OpenVMS

Ever wanted to run OpenVMS on your PC? Now you can ... read on

A Swiss company (SRI) has developed a MicroVAX emulator for Intel PCs.

I have tried out the hobby version, and it's simply brilliant. Now I can use DCL on my PC and tools like SORT and DIFF etc.

The latest version can read ODS-2 formatted CDs too.

Take a look at http://www.charon-vax.com and choose the VAX hobbyist page. Download either 772 (for W98 without CD support) or 5377 (WNT/W2K with CD support).

The "disk" that comes with the kit is empty. With the 5377 kit, you can install V7.2 directly from CD ... and it works fine.
For the 772 kit, you will need to create an image of the install CD or using other tools from the above link copy an existing system disk.

Use the VAXft utility on the PC to get files into and out of the container file onto your PC.