I desperatly need assistance!

[Ecthelion II]

To start off, I have read the FAQ, searched through the troubleshooting forum, and have read the TS guidein the game manual. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get this game up and running. I have installed/uninstalled it about 8 times now with no luck.

I have a Compaq 7470, AMD K6 3D processor with 56MB RAM. Trident Blade 3D/MVP4(63), ESS Allegro-1 sound card, on Windows 98.

The game is BC3000AD ver.2.07.(purchased at AMES for $4.99)

I have downloaded the patches to get up to 2.09 and the Mappak, and have put them on my desktop. The FAQ says to put them in the BC3K file, but I cannot do this from my desktop,(or I dont know how?) and when I click on the patch icon, it looks for the correct file to update and then goes through the update process. Also, I have been unistalling each time I start over.

I have installed the game, updated to 2.09 & mappak, run the sound setup (On the MIDI test I get sound, on the digital test, nothing) and tried to run the game and all I get is a bluish-purple screen. I have installed the game, run the sound test, tried to run the game(nothing) upgraded to 2.09 and then tried to run game with no luck.

Another thing I cannot figure out is that when I use C:GAMESBC3000AD for the filename, it places 29 objects in the game folder. When I use C:BC3000AD as the name, it places 69 objects + 4 hidden ones in the file. Any reason for this major difference.

Again, as I stated, I have read and tried to follow the tips in the FAQ and Troubleshooting guides but apparently I am doing something wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated, especially step by step help because trying to get this game running is really making me feel frustrated.

Thank you,

Lorenzo Ruia

[email protected]

[Wold]

What are your sb 16 DOS emulation drivers set to? And under Device Status does it show that the device is working properly? (System Properties, Device Manager)

** if you don't know how to do the above**

right-click my computer icon

left-click properties

left-click Device Manager Tab

left-click the + sign next to Sound, video and game controllers

double left-click on SB16 Emulation (may be named or worded differently. looking for the DOS driver)

Verify that Device Status shows "This device is working properly"

left-click on resources tab

Note the Input/Output Ranges, first number of each group is all that is needed

Also note the DMAs and IRQs

[Ecthelion II]

This may be it:

It is under ESS Allegro-1 DOS Emulation.

Device is working properly.

DMA-01

I/O-0220

I/O-0388

I/O-0330

I also checked about updates within my C: drive and it stated that this is the most updated version available on my Compaq.

Is there anything I need to modify here?

[Epsilon 5]

He read the FAQ! Hurray!

I have a ESS solo-1 and it works with the dos emulation.

... but you don't have exactly the same thing...

What is the irq?

[Supreme Cmdr]

quote:

---

The FAQ says to put them in the BC3K file, but I cannot do this from my desktop,(or I dont know how?) and when I click on the patch icon, it looks for the correct file to update and then goes through the update process. Also, I have been unistalling each time I start over.

---

There's your problem right there.

[Wold]

If I understood your statement earlier your patch files are saved to your desktop and you aren't sure how to move it.

*** How to copy the file to the correct directory for install. ***

Right-click on that file

Left-click on copy

Right-click on My Computer

Left-click on Explore

Second icon down should be (C , Left click on this icon

IF you installed in the default folder, find the BC3000AD folder on the right side of the scree.

Right-click on this folder

Left-click on paste

This copies the file from the desktop to that directory. You will need to do this for each patch.

To run the patch, open the folder and run it from there by double-clicking the icon.

To verify which settings you are using for the DOS SB16 emulation check http://www.3000ad.com/cgibin/ultimatebb.cg...ic&f=1&t=000554

Hope this helps.

[Ecthelion II]

Wold, I will reinstall the game and move the upgrade files to the folder(thanks for the tip), and I will let you know if this worked.

Epsilon 5, Under ESS Allegro-1 Device Manager it lists: IRQ-05

I/O- 1000-10FF

It lists the same under ESS Allegro-1 PCI Audio Drive.

[Wold]

From the FAQs.

