Homebrew How to get Windows on your DS

nl255 · May 12, 2010

Here is a guide to getting Windows running on the DS using dsx86. Unfortunately, dsx86 only emulates a 186 (i.e. 286 real mode only) so you are limited to Windows 2.03 and it is very hard to find Windows 2.x software. Also, you have to know how to use a hex editor as it is necessary to remove a MSDOS version check in Windows (it doesn't like DOS versions after 4.0). The next dsx86 version is supposed to have SETVER support so hex editing won't be required.

**WARNING - do not run Windows 2.03 setup.exe on your computer, as it will mess up your existing XP/Vista/7 installation - WARNING***

1. install dsx86 and make sure you have 4dos in X:\4dos\ and not X:\data\dsx86\4dos\ .
2. Obtain Windows 2.03 and put all the installation files (all 9 disks) in X:\w2inst
3. load dsx86 and run setup.exe, install to a hard disk, c:\windows (i.e. defaults)
4. be sure to choose EGA graphics (the first choice) and no mouse
5. go to X:\WINDOWS and open win200.bin in a hex editor
6. go to offset 0xA926 and replace 76 with EB (this removes the MSDOS version check)
7. load dsx86 again and run windows (cd windows, win)
8. enjoy

A few notes: The clock will not display any time due to the lack of date/time support. Also note that there isn't much software for Windows 2.03, all the good stuff requires 3.x.

Update - I will probably make an IPS patch later for it.

Saddamsdevil · May 12, 2010

Can you run dos games through this? Seems awesome

jurassicplayer · May 12, 2010

Saddamsdevil said:
Can you run dos games through this? Seems awesome

I think originally it was for some DOS games...

Saddamsdevil · May 12, 2010

jurassicplayer said:
Saddamsdevil said:

Can you run dos games through this? Seems awesome

Click to expand...

I think originally it was for some DOS games...

I know that windows 2.03 was able to, but I meant CAN you run DOS games through this emulation?

lolzed · May 12, 2010

Saddamsdevil said:
jurassicplayer said:

Saddamsdevil said:

Can you run dos games through this? Seems awesome

Click to expand...

I think originally it was for some DOS games...

Click to expand...

I know that windows 2.03 was able to, but I meant CAN you run DOS games through this emulation?

thats what he's saying.DSx86 is a DOS emulator(particularly games that run on a spec Intel chip).Though recently the author was able to get Win 2.03 running

Pliskron · May 12, 2010

It's cool and all but I'll wait for the next release unless someone makes the HEX edited file available.

Saddamsdevil · May 12, 2010

lolzed said:
Saddamsdevil said:

jurassicplayer said:

Saddamsdevil said:

Can you run dos games through this? Seems awesome

Click to expand...

I think originally it was for some DOS games...

Click to expand...

I know that windows 2.03 was able to, but I meant CAN you run DOS games through this emulation?

Click to expand...

thats what he's saying.DSx86 is a DOS emulator(particularly games that run on a spec Intel chip).Though recently the author was able to get Win 2.03 running

Let me rephrase, can you, under this windows version, run dos games? So you can use it as some kind of loader.

Sorry if I caused confusion.

nl255 · May 12, 2010

Saddamsdevil said:
lolzed said:

Saddamsdevil said:

jurassicplayer said:

Saddamsdevil said:

Can you run dos games through this? Seems awesome

Click to expand...

I think originally it was for some DOS games...

Click to expand...

I know that windows 2.03 was able to, but I meant CAN you run DOS games through this emulation?

Click to expand...

thats what he's saying.DSx86 is a DOS emulator(particularly games that run on a spec Intel chip).Though recently the author was able to get Win 2.03 running

Click to expand...

Let me rephrase, can you, under this windows version, run dos games? So you can use it as some kind of loader.

Sorry if I caused confusion.

You should be able to, but without virtual 8086 mode (386 protected mode emulation) you won't have much conventional memory left and won't be able to multitask very well. For multitasking of DOS apps (or even loading a dos game and keeping a walkthrough up in notepad) on dsx86 you will have to wait for DesqView to be supported as DesqView can run apps/games completely out of EMS. In fact, once DesqView is supported it would be best to configre dsx86 to emulate 128K of conventional memory and 2MB of EMS instead of 640K conventional and 1.5MB EMS.

Walthor · May 13, 2010

Got it to work on my r4 with woord r4 1.06
only the screen resolution doesn't fit properly lolz
but nice find

bringing back the nostalgic feeling lolz

ground · May 16, 2010

great post

but can someone tell me how to remove the ms-dos check exactly?

thanx in advance

Forstride · May 16, 2010

ground said:
great post

but can someone tell me how to remove the ms-dos check exactly?

thanx in advance

It says how to in the first post...

me7i the amazin · Aug 2, 2010

is there any way to which someone could just upload all the files i need to get this to work pre sorted out with instructions to where i should put it on my r4 for me to download, because i dont understand any thing that has been said

ill rephrase that could someone please prebuild/pack this and upload it somewhere for me to download with the dsx86 and all the r4 firmware so i know where it all goes, and preferably with brief instructions of how to get the windows to work

ThatDudeWithTheFood · Aug 2, 2010

me7i the amazin said:
is there any way to which someone could just upload all the files i need to get this to work pre sorted out with instructions to where i should put it on my r4 for me to download, because i dont understand any thing that has been said

Then this obviously isnt for you and thats like saying to post windows 7 on a forum where we clearly dont support piracy.

fearofshorts · Aug 3, 2010

I personally don't see this as too difficult... but maybe someone should make a batch-file auto-builder for others. All it would need to do is move all of the given files into the correct directory and patch a file. Maybe a simple GUI...

Actually, I may just have a go at this myself. It'll be good practice for me.
No promises though!

Am I allowed to include DSX86 in it, or does that need to be downloaded separately?

Deleted User · Aug 3, 2010

Does this exist precompiled? Someone could stick it on FileTrip.

fearofshorts · Aug 3, 2010

It can't be released precompiled as both DOS and Windows are commercial.
The only thing that can be made is an AutoYSMenu-style program.

kinio_64 · Aug 4, 2010

Windows 1.0~3.11 and many more are Abandonware!!! and you can download it freely

*link removed

fearofshorts · Aug 4, 2010

Abandonware is not actually legal in most countries. It's just a term invented for the gap between freeware and commercial software- and it's not actually a legally-recognized area at that.

It may be ok morally (IMO), but it's not ok legally.

Marlonguppy · Aug 4, 2010

If i hex edited the win200.bin file correctly, i boot windows, and i get a error!
A scrambled Microsoft logo, with a red text under it.
Solved.
I forgot one disk xD

And i get it again.
"Unsupported Opcode!"

GETTING IT EVERYTIME NOW.

Irock23 · Aug 13, 2010

kinio_64 said:
Windows 1.0~3.11 and many more are Abandonware!!! and you can download it freely

*link removed

I downloaded it, but it didn't have a setup.exe file.... where do I get it?????

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