From a4f8d917c30ea18a0a2f00ed713fbdd2cb6b0a3a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: RichardG867 Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2025 18:37:20 -0300 Subject: [PATCH 01/13] Manager and preferences updates --- usage/manager.rst | 7 +++++++ usage/menubar.rst | 3 ++- 2 files changed, 9 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/usage/manager.rst b/usage/manager.rst index c78bf16..e1be5dd 100644 --- a/usage/manager.rst +++ b/usage/manager.rst @@ -14,6 +14,11 @@ The **left-hand side** of the manager window displays a list of all machines fou The following options are available by **right-clicking** a machine: +* **Start:** start the machine. +* **Hard reset:** force a reset of the machine. +* **Force shutdown:** force a shutdown of the machine. If this fails due to a frozen 86Box process, try *Kill*. +* **Ctrl+Alt+Del:** send a *Ctrl+Alt+Del* key combination to the machine. +* **Settings:** open the :doc:`Settings <../settings/index>` window to configure the machine. * **Change display name:** change the name by which the machine is identified on the manager and 86Box window. Changing this will not rename the machine's folder. * **Set icon:** change the icon displayed next to the machine on the list. @@ -70,8 +75,10 @@ Tools * **System Directory:** view or change the folder where emulated machines are stored. * **Language:** select a language for the 86Box user interface. + * **Remember size & position:** automatically save the manager window's size and position and the machine list's width. * **Check for updates on startup:** automatically check for 86Box updates when starting the manager. * **Use regular expressions in search box:** enable the use of Perl-syntax regexes to perform more complex searches with the search box. + * **Color scheme:** select a visual style for the 86Box user interface. *System* uses the operating system's global preference if possible. .. note:: * The manager **must be restarted** for any changes to the system directory to take effect. diff --git a/usage/menubar.rst b/usage/menubar.rst index 385db32..67402e3 100644 --- a/usage/menubar.rst +++ b/usage/menubar.rst @@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ View * **Hide status bar:** hides the :doc:`status bar ` at the bottom of the window. * **Show non-primary monitors:** shows or hides the secondary display window if a :ref:`secondary video card ` is configured. * **Resizeable window:** allow the 86Box window to be freely resized. Unchecking this option will also return the window to its normal size. -* **Remember size & position:** automatically save the size and position of the 86Box window to the emulated machine's configuration file. +* **Remember size & position:** automatically save the 86Box window's size and position for this emulated machine. * **Renderer:** select a graphical renderer for the emulated display. * **Qt (Software)** is recommended in most cases. @@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ Tools * **Select media images from program working directory:** if checked, starts any file open/save prompts on the emulated machine's directory. This option is particularly useful for macOS users. * **Inhibit multimedia keys:** if checked, multimedia keys such as **Volume Up/Down** will not be passed through to the emulated machine. * **Ask for confirmation before saving settings / quitting / hard resetting:** enable confirmation messages for certain actions. These options can reenable confirmations after they have been disabled through the *Don't show this message again* box. + * **Color scheme:** select a visual style for the 86Box user interface. *System* uses the operating system's global preference if possible. .. note:: The *Preferences* window options are **saved system-wide** and apply to all machines on all copies of 86Box 5.0 and newer. Any changes made with previous versions (saved per-machine) have been reset. From 2eaa877c8d6e05443208dc361d02e76e690c7c97 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: RichardG867 Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2025 19:40:49 -0300 Subject: [PATCH 02/13] Rewrite OPL2Board --- hardware/externalopl.rst | 23 ++++++++++------------- index.rst | 1 + settings/sound.rst | 3 +-- 3 files changed, 12 insertions(+), 15 deletions(-) diff --git a/hardware/externalopl.rst b/hardware/externalopl.rst index 19950af..bdbe363 100644 --- a/hardware/externalopl.rst +++ b/hardware/externalopl.rst @@ -1,19 +1,16 @@ -External OPL Audio Support -========================== +External OPL audio +================== -86Box now supports the **OPL2Board** as an external audio device. -This allows users to connect a real OPL2 (YM3812) chip through the board and use it alongside the emulator for authentic FM synthesis