pukey's odyssey

[6750aef09e1e6pukey123]

IN ORDER TO INSTALL THE GAME I NEED TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS PUBLISHED BY XENIVOUS WHICH IS POSTED ON ANOTHER FORUM BUT REFERRED TO HERE.  I JUST FOUND THE FILE ENTITLED cdshock_xp.zip ON THIS SITE.  IS IT THE SAME AS cdshock_xp.rar?  THE LATTER FILE IS QUOTED IN THE XENIVOUS INSTRUCTIONS.  HOWEVER, THE SITES SHOWN BY XENIVOUS AS HAVING cdshock_xp.rar ARE BOTH CORRUPTED.  PLEASE ADVISE AS IT'S THE LAST THING I NEED (I HOPE) TO SUCCESSFULLY INSTALL AND PLAY THE GAME.  THANKS. PUKEY

[6750aef09e37aTwerty]

 Well, simply doing a quick Google of cdshock_xp brought up this result (see below), which seems to be the one you're referring to. I downloaded it to check it wasn't corrupted, and it's not. If it registers as corrupted to you, the problem must be on your receiving side.
http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91456

However, I'd like to point you over to this topic -- (see below once again) where Kolya is doing a magnificent job of getting System Shock 1 optimized, enhanced, and running on modern day computers. If you have any further problems, I'm sure they will be more easily resolved there, if not already resolved by the program itself.
https://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=211.75

[6750aef09e712pukey123]

Well, simply doing a quick Google of cdshock_xp brought up this result (see below), which seems to be the one you're referring to. I downloaded it to check it wasn't corrupted, and it's not. If it registers as corrupted to you, the problem must be on your receiving side.
http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91456

However, I'd like to point you over to this topic -- (see below once again) where Kolya is doing a magnificent job of getting System Shock 1 optimized, enhanced, and running on modern day computers. If you have any further problems, I'm sure they will be more easily resolved there, if not already resolved by the program itself.
https://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=211.75

Thank you very much Twenty:  I'm heading over to the first web site you listed; then will check the second one involving the work of Kolya.  Your interest in my behalf is very much appreciated.  pukey

[6750aef09ead6pukey123]

Well, simply doing a quick Google of cdshock_xp brought up this result (see below), which seems to be the one you're referring to. I downloaded it to check it wasn't corrupted, and it's not. If it registers as corrupted to you, the problem must be on your receiving side.
http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91456

However, I'd like to point you over to this topic -- (see below once again) where Kolya is doing a magnificent job of getting System Shock 1 optimized, enhanced, and running on modern day computers. If you have any further problems, I'm sure they will be more easily resolved there, if not already resolved by the program itself.
https://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=211.75

Hi Twerty:  Sorry for the misspelling of your name in my earlier response.  First off I did find and successfully download cdshock_xp.rar. Thanks.  However, I can't seem to find where and how to download System Shock 1 Portable v.0.9.  Please can you point me in the right direction?  I checked the address you gave me but couldn't find the steps to take to download and install it so as to get the game installed too. O read all the messages involving v0.9.  Thanks in advance for any and all advice.  pukey  UPDATE:  Twerty I found the right place and just downloaded Portable v0.9.  Thank you.  Now I have some problems, like no picture; which I will be posting a message about, looking for help.  pukey

[6750aef09ec9dpukey123]

Thanks to help from Twerty on this Forum I was successful in finding and downloading v0.9; then the trouble started
I opened "shock" file, clicked on Launcher, VDMSound is in effect.  Clicked on 1 in start menu, game loaded, intro picture came up then sound came on. After that the screen was black, the edges turned colors, purple, orange, blue, green, and  then cut off and returned to the open "shock" file.  Another time the sound played through (introduction) then nothing happened again.  I hit Esc and got back to the "shock" file.
I also tried to start it in Vesa, within the RES file and the same result occurred - no picture, no game.
I also looked at a page involving  dgvesa (?), "platform", etc., but couldn't find it again
Overall I'm very pleased to have "successfully" downloaded the game but now need help to make the game work, like "pictures", etc.  Sound is great, color is 256, size is 640x480.
Please, will someone tell me what to do to get this wonderful game going?  I played it back in 1994-95.  In my humble opinion it's the best game I've ever played.  Thanks in advance.  pukey

[6750aef09ee65Kolya]

I'm off to work and may write you in longhand later, but for a start take a look at the troubleshooting section of the SSP thread if you haven't done so already.

