running DOS programs - failure

I have tried to run a couple of DOS programs on a wXP computer.

I get an error message (similar to) "ERROR CM AT IP FFFDH"

I think the hex addresses may be different.

Why did this run ok on w98se but fails in wxp?

Any cure for this as I need the data and output which is stored and produced
by the programs.

These programs don't have a windows version, only the DOS version.

In addition, there are no web pages for these programs (mostly the 
programmers and companies are long gone.)

Also is there any way to install DOS and have it run those DOS programs???