Can I still get this old Windows download?

[canveyisland]

My DM has an old CD-Rom that runs off Windows 95/98/2000/NT that I would like to download and keep as a Windows document for her to use. She doesn't have a computer, but I have access to a Windows PC less that two years old, but would prefer to use my Mac currently using Mojave if possible (or even sensible ). For the Windows PC I would have to uninstall anything I put on it after this one use because it would just be borrowed.

My question to all you lovely experts is, do you know a way I could do this? Google searches show some possible downloads which may or may not be dodgy, but could I get an old disc with one of these OS's and download it onto the PC with any success? Maybe it would no longer be supported?

To do this, I would also need a USB to serial port cable interface if such a thing exists

Assume I know f*all very little about Windows. Obvs. Please be gentle. My DM would love it if I could do this.

I really don't understand your first line. What is on the disc?

Sorry. The disc is proprietary software to program or reprogram a computerised embroidery machine.

Have you tried the Compatibility Mode on the Windows PC? It works for some things so worth a shot www.groovypost.com/howto/run-old-software-windows-10-compatibility-mode/

Compatibility mode would be the best shot, but only on the PC - and I've personally never had any luck with 98 programmes on newer Windows. Mojave will hate it and I'd bet money that it would not work.

Any chance of getting a download of a newer version of the program online?

There is no newer version, sadly. DM's machine was only manufactured in 1999 for one year then discontinued, so only one version. Some of the embroidery patterns on the machine seem to be corrupted and my hope is that I can reload or change them for her.

I had been wondering whether Mojave would work with it because I loaded the disc and was able to read the Help section, but anything downloadable in the way of programs are locked.

So to the PC then?

Something else has occurred to me - is there such a thing as a copying service anywhere like there is for old cassette or VHS tapes?

It's the executables the Mojave will hate; but I suspect that any modern version of Windows will too... but definitely worth a try with compatibility mode.

I hope you get it sorted!

Your mac would have been able to read the help files because they would be some form of a txt document that pretty much any system can read. The program files would be designed for a particular OS and if they are windows only then basically forget about the mac.

With VHS to DVD conversion it’s just converting to another format, with computer programs it’s likely to mean code being rewritten. It might be fairly easy with a big well known program to find ways/people to do that but with a one off proprietary piece of software it’s unlikely. Having said that, check for forums & groups who run this machine & if there are any, see if any of them have a solution. Have you contacted the company who made this machine (assuming they still exist) to see if they can do anything?

You could theoretically install an old version of windows on the PC you have access to and dual boot but if it isn’t your computer then that might be problematic!

This might do it

www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-95-on-windows-10

Problem Solved!

I bought a 20 year old PC laptop with Windows 2000 installed, used it to programme DMs machine and Bob was your veritable uncle.

The laptop cost me £40 but I got the job done so consider it worth it.
I got a bonus too because the PC came with about 20 game programmes on it as well, which in the very unlikely event I ever feel the need to destroy planets in a virtual sense.

Thanks to everyone for your advice.

I have a couple of old Windows programs (language learning stuff mainly) that I run on a Mac using this software:

www.winehq.org/

Works fine for me.

Sorry - by Windows programs I meant .exe files. I've had a couple of CD ROMs with a Windows installer file and they've run in OSX through Wine. Don't ask me how it works but it does...