Matrix Games Forums

I've downloaded a copy from Matrix Games. All the numbers and SPACE are corrupted in the game. Same with Pacific War. Is there a fix ? Is this problem known ?

My specs:
Intel 810e 8MB videocard (latest drivers)
Pentium-III 550 MHZ
128 MB RAM

Originally posted by Leman:
I've downloaded a copy from Matrix Games. All the numbers and SPACE are corrupted in the game. Same with Pacific War. Is there a fix ? Is this problem known ?

My specs:
Intel 810e 8MB videocard (latest drivers)
Pentium-III 550 MHZ
128 MB RAM

The problem is you don't have enough free memory in a "DOS box" under Windows for the game. This is an old DOS game, and can only use 640k of memory while in DOS emulation, so the 128Meg you have doesn't make a difference (Windows programs can use all that memory but not DOS programs). You need to look at your setup and see if you can remove some of the drivers being loaded in that 640k area to free up more space for DOS emulation. Try the tech support forum, someone should be able to help you more.

Originally posted by Leman:
I've downloaded a copy from Matrix Games. All the numbers and SPACE are corrupted in the game. Same with Pacific War. Is there a fix ? Is this problem known ?

My specs:
Intel 810e 8MB videocard (latest drivers)
Pentium-III 550 MHZ
128 MB RAM

Actually based on other reports of the problem, it is not a memory issue but something related to the specific computer. All (with maybe one exception?) reports of this problem have been people with Compaq computers, both desktop and laptops. Since some of these people get the game to run but can't read these numbers, I don't think it is memory related. I think there is something odd in the Compaq setup that causes this problem, but nobody with a Compaq has solved it so no solution that anybody has posted. I have a Compaq for testing on at work but the game looks okay on it, but it is fairly old and I think we have reformatted and installed everything from scratch, especially the OS.

Yes, it must be COMPAQ. I know my DOS and did some tweaking. I've got 621K free base memory.

my autoexec.bat
LH C:\ESSAUDIO.COM -BLASTER
LH C:\mouse\mouse.exe/memu
LH C:\command.com

my config.sys
DEVICEHIGH=C:\WINDOWS\Himem.sys
DEVICEHIGH=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS I=C800-CFFF
DOS=HIGH,UMB
FILESHIGH=25
LASTDRIVEHIGH=Z

All,
Since I am a Compaq employee I'd be happy to run this with our tech support. Just bear with me for a while and I'll get back to you.

Rgds,
Magnus

Originally posted by RickyB:

Actually based on other reports of the problem, it is not a memory issue but something related to the specific computer.

Well, I'm now 0 for 2, very embarassing. I could have sworn though someone was having this corruption problem on a non-Compaq computer. Oh well.

Originally posted by Ed Cogburn:
Well, I'm now 0 for 2, very embarassing. I could have sworn though someone was having this corruption problem on a non-Compaq computer. Oh well.

Nah, you are doing fine. I am fairly sure there was one on PacWar that I guessed was Compaq like the other 15 or so that have this problem, and he did not. But still 14 of 15 or whatever is a huge percentage. Pretty odd.

Hi

I've got a slightly different problem when I use my Compaq Presario 1200 laptop (64MB RAM) to play when I'm on the move.

Everything seems OK except that I can't base more than 5 air units in a HQ otherwise I get an insufficient memory message when I try to access an air unit (to change plane types or missions). Also, I cannot change the tank types in panzer divisions/tank corps.

It's not that big an issue I guess, but when engaged in life-or-death PBEM matches, it does become quite annoying after a bit.

Originally posted by jager506:
Hi

I've got a slightly different problem when I use my Compaq Presario 1200 laptop (64MB RAM) to play when I'm on the move.

Everything seems OK except that I can't base more than 5 air units in a HQ otherwise I get an insufficient memory message when I try to access an air unit (to change plane types or missions). Also, I cannot change the tank types in panzer divisions/tank corps.

It's not that big an issue I guess, but when engaged in life-or-death PBEM matches, it does become quite annoying after a bit.

This is almost for sure a memory shortage in the first 640K. The key to freeing more memory is dependent on the OS, and there are a number of threads that discuss this issue. If you can't find anything, post here and someone can help (this is something that would be a good FAQ I guess).

Originally posted by jager506:
Hi

Everything seems OK except that I can't base more than 5 air units in a HQ otherwise I get an insufficient memory message when I try to access an air unit (to change plane types or missions). Also, I cannot change the tank types in panzer divisions/tank corps.

I had EXACTLY the same problem with my computer! It's definitely a memory-issue! I posted a fix to this board a while ago, let me see if I can look it up for you.

Here we go: just put "rem" in front of emm386.exe in your autoexec.bat. That saved about 20-30Kb of memory on my system and the problem was solved.

[ July 03, 2001: Message edited by: Nemesis ]

Nemesis and others,

Thanks for the tip/help! It works fine now. Well, there goes my lame excuse for getting my butt handed to me in PBEM games

Mark

Originally posted by jager506:
Nemesis and others,

Thanks for the tip/help! It works fine now. Well, there goes my lame excuse for getting my butt handed to me in PBEM games

Mark

Glad to help

Regarding the original topic:
Compaq (and possibly others as well) has removed the CGA fonts from the video BIOS on various skus. There is rumours about an updated BIOS with CGA fonts added that will be (or is) available for download. I'll let you know if & when I find it.

Rgds,
Magnus

Just got word from Houston (the fun thing about working at Compaq is that you get to lift the phone and say: Houston, we have a problem...). Anyway, this is what they told me:
"We have seen this typically with older applications compiled with the Borland compilers (either Borland C or Borland Pascal). For Borland Pascal most of the customers just changed their font. "

Rgds,
Magnus

Originally posted by MagnusOlsson:
Just got word from Houston (the fun thing about working at Compaq is that you get to lift the phone and say: Houston, we have a problem...). Anyway, this is what they told me:
"We have seen this typically with older applications compiled with the Borland compilers (either Borland C or Borland Pascal). For Borland Pascal most of the customers just changed their font. "

Rgds,
Magnus

Well it is older, and it is using Borland C, so at least it is a known issue. Too bad it sounds like they do not have a resolution for it . Maybe Arnaud will know of a change he can make, but I doubt it.