2001-12-18
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DOS Dialup Internet Access
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Information and links to software are here for 8088, 8086, 80286, 80386, and newer machines using MSDOS, PCDOS (IBM), DRDOS or OpenDOS, FreeDOS, PTSDOS and other DOS compatible OS. Software listed here will allow you to download and install DOS packet drivers, DOS browsers (GUI and text-only), telnet, usenet, IRC, POP3/SMTP, FTP, ping, *ARCHIE, GOPHER, and even do the kermit protocol on the Internet using the very stable MSKermit combined telnet/server/terminal application.
*NOTE: Archie servers are either rare or non-existent during my most recent attempt to locate an Archie server (09-10-2002).
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AVOID trying to use software written to use only the PC/TCP packet driver. PC/TCP was sold by FTP Software to NetManage and is no longer shareware. The cost ($168 US or more) of the commercial release is excessive in my opinion. All demo versions of the FTP Software versions of PC/TCP have been removed from FTP servers and there are no demo versions of NetManage PC/TCP. PC/TCP is not compatible with applications written to use freeware packet drivers. The use of older DOS dialup terminal software to telnet to BBS and do zmodem transfers is a futile effort. The zmodem transfer will not work properly on 99% of your connects. Use of RLFOSSIL, TELAPI, ODI, and other oddball drivers is not recommended unless you have time to kill and need a challenge. You will find other DOS internet software not mentioned at this website but listed at other websites. This usually means they are either crippleware or considered less-than-useful by myself (and other DOS users). The software described at this website has been installed and used by myself and/or my acquaintances. This is software that I can guarantee will work on the majority of Intel based computers. When connecting to the Internet is the goal, ignore the zealots, lunatics, and egomaniacs that will try to waste your time fighting to find the 1% of connects that these other not-recommended junk DOS drivers with old DOS dialup terminal software will work with. I wasted a year of my life trying to help one of these nutcase zealots. DOS zmodem transfers seldom worked properly for either of us or any others this lunatic persuaded me to get involved with in a futile attempt to use DOS dialup terminal software to telnet and do zmodem transfers to telnetable BBS. The recent rant about IVT DOS telnet avoids any mention that it requires PC/TCP as it's packet driver and will not work with freeware packet drivers. If you must have 16 bit OS zmodem transfers when telneting to BBS you will need to use Windows 3.x which already has working telnet terminal software with working zmodem transfer protocols. I recommend NetTerm for W31 telnet but there are other Windows 3.x telnet applications if NetTerm does not work in a way you are comfortable with.
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Fossil drivers were not intended as a crutch for poorly written terminal software. The fossil driver was initiated by FIDO/OPUS/SEADOG. FIDO being the echomail used by many BBS (similar to usenet on the Internet) and OPUS being BBS software. The fossil driver was an attempt to overcome the inherent limitations of the INT 14h BIOS interface that was being used for dialup telecommunication software. In particular, BBS software. INT 14h was written into DOS by Microsoft as a printer interface, not for general telecommunication using a modem. The fossil driver was designed to overcome the 9600 baud limitation of early versions of DOS. The maximum baud rate was increased by Microsoft to 19200 baud in later versions of DOS but this was to accomodate faster serial printers. Again, not for telecommunications. The fossil driver was overkill and remains overkill for general telecom use. I recommend ignoring this waste of time/space.
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Legacy is a term used to refer to older computers but we also have a legacy of DOS applications that remain on servers world wide to remind us of talented programmers who were possibly ahead of their time. One such application would be KA9Q written originally for ham radio to transmit digital communications. Some time later KA9Q was adapted for use on the internet once the internet was made accessible to the general public. There are many other very good DOS applications for the internet and I will attempt to help make them known to you.
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Early 8088 PC's are able to access the internet in text-only mode and even reproduce some of the graphics of webpages if they have the proper video card and monitor. This hardware has become very rare in 2002. When using the text-only browser display these machines can, and do, access the internet more efficiently than their `big brother' computers that have more memory and newer hardware. To install these applications and get them setup with the proper information is not trivial and will require time and effort but the results will be more useful than most people realize in the era of Windows pre-installed software.
