Time Paradox

[TotalAnarchy]

Feel free to comment and discuss this game here. Also, if you have any useful tips or tricks don't hesitate to share them with the others! Thanks!

Review and download (if available) (http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/26110/Time+Paradox.html)

[Redface5x]

Am I the only one who can't get this game to work? Tried the start.exe and got an error message saying to run install after exit. Tried that, and doesn't seem to do anything.

[Frodo]

Hmm, works fine for me. :mhh:

Did you unzip it, after downloading?
There's certainly no need to 'install' it, as it's already pre-installed. :)

[ay2516]

Hey guys:
Won't go for me either. I too am running the start batch file and have dosbox at 10,000 cycles. Any ideas would be great. Looks to be a fine adventure game.

Thanks

[FastCommentGuy]

I just gave it a test too. Had same problem described above.

[Frodo]

I don't understand. :oh: The game works fine for me. :mhh:

Unzip the game, and just use START in DosBox.
Don' try to use INSTALL or SETUP or CHANGE.

[zirkoni]

The game seems to work only if you mount the game directory as your virtual drive.
mount c "x:\path\time paradox directory"

[Frodo]

I drag & drop the START batch file onto Dosbox. :max:

[The Fifth Horseman]

*cough*
*cough*
And someone else will have to fix this archive, then.

[zirkoni]

*cough*
*cough*
And someone else will have to fix this archive, then.
There is a simple solution:

"paradox.exe" refers to a file called "paratime.inf". It expects to find it from the root c:. If you edit the "paradox.exe" the game should work without having to mount the game folder as c:.
So,
change the "c" at offset $63F to "a" (since the "start.bat" mounts the folder as a: ).

[RonStock]

Game does not work by typing START... it tells me to install... when i try to install i locks up? WTF? :rant:

[zirkoni]

Game does not work by typing START... it tells me to install... when i try to install i locks up? WTF? :rant:
The game seems to work only if you mount the game directory as your virtual drive.
mount c "x:\path\time paradox directory"
OR use a hex editor
"paradox.exe" refers to a file called "paratime.inf". It expects to find it from the root c:. If you edit the "paradox.exe" the game should work without having to mount the game folder as c:.
So,
change the "c" at offset $63F to "a" (since the "start.bat" mounts the folder as a: ).

[TotalAnarchy]

Just copy that PARATIME.inf into your cdrive folder (where you unarchived the game folder) and rename the game folder to paratime. I'll add a new archive on site as soon as possible.

[Frodo]

*cough*
*cough*
And someone else will have to fix this archive, then.
But I downloaded it from here this morning, to check it, and it works fine. :oh:

Game does not work by typing START... it tells me to install... when i try to install i locks up? WTF? :rant:
Don't try to install it. It's already pre-installed. Try making a shortcut for DosBox on your desktop. Now unzip the game, and drag START onto the DosBox icon. :)


OR use a hex editor
No need for any hex editors. :)

Just copy that PARATIME.inf into your cdrive folder (where you unarchived the game folder) and rename the game folder to paratime. I'll add a new archive on site as soon as possible.
I didn't copy anything, or rename anything. I just downloaded it, and used START to play the game. :mhh:


I really don't understand why it works fine for me, but the rest of you are having so much bother. :mhh::(

Has *anyone* else got it to work?

[TotalAnarchy]

Because yu drag and drop. Everyone else does it the original way, by typing it.

[dosraider]

I really don't understand why it works fine for me, but the rest of you are having so much bother. :mhh::(

Has *anyone* else got it to work?
I got it to work, after umount my virtual C: drive and mounted the game dir as virtual C:

See, your drag drop doesn't work if you automount a virtual C in [autoexec]
You must umount that C: first.
And as only n00bs don't automount a virtual C: ..... *sigh*


Whos idea was it to name the game folder Time Paradox Game?
Why all that restrain?
Why not call it
This is the Time Paradox Game that I like so much, sure thing
that would be a nice game folder name, and certainly much more 'doslike' then the short Time Paradox Game.

[Saccade]

Loading games is much easier if you name them, like, "01 - second chapter"; "05 - pub"; "11 - travel 1", etc...

That way, they're in order (if backwards) making it easier to remember where you are.

[Frodo]

See, your drag drop doesn't work if you automount a virtual C in [autoexec]
You must umount that C: first.
And as only n00bs don't automount a virtual C: ..... *sigh*

At least my way works. So there's no need for your complaining.



Whos idea was it to name the game folder Time Paradox Game?
Why all that restrain?
Why not call it
This is the Time Paradox Game that I like so much, sure thing
that would be a nice game folder name, and certainly much more 'doslike' then the short Time Paradox Game.


