VOGONS


First post, by AceJoel96

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http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthr … t=968413&page=2

I'm trying to get GUS working. It requires firing up DOSBox and performing various tasks within it. When I launch DOSBox from within the Dark Forces folder in Steam, it closes immediately. When I launch DOSBox from within its folder in Program Files (x86), it closes immediately. When I launch it from its installation in the DFend folder, it stays open, but I don't think it will keep its configuration as it applies to launching and playing Dark Forces from Steam. I tried running DFend from its folder in Program Files (x86), and choosing the installation of DOSBox from within its Steam folder, but it closes upon launch, even when "Close DOSBox when program closes" is unchecked. When I run DFend with the unmodified DOSBox installation included with DFend, it stays open, but again, this won't help when it comes time to play Dark Forces, or with installing GUS for use with Dark Forces. How do I get DOSBox running in a way that setting up GUS will apply to the Dark Forces installation in its Steam folder, or is there an alternate way to install GUS?

# This is the configurationfile for DOSBox 0.74. (Please use the latest version of DOSBox)
# Lines starting with a # are commentlines and are ignored by DOSBox.
# They are used to (briefly) document the effect of each option.

[sdl]
# fullscreen: Start dosbox directly in fullscreen. (Press ALT-Enter to go back)
# fulldouble: Use double buffering in fullscreen. It can reduce screen flickering, but it can also result in a slow DOSBox.
# fullresolution: What resolution to use for fullscreen: original or fixed size (e.g. 1024x768).
# Using your monitor's native resolution with aspect=true might give the best results.
# If you end up with small window on a large screen, try an output different from surface.
# windowresolution: Scale the window to this size IF the output device supports hardware scaling.
# (output=surface does not!)
# output: What video system to use for output.
# Possible values: surface, overlay, opengl, openglnb, ddraw.
# autolock: Mouse will automatically lock, if you click on the screen. (Press CTRL-F10 to unlock)
# sensitivity: Mouse sensitivity.
# waitonerror: Wait before closing the console if dosbox has an error.
# priority: Priority levels for dosbox. Second entry behind the comma is for when dosbox is not focused/minimized.
# pause is only valid for the second entry.
# Possible values: lowest, lower, normal, higher, highest, pause.
# mapperfile: File used to load/save the key/event mappings from. Resetmapper only works with the defaul value.
# usescancodes: Avoid usage of symkeys, might not work on all operating systems.

fullscreen=true
fulldouble=true
fullresolution=1920x1080
windowresolution=original
output=openglnb
autolock=true
sensitivity=100
waitonerror=true
priority=highest
mapperfile=mapper-0.74.map
usescancodes=true

[dosbox]
# language: Select another language file.
# machine: The type of machine tries to emulate.
# Possible values: hercules, cga, tandy, pcjr, ega, vgaonly, svga_s3, svga_et3000, svga_et4000, svga_paradise, vesa_nolfb, vesa_oldvbe.
# captures: Directory where things like wave, midi, screenshot get captured.
# memsize: Amount of memory DOSBox has in megabytes.
# This value is best left at its default to avoid problems with some games,
# though few games might require a higher value.
# There is generally no speed advantage when raising this value.

language=
machine=svga_s3
captures=capture
memsize=16

[render]
# frameskip: How many frames DOSBox skips before drawing one.
# aspect: Do aspect correction, if your output method doesn't support scaling this can slow things down!.
# scaler: Scaler used to enlarge/enhance low resolution modes.
# If 'forced' is appended, then the scaler will be used even if the result might not be desired.
# Possible values: none, normal2x, normal3x, advmame2x, advmame3x, advinterp2x, advinterp3x, hq2x, hq3x, 2xsai, super2xsai, supereagle, tv2x, tv3x, rgb2x, rgb3x, scan2x, scan3x.
#on openglnb, none gives fps ~30, normal3x about fps ~25; advmame3x gives 15-24 fps; supereagle, advinterp3x, 2xsai, super2xsai, tv3x, rgb3x, scan3x, and hq3x give artifacts.
#on opengl, none gives fps ~25-30, normal3x about fps ~25; advmame3x gives 14-27 fps; hq3x gave artifacts, so I didn't bother testing the other ones.
#on ddraw (defaults to bilinear filtering, which looks blurry as all get out), none give fps ~27, normal3x gives ~30, advmame3x gives 27-30; advinterp3x gives 27-30; hq3x gives 22-27; super2xsai gives ~27; supereagle gives 28-32.