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IF you will be downloading any of this software you really should get a copy of F-Protect first and check for virus (it's free for home use and better than McAfee's). DOS systems aren't under attack in recent years but there may be some virus infected archives left over from the past decade? Most of the software is available using a link to another server. I cannot scan these archives for you, you must protect yourselves. | 
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Dialup Internet access hardware/software
The internal modem with it's onboard 16550A UART is preferable to an external modem if an above 14.4k modem is to be used with the 8088, 8086, or even some 80286 and 80386 machines. The UARTs used on these (8250 and 16450) often were just too limited for high speed modems using dialup connections. These will function, just slower than normal. There are a few 16550 UARTS out there (no "A") that are really as limited as the others. If there is no "A" after "16550" what you have is really a 16450. 115.2k locked speed tested unreliable with the 8250 and 16450 but 57.6k is doable. Use what you have. Some people continue to use 2400 baud modems on these setups.
X-window of Tim Berners-Lee's browser/editor Screen shot of Tim Berners-Lee's (considered by many the father of the WWW) browser editor as developed in 1991-92. This was a true browser editor for the first version of HTML and ran on a NeXT workstation. Implemented in Objective-C, it made it easy to create, view, and edit web documents. Adding a new hypertext link was a breeze! Note that this was a B&W only GUI display.
NOTE: A DOS Packet driver is required to use most of the applications being discussed on this page.
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- 8088 PC/XT - minimum 512k, mono video, 360k floppy drive (YES! this works!)
- These machines were 4mhz up to 12mhz on later 'turbo' XT's. If the NECV20 is installed to replace the original processor you then basically have a 'turbo'. Utilities to speed up the display of text do help the display of these machines keep up with the software.
- Browser(s) - minimal graphics if Hercules or CGA video cards are installed
- Other - FTP, POP3, ICQ, IRC, Telnet, Archie, and more
- 8086 XT
- These were generally 8mhz-12mhz. With the NECV30 replacement processor the machine would be at the 10-12mhz speeds.
- No denying that color video does help even in text mode browsing. Although EGA and even VGA monitors can be used with the 8086 they would use 8 bit video cards (8 bit bus) and would be quite slow. CGA seems to impose no speed penalty and is highly recommended if you can find them. Screen utilities to speedup the display can be helpful.
- Browser(s) - same as the 8088 but CGA color was developed for these machines and they are fast enough to support it
- Other - FTP, POP3, ICQ, IRC, Telnet, Archie, and more
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- 80286 AT - 1-2meg memory, CGA/EGA/VGA color video, 5meg+ hard drive space, and a mouse
- EGA graphics modes seem to distort most modern graphics displays and with the speed penalty why bother? Get VGA if you want GUI and graphics displays.
- The `NEAT' chipset was required to access upper memory in these as expanded DOS memory - most have partial chipsets and benefit primarilly by the use of a fast cache in extended memory. The newer SMARTDRV v4.0 that was released for W95 really is quite good, works in 16 bit DOS, is much better than earlier versions and it's FREE. Hard to beat that combination. Early versions of Windows v1.0 to v3.1 will execute on this machine but only in unprotected real mode making them a bit unstable for telecommunications. DOS 16 bit software, however, is as stable on this machine as on any other.
- Browser(s) - browsers become GUI and mouse-able!
- Other - FTP, POP3, ICQ, IRC, Telnet, Archie, and more
- Shareware downloads
- Arachne GUI Browser © - version 1.70 rel.3 (as of 06-03-2001) Fastest GUI browser for DOS machines and continuing development makes this one a winner!
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- 80386 AT - Protected mode uppper memory becomes available. Also refer to 16 bit Windows versions.
- Minimum hardware to run these larger protected mode telecommunciations applications requires: 4meg memory, VGA 640x480 video, 5-6meg hard drive, and an optional mouse for Arachne.
- More memory, faster hard drive, fast video card will improve browsing in that order. Browsers with no or minimal javascript will limit your access to web based email and a few websites.
- DOS Browser(s)
- Other - FTP, POP3, ICQ, IRC, Telnet, Archie, and more
- Freeware / Shareware download
- LYNX386 v2.8.4 dev.14 - Freeware UNIX DOS clone of the text only browser - fast and speech friendly.
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NOTE: A DOS Packet driver is required to use these applications.
WATTCP: - WatTCP home page (HTTP) and (FTP) Source Code (approx. 783 Kb)
- Present 09-11-2002 filename is "wat2001c.zip". This is a TCP/IP stack mainly of interest to DOS programmers. It was built into MSKermit long ago and exists within other well known DOS applications. Get the app2000b.zip (approx. 328.89 Kb) archive (application binaries written using WATTCP) for setup and testing with these useful applications built using WATTCP. The WATTCP archive is the original source of that WATTCP.CFG file you will be reading about in many DOC files for DOS Internet applications.
