PC Emulation on A1?

[neofree]

If I remember correctly when Apple first started to use the PowerPC processor, their systems where able to run PC software also in a Window.  Surely the same could be possible on the A1, which could make the A1 more useful so that people can use that program that they can't find a replacement for on the A1.

Comments?

Also, wasn't there an 8088/XT emulator for 68K CPU's?  If so, has one became available on the net that I could run on my 030/40 A1200?

Thanks,

Neofree

[Bodie]

@neofree

I've also wondered about the possibility of a PC emulator for the A1.  I think that almost everyone would like to be able to run MS Word and so forth.  Though I game of Half-Life (and by extension Day of Defeat) would be nice  :-D .  Considering that the A1 is using mostly standard PC equipment (in terms of sound and video cards) would a relatively fast PC emulator be possible?

I'm sure there are technically minded individuals who can answer this one  ;-) .

Cheers

[odin]

There already is PC emulation for OS4. Two even,










PC task and PCx :-D

[Bodie]

Slaps myself  :hammer:  :hammer:  :python:  :whack:

[odin]

But on a more serious note.

They might just even be practical at PPC speeds (although still 68k emulated). PCx emulated Pentium instruction set IIRC. So perhaps it would be quite possible to run Windoze 9x on it  :-o.

Has anyone tried PCx/PCtask on a very fast WinUAE setup? I'm wondering how fast that would be (completely pointless, but still interesting...in a geekish way :-)).

[Bodie]

@Odin

I've downloaded a demo of PCx, might give it a whirl on WinUAE

Cheers

I've used PCx and PCTask on my 060/50.  PCTask was better.  It could do memory paging, whereas PCx, for all its claimed pentium emulation, could not.

This meant only PCTask could run Win95.  Mind you, PCTask running Win95 was slower than a very slow thing.

Running Win3.1 in standard mode was quite acceptable for apps like WP - Word2 and Word6 both worked well.  Excel had some glitch whereby it would only work in Windows enhanced mode, which was slow.

I can imagine that Windows 3.1 would be reasonably snappy, perhaps even in enhanced mode.  That might make Win95 useable under PCTask.  But the real question would be....why?

[whabang]

But the real question would be....why?

Because it's possible! :-)

[Felix]

What about Bochs ?

There already is a native MorphOS port,
it should be possible to make a OS4 port
from that sources.

Just a idea.

[Warface]

I have visions of MacOnlinux running MacOS running SoftWindows in an AmigaOS window... Two "minor" obstacles, a port of MacOnLinux required (either for MorphOS or AOS4), and a permission from Apple :-) Sad, that it never will happen.

AFAIK PCTask relies heavily on the custom chipset, and not developed anymore, so making a port would be a pain, if even possible...

[JurassicCamper]

AFAIK PCTask relies heavily on the custom chipset, and not developed anymore, so making a port would be a pain, if even possible...

I spoke to Chris Hames about this a few years ago when the blizzards first came out.
PPC-PCTask 5 as it was going to be never materialised, However Chris did say that he began converting the code from 68K asm to C.
How far he got with it i dont know.
It would be a good foundation for an OS4 ppc version.

Be nice if the code was released into the public domain ?

Maybe Bernie should put his knowledge of emulation into an PC Emulator for OS4 instead.
Make him some $$$

[Warface]

Most Amiga users already have a PC at home, which is presumably faster than any emulated PC. I'm an exception tho, and I'd gladly pay for a MOS version. Or OS4 version, when it will be available on Pegasos and I'll like that better. Any more potential purchasers? :-)

[Bodie]

Yes, I would buy it....

[odin]

I don't think I would, a mac emu probably yes. (Heck the friggin 603e@175MHz I have is way to slow I guess to run the more recent MacOSes ;-)).

[Bodie]

Personally, there are a few obscure MS-DOS applications (mainly econometric stuff such as Frontier 4.1, DEAP ) I would like to use.  PC-Task and PCx would be more than up to the task, I hope  :-)

Cheers