How can i convert exe. files into a Mac

[mayzenb]

I never thought that i'd run into trouble with this magnitude. I recently purchased a Mac, i'm a first time. I've been using the windows format for 12 years, and Dos before windows. Now that i have a new system i would like to upload my old exe. files into the Mac. I don't want to waste 2 hundred on the virtual pc 6 software, so how can i get around without purchasing any software.

Thank you

[edesignuk]

You can't, plain and simple. Windows executables cannot and will not run on a Mac (without VPC), neither can they (to my knowledge) be converted in any way. Sorry.

[MacsRgr8]

That's a problem. .EXE is an executable application, written for DOS/Windows on x86. Not for any Mac OS. You cannot just "convert" applcations, as you can do with documents.
If you really MUST run DOS/Windows applications on your Mac, then I am afraid you will be needing VP6 (or Real PC <where are you???>).
Maybe if those .EXE-files are just self executing compressed archives, then maybe you could borrow someone's PC, to extract the files, then copy the uncompressed files to your Mac.

[mayzenb]

how can i then run exe. files, without converting on my MAc with out purchasing virtual pc 6. I know that there are emulators available, i just don't which one i should use and where to locate one.

[MacsRgr8]

Originally posted by mayzenb
how can i then run exe. files, without converting on my MAc with out purchasing virtual pc 6.

Steal it :D

Sorry, just kidding.... VPC is at this moment the only PC emulator on OS X which runs reasonable. Other emulators are quite experimental, and generally (even) slower.
The highly anticipated Real PC for OS X is "around the corner", promising to be faster.... but I wouldn't wait for it.

[shadowfax]

if the .EXE has the source code available, you could port the source code and recompile it with developer tools, hah. good luck with that.

[ima_pseudonym]

Why don't you give us a bit more info. Which .exe programs do you need to open? Maybe people can suggest alternative mac programs. Why are you so against using VPC? Is it a money issue? I suspect some of the wise-a$$ answers are just because you haven't given enough of a description of the problem.

[al256]

Originally posted by mayzenb
I don't want to waste 2 hundred on the virtual pc 6 software, so how can i get around without purchasing any software.

Thank you


You know you don't have to pay $200 dollars for Virtual PC. You can buy the DOS edition http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/72601/wo/TP5s74jmxqb72jPxBiexYBzhBPa/1.5.0.5.14.1.5.5.13.0 and install your own copy of windows. Mind Windows XP licensing issues, though.

[pseudobrit]

Originally posted by mayzenb
how can i then run exe. files, without converting on my MAc with out purchasing virtual pc 6. I know that there are emulators available, i just don't which one i should use and where to locate one.

Simple answer -- you cannot run .exe files on a Macintosh.

You can open them only on Intel x86 hardware, real (PCs) or simulated (that'd be VPC, the only emulator worth a ****).

You can peruse others here (http://emulation.net/windoze/).