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frameskip=0
aspect=true
scaler=none

[cpu]
# core: CPU Core used in emulation. auto will switch to dynamic if available and appropriate.
# Possible values: auto, dynamic, normal, simple.
# cputype: CPU Type used in emulation. auto is the fastest choice.
# Possible values: auto, 386, 386_slow, 486_slow, pentium_slow, 386_prefetch.
# cycles: Amount of instructions DOSBox tries to emulate each millisecond.
# Setting this value too high results in sound dropouts and lags.
# Cycles can be set in 3 ways:
# 'auto' tries to guess what a game needs.
# It usually works, but can fail for certain games.
# 'fixed #number' will set a fixed amount of cycles. This is what you usually need if 'auto' fails.
# (Example: fixed 4000).
# 'max' will allocate as much cycles as your computer is able to handle.
#
# Possible values: auto, fixed, max.
# cycleup: Amount of cycles to decrease/increase with keycombo.(CTRL-F11/CTRL-F12)
# cycledown: Setting it lower than 100 will be a percentage.
#setting the cycles to 70000 or max resulted in the game playing too fast and in gaps in the audio.

core=auto
cputype=auto
cycles=20000
cycleup=10
cycledown=20

[mixer]
# nosound: Enable silent mode, sound is still emulated though.
# rate: Mixer sample rate, setting any device's rate higher than this will probably lower their sound quality.
# Possible values: 44100, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.
# blocksize: Mixer block size, larger blocks might help sound stuttering but sound will also be more lagged.
# Possible values: 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 512, 256.
# prebuffer: How many milliseconds of data to keep on top of the blocksize.

nosound=false
rate=44100
blocksize=1024
prebuffer=20

[midi]
# mpu401: Type of MPU-401 to emulate.
# Possible values: intelligent, uart, none.
# mididevice: Device that will receive the MIDI data from MPU-401.
# Possible values: default, win32, alsa, oss, coreaudio, coremidi, none.
# midiconfig: Special configuration options for the device driver. This is usually the id of the device you want to use.
# See the README/Manual for more details.

mpu401=intelligent
mididevice=default
midiconfig=

[sblaster]
# sbtype: Type of Soundblaster to emulate. gb is Gameblaster.
# Possible values: sb1, sb2, sbpro1, sbpro2, sb16, gb, none.
# sbbase: The IO address of the soundblaster.
# Possible values: 220, 240, 260, 280, 2a0, 2c0, 2e0, 300.
# irq: The IRQ number of the soundblaster.
# Possible values: 7, 5, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12.
# dma: The DMA number of the soundblaster.
# Possible values: 1, 5, 0, 3, 6, 7.
# hdma: The High DMA number of the soundblaster.
# Possible values: 1, 5, 0, 3, 6, 7.
# sbmixer: Allow the soundblaster mixer to modify the DOSBox mixer.
# oplmode: Type of OPL emulation. On 'auto' the mode is determined by sblaster type. All OPL modes are Adlib-compatible, except for 'cms'.
# Possible values: auto, cms, opl2, dualopl2, opl3, none.
# oplemu: Provider for the OPL emulation. compat might provide better quality (see oplrate as well).
# Possible values: default, compat, fast.
# oplrate: Sample rate of OPL music emulation. Use 49716 for highest quality (set the mixer rate accordingly).
# Possible values: 44100, 49716, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000.

sbtype=none
sbbase=220
irq=7
dma=1
hdma=5
sbmixer=true
oplmode=auto
oplemu=default
oplrate=44100

[gus]
# gus: Enable the Gravis Ultrasound emulation.
# gusrate: Sample rate of Ultrasound emulation.
# Possible values: 44100, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.
# gusbase: The IO base address of the Gravis Ultrasound.
# Possible values: 240, 220, 260, 280, 2a0, 2c0, 2e0, 300.
# gusirq: The IRQ number of the Gravis Ultrasound.
# Possible values: 5, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12.
# gusdma: The DMA channel of the Gravis Ultrasound.
# Possible values: 3, 0, 1, 5, 6, 7.
# ultradir: Path to Ultrasound directory. In this directory
# there should be a MIDI directory that contains
# the patch files for GUS playback. Patch sets used
# with Timidity should work fine.

