TITANS OF ETHER

Lady ShadowZero

Ok...I admit I am getting a little flustered at my new system...

I now run a home-built athalon 2000 ( equiv pent 4 2400 ) with a 128mb ddr verto FX5200 ultra graphics card and onboard esoniq sound ( ace 97 I think the generic soundfile is called ) I know that the Ultima collection is not built to run under windows, even if installed individually, but I tried Exult with absolutely no effect...for Windows xp professional with sr pack 2 it can't even install Exult 1.2 itself! I tried downloading MVware virtual workstation, but I don't have any version of DOS that I can access without installing win 98 and I don't have enough HD left for a full install...also windows xp tends to get kind of screwy when you install any other version of windows and sometimes unpredictable effects happen....What I want to know, IS there a way to get the Ultima collection to work properly with XP professional? I really want to play Ultima 6 and both part 7's again. The error I keep receiving is this:

F:\Ultima7\Ultima7.com
C:\Windows\System32\Autoexec.Nt. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft windows applications. Choose "Close" to terminate the application

The header for the dialogue box is 16 bit MS-DOS Subsystem

It gives me a similar error when I try to unpack Exult, but does not include the line with the F-drive...please help me, as I really want to play these games again and not have to reconfigure my entire harddrive or system....I could get MVware to work, but I don't have any 3 1/2 dos diskettes...is there any free downloads of just dos itself or perhaps a place to acquire the files as a short fee?
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~You do not deserve to die by my hands...I'll let lord Alhazad deal with you instead~

~Lady Harken- Wild Arms 1~

Chlorthos_Dragon · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:35 pm Post subject:

You ought to be able to play U7/SI with Exult... I'm sort of at a loss with this one. WINXP is not very friendly to old DOS games : /
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~Chlorthos Dragon
Content Leader of Ultima IX: Redemption
Member of Titans of Ether

Shadow · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 9:13 pm Post subject:

I have the Home version of Window XP running on a P4 2.4GHz machine and I have been using DOSBOX to run U7 BG & SI. I tried Exult. It seemed to work, but ran WAY TOO FAST. I didn't have much luck slowing it down. So, I downloaded and tried DOSBOX. It took me some 'tinkering' to get the proper framerate setting for my computer, but it seems to work pretty good. I have not really played much through DOSBOX (I'm waiting 'til I have more 'indoor time' once the weather turns sour), but I believe it's the best bet for running U7 on a FAST machine. Good luck!
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"Sometimes a SCREAM is better than a thesis." - Emerson

Operadragon · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 10:07 pm Post subject:

Guys and Gals,
One word:

VirtualPC

Do a Google search for it,and when you set it up, just create a DOS box with as much XMSas you need...

If you have problems, you all will just have to Google some help...I haven't actually configured mine in quite some time...

But trustme whan I say that this is an Ultima fan's dream, why?
No restarting in DOSmode crap, it just opens a new environment inside Windows itself...it's a thing of beauty!
_________________
Operadragon
++(UDIC)++

Master of Ultima Lore
Titans of Ether (Redemption & The New King)

d++++ e++++ N++++ T+ Om+ u+++ uC++++ uF uG+++ uLB++ uA++
o-- oA+++ oE++++ z++ a27
UK1!2!3!E4!5!6!W!M!A!7'!L!S'!8!(9!)

Shadow · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 4:07 pm Post subject:

Opera,
I have never used Virtual PC and I am largely unfamiliar with how it operates. Briefly looking, the software appears to allow users to install and run an older OS through Virtual PC. Does this mean you need to own the older OS? If so, I believe Lady ShadowZero does not own an old copy of DOS. Maybe you could provide a little more detail concerning "how" it works (because my impression may be WAY OFF! Wink

) since you have some experience using it.
I'm sure you know of DOSBOX, but in case you don't ... DOSBOX is a DOS emulator so you don't need the orginal DOS software. It also allows for soundcard config through a "DOS environment". If Lady is at all familiar with changing DOS config files, DOSBOX is not difficult to use. It is just a little tedious setting the proper framerate the first time. Afterwards, you can just write those values into the config file. AND DOSBOX is FREE to download. I've seen a couple places Virtual PC can be acquired free too but with some obligations.

