If the software is from 1996 then it might not work with modern systems and might need Windows 95 to function. At school we have a CNC lathe built around that time and the software will only run on a Win 95 machine.
My son-in-law still collects XP machines, to use for spares to keep old (multi-million Euro) machines running at the University where he's a technician. I think one of the old machines is for making integrated circuits?.
Sounds a good idea, seeing as their latest multi-million Euro machine has never even worked since it was installed about two and a half years ago - the installers have tried, the German manufacturers have tried, the American designers have tried, and I think they even had a Japanese team trying as well.
It didn't help that the technician in charge of the machine (not my son-in-law, or my daughter) couldn't get any replies to emails to the German manufacturer.
Apparently her 'mistake' was not using her title (they won't reply to Miss, Mr. or Mrs.) and also using her Christian name - they won't reply to emails from women either.
So instead of Miss. Jane Smith (which the Germans completely ignore, you need to use Dr. J. Smith instead - which after all, is her title. Since my Dr. daughter took a technicians job a few more have done the same - it doesn't pay quite as well, but you can get a permanent contract, for a Doctor position you only get a 2 year contract, and can't work there again for 6 months after it runs out. My daughter also enjoys playing with those big machines
Mike.
Edit, or DOS. Does DOS even exist anymore?
It's still there, but hidden away