output. +The **YMOPL2Board** :ref:`sound card ` allows for a real Yamaha OPL2 (YM3812) chip to be connected to the emulated machine for authentic FM synthesis output. Usage ----- -1. Connect your OPL2Board to the host system. -2. Select the sound card **[ISA] OPL2Board [External Device]**. -3. In the **Configure** button, select the serial port to which the board is connected. +1. Connect the `OPL2 Audio Board from Cheerful Electronic `_ to a `supported Arduino board `_. +2. Connect the Arduino board to the host system. +3. Select the **YMOPL2Board (External Device)** sound card on the :ref:`emulated machine's configuration `. +4. Use the *Configure* button to select the Arduino's serial port. -Notes for OPL2Board -------------------- - -- You need an **Arduino Nano** and an **OPL2Board** from Cheerful Electronic. -- Follow the **instructions from the manufacturer** and upload ``SerialPassthrough.ino`` to the Arduino Nano. -- If you want **PCM audio**, you can add an **additional sound card** and disable the OPL output. \ No newline at end of file +.. note:: + * The **OPL3 Duo!** board is currently not supported. + * Regular **PCM/wave audio** still requires an emulated sound card to be configured. If the emulated sound card provides its own OPL, it can often be **muted** through a mixer utility within the machine. diff --git a/index.rst b/index.rst index e1f7d01..46bfe5c 100644 --- a/index.rst +++ b/index.rst @@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ Contents hardware/ideterqua hardware/network hardware/isabugger + hardware/externalopl .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 diff --git a/settings/sound.rst b/settings/sound.rst index 0bfcb28..92474d8 100644 --- a/settings/sound.rst +++ b/settings/sound.rst @@ -16,8 +16,7 @@ The *Configure* button opens a new window with settings specific to the selected Emulation for the Yamaha OPL series of synthesizers (used by many of the emulated cards) is provided by a modified `Nuked OPL3 `_ or `ymfm `_ library, per the :ref:`selection below `. MOS Technology 6581 SID emulation for the Innovation SSI-2001 and The Entertainer is provided by the reSIDfp component of the `libsidplayfp `_ library. General Instrument AY-3-8913 emulation for the Mindscape Music Board is provided by the `Ayumi `_ library. -You can also select an external OPL sound card by choosing the sound cards that have **(External Device)** at the end of their name. -See more information in the :ref:`External OPL audio device documentation `. +The **YMOPL2Board** requires an external hardware device containing an OPL2 chip. See :doc:`../hardware/externalopl` for more information. MIDI Out Device --------------- From 717254fd0ce773e0183b1a84164471b8d8963e66 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: RichardG867 Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2025 19:44:37 -0300 Subject: [PATCH 03/13] Backport OPL2Board --- hardware/externalopl.rst | 16 ++++++++++++++++ index.rst | 1 + settings/sound.rst | 2 ++ 3 files changed, 19 insertions(+) create mode 100644 hardware/externalopl.rst diff --git a/hardware/externalopl.rst b/hardware/externalopl.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bdbe363 --- /dev/null +++ b/hardware/externalopl.rst @@ -0,0 +1,16 @@ +External OPL audio +================== + +The **YMOPL2Board** :ref:`sound card ` allows for a real Yamaha OPL2 (YM3812) chip to be connected to the emulated machine for authentic FM synthesis output. + +Usage +----- + +1. Connect the `OPL2 Audio Board from Cheerful Electronic `_ to a `supported Arduino board `_. +2. Connect the Arduino board to the host system. +3. Select the **YMOPL2Board (External Device)** sound card on the :ref:`emulated machine's configuration `. +4. Use the *Configure* button to select the Arduino's serial port. + +.. note:: + * The **OPL3 Duo!** board is currently not supported. + * Regular **PCM/wave audio** still requires an emulated sound card to be configured. If the emulated sound card provides its own OPL, it can often be **muted** through a mixer utility within the machine. diff --git a/index.rst b/index.rst index e1f7d01..46bfe5c 100644 --- a/index.rst +++ b/index.rst @@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ Contents hardware/ideterqua hardware/network hardware/isabugger + hardware/externalopl .