If the games do have CD audio, the missing cable is the most likely culprit.

While it was later possible to extract audio data over ide/SATA, The software needs to support that IIRC. Those old games most likely won't.

You could use Daemon tools or a similar ISO mounting software that supports audio/mixed mode CDs. Then you forget about the CD drive, the cables, and all that jazz.

AoE1 used midi music. AoE2 used cd music.

Koltoroc wrote:

If the games do have CD audio, the missing cable is the most likely culprit.

While it was later possible to extract audio data over ide/SATA, The software needs to support that IIRC. Those old games most likely won't.

i'm using the original AoK cd and the trial version. this is weird. I am also using philsomcputerlabs audio drivers i.e. update drivers from files not from setup.

@tauro

Daemon tools under windows 9x doesn't output the music in most games.

Aoe 1 has midi music ? Thls is odd because mine has CD music

Like koltorok said, put an audio cable between the sound card and the CD drive. If your cd drive has a jack connector at the front, you should be able to hear the music being played in the game if you use your speakers with it for example

tried the cd in cable. still no sound

In windows 98 there is program built in to read CD's music in the start menu. Can you try to read the music on it ?

Make sure that in the mixer the CD drive isn't muted

Deksor wrote:

@tauro […]
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@tauro

Daemon tools under windows 9x doesn't output the music in most games.

Aoe 1 has midi music ? Thls is odd because mine has CD music

Like koltorok said, put an audio cable between the sound card and the CD drive. If your cd drive has a jack connector at the front, you should be able to hear the music being played in the game if you use your speakers with it for example

There was a version of aoe1 with cd music.
Look in the music DIR in you aie1 install path. Do you see any .MID files? They may be marked as hidden. If not you can find the games midis files online just put them in the music dir.

The strange thing is, the demo for AOE on the win98 cd also doesnt have music playing. the sounds work but no music at splashscreen or in game.
I have a Vortex 2:
AU8830A02

Are you sure that the midi synth of your computer is working correctly ?

did a vanilla install (98 lite) without unofficial updates pack and removed via which may have conflicted (irq 10 for both), now sound is working. plus cd audio on aok, awesome

Got here to late but SOUNDS like you had a problem with midi...get it? sounds? ...Sorry
Only just got the chance to confirm but AOE2 has both CD and Midi, The files can be found in sounds\midi folder and play if the CD isn't available.

chinny22 wrote:

Got here to late but SOUNDS like you had a problem with midi...get it? sounds? ...Sorry
Only just got the chance to confirm but AOE2 has both CD and Midi, The files can be found in sounds\midi folder and play if the CD isn't available.

no, it streams when i have vanilla install. now it has stopped streaming from the cd so i may have tio keep doing vanilla installs to get it to play music on this specific setup which is annoying. games I have been installing have updated directX along the way which changes the settings i think. also changed the gpu out for the 6800gt just to test max payne. bah. PITA

just found the culprit. system properties>device manager>cd/dvd>properties>settings>sync data transfer (check box has to be ticked)
win98