What's wrong with calling it Time Paradox Game? That's what it is, after all. And it differentiates from review, walkthrough, and maps.


Loading games is much easier if you name them, like, "01 - second chapter"; "05 - pub"; "11 - travel 1", etc...

That way, they're in order (if backwards) making it easier to remember where you are.
That's a good idea Saccade, thankyou. :)

[The Fifth Horseman]

You're forgetting about the 8-character limit. In DOSBox, that directory name will appear as "Timepa~1".

[Luchsen]

At least my way works. So there's no need for your complaining.

That's nice for you, but we have to find a universally valid way (or the nearest to it).


What's wrong with calling it Time Paradox Game?

The 8.3 convention (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8.3_filename). ^ was faster.

[dosraider]

At least my way works. So there's no need for your complaining.
Want to see you install an original game from CD or floppy, happy drag&drop....... :whistling:

[TotalAnarchy]

Oi, I've already replaaced the archive with one that has 8 character folder name and the inf file separately. You just have to unarchive them in the same directory, the way you always do with the rest of the games.

[Frodo]

Want to see you install an original game from CD or floppy, happy drag&drop....... :whistling:
Okay, I'm sorry I mentioned drag & drop, even though it works.
I'm sorry I uploaded the game
I'm sorry I named the game folder, 'game'
I'm sorry I bothered to make review, walkthrough & maps
Happy now?

[dosraider]

My excuses, Frodo, wasn't meant as insult.

It's just that this drag&drop method only work in some cases, far from all.

We're okay ?

:cry:

[The Fifth Horseman]

*sigh*
Frodo, you're taking it far too personally.
Not to say certain people aren't overreacting either.

The recommended means of running the games is through DOSBox' own interface, from a subdirectory under the emulator's virtual C drive, and that is what the archives should be aiming for.
Just a matter of keeping a uniform standard across the game archives placed on the site. :)

[ay2516]

Sorry to break up the Emo party...

But the Game's still not running even with the updated archive. Did I miss something? I have the new file unzipped unto a folder in my Dosprog subdirectory where all the other games are and I open it up and open paratime and type start and the same error must install crap. Any ideas?

Thanks

[Luchsen]

Where has my post gone?

Again:
You have to mount the directory as C.

In other words:
The PARATIME.INF has to be in your virtual C.

So:
You can also copy the PARATIME.INF to your Dosprog subdirectory.

[Luchsen]

"paradox.exe" refers to a file called "paratime.inf". It expects to find it from the root c:. If you edit the "paradox.exe" the game should work without having to mount the game folder as c:.
So,
change the "c" at offset $63F to "a" (since the "start.bat" mounts the folder as a: ).

I changed it to ..\paratime.inf and try to upload it tomorrow.

[RonStock]

The game seems to work only if you mount the game directory as your virtual drive.
mount c "x:\path\time paradox directory"


YEP THIS WORKS.. THANKS FOR INPUT AND FIX!!! :rocks:

[Luchsen]

I changed it to ..\paratime.inf and try to upload it tomorrow.

Done.

[TotalAnarchy]

You've probabbly done what I've done yesterday. that guy probably just doesn't know how to correctly unarchive the files.

[Luchsen]

You have copied the PARATIME.INF to the first level of the directory structure. ay2516 has a directory for all his games. So he extracts the archive into a new directory there. He could even have a reason to do so: not wanting to have files - like the PARATIME.INF - in his games directory. Then he (auto-)mounts his games directory and changes to the PARATIME directory (two levels lower) to execute the START.BAT. The PARADOX.EXE in the TEMPPARA directory looks for the PARATIME.INF at C:\ which is his games directory, but the file is one/two directories lower.

I have changed the PARADOX.EXE so that it looks for the PARATIME.INF one directory higher from its own directory. Now it doesn't matter how high you mount, the PARATIME.INF will always be found from a lower level than it is.

Please excuse the elaborate explanation. I wanted to make it understandable for all readers (what it probably isn't :doh2: ). Your efforts with the archive are appreciated. There is just a more universal solution. :)

[TotalAnarchy]

You have copied the PARATIME.INF to the first level of the directory structure. ay2516 has a directory for all his games. So he extracts the archive into a new directory there. He could even have a reason to do so: not wanting to have files - like the PARATIME.INF - in his games directory. Then he (auto-)mounts his games directory and changes to the PARATIME directory (two levels lower) to execute the START.BAT. The PARADOX.EXE in the TEMPPARA directory looks for the PARATIME.INF at C:\ which is his games directory, but the file is one/two directories lower.

