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

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-APPL....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.