Windows 95 on PS2 Almost Works – But Can’t Run Doom
▼ Summary
– Jace from MetraByte successfully booted Windows 95 on a modded PlayStation 2 but couldn’t get Doom to run.
– The challenge involved emulating x86 code on the PS2’s MIPS architecture, complicated by Windows 95’s DOS-based system.
– Jace used a modded PS2, a controller with a QWERTY keypad, and storage devices like USB sticks and hard drives for the experiment.
– After failing with DOSBox, Jace switched to Bochs emulator, overcoming numerous errors to finally install Windows 95 after 14 hours.
– While basic apps like Paint worked, Doom95 wouldn’t launch, highlighting the limitations of running old software on incompatible hardware.
Running Windows 95 on a PlayStation 2 sounds like something straight out of a retro tech enthusiast’s wildest dreams, and one YouTuber nearly pulled it off. The ambitious project, documented by MetraByte’s Jace, showcased the painstaking process of installing Microsoft’s iconic operating system on Sony’s legendary console. While Windows 95 eventually booted up, the ultimate goal of playing Doom remained frustratingly out of reach.
The technical challenges were immense from the start. The PlayStation 2’s MIPS architecture was never designed to handle x86-based software like Windows 95, which relies heavily on DOS. To bridge this gap, Jace relied on emulators, first trying DOSBox before switching to Bochs, a more accurate but slower x86 emulator. Even with these tools, the process was riddled with obstacles, from read/write errors to driver conflicts and painfully slow load times.
Hardware modifications played a crucial role in the experiment. A modded PS2, equipped with a QWERTY gamepad, USB storage, and an internal hard drive, served as the foundation. Jace loaded custom homebrew software, virtual disk images, and Windows 95 installation files onto the system, but progress was glacial. After 47 failed attempts with DOSBox, the switch to Bochs finally brought the Windows 95 setup screen to life, though the full installation took an exhausting 14 hours.
Once up and running, basic functions like Paint worked (albeit awkwardly without a mouse). But the real disappointment came when Doom refused to launch, likely due to compatibility issues between the emulated environment and the game’s requirements. Despite the anticlimactic ending, the project remains a fascinating look at the limits of retro hardware and the determination of tinkerers willing to push them.
For those curious about the full journey, the video captures every frustrating yet rewarding step. It’s a reminder that even failed experiments can be wildly entertaining, especially when they involve two icons of ’90s technology colliding in unexpected ways.
(Source: TOMSHARDWARE)