What does the .net framework (for firefox...nonetheless...) have to do with DosBox (probably nothing, say the voices in my head).
Your joystick is hopefully working in Windows and connected, otherwise it's Window's fault...if it's working there...your .conf file should have some joystick enabled, it defaults to auto (which should -probably- work).
After starting Spear of Destiny, there should be a mark next to joystick in the loading screen, if so...go, within the game, to control -> enable joystick and you should be set.

Hi bloodbat.. I had only mentioned the .Net framework in my initial post because the game would not load until I had downloaded it, and wasn't sure if it made a difference or not considering. Hope that was OK as I thought it best to give as much information as I possibly could.

In regard to the joystick in DOSBox, it does show up in both windows (when I load up DOXBox). Not sure if this info is pertinent but here's what each window says. In the DOSBox Status Window, under MIDI, it says:
Midi:opened device: win32. Then the next line says:
One joystick reported, initializing with 4axis. The next line reads:
Using joystock Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick with 4 axes, 8 buttons and 1 hat(s). Then the next line says:
MAPPER: Loading mapper settings from C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\DOSBox\mapper-0.74.map

In the second DOSBox 0.74 Cpu speed. 3000 cycles, Frameskip 0 programs DOSBOX, the line at the bottom reads:
Z:\SET BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 H5 T6

So it seems the joystick is recognized and in the DOSBox keymapper, when reviewing the virtual joystick, I can create an event as per the manual on joystick troubleshooting. Axis points as well as button presses I can add and then save events.

But unfortunately I still can not get it to function/be recognized in the game and I can not get the game to setup the joystick, when I specifically engage the joystick option under the "Control" option in the main menu. Even though it does show the joystick is "checked" in the first opening window of the game.. (it has a yellow dash next to it).

Windows does show the joystick is connected (via USB) and when I check the device manager, it shows everything is functioning normally. Sorry, not sure what other info I can give or what else I can do. Thanks in advance for your help.

Ian

unfortunately I cannot help much with troubleshooting your joystick, but if all else fails, you could try remappng keyboard functions to the joystick. Would probably be clunky though.

ians007 wrote:

I had only mentioned the .Net framework in my initial post because the game would not load until I had downloaded it

why would a DOS game running in a DOS/PC emulator (both of which have nothing to do with .NET) care about this?
Did anything give you an indication that you had to install .NET? if so, something might be wrong on a different level than just the joystick stuff.

VileRancour wrote:

Did anything give you an indication that you had to install .NET? if so, something might be wrong on a different level than just the joystick stuff.

Mozilla Firefox - You also need to install plugin - either from Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant or comunity ClickOnce plugin (currently doesn't support Firefox 4.0) Plugin is also available through regular update via Windows Update. After installing plugin restarting of browser is recommended (sometimes plugin doesn't work before you restart browser).

Thanks and above is a quote from the page explaining how to install the emulator where it talks about the .NET Framework.

Ian

What the ... are you talking about? Which site? For installing Fosbox you go to http://www.dosbox.com, download the installer and start that.
NO need for anything extra. Definitely nothing for your browser. Dosbox doesn't use that. You have been scammed. That click-once plugin sounds malicious

Hmmm.. now I'm worried. I'm unfortunately not that computer savvy in regard to DOS and these old school type setups. I'm hoping you can help me correct that and perhaps this joystick issue.
Let me start from the beginning, here's the site I first found when searching for the game Spear of Destiny: http://www.freegameempire.com/PlayNowNoticePa … pear+of+destiny

The page describes the emulator that I initially downloaded, which, after I downloaded the .NET framework file for Firefox, brought up the resolution screen setting that enabled the game to finally start up. The game engages when I hit the play button (white in a green background) on a small rectangular screen within the window from the link above. I actually didn't download DOSBox until later as it was my assumption (albeit it seems and incorrect one) that it had already been downloaded.

Based upon your response and reviewing the page I first downloaded files from, it seems I'm not running Spear of Destiny in DOSBox at all?? but rather something else entirely?? 😖 .. If so, can you help me do it the right way or is what I'm doing OK?? Thanks again for your help..

Ian

First...buy the game.
It can be yours for only $4.99 on Steam.

You can try using SOD4SDL (WOLF4SDL) port found at Chaos Software.