UnRar for 16-bit PCs

So I'm looking for a way to extract files from .rar archives (created with modern Rar versions) on XTs and 286s.
I tried to compile the UnRar source code with Borland C++ 3.1, but it gives plenty of errors, and fixing them all may take a lot of time...
Perhaps somebody has already done that?
If not, perhaps somebody knows of a more modern C++ compiler still able to produce 8086 code?

Marrr said:

If not, perhaps somebody knows of a more modern C++ compiler still able to produce 8086 code?

Click to expand...

Microsoft C++ (~ 8.00c for 16-bit) can generate 88/86-only code.

Good luck!

Friends of mine use Open Watcom to do 16-bit DOS code, and since it's open it's still under development.

Why exactly do you need to open RAR files on this sort of machine - or is it just a want? If you need to get particularly large files onto floppies or something, you can use ZIP and some split tools if it's too big for a single floppy, then join them on the other end (this is how we did it "back in the day").

Assuming you want to just make rar16 "for the lulz" or to make it convenient, good luck and let us know if you get anywhere.

Perhaps I'm missing something here - who me? but there is at least one unrar out there. A quick boo on my dos box and I find UNRAR.EXE v2.06 by Eugene Roshal, 32086 bytes. Check simtel and garbo because there's probably more.

OK, quick explanation: I've got a bunch of CDs with various DOS stuff, mostly compressed with Rar, and sometimes I want to use those programs on my old PCs.
I realized it would be most convenient to transfer entire archive onto the old PC, and then extract the files.

The problem is: old 16-bit Rar/UnRar versions (<=2.50) don't support archives created with newer versions, and newer versions are 386+ only.
So I'm trying to compile current UnRar as 16-bit. Yes, if I succeed I will let you all know...

Ole Juul said:

Perhaps I'm missing something here - who me? but there is at least one unrar out there. A quick boo on my dos box and I find UNRAR.EXE v2.06 by Eugene Roshal, 32086 bytes. Check simtel and garbo because there's probably more.

Click to expand...

I didn't know anyone knew about "simtelnet" - ofc I wasn't around when it was new or anything, but recently I stumbled across it and mirrored all of the pre-win2k files there.

I know a guy who (using leaked MS code) wrote an uncompressor supporting all kinds of MS formats under DOS, perhaps he can make a 16-bit version of the modern unrar. I'll ask him next time I get a chance to talk to him, see what he says about the matter.

Marrr said:

The problem is: old 16-bit Rar/UnRar versions (<=2.50) don't support archives created with newer versions, and newer versions are 386+ only.
So I'm trying to compile current UnRar as 16-bit. Yes, if I succeed I will let you all know...

Click to expand...

Now I got it. That would be good to have. Yes, let us know please.

PS: I wonder why they call it rar if it doesn't support the old versions. The concept of archiving is after all, to save stuff for later use. If current rar doesn't support the older stuff then it is a new protocol and should have a new name. To me if you call everything the same name then there is no point in having names. "Do you mind if we call you Bruce?" kind of thing. VBG

My friend says that it'd be quite difficult to get it working on 286 and below - you'd basically have to rewrite the program.

Is there a reason you are trying to use RAR for this?
Scenarios just like this seem to validate the ZIP format perfectly. As long as you aren't using certain newer features/compression methods, all zips are backwards and forwards compatible.

Zip supports split archives, and IIRC, the standard dos pkunzip 2.04g handles them just fine.

Just use your favorite modern zip tool to create the split files.

I'm sure you could write a quick script to batch convert the existing archives to zip as well...

Alternatives would be ethernet, or just adding a CD to your old system(s).
eBay often has parallel->ethernet and parallel->scsi devices that you could move between systems as needed.

Either of those would probably much quicker and less frustrating than juggling loads of archive files.

Best of luck whatever you decide though.

Marrr said:

OK, quick explanation: I've got a bunch of CDs with various DOS stuff, mostly compressed with Rar, and sometimes I want to use those programs on my old PCs.
I realized it would be most convenient to transfer entire archive onto the old PC, and then extract the files.

The problem is: old 16-bit Rar/UnRar versions (<=2.50) don't support archives created with newer versions, and newer versions are 386+ only.
So I'm trying to compile current UnRar as 16-bit. Yes, if I succeed I will let you all know...

Click to expand...

__
Trevor

Is there not a 7-zip port for DOS?

EDIT: Yes there is, but you need to run a 32bit extender to get it to work, so I doubt it will solve you issue.

There are winrar copies for win16, and win16 will run on a 286.. i dunno if they require 386 instruction in the win16 environment, but maybe not.

Raven said:

There are winrar copies for win16, and win16 will run on a 286.. i dunno if they require 386 instruction in the win16 environment, but maybe not.

Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure they are versions <=2.50, and you need >=2.90 to expand modern Rar archives.

And yes, I know it would be easier to convert all my .rar archives to .zip... But! It would be even easier to launch all my vintage computers out the window, and buy brand new ones, but for some unknown reason I'm not too enthusiastic about this particular solution :mrgreen:

Anyway, I'm still gathering information and tools. Also, it looks like there's some holidays or something in late December, so I will have some free time...