microcomputers, which was pretty popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. There were also various proprietary systems developed by

computer manufacturers for their own hardware. So then DOS came out and there was how many versions of that? MS-DOS had quite a few versions over the years. It started with MS-DOS 1.0 in 1981 and went through several major updates with the last official version being MS-DOS 6.22 released in 1994. There were some interim versions and variations too, especially as MS-DOS was bundled with different versions of IBM PCs and compatibles. In DOS you had to do everything through the disk drive as opposed to a hard drive?

Exactly. In the early days of DOS, many computers relied on floppy disks for both the operating system and storage, as hard drives were not yet common in personal computers. You'd boot up the computer with a DOS disk in the floppy drive and often swap disks to run different programs or save files. Then Windows, the first versions were Windows 1.0, 2 and 3? That's right. Windows started with version 1.0 in 1985, then progressed to 2.0, and eventually to the widely popular Windows 3.0 in 1990. Windows 3.0 really marked the beginning of Windows as a mainstream operating system for PCs, with a graphical user interface that caught on with a lot of users.

And then there was, what else was out there at that time? Linux and something else? Around the same time, there were a few other notable operating systems. Unix was already established, primarily in academic and enterprise environments. Linux came onto the scene in the early 1990s, offering a free and open-source alternative to Unix. Another significant player was OS2, developed by Microsoft and IBM, which aimed to be a successor to DOS, but didn't quite take off as expected. macOS was also evolving during this time, catering to Apple Macintosh computers. Then from there we go to Windows 95?

Yep, that's right! Windows 95 was a major leap forward when it launched in 1995. It introduced the Start menu, Taskbar, and a more intuitive graphical user interface, making it a huge hit. Windows 95 also brought in better support for multitasking and was a significant step towards the modern operating systems we use today. It also had plug-and-play.

That's right. Plug-and-play was a big deal in Windows 95. It made installing new hardware much easier. Instead of having to manually configure device settings and drivers, Plug and Play allowed the operating system to automatically recognize and configure new hardware, making the process much smoother for users. And Windows 98, was there much of an upgrade to that? Windows 98 built on the foundation of Windows 95 with several enhancements.

It improved hardware support, especially for USB devices, making it easier to connect peripherals. Windows 98 also introduced the Quick Launch Toolbar, better integration of Internet Explorer with the desktop, and support for new technologies like DVD drives and the FAT32 file system, allowing for larger hard drives and file sizes. Overall, it was a solid upgrade with a focus on improving the user experience. Then there was Windows 2000.

Yep. Windows 2000 came out in 2000, mainly targeting business and professional users. It was built on the Windows NT architecture, making it more stable and secure than its predecessors. Windows 2000 introduced features like the Active Directory, enhanced support for mobile computing, and better hardware support. It laid the groundwork for future Windows versions, especially for professional environments. Then Windows XP changed everything. Absolutely. Windows XP was a game changer when it launched in 2001.

It combined the stability of the Windows NT architecture with a user-friendly interface that appealed to both home and business users. XP introduced features like a revamped start menu, a more polished graphical interface, improved hardware support, and better networking capabilities. It remained incredibly popular for many years due to its reliability and ease of use.

You said there also was a Windows NT. Was that before? Yes. Windows NT actually predates Windows XP. It was first released in 1993. The NT stands for New Technology, and it was designed as a more robust, business-oriented operating system. Windows NT introduced a completely new architecture, which provided greater stability, security, and support for networking. It laid the groundwork for the Windows versions that followed,

including Windows 2000 and eventually Windows XP. So then we go to the dreaded Windows Vista. Ah, yes, Windows Vista, released in 2007. It was known for its flashy new interface called Arrow and a host of new features. However, it faced criticism for its high system requirements, compatibility issues and performance problems. Vista did bring improvements in security and introduced features like user account control, but overall it had a mixed reception. And then the best of them all is Windows 7. Absolutely.

Windows 7, released in 2009, was a huge hit. It addressed many of the issues that played Vista and offered a more streamlined, user-friendly experience. Windows 7 featured a more polished interface, better performance, and improved compatibility with hardware and software. Its stability and ease of use made it a favorite for both home and business users, and it remained popular for many years. And then everything went wrong with Windows 8? Yeah, Windows 8, released in 2012, took a bold new direction with its design, focusing on a touch-centric interface to cater to tablets and hybrid devices. It introduced the start screen with live tiles, replacing the traditional start menu. While it worked well on touch devices, many traditional desktop users found it confusing and unintuitive. The lack of a familiar start

menu was a major sticking point, leading to mixed reviews. There was no Windows 9, so then went to Windows 10? That's right. Microsoft skipped Windows 9 and went straight to Windows 10, released in 2015. Windows 10 was a major effort to unify the Windows experience across different device types, from PCs to tablets to smartphones. It reintroduced the Start menu, but with a blend of traditional and modern elements. Windows 10 also introduced features like the Edge browser, virtual desktop,

and a more integrated approach to updates and security. It was generally well-received for its versatility and performance. And now Windows 11 is pretty much the same. It's not much different. Yeah. Windows 11, released in 2021, builds on a foundation of Windows 10, but with a refreshed look and some new features.