[6750aef09f14apukey123]

I'm off to work and may write you in longhand later, but for a start take a look at the troubleshooting section of the SSP thread if you haven't done so already.

Hi Kolya:  Thanks for such a prompt reply.  No luck so far.  I did everything you outlined, restore default to 640x480(clicked No. 6), went to DGVesa and changed to Dos. When I did that up came a graphics card NVidia 7900 GS.  Went to the Tab and set it at 70Hz. When I tried to run the game nothing changed. Black screen with borders that kept changing colors, then went black and returned to my start point.  I noticed that even though I first "restored" to 640x480 when I opened the DGVesa it read "desktop video mode is 1024x768".  After a number of unsuccessful tries I then started getting "cannot write setup options".  Check if server is running or dll is in use.  Kolya, also had a hard time manipulating the scale for Hz, but did finally get it to 60.  Also tried 70Hz and tried 16bit and 32 bit.  I guess I messed up somewhere and sure need your help when you can respond.  Thanks.  pukey

[6750aef09f2a6Kolya]

Well...before we get into details, if you have a decent system you can always play SSP in dosbox mode. That means the game gets emulated inside a virtual DOS environment.
The difference with the other ways to play SSP (dgvesa mode or mouse2kv mode) is that it's running directly on your system, so it's faster/uses less resources, if it works.

So what kind of system do you have? What operating system and what sort of monitor (CRT/LCD)? What graphics card?

For furter tests I suggest you use a freshly unpacked SSP. Possibly you may have to download it again, if you deleted the archive.

[6750aef09f45fpukey123]

Hi Kolya:  I thought my message went through but it doesn't show, so here goes again.  Hooray, it works!
The game is now running most of the time.  I tinkered with the settings for several hours yesterday and today, including my "Properties, Settings".  Finally settled on DGVESA, following your instructions.  So far the game comes up most of the time.  A couple times got an error message involving NTVDM, which hasn't come up the last couple times.  And just above the "Rendering" box is an entry "Desktop video mode is 1024x768, 32 bit, 70Hz  When I go into the game I set the resolution at 640x480. My computer is custom built, Windows XP Professional, 709Gig Hard Drive, 1.5Gig RAM, NVidia GE Force 7900 GS.  Kolya, thank you very much for the help and prompt responses.  You are a first class professional in every sense of the word.  If problems arise in the future I will be back on the Forum. In the meantime I'm looking forward to playing this game again; last time was 1994-95.  All the best.  pukey

[6750aef09f5b6pukey123]

I just successfully installed this great game using Portable v.09.  Everything seems to work well except for one thing.  The mouse speed is way too fast and it's very hard to control, to point and click on anything, etc.  Please can someone point me in the right direction so I can slow the mouse to a  [b]manageable speed.[/b]  Thanks in advance.
pukey

[6750aef09f710Kolya]

Mousespeed is quite fast on the difficulty settings screen and the map, when using Mouse2kv mode. Otherwise it shouldn't be too fast, eg clicking items etc. should be possible.
But since you said you're using dgvesa mode and made some adjustments to get it working, I'm not sure what the cause of the problem is.
BTW: The entry "Desktop video mode is 1024x768, 32 bit, 70Hz" in dgvesa's settings is normal. Within the game you should always choose the highest possible resolution, eg 640x480 or 800x600 (if enabled) or 1024x768 (if enabled).