I have changed the PARADOX.EXE so that it looks for the PARATIME.INF one directory higher from its own directory. Now it doesn't matter how high you mount, the PARATIME.INF will always be found from a lower level than it is.

Please excuse the elaborate explanation. I wanted to make it understandable for all readers (what it probably isn't :doh2: ). Your efforts with the archive are appreciated. There is just a more universal solution. :)

Ah ok. I should've thought of changing the line in the inf file.

[Redface5x]

Don't try to install it. It's already pre-installed. Try making a shortcut for DosBox on your desktop. Now unzip the game, and drag START onto the DosBox icon. :)

That's a different approach than I'm used to, but it actually worked for me too.:thumbs:

Thanks Frodo.

[Cassima77]

For those asking for a step by step on how to start the game:

I'm not sure about those that have XP, but on Vista, it automatically creates a subfolder of the game called "Paratime" within whatever folder you tell it to extract the files to. For example, even though I told my comp to extract the files to C:\Games\ParaTime, the game is really located at C:\Games\ParaTime\Paratime. So, when you run DOSBox, change the cycles from "auto" to "10000" in the configuration file (if you have .73 version, create a config file by typing "Z:\>config -writeconf dosbox.conf", and "Z:\exit", right-clicking on DOSBox icon and selecting "file location", editing the config file with word, file save, file exit.) and type this to get it to start:

mount c c:\games\paratime
c:
cd paratime
PARATIME>start

Then, select 1 for English, and then 1 for Soundblaster.

The game's batch file is called "paradox," yet for some inexplicable reason, DOSBox freezes when I type this in. But, it will start every time if you simply type "start" and select the options again each time you want to play. A bit of an annoyance, but the game runs fine after that.

For those who don't have Vista, typing this into DOSBox may work:

mount c c:\games\paratime
c:
PARATIME>start

[Cassima77]

Now, my question:

How the hell do I get the sound running?? I see no way to access sound options within the game itself. Does anyone know how to do this, or is it something I'll have to change within DOSBox instead?

[sylandro]

Hi all,

I use the D-Fend Reloaded frontend to configure all my DOS games, and so far I've managed to get them all running properly. However, I seem to have a problem configuring this game.

When I run START.BAT it runs okay until the game starts (asks for language and music, shows the logo, shows the intro), and then I get a black screen when I'm supposed to be playing. The music plays so I have no idea what's going on. I have the directory properly mounted (as C:\PARATIME), by the way.

If I drag and drop START.BAT into DOSBOX.EXE it works properly. To rule out it wasn't a configuration file, I tried changing my graphics, core and memory settings to the DOSBOX default, but no luck.

I can't solve this one out. Can someone help me out?

[dosraider]

If I drag and drop START.BAT into DOSBOX.EXE it works properly.
Sooooooo ..... don't use D-FendR for this game, where is the problem?

[sylandro]

Nevermind... I found the problem: DFR was automatically putting configuring DOSBOX to run in secure mode and some lines on start.bat wouldn't work.

[wendymaree]

I tried to d/l the game, but was taken to a page with the error message that the link was probably broken.
Could someone please fix the link or reupload? :)

[Paco]

I tried to d/l the game, but was taken to a page with the error message that the link was probably broken.
Could someone please fix the link or reupload? :)

@wendymaree Check this (http://www.abandonia.com/vbullet/showthread.php?t=22934) out.

[wendymaree]

Thanks, Paco. I just had a quick look around to see what was going on and stumbled onto that forum. I'll give Studentis a few days to do fix things then try again.
The game looks like it might be fun.

[Frodo]

When you get to play it, Wendy, I hope you enjoy it. :)

[wendymaree]

Nice to hear from you, Frodo!

[ianfreddie07]

Sorry, I wasn't reading page numbers.

POST DISREGARDED.

[gamerlady]

I'm on a MAC, OS 10.4.11. I haven't experienced this with other downloads from this site - any suggestions, anybody?! I'd really like to play this game.

I've tried three different extracting programs, and a few different downloads. They all come back with "permission denied" or "operation unable to complete" or "file invalid".

:(

Thanks
H

[dosraider]

Simply ask someone an a PC to down the file and to unzip the files on an USB key.

Also:
@#@#@#@#Macs

[arete]

Now now, Dossie. Be polite to the nice Mac users :sad:

[gamerlady]

Simply ask someone an a PC to down the file and to unzip the files on an USB key.

Also:
@#@#@#@#Macs

Thanks Dossie, that worked.

