don't use a frontend and try again

Same problem.

Did you edit the configuration from Start -> Programs -> Dosbox 0.73 -> Configuration -> Edit configuration? You might have edited the wrong file. Also, how do you know opengl is not being used?

I got dosbox thru defend reloaded so I am editing the config file under that folder.

I can tell opengl isn't working because the picture isn't as "soft" as I would like. I even tried to change the render to show some scan lines and that doesn't work either. It's like whatever I change in the config file is ignored.

I got dosbox thru defend reloaded

Install dosbox from the official homepage, check that editing the configuration
file is working in general (change the xms option and verify that it's been changed
by typing MEM in dosbox).

wd wrote:

(change the xms option and verify that it's been changed
by typing MEM in dosbox).

Not quite sure how to do that...

OK, I think I figured it out. I changed XMS to false (was true) now what?

Start dosbox, type MEM, post the result.

OK
633 Kb free conventional memory
15216 Kb free expanded memory

The file you edited was the correct one, means stuff you change there
(output= ) is actually used by the dosbox you're starting.

Well, good. Any suggestions on where to go from here?

Change output=surface to output=opengl.

Still doesn't do anything. Even changed the scaler too scan2x to see a dramatic change. Nothing. 🙁

So why should be something be different, you're just using a different rendering
backend then which may or may not behave different depending on your graphics
card/gfx card drivers.

what is your gfx card and operating system? have you got the latest drivers? have you got any message in dosbox status window?

After having changed the configuration file, when you start dosbox, type in "output" without the quotes, and hit enter, does dosbox print back "opengl"?

@ wd: I don't pretend to understand why opengl looks better than any other option but to me it just does. In the emulator Mame for example, using the opengl option instead of ddraw makes for a much better picture.

@ robertmo: Vid Card - ATi Radeon HD 4550, O/S Vista Ultimate 64bit.

@ ripa: says opengl. Isn't giving the effect I want tho. I also typed in scaler which came back scan2x. But there are definitely no scan lines.

IG-88 wrote:

@ wd: I don't pretend to understand why opengl looks better than any other option but to me it just does. In the emulator Mame for example, using the opengl option instead of ddraw makes for a much better picture.

In DOSBox, it's not supposed to look any different (possibly slightly more/less blurry depending on your settings), but not to the point where there is any noticeable change in quality.

IG-88 wrote:

@ ripa: says opengl. Isn't giving the effect I want tho. I also typed in scaler which came back scan2x. But there are definitely no scan lines.

Not getting the effect you want or expect doesn't mean it's not working. Just that your expectations are off a bit from DOSBox reality.

Note that these scalers will generally show any effect only when running low-resolution games (e.g. something running in 320x200 or 320x240) unless you force them to operate (which is generally not a good idea).

Kippesoep wrote:

In DOSBox, it's not supposed to look any different (possibly slightly more/less blurry depending on your settings), but not to the point where there is any noticeable change in quality.

Not getting the effect you want or expect doesn't mean it's not working. Just that your expectations are off a bit from DOSBox reality.

Note that these scalers will generally show any effect only when running low-resolution games (e.g. something running in 320x200 or 320x240) unless you force them to operate (which is generally not a good idea).

I will have to kindly disagree. I believe there is quite a bit of change in picture quality. If you want to call it a slightly more blurry picture then so be it. The graphics are not nearly as "pixelated" and therefore more appeasing to my eye.

I believe that this has to be something to do with the FE I am using. I don't know how but if I run dosbox on the wifes computer I can get the effects I am looking for. The quality is as I like and even the scan lines are VERY noticeable on it (tho thats not what I initially wanted). The only difference between the two is that I have defend reloaded on this machine. Just doesn't make any sense tho because its the exact same version of dosbox, same hardware, same o/s & same games on both machines and I'm not even using the FE to test. I guess I'm probably going to have to live with it 🙁