I am trying to run an old piece of accounting software (great plains software) through dosbox because it does not run properly in winxp but when I load the .bat file it gives me an error message saying the screen cannot be displayed
Unless that BAT-file is huge, could you post it here?
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Lenovo M58p | Core 2 Quad Q8400 @ 2.66 GHz | Radeon R7 240 | LG HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH40N | Fedora 32
Sorry for the delay in responding.... this is still a hot issue.
My employee posted the question.. and I just got setup here to respond and follow through...
Any help we get will be very much appreciated. I will get the bat file and post it here shortly... just finding the login to the computer he was working on....
Sorry.. i didn't take out all the commented lines in the paste... so heres the entire thing...
We are trying to run an old dos based version of Great Plains Software in a Window...
There are no bells and whistles to the graphics to say the least....
# This is the configurationfile for DOSBox 0.73.# Lines starting with a # are commentlines.# They are used to (briefly) document the effect of each option.[sdl]# fullscreen: Start dosbox directly in fullscreen.# fulldouble: Use double buffering in fullscreen.# fullresolution: What resolution to use for fullscreen: original or fixed size (e.g. 1024x768).# windowresolution: Scale the window to this size IF the output device supports hardware scaling.# output: What video system to use for output.# Possible values: surface, overlay, opengl, openglnb, ddraw.# autolock: Mouse will automatically lock, if you click on the screen.# sensitivity: Mouse sensitivity.# waitonerror: Wait before closing the console if dosbox has an error.# priority: Priority levels for dosbox. Second entry behind the comma is for when dosbox is not focused/minimized. (pause is only valid for the second entry)# Possible values: lowest, lower, normal, higher, highest, pause.# mapperfile: File used to load/save the key/event mappings from.# usescancodes: Avoid usage of symkeys, might not work on all operating systems.fullscreen=falsefulldouble=falsefullresolution=originalwindowresolution=originaloutput=surfaceautolock=truesensitivity=100waitonerror=truepriority=higher,normalmapperfile=mapper.txtusescancodes=true[dosbox]# language: Select another language file.# machine: The type of machine tries to emulate.# Possible values: hercules, cga, tandy, pcjr, ega, vgaonly, svga_s3, svga_et3000, svga_et4000, svga_paradise, vesa_nolfb, vesa_oldvbe.# captures: Directory where things like wave, midi, screenshot get captured.# memsize: Amount of memory DOSBox has in megabytes.# This value is best left at its default to avoid problems with some games,# though few games might require a higher value.# There is generally no speed advantage when raising this value.language=machine=svga_s3captures=capturememsize=16[render]# frameskip: How many frames DOSBox skips before drawing one.# aspect: Do aspect correction, if your output method doesn't support scaling this can slow things down!.# scaler: Scaler used to enlarge/enhance low resolution modes. If 'forced' is appended,the scaler will be used even if the result might not be desired.# Possible values: none, normal2x, normal3x, advmame2x, advmame3x, advinterp2x, advinterp3x, hq2x, hq3x, 2xsai, super2xsai, supereagle, tv2x, tv3x, rgb2x, rgb3x, scan2x, scan3x.frameskip=0aspect=falsescaler=normal2x[cpu]# core: CPU Core used in emulation. auto will switch to dynamic if available and appropriate.# Possible values: auto, dynamic, normal, simple.# cputype: CPU Type used in emulation. auto is the fastest choice.
