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Cant get DOSbox to work

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First post, by bigjake

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Greetings to all,
I work for a radio station, where we are cuurently using a dos program called "Digital jukebox". Because of this, our servers are running Windows 98 SE 😜 . I was so excited to here about DObox so i downloaded it & installed it. Now that is as far as I got. I have NO clue how to get "Digital jukebox" running. I am currently using XP Pro at home, & would like to attempt to run it on XP, just to see if it will work. but I am kind of a Noob to this. I would love to switch from 98 to 2000 or something, but I need your help. Your help would be so greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Jake

Reply 1 of 18, by Nicht Sehr Gut

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Originally posted by bigjake Greetings to all,
I work for a radio station, where we are cuurently using a dos program called "Digital jukebox".

Unfortunately, "Digital jukebox" is a title that has been used for a number of music programs. I don't suppose you have a "home page" or know of a demo for this program?

I have NO clue how to get "Digital jukebox" running.

Neither do I, for the reasons mentioned above.

I am currently using XP Pro at home, & would like to attempt to run it on XP, just to see if it will work.

Well, hopefully, it doesn't require some kind of digital sampling input like Ritty or any kind of special "hardware control", because if that's the case, you're probably hosed.

Reply 3 of 18, by Snover

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They have versions for 2K/XP... why aren't you using those?

Yes, it’s my fault.

Reply 4 of 18, by bigjake

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Two Reasons...
1.Because they are twice the price.
2. We already had a license for the Dos-based programs before the Windows Versions came out.

Reply 5 of 18, by Nicht Sehr Gut

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Originally posted by bigjake Sure do
http://www.digitaljukebox.net

Only problem, Jake, is there's not so much a word about the DOS versions there anymore.

Is there a DOS demo available anywhere? or could you give us a pretty thorough description of what it actually does?

I'm afraid that it will need hardware access that DosBox won't provide. The official public release of DosBox can only run 386 or earlier titles and "non-protected" programs at that. Even if you use the CVS version, you use a huge amount of processor power just running the emulator.

If this thing needs to sample audio (within the jukebox program) or control "real" hardware (other than basic hard drive access), you're probably out of luck.

What does your documentation say you need to do to get it running?

Reply 6 of 18, by bigjake

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Basically it is a automation system.We record our spots into a cart called the audio database & tell the spots when to play. We then decide a schedule such as how long the breaks should be and such. in the "On-air screen" we set it to automation, and it plays whatever we tell it to, whether it be music or commericials or voice tracks. I will see if I can't get some screenshots so you get a better idea. Right now I just need basic info on how I would set it up dosbox to run, because I am completely ignorant. BTW if you know any other programs that would work give me a link please.

Reply 7 of 18, by Snover

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Why doesn't NTVDM work?

Is the program outputting sound, or do you just interface it with something like a DAT?

Yes, it’s my fault.

Reply 8 of 18, by bigjake

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Snover wrote:

Why doesn't NTVDM work?

Is the program outputting sound, or do you just interface it with something like a DAT?

no, it outputs sound, it has to have access to a sound card.
BTW, what is ntvdm?😕

Reply 9 of 18, by Snover

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NTVDM is the Windows NT Virtual DOS Machine, the DOS virtualizer built into Windows NT/2K/XP. That plus VDMSound should work fine, unless they REALLY screwed up the programming.

Yes, it’s my fault.

Reply 10 of 18, by bigjake

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Success. By using the built in dos emulator in XP, it worked.😀 . Now i have one question. it works and appears to be functional but the screen is condensed to only half the screen. verything is pushd into the upper half of the screen. Anybody have any guesss how to correct this?

Reply 11 of 18, by Qbix

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I think there is little you can do.
Win Xp dos emulation is far from perfect. And modern video cards running in dos resolutions under win Xp is troublesome as well.

Water flows down the stream
How to ask questions the smart way!

Reply 12 of 18, by eL_PuSHeR

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You tried full-screen mode by pressing ALT-ENTER, didn't you?

Reply 13 of 18, by Snover

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If the system is outputting audio, for the love of god DO NOT use the default XP sound emulator that is built into NTVDM. It sounds like shit, and emulates an 8-bit monoaural SoundBlaster. (eg. Use VDMSound 😄)

Yes, it’s my fault.

Reply 14 of 18, by bigjake

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OK, I will try the VDMsound. & yes I tried the ALT-enter keys but that did not work. I thank you guys so much for your help. I owe you all one. but I am still open to suggestions. the half screen issue is a problem, & while the program works, I have yet to try and get audio from it. Next question is a little off topic, but does anybody know of any good programs that can turn mp3's or wav's into Mp2's?

Reply 15 of 18, by Snover

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*blink*
MPEG-1 Layer II audio? Are you serious? Why?? If that's all the program can take...bite your tongue and just get the new version, heh...
or, hell, I know there are freeware things like this that work with WinAMP. Look on their plugins page.

Yes, it’s my fault.

Reply 16 of 18, by Nicht Sehr Gut

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Originally posted by bigjake Now i have one question. it works and appears to be functional but the screen is condensed to only half the screen.

I would hazard a guess that it's a VESA-related issue. Do you know what video card that it will used with? What resolution does it use?

On your own PC, I know the GF4 isn't very good about VESA support in XP. 640x480 is about as good as it gets (so if the program needs 800x600 or more...you're out-of-luck). Even then it might need NOLFB.COM to run.

Can anyone find a DOS demo of this thing?

Reply 17 of 18, by bigjake

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I do not know what type of card it requires. I have contacted the creator & I am going to see about getting a demo. BTW, I know what you must think about it using MP2, but I should clarify. It uses ACM waveform, which is the kinda split into either MP2 or a special kind of .wav from. The audio can be broadcast in 128 bit, 44 Khz if you sound card supports it, which ours does 😁 . Stay tuned for updates.

Reply 18 of 18, by Snover

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128kbit is, um, crap, unless it's OGG. 😄
But seriously. There are plugins for WinAMP that accomplish this same thing... and they're much less expensive (free even!)

Yes, it’s my fault.