MS-DOS + Grand Theft Auto = hard lock \ VOGONS

MS-DOS + Grand Theft Auto = hard lock

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First post, by PhaytalError

Posted on 2013-10-07, 05:24

PhaytalError Offline

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Hi all,

Does anyone know if some DOS games simply won't run with an AGP card? I currently have a GeForce FX5500 256mb AGP card in my ASUS P5A + AMD K6-2 350Mhz DOS gaming machine.

I see the first video, but then nothing but a hard lock and black screen. I'm suspecting that maybe the game doesn't "see" the AGP card? However this is the only DOS game i've come across that has this issue.

I do have a Diamond Stealth 64 3000 4mb PCI card I could try and see if that fixes the issue, the only reason i'm using the GeForce in DOS is because VESA mode games such as Nascar Racing, Quake, etc give really nice framerates with it!

Any help to resolve it is welcomed.

Last edited by PhaytalError on 2013-10-07, 06:37. Edited 1 time in total.

DOS Gaming System: MS-DOS, AMD K6-III+ 400/ATZ@600Mhz, ASUS P5A v1.04 Motherboard, 32 MB RAM, 17" CRT monitor, Diamond Stealth 64 3000 4mb PCI, SB16 [CT1770], Roland MT-32 & Roland SC-55, 40GB Hard Drive, 3.5" Floppy Drive.

Reply 1 of 7, by PhaytalError

Posted on 2013-10-07, 06:36

PhaytalError Offline

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Okay, so it's not the AGP card as it stilll locks up even with the Diamond Stealth 64 3000 4mb PCI card.

I have figured out that it's locking up because of the soundcard [SB16], there's no IRQ conflict within my system, I have the soundcard set to IRQ7 which is free. If I disable "digital sound" the game runs, if I enable it it hardlocks.

Is there any known workaround? Thanks.

Reply 2 of 7, by mr_bigmouth_502

Posted on 2013-10-07, 07:00

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Try a different sound card, perhaps? For the games you're playing, I don't see the need for OPL3, so feel free to try something like an AWE64 or a Gravis Ultrasound or something.

Reply 3 of 7, by Jorpho

Posted on 2013-10-07, 16:18

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PhaytalError wrote:
I have figured out that it's locking up because of the soundcard [SB16], there's no IRQ conflict within my system

It kind of sounds like it. Have you disabled your onboard serial and parallel ports in the BIOS?

Reply 4 of 7, by PhaytalError

Posted on 2013-10-08, 18:18

PhaytalError Offline

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Jorpho wrote:
PhaytalError wrote:
I have figured out that it's locking up because of the soundcard [SB16], there's no IRQ conflict within my system
It kind of sounds like it. Have you disabled your onboard serial and parallel ports in the BIOS?

Yes, they are disabled in BIOS.

Reply 5 of 7, by PhaytalError

Posted on 2013-10-28, 18:03

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Okay, so I checked with a different SB16 and the same thing is going on... hardlock when digital sound is enabled. Serial, Parallel, etc ports are disabled in BIOS. The NEC XR385 daughterboard has been removed from the SB16 as well. Even tried different videocards, and different DOS versions as well.

Anyone have any ideas why it's hardlocking like this? It seems to be the only game that's doing this. Thanks.

Reply 6 of 7, by jwt27

Posted on 2013-10-28, 21:08

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Are you loading an EMS manager (EMM386)? Try running the game without it.

Reply 7 of 7, by Mau1wurf1977

Posted on 2013-10-28, 22:39

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Reserve the IRQ and DMA in the PnP Setup and set them to ISA.

Do any other Sound Blaster games have this issue?

Does GTA use 16bit samples and therefore the high DMA 5?

Another thing you can try is an IDE drive or CF card straigt of the mainboards IDE controller with the SCSI card. I ran into such an issue with my MPU401AT and a PCI SATA card. Had to do with ACPI that can't be disabled on the GB board.

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