I have downloaded DosBox a couple of times in the last four or so years in an attempt to get the relevant database program working. I've read the "README" documentation and mounted a directory containing the files that were installed in the relevant directory on my old computer. (Since the program was originally supplied on a floppy, and I no longer have a floppy drive, this is probably the best I can do).

The files comprise: one .exe file ("u.exe"), one .rnd file and one .vce files (plus a couple of Word documentation files).

After mounting the relevant directory, I've typed "dir" and confirmed all the files are there.

I've then typed "u" to run the .exe file, but I immediately get an error message stating: "rv=255 minor biosdisk ID error : Error 0".

I don't know what to try next.

This application tries to access the disk via some low-level mechanism.

"This application tries to access the disk via some low-level mechanism."

Many thanks for the quick response eL_PuSHeR.

Is there some (preferably easy...) way around this - or should I just give up?

It seems a considerable shame that someone dedicated countless hours to compiling such a database yet we are now not able to easily access that data.

By the way, from memory (and it has been a good couple of years), I don't think the relevant floppy disc had to be in the drive to run the database application - so presumably it is not essential for the application to access the floppy disk itself.

All the best,

Isaac

In case it helps anyone that wants to look into these issues, I've found a downloadable copy of a demo of the relevant UFO database (with only some of the relevant data and some of its functions) in the Wayback Machine's archive of Larry's website at the webage below :

http://web.archive.org/web/20060708003228/www … DLINSTRUCT.html

You should drive it with an HD image in DOSBox or with another VM product like VirtualPC2007/Vmware Player/VirtualBox.

DosFreak: "You should drive it with an HD image in DOSBox or with another VM product like VirtualPC2007/Vmware Player/VirtualBox."

Many thanks for that suggestion. It opened up another potential line of attack.

These possibilities, and a few others (notably accessing the relevant .rnd database file using a Hex editor and then trying to export the data into another format) are now being discussed on one of UFO discussion forums.

Just in case you are interested, the relevant discussion is at:
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread585935/pg1

Hopefully the relevant database can be rescued from oblivion. Thanks again for your helpful comments DosFreak and eL_PuSHer)

All the best,

Isaac