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Technical News & Discussion => Windows News & Discussion => Topic started by: sparky on Jan 13, 2011, 14:22:11

Title: Windows and Old Windows Help
Post by: sparky on Jan 13, 2011, 14:22:11
I have heard talk of VM (is that Virtual Machine?) although that might not be relevant, but,

Does anyone know how or if, it is possible to run old windows 98 software, mainly help files in the old windows help format, on a Vista or Windows 7 PC?

Thanks for any pointers,

Sparky.
Title: Re: Windows and Old Windows Help
Post by: pctech on Jan 13, 2011, 14:34:54
This will do it http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=258aa5ec-e3d9-4228-8844-008e02b32a2c&displaylang=en but only works for help files.

Title: Re: Windows and Old Windows Help
Post by: D-Dan on Jan 13, 2011, 14:52:22
Failing that (and if you need more than just help files) you should be able to install and run Win 98 in VirtualBox (http://www.virtualbox.org/) or Microsoft's VirtualPC (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/support/virtual-pc-2007.aspx)

Steve
Title: Re: Windows and Old Windows Help
Post by: sparky on Jan 13, 2011, 14:57:47
Cheers guys,

Many thanks.
Title: Re: Windows and Old Windows Help
Post by: sparky on Jan 13, 2011, 15:23:52
Well, I installed the WinHlp32.exe but I still don't seem to be able to open my help file. Tried it with the help file on both the "D" drive and "C" drive but still get the message "Cannot display this help file. Try opening the help file again, and if you still get this message, copy the help file to a different drive, and try again."

Looks like I might have to explore Virtual PC.
Title: Re: Windows and Old Windows Help
Post by: sparky on Jan 13, 2011, 15:39:58
OK. I've managed to get it to work.

It seems that my help file was blocked, "this file came from another computer and might be blocked to protect this computer".

Unblocking it in "properties" now allows it to run.

Cheers.