Uncreative Labs

Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas NV

I have finally finished a complete restoration of a beautiful perfect IBM 5150 PC. I have a lot of software for it, but I don't seem to have a working version of a decent word processor. Does anyone have a good copy of Word Perfect, or WordStar I can install on my PC running DOS 3.3? I have several word processors, but they are all shareware, and I cannot install them. They will run just fine from the floppy diskette, but I can't run them from my internal hard disc, because they are all demo versions.

If I can be pointed to a link, or FTP site, where I can download a complete version, that would be fantastic.

Thank you.

Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 594 Location: Western NC

Microsoft Word 5.5 for DOS is still available (and legal) :

http://download.microsoft.com/download/word97win/Wd55_be/97/WIN98/EN-US/Wd55_ben.exe

Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas NV

Thanks for pointing me to that one. But the the original IBM 5150 and 5160 XT won't accept anything nearly that large. Even with nothing else open, the maximum available memory on these systems is 640Kb.

Thanks for pointing me to this program, but do you know of anything that will run on less than 640Kb of RAM?

Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 594 Location: Western NC

Older versions of Microsoft Works for DOS (v.1-v.3) may work, as well as PFS:Write for DOS and perhaps early versions of WordPerfect/WordStar (as you mentioned). Other than that, you'll be very limited.

Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas NV

That's what I'm afraid of. I've been trying to locate links to early versions of Word Perfect, and WordStar, but just can't seem to locate anything at all. I would hope there was a link to a useable version available for download somewhere. However, I haven't been able to find anything but demo versions.

Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 594 Location: Western NC

Here's one that (even though shareware) deserves a look:

http://www.theabsolute.net/sware/oldfav.html

Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas NV

Shweet! I have already downloaded the Breeze Word Processor. It actually looks pretty good. Thanks for pointing me in that direction.

In my software library, I have a version of WordStar that requires 5 floppy disks to do a complete install. This is fine, but I don't know if it's compatible with my 5150. I'm sure it will install on my tweener, but I'm not sure if it can be used with the systems 640KB of RAM.

Still, I will try Breeze, and give it a good testing before I decide to keep it or not.

Thanks again

Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 594 Location: Western NC

Thought you might like that one. Remember using it on an old Compaq Portable II (286) with a Radio Shack printer and getting a pretty decent printout.

Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 488 Location: pennsylvanai

look in your mailbox
the name address and zip code does not match
anything in www.zabasearch.com

Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas NV

Thanks WD. Smile

I got the files you sent. I do have a question though. Are all of these compatible with an XT class machine with only 640 KB of RAM? I'm not worried about hard disc space. There are two fixed disks in the IBM 5161 expansion unit. The primary is an MFM full height Miniscribe 10 Meg unit, and the other is a 30 Meg MFM full height drive manufactured by Control Data Systems. I just need to make sure the programs you gave me are compatible with the system.

Thanks again WD. Smile

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:23 am

Lotus Symphony should work I only have a swedish version on 5.25 floppies though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Symphony_%28DOS%29

Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas NV

I want to thank all of you for responding so positively and quickly. I found a few great word processors and have two installed. One is called Breeze, and the other is a slightly newer version of WordStar. Both work very well with my CGA card, and show off the 5150's color capabilities quite well.

Thanks again everyone. Smile

Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 488 Location: pennsylvanai

set switches on the [c pr xt motherboard to
NO VIDEO or EGA
and they try an older VGA isa card
and a vbga monitor ( yes a 16 bit card in an 8 bit XT slot. many will work.
older si better
forget about " drivers" it is a non issue with any software you can run
some games may work other will not.
esasier on the eyes..
IG you choose an older monitor nobody but you will know.

Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas NV

Naw.. I'll just keep the standard CGA output. That's plenty good enough for what I'm doing.

Thank you though.