# I Have a DOS Laptop!

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Friday, 23-Jul-2010 23:17:31

Several years ago, way before I even knew the exact requirements that I wanted, I asked someone to give me a computer specifically for using with DOS. He gave me an IBM Thinkpad 310 with a 2.1gb hard drive, a 133mhz processor, a screen under 13 inches, a 3.5 inch 1.44mb floppy drive, serial and parallel ports, and at least one (maybe two pcmcia slots! The catch? It only works on the adapter and it makes a weird noise every few seconds, like a descending wine. I can't figure out if it's the motor, the drive or something else. But does it work at the moment? Yes. And is it really DOS-compatible? Believe it or not, yes! Mine came with Windows 98 but I've read that they also shipped them with MS-DOS 6, which means that it's perfectly suited to my needs, since the drivers will be available. I don't know the ram on mine but it can go from 16mb to 64mb. Did I mention that all the ports and disk drive are actually in the machine, unlike in my Thinkpad X32, which I'm using right now and that, if I get a new one, the battery life is over two hours, probably more with DOS?
Is this the ideal laptop? No. The sound it makes worries me, it's heavy and I might need to upgrade the ram. The hard disk isn't that large but I'll be using a compact flash card anyway, since I don't want to lose my info should the machine decide to crash. But will it serve as a cheap backup for now and for when I have my desktop but want to go out and take a DOS computer with me? Yes. I went through all this nonsense and I had it all along!!! But how can I keep track of all my computers when I have at least 14 of them? lol
Now I just need to find it and the adapter, then grab some diskettes, put Enhanced DR-DOS and the IBM drivers on them and give it all to the local computer shop to fix. Opa! If I like it, then I'll either get a newer model (the last with all the ports onboard that works with DOS) or another one of these if this one gives me a problem.

## Post 2 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 24-Jul-2010 14:50:23

Well, I asked Mom if she'd seen a laptop when cleaning, and sure enough, she found it! It's sitting right on the dresser next to me. Now I just need to find the adapter. I have one here but need to have someone read it to make sure it goes to the Thinkpad. I don't want to plug it in and short out the computer or something. It's got all the ports that I mentioned plus a ps-2 port. It's only got one pcmcia slot, though, so I'll need to decide whether I want to use my KeyNote Gold Voicecard as a synthesizer and look for an external card reader or whether I want to use the Echo (or better yet, find another decent serial synth) and use the slot for my compact flash card. I guess it will depend on the software that I find, if any. Either way, I need something to read my card, since that's how I transfer most of my stuff. That, or I'll need a Superdisk or zip disk, since using 1.44 floppies for all my files will probably drive me nuts... lol When one thing ends, another begins. But at least I've got a machine now!

## Post 3 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 24-Jul-2010 19:04:14

I. Am. Lost! You have posted looking for a computer to run Dos, and you have said you have this one, but it's not running Dos, so you were trying to get one built. Now my question is with all your postings and all, and you having this machine all the time, but didn't want to trust it, why isn't it working with Dos for you to write this post? Smile. What's up with the shop you found to build you the new model? And out of 14 computers not one of them runs Dos effectively?

## Post 4 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 24-Jul-2010 19:18:51

I don't think I've mentioned this one in other threads. You're probably thinking of my IBM X32 with the 2ghz processor and 512mb (hopefully soon to change to 2gb) of ram an the 40gb hard drive. That one's running XP and it's the one I use daily. But it doesn't have the necessary ports (only parallel) or a floppy drive. I also had a Compaq Armada 1750 that I spoke about alot, but after researching, I found that it was never made for DOS, even though it had almost everything I could ever want or imagine. This other Thinkpad 310 just came to mind. I haven't use it in years, and yes, that sound does scare me, which is why I'll just be using it as a back-up and/or practice machine. I've got an IBM mini tower that a friend gave to me. It's beautiful, with a perfect form factor, all the ports and even a double floppy (both sizes)but it's up in the attick, and if I remember correctly, it wouldn't turn on the last time I tried it. I wish I remembered the model because then I could look at the actual specs to see if it's worth saving. It might not be. The only other machine that I have right now that's actually running DOS, and a strippe down version at that, is my KeyNote Gold (a 486 based off an old Toshiba,, made by Humanware). As much as I love it, it just doesn't cut it for my needs today. The desktop will provide me with a new, totally custom, stable machine and a manufacturer to go to if I have any questions.

## Post 5 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 24-Jul-2010 20:34:09

So the answer to my question is no. Okay just checking.

## Post 6 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Monday, 26-Jul-2010 14:23:46

This is certainly interesting.

## Post 7 by starfly (99956) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 10:42:35

really!! I am so... confused why in haties do you pursist with does. If you like that type of OS then go linx.

## Post 8 by starfly (99956) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 10:43:29

Let me correct some speeling issues with my post, I ment linix

## Post 9 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 12:02:31

I've already stated why I love DOS and that I have no intention of using Linux. Thanks.

## Post 10 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 12:32:42

yes, we know...but who the fuck cares?

## Post 11 by sugarbaby (The voice of reason) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 12:43:21

nobody uses dos any more.
wtf?

## Post 12 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 12:54:59

Is that why Enhanced DR-DOS was updated last year and why it and FreeDOS both still have very active forums?

## Post 13 by rat (star trek rules!) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 13:32:26

as a hobby, not as a full blown OS choice. how many companies use dos for their base for computers? none that i know of, it's mostly windows now with a little mac mixed in. let us know when you can do everything on that oh so lovely dos machine that we can do with windows or the mac with minimal effort.

## Post 14 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 13:33:32

This is like asking "is that why we have sects of people in the world that live by choice with no electricity, running water, or industrial goods?" Sure, they make it work, and its "popular" in the same sense as doss is but, is it really practical? I think not.

## Post 15 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 14:03:40

Actually, it's still widely used in imbedded systems (there's a variety specifically for this) and in the medical industry. Also, the people on the forums are using it seriously and I know someone personally who uses it as her main os. In fact, she's never even touched Windows. If you want a stable os, a cheap machine, screen reader, software and low maintenence, DOS is truly a blessing.

## Post 16 by rat (star trek rules!) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 14:08:40

as i said, once you get it going and can do everything we do on windows and the mac easily, i think you're a little crazy

## Post 17 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 14:26:46

Just as she thinks we are crazy for using windows.

## Post 18 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 14:26:53

I'm curious how it runs, just because I've never used it before, but I'm not going to go out of my way to get one. Wow.

## Post 19 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 15:30:59

Well, if you just want to see how DOS runs, you certainly don't need a whole other computer. You can run it in a virtual machine on your modern system. You just need a screen reader and a hardware synthesizer.

## Post 20 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 16:13:10

no thanks; we'd rather stick with windows.

## Post 21 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 18:43:37

Jeez guys, cut her a break. If she wants to use Dos that's her perrogative, is it really necessary to bash her every time she brings it up?

## Post 22 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 20:46:07

Thanks. I haven't even posted about it or to this thread in awhile.

## Post 23 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 22:49:23

the use of old technology is fine, but why the fuck would you go out of your way to find it? strange, but to each their own.

## Post 24 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 23:02:43

More importantly, why the fuck would you care?

## Post 25 by The Roman Battle Mask (Making great use of my Employer's time.) on Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 8:13:24

Because your constant posts on getting dos to run when you obviously have no clue what your doing get old fast.

## Post 26 by sugarbaby (The voice of reason) on Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 8:16:30

lol jared.

## Post 27 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 9:22:54

If you don't like them, don't read them. I learned to ignore your sarcasm a long time ago for the same reason. But at least, this time, you weren't being offensive, just honest.

## Post 28 by starfly (99956) on Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 11:07:17

agreed, DOS died with windows 3.11 a long time ago. :)

## Post 29 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 11:57:57

thank you, Jared; I couldn't have said it better myself.

## Post 30 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 14:28:36

Hey, we all have our hobbies. She has dos.

## Post 31 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 14:33:13

I echo the last poster completely.

## Post 32 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 14:37:24

ok, my only question is, what was the point of this post in the first place? Did you want suggestions, help, advice, playful banter, witty reparte, perhaps a shakespearian sonet? I mean, you post this whole long double post on the boards, saying absolutely nothing, then get mad when someone says something slightly negative about it. If your going to put something up on the boards, and not give it a point, be prepared to receive posts going, "what the hell are you talking about". That just seems like common sense to me.

## Post 33 by blindndangerous (the blind and dangerous one) on Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 15:18:43

Well put Roman battle mask. Couldn't have said it better. Tif, I could be wrong, but I think you are thiking of Unix when you said medical. Again, I could be wrong.

## Post 34 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 23:08:52

The point is she was happy to have dos up and running I guess.

