Windows 3.1 request

[Darth Paris]

I am one of two seniors in my IT class at the vocational high school half day. Anyways, I'm the only one in the class that ever used anything from the 3.x family. I want to show of my class mates what the first computer I had was like mostly because they are a bunch of idiots who assume that computers have always had gigs of RAM and streamlined OSs. All my old Windows 3.1.1 disks were given away with the old computers, probably some time in 1998, and I've been looking around on the net. I figured it wouldn't be an issue because I doubt even microsoft is worried about 3.x piracy, but I've come up empty handed. A suggestion of where to look would be greatly appreciated.

[JerryB]

hi,
believe it or not there still a fair number of people who still use and also there always packrats like myself who saves everthing.. I even got a a aol1.5 program... smile....

note: keep in mind you will need msdos for windows 3.1 series to work....!!

good places to look
1. check and see if there a local pc club/usergroup in your area... there always some one that still has a copy...... or the club itself maintains a large file library of programs....
2. check your swapmeets and computer swapmeets.... especially if you have a computer swapmeet, great place to find programs.....
3. check your local customize computer shop...... many times they'll have stored away programs....

if you have no luck let me know...

I am one of two seniors in my IT class at the vocational high school half day. Anyways, I'm the only one in the class that ever used anything from the 3.x family. I want to show of my class mates what the first computer I had was like mostly because they are a bunch of idiots who assume that computers have always had gigs of RAM and streamlined OSs. All my old Windows 3.1.1 disks were given away with the old computers, probably some time in 1998, and I've been looking around on the net. I figured it wouldn't be an issue because I doubt even microsoft is worried about 3.x piracy, but I've come up empty handed. A suggestion of where to look would be greatly appreciated.

[gerryc]

Look on EBAY. I found a copy at http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Windows-for-Workgroups-3-11-MS-Dos-3-11-Floppy_W0QQitemZ150121...QQcmdZViewItem

[yoda313]

Yo darth - If you live in Michigan I have a fully working 386 with dos 6.2 and win 3.1 you could borrow It's an old compudyne with something like a 50 mb hard drive (after using double space! Remember that trick??? ). That 6.2 upgrade was over dos 5.0 if I remember correctly.

My first computer was a 286 no windows. (actually we had a texas instrument cartridge system that hooked up to a tv before that but we got rid of that years ago).

By the way in case your wondering I'm not THAT old - I'm 28. (well 29 in June ).

[bevills1]

It would still be illegal to distribute Win 3.x in any illegal way such as just copying and giving away a copy I'm sure because it may be used to show ownership of original Windows version for upgrade versions of Windows. I kept my Win3.1 I bought in the mid 1990s in case I need to do fresh install of my Win98 upgrade version which I bought in late 1990s. Best get it legally from eBay or other source, and remember you'll need DOS too as pointed out by JerryB.

[handyguy]

You might also need a 5.25" floppy drive if the disks are that size.

Best to just get a used laptop that has it on ebay, it should only be a few bucks perhaps.

[Des]

I want to show of my class mates what the first computer I had was like mostly because they are a bunch of idiots who assume that computers have always had gigs of RAM and streamlined OSs.

If you really want to 'impress' them I think I have a Timex-Sinclair and printer still in my basement! That'll show 'em how far home PCs have come.

--dES

[SLK001]

Wow. I'm building a boot CD based on DOS that is causing me to rummage through my collection of 5.25" and 3.5" disks looking for specific utilities (like a BartPE disk, but based on DOS - using a NTFS disk driver). I'm searching for a version of Graphics Workshop that runs on DOS! I've run across Win286, Win 3.0, Win 3.1, etc, wondering why I still have them!

[Cornucopia]

While I was learning about live Win98 bootCD's ~4 years ago, I found complete DOS (6.22 and 7.1?) and WFWG311 on the net, so it was possible to find (at least then). Was able to test and create "Bootable" DOS, WFWG311 and Win98 CDs. Very handy in a pinch particularly with fried PC recovery or "secure/individualized" temporary installations. Ended up, never used them, but it was a good learning experience especially as regards bootability & installs. All mainly for educational purposes mind you.
(Of course, for legality-sake I recommend you DO get legit copies (off ebay, etc.) They aren't that hard to find there.

Scott