I installed a VM and it seems like some of the issues were coming from the GOG installation, to both the GOG game and the DVD game. First the SW mode scaling issue was gone so I could handle it correctly with DxWnd. Next the GOG game stopped crashing.

The first red flag was seeing the GOG executable setting the classic window style. They were compatibility setting and then deleting them with DxWnd's setting, both games were consistently starting up. GOG has an advantage here: its newer executable (does anybody know about Gulfino's patch?) is better compatible with DxWnd's blitting techniques, so I could fullscreen it directly. The videos scale correctly and the Captions are visible.

The DVD version has a lot more problems. Although both games are running on ffdshow, maybe ffdshow installation uses a different renderer than what the newer GOG executable mentions (probably something like VMR9?). I can force it to use Overlay which works better. Then it also doesn't show the captions unless a video stops and trying to fix it again degrades video rendering.

MIDI is another issue: Coolsoft MIDI Mapper should do it

Also certain graphical issues on my Nvidia, and DDrawCompat is more tolerable of the video than dgVoodoo2

Talk about 'good timing' or when something is 'meant to be'... Paid off my credit card and have a fresh new statement for the month and boom - a vintage 12x DVD drive pops up on eBay from 2000 for as little as £13. It is made by a brand called Delta, which I can't say I've heard of though.

...Or not. As usual, nothing is ever straight forward for me. To begin with, the drive keeps getting stuck when pressing the eject button and secondly, it's not recognising any discs at all. A game disc, a CD-R, and a DVD-R. 🙁

DustyShinigami wrote on Today, 18:54:

...Or not. As usual, nothing is ever straight forward for me. To begin with, the drive keeps getting stuck when pressing the eject button and secondly, it's not recognising any discs at all. A game disc, a CD-R, and a DVD-R. 🙁

The getting stuck part of the problem is most likely easily solvable, most likely something needs some lubrication or a simple mechanical misalignment. The not recognising any discs is a lot more troubling, if the drive is easy to disassemble then the lens might be cleaned, use a mild cleaning agent to clean it. Remember don't operate a DVD drive with the case open, so if you are doing interior repairs always put it together before trying to use. Damaged DVD drives can be replaced, vision loss most of the time is permanent! (Also note that while most of the time DVDs use red lasers there are a few which uses lasers like CD-ROM drives in the infrared range, in that case you cannot see it, but it can still damage vision)

MagefromAntares wrote on Today, 19:10:

DustyShinigami wrote on Today, 18:54:

...Or not. As usual, nothing is ever straight forward for me. To begin with, the drive keeps getting stuck when pressing the eject button and secondly, it's not recognising any discs at all. A game disc, a CD-R, and a DVD-R. 🙁

The getting stuck part of the problem is most likely easily solvable, most likely something needs some lubrication or a simple mechanical misalignment. The not recognising any discs is a lot more troubling, if the drive is easy to disassemble then the lens might be cleaned, use a mild cleaning agent to clean it. Remember don't operate a DVD drive with the case open, so if you are doing interior repairs always put it together before trying to use. Damaged DVD drives can be replaced, vision loss most of the time is permanent! (Also note that while most of the time DVDs use red lasers there are a few which uses lasers like CD-ROM drives in the infrared range, in that case you cannot see it, but it can still damage vision)

Hmm. Taking apart a DVD drive isn't something I've done before, and knowing me, I'd probably make it worse. ^^; At this point, I honestly can't be bothered. I've messaged the seller to let them know, so I'm hoping I can get a refund. And then just buy a different one. Preferably from a brand I know this time.

I understand Pioneer are meant to be a good brand...? Because I've seen a few of those listed. Both a DVD and CD-RW combo.

DustyShinigami wrote on Today, 19:15:

MagefromAntares wrote on Today, 19:10:

DustyShinigami wrote on Today, 18:54:

...Or not. As usual, nothing is ever straight forward for me. To begin with, the drive keeps getting stuck when pressing the eject button and secondly, it's not recognising any discs at all. A game disc, a CD-R, and a DVD-R. 🙁

The getting stuck part of the problem is most likely easily solvable, most likely something needs some lubrication or a simple mechanical misalignment. The not recognising any discs is a lot more troubling, if the drive is easy to disassemble then the lens might be cleaned, use a mild cleaning agent to clean it. Remember don't operate a DVD drive with the case open, so if you are doing interior repairs always put it together before trying to use. Damaged DVD drives can be replaced, vision loss most of the time is permanent! (Also note that while most of the time DVDs use red lasers there are a few which uses lasers like CD-ROM drives in the infrared range, in that case you cannot see it, but it can still damage vision)

Hmm. Taking apart a DVD drive isn't something I've done before, and knowing me, I'd probably make it worse. ^^; At this point, I honestly can't be bothered. I've messaged the seller to let them know, so I'm hoping I can get a refund. And then just buy a different one. Preferably from a brand I know this time.

If its any help the DVD drive i used to get tex murphy overseers dvd edition working was a Pioneer DVR 106 or a DVR107

AppleSauce wrote on Today, 19:44:

DustyShinigami wrote on Today, 19:15:

MagefromAntares wrote on Today, 19:10:

The getting stuck part of the problem is most likely easily solvable, most likely something needs some lubrication or a simple mechanical misalignment. The not recognising any discs is a lot more troubling, if the drive is easy to disassemble then the lens might be cleaned, use a mild cleaning agent to clean it. Remember don't operate a DVD drive with the case open, so if you are doing interior repairs always put it together before trying to use. Damaged DVD drives can be replaced, vision loss most of the time is permanent! (Also note that while most of the time DVDs use red lasers there are a few which uses lasers like CD-ROM drives in the infrared range, in that case you cannot see it, but it can still damage vision)

Hmm. Taking apart a DVD drive isn't something I've done before, and knowing me, I'd probably make it worse. ^^; At this point, I honestly can't be bothered. I've messaged the seller to let them know, so I'm hoping I can get a refund. And then just buy a different one. Preferably from a brand I know this time.

If its any help the DVD drive i used to get tex murphy overseers dvd edition working was a Pioneer DVR 106 or a DVR107

Okay, interesting. Thanks. However…

And I suspected this was going to happen… I decided to use a spare SATA DVD drive I had lying around and hooked it up to the 98 PC using my IDE to SATA adapter. Just like me not to think of doing that sooner. 🙄😅
Anyway, I installed the game using the drive, and despite the INI file having all 5 drives assigned to H, which is what it is, the game STILL asks for the disc in drive H. 😂