[dosraider]

Thanks Dossie, that worked.
You're welcome, and remember this trick, sometimes a solution to a problem is simple.
It will avoid you headaches using your @#@#@#Mac.

[slx]

I have a same problem as sylandro had long ago but I do not use D-Fend!

I quote sylandro:
„When I run START.BAT it runs okay until the game starts (asks for language and music, shows the logo, shows the intro), and then I get a black screen when I'm supposed to be playing. The music plays so I have no idea what's going on. I have the directory properly mounted (as C:\PARATIME), by the way...”

The SoundBlaster gives music but there is no speech.
I use Gravis, but in this program it does neither give music nor speech.
The SoundBlaster-ROLAND combo gives the same as the SB.

I copied the PARATIME folder onto the C virtual drive.
In my DOSBox config the CPU setting is in fixed state and every program runs fine except this.

I do not know what to do and what is the error.

[zirkoni]

...
So, which one is it? Black screen or no speech/music? Gravis sound doesn't seem to work but otherwise I'm not able to reproduce either issue.

[slx]

Thanks the answer! :OK:

So, step by step.
The program stars and I select the audio stuffs;
and the game starts and there is the intro with music but no speaking voice;
and the game should load the UI BUT shows only a black screen with some background sound. :unsure:

I checked a video on youtube about this game and when the screen shows a purple animation
and after this becomes white
and after this black at that time MY DOSBox stays in that black state. :dislike:
So, what you hear in the video I hear it too but there is no screen... only a black one.

https://youtu.be/EWuUb0aOm2g?t=97

[slx]

I found out there is problem with the "mount a" command in the bat file... but I still can not start the game!!!
https://mega.nz/file/Bx9lCJxA#H54eWLFPx_6VZ2Duf9xWKB7uoGyUe3_fH0wls3y8O uA

[zirkoni]

You have probably messed up the PATH environment variable in DOSBox. You don't have access to any of the DOSBox internal commands on the Z-drive.

If you modify the PATH, you should do something like this:
SET PATH=%PATH%;C:\WINDOWS;C:\PATH
or
SET PATH=Z:\;C:\WINDOWS;C:\PATH

[slx]

You have probably messed up the PATH environment variable in DOSBox. You don't have access to any of the DOSBox internal commands on the Z-drive.

If you modify the PATH, you should do something like this:
SET PATH=%PATH%;C:\WINDOWS;C:\PATH
or
SET PATH=Z:\;C:\WINDOWS;C:\PATH

Thank you!
Long ago I emulated a floppy drive with a software to install the 'Lands of Lore' game (+update) from disk images. But this emu. software is not installed in my Win10 system what I use now!
Sadly, I do not know how can I put the whole Utils directory (in DOSBox emulation) into the path.

This is my edit in the [autoexec] part of the DOSBox conf file.

[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.
# You can put your MOUNT lines here.

@REM ===== PPLT INITIALIZATION ==========
@SET PROPATS=D:\GUS_Inst\PPL160
@REM ===== PPLT INITIALIZATION ENDS =====

SET PATH=C:\ULTRASND;C:\UTILS;C:\UTILS\DN;C:\UTILS\ZIP 250;C:\UTILS\CDPLAYER;C:\UTILS\SEA;C:\UTILS\PSVIEW ;C:\UTILS\PLAYMID;C:\UTILS\DOSMID;

rem MOUNT A A:\ -t floppy
mount c F:\old\PCDOS
mount d K:\dosboxD
mount e N:\ -t cdrom
rem mixer CDAUDIO d-15 ; gus d-5
c:
dn

[zirkoni]

Like this:

SET PATH=%PATH%;C:\ULTRASND;C:\UTILS;C:\UTILS\DN;C:\UT ILS\ZIP250;C:\UTILS\CDPLAYER;C:\UTILS\SEA;C:\UTILS \PSVIEW;C:\UTILS\PLAYMID;C:\UTILS\DOSMID;


Is there really a space in "C:\UTILS\ZIP 250"? That won't work.

[slx]

Like this:

SET PATH=%PATH%;C:\ULTRASND;C:\UTILS;C:\UTILS\DN;C:\UT ILS\ZIP250;C:\UTILS\CDPLAYER;C:\UTILS\SEA;C:\UTILS \PSVIEW;C:\UTILS\PLAYMID;C:\UTILS\DOSMID;

Is there really a space in "C:\UTILS\ZIP 250"? That won't work.

No, there is no space at ZIP250 in the .conf! I do not know how could that get in there!

I put the %PATH%; into the path line and the program works now!
Thank you for your help!