DosBox Tutorial: How to run and/or install games *OUTDATED, CHECK DESCRIPTION*

2017 Edit:
Right off the bat, I want to let you guys know that this is not representative of the quality of work that I put out. This was something I made 4 years back now, I was still learning my editing software at the time, and threw this together for a presentation. Here's the updated version:

On top of that, there have been several things I have learned, from comments, and from my own research, about DOSBox. I made a video pretty recently going a bit more in-depth in certain areas I missed for this video, as well as better video and audio editing. It's not a full explanation of all of the functions of DOSBox, but it gives a more clear picture of the ins and outs than this video did for some people.

tl;dr: Check out the pinned comment, or the end-card for a link to my updated video on DOSBox, with better conveyed information, as well as better editing! I also make other gaming-related content!

**edit**
At 0:22, the only reason there's a flash instead of what was supposed to be a picture of the original Duke Nukem is because YouTube screwed it up somehow.

This was made for my intro to computer info science class as a presentation on whatever subject we chose as a tutorial, so I figured I'd make it like I'd make it for YouTube.

DosBox:

Abandonware Sites:

Doom Source Ports:
Before choosing, I thought I'd say that I personally prefer Zandronum, but what that boils down to is I'm used to it because I was used to Skulltagger.

Anyone who wants to amp up their Doom Experience, go ahead and watch this video:
In the description, there's a link to everything you need to get the files to play Brutal Doom, PS1 Doom, and the version of Doom I recently discovered by messing with .bat files, Brutal PS1 Doom! I would honestly consider Brutal PS1 Doom to be the definitive Doom experience.

Here's the link to the song at the end.

-Rig-

GPU: EVGA GTX 660 Superclocked 2gb
CPU: i7 4790K Quad-Core @ 4.0 ghz, 4.4 boost clock
Memory: HyperX Fury Black Series 8GB DDR3 1600
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER-U3
Mobo:MSI Z97 GAMING 5
SSD: Kingston 128 GB
PSU: RAIDMAX Vampire RX-800GH Continuous 800 watts
Sound: M-Audio M-Track Interface
Microphone: Sterling Audio S50

-Links-

Official Facebook Link:

Official Tumblr Link:

Patreon Link:

Steam Library:

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[calvinf]

It is 2019. Can confirm this does still work.

[BolasDaGrk]

Information actually begins @1:58 . Thanks!

[AwaknedZero]

i had followed the steps and most of it worked till i tried to type install.bat it just showed that it was a bunch of illegal commands and just didn't work

[dykodesigns]

I recommend downloading D-fend reloaded, it's a very user friendly way to setup dosbox. It comes with dosbox with a pre-setup virtual harddisk, a gui that allows you to add a list of games each with their own dosbox settings. It also gives access to the more powerfull features of dosbox in a easy way. It also allows you to setup virtual drives and supports dosbox image mounting.
Another nice feature is that it has a repository with shareware games including doom. The gui also allows you to tweak the dosbox settings specifically for each game/program seperatly.

[ackerman]

thanks man this helped me out so much made a mistake at first and didn't change directory to doom folder on the cd to install game once i did that it installed the game and it works great. been wanting to play this game in forever.

[ViperAcidZX]

Here's a trick for anybody who don't want to go through the drive mount procedure every time with DOSBox. Copy and paste the contents of your DOSBox installation into Doom (or any DOS game you're playing) and as well as the "dosbox[version number].conf" from your AppData folder inside Local > DOSBox. Open that *conf file with a text editor (Notepad, Notepad++, EditPad Lite, etc.) and look for the [autoexec] line and add these commands under it:

@ECHO OFF
mount c "."
C:
cls
[game's executable name].exe
exit

These commands under [autoexec] DOSBox will launch your game or setup file every time without having to mount your drive yourself to run your old DOS games.

[RetroHellspawn]

Hey everyone, I just wanted to say thank you guys so much for 55k views! If you would, please consider giving the little guy a shot and check out my content I've made since this video! :D It's been 4 years, this is basically the first video I took seriously in my decade long career here on YouTube, so as you may have guessed, it doesn't represent the quality of my content today. I've made leaps and bounds in improvements in overall quality. I've learned to master audio, I've gotten a newer mic, I even got a newer editing program! (I was using Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 Student Edition for a long time, it took FOREVER to render, and the playback windows was borderline useless because it couldn't take advantage of my hardware. I'm now using Sony Vegas Pro 13, and that has been a godsend ever since I got it which is why I've had an influx of uploads.)

I've made a ton of videos since then! I do reviews, Let's Plays, Steam Controller demonstrations, tutorials (duh, lol, that's why you're here), and occasionally animations. I've been trying to push hard at making more content lately, and I would be so appreciative if you'd consider checking out some of my other content. If even 1/10 of the people who have watched this video subscribed, I'd have 11x the subscribers I have, so please, if you liked the video and/or it helped you, help me by giving me a shot. :) I'm honest, I work hard, and I love making videos because it's the only way I feel like I'm doing something that matters in this world. Not to sound conceited, but considering all the YouTubers quitting the platform, we need more people who are willing to work through this. Thank you for your time. :)

[NareNight]

dumb question, see dosbox can run windows 95 just out of curiosity if I install windows 95 on it, do you know if it is possible to install monopoly tycoon in it. Because I don't know how to import the game into windows 95 into dosbox, I also tried these steps to play the game and doesnt work out. Just want a work around where I can play it with sound.

[RetroHellspawn]

Is it Ultimate Doom 95? Because if it is, you don't need to use dosbox. If the colors act up, I'd recommend getting Zandronum or GZ Doom and just throwing the file Doom.wad from the disc or install directory in the Zandronum/GZ Doom folder and playing it with that. Besides, both allow for you to use open GL, which means texture filtering and dynamic lighting. (Brutal Doom adds a lot to the lighting)

[georgec]

IF you get it off steam DosBox auto setups and auto launches the game each time. But if A) You've already got a copy or B) Like to specify settings in detail then this is for you. If not, get it off steam.

[liamthomas]

Trying to install Doom (Ultimate) from CD-ROM, following your instructions to the letter but all I get are "illegal command" responses and "This program cannot be run in DOS mode."

Any solution?

[liamthomas]

Yeah it is, from the collector's edition box set thing. OK, what file do I open to run the game? I can't run a .exe file, or a .bat?

[AwaknedZero]

okay i've solved my first problem but it won't let me type anything to mount the instillation on

[half-lifescientist]

When I type in mount x c:\dosbox\games\doom it tells me the directory doesn't exist

[Mad_Grunt]

waveblaster gives the best music quality! 

[RetroHellspawn]

You can't run a windows executable in DosBox, you need to open the exe's in windows. If it doesn't show the colors properly (which tends to happen in windows 8 because fuck that OS), then you'll either want to find a place that has the DOS version (Steam or a download site) or just get Zandronum/GZ Doom and use that.

[hamzaali-nokj]

when i type in doom.exe it just takes me straight away to the games and i cant change tha audio stuff like you did also how do you get full screen

[RetroHellspawn]

Try pressing alt-enter to get out of fullscreen mode? I don't know, I've never encountered that error.

[hemuli]

Hey i followed every single step everything worked just fine untill i typed install.bat and this showed up "illegal command: install.bat." can you please help me. Thank you.

[matthewbecker]

thanks man fist time using dos ever and it worked the fist time :D