571
Banter and Chit-Chat! / Re: XBox ONE thoughts?
« on: June 10, 2013, 10:17:25 PM »(Besides, aren't most consoles simply lesser-functioning PCs?)
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(Besides, aren't most consoles simply lesser-functioning PCs?)
572
Banter and Chit-Chat! / Re: XBox ONE thoughts?
« on: June 10, 2013, 10:14:11 PM »
Will it be able to play Quest For Infamy?
If not, leave it by the rubbish bin, thank you very much.
If not, leave it by the rubbish bin, thank you very much.
573
Banter and Chit-Chat! / Re: My tech/software talk thread
« on: June 06, 2013, 11:00:34 PM »@Goatmeal
that is good but if you use process explorer instead of task manger SAS will id it as a false positive as a "hijacker" and it is bloated thats why its not included
Thanks for the information!
574
Banter and Chit-Chat! / DOSBox Help - For beginners
« on: June 06, 2013, 10:56:58 PM »
While there are various front-ends available for DOSBox, here is a guide for getting it to run the old-fashion way... And we will be discussing Windows here -- your Operating System (OS) may vary.
(Any and all suggestions for updates are welcome!)
DOSBox System Requirements
• 500 MHz minimum / 1 GHz or faster recommended
Note that the faster your machine is, the better DOSBox will work
• Windows 2000/Windows XP minimum
• DOS programs and/or DOS games
* For Windows 95/98 machines, it's best to use the native DOS mode along with a program to reduce the computer's speed, like MoSlo, Cpukiller or Turbo.
1. Install the latest version of DOSBox (currently 0.74)
http://www.dosbox.com/download.php?main=1
2. Search for the file "DOSBox 0.74 Options" from the Start Menu
Start -> Programs -> DOSBox 0.74 -> Options -> DOSBox 0.74 Options
(It should open in Windows Notepad as "dosbox-0.74-conf", and can be edited like a text file.)
This is the configuration file that DOSBox uses when starting up. Most settings are set to Auto or True for the initial install. However, when you become more familiar with the program, you can change the settings to make DOSBox act like a Tandy computer, behave like you have a Disney soundcard installed, change a virtual IRQ setting, run as a 386 computer, etc.
For now, it's easier to leave the settings at the default.
DOSBox interacts with the particulars of your computer system at the end under the [autoexec] section.
2a. Mounting virtual drives
You need to tell DOSBox where your DOS programs are. By "mounting" a virtual drive, you are simply telling DOSBox the folder/directory on your hard disk where the DOS programs will be stored and data files will be kept. A folder/directory becomes a "virtual drive" as far as DOSBox is concerned. Here is the format:
MOUNT [Virtual Drive Letter] [Actual Drive:\Directory Path]
It's best to simply create a new folder/directory than use one that Windows has created. That way, there's no possibility that your Windows OS will be affected by DOSBox. To your Windows OS, it's just a folder/directory of data; to DOSBox, it's an entire virtual drive with usable programs.
At a minimum, you MUST mount a non-Z drive. You can use any letter for mounting a drive in DOSBox [A–Y] except [Z] because the Z: virtual drive is reserved by DOSBox for its operations and tools.
Here's an example mounting a folder/directory. In Windows Explorer, I made a new folder/directory in my actual C: drive called dosgames. Then, you mount it in DOSBox by adding the following under the [autoexec] section:
MOUNT C C:\dosgames
Even though it's also called a C: drive in DOSBox, it will not affect your computer's actual C: root drive in any way -- as far as DOSBox know, the entire 'world' is only found in your computer's C:\dosgames folder/directory and nowhere else; changes in DOSBox only affect the contents within the C:\dosgames folder and subfolders on your actual computer.
Note that while DOSBox allows you to use your actual C: drive as the virtual C: drive, it is NOT recommended because it is possible to delete important Windows files that way. Again, it's best to create a brand-new folder specifically for DOSBox purposes. Plus, if you want to back-up your DOS programs and files to a flash drive or transfer to another computer of yours, everything is all in a single folder/directory!
********************
To have DOSBox recognize a CD or DVD drive, use the following format:
MOUNT [Virtual CD/DVD Drive Letter] [Actual CD/DVD drive]:\ -t cdrom
Here's an example:
MOUNT D F:\ -t cdrom
You are telling DOSBox that your actual F: CD-DVD drive will be the D: virtual drive in DOSBox.