[6750aef0a051fpukey123]

Mousespeed is quite fast on the difficulty settings screen and the map, when using Mouse2kv mode. Otherwise it shouldn't be too fast, eg clicking items etc. should be possible.
But since you said you're using dgvesa mode and made some adjustments to get it working, I'm not sure what the cause of the problem is.
BTW: The entry "Desktop video mode is 1024x768, 32 bit, 70Hz" in dgvesa's settings is normal. Within the game you should always choose the highest possible resolution, eg 640x480 or 800x600 (if enabled) or 1024x768 (if enabled).

Thank you Kolya.  I've set the game for  difficulty 2 (normal) and 640x480; all on dgvesa.  I'm going to try Mouse2kv and see if there's any improvement.  Appreciate your advice.  pukey

[6750aef0a0696pukey123]

Hi again Kolya:  A couple questions came up since your message about mouse speed, etc.  First, when I try to load the game using Mouse2kv, the screen goes back to where I started and the game doesn't load.  What do you think is wrong and is it me?
Second, I'm using 16 bit and the game plays.  Is that the optimum bit setting?  Thanks.  pukey

[6750aef0a098apukey123]

Hi again Kolya:  A couple questions came up since your message about mouse speed, etc.  First, when I try to load the game using Mouse2kv, the screen goes back to where I started and the game doesn't load.  What do you think is wrong and is it me?
Second, I'm using 16 bit and the game plays.  Is that the optimum bit setting?  Thanks.  pukey

Forgot one more question.  When I finish playing the game using 16 bit, the following message box comes up:
"vesa.exe"
"The NTVDM CPU has encountered an illegal instruction.  CS: 1ae6 IP:7478 OP:ff ff 8b c7 5d Choose 'Close' to terminate the application".  What is the significance of this message and does it spell trouble in playing the game.  Thanks again.  pukey

[6750aef0a0af1Kolya]

NTVDM is the windows virtual dos machine. It's used by windows NT based systems to accomodate for the lack of a real DOS background such as win98 had it.
Vesa is the graphics standard used by System Shock.
If this only happens when you finish playing the game, it will be no problem, in the worst case you may have to reboot before playing SSP again but I don't think so.
About 16 Bit: That's the color depth used by System Shock (and SS2). It makes no sense to try and force the game into 32Bit as it simply cannot render in that depth mode.

[6750aef0a0dc9The Brain]

Actually System Shock uses 8-bits for its colors. DGVoodoo's/DosBox's VESA emulation layer uses 16/32-bits when it redirects game's VESA drawing commands and its drawing buffer to Direct3D/DirectDraw commands. That is why VESA emulation is so slow compared for native execution because there is lots of data checking and manipulation involved at CPU level.

[6750aef0a10f4pukey123]

NTVDM is the windows virtual dos machine. It's used by windows NT based systems to accomodate for the lack of a real DOS background such as win98 had it.
Vesa is the graphics standard used by System Shock.
If this only happens when you finish playing the game, it will be no problem, in the worst case you may have to reboot before playing SSP again but I don't think so.
About 16 Bit: That's the color depth used by System Shock (and SS2). It makes no sense to try and force the game into 32Bit as it simply cannot render in that depth mode.

Thanks Kolya:  My concern has now been put to rest.  And I'm stickinig with 16 bit as you suggested.  All the best.  pukey

[6750aef0a1413pukey123]

Hi again Kolya:  A couple questions came up since your message about mouse speed, etc.  First, when I try to load the game using Mouse2kv, the screen goes back to where I started and the game doesn't load.  What do you think is wrong and is it me?
Second, I'm using 16 bit and the game plays.  Is that the optimum bit setting?  Thanks.  pukey

Hi again Kolya:  A couple questions came up since your message about mouse speed, etc.  First, when I try to load the game using Mouse2kv, the screen goes back to where I started and the game doesn't load.  What do you think is wrong and is it me?
I sent this the other day, embedded in a longer message.  Why can't I load and use Mouse2kv, as you earlier suggested.  Have tried several times and the screen reverts to where I started, the SS folder.  Any suggestions, advice, etc?  Thank. pukey

