Sound in DOS zsnes under windows 98

callanbrown · Post by **callanbrown** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:14 pm

Hello!
OK I've built an arcade machine and currently all I have to stick in side is a Via C3 processor-based machine (700ish MHz, 256 RAM, 16MB SiS Video, some sort of SiS audio, Windows 98).

The Windows 98 port of zsnes is pretty good but a tad slow. For example the pendulum animation at the beginning of Chrono Trigger shows choppiness (auto frame rate IS on). I've tried doing what I can to optimize for speed, lower sound sample rate and no stereo etc. It's bearable but it can do better.

The DOS port (loaded from Windows 98 command) however works at completely full speed as far as I can tell, but no sound. The first time I ran it, there WAS sound but it was really choppy like it was on a terrible sample rate. But after changing some settings around, I get no sound, no matter what I do. Any ideas? If I type "SET" in a command window I get something to the effect of BLASTER .... with the IRQ set to 5 I believe.

Deathlike2 · Post by **Deathlike2** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:18 pm

If you're using a PCI sound card, make sure SB emulation is available.

Make sure to force 8-bit sound (that's mostly what you're going to get). You will have to restart ZSNES for the sound to properly initialize.

Make sure you figure out what SET BLASTER strings are recommended by your sound card manufacturer.

Post by **grinvader** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:57 pm

Deathlike2 wrote:If you're using a PCI sound card, make sure SB emulation is available.

Make sure to force 8-bit sound (that's mostly what you're going to get).

Uhhh... why ?
Win98SE + creative ensoniq PCI crapcard, never had any sort of issue with zsnes (any port).

callanbrown · Post by **callanbrown** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:27 pm

And you're using the DOS port from within Windows 98 with that creative ensoniq?

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:06 pm

Deathlike2 wrote:If you're using a PCI sound card, make sure SB emulation is available.

Which it probably isn't.
Most manufacturers don't even offer drivers for DOS emulation anymore.

Make sure to force 8-bit sound (that's mostly what you're going to get). You will have to restart ZSNES for the sound to properly initialize.

They usually claim SB16-compatibility. Can't hurt to try it first.

Make sure you figure out what SET BLASTER strings are recommended by your sound card manufacturer.

Almost invariably A220, I5, D1, H5. Those were the Creative defaults, and it's generally assumed they're the ones in use unless an app is explicitly told otherwise. And some apps offer more limited options for reconfiguring than others.

I'd go so far as to say that if it isn't A220 I5 D1 H5, you need to find how to reconfigure your SB16 emulation.

franpa · Post by **franpa** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:47 am

A220, I5, D1, H5, T6

aren't you missing that last option Gil or is it not required?

callanbrown · Post by **callanbrown** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:22 am

hey guys thanks for the tips so far

Ok so at the moment if I play DOS zsnes in windows, it's nice and speedy AND the sound plays but its extremely crackly at any sample rate.

I loaded SiS's legacy DOS drivers which just load the sndinit (SB16 emulation as far as I know), but it produces no sound. It does however produce a piece of info I've never seen in zsnes: it says "V***16X ENABLED" (sorry, can't remember the word). what's that?

Should I just go down to the store and get a cheapy CMI8738-based card? Will it work even though its PCI?

edit: ps, my settings are not exactly those ones. I think I have T4 instead of T6. I can't for the life of me figure out where to change those. My autoexec.bat doesn't contain any info and I have no idea where the SET BLASTER thing is even located. and I've tried 8-bit sound with no differences.

Kajuru · Post by **Kajuru** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:15 am

iirc T4 stands for SBpro(8?) and T6 for SB16.

You could try slapping SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 T6 into your autoexec.bat, but probably Windows will override it with the Device Manager values once the GUI is up. Try changing the values in the device manager.

callanbrown · Post by **callanbrown** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:43 am

Actually I have no such options in device manager, I have only the SiS Audio Device. No emulation 'device' shows.

Deathlike2 · Post by **Deathlike2** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:52 am

I'd suggest you look for the device that is taking up the resources for the Sound Blaster.

Kajuru · Post by **Kajuru** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:55 am

I meant changing the assigned resources(irc, dma, hdma, address).

Download NSSI to check it's features, including any possible SB16 emulation.

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:45 am

franpa wrote:A220, I5, D1, H5, T6

aren't you missing that last option Gil or is it not required?

If I recall, T is optional, but recommended.

Anyways, to check your BLASTER variable, just type "set" at the dos prompt.

Post by **grinvader** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:13 pm

callanbrown wrote:And you're using the DOS port from within Windows 98 with that creative ensoniq?

I wrote:(any port)

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:35 pm

grinvader wrote:
callanbrown wrote:And you're using the DOS port from within Windows 98 with that creative ensoniq?

I wrote:(any port)

Even the Linux port?

Post by **grinvader** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:39 pm

Gil_Hamilton wrote:
grinvader wrote:
callanbrown wrote:And you're using the DOS port from within Windows 98 with that creative ensoniq?

I wrote:(any port)
Even the Linux port? :twisted:

Even the linux port (same soundcard), but of course not through winders ninety-eight-and-then-some, of course.

And yes, I knew you were kidding. Still.

ajfoucault · Post by **ajfoucault** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:08 am

amazing

Kajuru · Post by **Kajuru** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:14 am

I should block off-site images. Seriously.