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 diff --git a/settings/sound.rst b/settings/sound.rst index 643b975..92474d8 100644 --- a/settings/sound.rst +++ b/settings/sound.rst @@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ The *Configure* button opens a new window with settings specific to the selected Emulation for the Yamaha OPL series of synthesizers (used by many of the emulated cards) is provided by a modified `Nuked OPL3 `_ or `ymfm `_ library, per the :ref:`selection below `. MOS Technology 6581 SID emulation for the Innovation SSI-2001 and The Entertainer is provided by the reSIDfp component of the `libsidplayfp `_ library. General Instrument AY-3-8913 emulation for the Mindscape Music Board is provided by the `Ayumi `_ library. +The **YMOPL2Board** requires an external hardware device containing an OPL2 chip. See :doc:`../hardware/externalopl` for more information. + MIDI Out Device --------------- From 14f84b1933c74fa76b9bc57c27a7cea6e7165a6c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: RichardG867 Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2025 11:49:55 -0300 Subject: [PATCH 04/13] Discord integration architectures fix --- usage/menubar.rst | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/usage/menubar.rst b/usage/menubar.rst index 5490e4d..41c22d7 100644 --- a/usage/menubar.rst +++ b/usage/menubar.rst @@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ Tools * **Enable Discord integration:** enable Discord Rich Presence. 86Box shares the emulated machine's name, model and CPU with other Discord users. -.. note:: Integration requires the Discord desktop app, running on x86 or x64 Windows, ``x86_64`` Linux or Intel macOS. Discord does not provide integration support for other operating systems / architectures or the browser app. Additionally, integration will not be available on Windows if the included ``discord_game_sdk.dll`` file is missing from the 86Box directory. +.. note:: Integration requires the Discord desktop app, running on Windows, Linux (``x86_64`` only) or macOS (Intel only). Discord does not provide integration support for other operating systems / architectures or the browser app. Additionally, integration will not be available on Windows if the included ``discord_game_sdk.dll`` file is missing from the 86Box directory. * **Take screenshot:** take a screenshot of the emulated display. Screenshots are saved as .png images in the ``screenshots`` subdirectory found in the emulated machine's directory. * **Sound gain:** open the :ref:`sound gain control `, which is also accessible through the status bar. From 437523f4e90c4a81816523740b591d8f9c2a9220 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: RichardG867 Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2025 11:50:47 -0300 Subject: [PATCH 05/13] Discord integration on Apple Silicon --- usage/menubar.rst | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/usage/menubar.rst b/usage/menubar.rst index c6c1179..300e3fb 100644 --- a/usage/menubar.rst +++ b/usage/menubar.rst @@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ Tools * **Update status bar icons:** enable the activity lights on :doc:`status bar ` icons. Unchecking this option may improve emulation performance on low-end host systems. * **Enable Discord integration:** enable Discord Rich Presence. 86Box shares the emulated machine's name, model and CPU with other Discord users. -.. note:: Integration requires the Discord desktop app, running on Windows, Linux (``x86_64`` only) or macOS (Intel only). Discord does not provide integration support for other operating systems / architectures or the browser app. Additionally, integration will not be available on Windows if the included ``discord_game_sdk.dll`` file is missing from the 86Box directory. +.. note:: Integration requires the Discord desktop app, running on Windows, Linux (``x86_64`` only) or macOS. Discord does not provide integration support for other operating systems / architectures or the browser app. Additionally, integration will not be available on Windows if the included ``discord_game_sdk.dll`` file is missing from the 86Box directory. * **Take screenshot:** take a screenshot of the emulated display. Screenshots are saved as .png images in the ``screenshots`` subdirectory found in the emulated machine's directory. * **Sound gain:** open the :ref:`sound gain control `, which is also accessible through the status bar. From 5cadc890816e74b086790187f39b87dd67e86f83 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Nir Lichtman Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2025 23:26:52 +0300 Subject: [PATCH 06/13] buildguide: fix missing cmake and more details regarding evdev error (#45) --- dev/buildguide.rst | 4 ++-- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/dev/buildguide.rst b/dev/buildguide.rst index d81ce9a..423fd41 100644 --- a/dev/buildguide.rst +++ b/dev/buildguide.rst @@ -168,9 +168,9 @@ FreeBSD .. code-block:: bash - $ pkg install pkgconf freetype-gl sdl2 libspng openal-soft rtmidi qt5 libslirp fluidsynth libsndfile + $ pkg install cmake pkgconf freetype-gl sdl2 libspng openal-soft rtmidi qt5 libslirp fluidsynth libsndfile -.. note:: If you get an error about ``linux/input.h``, edit ``/usr/local/include/libevdev/libevdev.h`` to replace the ``linux/input.h`` reference with ``dev/evdev/input.h`` and try building again. +.. note:: If you get an error about ``linux/input.h`` while building, this is due to ``libevdev.h`` mistakenly importing a Linux header file on FreeBSD. Copy the full path of ``libevdev.h`` from the error and open it with an editor. Within the file, replace the ``linux/input.h`` reference with ``dev/evdev/input.h`` and try building again. Building -------- From 12f5314ad8a74855188a074667d25637b648d0ab Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: RichardG867 Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:45:46 -0300 Subject: [PATCH 07/13] Clarify frame size versions --- settings/machine.rst | 4 ++-- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/settings/machine.rst b/settings/machine.rst index 074941c..ca118a9 100644 --- a/settings/machine.rst +++ b/settings/machine.rst @@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ CPU frame size Change the emulator's frame timing behavior. This mostly affects the smoothness of the emulated mouse and other input peripherals. -* **Larger frames (less smooth):** same behavior as previous 86Box versions. Switching to it may improve performance on low-end host systems, at the expense of reduced input smoothness. -* **Smaller frames (smoother):** the new default behavior, which improves input smoothness. +* **Larger frames (less smooth):** same behavior as 86Box 4.2.1 and older. Switching to it may improve performance on low-end host systems, at the expense of reduced input smoothness. +* **Smaller frames (smoother):** the new default behavior introduced in 86Box 5.0, which improves input smoothness. Time synchronization -------------------- From a7e6e364c3532fd9fed0714f2d17d62990d1b17d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: RichardG867 Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:46:30 -0300 Subject: [PATCH 08/13] Backport FreeBSD build guide improvements --- dev/buildguide.rst | 4 ++-- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/dev/buildguide.rst b/dev/buildguide.rst index d81ce9a..423fd41 100644 --- a/dev/buildguide.rst +++ b/dev/buildguide.rst @@ -168,9 +168,9 @@ FreeBSD .. code-block:: bash - $ pkg install pkgconf freetype-gl sdl2 libspng openal-soft rtmidi qt5 libslirp fluidsynth libsndfile + $ pkg install cmake pkgconf freetype-gl sdl2 libspng openal-soft rtmidi qt5 libslirp fluidsynth libsndfile -.. note:: If you get an error about ``linux/input.h``, edit ``/usr/local/include/libevdev/libevdev.h`` to replace the ``linux/input.h`` reference with ``dev/evdev/input.h`` and try building again. +.. note:: If you get an error about ``linux/input.h`` while building, this is due to ``libevdev.h`` mistakenly importing a Linux header file on FreeBSD. Copy the full path of ``libevdev.h`` from the error and open it with an editor. Within the file, replace the ``linux/input.h`` reference with ``dev/evdev/input.h`` and try building again. Building -------- From 5607081a9b55c44aeb9ed7492a1c4b019c11d3c0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: RichardG867 Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:51:43 -0300 Subject: [PATCH 09/13] Machine page changes for 5.2 --- settings/machine.rst | 22 +++++++++++----------- 1 file changed, 11 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-) diff --git a/settings/machine.rst b/settings/machine.rst index ca118a9..7bcd01b 100644 --- a/settings/machine.rst +++ b/settings/machine.rst @@ -5,10 +5,10 @@ The **Machine** page contains settings related to the emulated machine as a whole, such as the machine type, CPU type and amount of memory. -Machine type / Machine ----------------------- +Search / Machine type / Machine +------------------------------- -Machine/motherboard model to emulate. The *Machine* box lists all available models for the machine class selected on the *Machine type* box. +Machine/motherboard model to emulate. The *Machine* box lists all available models for the machine class selected on the *Machine type* box, while the *Search* box allows for finding and selecting a model from any class directly by name. The *Configure* button opens a new window with settings specific to the machine, such as BIOS type selection. @@ -49,14 +49,6 @@ Softfloat FPU Enable a slower but more accurate math co-processor emulation, for running a limited set of operating systems and applications which demand full 80-bit precision from the floating point unit. -CPU frame size --------------- - -Change the emulator's frame timing behavior. This mostly affects the smoothness of the emulated mouse and other input peripherals. - -* **Larger frames (less smooth):** same behavior as 86Box 4.2.1 and older. Switching to it may improve performance on low-end host