Dosbox help

Trying for the umpteenth time to get DosBox to run on XP.
When I start it up for the first time I get:
Z:\>

So I type "C:" (also tried mount c, mountc, you name it I tried everything) which the instructions say to "mount" my c drive.
I get "Drive C does not exist".
This is where I usually give up but not this time.
Where am I going wrong.
caz

Do yourself a favor and get Dosbox FrontEnd.
http://dfendreloaded.sourceforge.net/
It will make the use of Dosbox much much easier.

If you need more help with DOSBox, feel free to PM me, and tell me what game you are trying to install, along with what letter your CD/DVD drive is.

noctropolis is in a folder on my desktop and my drive is c.
caz

What is the folder named?

And, you need to install the game within DOSBox. I'm assuming you didn't do that?

marian read the first post. I can't even start up DosBox!
That's the problem.Thanks!
caz

Robert why is this easier?

I did read your first post. What version of the game do you have? The Noctropolis CD, or the Electronic Arts compilation CD that has Noctropolis on it?

I've found both of my CDs, and I'm going to install it and then will send you some instructions. Give me a little time here--but first let me know which version you have.

Marian why is it telling me drive c doesn't exist?

Because you are not mounting it correctly. You have to mount the "virtual drive" C for DOSBox and then point it to your physical C: drive. But we are getting ahead of ourselves here. Just let me know what version of Noctropolis you have.

CD

I just checked, and the only CD version of Noctropolis I have is the Electronic Arts compilation, which I suspect is not the version that you have. Could you do me a favor, look in your manual (I hope that you have one), and tell me what the commands are for starting the game? That way, I will know what the name of the folder is that the game installs to by default, and I can help you try to get the game installed.

On the EA compilation CD, the game gets installed to a folder called noctrop, and then you have to type "dark" to run the game. Are the instructions for your version the same?

The cited front end for Dosbox is much easier to use because you don't need to remember any of the Dosbox commands. Every function of Dosbox is built into a graphical user interface (gui).
By analogy, it is like comparing Win3.1 to Win98SE or WinXP.

Just go to the url and read about it.

So far as I'm aware, that's the only version of Noctropolis available. I have 2 copies and each is on a CD (all Flashpoint/EA).

You'll need to mount the CD (under DOSBox) as well as the Game folder on your PC.

How (and where) did you install the game?

Good to know...I thought the version I had might be the "budget" version or something.

You have to edit the Dosbox .conf file with notepad to recognize and mount drives.

Inferno wrote an illustrated DOSBox tutorial which can be found here
http://home.earthlink.net/~eddie1231/dosboxtutorial1.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~eddie1231/dosboxtutorial2.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~eddie1231/dosboxtutorial3.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~eddie1231/dosboxtutorial4.htm

The second page shows how to edit the dosbox.conf file.

I dug out my old copy of Noctropolis to give it a try, and.......

Here we go - create a folder on your C: drive (mine is called "games")

Open DOSBox - you'll see a z: prompt, so you type

z: mount c c:\games

now insert the Noctropolis cd into your cd drive, and mount the drive (my drive is H:) and type

z: mount d h:\ -t cdrom

change to your (DOSBox's) D: drive -

z: D:

D: install

This will create a folder - NOCTROP on DOSBox's C: drive.

Change to the C: drive -

D: C:

C: cd noctrop

and then

NOCTROP: darkrun

You will need to leave the CD in whilst you play.

Alas, I have the game running without sound - when I get time, I shall sort that out (unless someone else beats me to it!).

As a rule of thumb, when you have installed DOSBox it is worth opening the config file at C:\Program Files\DOSBox with Notepad and scrolling down to the very bottom, where it says

[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.

underneath that, add

mount c c:\games

mount d h:\ -t cdrom

and DOSBox will open with those drives already mounted. The DOSBox WIKI at http://www.dosbox.com/wiki/Main_Page has all sorts of useful info to help you on your way!

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks, Dave, for taking the time to post those instructions.

I have no trouble with choosing the default Soundblaster 16 settings and getting the sound working; however, (and this has happened to more than just me), upon finishing the sound setup the install program seemingly hangs/crashes---but no worries. Just close out DOSBox and go back in and run the game, and all is well.

Hi Marian - you're welcome!

I've just remembered the Golden Rule - copy Soundblaster sound settings from the dosbox.conf file and use them when installing. That should get you past any hangs/crashes.

I had forgotten just how good this game is!

rekidave thanks. Do I install the game first or do I do this before i ever put the cd in the drive?
caz

Hi caziejoe - I usually put the cd in the drive first.

Enjoy playing!

reikidave

So I don't install the game? It just plays from the cd?

Think about it.
How are you going to install the game without putting the CD in the drive?

When you play, the game will also need the CD in the drive.

That's not what I asked Jenny. Does the game install first and then you play it through Dosbox or do I install through Dosbox OR do I play right off the cd through Dosbox.

You do everything through DOSBox. DOSBox is taking the place of a DOS computer. So you start DOSBox, install the game in DOSBox, and play the game in DOSBox.

Got it!

I have Noctropolis installed and running using Reikidaves commands (thank you). But now I can't figure out what commands to use to play the game after quiting that first session. Any help?

EDIT: Gave up...everytime I find the command to start the game I get a page fault. Tried re-installing and get the same. I am really glad that this is the last Dos game that I have to mess with as I haven't had any luck what so ever on my own with DosBox or D-Fend. Hallelujah

It's really a great game (almost a classic) - you might want to give it one more shot.

Check out this and be sure to run at least 0.70 version:

http://www.dosbox.com/comp_list.php?showID=251&letter=N

1. Mount hard drive first,
2. Mount your CD-ROM drive second,
3. Type letter of your CD-ROM drive and type DIR,
4. Check out readme text files or manual for install file,
5. Install the game,
6. Type run command and play the game.

I happen to still have this on my PC with sound and all...
If you want to have another go at it, install as per Reikidaves instructions and then edit bottom of the .conf so it looks EXACTLY like this (just copy/paste):

[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.
mount c c:\games
mount d h:\ -t cdrom -usecd 0 -noioctl
c:
cd noctrop
dark

Save and exit the .conf
Now Noctropolis should start immediately when you run Dosbox, provided you have the CD in your H drive
(NOTE: instead of dark you can also use darkrun, but the sound was better on my pc using dark
You might try both to see which one suits you best)

Good luck!!

Nanette, Thanks for your help

I agree it is worth another try however I still get the same "Illegal Address Has Caused A Page Fault" This comes up very faint on a black Dos Prompt screen. I can install and run the game fine from Reikidaves procedure but once I quit the game and try to come back in it gives me this.

I changed all the "H" in Reikidaves procedure and yours above to "D" (the drive the CD is in) That is right, isn't it?

That's right, it should then look like d d:\ -t cdrom -usecd 0 -noioctl

Back to your problem: is the location of the installed game indeed C:\games\noctrop ?
If not, you can simply cut/paste it to this location and it should run fine with this .conf

EDIT: Hang on, just found this thread in VOGONS with similar problem - it seems it can be caused by a faulty CD...

Source: http://vogons.zetafleet.com/viewtopic.php?t=21083&sid=53e8bac16218181627ec3bd0f5fe0703

Success

After uninstalling everything and starting from scratch, including a fresh DosBox Config file, I have managed to run the game again and again. Thank you for all your help. ReikiDave and Nanette your commands proved to be perfect.

Good for you!! Enjoy the game!

Happy gaming!