Another CAotD on XP thread.

Blacklight · 10-21-09, 11:32 PM

Quote:

I'm sorry to hear that. What exactly is the problem? Does the game install properly? Maybe it has something to do with your video card? What kind of CPU does your machine use?

The game doesn't even want to install. The install menu pops up, but when I click the button that says "Install" or something like that, it just closes the menu and the program. I'll get my copy out later and try again so I can be more specific.
Running Windows 3.11, which I have had a copy of on a cd for a long time, in dosbox is an idea that I actually came up with but I just havn't tried it yet. I've been really busy lately and havn't been able to really noodle with computer stuff.

kgsuarez · 10-22-09, 01:51 AM

If you do try to install it again and post a more detailed explanation I or someone else may be able to help you.

I don't know anything about DOSBox or Win 3.11, but I may look into it as a solution for my faliure to get the game running under Linux with WINE.

I'll say a little more about that for anyone who may be interested. WINE is a Windows emulation program for UNIX type operating systems. I managed to install the game somewhat properly. The installation process yeilded several error messages, despite this the installer assured me that installation was successful. Go figure. Now, running WINE in Win 95 "mode" seems to be the only way to get setup working and the game running.

There are some problems with how the game runs though. First off, it is slow as all hell. The music files do not play. Some sounds work, however I have not messed with it enough to give anymore details on that. The periscope and binocular views are broken too. I'm not quite sure how to describe the broken-ness though. You can see the 3D environment from periscope or binoculars, but everything else is black. No buttons, no TDC, no nothing.

So far these are the only problems I notice. I plan to look into it a bit more though. If not through WINE, perhaps through DOSBox I will get the game running *properly* on Linux. I'll let you all know how it goes.

kgsuarez · 11-07-09, 01:08 PM

Okay, I figured I'd post a status update for anyone who's interested.

I have completely given up on getting CAotD to run on Linux. The DOSBox/Win 3.11 combination seems like a troublesome and clumsy solution to a seemingly simple problem and I have decided to bypass it for a much simpler option; I will just run the DOS version of the game.

I have placed an order for the original version of AotD (DOS CD-ROM. Manual included!

) on amazon.com and am waiting for its arrival. In the meantime, for testing purposes only, I have acquired an illegitimate copy of the game and I am happy to report that it runs almost flawlessly with DOSBox under Linux. It is slightly choppy, and this is most apparent in the sound. But perhaps I will be able to tweak DOSBox to get the the game running a bit more smoothly. Nevertheless, it works and I now have a subsim that I can play on my Linux machine. I am happy with this.

Shearwater · 11-07-09, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgsuarez

I will just run the DOS version of the game.

A wise choice

I find the DOS version superior anyway because it has got a more coherent feel to it.

Quote:

But perhaps I will be able to tweak DOSBox to get the the game running a bit more smoothly. Nevertheless, it works and I now have a subsim that I can play on my Linux machine. I am happy with this.

Try setting your cycles to "max", switch off any rendering filters and maybe reduce the sound sample quality to 11050 (although that's as low as I would go). I think with these settings AOD should run just fine

kgsuarez · 11-07-09, 02:08 PM

Yes, the DOS version does seem slightly more coherent, as you say. I figure that the publishers pushed out the Command version in an attempt to wring out the last few dollars they could from the project by giving early Windows users the option to run the game on their new systems, or something to that effect. It's unfortunate that some of the game got lost in translation, so to speak. Besides, I have to say that the DOS version has a greater level of charm to it than it's successor. Although the graphics are even more dated than in the Command version the gameplay seems more stable. For example, the Command version produces a CTD when I click on the "Program FAT" button on the torpedo loadout screen. And at other times I would get a CTD for no apparent reason. So, I guess the DOS version just plain works better.

Thanks for the tips, I will refer to them once I get my copy and learn a little bit more about DOSBox. For the time being I am slightly lost as far as how to pass such parameters to BOSBox. I'll be referring to the documentation shortly.

Now, I only wonder what exact version of the DOS CD-ROM I will be receiving from amazon.com. From what I understand, there is an expansion pack. Where some versions of the game shipped out with the said pack already incorporated? At any rate I see that the updates are available on the subsim.com downloads page, so I will (hopefully) be able to apply them at that time if needed.

Shearwater · 11-07-09, 02:25 PM

AFAIK, the cd DOS version (which I also have) already contains the expansion.

You can find the settings in the dosbox.conf file (simply open it with the editor, but remember to save it as a .conf file).

The settings I've mentioned above are:

in the [render] section:
scaler=none

[cpu]
cycles=max

[mixer]
rate=11025 (the rate above was a typo; I leave it at 22050)

You have to mount a cd drive as well (just type in "intro cdrom" in your dosbox window for instructions). Once you know your parameters, you can write them in your .conf tile in the [autoexec] section.
I managed to make some special installation without the cd, though it crashes when I click the on line manual button (it's not installed).
Anyway I hope you'll get your copy soon

kgsuarez · 11-09-09, 04:44 PM

Okay, I actually received my disk today.

