Subject: 16-bit Door Games on 64bit OS?
@MSGID: <69F7BD13.277.hobbyspcsynchronet@JerseyJam.com>
@TZ: c12c
Anyone have any success getting a 16bit door game to work in SBBS on a Windows 10/11 64bit OS? If yes, how did ya do it? I have a user requesting a very old door game "InterStellar Annihilation" and haven't been successful. Downloaded "winevdm" but it seems I have to compile and run through a lot of steps I'm not really comfortable with and "ntvdmx64" seems like it could be a big risk to the stability of the system. Do I need to set up DosBox, or something, along side SBBS to get 16bit doors to work on my system and how would I bridge the systems?

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￭ Synchronet ￭ Jersey Jam BBS - JerseyJam.com (1:266/325)

Recomended to use DosBox-x or a program called door party. I have been meaning to install.
Door party works as a virtual machine. Check this out and see if it helps.
Door Party is a specialized server that acts as a "door hub," allowing Bulletin Board System (BBS) operators to host classic games on modern systems. Because Windows 11 is 64-bit only and cannot natively run 16-bit software, you must use a connector to bridge your BBS to the Door Party server.Setting Up Door Party on Windows 11To integrate Door Party into your BBS (like Mystic or Synchronet) on Windows 11, follow these steps:Download the Connector: Obtain the DoorParty Connector (often a ZIP file) and install it in your root directory, such as C:\DoorParty Connector.Configure the Connector: Run the installer and enter the specific BBS tag and password provided to you by the Door Party sysop.Update BBS Settings:For Mystic BBS: Use the configuration editor to add a menu item with the command D3. In the data field, enter the address and port where your connector is listening (e.g., /ADDR=localhost:9999 /USER=[yourtag]@USER@ /PASS=password).For Wildcat Winserver: Add the doorparty.exe to your Windows startup and create a macro link in your telnet configuration pointing to the local host address (e.g., 127.0.0.1:9999).Bypass 16-bit Limitations: Since Door Party hosts the games remotely, your Windows 11 machine does not actually run the 16-bit code locally; it simply brokers the connection between the user and the remote game server.Alternatives for Local 16-Bit GamesIf you want to host your own local 16-bit door games rather than connecting to a hub like Door Party:GameSrv: This open-source tool for Windows can launch DOSBox for each door game, handling the output back to your telnet client.

Another way some people do it, is by running an old version of windows in a virtual machine, installing synchronet on it. Using it as an rlogin game server.

Subject: 16-bit Door Games on 64bit OS?
@MSGID: <69F7F02C.281.hobbyspcsynchronet@JerseyJam.com>
@REPLY: <69F7E1C6.256.hobbyspcsynchronetbbs@Hobbyspc.synchro.net>
@TZ: c12c

Door party works as a virtual machine.

Door Party connector from this site? https://www.throwbackbbs.com

Basically they are running the games and my system Rlogins over to there?

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￭ Synchronet ￭ Jersey Jam BBS - JerseyJam.com (1:266/325)

Nah it runs on your computer, and you rlogin locally basically.

Subject: 16-bit Door Games on 64bit OS?
@MSGID: <69FA9468.283.hobbyspcsynchronet@JerseyJam.com>
@REPLY: <69F906C6.259.hobbyspcsynchronetbbs@Hobbyspc.synchro.net>
@TZ: c12c
Here is a polished rewrite that keeps your enthusiastic tone and technical details while improving the flow and readability:

I finally did it! I got an account from the owner of DoorParty and set it up on my BBS, and it was surprisingly easy. My board now has over 150 fully licensed games available, ranging from classic 16-bit DOS titles to the newest releases.

It essentially uses Rlogin to connect to his door server. The transition is seamless and virtually instant, giving your board access to his entire library. When a user from your BBS jumps over, their username automatically ports with them, keeping all their game stats and scores saved under their own alias. Because DoorParty has a large, active player base, your users can instantly compete on the leaderboards or play multiplayer games together in real-time.

For the setup, you have a couple of options: you can create a single External Door entry that drops users into a master menu containing all the games, or you can set up the games individually on your own system using game codes so your users never even see the remote BBS menu.

Right now, I just have it routing to his main door menu because it was the fastest way to get up and running. You should definitely check it out. It’s completely free, incredibly fast, and totally transparent to the users on your board.

You can go through my BBS to try it and see how it would work on your bbs, or setup your own account and apply for DoorParty access at his BBS @ https://www.throwbackbbs.com/ and set up on yours. I like it. I think Im gonna set up individual doors on my BBS so don't see his door menu. Either way, still cool and says me a lot time and $$ setting one of these myself. It's good for now.

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￭ Synchronet ￭ Jersey Jam BBS - JerseyJam.com (1:266/325)

Yeah I have two door servers setup. I didn't put the doors in individually, they are already pretty good menus. I have 450 on one and 250 doors on the other one. I love it, because many people connect to those door servers, so users are bound to play with others. Especially L.O.R.D! I went in there and played lord and Ambroshia with a few people.