systems, at the expense of reduced input smoothness. -* **Smaller frames (smoother):** the new default behavior introduced in 86Box 5.0, which improves input smoothness. - Time synchronization -------------------- @@ -65,3 +57,11 @@ Automatically copy your host system's date and time over to the emulated machine * **Disabled:** do not perform time synchronization. The emulated machine's date and time can be set through its operating system or BIOS setup utility. Time only ticks while the emulated machine is running. * **Enabled (local time):** synchronize the time in your host system's configured timezone. Use this option when emulating an operating system which stores *local time* in the hardware clock, such as DOS or Windows. * **Enabled (UTC):** synchronize the time in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Use this option when emulating an operating system which stores *UTC time* in the hardware clock, such as Linux. + +CPU frame size +-------------- + +Change the emulator's frame timing behavior. This mostly affects the smoothness of the emulated mouse and other input peripherals. + +* **Larger frames (less smooth):** same behavior as 86Box 4.2.1 and older. Switching to it may improve performance on low-end host systems, at the expense of reduced input smoothness. +* **Smaller frames (smoother):** the new default behavior introduced in 86Box 5.0, which improves input smoothness. From 05852a0e0814f4bc4f1a43227e1f836ae890500b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: RichardG867 Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2025 21:26:36 -0300 Subject: [PATCH 10/13] Floppy drive sounds --- settings/floppycdrom.rst | 1 + 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+) diff --git a/settings/floppycdrom.rst b/settings/floppycdrom.rst index c23b79f..d6398f4 100644 --- a/settings/floppycdrom.rst +++ b/settings/floppycdrom.rst @@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ Up to four floppy disk drives can be attached to the emulated machine, although * **Turbo timings:** run the drive mechanism as fast as possible. This decreases access times and makes some incorrectly-dumped floppies readable, but may cause issues with some operating systems and applications. * **Check BPB:** if unchecked, 86Box will ignore the `DOS BIOS Parameter Block `_ when determining the physical media format for a floppy image on this drive. See :ref:`hardware/diskimages:Floppy disk detection` for more details. +* **Audio:** emulate the mechanical sounds of a real floppy drive. A list of drive models to choose from is provided; the *None* option disables these sounds. .. note:: Disabling "Check BPB" may be required in order to access UNIX/Linux installation floppies or other non-DOS disks, as outlined on :ref:`hardware/diskimages:Floppy disk detection`. From 379825c8394c4009b1f78ec71aed31da6c9c8684 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: RichardG867 Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:21:08 -0300 Subject: [PATCH 11/13] 32-bit removal --- dev/builds.rst | 3 ++- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/dev/builds.rst b/dev/builds.rst index 6efe322..ea19ae9 100644 --- a/dev/builds.rst +++ b/dev/builds.rst @@ -25,11 +25,12 @@ Variants Discontinued variants ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -The following variants are no longer built by Jenkins and can only be :doc:`compiled from source `: +The following variants are no longer built by Jenkins and can only be :doc:`compiled from source ` where applicable: * 32-bit architectures (**x86** and **ARM32**) as of September 3rd 2024. * These were eliminated to better focus development on relevant 64-bit architectures, since systems old enough to be 32-bit-only lack the performance for a satisfactory emulation experience. + * The dynamic recompiler and other components no longer support 32-bit architectures as of September 13th 2025. * Debug variants (**86Box-Debug**) as of April 2nd 2023. From 70169f8770fb075cc45e0a9221798977d745efb5 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Mike Swanson Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:55:49 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 12/13] faq: add an entry about Windows XP (#46) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit The question comes up from time to time, whether running Windows XP in 86Box is a good idea. While the OS runs, the answer is usually “no” outside a vanishingly few use cases. Most people asking this are also seeking to run games or programs that require Windows XP, and those pieces of software probably have much steeper requirements than XP itself and either won’t run at all under 86Box, or have completely unsatisfactory performance. People that only want to ask “Can it run XP?” will probably