Running games in DOS mode(Fallout spoilers; Vaskez is obliged to click here)

[Paladin2000]

To install the DOS version, you would have to mount the CD ROM drive in the DOSBox, then run DOSBox and install the game. I believe it would work that way.

[Cienden]

You know finding an old junk Pentium 100 for hardly any $$$ would let you play all sorts of old DOS games without a lot of trouble. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[uss]

YEAH! One step closer! I got the game installed by mounting the CD drive. But since this bastard comp can't stop taunting me, new problems arose..

The game works, but it works VERY SLOWLY! Normally, starting a game would take about a maximum of 5 secs of loading time, while now it takes up to 15 minutes! Lack of memory usage or something?

Also, although I copied them over, the savegames do not display in the game. I don't know whether this is because the saving directory is in another place in the DOS version or because of some other reason.

Cienden, I think carrying a new PC here, and the space it takes in my small room, would prove to be even more annoying. [img]smile.gif[/img]


Right. I'm closer than ever to actually playing and once-and-for-all finishing the game, so any advice on how to make the game run faster would be VERY appreciated!


Thanks.

[Paladin2000]

Fear not, Paladin is here to help.

1. open DOSbox.conf

2. see below:

core=normal <-- Change this to "dynamic". Might help.
cycles=2500 <-- Change this to say, "4000".
cycleup=500
cycledown=20

Increase the cycles helps to speed up the emulation, but do not exceed the cycle supported by your CPU or it will be automatically adjusted to the lowest setting. There is no "optimum" setting for each CPU since different CPU can be clocked to run at different speed.

[ 06-16-2004, 04:56 AM: Message edited by: Paladin2000 ]

[uss]

Heh, I fiddled with the cycles a bit and stayed at:
cycles=25000
cycleup=7500
cycledown=2500

But I'm gonna change it soon, as while I more-or-less can click around the main menu, it isn't sufficient to actually play the game. If you have any tips on any of the numbers(should cycledown be smaller?), I'd be grateful.

The thing with the Savegames is funny. I have to start a new game, save on a slot, and only then the old slots are visible. Also, I cannot load the old savegames, as it says "Error loading game! Unable to load game." And the game refuses to play if I put sounds on. I'll assume they're because the game is so slow it isn't thinking correctly.

[ 06-16-2004, 07:01 AM: Message edited by: uss ]

[Paladin2000]

Cycleup is for manual increase of the cycles with the CTRL+F12 key. While I think there should have been a key combo for cycledown, I have yet to find it.

Base on your settings:
cycles=25000
cycleup=7500
cycledown=2500

Each time you hit CTRL+F12, the current cycles will be "cycles+cycleup". So, if you hit CTRL+F12 the first time, the cycles will be 25000+7500, which is 32500.

If you have reach the maximum cycxles AND the game is still very slow, you can try CTRL+F8. This will skip the frames. Needless to say, this will result in poor animations and jerkiness but it will improve the overall speed.

I assume that the new game saves in different location. Or maybe the new game needs to be patched first. Why don't you apply the patch first and then copy the old savegames over to the folder where the DOS version of Fallout 1 is installed?

[Vaskez]

Hey uss, have you tried using VDMSound for running DOS games? It emulates old soundcards and can control the memory allocation, load MSCDEx and VESA drivers, everything you need for old DOS games.

Paladin - you seem very happy to have gotten rid of your quintesson

[Paladin2000]

Originally posted by Vaskez: Paladin - you seem very happy to have gotten rid of your quintesson

Aye. After 500 posts, the weird pissing dude starts to get onto my nerves. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 06-16-2004, 09:37 AM: Message edited by: Paladin2000 ]

[uss]

YES! Thank you very much, Vask! I got the game to work correctly! No more messing with cycles with DOSBox! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

..And I got to the 3rd level without crashing! Holy S! It works!


Maybe I'm getting too demanding.. but the sound isn't working. When I try to test the sounds from the sound.exe file, the window simply closes. I used DOSBox to choose the sound and VDMSound to play the game. Pah. You'd figure the roles would be opposite by the names of the programs. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Anyway, the sound isn't working like that. Maybe it isn't possible to play with sound like that. I'd like to know what you guys think, since I'm doing all this for the very-very cool ending, and the very-very cool ending wouldn't be the same without the cool music and sounds, now would it?


Thanks!

[Paladin2000]

Never tried VDMSound, perhaps Vaskez could help you out on that.