check if the directory and files of xcom1 is read only

Hi Qbix

Thanks for the quick response.

In Vista it was showing as read only on the parent folder. So i unchecked the Read only part, including subfolders and files.

Ive now tried running setup again following the Dosbox SB16 settings.

Still no sound.

Do you know whether the current settings in the sound setup should show your last tried settings?

I was thinking maybe there is another solution.

Could someone please post their sound.cfg file for xcom with sb settings?

Because i am conviced that my setup program is not actually doing anything to the sound settings in the config file. I compared the cgf file with the one for TFTD whicvh i have..and with working sound...and the markings seem v different.

In my Xcom 1 config file the mark is a simple

Its been like that since installed xcom and it never changes no matter which sound settings i select in the setup.

Or if someone could just open up their sound.cfg and copy/paste its content into this thread would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Mine looks similar, and then I cannot reproduce it here. I'm attaching a copy, hope nobody objects to that.

Neville

Thanks, though it didnt work.

It looks the same as mine but i swapped them anyway though nothing new happened.

Oh well, its very odd as i have no audio troubles with any other old dos games with Dosbox and Vista.

The "sound.cfg" file is binary, so it's not important if it _looks_ the same, it has to be the same in a byte-by-byte-compare. Anyway, i've played around with the sound config, and noticed some strange things.

First, the sound setup prog doesn't seem to display previously configured settings, which is quite stupid IMHO. Secondly, there are two sound.cfg files: one in the directory the game has been installed to, and one in the "sound" subdirectory. After changing settings, the file in the "game root" dir isn't updated (file date doesn't change), but the one in the "sound" subdir is. The latter one seems to hold the settings.

I presume the game should be started by one of the batch files (there are a few, with different names, but identical content). The batch executes a "sound\sndstart" command before launching the main exe(s), and a "sound\sndend" command afterwards. I guess these are important for sound support.

Does anyone remember if there was music playing during the game (in the Geoscape or Tactical screens)? I have sound effects in the intro and during the game, but only got some music during the intro. I only played for a short while, though. Can't remember what the game's supposed to sound like.

I've used the latest ykhwong build for testing. The game is the floppy version, updated to v1.2 and then v1.4. Digital sound was set to SB16 (DOSBox defaults), and music to GM.

EDIT: there is music during different parts of the game, but it's so silent it's very hard to hear. My mixer settings are default, and i didn't have any troubles with MIDI so far (and i've played a lot of games in DOSBox). Can anyone verify this effect?

EDIT2: I tried the CD-ROM version of the game (v1.4, 1996), and the "music too silent"-problem has gone away, it seems. Now, i have full sound and music during the game. On a different note: i have very fond memories of this game, but after playing through Jagged Alliance some days ago, UFO feels like a game on the C-64 (; . Oh, and i forgot to mention that i'm running DOSBox under XP. I'd rather throw my PC's out of the window than installing Vista, aka Windows ME v2.0.

Addict,

I tried copying that file into the xcom root directory. It does seem to change according to the sound setup but it didnt give me sound.

I could play xcom if i atleast had sound effects. The wepaon sounds and people screaming durng terror missions gives it alot of the atmosphere. But I could without the music no probs.

By the way, Ive notcied the sound.cfg stays at 18 bytes size no matter which setting is made in sound setup - even though the binary is changing.

Just a remark: there's a version of XCom floating around the net that indeed lacks music/sound in DOSBOX - there's also another version that works perfectly. My CD version also works perfectly so I'd guess it's a bad rip or a rip that DOSBOX doesn't like.

I remember reading somewhere that the 1.4 update screws the sound files. Did you have sound and music before updating from 1.2?

Red Avatar

Oh great. That version must be the one i have. I originally bought Xcom 1 on a buget title in about 96/7 - lost the cd though i still have the manual.

The version i downloaded was the dos zip from Abandonia. Maybe I'll try some other sites and see if any work instead.

I dont suppose using the sound file from the Windows version with the Dos version would make any difference? On the Windows version - without dosbox - i do get sound but no video on Vista! What a joke 😀

Neville,

Im trying this from a clean install - not an updated version of xcom. I am starting to think it may be as Red Avatar has mentioned - i am using a duff version.

Thanks for all your helps.

YES!!!!!!

Thanks for the help guys. I have found a working version for Dosbox and Vista.

Red Avatar and Neville were both correct.

I tracked down the 1.2 dos version of xcom 1 and it works great...sound, effects and everything! Dosbox at 3000 cycles also seems to slow down the scroll on the battlemaps - which i was concerned about because in TFTD the map scrolling is ridiculous and almost makes it unplayable but for the most patient.

The scroll is way slower in xcom 1.2 - YAY

When i heard the intro music for the first time I almost wet myself.

By the way, is there a bug problem with 1.2?

coldcall wrote:

I tracked down the 1.2 dos version of xcom 1 and it works great...sound, effects and everything! Dosbox at 3000 cycles also seems to slow down the scroll on the battlemaps - which i was concerned about because in TFTD the map scrolling is ridiculous and almost makes it unplayable but for the most patient.

The scroll is way slower in xcom 1.2 - YAY

You can set the scroll speed, among other options, using the "?" icon in the action sequences of both games.

coldcall wrote:

When i heard the intro music for the first time I almost wet myself.

By the way, is there a bug problem with 1.2?

I think the v1.4 patch removes copy protection and adds new sound and music, but doesn't remove any bugs.

Neville

I found in TFTD with the scroll on 1 it was still very fast. Last time i played it without dosbox on xp i think. Maybe thats why its so fast.

Well I've played through the first month now and no crashes or problems. Plays fantastic. This game seems not to age - it really is in a class of its own.

coldcall: consider yourself slapped in the face, hard. Why didn't you mention that you've tried to play an illegal "Abandonware" version of the game?! If i knew that, i wouldn't have tried to help you in the first place. Your "problem" is a very good example why "Abandonware" should not be supported.

I've tried the mantra before, but i hope i'll remember next time: NOTE TO SELF - ASK ABOUT THE GAME'S SOURCE BEFORE TRYING TO HELP!

Well, the positive thing is that i'm currently playing the game (the v1.4 CD version), and enjoying it. Works perfectly well in DOSBox.

Addict says his v1.4 CD version works fine. I've read people who manually update their floppy versions to v1.4 have the same sound issues.

I really hope you are absolutely sure they updated their original copy.
You are sure, right?

wd wrote:

I really hope you are absolutely sure they updated their original copy.
You are sure, right?

xpatch14.zip

Official Microprose patch that removes several bugs from the floppy version of the game, 1.2, such as the replenishing clip bug. It removes copy protection from the game, but beware that the patch permamently damages the sound effects files.

http://www.xcomufo.com/x1dl.html

Edit: Thread split by MiniMax.

Please continue the non-technical discussion here:
coldcall has his say about DOSBox and abandonware

but beware that the patch permamently damages the sound effects files.

Well then, nice to know. Doesn't change anything regarding the annoying part
of having to deal with users who download some (upgraded) game and come
here to complain about it not working.