DOS program to run in Windows 8.1 1

[Fred477]

Our Fire Dept has a DOS program, PcFile (DBF). We have been using this program for 26 years and it works very good for us.
We are currently using it on a Windows XP system and plan to update to a Windows 8.1. Can someone help me to achive this task?

 

[kjv1611]

You may have some different options.

Some things to think about:
1. Does this run in an MS-DOS screen? If so, you may can run XP-Mode on Windows 8 and run it that way:

http://www.howtogeek.com/171395/how-to-get-windows-xp-mode-on-windows-8/

2. Will booting multiple partitions on the system work well enough? If so, you can use a tool to boot to any diff OS you might want, and install DOS with or without XP on one partition, and Win 8.1 to another for instance:

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/index.htm

(I believe Boot-It Bare Metal is the current one you'd want)

3. Another thought: How many folks use this program at the same time? What about running this program on one machine, and then having a separate Windows 8.1 machine? If the program doesn't require an Internet Connection, you could disconnect the machine with the DOS program from the web, and therefore mitigate most security risks.



"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

 

[tcsbiz]

I believe a DBF file is from dBASE. There may be info on the web about running dBASE in WIN8.1.

Tom

 

[strongm]

>I believe a DBF file is from dBASE

Not that simple when it comes to DBF files. There are many, many xBase tools that use(d) DBF, particularly 26 years ago (e.g FoxBASE/Pro, Clipper)

>You may have some different options.

Including DOSBox