gus=true
gusrate=44100
gusbase=240
gusirq=5
gusdma=3
ultradir=C:\ULTRASND

[speaker]
# pcspeaker: Enable PC-Speaker emulation.
# pcrate: Sample rate of the PC-Speaker sound generation.
# Possible values: 44100, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.
# tandy: Enable Tandy Sound System emulation. For 'auto', emulation is present only if machine is set to 'tandy'.
# Possible values: auto, on, off.
# tandyrate: Sample rate of the Tandy 3-Voice generation.
# Possible values: 44100, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.
# disney: Enable Disney Sound Source emulation. (Covox Voice Master and Speech Thing compatible).

pcspeaker=false
pcrate=44100
tandy=off
tandyrate=44100
disney=false

[joystick]
# joysticktype: Type of joystick to emulate: auto (default), none,
# 2axis (supports two joysticks),
# 4axis (supports one joystick, first joystick used),
# 4axis_2 (supports one joystick, second joystick used),
# fcs (Thrustmaster), ch (CH Flightstick).
# none disables joystick emulation.
# auto chooses emulation depending on real joystick(s).
# (Remember to reset dosbox's mapperfile if you saved it earlier)
# Possible values: auto, 2axis, 4axis, 4axis_2, fcs, ch, none.
# timed: enable timed intervals for axis. Experiment with this option, if your joystick drifts (away).
# autofire: continuously fires as long as you keep the button pressed.
# swap34: swap the 3rd and the 4th axis. can be useful for certain joysticks.
# buttonwrap: enable button wrapping at the number of emulated buttons.

joysticktype=auto
timed=true
autofire=false
swap34=false
buttonwrap=false

[serial]
# serial1: set type of device connected to com port.
# Can be disabled, dummy, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
# Additional parameters must be in the same line in the form of
# parameter:value. Parameter for all types is irq (optional).
# for directserial: realport (required), rxdelay (optional).
# (realport:COM1 realport:ttyS0).
# for modem: listenport (optional).
# for nullmodem: server, rxdelay, txdelay, telnet, usedtr,
# transparent, port, inhsocket (all optional).
# Example: serial1=modem listenport:5000
# Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
# serial2: see serial1
# Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
# serial3: see serial1
# Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
# serial4: see serial1
# Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.

serial1=disabled
serial2=disabled
serial3=disabled
serial4=disabled

[dos]
# xms: Enable XMS support.
# ems: Enable EMS support.
# umb: Enable UMB support.
# keyboardlayout: Language code of the keyboard layout (or none).

xms=false
ems=false
umb=false
keyboardlayout=auto

[ipx]
# ipx: Enable ipx over UDP/IP emulation.

ipx=false

[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.
# You can put your MOUNT lines here.
mount c "game"
c:\
dark.exe
exit

The Long, Long History of TIE Fighter...Coming Soon!

Reply 1 of 10, by leileilol

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Dark Forces requires the CD to play so that must be mounted.

Additionally, keep your mounting paths the same before and after installation. No one starts Dark Forces from C:\ on a real machine.

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Reply 2 of 10, by bloodbat

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The Steam version doesn't require you to mount a CD...
You have the required installation for Ultrasound already? You need to mount a base folder as c: that includes ultrasnd directory (as per your .conf file).

Reply 3 of 10, by Mau1wurf1977

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[quote="AceJoel96"][/quote]

I made this 2 hour DOSBox / GOG.com tweaking tutorial. You might find it useful and educational:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0PWVnFmlR8&li … eature=view_all

My website with reviews, demos, drivers, tutorials and more...
My YouTube channel

Reply 4 of 10, by AceJoel96

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You have the required installation for Ultrasound already? You need to mount a base folder as c: that includes ultrasnd directory (as per your .conf file).

I have a folder in C:\ that has the relevant Ultrasound files. Do you mean a base folder should be specified in the conf file? I do not have the required installation of Ultrasound set up from within DOSBox, as I cannot get DOSBox to launch successfully. If there is a way to mount a base folder for Ultrasound, I'll need to know how to mount it within the conf file. Let me know if there is a way to perform the same actions of installing Ultrasound that I would be doing from inside of DOSBox alternatively outside of DOSBox in the conf file.

Mau1wurf1977, if there is a specific section in your tutorial that addresses the specific problem I have with this specific game, you'll have to link to it. As of right now, your post is only tangentially relevant to this topic.

Additionally, keep your mounting paths the same before and after installation.

Dark Forces is installed at in H:\Games\Steam\SteamApps\common\dark forces. The C:\ mounting at the end of the file is virtual, and is only there because the game will not run without it. The CD does not need to be mounted with downloaded retail editions like I have; if it does, the conf has already taken care of it and is not an issue with the GUS installation.