Note that your actual CD-DVD drive letter may be different than the example.
********************
To have DOSBox recognize a Floppy drive, use the following format:
MOUNT [Virtual Floppy Drive Letter] [Actual Floppy drive]:\ -t floppy
Here's an example:
MOUNT A A:\ -t floppy
You are telling DOSBox that your actual A: Floppy drive will be the A: virtual drive in DOSBox.
Note that since most DOS games assume your floppy is the A: drive when installing games, setting the virtual floppy drive as A: in DOSBox is recommended.
********************
You can also mount ISO or CUE/BIN images (not discussed here, though).
********************
From the examples above, here is the initial set-up under [autoexec] that should serve most purposes:
[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.
# You can put your MOUNT lines here.
MOUNT C C:\dosgames
MOUNT D F:\ -t cdrom
MOUNT A A:\ -t floppy
Remember, your C: folder/directory for DOS games and CD/DVD drive letter may vary.
Note that DOSBox always starts in the Z: drive. To have it start in the C: virtual drive (C:\dosgames actual drive), add C: to the end of the [autoexec] section to change the drive letter automatically upon start-up:
MOUNT C C:\dosgames
MOUNT D F:\ -t cdrom
MOUNT A A:\ -t floppy
C:
2b. Save the configuration file
3. Run DOSBox without the console
Start -> Programs -> DOSBox 0.74 -> Extras -> DOSBox 0.74 (noconsole)
4. In the DOSBox environment, you must use DOS commands or similar variants. Here is a refresher:
• To change the drive, type [mounted Drive Letter]:
Z:\> C: (enter)
C:\>
• To create a new folder/make a new directory, type md [folder/directory name]
C:\> md sierra (enter)
Note that when creating folders/directories, it is best to follow the 8.3 DOS naming conventions, with no spaces or special characters.
• To remove a folder/directory, type rd [folder/directory name]
C:\> rd sierra (enter)
• To change the folder/directory, type cd [Drive Letter:\directory path]
D:\> cd C:\sierra\sq4cd (enter)
C:\sierra\sq4cd>
• To go to the root directory, type cd\
C:\sierra\kq5> cd\ (enter)
C:\>
• To go to the next-highest folder/directory in the current branch, type cd..
C:\sierra\fpfp> cd.. (enter)
C:\sierra>
• To view the contents of a folder/directory, type dir (enter)
• To quit DOSBox, type exit (enter) or press [Ctrl–F9]
Alternately, click the "X" in the top-right of the DOSBox window when not in full-screen mode.
Note that you can alter the contents of the DOSBox folder using external programs like Windows Explorer while you are running DOSBox or while swapping-out diskettes or CDs/DVDs. However, you may need to press [Ctrl–F4] to refresh DOSBox so any external changes to directories, files or media are recognized.
5. While using DOSBox, here are some useful shortcuts:
[Alt–Enter] Switch between full-screen and a window
[Alt–Pause] Pauses/resumes emulation
[Ctrl–F4] Refresh/update cached information for mounted drives;
useful if you change something on a mounted drive outside of DOSBox
[Ctrl–F9] Closes/exits/quits/"kills" DOSBox
[Ctrl–F10] Captures/release the mouse (if mouse is needed within DOSBox)
[Ctrl–F11] Decrease DOSBox cycles (slows down the emulation)
[Ctrl–F12] Increase DOSBox cycles (speeds up the emulation)
6. Now that you are running a DOS emulator, start installing and playing those great old DOS games!
(Any and all suggestions for updates are welcome!)
DOSBox System Requirements
• 500 MHz minimum / 1 GHz or faster recommended
Note that the faster your machine is, the better DOSBox will work
• Windows 2000/Windows XP minimum
• DOS programs and/or DOS games
* For Windows 95/98 machines, it's best to use the native DOS mode along with a program to reduce the computer's speed, like MoSlo, Cpukiller or Turbo.