Make sure you follow these directions very carefully.

quote:

---

ESS AUDIODRIVE ON COMPAQ PRESARIO 2240 EXAMPLE

Go into CONTROL PANEL and from the SYSTEM/DEVICE MANAGER tab, select the 'sound, video and

game controllers' tab. This should now open to reveal the sound card. Left-click on it and then

select the RESOURCES tab. Scroll the list and make a note of the 'interrupt request', 'direct

memory access' and 'input/output range' values. For the ESS card, you would have written

down IRQ 5, DMA 5, IO 220 (depending on your machine of course).

From a full screen DOS session, go to the BC3K install directory and run SETUP.EXE for the

HMI sound system. Select the 'select digital' option and select all the defaults. You will not be

able to enter an IRQ. Do NOT test it. Click on OK to return to the menu. Go to 'select midi' and

do the same. Again, do NOT test it. Select OK to return to the menu. Finally, scroll down and

select OK to exit the menu and OK again to save the config.

Using C:WINDOWSNOTEPAD.EXE or similar text editor, open up the HMISET.CFG file in the BC3K

install directory. Make sure you set NOTEPAD to view all files because it defaults to *.TXT. With

the file open, it should look like BEFORE version below.

BEFORE AFTER

[DIGITAL] [DIGITAL]

DeviceName = ESS AudioDrive DeviceName = ESS AudioDrive

DeviceIRQ = -1 DeviceIRQ = 5

DeviceDMA = 1 DeviceDMA = 5

DevicePort = 0x220 DevicePort = 0x220

DeviceID = 0xe019 DeviceID = 0xe019

[MIDI] [MIDI]

DeviceName = ESS AudioDrive DeviceName = ESS AudioDrive

DevicePort = 0x388 DevicePort = 0x388

DeviceID = 0xa002 DeviceID = 0xa002

Simply replace the DeviceIRQ, DeviceDMA and DevicePort values to match your card. In the case

of the ESS AudioDrive in the Compaq, it would now look like the AFTER version above.

---

Also note that according to ESS's web site, NO ESS sound cards have DOS legacy support. They are supposed to have DOS windowed sound support...make sure that your soundblaster emulator is loaded in windows.

[ 06-27-2001: Message edited by: Wold ]

[Ecthelion II]

Okay, When you say "From a full screen DOS session" do you mean the MSDOS file in the start menu? I already went ot this and didn't know how to proceed. Or is it through a file in the BC3000AD folder (I will check)

What I did do was run the sound setup out of the folder, change the values according to what the FAQ stated and tried to run it with no results, only the MIDI had sound.

How do I make sure soundblaster emulater is loaded in windows?

Sorry for the questions, but my knowledge of computers is not that deep.

[Wold]

I'm not that familiar with the ESS cards and not sure if they load an SB emulator. Their web site says they are SB16 compatable, which usually means a driver is loaded... but try the following....

In your second post:

quote:

---

It is under ESS Allegro-1 DOS Emulation.

Device is working properly.

---

This means that your dos driver is loaded. Go in there again and on the general tab, Device usage area, make sure that the box Exists in all hardware profiles is checked and the box Disable in this hardware profile is not checked.

Run the Sound Setup from the BC3000ad folder...as long as your PC doesn't reboot to run that program then you are running in 'full screen dos session'.

Use the Select Digital option. I'm not sure what card you are actually selecting, but select the ESS AudioDrive. It will prompt you for the I/O, which is 220, and the DMA, which is 1. IRQ will say N/A. DO NOT TEST IT. OK 2 times to get out.

From Windows OPEN up notepad (Start->Programs->Accessories->notepad)

From Notepad leftclick on File, then Open.

In the field "Files of Type" click the down arrow and select All Files.

In the field "Look in" click the down arrow then click on the C drive icon, (c . DBL click the BC3000ad folder. Find the file HMISET.CFG and DBL click on it.

Now, make the changes to the file to match below, ignoring ONLY the deviceID.

