I'd just play the GOG.com version. It's missing INSTALL.EXE to change the sound options, so just copy it from your disk version 😀

What MIDI interface are you using?

I wonder why GOG hobble some of the games they sell? I guess leaving the install.exe file in there might cause confusion; they don't want people running it and messing up their pre-configured DOSBOX compatible setup. It's a great service, but I really wish they'd throw in a original disk images too. It's only 6meg or so, what's the harm?

I'm using a Music Quest MPU-401 card which has been great so far, works with everything I've thrown at it (gateway, etc). I also have an original Roland MPU-401 but my 486 won't even post with that in there for some reason. Not sure why, it's worked in other machines.

Anyway I prefer the Music Quest so am happy to keep using it.

I know from previous posts that you have a Music Quest card too - have you tried it with Wing Commander?

Tried the GOG version and it doesn't work either! Same problem - the MT-32 is initialised, the game starts with all of the correct sounds / music, but about half way through the fireworks (this varies) the game hangs and the MT-32 is just stuck on a single long note with the odd firework sound thrown in.

The Sound Blaster option works fine, so it's definitely something to do with the MT-32. I don't have this problem with any other games - this old hardware can be infuriating!

It's a first gen MT-32 (no headphone jack), Music Quest MPU-401 which does intelligent mode, 486SX-33 (de-turbo'd down to a 386-25's speed), 8mb RAM.

I've tried with EMM386 and without. With different mouse drivers.

Anything else I should try?

Got to lover these retro glitches 😀

I don't think it's the MIDI card. I have a similar issue with Prince of Persia. It will just freeze the computer when using MT-32 for Music and Sound.

Try out Wing Commander 2 (GOG.com version) and see if this causes the same issue. But yea it could be anything and it will be hard to track down.

PS: The Roland card not working is odd.

Try disabling unused resources (serial and parallel ports and other bits). Try another ISA slot, try booting without other ISA cards.

I don't have a MusicQuest. I have to Roland MPU401ATs and one Midiman MM401. The midiman is 99% compatible I would say but does give issues with Gateway.

Mystery solved, it's the Music Quest card. I pulled out my trusty 386 and tried Wing Commander (disk version - thanks again Megatron!) with the Roland and it works fine. But with the Music Quest (pictured below), it hangs in the same place. So I guess that means that the Music Quest isn't 100% compatible, what a shame!