1. Install the latest version of DOSBox (currently 0.74)
http://www.dosbox.com/download.php?main=1
2. Search for the file "DOSBox 0.74 Options" from the Start Menu
Start -> Programs -> DOSBox 0.74 -> Options -> DOSBox 0.74 Options
(It should open in Windows Notepad as "dosbox-0.74-conf", and can be edited like a text file.)
This is the configuration file that DOSBox uses when starting up. Most settings are set to Auto or True for the initial install. However, when you become more familiar with the program, you can change the settings to make DOSBox act like a Tandy computer, behave like you have a Disney soundcard installed, change a virtual IRQ setting, run as a 386 computer, etc.
For now, it's easier to leave the settings at the default.
DOSBox interacts with the particulars of your computer system at the end under the [autoexec] section.
2a. Mounting virtual drives
You need to tell DOSBox where your DOS programs are. By "mounting" a virtual drive, you are simply telling DOSBox the folder/directory on your hard disk where the DOS programs will be stored and data files will be kept. A folder/directory becomes a "virtual drive" as far as DOSBox is concerned. Here is the format:
MOUNT [Virtual Drive Letter] [Actual Drive:\Directory Path]
It's best to simply create a new folder/directory than use one that Windows has created. That way, there's no possibility that your Windows OS will be affected by DOSBox. To your Windows OS, it's just a folder/directory of data; to DOSBox, it's an entire virtual drive with usable programs.
At a minimum, you MUST mount a non-Z drive. You can use any letter for mounting a drive in DOSBox [A–Y] except [Z] because the Z: virtual drive is reserved by DOSBox for its operations and tools.
Here's an example mounting a folder/directory. In Windows Explorer, I made a new folder/directory in my actual C: drive called dosgames. Then, you mount it in DOSBox by adding the following under the [autoexec] section:
MOUNT C C:\dosgames
Even though it's also called a C: drive in DOSBox, it will not affect your computer's actual C: root drive in any way -- as far as DOSBox know, the entire 'world' is only found in your computer's C:\dosgames folder/directory and nowhere else; changes in DOSBox only affect the contents within the C:\dosgames folder and subfolders on your actual computer.
Note that while DOSBox allows you to use your actual C: drive as the virtual C: drive, it is NOT recommended because it is possible to delete important Windows files that way. Again, it's best to create a brand-new folder specifically for DOSBox purposes. Plus, if you want to back-up your DOS programs and files to a flash drive or transfer to another computer of yours, everything is all in a single folder/directory!
********************
To have DOSBox recognize a CD or DVD drive, use the following format:
MOUNT [Virtual CD/DVD Drive Letter] [Actual CD/DVD drive]:\ -t cdrom
Here's an example:
MOUNT D F:\ -t cdrom
You are telling DOSBox that your actual F: CD-DVD drive will be the D: virtual drive in DOSBox.
Note that your actual CD-DVD drive letter may be different than the example.
********************
To have DOSBox recognize a Floppy drive, use the following format:
MOUNT [Virtual Floppy Drive Letter] [Actual Floppy drive]:\ -t floppy
Here's an example:
MOUNT A A:\ -t floppy
You are telling DOSBox that your actual A: Floppy drive will be the A: virtual drive in DOSBox.
Note that since most DOS games assume your floppy is the A: drive when installing games, setting the virtual floppy drive as A: in DOSBox is recommended.
********************
You can also mount ISO or CUE/BIN images (not discussed here, though).
********************
From the examples above, here is the initial set-up under [autoexec] that should serve most purposes:
[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.
# You can put your MOUNT lines here.
MOUNT C C:\dosgames
MOUNT D F:\ -t cdrom
MOUNT A A:\ -t floppy
Remember, your C: folder/directory for DOS games and CD/DVD drive letter may vary.
Note that DOSBox always starts in the Z: drive. To have it start in the C: virtual drive (C:\dosgames actual drive), add C: to the end of the [autoexec] section to change the drive letter automatically upon start-up:
MOUNT C C:\dosgames
MOUNT D F:\ -t cdrom
MOUNT A A:\ -t floppy
C:
2b. Save the configuration file
3. Run DOSBox without the console
Start -> Programs -> DOSBox 0.74 -> Extras -> DOSBox 0.74 (noconsole)
4. In the DOSBox environment, you must use DOS commands or similar variants. Here is a refresher:
• To change the drive, type [mounted Drive Letter]:
Z:\> C: (enter)
C:\>
• To create a new folder/make a new directory, type md [folder/directory name]
C:\> md sierra (enter)
Note that when creating folders/directories, it is best to follow the 8.3 DOS naming conventions, with no spaces or special characters.