# Possible values: auto, 386, 386_slow, 486_slow, pentium_slow, 386_prefetch.# cycles: Amount of instructions DOSBox tries to emulate each millisecond. Setting this value too high results in sound dropouts and lags. Cycles can be set in 3 ways:# 'auto' tries to guess what a game needs.# It usually works, but can fail for certain games.# 'fixed #number' will set a fixed amount of cycles. This is what you usually need if 'auto' fails.# (Example: fixed 4000)# 'max' will allocate as much cycles as your computer is able to handle## Possible values: auto, fixed, max.# cycleup: Amount of cycles to increase/decrease with keycombo.# cycledown: Setting it lower than 100 will be a percentage.core=autocputype=autocycles=autocycleup=500cycledown=20[mixer]# nosound: Enable silent mode, sound is still emulated though.# rate: Mixer sample rate, setting any device's rate higher than this will probably lower their sound quality.# Possible values: 22050, 44100, 48000, 32000, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.# blocksize: Mixer block size, larger blocks might help sound stuttering but sound will also be more lagged.# Possible values: 2048, 4096, 8192, 1024, 512, 256.# prebuffer: How many milliseconds of data to keep on top of the blocksize.nosound=falserate=22050blocksize=2048prebuffer=10[midi]# mpu401: Type of MPU-401 to emulate.# Possible values: intelligent, uart, none.# mididevice: Device that will receive the MIDI data from MPU-401.# Possible values: default, win32, alsa, oss, coreaudio, coremidi, none.# midiconfig: Special configuration options for the device driver. This is usually the id of the device you want to use. See README for details.mpu401=intelligentmididevice=defaultmidiconfig=[sblaster]# sbtype: Type of sblaster to emulate.# Possible values: sb1, sb2, sbpro1, sbpro2, sb16, none.# sbbase: The IO address of the soundblaster.# Possible values: 220, 240, 260, 280, 2a0, 2c0, 2e0, 300.# irq: The IRQ number of the soundblaster.# Possible values: 7, 5, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12.# dma: The DMA number of the soundblaster.# Possible values: 1, 5, 0, 3, 6, 7.# hdma: The High DMA number of the soundblaster.# Possible values: 1, 5, 0, 3, 6, 7.# sbmixer: Allow the soundblaster mixer to modify the DOSBox mixer.# oplmode: Type of OPL emulation. On 'auto' the mode is determined by sblaster type. All OPL modes are Adlib-compatible, except for 'cms'.# Possible values: auto, cms, opl2, dualopl2, opl3, none.# oplemu: Provider for the OPL emulation. compat or old might provide better quality (see oplrate as well).# Possible values: default, compat, fast, old.# oplrate: Sample rate of OPL music emulation. Use 49716 for highest quality (set the mixer rate accordingly).# Possible values: 22050, 49716, 44100, 48000, 32000, 16000, 11025, 8000.sbtype=sb16sbbase=220irq=7dma=1hdma=5sbmixer=trueoplmode=autooplemu=defaultoplrate=22050[gus]# gus: Enable the Gravis Ultrasound emulation.# gusrate: Sample rate of Ultrasound emulation.# Possible values: 22050, 44100, 48000, 32000, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.# gusbase: The IO base address of the Gravis Ultrasound.# Possible values: 240, 220, 260, 280, 2a0, 2c0, 2e0, 300.# gusirq: The IRQ number of the Gravis Ultrasound.# Possible values: 5, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12.# gusdma: The DMA channel of the Gravis Ultrasound.# Possible values: 3, 0, 1, 5, 6, 7.# ultradir: Path to Ultrasound directory. In this directory# there should be a MIDI directory that contains# the patch files for GUS playback. Patch sets used# with Timidity should work fine.gus=falsegusrate=22050gusbase=240gusirq=5gusdma=3ultradir=C:\ULTRASND[speaker]# pcspeaker: Enable PC-Speaker emulation.# pcrate: Sample rate of the PC-Speaker sound generation.# Possible values: 22050, 44100, 48000, 32000, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.# tandy: Enable Tandy Sound System emulation. For 'auto', emulation is present only if machine is set to 'tandy'.# Possible values: auto, on, off.# tandyrate: Sample rate of the Tandy 3-Voice generation.# Possible values: 22050, 44100, 48000, 32000, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.# disney: Enable Disney Sound Source emulation. (Covox Voice Master and Speech Thing compatible).pcspeaker=truepcrate=22050tandy=autotandyrate=22050disney=true[joystick]# joysticktype: Type of joystick to emulate: auto (default), none,# 2axis (supports two joysticks),# 4axis (supports one joystick, first joystick used),# 4axis_2 (supports one joystick, second joystick used),# fcs (Thrustmaster), ch (CH Flightstick).# none disables joystick emulation.# auto chooses emulation depending on real joystick(s).# Possible values: auto, 2axis, 4axis, 4axis_2, fcs, ch, none.# timed: enable timed intervals for axis. (false is old style behaviour).# autofire: continuously fires as long as you keep the button pressed.# swap34: swap the 3rd and the 4th axis. can be useful for certain joysticks.# buttonwrap: enable button wrapping at the number of emulated buttons.joysticktype=autotimed=trueautofire=falseswap34=falsebuttonwrap=true[serial]# serial1: set type of device connected to com port.# Can be disabled, dummy, modem, nullmodem, directserial.# Additional parameters must be in the same line in the form of# parameter:value. Parameter for all types is irq.# for directserial: realport (required), rxdelay (optional).# (realport:COM1 realport:ttyS0).# for modem: listenport (optional).# for nullmodem: server, rxdelay, txdelay, telnet, usedtr,# transparent, port, inhsocket (all optional).# Example: serial1=modem listenport:5000# Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.# serial2: see serial1# Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.# serial3: see serial1# Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.# serial4: see serial1# Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.serial1=dummyserial2=dummyserial3=disabledserial4=disabled[dos]# xms: Enable XMS support.# ems: Enable EMS support.# umb: Enable UMB support.# keyboardlayout: Language code of the keyboard layout (or none).xms=trueems=trueumb=truekeyboardlayout=auto[ipx]# ipx: Enable ipx over UDP/IP emulation.ipx=false[autoexec]# Lines in this section will be run at startup.SET WORKSTATION=3SET CLASSPATH=C:\PVSW\BIN\psql.jarSET PERVASIVE_PATH=C:\PVSW\BINSET PATH=C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\PVSW\BIN@REM SET VSL=C:\PVSW\BINSET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H1 P330 T6prompt $p$g
That autoexec section looks a bit strange to me....
