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Any advice/recommendations, please

as to the best way of running DOS/Windows executable files in elementary OS?

I could switch to Windows just for this simulation program:

(http://www.jf2.com/bcwrr/Dockstader-Valve-Gear.html),

but it would be PITA doing it just for that

(since I already migrated almost everything else to Linux...)

Compiled from comments / discussion:

Have tried it today (Aug 11 2021 at 8:48) and:

it seems that input window hiding behind main one is probably just coincidence?, but... there was another/additional window hiding quietly behind main one when things froze

error message

Deleting this window allowed me to close the program and start again.

EDIT: had another go at editing dimensions, making sure that the input windows was away from main one.

All was going well, until :-)

error messages

The only way out of this one was to shutdown elementary and start again...

After repeated attempts it all seems to be coming back to user32.dll

one more EDIT: if I execute any of these simulation programs from terminal, I get the following error message (although it deosn't stop things running?):

"wine SlipEccen.exe

006c:err:vulkan:wine_vk_init Failed to load libvulkan.so.1."

And finally (Aug 11 2021 at 9:43)...

It seems the answer is as simple as disabling error message in the simulation program (go: SetUp > SetErrorBeep Off).

This allows me to enter new dimensions without things going weird.

I have positively confirmed it by switching it on (things go wrong) and switching it off (works OK).

I don't need to be warned about dimension's error (I know it will be wrong until I complete entering the data) so disabling error message is not a big deal.

Whether it could be made to work by doing something about user32.dll is another story...

but I am happy with the compromise solution.

@Vlad - big thank you for your help!!

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4 Answers 4

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0

WINE is always the thing i go to when I really need to run some Windows apps on elementary. In your specific case, Dockstader executables seem to run just fine with WINE.

Heading

I have a detailed answer here about how to install WINE on elementary OS Hera 5.1> See if that gets you what you need, and let us know if you get into any issues.

EDIT: DosBox works well for non-win32 applications, you can try it. Easy to install with a simple sudo apt install dropbox. Use Alt + Enter to make the DosBox window go Full screen.

enter image description here

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  • Thank you! I have tried DosBox, but got the message "This program must be run under Win32" so have given up on it ... so it must be Wine (thank you for info about installing).
    – bambuko
    Aug 9, 2021 at 9:17
  • Followed your instructions and ... got wine-6.0.1 instead of 5.0 ?? When I tried to run got the message: "Wine could not find wine-mono package which is needed for .NET applications to work correctly. Wine can automatically download and install it for you. Note:it is recommended to use your distribution's package instead." - any advice? please? PS otherwise it seems to be working OK...
    – bambuko
    Aug 9, 2021 at 18:54
  • Next I got the same warning about Gecko package...?
    – bambuko
    Aug 9, 2021 at 19:05
  • And a final comment - after all this effort, I am afraid that this particular program doesn't work with Wine Attempts to input data for new model result in the program freezing in some kind of loop, beeping error sounds and preventing me from doing anything (can't even force shut it down). It plays nicely if you have an existing data file, but modifying it messes it up :-( It is probably something to do with an ancient Windows executables rather than anything to do with Wine or Linux?
    – bambuko
    Aug 9, 2021 at 20:42
  • WINE will do its best to install the needed packages, and you can just approve the messages you see when running the applications for the first time. You may try running 'winecfg' in Terminal and change the WINE Windows versions from 'Windows 10' to Windows XP'.
    – Vlad
    Aug 10, 2021 at 3:57
1

Tried and installed Bottles app (flatpak) and this seem to work straight away, with no problems at all!

Another very useful solution - get it from AppCenter.

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0

Have tried it today and:

it seems that input window hiding behind main one is probably just coincidence?, but... there was another/additional window hiding quietly behind main one when things froze

error message

Deleting this window allowed me to close the program and start again.

PS posting it as an answer (even though it is question not an answer) because:

a)Please avoid extended discussions in comments. Would you like to automatically move this discussion to chat?

b)wanted to include the picture and (I believe) it is not possible in chat

PS I must admit that I am not impressed with stackexchange's funcionality :-(

but hey, it is what it is...

EDIT: had another go at editing dimensions, making sure that the input windows was away from main one.

All was going well, until :-)

error messages

The only way out of this one was to shutdown elementary and start again...

After repeated attempts it all seems to be coming back to user32.dll

one more EDIT: if I execute any of these simulation programs from terminal, I get the following error message (although it deosn't stop things running?):

"wine SlipEccen.exe

006c:err:vulkan:wine_vk_init Failed to load libvulkan.so.1."

Improve this answer
2
  • I am amazed at how detailed you managed to dissect the problem :D, and am sorry it has taken me a long time to return to this discussion. About stackexchange functionality, whenever you need to add new info / screenshots, the proper way s to edit your original question and add it there. Glad you found a compromise, and always keep in mind Wine is not perfect, especially when it comes to legacy windows programs. I will add your new finds to your original question, s that is more readily available to anyone who might stumble upon this issue in the future.
    – Vlad
    Feb 9, 2022 at 5:39
  • Thank you! for comment and explanation of stackexchange functionality
    – bambuko
    Feb 10, 2022 at 7:09
0

And finally...

It seems the answer is as simple as disabling error message in the simulation program

(go: SetUp > SetErrorBeep Off).

This allows me to enter new dimensions without things going weird.

I have positively confirmed it by switching it on (things go wrong) and switching it off (works OK).

I don't need to be warned about dimension's error (I know it will be wrong until I complete entering the data) so disabling error message is not a big deal.

Whether it could be made to work by doing something about user32.dll is another story...

but I am happy with the compromise solution.

@Vlad - big thank you for your help!!

Improve this answer

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