Win 3.1x resources

[chschnell]

While building a Win3.11 image recently I found these sites very helpful:

http://neonfloppy.sytes.net/articles/win3-virtualpc/ -- backup at archive.org
http://win31.de/eindex.htm

I now have a Win3.11 image with CD and SoundBlaster support, Trumpet Winsock, Netscape and IE5. Next I'll see what I can do about the graphics driver.

There are a few caveats, if there is interest I can create a little writeup (like docs/windows-9x.md) for Win3.1x.

[SuperMaxusa]

There are a few caveats, if there is interest I can create a little writeup (like docs/windows-9x.md) for Win3.1x.

+1, that would be useful :) Discussion #1447 is looking for this

Next I'll see what I can do about the graphics driver.

The ET4000 driver or vbesvga.sys (for enhanced mode) should work IIRC.

[chschnell]

@mszula: At neonfloppy they even explain how to install a "packet" (ethernet) driver (for this beauty). I'll try this out, too.

I didn't even know this was a thing, and I used Trumpet a lot in the 90s.

[meluvalli]

If Windows will only run in "standard" mode, and Windows 3.11 doesn't have an option to run in "Standard" mode, how did you get Windows 3.11 to run? Every time I try, I don't get keyboard and mouse to work. Would you please explain how you got Windows 3.11 to run?

Windows 3.1 you just use win /s
However, like I stated, Windows 3.11 doesn't have that option :(

[chschnell]

If Windows will only run in "standard" mode, and Windows 3.11 doesn't have an option to run in "Standard" mode, how did you get Windows 3.11 to run? Every time I try, I don't get keyboard and mouse to work. Would you please explain how you got Windows 3.11 to run?

Windows 3.1 you just use win /s However, like I stated, Windows 3.11 doesn't have that option :(

Ah, I think you mean Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11, I also see the mouse and keyboard not working there.

[chschnell]

Win3.11 build instructions (without qemu!)

You need to download two installers:

• MS DOS 6.22.zip [3.5 MB]
  MS-DOS 6.22 Setup floppy images (3 disks, unpack to folder dos622/)
• Microsoft Windows 3.11 (Retail Full) (3.5).zip [9.8 MB]
  Windows 3.11 Setup floppy images (11 disks, unpack to folder win311/)

Install MS-DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.11

Go to https://copy.sh/v86/

• Floppy disk image: dos622/Disk 1.img
• Hard disk image: create an empty disk of 128 MB (for example)
• Memory size: 64 MB

Boot v86, follow the instructions and select defaults. Use the Eject floppy image / Insert floppy image button at the top to swap floppies dos622/Disk 2.img and dos622/Disk 3.img when the installer asks for it.

Once MS-DOS is installed and has rebooted from HD, insert floppy disk image win311/DISK1.IMG, then enter:

a:setup

Again, follw the instructions, select defaults and swap the floppy images win311/DISK2.IMG, ..., win311/DISK5.IMG when being asked by the installer.

Once Win 3.11 is installed, exit Windows and fall back to MS-DOS. Now edit two files, first system.ini:

edit windows/system.ini

At the end of section [386Enh] append line DMABUFFERSIZE=064, then save and exit. Next edit autoexec.bat (you don't have to do this but you'll probably want that in order to auto-start Windows on boot):

edit autoexec.bat

Append line win, save and exit.

Finally, export your Win3.11 hard disk image using button Get hard disk image at the top.

Install SoundBlaster 16 driver

Download

• Sound Blaster 16 Basic Driver (3.5" Floppy Disk).7z [1.1 MB]
  Sound Blaster 16/AWE for DOS/Windows 3.1 (unpack into folder sb16/)

Boot Win3.11 HD image with floppy disk image sb16/disk01.img, exit Windows and in the DOS console enter

a:install

Follow the instructions and select defaults (IRQ and port will be auto-detected). When the installer has completed, remember to export your HD image.

Example image and further readings

• example HD image file with sound: win311+sb16-hda-128mb.zip
  EDIT: This image has a bug, see below for an alternate download.
• see article Getting the most out of Windows 3.1 on Virtual PC for more infos

[chschnell]

@chschnell There is a typo in your SYSTEM.INI (in the example image): you wrote "DMABUFFERSIYE" instead of "DMABUFFERSIZE":

Ah, I missed that, thanks!

[chschnell]

@chschnell how did you get windows 3.1 working in enhanced mode (i'm guessing it is enhanced mode since your autoexec file does not have a -s)?

Please see here.

[SuperMaxusa]

For VMware mouse (gives absolute mouse input): use VBADOS or vmwmouse.

[chschnell]

For VMware mouse (gives absolute mouse input): use VBADOS or vmwmouse.

Thanks! That's such a nice feature.

Since vmwmouse recommends to use VBADOS I used VBADOS.

Does the mousewheel work for you? I tried using it in Netscape under Wfw3.11 and it directly froze the emulator. A workaround is to disable the mouse wheel in the DOS driver (which disables it also in the Windows driver).

[SuperMaxusa]

Does the mousewheel work for you?

Haven't looked, but VBADOS suggests patching VKD.386 from the Windows 3.1 DDK as a workaround.

[chschnell]

For Windows for Workgroups 3.11 see also:

• Windows 3.11 WFW - Doesn't work... Or does it? #1569

[chschnell]

I have a working Window for Workgroups 3.11 image now, the mouse and keyboard issue is fixed.

@SuperMaxusa: The SVGA driver is not working under Wfw 3.11 (it can't find the file it wants to patch), do you happen to know an alternative?

EDIT: Sorry, I made an error during installation, it's working now!

[chschnell]

I'm working on a more detailled Win3.1x setup guide, here are two example image downloads with all featuers enabled:

• win311-128m+cd+sb16+svga+twsk+ns+mouse.img.7z [49.7 MB]
  Windows 3.1 with CD, SB16, SVGA, Abs. Mouse, Trumpet Winsock and Netscape (needs v86 Modem on UART1)
• winfw311a-128m+net+sb16+cd+ns+svga+mouse.img.7z [52.2 MB]
  Windows for Workgroups 3.11a with CD, SB16, SVGA, Abs. Mouse, NE2000 and Netscape (needs v86 NE2000 NIC)

Both images work with SeaBIOS. The v86 Modem is not yet available on the main site, you'll have to build your own v86 from the git HEAD (or just don't use the Modem).

[bit-lang]

the Win3.1x setup guide link is broken

[SuperMaxusa]

#1581