I am currently trying to run the KQ Collection (King's Quest IV to be precise via my xP virtual machine. From what I could read from the instructions, these games should run as is on XP. However, I am unsure whether I should modify any settings in compatibility mode or not. I also have DosBox v .74 at the ready but, to be honest, that emulator scares the heck out of me as the very limited DOS notions I have are few, far between, and very vague.

I've previously played the first three KQ game remakes on win7 without any problems and would like to play them all before taking on the "Shimmering Light" series of games.

As usual, thanks for your help.

EDIT: I've tried running KQC directly off my win7 desktop and it wants to run. It then shows me the screen where a keyword from manual needs to be entered, but the message is black on white background with vertical balck lines. Does this mean this game CAN run on win7, but with some tweaking?

Is this the reissue from Sierra or the GOG reissue?
The reissue from Sierra will need patching.
Check the patch near the bottom of ***this page***.

well, the desktop shortcut is a Yellow Sierra logo on black background. I've downloaded the patch. But does this mean I absolutely have to run it on DosBox? And since it wants to start on win7, should I apply the patch in win7 and put the game in XP compatibility mode?

Most of the DOS titles I've seen from GOG automatically install DOSBox for you - there's no need to tweak anything.

Compatibility mode settings do not apply to games run under DOSBox (at least none that I've ever had to use).

The patch that Jenny linked to only applies to the original release of the game, the GOG version should be fully patched.

Which one are you trying to run?

Once again, do you have the GOG version or the Sierra re-release?
Like Inland says, the GOG version shouldn't need a patch.
But the ***Sierra re-release*** does. The Sierra version came with an old version of DOSBox and there are better versions available now.

Sorry it took me so long to reply. It's the Sierra re-release. Is the GoG (whose site I've just visited for the first time would you believe) more stable and "DosBox-less"?

The GOG version uses DOSBox, but a newer version than what came with the Sierra re-release. It should work better than the Sierra version.

If you want to play the King's Quest games without DOSBox (or another emulation program), you pretty much have to buy an old computer (like a 486 or Pentium 1 or 2 with an ISA sound card) and install DOS on it. The game has not been updated to run on modern systems without DOSBox.

Guess I will have to think this through. In case I decide to go with DosBox, I will keep fingers crossed and hope Metzomagic also made a step-by-step page on how to properly configure it. As InlandAZ once explained to me, DB requires a bit more work to configure.

The GOG version should be pre-configured.

forgive my ignorance Jenny but when you mean "preconfigured" does this mean I can just install the game and it installs itself and DoxBox and I don,t need to touch anything?

Yes, that's the case

In fact that's the reason why so many of is love the GOG games.
Install and play no matter if the games need DosBox or ScummVM.

Well in that case, I guess I will convert to GoG. Thanks everyone

EDIT: You will be happy to know I am now a GoG member KQ456 bought.
I have installed the game and it seems to run correctly (Long intro passed, Rosella now on the shore). One hiccup though: Do we STILL have to enter that annoying word to bypass copy-protection every time we play the game????

Also, how do I access basic dosbox commands *shudder* to enlarge the screen (db opens in small window). It's a good thing I have an e-book reader, because those games do not seem to be very alt-Tab friendly (color scheme change when you toggle with the manual for the codes).

thanks Jenny. You're the best

new problem.

Once I've started the game I press alt-ENTER to get full-screen mode, but I get very bad resolution (the crown icon goes from white to yellow and I get black vertical lines making the text in the password window illegible). Is there a fix for this or will I have to play the game in small screen?

If you have a widescreen monitor, there might be some problem with stretching the image to the shape of your monitor. Does your monitor have any controls that might affect how a full screen image is displayed (stretched versus with black bars on the sides).

Here are a couple of threads with suggestions about DOSBox on a widescreen monitor

http://vogons.zetafleet.com/viewtopic.php?t=13977


http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=768589

thanks. I found a link to metzomagic.com explaining how to find the dosbox.conf file WHEN DB 0.73 is standalone (link below).

http://metzomagic.com/showArticle.php?fi...DOSBox+FAQ#Edit

However, the KQ 4+5+6 package I got from GoG has dosbox integrated. So how do I get to its config file????

Ooh just call me supernoob

You should find it in C:\Program Files\GOG\ under the games folder.

Look for the .conf file.

found it. thanks inland. 2 questions:

1. Is it better to save the .conf file before modifying it?
2. The file says it's for DosBox .72. Which of Jenny's above examples should I pick?

EDIT: Telling it to use DirectDraw worked! Now my fullscreen mode shows a clear picture as well . Thanks

Glad you got it sorted out -

I'll have to remember that trick. I was totally unaware of it.

KQ IV finished. Now, since I bought the 3-pack (4,5,6) I just need to find out if I need to reconfigure at each game . Will let you know..... tomorrow.


Thanks again!