Problems running Ultima IV \ VOGONS

Problems running Ultima IV

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First post, by daveo132000

Posted on 2008-06-04, 02:30

daveo132000 Offline

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I dug out my "Ultima Second Trilogy" box with IV, V, and VI.

My Vista Home Premium PC does not have a floppy anymore, so I've copied all the 3-1/2" files to USB, then to my Hard drive. I'm using DOSBox .72 to simulate my first PC, a 386 40MHz, that I used with the games.

Step 1
Mount c c:\DOSCDrive
Within that, created "Ultima4" with the files from the original (single) program disk.

Mount a c:\DOSADrive -t floppy
Within that there is nothing at the moment.

Both folders have had the read only flag unset, and I set full control for each user on all files.

In DOSBox, I run C:\Ultima4\Ultima.com

After the gypsy asks the questions, the game prompts me to:

Insert PLAYER disk
and
press drive letter

I press A, and then the game prompts me to:

PLEASE INSERT ORIGINAL DISK IN DRIVE A OR B
THEN PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE . . .

After I choose A, I get

PLEASE USE ORIGINAL DISK ONLY

Thinking that the Original disk meant the original player disk, I redid the entire thing, and at the PLEASE INSERT ORIGINAL DISK IN DRIVE A OR B
THEN PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE . . .,
I went to windows, emptied the "A" drive, copied the program's files to the folder to simulate me changing the diskette, and after choosing A, I get the same PLEASE USE ORIGINAL DISK ONLY.

DOSBox is working, in that I can play the intro and choose attibutes, but obviously I'm having some issues with "disk" access.

Can anyone help me out to work around this seemingly simple stumbling block?

Thanks

Dave

Reply 1 of 8, by Dominus

Posted on 2008-06-04, 07:00

Dominus Offline

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Both folders have had the read only flag unset, and I set full control for each user on all files.

have you made sure that the files in these folders are NOT read-only?
Otherwise I'd recommend that you download U4, which even though it is not freeware, it is semi-freeware, meaning that all members of UDIC are allowed to offer the game for download.

Reply 2 of 8, by IIGS_User

Posted on 2008-06-04, 14:07

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There are other ways to run Ultima IV on today's computers, like XU4 - Ultima IV Recreated,
which is a remake of that game, requiring the original game files (last site update: 2005), or Exult to run Ultima VII.

Klimawandel.

Reply 3 of 8, by DosFreak

Posted on 2008-06-04, 14:20

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AFAIK, XU4 is still a beta and even Exult isn't perfect or desirable for some people....

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Reply 4 of 8, by IIGS_User

Posted on 2008-06-04, 15:44

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DosFreak wrote:
AFAIK, XU4 is still a beta and even Exult isn't perfect or desirable for some people....

Seems true. Nothing is better than the original. 😀

Klimawandel.

Reply 5 of 8, by DosFreak

Posted on 2008-06-04, 15:56

DosFreak Offline

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I just tried it out and it works fine:

The below commands assume that you are launching DOSBOX from the \Program Files\DOSBOX folder and that you are storing your games there.

mount c .
mount a ./ultima -t floppy
a:
install

Install should automagically install the game and start it.

So for your situation do the following:

1. Create ULT4FLP folder in C:\DOSCDRIVE
2. Copy the floppy to the ULT4FLP folder.
3. Execute DOSBOX
4. Type in "Mount c c:\DOSCDRIVE"
5. Type in "Mount a C:\DOSCDRIVE\ULT4FLP -t floppy"
6. Type in "A:"
7. Type Install.

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Reply 6 of 8, by TeaRex

Posted on 2008-06-05, 22:34

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IIGS_User wrote:
Seems true. Nothing is better than the original. 😀

In that case, get an Apple II Emulator for Ultima I to V. The graphics are much worse (and thus better) and you can have music with Mockingboard emulation. And of course never run the 1986 Ultima I remake when you can play the slow-as-hell 1981 original instead! 😁

tearex

Reply 7 of 8, by Dominus

Posted on 2008-06-05, 22:46

Dominus Offline

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I would like to hear back from the OP.
(the other part of the discussion is boring since it just boils down to trying original and remade engine and then deciding which you like better - nothing to argue about your personal taste)

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Reply 8 of 8, by daveo132000

Posted on 2008-06-09, 02:05

daveo132000 Offline

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Thanks for the tips DosFreak, I was able to run the program using the steps you detailed.

However, I had to download another copy of Ultima4 first, as it seems I managed to get some odd files written to the original disks back in the day. Some WordPerfect 5.1 install files are there, which might have messed things up.

In any case, I'm able to run the game, thank you!

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