It appears that I have a copy of the original unpatched version. I can identify it as such being that there is no option to view buoyancy guages in the watch officer voicetube menu.

Now, under the downloads section on subsim.com I seem to have to options of what to download and install to my game. The first is the 1.2 upgrade, and the second is the Expansion Pack. Which one of these do I want? Should I install the 1.2 upgrade and then apply the Expansion Pack? I have to say, I am a bit confused right now.

11-07-09, 01:08 PM	#3
kgsuarez Planesman Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: USA Posts: 181 Downloads: 28 Uploads: 0	Okay, I figured I'd post a status update for anyone who's interested. I have completely given up on getting CAotD to run on Linux. The DOSBox/Win 3.11 combination seems like a troublesome and clumsy solution to a seemingly simple problem and I have decided to bypass it for a much simpler option; I will just run the DOS version of the game. I have placed an order for the original version of AotD (DOS CD-ROM. Manual included!) on amazon.com and am waiting for its arrival. In the meantime, for testing purposes only, I have acquired an illegitimate copy of the game and I am happy to report that it runs almost flawlessly with DOSBox under Linux. It is slightly choppy, and this is most apparent in the sound. But perhaps I will be able to tweak DOSBox to get the the game running a bit more smoothly. Nevertheless, it works and I now have a subsim that I can play on my Linux machine. I am happy with this.

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10-22-09, 01:51 AM	#2
kgsuarez Planesman Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: USA Posts: 181 Downloads: 28 Uploads: 0	If you do try to install it again and post a more detailed explanation I or someone else may be able to help you. I don't know anything about DOSBox or Win 3.11, but I may look into it as a solution for my faliure to get the game running under Linux with WINE. I'll say a little more about that for anyone who may be interested. WINE is a Windows emulation program for UNIX type operating systems. I managed to install the game somewhat properly. The installation process yeilded several error messages, despite this the installer assured me that installation was successful. Go figure. Now, running WINE in Win 95 "mode" seems to be the only way to get setup working and the game running. There are some problems with how the game runs though. First off, it is slow as all hell. The music files do not play. Some sounds work, however I have not messed with it enough to give anymore details on that. The periscope and binocular views are broken too. I'm not quite sure how to describe the broken-ness though. You can see the 3D environment from periscope or binoculars, but everything else is black. No buttons, no TDC, no nothing. So far these are the only problems I notice. I plan to look into it a bit more though. If not through WINE, perhaps through DOSBox I will get the game running properly on Linux. I'll let you all know how it goes.

11-07-09, 02:08 PM	#5
kgsuarez Planesman Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: USA Posts: 181 Downloads: 28 Uploads: 0	Yes, the DOS version does seem slightly more coherent, as you say. I figure that the publishers pushed out the Command version in an attempt to wring out the last few dollars they could from the project by giving early Windows users the option to run the game on their new systems, or something to that effect. It's unfortunate that some of the game got lost in translation, so to speak. Besides, I have to say that the DOS version has a greater level of charm to it than it's successor. Although the graphics are even more dated than in the Command version the gameplay seems more stable. For example, the Command version produces a CTD when I click on the "Program FAT" button on the torpedo loadout screen. And at other times I would get a CTD for no apparent reason. So, I guess the DOS version just plain works better. Thanks for the tips, I will refer to them once I get my copy and learn a little bit more about DOSBox. For the time being I am slightly lost as far as how to pass such parameters to BOSBox. I'll be referring to the documentation shortly. Now, I only wonder what exact version of the DOS CD-ROM I will be receiving from amazon.com. From what I understand, there is an expansion pack. Where some versions of the game shipped out with the said pack already incorporated? At any rate I see that the updates are available on the subsim.com downloads page, so I will (hopefully) be able to apply them at that time if needed.

11-07-09, 02:25 PM	#6
Shearwater Captain Join Date: May 2009 Location: SUBSIM Radio Room (kinda obvious, isn't it) Posts: 542 Downloads: 45 Uploads: 0	AFAIK, the cd DOS version (which I also have) already contains the expansion. You can find the settings in the dosbox.conf file (simply open it with the editor, but remember to save it as a .conf file). The settings I've mentioned above are: in the [render] section: scaler=none [cpu] cycles=max [mixer] rate=11025 (the rate above was a typo; I leave it at 22050) You have to mount a cd drive as well (just type in "intro cdrom" in your dosbox window for instructions). Once you know your parameters, you can write them in your .conf tile in the [autoexec] section. I managed to make some special installation without the cd, though it crashes when I click the on line manual button (it's not installed). Anyway I hope you'll get your copy soon

11-09-09, 04:44 PM	#7
kgsuarez Planesman Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: USA Posts: 181 Downloads: 28 Uploads: 0	Okay, I actually received my disk today. It appears that I have a copy of the original unpatched version. I can identify it as such being that there is no option to view buoyancy guages in the watch officer voicetube menu. Now, under the downloads section on subsim.com I seem to have to options of what to download and install to my game. The first is the 1.2 upgrade, and the second is the Expansion Pack. Which one of these do I want? Should I install the 1.2 upgrade and then apply the Expansion Pack? I have to say, I am a bit confused right now.