It introduces a more streamlined and centered taskbar, updated window management features with Snap layout, and a redesigned Microsoft Store. Windows 11 also brings better support for touch and pen input and enhancements for gaming, making it a solid if not revolutionary update. Windows 12 is going to require a lot of memory and processing correct? I don't have details on Windows 12 since my knowledge cuts off in October 2023. However if a new version is on the horizon it's likely that it will have higher system requirements

to take advantage of the latest hardware capabilities. This often means more memory and processing power are needed compared to previous versions. It's always a good idea to check the specific requirements once they're announced to ensure your system can handle the upgrade. And then eventually it'll just be like an AI system, I would think. Yeah, it's quite possible that future operating systems will heavily integrate AI to enhance user experience. We're already seeing this trend with features like virtual assistants, predictive text,

and automated system optimizations. As AI technology advances, it's likely we'll see even more sophisticated AI systems integrated into operating systems, making our interactions with technology more seamless and intuitive. What's the best way to play a Windows 95 game on, say, a Windows 7 operating system? To play a Windows 95 game on a Windows 7 system, you have a few options. Compatibility mode. Right-click the game's executable file, go to Properties, and navigate to the Compatibility tab. From there, you can select Run this program in Compatibility Mode 4 and choose Windows 95. This method often works for older games. Virtual Machine

Set up a virtual machine using software like VirtualBox or VMware. You can install a copy of Windows 95 within the virtual machine and run your game in a more authentic environment. 3. DOSBox If the game is a DOS-based title, you can use DOSBox, an emulator that runs old DOS games on modern systems. 4. Emulators and third-party software. There are various emulators and compatibility layers like Wine, primarily for Linux but also available for Windows that can help run older games. Each game might require a different approach, so you might need to experiment to find the best solution for your specific game.

So again, the Windows 95 is called what? The virtual... The Windows... Ah, you mean the Windows 95 Virtual Machine or Windows 95 VM. It's a way to run the entire Windows 95 operating system within a virtual environment on a modern computer. This can be done using virtual machine software like VirtualBox or VMware, allowing you to experience Windows 95 as it originally ran, complete with its classic interface and features. Is that what you were referring to? Correct, and then Windows, does it have one for Windows 98 and, say, other ones as well? Yes, you can create virtual machines for other versions of Windows, like Windows 98, using the same virtual machine software.

Programs like VirtualBox or VMware allow you to install and run older operating systems within a virtual environment on your modern computer. This way, you can experience older versions of Windows and run legacy software or games that might not be compatible with modern operating systems. Right, when I put a Windows 95 game into Windows 7, it just says it won't play it. Yeah, that's a common issue, since Windows 7 might not natively support older Windows 95 games. When that happens, using compatibility mode, a virtual machine, or an emulator can help get the game running. Did you want to try setting up one of these options? The virtual machine sounds like a good idea.

Great choice! Setting up a virtual machine with VirtualBox or VMware is a solid way to run Windows 95 games on your Windows 7 system. Here's a basic rundown of what you'll need to do. 1. Download and install VirtualBox or VMware Player. Both are free for personal use and can be downloaded from their respective website. 2. Create a new virtual machine. Allocate resources like memory and storage and choose to create a new virtual hard disk for installing Windows 95. 3. Install Windows 95. You'll need a Windows 95 installation disk or ISO file. Insert the disk or mount the ISO and start the virtual machine. Follow the installation prompts to set up Windows 95. Install drivers and tweaks. You might need to install additional drivers or tweaks to get everything working smoothly, especially for graphics and sound. Five, install your game.

Once Windows 95 is up and running in the virtual machine, you can install and play your game as you would on a physical Windows 95 PC. This setup should give you... Okay, so we'll definitely check on that. Thank you for your time. Alright, so that's something I'm interested in doing. So that's a little Windows history. Alright, so we're going to do some of my story

tonight I'm working on. We'll dive more into more of the character, I think. So we'll talk to you guys later on tonight. Alright, have a good one.