Playing Commander Keen under Windows 7

Keenfan · Post by **Keenfan** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 15:59

I've got a new OS - and a problem.

Whenever I try to start Commander Keen with DosBox, the window just stays black. Nothing happens. Same thing if I start DosBox alone (No messages, no "Z:\").
I've installed DosBox under "C:\Program Files(x86)". The Keen .exes are in C:\oldgames

I'd be so glad if someone could help me.

Dynamo · Post by **Dynamo** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:07

Are you sure it's not just the fullscreen mode that doesn't work?

Keenfan · Post by **Keenfan** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:09

The config file says fullscreen is off.

BrainRain · Post by **BrainRain** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:10

I see that you are using s 64 bit OS, I'd recommend you always using the most current version of DOSBox in our case it's 0.74... be sure to uninstall the buggy one... Then install the new one... If still it does that thing then it's not DOSBox's fault..
Try dragging the Keen EXE file onto the DOSBox shortcut on the desktop.. it should start the game without messing with the command line and mounting garg... or use some kind of frontend

Keenfan · Post by **Keenfan** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:19

I'm using DosBox 0.74 in a clean installation.
Drag'n'Drop doesnt't work.
I tried several Keen versions and other Dos-exes. None of them works.

I simply don't get it.

DaVince · Post by **DaVince** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:24

Try changing the video renderer in dosbox.conf (I believe this file is made in AppData, possibly with version number in the filename).

Grimson · Post by **Grimson** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:29

Download DosShell and use that. Works fine for me.

BrainRain · Post by **BrainRain** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:31

Did you modified the configuration file? I'd recommend you to reset everything back to the original... IDK it works for me. BTW I'm using windows 7 64 bit just like you and I can still play any dos game. It just works
If that doesn't work, try reinstalling DOSBox

Keenfan · Post by **Keenfan** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:36

I tried every rendering method
(normal2x, normal3x, advmame2x, advmame3x, advinterp2x, advinterp3x, hq2x, hq3x, 2xsai, super2xsai, supereagle, tv2x, tv3x, rgb2x, rgb3x, scan2x, scan3x.), didn't work.

I did reset the settings, still a black window.

Then I did reinstall the whole thing - still not running.
@BrainRain: Where do you keep DosBox and the Keen files? (Program Files X86?)

I get the feeling there's something wrong with my new system...

Keenfan · Post by **Keenfan** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:39

I just noticed that DosBox doesn't show anything in its window if I start it alone. Under XP, there was a lot of text with a "Z:\>" dialog at the end in the window. It's not there under 7. Is that normal?

BrainRain · Post by **BrainRain** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:46

I installed into the default location... my keen or other files can be anywhere on my hard drive it will run them....

Do you see the console window if you run DOSBox? after that it should pop up the DOSBox window with the splashscreen....
Do you have the sound and video drivers installed? If not than that it could be the problem... or idk... DOSBox worked for me all the time and all the computers that I installed on

DaVince · Post by **DaVince** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:49

Keenfan wrote:I tried every rendering method
(normal2x, normal3x, advmame2x, advmame3x, advinterp2x, advinterp3x, hq2x, hq3x, 2xsai, super2xsai, supereagle, tv2x, tv3x, rgb2x, rgb3x, scan2x, scan3x.), didn't work.

Those are just scaling methods, I meant actual VIDEO rendering methods, like OpenGL, DirectDraw etc.

Keenfan · Post by **Keenfan** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:53

This is what DosBox says upon starting:

Keenfan · Post by **Keenfan** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 16:59

Theeeeeere we go!
I changed the video rendering method to opengl and...Tadaaah!

Thank you all for your help! Quick responses and good hints - that was great!

DaVince · Post by **DaVince** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 17:08

Awesome. When you get a blank screen like that, usually either the thing locked up or there is something wrong with the video renderer.