problem with Dragonsphere

[wendymaree]

Problem one is I can't get any sound despite seeing that the SB drivers have loaded when the Dos screen opens. They've been correctly configured in the install exe, and I've turned the sound and music 'on' in the game options.

Second problem is that every time I try to save, the game crashes to a black screen with the error message: 'error "WriteSaveDirectory in module (game menu) data:63360.

An error has occured. Check your manual to be sure you have installed the game properly.'

There are already a whole heap of saved games showing in the save directory, but when I try to access them or overwrite them, I get a crashing result.

I've got the emms set up in the config sig as:

Device=c:\windows\emm386.exe RAM

I use Windows 98 and I've tried in both pure Dos and the Dos Box.

So-o-o-o, I hope someone can help as I'm reviewing this for Abandonia...and it took Tom a lot of time and effort to send it through...as it's a large game sent in small parts.

Any suggestions? :? :) *looking around hopefully*

[Tom Henrik]

It appears that the archive is corrupt.

Nothing to do, but to see if I can find it on the net again.

[wendymaree]

Sorry to hear that...

Another edit later...

If you find one, let me know and I'll download it.

[Omuletzu]

Emm386 is not responsibile for the crash.I play the game with emm386 loaded.
Try reinstalling it, that might help; if not then the archive is to blame :wink:

[wendymaree]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try it now :)

::::time passes::::

Guess what?

Crashed and burned. Must be the archive. :roll:

[Tom Henrik]

But if the Lazy Lurker has the game, he might be of some help :wink:

[Omuletzu]

If there is some way of sending the game to you,then i will gladly lend assistance

[Tom Henrik]

You could always e-mail the game to her.

That's what I did.

[wendymaree]

There's a bit of doubt out there whether this game is actually abandonware. A French abandonware site has it, but The Underdogs only give a review and have posted this message:

Since this game is copyrighted by an ESA member (former the IDSA), or its subsidiary thereof, we are not permitted to distribute it due to the ESA notice. Please contact the company directly to either sell it to you, release it into the public domain, or give us the permission to distribute.

[Tom Henrik]

Hmmm.... ESA, eh?

Damn. Let's see what Kosta has to say about that.... :(

[Decalies]

Second problem is that every time I try to save, the game crashes to a black screen with the error message: *'error \"WriteSaveDirectory in module (game menu) data:63360.

Maybe a long shot, but where did you install the game? Dos games I usually put in a directory directly under the root, or at least with the old short dos directory-name (E.g. c:\DS). I have no idea if this coud be the problem. I just got triggered by the word 'Directory' in the error ;)

[FreeFreddy]

No that's not the problem in the error... Seems like the game cannot save or load the games...

[wendymaree]

Thanks for having a shot, Decalies. I tried installing the game in the root directory, but with the same results.

Cute avatar :)

[Decalies]

Apparently it was quite difficult to get 10 Mb? Maybe it's a good to check first which file(s) could be corrupt. Probably the problem is not in one of the graphic or sound files. I tried the program (d/l somewhere), and I could save and load. Maybe one of the files 'sphere.exe' and 'mainmenu.exe' are corrupt. I can send you these of you want.

Cute avatar :)

Thanks, narf!

[wendymaree]

It's worth a try, Decalies. I'll pm you the details. :)

[Decalies]

Get ready to do some serious reviewing :D

[Tom Henrik]

Sorry, but the game will NOT appear on the site.

Since Dragonsphere is connected to ESA we will not upload it. Wendy and decalies you may stop trying to solve the problems with the archive :cry:

[FreeFreddy]

Satan shall get the ESA... :roll:

[wendymaree]

Dash and double-damn... There was a work-around to the problem, of sorts, and I've been playing some. It seems like a pretty good game. Aah, well, Tom m'lad. Ne'er mind. *Pats Tom comfortingly on shoulder*

[Tom Henrik]

Nah... I'm okay. After all, I have the game. But I really wanted to share it with the rest of you guys. :roll:

[wendymaree]

I know you have the game, Tom. The comforting part of my messge referred to all the work you put into sending it.

And I know this is off-topic, but the thread about downloading problems is now locked... so

Why I mentioned that some d/l managers will work here is because Kosta himself suggested the use of one d/l manager that he was sure would work. I've forgotten the name of it, though.

[Tom Henrik]

Mozilla and Opera. Both are internet browsers and they have integral download managers.

[Durak]

I use Opera and it works.

[pinky070]

wendymaree, maybe I got the solution for your save problems. Did you remove the write protection from ALL files included in the archive?

see http://www.the-underdogs.org/tech/techelp_...ml#dragonsphere (http://www.the-underdogs.org/tech/techelp_d.html#dragonsphere)

I had the same problem and this helped me.

But unfortunately I have another error:

Every time I try to attack the beast with the sword (at Highmountain), after climbing up the mountain and meeting Llanie again, I get an

Error "KernelNoAnimation" in module "<Kernel>" data: 71 9
*RM508K3

Most recent memory check: 104896
Most recent DOS error: 2
Stack use indicator: 1183

An error has occured. Check your manual... blablabla.

Maybe there's a insert scene missing...?

I know, the game is ESA protected - I got it somewhere some time ago - but now I've come that far... and it's a REALLY nice game..!

wendymaree, if my hint could solve your save problem - maybe you can have a look if you get the same error in that scene (then it might be a missing file or something in the archive)...?