First post, by Overheat
Hello all,
I'm planning to build a fresh DOS PC for gaming and I don't want Windows anywhere near it if possible. Thinking about what specs I require I decided to look over my big box collection and see what some of the more demanding DOS games require. As such I came across Privateer 2: The Darkening which reads as follows:
Requirements: Pentium 60MHz or higher; 8MB RAM; 36MB Hard Drive free space; 1MB Vesa 1.2 Compatible video card; Triple speed CD-ROM; Microsoft Mouse (v8.2 or above) or 100% compatible; Soundblaster or 100% compatible sound card.
Recommended: Pentium 90+ MHz; 12MB RAM; Soundblaster 16 sound card; 4x CD-ROM or higher.
Supported: Soundblaster Pro/16/AWE32, Pro Audio Spectrum, Gravis Ultrasound, Ersoniq Soundscape, MPU401 (Music Only) & 100% compatibles, joystick.
So, from this spec, it would seem that the perfect DOS machine would have a Pentium 120/133, 16MB RAM and Soundblaster AWE32 - all fairly easy to achieve. However, then comes the bit I'm confused about, the graphics card. When I look for a VESA card, it brings up VLB cards, but the only motherboard that supports VLB and would be able to use a P120/P133 would be a Socket 4 with a Pentium Overdrive - a seemingly rare and costly combination.
So, I feel I'm misinterpreting these specs and any DOS compatible 2MB/4MB ISA graphics card will work? Also, I'm not sure what the "1.2" refers to on the VESA spec. Any help will be greatly appreciated.