Can 64 bit systems ever run 16 bit software?

Jabout

Jabout

Jabout

Associate
Joined
8 Oct 2005
Posts
59
I have a 16 bit programme "Sidewinder Game Controller Software 4.0" for my joystick, could it work in Vista 64 bit?

Or is this just impossible?
 
daven1986 said:
doubt it would, because it sounds like a driver. normal software will work, drivers wont.
Click to expand...

Normal software will not. 64-bit operating systems won't run 16-bit code, especially drivers.

The best solution for 16-bit programs is to use DOSbox. As for the OP's problem - it's not happening i'm afraid. :(

Are you sure there are no newer drivers?
 
some installers use 16bit exes just to install the program, back in the day ne way. poor show on ms if they havn't updated their installers!
 
Theguy said:
poor show on ms if they havn't updated their installers!
Click to expand...
The Sidewinder line was discontinued in 2003, do you honestly expect continued driver support five years later? How many systems even have game ports these days?

According to Wikipedia, the USB models work perfectly in XP / Vista. If the game you want to play can't see the buttons then you should be blaming that.
 
Theguy said:
some installers use 16bit exes just to install the program, back in the day ne way. poor show on ms if they havn't updated their installers!
Click to expand...
One of the most popular installation products in the pre 64-bit days does this. Fortunately there's a workaround which avoids the 16-bit code and you can complete the install in this case.
 
If its the usb model you can plug it in and it works fine in vista I gave my old sidewinder to the missus to play flight sim on.
 
The joystick itself works in Vista okay.

I fly flight sims and want the sidewinder software option for turning off return to centre tension, as joysticks hang limp when the plane is not flying, though the force feedback holds the stick steady when flying at 300 knots.

Could it be possible to install the sidewinder software on a 32bit pc (this works) and then just transfer the programme over to the 64 bit pc?

Thanks for any thoughts.
 
Jabout said:
The joystick itself works in Vista okay.

I fly flight sims and want the sidewinder software option for turning off return to centre tension, as joysticks hang limp when the plane is not flying, though the force feedback holds the stick steady when flying at 300 knots.

Could it be possible to install the sidewinder software on a 32bit pc (this works) and then just transfer the programme over to the 64 bit pc?

Thanks for any thoughts.
Click to expand...


You might be able to run through the installation process and grab the extracted files from the temp folder or similar... if they are 32bit rather than 16.

Or a copy of the installed folder might work...
 
Sorry this is a few days old but iv had to wait to post

No 16bit software will EVER work in 64bit windows! (sorry to shout a little but its makes it clear)

Not even dosbox works as when the processor is in 64bit mode it only has acess to 32 and 64bit registers, thus doing away with all 16bit instructions. This enable the 64bit os to use 32 bit instructions nativly (and why wow32 works really well for running 32bit stuff in 64bit windows) but all 16bit stuff is gone.

So to the title the answer is no

There might be work arounds on the net to get the thing working though
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom