Fast Attack dosbox crash - Help!

[MBot]

Aegis es even older, I think about 1993. Tough I played it after Fast Attack. It was a simulation of a Aegis cruiser, not nearly as complex as Fast Attack as a platform simulation. But it had a nav map where you could command other units and played almost like a (simple) wargame. It was nice back then, but can't stand up to todays standarts.

Today I remebered why Fast Attack never was a big hit. This thing crashes on almost every mission... Can't get past the second mission in the GUIK scenario. What a shame (but brings back memories...).

I realy like how fire control is handeled in Fast Attack even compared to the "modern" Dangerous Waters. First you make a initial solution on the plot, then head over to the BSY console to refine it with the dot stack. The fire control stations have that authentic BSY look. Torpedo control, while still simple, gives a good overview of the situation (range to enable, time to target, intercept course to current solution, weapon enabeled and aquired etc.). The crew even calls out when torpedos execute a re-attack and to which side. And best of all, compared to SC and DW, no weapon-show-truth for non wire-guided weapons.

Edit: Pictures speak thousand words:

[Eugene]

Been spending a few hours in front of these screens, going through the tutorials. I do enjoy them, although I struggle obtaining some of the dot stack solutions. So far, have not "enjoyed" a crash. Did you find that to be the case in tutorial missions also? OIr does it crash only in the "real" missions?

I assume you are using the patched version, and mounted as we discussed above?

[MBot]

Jep, mounted and patched. Also tried various soundset settings. Like I said, it's not realy unusual for Fast Attack. Though tha fact that all my last 10 missions crashed is a little bit much Just had the game crash on pressing "end mission" on the first gulf mission. Ah well, thats Fast Attack

[jmr]

I still play FA every now and then I do agree I like the way sonar and fire control is presented to the user. The sonar screen even shows bearing rate which is lacking in DW on the sub platforms.

Did you guys make sure to download the Fast Attack training guide hosted here at Subsim?

http://www.subsim.com/subsim_files/p...tml#fastattack

Also, I have a .pdf copy of the original manual if you guys would like a copy.

[Eugene]

Yes - the guide here at Subsim is excellent. Thanks for the reminder and link. For anyone curious about FA it should certainly whet the appetite.

[Eugene]

Just had a thought regarding the mission crashes Mbot described. Are you using the time expander, that replaces the missions from the install with a new set providing for hours more time to complete each one? If so, it might be worth reverting to the stock mission folder and seeing if the behavior changes at all.

[Onkel Neal]

Eugene, thanks for the Fat Attack tip, I hope it helps others enjoy this great game

Neal

[John Channing]

Originally Posted by Eugene

Just had a thought regarding the mission crashes Mbot described. Are you using the time expander, that replaces the missions from the install with a new set providing for hours more time to complete each one? If so, it might be worth reverting to the stock mission folder and seeing if the behavior changes at all.

The Time expander is not the problem (I know.. I wrote it). There are a number of possibilities that, if you happen to hit one of them in a mission, will cause a hard coded crash. Nothing you can do about those I am afraid.

I have completed all of the scenarios so I can tell you it is possible, you just need a bit of luck.

JCC