Hacking DS2x86 0.03 UPDATE

[kiafazool]

RELEASED

a new update from Pate

it runs DOOM!!!!!!!!


go to the website to download

http://dsx86.patrickaalto.com/


he also released dsx86 0.24 - it works on ievo

Feb 6th, 2011 - DSx86 0.24 and DS2x86 0.03 released!

It has been a long time since I last released a version of the original DSx86. The version I released today, 0.24, is built with the latest libnds, so that it can run in DSi mode if you have a Nintendo DSi and a suitable flash cart that enables DSi mode. I am only aware of one such flash cart, CycloDS iEvolution. Running in DSi mode means that the CPU runs at 133MHz instead of the normal 66MHz, so the emulation runs at double speed (20MHz 286 instead of 10MHz 286). If you don't have such a flash cart or you run DSx86 on a DS Lite (or original DS Phat), this new version does not bring any enhancements, sorry. I plan to add the smoother screen scaling features, and other improvements on my TODO list, in the future, though.

The DS2x86 version 0.03 has a lot of work done in the protected mode features, so that it currently runs Doom. I was able to fix the problem I had last weekend with the textures (the cause was a bug in my 64-bit division algorithm), and I also added some preliminary audio support. The problem with the audio in Doom is that it request an interrupt after every 128 samples, while the shortest interrupt interval my current SB emulation allows is 3*128 samples (but adjusted by the playing frequency). Thus, to make the audio in Doom work, I had to adjust the playing frequency to be only 22050/3 Hz, which makes the interrupts happen at about every 128 input samples. I will improve my audio support in the future, but I did not have time to code a better emulation method by today. There are some other minor improvements and bug fixes as well, but no major new features. The high-resolution screen modes and AdLib audio are still missing, for example. It is possible (though not very likely) that this version runs also other DOS4GW games, so feel free to test it!

The next things I plan to do are to look into enhancing the original DSx86 with some proper DSi mode support, and I also want to add profiler features to DS2x86 so that I can start improving it's performance. I believe it should run Doom better than what it currently does, so I want to see what are the most time-consuming operations and try to improve the speed of those operations. I also want to continue work on the Borland DOS Extender (using the Jazz Jackrabbit game) and implement the higher-resolution screen modes.

Again, please send me the debug logs, as those will help me in developing DS2x86 (and DSx86) further!

 

[The Catboy]

Now all it needs to do is run Elder Scrolls Arena and that will be the best day EVER!
Wait does that mean this can run Strife?

 

[YayMii]

I want to see gameplay footage of this.

 

[The Catboy]

I tried to play doom and it just gave me error, but with the Ultimate version and regular registered version.

 

[VatoLoco]

I played Doom (retail wad) for a bit on it, and it worked for me, but it was a lil choppy...smoothed it out by reducing the screen size a couple of notches.
I'd love to see Heretic running on this=)

 

[machomuu]

I hate to sound like a retro-noob (seriously, that goes against everything I believe in), but can this play games like Ultima?

 

[VatoLoco]

Here's a handy compatibility wiki for DSx86 (not the DS2x86alpha, its really rudimentary right now).
But, it looks like Ultima 2-6 work, while Ultima 1 has some issues.

 

[machomuu]

Here's a handy compatibility wiki for DSx86 (not the DS2x86alpha, its really rudimentary right now).
But, it looks like Ultima 2-6 work, while Ultima 1 has some issues.

Thanks so much, I really hate that this game (series) was before my generation's time (for the most part).

 

[Master_Thief]

Some testing I've done.

Playable/Partially playable games
Alien Breed - Playable - Excellent speed, no sound though.
Bloodnet - Partially Working - Gets ingame but has some issues with the cursor, also gives an "unsupported opcode" everytime the top menu is shown.
Burntime - Playable - Works, though no sound.
Bram Stokers Dracula - Playable - Runs at a pretty good speed.
Cybercon 3 - Playable - Works, though no sound.
Doom (Ultimate Doom) - Playable - Works, though is a little slow.
Formula One Grand Prix - Partially Working - Gets ingame and runs at a pretty good speed, but gives an "unsupported opcode" at random.
Grand Prix Unlimited - Playable - Excellent speed, though sound only partially working.
Ken's Labyrinth - Playable - Great speed, though no sound.
KGB - Playable - Works, though no sound.
Raiden - Playable - Excellent speed, no sound though.
Sensible Soccer - Playable - Excellent speed, no sound though.
Spellcraft - Playable - Works, though no sound.
Ultima Underworld - Partially Working - Ingame runs at great speed, no sound though and saving/loading not working.
Wing Commander - Playable - Excellent speed, no sound though.
Wing Commander 2 - Playable - Excellent speed, no sound except speech though.
X-Wing - Playable - Excellent speed, no sound though.
Yendorian Tales: Tyrants Of Thaine - Playable - Works, though no sound.

Complete list of games tested

 

[spinal_cord]

Wake me up when I can install win3.1 on it (can win3.1 even be installed on 4DOS?).

 

[nl255]

Here's a handy compatibility wiki for DSx86 (not the DS2x86alpha, its really rudimentary right now).
But, it looks like Ultima 2-6 work, while Ultima 1 has some issues.

Actually, it is just the space portion of Ultima 1 that does not work. Specifically, as soon as you try to move in space you will "collide" with the scenery from the ground (which is not cleared like it is supposed to be) and your shields will be depleted until you die. Everything else works fine. I believe Ultima 4 and 6 require loadfix and it is possible Ultima 6 will not let you save.

For ds2x86 it is another story. Ultima 2 does not work, Ultima 4 has a BSOD, and Ultima 6 can/will corrupt your MicroSD when you try to save. Ultima 1, 3 and 5 work fine.

Note that in both cases, for Ultima 3 I recommend using the upgrade patch (http://reconstruction.voyd.net/zips/u3upgrade.zip) which features a speed/frame limiter . Note that you will need to use DOSbox to apply the patch and after it is installed you MUST disable MIDI sound with u3cfg.exe (dsx86/ds2x86 do not support the midpak midi system used). Both the patch installer and u3cfg.exe require cwsdpmi so those steps have to be done from DOSBox.