I might just try good ole MS-DOS 6.22 and see if it got all the needed functions done - I'd use the lowest common denominator that will work -
if you don't need the networking tools of FreeDOS, MS-DOS has been tried and true for both of the things you want to do with the machine...

I don't see any reason why MTCP should not work in MSDOS 6.22 environment if there is right networking card that is enlisted on supported packet driver list.

I run MTCP on 86box with MSDOS just fine.
I have FreeDOS on my iMac from 2011 and it also works just fine unless I want to use or programs use 0x60/61 IO ports for keyboard handlers. int 21h keyboard functions work but direct port scanning not, thus some PMODE extenders that rely on 0x60 checks for some reason and most games don't work with FreeDOS anyway... if they are UEFI systems with limited Legacy mode for BIOS boot ups.

That's my experience.

-h1

... Xerox Alto was the thing. Anything after we use is just a mere copy.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

I don't see any reason why MTCP should not work in MSDOS 6.22
environment if there is right networking card that is enlisted on supported packet driver list.

I run MTCP on 86box with MSDOS just fine.

FreeDOS has recently thrown me lots of fade when trying legacy software... its great for playing games in 2024, but not so much when trying to use legacy software that think its 1990.

Its great, but more useful for getting the most of out of current retro-systems than running legacy software IMO.

86Box is sick - and I'm still thankful that you turned me onto it.



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

I don't see any reason why MTCP should not work in MSDOS 6.22 environment if there is right networking card that is enlisted on supported packet driver list.

It'll run happily on DOS5.x+ in VMs. Given the provisions already mentioned. VirtualBox has by default 2 supported card types.

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
--- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
* Origin: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. (21:3/101)

86Box is sick - and I'm still thankful that you turned me onto it.

My pleasure :)

-h1

... Xerox Alto was the thing. Anything after we use is just a mere copy.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

I don't see any reason why MTCP should not work in MSDOS 6.22 environ if there is right networking card that is enlisted on supported packe driver list.

It'll run happily on DOS5.x+ in VMs. Given the provisions already mentioned. VirtualBox has by default 2 supported card types.

I run my DOS inside 86box emulator. If you really want to turn your modern PC into a legacy one, with exact setup (CPU,GPU, Motherboard, you name it).. then I find no other way than 86box.net today.

-h1

... Xerox Alto was the thing. Anything after we use is just a mere copy.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

it).. then I find no other way than 86box.net today.

I hazard a guess, if you want to emulate something a bit "out of the box"
that it'll do that nicely. For most use cases though, the bells and whistles aren't a major component to DOS software though. I find VB more than sufficient for BBS work, which is all it does.

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
--- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
* Origin: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. (21:3/101)