ignore this advice and do it anyway. :-) --- usage/faq.rst | 11 +++++++++++ 1 file changed, 11 insertions(+) diff --git a/usage/faq.rst b/usage/faq.rst index afe972d..fb0d914 100644 --- a/usage/faq.rst +++ b/usage/faq.rst @@ -44,6 +44,17 @@ There is no formula that would tell you this. In general, the higher the host's Therefore, the best way to optimize your virtual machine configuration is simply trial and error. +Can I use 86Box to run a Windows XP system? +------------------------------------------- + +We strongly discourage the use of 86Box to run Windows XP or newer Windows operating systems. + +While the operating system does run, the Windows XP system requirements are steep compared to what 86Box can offer, and what most host systems are capable of running at 100%. Microsoft publishes the *minimum* system requirements of Windows XP to include a 233 MHz Pentium. The recommended requirements of Windows XP bump the requirements up to include a 300 MHz Pentium or better. + +Even though these requirements seem modest in the present day, only some of the newest AMD (Ryzen 5000 series or better), Intel (Core 12th generation or better), and Apple (M2 or better) processors are capable of meeting the bare minimum Windows XP requirements under 86Box’s full system emulation. On top of the operating system requirements, most software and games that require Windows XP will demand even more out of the hardware than Windows XP alone, reducing the utility of Windows XP in 86Box to a very narrow set of software. + +It is almost always better to run Windows XP in a different virtualizer or emulator. On AMD and Intel based PCs, software such as VirtualBox or Hyper-V can run Windows XP close to bare-metal performance, as most CPU instructions can run unmodified. On Apple macOS computers, UTM is capable of either running Windows XP in full hardware virtualization on Intel Macs, or with highly optimized x86 emulation on M-series Macs. UTM does not chase the fine-detail historic accuracy of 86Box and as such, is able to take “shortcuts” that can allow Windows XP and software on it to run with acceptable performance even under x86 emulation. + Are you going to add emulation of the Pentium 3 and/or newer CPUs? ------------------------------------------------------------------ From ae5359575af025ba4b1ad17c78b8d086b9d8645a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: danxd7996-beep Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:26:06 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 13/13] add hyperlinks --- usage/faq.rst | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/usage/faq.rst b/usage/faq.rst index fb0d914..8effbcb 100644 --- a/usage/faq.rst +++ b/usage/faq.rst @@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ While the operating system does run, the Windows XP system requirements are stee Even though these requirements seem modest in the present day, only some of the newest AMD (Ryzen 5000 series or better), Intel (Core 12th generation or better), and Apple (M2 or better) processors are capable of meeting the bare minimum Windows XP requirements under 86Box’s full system emulation. On top of the operating system requirements, most software and games that require Windows XP will demand even more out of the hardware than Windows XP alone, reducing the utility of Windows XP in 86Box to a very narrow set of software. -It is almost always better to run Windows XP in a different virtualizer or emulator. On AMD and Intel based PCs, software such as VirtualBox or Hyper-V can run Windows XP close to bare-metal performance, as most CPU instructions can run unmodified. On Apple macOS computers, UTM is capable of either running Windows XP in full hardware virtualization on Intel Macs, or with highly optimized x86 emulation on M-series Macs. UTM does not chase the fine-detail historic accuracy of 86Box and as such, is able to take “shortcuts” that can allow Windows XP and software on it to run with acceptable performance even under x86 emulation. +It is almost always better to run Windows XP in a different virtualizer or emulator. On AMD and Intel based PCs, software such as `VirtualBox `_ or `Hyper-V `_ can run Windows XP close to bare-metal performance, as most CPU instructions can run unmodified. On Apple macOS computers, `UTM `_ is capable of either running Windows XP in full hardware virtualization on Intel Macs, or with highly optimized x86 emulation on M-series Macs. UTM does not chase the fine-detail historic accuracy of 86Box and as such, is able to take “shortcuts” that can allow Windows XP and software on it to run with acceptable performance even under x86 emulation. Are you going to add emulation of the Pentium 3 and/or newer CPUs? ------------------------------------------------------------------