[DIGITAL]

DeviceName = ESS AudioDrive

DeviceIRQ = 5

DeviceDMA = 1

DevicePort = 0x220

DeviceID = MAKE NO CHANES HERE

[MIDI]

DeviceName = ESS AudioDrive

DevicePort = 0x388

DeviceID = MAKE NO CHANGES HERE

When done, Click on File then Save. Exit and try and launch the Bc3k shortcut (not the Bc3k (3dfx) shortcut)

Let me know what happens....

[ 06-29-2001: Message edited by: Wold ]

[Ecthelion II]

Okay, here is what I did:

1-Installed Game in C:GAMESBC3000AD Folder.

2-Copied upgrades to Game Folder and ran 207-208 & 208-209 upgrade, did not run mappak.

3-Ran sound setup and adjusted HMISET file per your instructions.

4-Ran game from BC3000AD folder by clicking on Game icon (not the 3D icon)

5-Some script ran on the page and then it went black. Had to CTRL-ALT-DEL to exit.

I may have missed something so I will try it again tomorrow. I will also check the Forum to see if you had a chance to read this.

Thanks.

[Wold]

uncheck the "Close on exit" box....

Right-click on the Bc3K shortcut

Left-click properties

Left-click Program Tab

Near the bottom you will see the "Close on exit", Left-click on it.

Left-click on apply then Left-click on OK.

Launch the game and write down the crash message. Then search (no date restrictions) the forum for that crash message and you should be able to find your answer. IF you can't, post your crash message here.

[ 07-01-2001: Message edited by: Wold ]

[Ecthelion II]

Okay, I'll do so and let you know what I find out.

[Falcon]

Battlecruiser3000ad is a Dos based game you may have to change your Shortcut settings to run it. Right click on your sound setup icon and select properties. Click on the properties Tab and then select advanced. Tick the box marked " Prevent MS-Dos from Detecting windows" untick the other two boxes. Click Ok and close the window boxes do the same for the BC3000ad.exe icon. Try running the Sound setup from the created MS=Dos icons. If this works run the game from the other new icon. If this is not quite right im sure someone will correct me. But I do know ive never had to worry about IRQ's and DMA's I just fiddled around in the Sound Setup box until I found a driver or setting that worked.

[ 07-02-2001: Message edited by: Falcon ]

[Ecthelion II]

I unchecked the "close on exit" box, ran the game, and had to use CTRL-ALT-DEL to exit(I keep getting a black/blue screen when I try to run the game) When I did this, it exited back to the desktop, which showed no DOS box or any information.

[Ecthelion II]

I GOT IT, I GOT IT, I GOT IT, I GOT IT!!!!!!

I finally got the game running. This is fantastic. Now of course I'm so beat, that I'm going to sleep, but come tomorrow, I PLAY.

Thank you Commander Wold for all your assistance and to everyone else out there who helped. Here is what I did.

1-Installed game under C:BC3000AD

2-Installed upgrades from game folder.

3-Ran Sound Setup-using the directions from the FAQ.

4-Modified HMISET file as per Commander Wolds advice.

5-Unchecked "Close on exit" box in BC3K file.

6-Ran Game-Quick flash of script but no game.

7-Used CTRL-ALT-DEL to exit, no DOS box with error message on screen.

8-Went back to sound setup, used SoundBlaster as the Digital(Port 220 DMA 1 IRQ 5) Tested it and HAD SOUND IN DIGITAL TEST.

9-Ran Game, It worked.

10-Shut off game and ran it again, still works.

I have not installed the mappak yet. I will do this tomorrow. Hopefully everything will work fine.

I can't wait to get started on this. Again, thank you for your patience with me and your help.

Lorenzo

[Ecthelion II]

Okay, I'm back again. I run the game, what I believe is the intro comes on(ships flying in space with background music) then it goes to the credits. Used /N to skip credits and after I used that command 3 times, it kicked me off the game. Gave me the following:

Fault Location-0028 C0001FE7

Faulting Component-VMM(01) 00000FE7

Interrupts in service-None

I'll check the FAQ and come back to the board tomorrow.

[Ecthelion II]

I unclick the close on exit box for the game, but when it goes back to the desktop, there is no DOS box, just the error dialouge that I put in my last post.

