dosbox version?

0.72

By the way:
How do I copy my savegames when I plan to re-install Windows?
Is it enough to copy the "Save" folder from C:\dosbox\siedler2\?
I want that the game at least remembers the level progress.

OUTER MAIN LOOP ERROR: FILE: D:\S2\gfx\palette\pa18.bbm - ERROR 2 - File not found!!

Does that file exist? If so, is it hidden/readonly or something?

Hard to say what's wrong if it only happens after 7+ hours of gameplay...

How do I copy my savegames when I plan to re-install Windows?
Is it enough to copy the "Save" folder from C:\dosbox\siedler2\?

Easiest thing to try is setting up a second installation and transferring
the savegames for testing, like create a c:\dosbox_test\ and install siedler2
there to, then copy the savegames and see if it works. If it does there should
not be any problem with transferring the files to a new windows installation.
If it doesn't, try to examine the files in the siedler2 directory, there could be
some file that maintains the save slots (like in siedler1 iirc.)

Thanks, will try.

Last question again. Which files do I need to copy savegames?

No idea, but have a look at the file modification/creation timestamps,
it shouldn't be too hard to figure out which were written to lately.

Blue Byte (the developers) once made a patch available from their homepage, have you tried it ?

The only *truly* runnable version under win xp of The Settlers II is said to be included in the German Collector's Edition of the Settlers II remake.

try increasing DOSBox memory to 24mb or more. 16mb is bare minimum... also, i experience the jitters after playing a level for a extended period of time and i associate it with just the game getting rather complex with tons of buildings/settlers etc. it runs smooth on a new game but loading a complex save game or building up the city and/or exploring/owning a large portion of the map also introduces the jitter. (jitter affects the game as a whole)

another thing to try is that DOS32A replacement of dos4gw.exe which i think provides a tiny performance increase.

edit: if the windows version of it is just the maps redone for "the next generation - 20th anniversary edition" then they will play horrible due to inferior menu's and extremely annoying item graphics for the menu's, also various changes like demolishing military buildings and evacuating them, gold coin delivery, number of items available at each flag ( road junction) is reduced and catapult aiming all vastly change the gameplay