NCC gains DOS, Windows 3.1

Alston, NCD, Sep 30 – The National Centre of Computing has reported that it has successfully started a virtual machine running MS-DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.1.

The Centre, Sirocco’s largest museum, today achieved a goal it has set since its foundation last month. The DOS-Windows installation joins the Centre’s Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me and XP virtual machines, as well as five host PCs running Windows Me, XP and 7.

Centre operator and owner Daniel Anderson said of the achievement: “It’s great that we finally have such an important pair of operating systems. So much of Windows’ history can be traced back to these two, so it’s fantastic we can enjoy the mid-90s once again.”

However the Centre encountered some problems, including DOS’ initial refusal to install, Windows 3.1 boot problems and a failure to install Microsoft Word 5.5. The Centre has reported though that these teething issues have been sorted out and the systems now work in an optimal fashion, complete with full CD-reading drivers.

“Next we’ll see if we can hook [Windows] 3.1 up to the internet.” Anderson added. “OS/2 could be on the cards as well.”

The Centre uses VMWare Workstation to run its DOS and Windows 3.1-Me installations and Windows Virtual PC to run Windows XP. The systems are used to document the history of the Microsoft Windows (and now DOS) platforms and software from its time that would have used that operating system, such as Microsoft Plus! 95 and Microsoft Office 2000.

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