Windows XP Pro likes SPMBT v1

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Fri Jun 28, 2002 11:24 pm

Just got access to SPMBTv1 thanks to Mojo (hey check out my post in General Forum Mojo).

Well I run Windows XP Pro.

It wasn't mentioned in the set up process so naturally XP users might have concern.
I am here to say that this marginally computer skilled individual, has it running with no headaches hurdles or hassles.

The usual DOS concerns exist. I went and successfully configured sound (I use an ordinary Sound Blaster configuration).

When it started to install I let it create its own directory on C (didn't want to fuss or get fancy). I allowed it to create its desktop short cut and it went through that fine.
The icon begins the game as expected.

It is clearly not Steel Panthers WaW visually (duuuuh I hope no one wastes undo time lamenting that detail). It looks like early era Steel Panthers, but that is no real reason to slag it in any way.
I found the animations acceptable, the sounds were ok (hey I have heard people whine about Star Wars Episode 2 so it is clear some people are just never satisfied).
I was annoyed that the mouse drags across as if moving through mud just as it does in my Steel Panthers 3 software. I think there is a fix for that, but not sure I really care (so I need a couple of seconds more, it's not that big of a deal).

All in all, my first view of the game is this, if you were expecting to get a Steel Panthers WaW calibre grade enhancement, it isn't there.
If though your primary wish is to play Steel Panthers in a modern environment, you should be able to be happy with this.

Les the Sarge a known fan of WW2 over Modern is able to say he likes it. Hey what else do ya want eh.

Supervisor · Post by **Supervisor** » Sat Jun 29, 2002 2:18 am

Great news Sarge, I'm sure you've eased the minds of many when it comes to compatibility issues.

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Sat Jun 29, 2002 4:55 am

Just an after action report on my first game using SPMBTv1.

Played in Korea as Marines vs the North Koreans at Pusan.

Well first things first.

People don't forget (as I did) when starting a new game of Steel Panthers...check out those game settings hehe.

Looks like this old DOS game likes Fast Artillery more than Slow Artillery (maybe that was my setting message traffic speed to other than forget it I do want to read speed).
The fight really sped up once I turfed the message traffic lag.

As for the actual battle, well going back in time I had to get used to using a version that just engages the enemy without having to click yes to each and every shot. Good thing? hmm who's to say.
Now maybe I just didn't spend long enough fussing with settings.

I let the Marines pretty much do their own thing (while I sat here and watched). Planned an air strike and an artillery barrage (seemed to take forever to arrive hehe).
The 2 darned Corsairs insisted on shooting up a trashed SU-76 instead of what I thought were perfectly viable T-34/85 tank options. 1 Mustang finally blew up the dumb immobilised SU-76, so the second mustang attacked a T-34/85 and blew it to hell (thank you) then even got the one behind it (must have been the only pilot that could see straight heheh).

The Marines got battered around quite a bit but I wasn't being to aggressive so I can't say they let me down heheh.

Might have been more aggressive with the artillery, but was always waiting for the other shoe to drop (turns out that what I saw was all there was). My 2 pershings were under used but I got 2 trucks (what a waste of ammo they were heheh).

From a technical standpoint.....

It's going to be easy to say I won't play SPMBTv1 near as much as SPWaW. The game just isn't an equal. It's ok but it basically only offers an outlet for those post WW2 urges.
The mouse thing almost drove me nuts unfortunately. Made scrolling the screen something that I avoided. As a result I tended to get lazy and just let the computer do the shooting after ending my turn.
This won't be an option on attacking though.

This one factor I think is going to make or break the game from an interest perspective to those that are not fans currently.
I have heard comments talking about this mouse hassle. I have no idea if it's fixable though myself. But fans of Modern, start checking into it. You will likely want a solution if there is one out there (and if you find it let me know, it will likely work on my SP3 game as well I am thinking).

Well there ya have it.

An AAR from about as difficult to impress observern as I think you are going to find.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Sat Jun 29, 2002 7:04 am

My games with SPMBT run too fast. How do i slow it down?I have a Pentium III, 450 ,64 ram.

antarctic · Post by **antarctic** » Sat Jun 29, 2002 11:37 am

My games with SPMBT run too fast. How do i slow it down?I have a Pentium III, 450 ,64 ram.

Okay... you might be able to internally "slow down" SPMBT using inbuilt preferences... I'm not sure... cousult the "online manual" html files.

However, I do know that there is a nifty little program out there called "Turbo" which runs under windows and slows down your computer... you enter a percentage, and it slows your CPU down by that much... though you have to experiment as to what percentage you use...

Attached is the Zip.

Hope this helps.

Antarctic

Note, I believe that posting this file on this forum is NOT against copyright, as the README file allows redistribution. If I am wrong, please contact me and I will readily remove it.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Sat Jun 29, 2002 4:42 pm

Thanks Antarctic I'll give it a try.