For earlier versions of the WATTCP code do a search for "WATTCP" using ALLTHEWEB. Many FTP servers have a separate WATTCP directory and ALLTHEWEB will find those servers for you.
FTP for DOS: - FTP07
- The defacto WATTCP FTP application, scriptable for automatic downloading and uploading of files - fast! There are about six variations of binaries for FTP07. One is quite a bit faster than the others but I don't remember which one, sorry. I think it is a Japanese compiled binary but not certain.
OTHER: DOS Internet Applications - This information is quite old now but continues to be relevant if you want to use older DOS applications for the Internet. Worth reading for install information.
An assortment of DOS software. - Bobcat (lynx based), LYNX, YAN, etc.
- These are more complex applications and must create subirectories on your hard drive. The installations are quite large in the 2+ meg or more size. These are combinations of many DOS programs into a suite to perform many online functions. These are not simple applications to install and learn to use but they will handle most of your requirements.
- Lots of DOS Inet stuff!
Demon.Uk package: - Menu driven combination of DOS apps for ftp, telnet, email, etc. based on the very solid KA9Q software.
- This is a combination of many programs, a suite, and will create subirectories on your hard drive. Something in the 2 megabyte range install (or more). Latest version is DIS22.EXE.
- Demon.Uk's users package for DOS
TextWin - Modified version of Demon.UK package - this is better IMO!
- TextWin really needs a mouse to work properly but it is the best looking version of a suite of DOS applications based on the KA9Q original. Large install, creates subdirectories on your hard drive.
- NOTE: There are three versions of this suite large, medium, and tiny. This refers to memory use more than installed size. I have linked to the tiny version.
- ftp.demon.net ...tinytw.zip
- or ftp.demon.nl...tinytw.zip
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Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
- NOTE: A DOS Packet driver is required to use these applications.
- Trumpet IRC client: This is my favorite DOS IRC client. Has occasional problems with 'ident' but works for me on dal.net?
- Toffee IRC: Good IRC client that works with any packet driver. Split windows on screen similar to Desqview `windows'. No DCC transfers and some object to the bright coloring. I like it myself.
- JPIRC: Unstable on my system. Black and white display and no scroll back makes this one difficult to use. DCC downloading but no DCC uploading.
POP3/SMTP email for DOS
- PEGASUS: Pegasus Mail program for DOS is an excellent mail program, written by David Harris. Supports MIME and many other encoding formats including UUENCODE and BINHEX. Check out Fred MacCall's PMSMTP software for use with Pegasus email.
Packet drivers
- LSPPP: New DOS packet driver. Seems faster than the older EPPPD06 on my equipment. Built in dialer is a nice touch. This is the one I use on my 80286 and 80386.
- EPPP v6.0 for DOS: A rewrite of a rewrite. This was the defacto standard DOS packet driver for quite some time and is included with Arachne and other packages that have arranged to include the Arachne browser (PTSDOS and DrDOS) bundled with their OS.
ICQ for DOS there was only one. -
LSICQ Used this on my 80286 for awhile. Easy to setup and easy to use. Colored text, not a GUI. Author's website claims the recent ICQ protocol changes have broken LSICQ code as of 03-12-2002.
HTTP 'brain sucker' -
WGET Mixed feelings on this thing. It downloads entire websites automatically. Guess it has it's uses?
DOS WWW Server -
JAFFA "... requires an XT with 640k memory and a hard drive."
Author of Toffee IRC client and MoonRock the compiler. JAFFA runs his website on his own DOS WWW server software. Interesting eh?
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8088 and 8086 Browsers:
NOTE: A DOS Packet driver is required to use these applications.
