Dosbox Initialising Problems

[Guest_paulypoos]

Hi folks, hope you can help. Searched the forum but cant see this problem elsewhere so perhaps Im the only unlucky chap experiencing it. Well basically I cant even get DOSBOX to run, it starts up, my monitor clicks to signify resoloution change and then it clicks back to normal resoloution and the DOSBOX program closes...all this happens rather fast but did manage to catch the following error message:

EXIT TO ERROR: SDL: Cant set palette

Its rather frustrating as Ive a few old DOS games Id like to play. Ive tried reinstalling DOSBOX but its always the same problem. any ideas???

thanks

Paul :bye:

[Data]

uhm try running in 16 bit color instead of 256 colors

[Guest_paulypoos]

Tried 8, 16 and 32 bit colour...always the same problem.
:cry:

[Eagle of Fire]

What is your computer spec and which OS do you use?

[Guest]

Im using XP home edition and I have 512mb ram, a celeron® 2.40ghz processor.
an nvidia geforce fx5200se display card. Im not hot on stuff like this, let me know what else you need...oh its DOSBOX 0.63 im using. thanks for taking the trouble to respond...
paul :bye:

[Eagle of Fire]

Did you try playing with your graphic card settings a little? Like, for example, changing your anti-aliasing so the each program decide independantly if they want to use it?

[Guest]

Hey Eagle...good news is that its WORKING!!!! I went into the properties/compatability section of the DOSBOX program and changed it so as NOT to run in 256 colours and its working just fine now, looking forward to using it. thanks for all your help. One last bit of advice needed...when I was experimenting with the properties/compatabilitys I changed stuff...do these settings sound ok to you, they wont cause problems later will they?

RUN IN 640x480 SCREEN RESOLUTION - yes
DISABLE VISUAL THEMES - yes
TURN OFF ADVANCED TEXT SERVICES FOR THIS PROGRAM - yes

wonder why it wouldnt run in 256 colours, does my card/computer not support it?? dont modern graphics cards??? I looked at mine and it only mentions 8, 16 and 32 bit colour...no sign of 256 colours.

:D

[Eagle of Fire]

Nice to hear that it is working now. :ok:

Each system are unique after a certain time passes because you never know what can be installed/uninstalled by the users/administrator, programs themselves and/or malware. Add to this the hardware configuration options and you end up with a pretty endless search for the best tuneup for each system.

I'd say that, in general, computers configuration is not something you can "break" easily. Whatever happen, at worse just hit "cancel" before confirming and everyting is fine. Change something and it doesn't work, just go back to the last setting and it usually works wonders again.

I'd say, if it works now without a problem you are more likely than not to have solved your problem definitly. :ok:

[Guest]

yeah, guess its all about trial and error..thats half the fun of it I suppose...when you do finally get one of these beloved old games to work again its great! Ive just played STAR WARS-DARK FORCES for the first time in years and really enjoyed it though it took a few tweaks to get it running ok, had to adjust the frame rate and cpu speed but now its REAL smooth and looks fab, shame the sound effects stutter a bit but hey! thats another bridge to cross. Im glad DOSBOX is working now, its going to be a valuable tool! thanks again...this sites the best, really gives good advice and presents the games in a respectful way, everyone involved clearly loves old DOS games a lot, other sites just bung a load of games on..this one gos the extra mile...definitely THE best site to visit for these games.... :Brain:

[Tom Henrik]

Thanks alot for the kind words :cheers:

[Guest]

Just to clarify a point...Ive noticed that the first bit of advice I got was from DATA and he suggested changing from the 256 colour to a higher one (which is what eventually worked for me). I did say that I had tried that and it hadnt worked and thats the honest truth, I tried it again later and then it DID work, arnt computers funny things...belated thanks then to that member who came up with the answer.
:w00t: