How to install Windows 3.1 from floppy disks?

Question

I have Windows 3.1 on 5.25" floppy disks, but no floppy drive. How can I go about installing it into DosBox? (legitimately as possible, of course!)

Answer 1

Your only recourse is to find a 5-1/4 inch drive. Of course, I have to ask: for what earthly reason are you fooling around with Windows 3.1?

Answer 2

Installing from floppy disks will require a floppy disk drive. But there are alternatives that are easier.



Go to vetusware.com and download Windows 3.1 as a couple of rar files there may be more than one version there the first one I found is IBM branded. Registration is required but free.



And if you really want to play with old OS download MS virtual PC from Microsoft (also free) and install it there. Much easier to play with completely virtual systems. Have fun !

Answer 3

You can get a new Floppy drive for under 10 bucks. Here is a link to one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16821121001.

I occasionally need to access Floppies but did not want to use up an entire bay for a Floppy reader so I got a Floppy drive / Multi-card reader combination with a USB connector. This thing can read pretty much anything I can throw at it. These multi-card plus Floppy drives run between $20 and $30. Here is one for under $20: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820192022

An external Floppy drive can also be had for around $20. Here is a link to one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16821103402



I have to confess, I don't quite understand why you need to load Windows 3.1 in the first place? Most people use the emulator called DOSBox in order to be able to play old DOS games. You can play those games under DOSBox without having to load Windows 3.1. See instructions at http://www.dosbox.com/wiki/Basic_Setup_and_Installation_of_DosBox



Or are you talking about "Dosbox" as in "a dedicated box to run DOS on" as opposed to the emulator called" DOSBox"?

Answer 4

A lot of Windows XP computers still had 5 1/4 floppies but they can only write to CDs unless their owner has added an external DVD reader/writer and the software for it. Start asking family and friends;-) You could probably get them copied onto CDs or DVDs fairly cheaply at a small computer repair shop. (Although I tossed the rest of my floppies and 3.1 software, I still have my old 3.1 system floppies and wish I could play all the games I had for it.)