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SoftWindows 1.0
SoftWindows is an Operating System emulator that will let you run MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows-based applications in a window on your Macintosh.
- It includes:
- Improved performance over SoftPC with Windows - SoftWindows for Macintosh uses the latest technology from Insignia, which gives a boost of up to 30% in Windows applications. On the fastest 68k-based Macs, this gives approximately the performance of an entry-level 386 PC.
- Improved SmartCopy - the Windows utility that links the Macintosh and Windows clipboards now allows bi-directional transfer of text and bitmap graphics data between PC and Macintosh applications.
- Improved networking - the list of supported network operating systems now includes Banyan VINES and DEC PATHWORKS, so you can connect to Novell NetWare, LAN Manager, LAN Server, Windows NT Advanced server, Banyan VINES and DEC PATHWORKS servers. Also, using Novell's LAN Workplace for DOS, you can connect to UNIX file-servers through TCP/IP.
— excerpt from included ReadMe docs
About the available downloads:
- DL #1: SoftWindows Performa v1.0.3 for 68k & PPC Performa Macintosh, it emulates an Intel 80286 CPU and includes both Microsoft Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS 6.21 Operating Systems.
- DL #2: SoftWindows v1.0.2 for 68k Macintosh, it also includes both Microsoft Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS 6.21 Operating Systems.
- DL #3: SoftWindows v1.0.1 for Power Macintosh, box scans are above. Serial # is included in archive.
Another SoftWindows v1.0.2 for 68k: http://www.mediafire.com/?dplbh55e7uase40 - also: MacFormat issue 26 (DL #4)
Although v1.0.2 (and v1.0.3 68k) is 68k optimized, if you try to install it onto a PPC Mac it will alert to you that it may not perform as expected, it will then install and run with a noticeably sluggish performance.
Serial number for v1.0.2: (68k)
2100-0201-9529-7269 <-- For any 68k Macintosh running System Software 6.0.5 to Mac OS 8.1.
Serial number for v1.0.3: (68k & PPC)
2300-0201-9529-7514 <-- For Macintosh Performa models only, SSW 6.0.5 and later. SSW 7.1.2 or later for PPC Macs.
2350-0100-2267-0007 <-- For any 68k Macintosh running SSW 6.0.5 and later. SSW 7.1.2 or later for PPC Macs.
See also: SoftWindows 2.0, SoftWindows 3.0, SoftWindows 95, SoftWindows 98
Compatibility
Architecture: 68k PPC
The included drive files after installation, contain MS-DOS 6.21 and Microsoft Windows 3.1 operating systems.
- Minimum Macintosh System Requirements: (version 1.0.2)
- Any Macintosh computer with a 68030 (68040 CPU recommended) including all Quadra, Centris, Performa 475/476, LC 475/476, and PowerBook 520/520C/540/540C models
- System 6.x or 7.x
- Memory minimum: 8MB, 16MB recommended (12MB minimum with System 7.5)
- 23MB free hard disk space
- 32-bit color QuickDraw (System 6.x only) for VGA and EGA graphics
- For PC 80287 emulation, Macintosh math co-processor such as the built-in 68040 (not 68LC040) or 68881/68882
Comments
This even ran in Mini vMac II with System 6.0.7.
SoftWindows v1.0.3 running in Mini vMac II (Click to view)
Hi cbone. Yes I took her for a spin (on an actual HD)
There is little difference between v1.0.2 and v1.0.3, if any, that I can detect. Both play nicely on B2 for me. The faster your host CPU the better the performance. I recall running v1.0.2 on a Q630 "back in the day" and to me then, it was like watching paint dry when opening even .wri readme files. I couldn't possibly use this on 68040 hardware I thought... But given modern computing and super fast CPU's, running it in an emulator like Basilisk II ain't half bad. In fact performance is quite acceptable I think.
But I haven't tested it out thoroughly, in that I haven't run or installed any demanding programs, or any used any networking features. I've only tested it in B2 running on core i5 CPU's so far, so cannot comment about performance on earlier Mac hardware or on an Android device. Also, it emulates a 286 CPU which will affect what can or cannot run in Win 3.1.
That said, according to Insignia they had improved and optimized speed of their emulator over their previously shipped emulators. It also is the final DOS/Windows emulator to run on 68k Mac, that I know of. Which means there is very little else to choose from - if you want to run a DOS/Windows emulator on Basilisk II or 68k Macintosh.
I need to make a little more room on my emulated 68k Mac for this one.. how's the speed on this one, guys? Did you take it out for a spin, Mike? (hard drive pun thrown in, lol)
and thanks for pointing out the subtle differences, powermax! I guess the proof shall be in the pudding, then
Yes. - Huzzah indeed
So this negates all the workarounds that were needed previously? Huzzah!
