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Oddworld seriesCDROM DOS version problems.(12 posts)solved(12 posts)solved
(12 posts)solved
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Posted November 05, 2013
I have Abe's Oddysee on CDROM (a thrift shop find), 1997 from GT Interactive.

I'm trying to get the DOS version of the game to run in DOSBox under Linux, and it almost does. Game-play seems to be perfect, but the problem I am running into occurs when I try to save the game. I can't rename the save and it won't accept the default name (too long for DOS maybe?). Pressing enter just causes a tone to play, but that's it.

What can I do to fix this? Where does the game keep its save files?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Post edited November 05, 2013 by Pseudoman
This question / problem has been solved by DeMignonimage
Posted November 05, 2013
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Pseudoman: I have Abe's Oddysee on CDROM (a thrift shop find), 1997 from GT Interactive.

I'm trying to get the DOS version of the game to run in DOSBox under Linux, and it almost does. Game-play seems to be perfect, but the problem I am running into occurs when I try to save the game. I can't rename the save and it won't accept the default name (too long for DOS maybe?). Pressing enter just causes a tone to play, but that's it.

What can I do to fix this? Where does the game keep its save files?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
The saves should be stored in your installation folder. To be on the save side, use only 8.3 formated file names (e.g. mysave01.sav) and on Linux, DOSbox underlies the case-sensitivity of the filesystem, which can be a problem (mysave01.sav and mysave01.SAV aren't the same file).
Posted November 05, 2013

The saves should be stored in your installation folder. To be on the save side, use only 8.3 formated file names (e.g. mysave01.sav) and on Linux, DOSbox underlies the case-sensitivity of the filesystem, which can be a problem (mysave01.sav and mysave01.SAV aren't the same file).
Unfortunately, I cannot adjust the save file names. When I go to save from within the game, I cannot use the backspace key to rename the save. By default, it goes to something like "Rupturefarms P15" and it will not allow me to reduce length, only add 3 more letters, which does no good.

Basically, it looks like the game is ignoring the backspace key in the save dialogue.
Post edited November 05, 2013 by Pseudoman
Posted November 05, 2013
File length can be a problem in this game, but mostly when it's over 20 characters. I suggested 8.3 just to be on the save side.

That you can't save at all, might derive from missing write access to the game folder. Make sure you have full read/write permission.
Posted November 05, 2013
I have proper ownership/permissions on the folders.

I installed the game on an XP machine. I was able to save there properly, and the DOS version loaded the file just fine.

It seems to me that there is some sort of problem with the game reading the keyboard correctly. I cannot type in a name, letters only show up after pressing enter, and I cannot backspace. ESC only works after pressing enter as well.

Anyways, thanks for the help so far.
Posted November 05, 2013
Hmm, weird behaviour. Please check that you use the newest version of DOSBox, because some keyboard issues of former releases were fixed.

Do you usually use a non-US keyboard layout?
Post edited November 05, 2013 by DeMignon
Posted November 05, 2013
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DeMignon: Hmm, weird behaviour. Please check that you use the newest version of DOSBox, because some keyboard issues of former releases were fixed.

Do you usually use a non-US keyboard layout?
I have DOSBox 0.74, which I think is the latest.

I use a standard US-keyboard layout.
Posted November 05, 2013
Okay, all updated and pretty standard.
Try configuring the dosbox.conf file:

Search for usescancodes=true and change it to false.

mapperfile shows the file used to load/save the key/event mappings from (usually mapper.txt). If you haven't mapped them, the file doesn't exist in your DOSBox folder, otherwise check its content.
Posted November 05, 2013
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DeMignon: Okay, all updated and pretty standard.
Try configuring the dosbox.conf file:

Search for usescancodes=true and change it to false.

mapperfile shows the file used to load/save the key/event mappings from (usually mapper.txt). If you haven't mapped them, the file doesn't exist in your DOSBox folder, otherwise check its content.
Changed usescancodes to "false," problem still present.

No mapper.txt, I never changed any bindings.
Posted November 05, 2013
I'm running out of ideas, to be honest. I can't rebuild your setting here for further testing, so it's a bit complicated.

But I have another suggestion. Now that you've installed the game, you could use it to run it through Wine. WineHQ lists the old version as playable.
Posted November 05, 2013
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DeMignon: I'm running out of ideas, to be honest. I can't rebuild your setting here for further testing, so it's a bit complicated.

But I have another suggestion. Now that you've installed the game, you could use it to run it through Wine. WineHQ lists the old version as playable.
Well, thanks for the help. I understand that it is difficult to help form a distance ;)

Wine is the way then.

Again, thanks for the assitance.
Posted November 05, 2013
You're welcome ;-)
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Oddworld seriesCDROM DOS version problems.(12 posts)solved(12 posts)solved
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