Mark Ezra · Post by **Mark Ezra** » Sat Jun 29, 2002 10:59 pm

Moslo is what I use and the slow down works jsut fine on my P3. It is a MUST for any P3 or above. The game is fine. Remember it is SP2 with refinements by the Camo group. They are to be congradulated on their efforts to keep it going and letting us play SOME form of Modern SP. It'll stay on my HD, right next to SPWAW.

Alby · Post by **Alby** » Sun Jun 30, 2002 12:51 am

Originally posted by Drex
My games with SPMBT run too fast. How do i slow it down?I have a Pentium III, 450 ,64 ram.

Its in the .INI file
instructions are in the manaul how to slow things down

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Sun Jun 30, 2002 1:46 am

I've heard of Moslo, but I have never had a game "run to fast".

Out of curiosity, exactly what is it on your computer that is making your games "run to fast"?

My system is a Celeron 800 and I have 8 megs in video plus my 256 Meg Ram capacity.
I have never once had a game of any sort "run to fast".

The only snag I have ever experienced in my years of computer gaming, is when the system just doesn't want to install the software, or the sound set up is to antique to recognise new hardware (my personal fav to hate is "install disk #X in drive A or B, as I no longer install non cd games, and as such the drive is D if it is anything).

So "to fast" is a phenomenon that is outside my own personal experiences.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Sun Jun 30, 2002 2:28 am

hi Alby. I tried to slow the scroll speed by changing the 5th number but to no effect. I changed it from 1 to 50 and didn't notice a difference.

MacCready · Post by **MacCready** » Sun Jun 30, 2002 5:15 am

I think its a good game,Im using my old win 95b 233 mhz machine.
It locks right up on the 1333mhz usually within 10 minutes.

It not an advanced SP engine like SPWAW but its a fine game,gotta love those years 1946-2020.Lots of countries.It's only drawback in my opinion is Matrix didn't make it.

I'm sure SPMW would have blown it out of the water.

Goblin · Post by **Goblin** » Sun Jun 30, 2002 5:23 am

With 7.1, my mouse scroll speed in the plotting windows (artillery, paras, gliders, commandos) is off the chart! I have to just barely move the mouse, and it will jump half the board! Very frustrating. My older comp doesn't do it (Celeron 500mhz 64mb). Just the new one (AMD XP2000+ 512mb).

Goblin- A Goblin has hard time plotting;)

PS-For the record, MacCready is first class people. Off tangent maybe, but needed to be said.

Mark Ezra · Post by **Mark Ezra** » Sun Jun 30, 2002 6:33 pm

Any relatively new Pc above P3 with a good graphic card 32,64,124 megs will Run old Dos games "Fast". Just like and 8 meg graphic card will run new games "slow" (if at all). When the split between SPCamo and Matrix occured One of the reasons was the battle over which engine would be best to advance with. Sp3 was a windows (sort of) based game, while SP2 was pure Dos. Matrix made the right choice in using the SP3 engine. But the fine guys of SPCamo have hung in there to make SP2 a still viable game. I was unable to get the sound working on the SPcamo products until I ditched my sound card for a Soundblaster PCI 512...only $50. A sound card that will accept the old dos system sound is essential to the game. If you experience crashes...even if you were able to confug sound without problems (!) it WILL BE the sound card. Of course you can play without sound. I went through some real technical hell getting the game to work with sound but it is worth it.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Sun Jun 30, 2002 7:15 pm

I got Mo'slo to slow SPMBT down (set it to 50%) but the sound doesn't work which doesn't bother me that much. I have a soundblaster pro.

MacCready · Post by **MacCready** » Sun Jun 30, 2002 7:47 pm

I can't see using my AMD Athlon t-bird 1333 mhz with one hand tied behind its back...(ie To Slo)

Go for that old style computer(that you can buy now for peanuts)
to play those old dos code games.

If you want compatibilty in a sound card buy a soundblaster 128.

I have not had any sound problems with it.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Sun Jun 30, 2002 8:08 pm

Since mo'slo is llinked to the shortcut, it doesn't affect your other programs. I usually play with sound off anyway.

MacCready · Post by **MacCready** » Sun Jun 30, 2002 9:06 pm

As long as your happy Drex thats all that matters,I can't get involved with Steel Panthers games unless there's sound.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Sun Jun 30, 2002 9:24 pm

yeah, my wife hates the noise and earphones hurt my ears so i use my imagination.

Mark Ezra · Post by **Mark Ezra** » Mon Jul 01, 2002 3:33 am

Drex there may be away to set your sound files. You would have to check out your currant sound blaster location and stting and then set sound by hand. Since we are playing this as PBEM...just let me know by private email if you'd like me to talk you through it...The instructions on of to do this are in the manual and may fix that up for you just fine. After all, your wife isn't home all day and you can use headphones, right...LOL

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Mon Jul 01, 2002 6:29 am

I tried the Setsound and chose all the soundblaster drivers with my IRQ (10), i/o setting (220 or 330) and my DMA channel(1) and still it wouldn't recognize my Creative Soundblaster AudioPCI 64V legacy card. I don't have sound problems with SPWAW or my other games.