How to install Windows NT 3.1 Build 297

[kyle62]

After several hours of trial and error, I finally got this build to work correctly. VirtualBox was by far the most successful way to run this build. You do not need to set a BIOS date or apply the Pentium II patch for this one.

1. Create a VirtualBox VM with the following settings: Other Windows (32-bit) 16 MB RAM 500 MB Hard Disk

2. Using a DOS 5.0 bootdisk, partition and then format using format C: /u /s

3. Boot with a DOS 6.0 Bootdisk. Change to drive C: and type: mkdir nt

4. Change to drive R: and change to the DOS2NT directory. Run dos2nt C: and DO NOT REBOOT

5. Change back to drive A: and do xcopy /s R:\DOS2NT\NT C:\NT It should copy 707 files.

6. Reboot. On the first startup, it will reboot. Don't worry, this is normal.

7. On second boot, it will ask you for a new password for the user. Just leave it blank and hit Enter. It will ask you if it is okay to start a service. Press Y and then hit Enter. Then, it will say that it is going to reboot. Just press any key.

8. Enjoy your NT beta build!

[oscareczek]

Aaaand you could just use 86Box.

[kyle62]

You would have to do these same steps in 86Box. And it works better in VirtualBox. Read: it's mostly copying and formatting.

[Battler]

And it works better in VirtualBox.

Please define "better".

[TheCollector1988]

There's no need for DOS to install it, all you do is use the 1.2MB NT Setup Boot disk (yes it's in the FTP) and you can do the CD-ROM installation directly, either ATAPI (third party driver by me) or SCSI (aha-154x only).
And VirtualBox has a bad SCSI handling for hdd's in this build.

And here's it in action in 86Box:


High resolution and CD-Audio, both are not available under VBox.

[BF10]

In terms of functioning, VirtualBox can function the build. However, trying to make it more usable by increasing resolution, CD audio, sound, etc. would be pretty hard. Even then, I don't recommend using VirutalBox (or VMWare) for builds of Windows before 2000 or even XP.

PCem can also kinda do the same, but 86Box has more features.

However, I do agree it requires some trial and error. It took me 4 tries to install the build correctly on PCem.

[kyle62]

I wasn't aware that you could get the sound and high-res video working in 86Box. I have used 86Box before, but I am having a little bit of difficulty getting the correct machine configuration. (Yes I do have ROMs). Can I have some guidance on the correct 86Box configuration?

[vizerous]

you can do the CD-ROM installation directly, either ATAPI (third party driver by me)

Could you please point out where this CD-ROM driver can be taken from? And is there an option for later builds, including 3.1&3.5 RTM?

[TheCollector1988]

Here are the drivers, in this topic.
https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36255