• To remove a folder/directory, type rd [folder/directory name]
C:\> rd sierra (enter)
• To change the folder/directory, type cd [Drive Letter:\directory path]
D:\> cd C:\sierra\sq4cd (enter)
C:\sierra\sq4cd>
• To go to the root directory, type cd\
C:\sierra\kq5> cd\ (enter)
C:\>
• To go to the next-highest folder/directory in the current branch, type cd..
C:\sierra\fpfp> cd.. (enter)
C:\sierra>
• To view the contents of a folder/directory, type dir (enter)
• To quit DOSBox, type exit (enter) or press [Ctrl–F9]
Alternately, click the "X" in the top-right of the DOSBox window when not in full-screen mode.
Note that you can alter the contents of the DOSBox folder using external programs like Windows Explorer while you are running DOSBox or while swapping-out diskettes or CDs/DVDs. However, you may need to press [Ctrl–F4] to refresh DOSBox so any external changes to directories, files or media are recognized.
5. While using DOSBox, here are some useful shortcuts:
[Alt–Enter] Switch between full-screen and a window
[Alt–Pause] Pauses/resumes emulation
[Ctrl–F4] Refresh/update cached information for mounted drives;
useful if you change something on a mounted drive outside of DOSBox
[Ctrl–F9] Closes/exits/quits/"kills" DOSBox
[Ctrl–F10] Captures/release the mouse (if mouse is needed within DOSBox)
[Ctrl–F11] Decrease DOSBox cycles (slows down the emulation)
[Ctrl–F12] Increase DOSBox cycles (speeds up the emulation)
6. Now that you are running a DOS emulator, start installing and playing those great old DOS games!
575
Banter and Chit-Chat! / Re: My tech/software talk thread
« on: June 06, 2013, 09:52:37 PM »SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition
http://www.superantispyware.com/index.html
Scans for Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, Worms, Parasites and other potentially harmful software that may be installed on your computer.
UPDATE: See AMG's comment below.
576
Banter and Chit-Chat! / Re: Other Kickstarter Projects
« on: June 06, 2013, 10:02:28 AM »Yeah...interestingly enough, I do have almost all of the games I downloaded in my possession...old floppies & CD-ROMs that just won't run on newer systems...I don't even know why I keep them, save for just pure nostalgia purposes.
You should definitely install DOSBox. You can play DOS and Win3.x games (providing you have Win 3.x install diskettes) on any computer modern computer.
A few years ago, before I knew about DOSBox, I bought a 486 machine specifically to play these old games. Now, I can play them on any machine, fast or slow!
It took me a while to understand the particulars and concepts, but I'm sure we could help you to get it going... We have some pretty smart people here.
577
Banter and Chit-Chat! / Re: Books! Reading is fun!
« on: June 06, 2013, 09:05:56 AM »I just read the 29th and final novel in the Riftwar Saga by Raymond Feist. Big big fan, my favorite series and favorite author.
Klytos, I am envious; the last of the Riftwar series I read was "The Serpent Saga"...
It was the extremely well-written "Betrayal At Krondor" Computer RPG that got me interested in Feist's "World of Midkemia" -- only to discover much later that Feist didn't write the game, merely serving in an "executive editor with final say" capacity for the game. Either way, I was hooked...
( "Return to Krondor" had a great start to the game, but deflated once you left the gates of Krondor for the Midkemia countryside... )
Oh well... At least I have the remaining 11 of the 29 books left to look forward to in my old age.
********************
Loved the Hitchhiker's Guide books, and picked up the first Dirk Gently book while on a trip in England years ago -- brilliant! Unfortunately, the follow-up Dirk Gently was only so-so.
********************
Unfortunately, I haven't been doing much reading the last few years, but I did finally read Orwells' "Animal Farm" and "1984" recently -- both contain brilliant insight and many cautionary lessons to be learned.