[6750aef0a156fpukey123]

Hi Kolya:  I am into the game now and the mouse still acts like a wild stallion.  Earlier you indicated the mouse would calm down once I got into the game (that's my recollection), but it hasn't.  It's very difficult to play the game "smoothly", because I have to very carefully move the mouse cursor on to whatever I'm trying to do.  And frequently, like when I want to select one of my saves to load, the cursor jumps and selects a different load.  I hope you know of a solution so I can play the game in a "smooth" manner, if you know what I mean. Thanks and I look forward to your reply.  pukey

[6750aef0a1682pukey123]

 I noticed a message that talks about running the game on DOSBox0.65 or 0.72 .  Kolya, can you please tell me what to enter after MOUNT C: C:\?  I checked my game and it's C:\Documents and Settings\valued customer\Desktop\SHOCK.   The message says it doesn't exist.  Thanks.  pukey

[6750aef0a17d3Kolya]

Please take the time to read the readme that comes with SSP. Or if you don't like plain text files, read the SSP thread. It's explained there how to start the game under DOSbox.

Also you may have noticed how I merged every of your half a dozen threads into this first thread, one after another, because they're all testament to your ongoing struggle to get System Shock to run. And I wouldn't want to miss one of them. So please answer this thread if you by chance happen to have more questions regarding this game.

[6750aef0a1b5bpukey123]

Please take the time to read the readme that comes with SSP. Or if you don't like plain text files, read the SSP thread. It's explained there how to start the game under DOSbox.

Also you may have noticed how I merged every of your half a dozen threads into this first thread, one after another, because they're all testament to your ongoing struggle to get System Shock to run. And I wouldn't want to miss one of them. So please answer this thread if you by chance happen to have more questions regarding this game.

Thanks for  creating "pukey"s Odessey, Kolya.  I took your advice and read both the thread plus attendant messages; then the Read Me File.  Maybe I'm blind or just plain stupid but I can't find anything that addresses how to play the game in DOSBox; nor can I find anything that shows how to play the game using Mouse2kv.  I'd be most grateful if  you could point out precisely where these two items are covered.  Also have you read my message where I have a  "wild stallion" for a mouse?  Have tried everything, including going back to my Control Panel and resetting it there.  Your advice is sorely needed and I appreciate your patience.  pukey

[6750aef0a1c81Kolya]

Starting SSP under DOSbox.
As for Mouse2kv there's nothing special to do, just start the SSP.exe and from the menu choose number 3 "Start SYSTEMSHOCK-Portable with Mouse2kv."

[6750aef0a1e6apukey123]

Hi Kolyla:  Tonight the game kept crashing.  Sometimes when I load it and set 6 for screen size, 2 to set DOS, 16 bit, 70hz, etc., it would load and as soon as I tried to start the game it would crash.  Other times when in the game I would select Full Screen and when I clicked Done, the game crashed.  It's happened a couple dozen times. Message says something about NTVDM. EXE, "problem occurs involving operating system version and computer hardware in use, your digital product ID, etc".  This is a rough translation of what I read.  The cursor also disappears frequently in connection with the crashing.  I've also tried No. 1 play option and the same thing happens.
When I installed the game I was sure it read version 0.9.  However when I click on the launch icon it reads 0.0.0.8.  Finally, I've tried Mouse2kv several times, clicking on 3 - the screen goes dark then reverts to the Shock folder and never launches.
I don't know what to do at this point and hope you can help solve these brand new problems.  I was moving right along in the first mission when these problems cropped up.  By the way, what is the significance of the large black square that appears in the upper left hand corner of the screen when loading the game? It's been there since I first downloaded the game.  Sorry to be so much trouble Kolya.  Thank you.  pukey