Lady ShadowZero,
The choice is yours. I trust Opera's opinion and he may be on to something MUCH better. Personally, I'd try both and see which works better for you. I think I may try Virtual PC once I have an opportunity just to see if I like it better than DOSBOX. But for now ... DOSBOX works O.K. on U7 for me ... on U8 too ... haven't tried U6, but I bet it'll work. That's my $0.02. GOOD LUCK!
_________________
"Sometimes a SCREAM is better than a thesis." - Emerson

Corv · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 4:25 pm Post subject:

I personally play Ultima 1-6 in DOSBOX, Ultima 7 (both) with Exult and Ultima 8 with the U8in Windows "patch"
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Corv Dragon
-=(UDIC)=-
Leader of Titans of Ether
Lead Designer, Scripter and Worldbuilder of Redemption

Lady ShadowZero · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 5:28 pm Post subject:

Thank you for all your input::smiles::

Unfortunately, I do not have any older versions or even a separate install DOS version itself ( meaning I would have to extract it from my win 98 cd and the only way I can do that is to install it first, since the files are all in zipped cabinets ) I think I will try DOSBOX and I would love to try Exult, but as I said before, I cannot even get Win XP professional to unpack the file correctly...I mean if I could even get it to install would be one thing, but I cannot even make it to that point. I haven't tried Virtual PC yet, but if it is anything like MVware, then I will still need a copy of an older OS ( which I don't have unless I reformat my entire drive from scratch because win xp professional HATES dual boot installs ) so I am at a loss for that one. I will let you know if I can get anything working, but I am beginning to think that there is a reason for keeping a cheap pentium 2 system around after all...especially since I have a LOT of older games that will only mostly work in DOS ( One of my favorites being SpellCraft: The Aspects of Valor ) A really neat wizard simulator if you ever want to play it...the full download is available for free at the Home of the Underdogs...just do a google search for it since I cannot give the exact URL at this time.
_________________
~You do not deserve to die by my hands...I'll let lord Alhazad deal with you instead~

~Lady Harken- Wild Arms 1~

Operadragon · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 5:55 pm Post subject:

I guess I forgot about that...yes, you need DOS, but....TA DA!!
http://newdos.yginfo.net/msdos71/

Scroll down about halfway...it's right there...even a CD image file for it...

That's what I'd do...works like a charm

I know there's hoop-jumping, but trust me, it's SO worth it.
_________________
Operadragon
++(UDIC)++

Master of Ultima Lore
Titans of Ether (Redemption & The New King)

d++++ e++++ N++++ T+ Om+ u+++ uC++++ uF uG+++ uLB++ uA++
o-- oA+++ oE++++ z++ a27
UK1!2!3!E4!5!6!W!M!A!7'!L!S'!8!(9!)

Shadow · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 6:05 pm Post subject:

I couldn't get the 'U8 in Windows' patch to work on my computer with XP. What OS are you using, Corv? Just curious ...

I did get U8 to run in DOSBOX ...

Hey, Opera ... way to help the ladies! Very Happy

Points for you! Laughing

_________________
"Sometimes a SCREAM is better than a thesis." - Emerson

Lady ShadowZero · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 6:22 pm Post subject:

Wow, this is helpful! Thank you very much, Opera!

I haven't tried to install it yet because I am on my mother's system, but maybe I can even get my really old games to work now ( Like Dungeon Hack and StoneKeep ) Oh this is a dream...but is Virtual PC free? MVware is only free for thirty days evaluation and then you have to buy it...what it does is sets up a kind of mini workstation inside of your already operational computer ( Kind of like it's own separate console system that you can turn on and off at will ) I am wondering if Virtual PC works on the same premise?
_________________
~You do not deserve to die by my hands...I'll let lord Alhazad deal with you instead~

~Lady Harken- Wild Arms 1~

Operadragon · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 6:57 pm Post subject:

Yup...that's exactly what it does.

Virtual PC 5.1 is the version to get. PM me for details.
http://preview.connectix.com/trial/downloads/VPC_51_Trial.exe
_________________
Operadragon
++(UDIC)++

Master of Ultima Lore
Titans of Ether (Redemption & The New King)

d++++ e++++ N++++ T+ Om+ u+++ uC++++ uF uG+++ uLB++ uA++
o-- oA+++ oE++++ z++ a27
UK1!2!3!E4!5!6!W!M!A!7'!L!S'!8!(9!)

Lady ShadowZero · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 8:52 pm Post subject:

Odd, the link doesn't work...

I will try to find it on my own however by doing a google search or something...I need to get my own pc net-connected first though, but thank you for trying.::smiles::
_________________
~You do not deserve to die by my hands...I'll let lord Alhazad deal with you instead~

~Lady Harken- Wild Arms 1~

Mayday · Titan of Ether Joined: 16 Sep 2021 Posts: 25

Connectix has been bought out by microsoft
here's the link :

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/default.mspx

Operadragon · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2021 2:30 am Post subject:

Whoops....
You're right, Mayday...I have been so Nose-To-The-Grindstone on Redemption, that I forgot about Microshaft absorbing another fledgling netizen....

Razz

Sorry, Lady SZ...
Mea Culpa.
_________________
Operadragon
++(UDIC)++

Master of Ultima Lore
Titans of Ether (Redemption & The New King)

d++++ e++++ N++++ T+ Om+ u+++ uC++++ uF uG+++ uLB++ uA++
o-- oA+++ oE++++ z++ a27
UK1!2!3!E4!5!6!W!M!A!7'!L!S'!8!(9!)