578
Banter and Chit-Chat! / Re: Other Kickstarter Projects
« on: June 06, 2013, 08:52:39 AM »I thought it was true in the US that if you owned them you could download them as part of "backup" and that's how they were allowed in the first place.
* Please note I am not offering legal advise in any capacity; I am simply theorizing based on my very limited knowledge and understanding about a very complex subject.
Due to the frail nature of the magnetic media, you could make your OWN back-up copy back in the diskette days, but I'm not sure about downloading from a third-party. The whole point about the back-up was you didn't install it on someone else's computer or in turn give/"sell on the cheap" the back-up to someone else so they avoided buying a copy. I don't believe someone could distribute or transfer "their" copy to you, which is what piracy amounts to...
I would imagine it's contingent on the fact you can prove you have the original media / documentation in your physical possession, like an original CD-ROM that is scratched-up or a broken original floppy disk that won't read anymore.
Conversely, "It's somewhere in my parent's basement" or "I bought it years ago, but my friend lost it" are probably NOT very good defenses...
579
Banter and Chit-Chat! / Re: Other Kickstarter Projects
« on: June 03, 2013, 06:49:10 PM »
Haven't been playing too many games lately...
In an effort to put off the impending eventuality that is Windows 8 (Yuck!
), I finally broke down and bought a maxed-out Windows 7 PC. I now have the fun of getting it operational, transferring 11 years-worth of files and programs from my current machine: a Pentium 4 / 2.4 GHz XP computer from 2002 (which was pretty much maxed out for its time).
Aside from waiting for various Kickstarter games from ex-Sierra peeps and IQ & AGDI, I am looking forward to replaying games from the last 5-10 years with the graphics settings maxed out, which I certainly couldn't do with my old machine (which uses an AGP graphics card)...
Half-Life 2, I'm looking at you!
In an effort to put off the impending eventuality that is Windows 8 (Yuck!
), I finally broke down and bought a maxed-out Windows 7 PC. I now have the fun of getting it operational, transferring 11 years-worth of files and programs from my current machine: a Pentium 4 / 2.4 GHz XP computer from 2002 (which was pretty much maxed out for its time).Aside from waiting for various Kickstarter games from ex-Sierra peeps and IQ & AGDI, I am looking forward to replaying games from the last 5-10 years with the graphics settings maxed out, which I certainly couldn't do with my old machine (which uses an AGP graphics card)...
Half-Life 2, I'm looking at you!
580
Quest for Infamy / Re: EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW - Big Box Art
« on: May 24, 2013, 12:03:30 PM »Goatmeal IS fonts, man.
Hopefully you'll get to see my minor contributions to the game when it comes out...
581
Quest for Infamy / Re: EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW - Big Box Art
« on: May 24, 2013, 09:13:18 AM »I'm geeking out on fonts, now, aren't I? Gosh, I guess you all know how boring I am (if it wasn't apparent before)...
Guess that makes us a club of (at least) fontaholics 2 here at QFI...
(Love me some dot-matrix fonts!)
582
Quest for Infamy / Re: EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW - Big Box Art
« on: May 22, 2013, 10:18:04 PM »
And for those who are not so interested in the Box Art, an alternate proposal:
I can also post a link to the Hi-Res version, if need be.
Just give me the word and we can begin production on this right away, BT !
I can also post a link to the Hi-Res version, if need be.
Just give me the word and we can begin production on this right away, BT !
583
Quest for Infamy / Re: EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW - Big Box Art
« on: May 21, 2013, 12:18:43 PM »Goatmeal, get me an awful font!
Yes, my liege! At once!
(BTW, I DID get your email - I have meant to write you back, but alas, I relegated it to later and forgot about it until now! Safe to say, yes, I freaking love what you sent me.)
Glad you likes, "boss"...
584
Quest for Infamy / Re: EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW - Big Box Art
« on: May 21, 2013, 08:57:16 AM »
The only flaw I see is that the sticker font isn't quite awful enough ;-)
The ubiquitously-hated and universally-reviled Comics Sans for the win! (Or loss, actually...)
585
Banter and Chit-Chat! / Re: It's that day again...
« on: May 19, 2013, 10:41:31 PM »Happy (mutual) birthday, Blackthorne. Congratulations on continuing to be exactly four years older than me.
Happy b-lated B-days, B-thorne and B-niac !