First, install dosbox into a folder called c:\dosbox.
Next, create a directory in c:\ and call it something that is 8 letters or less. I call it c:\oldgames. Then, make sure that every game you install gets installed to c:\oldgames. For instance, Space Quest 4 would go in c:\oldgames\sq4. Remember to name all directories within c:\oldgames at 8 letters or less!
Now, from within Windows, go to the Command Prompt. When the black window pops up, type C:\DOSBOX\DOSBOX -FULLSCREEN. This command basically just tells the computer to load up an executable file called dosbox from within the directory c:\dosbox, and the "-fullscreen" means load it in fullscreen mode.
The screen will flash a bit, and you will eventually see a "z prompt" (Z:\). Type MOUNT C C:\OLDGAMES. This mounts your c:\oldgames directory as your "root directory" within dosbox.
Type C:\. This changes your z prompt to a c prompt.
Now change to whatever directory your chosen game is in. Remember, we loaded c:\oldgames as just plain ol' c:\. This means that you don't have to mention the word oldgames anymore. You would just type CD SQ4 (Change Directory to SQ4), or CD Larry1, or whatever the directory name is for the corresponding game.
Your prompt should now say the name of the directory you are in, like C:\SQ4, for instance. If you haven't installed the game yet, you would type in INSTALL at this point, and follow the instructions. But if you don't know the name of the installation file (always INSTALL for Sierra games) you could type DIR/W to see a list of files and search for one.
If you've already installed the game, and you're back to your C:\SQ4 (or whatever) prompt, you would then type the name of the executable file that starts the game. It's different for every game, though many Sierra games start with a file called SIERRA or SCIDHUV. Just DIR/W again if you have to search around. Try to consult a readme file or documentation of some kind first, if you're unsure of what file to use, because many old games required the use of a pre-scripted batch file (.bat) to work properly.
I was bored so I made this reply very lengthy, but hopefully it's simple enough to make sense of.
Also, keep in mind that many of the older games were designed for the original Soundblaster and Adlib cards from yesteryear, so your computer might lock up if you aren't prepared for this. I use an emulator called VDMS, but if you don't have anything like it you might want to make sure your games are setup without Soundblaster options turned on.
Enjoy!
-Some random guy.
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