## Post 35 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 23:24:04

Yes. Thank you. I wrote a post but it got eaten. SilverLightning, you were being very civil and asking an honest question. I was just very happy when I found the laptop, because although it wasn't the machine I really wanted, it was something to get me started. lol I still need to find that adapter! If I don't find it soon, I may just go on Ebay and get a replacement, since they can't be all that much money given the age of the machine. At least, I hope not. ROM DOS is the imbedded version that I meant earlier. Taken from
http://m.facebook.com
"ROM-DOS is a work-alike version of MS-DOS version 6.22. It is designed for embedded and mobile computing environments. ROM-DOS works with WinSystems' STD Bus and embedded PCs using the V40, V53, 80386SX, 80486DX or 5x86 series microprocessors. This results in a low cost system with access to PC-based tools and DOS functionality.
ROM-DOS is suitable for a number of rugged applications such as embedded controllers, port-able instruments, industrial data acquisition and control, vehicle data logging, security systems, medical instrumentation, and diskless systems. It does not require a keyboard, video or rotational media to function which is ideal for embedded control applications."
I've heard that one of the reasons why DOS in general is used in the medical industry is it's speed and ruggedness. In fact, there's still a company that makes, of all things, handheld machines with 486 processors, specifically for field work in various occupations. Other places where it could be used effectively is in atm machines and in some industrial situations or places where it would be far too expensive to switch over to Windows. I don't know the pages offhand where I heard this but can find them.

## Post 36 by Voyager (I just keep on posting!) on Friday, 27-Aug-2010 13:05:49

Maybe you could one day open a museum of archaic computers.

## Post 37 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Friday, 27-Aug-2010 13:11:23

lol Since I have at least 14 of them,itjust might work!

## Post 38 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Friday, 27-Aug-2010 14:26:26

Hey I'd visit it.

## Post 39 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Friday, 27-Aug-2010 14:30:08

Cool! *smile* Maybe, I'd do a demonstration of getting on the net with my Apple IIGS and, Proterm and Texttalker. Thatis, if I could get a modem for it and figure out how to do it. Now that's something I sure wouldn't do every day but it would be neat to try.

## Post 40 by Voyager (I just keep on posting!) on Friday, 27-Aug-2010 14:48:52

I was going to ask if you also had one of those old Apples with the echo synthesizer. I remember playing number games and learning to type on those in the early 90s.

## Post 41 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Friday, 27-Aug-2010 14:52:04

Yep. I have several echos for the Apple and for the pc. But what I really want is a KeyNote Gold SA or a Greek-speaking Apollo!

## Post 42 by libertarian1986 (Generic Zoner) on Saturday, 28-Aug-2010 14:01:35

you looking to sell any of your echos?

## Post 43 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 28-Aug-2010 14:38:11

Right now, with my current economic situation, I'm also willing to sell my Apple IIC, not the IIGS though. I have one Echo for the Apple in a bag here. It's the kind that is self-contained and that attaches directly to the computer. I know that I have the speaker for the card type but am not sure if I have the card and I also don't know whether or not I have another external for the Apple. So as much as I want to sell it and make some money, I'm not sure if I should. I also have something called a Super Talker, which is another Apple synth. I've never opened it, but it appears to be a card. I couldn't really find information on it, but it was on Ebay, and they said it was rare, so I bought it. I also have two Echos for the pc, the one that plugs in with the knob protruding out and the other that has the 9-volt battery with the dial recessed into the machine like on many radios. If I remember correctly, one has slightly better speech than the other. But I can't find the first one for a test. *smile*

## Post 44 by Voyager (I just keep on posting!) on Saturday, 28-Aug-2010 14:45:42

Does the echo synth for the PC sound like the one for the Apple? The one I remember had a very unique sound and spoke as though it were singing as it said such things as, "Do you want to play a gain?", and "Wait a my nute."

## Post 45 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 28-Aug-2010 14:52:03

Yeah. It's a bit improved in the singing department but it still has the robotic voice etc. This is why I'm looking for a better synth.

## Post 46 by Voyager (I just keep on posting!) on Saturday, 28-Aug-2010 14:54:19

I like it though. It brings back some fun childhood memories. I would love to see it in an old tech museum somewhere.

## Post 47 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 28-Aug-2010 15:08:42

Perhaps, I'll sell you one of the pc ones once I find the other one. *smile*

## Post 48 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Saturday, 28-Aug-2010 16:44:36

Not to come across like a jackass picking over details but their is one distinction that needes to be made because it gives the wrong impression of doss.
It is used in the medical industry mainly for one reason to this day.
It would caust to much, and take too much work to port all that data stored in many doss medical systems over to something more modern. This is actually quite a problem in the medical system because we've got some reccords in doss, some in unix/linux because of how much more unix can do on the networking/interfaceing front. This leades to more trouble trying to find the reccords doctors need in timely fassion. In bigger hospitals and the like, projects are being done to convert/export all the data out of the doss systems and on to a unix style system that can be accessed much more readily, allowing for a nation wide medical reccord bank to slowly emerge. their are many industries that are finding this problem, or will have to rize to meet it soon.