That patch is for the Windows port of the game (which indeed does have some speed issues), not sure it would have any effect on DOSBox or the DOS version of the game.

X-COM has a main batch file, usually XCOM.BAT, that controls switching between the geoscape and tactical portions of the game. It appears yours is referencing the D: drive although you are running it from the C: drive. Look at your batch file in a text editor program, it should look similar to the following (note that the paths are relative and don't reference a drive, so the current drive and directory is used):

1@echo off
2sound\sndstart
3cls
4ufoexe\black
5intro.exe
6ufoexe\black
7ufoexe\geoscape "0"
8if errorlevel 2 goto begin
9goto end
10:begin
11ufoexe\black
12ufo2exe\tactical "1"
13:geo
14ufoexe\black
15ufoexe\geoscape "1"
16if errorlevel 2 goto begin
17:end
18sound\sndend

As for the speed of the program, you can alter the cycles DOSBox is using, see the readme about that. X-COM is a protected mode program, and with "auto" core and cycles configured, it defaults to max cycles, which is likely too much. A fixed amount of cycles, or a percentage of max, is probably what you want.

Well, after looking at that patch again, I'm not completely sure how i thought it would help me with DosBox...silly me.

Anyway, which main batch file are you speaking of? When i load the game it loads under the file "MPS". When i open that, i see a file named UFO and a UFO.BAT file. Then, when i open the UFO file, i find an additional UFO.BAT file. I opened each of those .bat files in Notepad (sufficent enough for a text editor program???) and saw the following:

@echo off
cd \MPS\UFO
DCOFU C:
cd ..

There is another .bat file named DCOFU which gives me the following:
@echo off
cls
%1ufoexe\black
%1sound\sndstart
%1intro %1
%1ufoexe\black
%1ufoexe\geoscape "0" %1
if errorlevel 2 goto begin
goto end
:begin
%1ufoexe\black
%1ufo2exe\tactical "1" %1
:geo
%1ufoexe\black
%1ufoexe\geoscape "1" %1
if errorlevel 2 goto begin
:end
%1sound\sndend

Any thoughts with the new information? And/or an answer or idea as to why DOSbox is going into the "Not Responding" mode?

Seems the UFO batch file runs that DCOFU (odd name) one with a parameter of the C: drive, so don't know where D: was coming from. You should be able to run them from their respective directories. Try running them directly, as the frontend might be a source of confusion.

For the hanging problem, maybe try reconfiguring your sound in the game and ensuring that it matches how DOSBox is configured. You did try re-installing already?

Keep it simple is always a good idea. Adding frontends to the mix is not keeping it simple, so forget about that for now. And there are too many unknown here. How did you install it? How was your mount-setup when you installed it? Have you changed the mounts now that you try to run it?

Better delete the folder where you installed the game and start from scratch. If you then have problems, let us know exactly what you did.

Edit: And read my signature.

Okay, so I decided to completely uninstall everything and start from scratch, documenting my steps. Maybe that will help solve the problem (or at least help others understand if i'm missing something).

-Installed DOSbox 0.72 (C:\DOSbox-0.72)
-Extracted Enemy Unknown ISO to C:\Oldgames

-Opened DOSbox
-Z:\>mount c c:\oldgames
-Z:\>c:
-C:\>install

-Enemy Unknown install screen loads
-Install Game
-Installed to C:\MPS\UFO
-Selected SoundblasterPro, 220, 7 Irq, 1 DMA, 4 sound channels
-Selected AdLib/Soundblaster FM
-Installed succesfully

-Prompted in game screen still:
-To play now, type: UFO
-To play later, type: C:cd\mps\ufo\ufo

-Exit out of install to DOS and am prompted with C:\MPS\UFO>
-Type UFO to play

-DOSbox starts to load, then hits "Not Responding"

-------
How i access the game through DOSbox from scratch:
-Open DOSbox
-Z:\>mount c c:\oldgames
-Z:\>c:
-C:\>cd mps
-C:\MPS>cd ufo
-C:\MPS\UFO>ufo
-DOSbox begins to load the game, then hits "Not Responding"

So, just an update...I haven't actually reached the Illegal Command issues i spoke of earlier.

Potentially important/useful information:
As mentioned, i'm using an ISO of the game to get my files. Located in the ISO are an Install.exe file (which i used in the list above), and a Setup.exe file (which seems to only control sound?). Is there another file type or name i should look for? And am i making it too hard doing it through the exe files when i could just mount the ISO? I tried at first, but couldn't get it...mainly due to the fact that i still am very new to DOSbox i think).

Another thing is that when i finally do get to C:\MPS\UFO>ufo and launch the game, i can see some text on a screen only for a split second (can't figure out what it all says), and then the screen "blinks" (for lack of a better word), and acts as if it is going into the game screen. The top of DOSbox says Program: Intro. But then "Intro" goes away and eventually i get the "Not Responding" program.

I realize i'm probably doing something VERY wrong or out of order. I hope I am posting the question/messages in an okay format MiniMax. Just trying to get my game working. Thanks!

Switchfoot55 wrote:

Okay, so I decided to completely uninstall everything and start from scratch, documenting my steps. Maybe that will help solve the problem (or at least help others understand if i'm missing something).

-Installed DOSbox 0.72 (C:\DOSbox-0.72)
-Extracted Enemy Unknown ISO to C:\Oldgames

Bzzzzt! Wrong, but thanks for playing.

You did read my 60 seconds guide?
And you did read the README-file and the section on imgmount versus mount?

MiniMax,

I understand guys who have been on forums for a number of years (as is apparent by your post count) can just brush of new guys without thinking twice. I've done it myself with my frequented forums. So, I apologize for not gettingn it 100% correct.

I did infact read the README file and the section on the imgmount v mount. HOWEVER, even the most simple DOSbox walkthrough seems to be flying over my head. So, what may seem crystal clear to you isn't making any sense to me.

I really am trying to get this.

Do this:

Delete C:\OldGames
Create C:\OldGames
Open DOSbox

-Z:\>mount C "C:\OldGames"
-Z:\>imgmount D "C:\path\to\ISO.iso" -t cdrom
-Z:\>D:
-D:\>install

Thanks MiniMax, I really do appreicate the help.

It appears that I have it all figured out. The game is loading fine, saves are working, speed is perfect, sound is awesome. Still not sure what was up with the "Not Responding" text or the odd illegal command stuff (again, I'm sure its crystal clear to some, but way over my head).

Now I'm off to play one of the best games ever made!