The Long, Long History of TIE Fighter...Coming Soon!

Reply 5 of 10, by bloodbat

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Mauwurf's post is quite relevant, even if it's not specific to that game.
DosBox needs to find the Ultrasound dir and won't do so unless you mount a folder with it (and properly adjust your .conf file to point to said folder).

Reply 6 of 10, by Mau1wurf1977

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AceJoel96 wrote:

Mau1wurf1977, if there is a specific section in your tutorial that addresses the specific problem I have with this specific game, you'll have to link to it. As of right now, your post is only tangentially relevant to this topic.

Yea, it's meant to be watched from the beginning 😀

It explains why games from GOG.com (and likely Steam) don't quit into the DOS prompt and how to fix it.

For the music / sound, while it doesn't talk about Gravis Ultrasound, it does talk about General MIDI / Bassmidi which IMO offers superior quality.

I understand the video is 2 hours long, but it's well worth watching! At least I think so 😁

My website with reviews, demos, drivers, tutorials and more...
My YouTube channel

Reply 7 of 10, by AceJoel96

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DosBox needs to find the Ultrasound dir and won't do so unless you mount a folder with it (and properly adjust your .conf file to point to said folder).

How do I mount a folder for Ultrasound from outside of DOSBox using only the config file?

For the music / sound, while it doesn't talk about Gravis Ultrasound, it does talk about General MIDI / Bassmidi which IMO offers superior quality.

My whole objective is to get GUS working with Dark Forces because of its superior quality. Maybe you could create a side-by-side comparison between general MIDI and GUS as it pertains to Dark Forces like you did with the scalers.

It explains why games from GOG.com (and likely Steam) don't quit into the DOS prompt and how to fix it.

All of the games that I'm currently trying to get support from in VOGONS are Steam retail editions. A tutorial based on downloading games from GOG will differ slightly from one assuming a Steam download. The problem I'm having with Dark Forces' DOSBox installation doesn't have to do with a problem closing out of it, the problem is that I cannot get the DOSBox installation in the Dark Forces folder to launch independently of Dark Forces and stay launched.

Does anyone know of an independent forum dedicated to support for Dark Forces? Massassi Temple is for Jedi Knight and newer games, there's a forum for the mod for Dark Forces, and there are several general forums that exist for LucasArts and vintage games, but I haven't seen one just for Dark Forces.

The Long, Long History of TIE Fighter...Coming Soon!

Reply 8 of 10, by Dominus

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In the config the ultrasound setting points to c:/ultrasnd (or so). Make sure the ultrasound stuff is in c:/ultrasnd in your mounted c:/ drive.
Example if you have "mount c c:/dosgames" then the ultrasound stuff needs to be in c:/dosgames/ultrasnd (so in dosbox it is in c:/ultrasnd). There used to be a guide for dealing with ultrasound... Can't find it...

Windows 3.1x guide for DOSBox
60 seconds guide to DOSBox
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Reply 9 of 10, by Mau1wurf1977

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AceJoel96. I know you are looking for either a quick fix or a tutorial that explains EXACTLY your issue. But this isn't going to happen. My tutorials start with the basics and will help you gain a level of understanding of DOSBox and the things "behind the scenes" that will get to a point of being able to solve "any" issue.

The way you even launch DOSBox tells me that you really need to learn the basics, config files, shortcuts, mounting drives and all of that.

The knowledge is out there, it's up to you to be ready for learning 😀

Getting GUS going in DOSBox is very simple. The reason I haven't included it is because General MIDI offers superior quality. Don't get me wrong, GUS is a great card and has it's benefits for tracker type games, but not for General MIDI based games such as Dark Forces.

Here is a quick recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZAJ71P81j0

I used D-Fend Reloaded and the Steam version of Dark Forces. Check my YT channel for the GOG.com DOSBox and also the D-Fend reloaded tutorials. They teach you everything you need to know.

My website with reviews, demos, drivers, tutorials and more...
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Reply 10 of 10, by Stiletto

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AceJoel96 wrote:

Does anyone know of an independent forum dedicated to support for Dark Forces? Massassi Temple is for Jedi Knight and newer games, there's a forum for the mod for Dark Forces, and there are several general forums that exist for LucasArts and vintage games, but I haven't seen one just for Dark Forces.

http://df-21.net/phpbb/

Pretty dead though. There's also this which is REALLY dead.
http://lucasforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=529

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