Great news: Today, powermax provided us with a password to activate SoftWindows Performa v1.0.3 and it works for any suitable '040 & PPC Mac, not just Performa models. We have been wanting a working serial for this version since it was first added to our archives over 10 years ago.
It's included above in the page description area - the 2nd entry under "Serial number for v1.0.3: (68k & PPC)".
Thank you, powermax.
@cbone Thanks for pointing that out! I suspect that the 68k will work better on 68k Macs because on PPC we're running the 68k emulator under the hood. Moreover, the built-in 68k emulator on PPC machines emulates floating-point operations in software that brings another performance penalty.
@powermax: so for decent Windows emulation performance, the PPC version of SoftWindows 1.0.3 that you tested should be used since the 68k version drags on PPC Macs. The 68k version would crawl on 68k Macs then
@MikeTomTom
I just tried the given serial with the 68k application located in the Win Install folder of the DL #1.
It DOES take the serial just like the PPC side does. While it works, the performance can't be compared with the PPC version. The 68k running on PPC is about 10 times slower.
I tested it in iMac G3...
@powermax: It's not working for me on 68k Mac and PPC Mac.
The installer doesn't recognize Basilisk II or SheepShaver as being a "Performa" Mac. It installs the software OK but when it comes time to register, It seems to take the serial, but immediately throws up a "This is not a Performa" dialog and clears the password field. From that point on it will only allow me to either run SoftWindows v1.0.3 as a demo or go online to Insignia to purchase a license suitable for this (non-Performa) Macintosh. Yeah, good luck with that one.
So, what kind of Mac did you install this onto to get it to accept that password?
v1.0.3 serial/password:
2300-0201-9529-7514
You need to enter it in the Password field of the registration dialog. Name and Company can be an arbitrary string.
Please be aware that the DL #1 is broken. The installer located in Win Install 1:Data folder doesn't work under MacOS 9.
To make SoftWindows 1.0.3 to work under OS 9, the following steps are required:
1. copy all six archives Windows Data [1-6] into the same folder and launch StuffitExpander on the first archive. It will produce one file named "HDD Data"
2. Expand Windows App(PPC) archive located in Win Install 7:Data folder using StuffitExpander. It will produce a single executable named SoftWindows™ Performa
3. launch SoftWindows™ Performa and register it by entering Name, Company and the above serial number
4. you'll be asked to create a new hard drive
5. in the last step, you'll be asked to locate the Windows image. Navigate to the file created by the step 1. SoftWindows will proceed with HD creation that can display an error. If it does, quit SoftWindows and double-click on the freshly created HDD image. SoftWindows will be automatically launched and everything should work.
It works for me like a charm
Thx a lot @vintagegeek for the docu link!
Interesting site with archive of Tech Support Stuff for SoftPC
http://web.archive.org/web/19971012220935/http://www.insignia.com/SoftWi...
I've loaded v1.0.3 on my Performa 6214CD and it starts but is requiring a password after entering a name and organization. Anyone have a clue what the password is? I can run it in demo mode just fine.
------------------------------------ SoftWindows 3.0 for Power Mac 2600-0535-6924-5311 ------------------------------------ SoftWindows 2.0 for Power Mac 2500-0006-6502-2632 ------------------------------------ SoftWindows 1.0.2 2100-0201-7770-3845 ------------------------------------ SoftWindows 1.0.2a PowerPC 2000-0208-6486-7252
These worked for me, I would give them a try if you still can't get it working. Make sure to use the right number for the right version.
Hi
i searched a lot for 1.0.3 serial but nothing ... i downloaded various serial box (not 2004 which seems not avaiable) but all contains only 1.0.2 serial . Because 1.0.2 mediafire link is not avaiable and i was not able to find other versions on the web i was very lucky to find one in emule, but it is partially corrupted. I tried to install it and the bare emulator seems to be sane and only windows image is not installable. So using 1.0.2 emulator with 1.0.3 windows image one can do the same.
Here is my 1.0.2 softwindows link
http://www.mediafire.com/?dplbh55e7uase40
Be happy
Find Serial Reader and Serial Box 2004, and you will have your serial number - I'm pretty sure they are on this site.
Stop asking for serial numbers - it is a sure way to get this site closed down.
PS. There is a windows build of Serial Reader - so stop complaining, and start searching...
And I need Mac OS X to see what the serial is?
just post it here
There should be a serial number in Serial Reader (with Serial Box)
On this site...
What is the serial number?
what is the serial number?