MSKermit "requires PC with 512k memory and one floppy drive"
MSKermit is a telnet client and a Wermit Server in one (like an FTP server but uses the kermit protocol). Not really a browser until you access LYNX via proxy but MSKermit is, by far, the premier Internet software for these machines. There are many official versions of Kermit but MSKermit is the 16 BIT DOS version. The complete background and up to date information about all versions of KERMIT is stored here on a PC sitting at Professor Doupnik's desk. Browsing is accomplished by logging into a public access UNIX LYNX browser in text-only mode. This is very fast access via T1 lines. Comparable to using a proxy-server. Public free access to LYNX is available by telnet at: (Sailor - uses only the kermit protocol)
set port TCP/IP sailor.lib.md.us 23 VT100, (BCN.Boulder - uses either zmodem or kermit protocols)
set port TCP/IP bcn.boulder.co.us 23 VT100, The above lines of script would be placed in MSKermit's MSCUSTOM.INI file. MSKermit is most often used as a text-only telnet application but graphics are available. Remember that the screen shots were created while connected using TEX and/or SAS graphics (not common on the Internet at all). Joe Doupnik deserves our thanks for his years of overseeing MSkermit for the rest of us. Sad to say the rest of the Kermit Team have been attempting to stall development of the DOS version in order to give their new W95 version of Kermit a leg-up. MSKermit executes within the dosbox of W9x and works so very well that no one is buying the book that the Team is selling. Along with this conflict of interest the Team has made serious errors when introducing Kermit to the rest of us and refuses to admit to their mistake. Many software authors are under the impression Kermit can only do very small packet sizes (under 100 bytes) and hard code this into their software leaving kermit a very crippled almost useless option for the rest of us. A big SLAP in the back of the head goes out to the Team for their self-interest and refusal to correct their error. Download MSKermit v3.16 rel 10 beta
Download v3.15 MSK source code
NetTamer "versions for the PalmPilot, XT, and 80386" 1meg installed. Can almost do it all. Everything but zmodem is built into the package. The dialer, the packet driver, telnet with ymodem downloading, FTP, browsing in text mode, usenet, email, and more. This was my first successful DOS internet software. A great package that could've been even better with zmodem!
Homepage for more information.
Download NetTamer
DOS LYNX "requires 512k memory" The UNIX version of LYNX is a text only browser. DOS LYNX is also a text-only browser but is only somewhat similar to the UNIX version of LYNX. It does do multiple windows and is quite useable. LYNX fans may find it less than lynx-ish. This is an upated version of DOSLynx that is presently under development (2002).
New! Fred Macall's DOSLynx v0.20b - Fred has his own rework of SSHDOS (secure shell telnet for DOS) and PMSMTP transfer for Pegasus email on this same website plus tips for using legacy hardware and DOS software.
LYNX homepage
More DOS LYNX info
MINUET The best looking and most stable of all the DOS Internet applications I tested on my XT. Yes, this works on a 640K XT at 8mhz. Just that fact is impressive but it's also a very professional looking application. From the Minnesota University hence the name Minnesota INternet Users Essential Tool. No longer being developed this suite is very stable and very useable even today. I had some complaints about the built in usenet news reader not accessing all of usenet but that may have been a misconfiguration on my part. Download MINUET
NOTE: A DOS Packet driver is required to use these applications. use these applications.
80286 and up browsers:
New Deal Office Suite I've been told NewDeal is no longer available. I cannot connect to the domain, this is not a 404 page not found but rather a DNS lookup shows no sign of a "newdealinc". I am unable to verify this via any reports anywhere on the Internet but I suspect it is true that NewDeal is shut down.
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80386 DOS ONLY BROWSERS: (also check W3.x & WFWG Browsers Page)
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NOTE: A DOS Packet driver is required to use these applications.
Arachne Requires 80286 or better plus 1meg or more of memory DOS GUI browser uses mouse or keystrokes. The only respectable pure DOS GUI browser I have ever used. Very nice display and very fast browsing. Much faster than Windows v3.1 on the same machine. Try this one, you'll be impressed, I was. |
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| Arachne may work on a 286 or it may not? It seems a tight squeeze on my 386 with 4megs and VGA but who knows? I never tried it on my 286 and now that the 286 died here I may not get the chance.
Download Arachne
LYNX386 v2.8.4 dev.14-DOS Clone of the UNIX LYNX ported to DOS. This is so close to the original it would fool you into thinking you had a *nix machine. Beta and not quite stable but no major crashes, it just locks up. Great fun to use if you like quick access for information retrieval. Text only Internet browsing on an 80386 can match or even exceed GUI W9x machines for speed. Configuration is a bit complex for this one, you may not want this to be your first DOS internet attempt.
Download LYNX386
Additional information, tutorials, and links for DOS and W31 Internet access and networking are available at this website.
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