This is my Config.sys file, do I need to modify it any more?

DEVICE=C:ESSAUDIO.SYS

DEVICE=C:WINDOWSHIMEM.SYS

DEVICE=C:WINDOWSEMM386.EXE

DOS=HIGH,UMB,AUTO

FILESHIGH=80

BUFFERSHIGH=40,4

DEVICEHIGH=C:WINDOWSSYSTEMCPQIDECD.SYS /D:IDECD001

SHELL=C:COMMAND.COM /P /E:4096

DEVICEHIGH=C:WINDOWSCOMMANDDRVSPACE.SYS /MOVE

[Ecthelion II]

Okay, I modified the config.sys file as detailed in the FAQ. Added "RAM VERBOSE", "/P", & "/NUMHANDLES=64 /VERBOSE" to the appropriate lines. Took out "AUTO" from the "DOS=HIGH,UMB" line and changed the "FILES HIGH 80" to "FILES HIGH 50".

I then changed the MS-DOS DPMI MEM form auto to 16384 and increased it by increments of 4096. Still no game.

When I click on the BC3K file, I get the following:

1)3000AD Screen

2)Music and video of ships

3)A screen with "Smacker, Video Technology" on it.

4)Credits

5)Script on the screen and then it sends me back to the desktop.

Any idea on what I need to do next?

[Wold]

What is your largest executable program size for dos?

left click start

left click run

type in COMMAND and left click OK

at prompt type in MEM /C

3rd line from bottom will have 2 numbers at the end.... what are those 2 numbers?

BTW, my wife has a presario 54XX compaq running essolo sound card. From sound setup I manually selected the essaudio drive set the I/O and DMA, IRQ was left at N/A. I was able to do a sound test and it (and game) worked fine....didn't have to manually edit anything. Just had to make sure that volumes were set from windows b4 i ran the test.

[Ecthelion II]

The line "Largest Executable Program Size" reads: 553,856 (541K)

I'm using Soundblaster Pro for both Digital and Midi, and both are working. When I was using ESS for the digital I never had sound, and I the normal sounds for other games and comp. funtions are working properly.

[Wold]

PER THE FAQs

You are short on free memory....you need 614,400 bytes (600K) or more. You need to modify/edit your Autoexec.bat and/or your Config.sys files to free up more memory.

On your config.sys file change DEVICE=C:ESSAUDIO.SYS to DEVICEHIGH=C:ESSAUDIO.SYS and move it below the EMM386 line.

Change the Buffers=40,4 to Buffers=20,4

In your autoexec.bat file you can had LH or LoadHigh in front of command lines to move them into upper memory. After changes, reboot and then run the mem /c again and see if you are close to that 600K of free space.

Also, set your DOS DPMI memory back to 16384

[ 07-08-2001: Message edited by: Wold ]

[Ecthelion II]

I made the changes to the CONFIG.SYS, but when I look for AUTOEXEC.BAT using the FIND FILES or FOLDER option, it comes up with autoexec which is listed as a MS-DOS Batch file, and when I run it it says error across the MS-DOS box.

[Wold]

That's what a .bat file is! And if you dbl click on it, it will run/execute.

w/out the changes to the autoexec.bat file, run the mem /c and see if you have enough free memory. IF not, post the contents of your autoexec.bat file here and I or someone will look at it.

To view/edit the autoexec file: (there are multiple ways)

left click start, then run. Type in the command SYSEDIT and click on OK. The "system editor" will open w/ 5 staggard, opened files. The 1st 1 will be the Autoexec.bat, the 2nd will be the Config.sys. DO NOTHING TO THE OTHER 3 FILES. You can make changes to the files here and save them under the File menu at top left.

[Ecthelion II]

Here is the Autoexec.bat file:

C:PROGRA~1NETWOR~1MCAFEE~1SCAN.EXE C:

@IF ERRORLEVEL 1 PAUSE

@ECHO OFF

C:ESSAUDIO.COM

I added LOADHIGH in front of the two lines starting with C:. Is that correct?