SET CLASSPATH defines a class-path pointing to some psql.jar file that is only useful if you are running some Java-based program.
SET PERVASIVE seems to define a directory where some Pervasive(?) software is installed? Which is also where that psql.jar is located? So that CLASSPATH and PERVASIVE seems to be part of the same.
SET PATH defines a search-path for program files that includes WINDOWS, and (again) that Pervasive thing. Windows do not belong in DOSBox, and neither do that Java/Pervasive thing.
So I would simply delete those 3 SET commands.
Next, there is a line that defines some Sound Blaster settings:
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H1 P330 T6
which contradicts the DOSBox settings listed above:
irq=7
DOSBox will automatically define that BLASTER setting all by itself, so I would delete the SET BLASTER line too.
Finally, that prompt-thing is just for show. I am not even sure it works in DOSBox, so I would also delete that.
OBS: Instead of deleting, you can just put in that @REM (remark) stuff in front of each line.
All you should have left is that SET WORKSTATION=3 which might, or might not be used by your Great Plains software.
Now..... How do you start DOSBox?
DOSBox 60 seconds guide | How to ask questions
_________________
Lenovo M58p | Core 2 Quad Q8400 @ 2.66 GHz | Radeon R7 240 | LG HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH40N | Fedora 32
pervasive is the dos btrieve engine.... ie the database for the accounting software so its a must
the path stuff ... not sure but i know my employee (dan) had straight copied what was on the old machine... i know the path must have the pervasive... but i will get rid of the windows in there...
also sound.. feck it... accounting software has none.. so I will remove that altogether....
About running it.... not sure... waiting for a call from dan.. currently its not starting for me. so i still have to figure out why... Ive reset the config and started over but nothing happens...
Im sure theres a simple trick...
is that file dosbox.conf
thats not what he asked you to post, he asked you to post the *.bat file
Guardian of the Sacred Five Terabyte's of Gaming Goodness
The bat file
echo offBTRIEVEDDH\PT2\DDHPOPT2 %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9CALL GPS %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9DDH\PT2\DDHPOPT2 U
After playing alot with the conf file it now says.
"Trouble reading screen image"
Here is an bit of what I changed:
fullscreen=falsefulldouble=falsefullresolution=originalwindowresolution=640x480output=ddrawautolock=truesensitivity=100waitonerror=truepriority=higher,normalmapperfile=mapper.txtusescancodes=truelanguage=machine=egacaptures=capturememsize=12
I have tried other resolutions but to no avail. I have tried surface and other output types... but those tell me in the status window:
Failed to create hardware surface.Restarting video subsystem with windib enabled.
I'm running out of things to try here... BUT... as a last bit of info... we are trying to configure this on a remote desktop... BUT as a side note.. I have had a person local to the machine try about 10 different settings with him receiving the very same errors....
I know that sometimes ... usb devices for instance.. windows terminal locks you out... in this case... a fresh reboot and a local login failed to start the program so I don't believe it is the issue.
Also things I notice is that I can't get the status window to go away on exit.. I am forced to kill it. And sometimes it remains running and stops further processes from working. I am sure its something I'm doing wrong but it is odd.
Also I have tried vgaonly and other machine types to no avail
// Edit 1
I'm starting to see a pattern here....
Nothing I do to dosbox makes any difference at all...
Not to say I don't welcome input if you have any... but it kinda seems like the error .... which is red btw.... might be coming from elsewhere ... ie btrieve... but I can't find a cent of help online for the error.. in btrieve or dosbox.. its like the error code doesn't exist.
// Edit 2
I'm confused and pissed off.. my client buys new machines ... asks me to set them up.. we do it... it takes a days work ++... then they say.. oh and btw .. this 1985 software must work or we won't pay you...
I can't find anything on this error.. whether its btrieve or not...
Start over (ie. reset your dosbox config file) and post a screenshot of the
console window right after you started dosbox (at the z:\> prompt) and a
screenshot of the error that is displayed when you run the batch file.
I will be working on that machine again tomorrow afternoon .. locally... so I will post what I find after that...
I'm confused and pissed off.. my client buys new machines ... asks me to set them up.. we do it... it takes a days work ++... then they say.. oh and btw .. this 1985 software must work or we won't pay you...
Install it in a virtual machine.
Yep, that's what VDI is for.
