I have the Gold / Win version.

I created the Game Folder in My Documents.

Installed DOSBOX and mounted the Folders (i.e., C and D).

Switched to 'D' (CD Rom Drive) and opened dir / w.

Selected (typed) install.

Received the following error msg:

"This program must be installed under Windows."

Question: does this mean I need the 'floppy version' of Fleet Defender or need to select a different 'type of setup file' in order to get the sim to install?

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

Regards,

J. P. Kelly

Negative, I installed the Gold version into Dosbox. Just don't ask me to remember how!

But if I did it, it must be pretty easy!

Remember, you want to open the CDrom file and pick the install icon to install the GAME only.

Major Dragon,

Thanks for the response.

I noticed while searching for other related posts that you used DOSBOX Ver. 0.65.

Does it matter which 'version' of DOSBOX that I use?

Regards,

J. P. Kelly

Wouldn't know, that's the only version I've ever used.

I installed DOSBOX first and mounted c drive. Then created folder in DOS folder labeled CDrive. I then openned FD Gold CDROM in windows explorer and found INSTALL application. It asked if I wanted to install the game. I installed in a folder F14 in Cdrive. You are not installing FD Gold, just game.

Then open DOSBOX to c> and using dos commands type cd/F14 {enter} or cd\ (Iforgot). That should put you in F14 directory. Type F14 and game should start.

I actually made a desk top shortcut to open DOSBOX

Good luck

Major Dragon,

Thanks (again) - got it working!

Now all I have to do is figure out how to 'map' the throttle! (Saitek X52)

Regards,

J. P. Kelly

Email me at lee61156@aol.com and I will send you my X52 map.

Since this game pre-dates in game mapping, my x52 map will work for you.

The biggest problem (covered in anothe thread in this same forum) is getting the throttle to work. I map it to have all minus key strokes (reduce throttle) up to the end where it is full mil and afterburner. So you have full throttle and back off of it as you come down. But as you push it up you are STILL backing off it until you get to full throttle again. Takes getting used to.

Also, rudder pedals (like the throttle) are not recognized and have to be mapped to key strokes too. I can send you that map also (or map that to the twist on the stick).

Dragon

Sent x52 map files and key to email you have listed here at SimHQ.

Major Dragon,

'Got the X52 (throttle) working last night.

Using DOSBox 0.73:

1. Go to Edit Configuration (off Start Menu)

2. Under joystick edit the following to read:

joysticktype=fcs
timed=false
autofire=false
swap34=true
buttonwrap=true

3. Save this 'new' configuration.

4. Open DOSBox, then access Fleet Defender.

5. Go to 'Difficulty' and select 'joystick' then FCS w/WCS Analog.

6. Calibrate.

Note, ensure prior to calibration your throttle is (all the way) in the forward position (AB) detent.

7. Fly!

The throttle work fine and does not require recalibration even if you raise the cycles. I'm working that area now to fine tune the frame rate.

Thanks (again) for your help and the map files!

Regards,

J. P. Kelly

Upgraded to DOSBOX 0.73 and throttle works great w/o mapping/banding.

I have always used a framerate of 20000 cycles (I think I read that somewhere because I'm certainly not smart enough to have come up with that on my own).

Please update me if you find out something different.

Major Dragon,

Mapped my X52 last night; seems that over 25000 cycles I get a very slight sound skip - but overall I'm very satisfied.

It amazes me how this sim still captivates after all these years!

Regards,

J. P. Kelly

I tried to follow the instructions to run F14 Gold. When I start the game I get the main menu and the flight school instructions run fine. However, when I try to run the game itself, all it does it reboot back to the main menu.

Could someone lay out in simple language how to get this game to work in Dosbox?
thanks

Sobe,

I'm on the road and don't have my notes in front of me but I'll try to 'get you started'.

I found Dosbox confusing at first.

Question: do you have the latest version - if not, download it so you will be able to edit the config file (for your 'Stick, Throttle, etc.). I also recommend that you print out the instructions from the Dosbox site as I've found other instructions confusing.

1. Install Dosbox.

2. Set up a folder (I call mine Old Games) and create a separate folder within Old Games for each game you want to install.

3. I set up mine (in Win XP SP2) as: C:\Old Games\FDGOLD\F14GOLD

4. Install F-14 Gold (in the Old Games folder\FDGOLD) - I installed with Compatibility Mode 640x480, etc. on.

5. The key to understand is that Dosbox does not install the game - it allows you to run it - 'this was my initial mistake!

6. Now follow the instructions from the Dosbox site instructions and mount your drives; i.e., C drive (the drive you installed F-14 Gold in) and your CD-ROM drive.

7. After your drives are mounted it's simply a matter of switching directories to run the game thru Dosbox.

8. So when I want to run F-14 Gold I type the following from the Dosbox prompt:

C:\FDGOLD\F14GOLD

then

f14 (enter)

'Hope this helps...

Regards,

J. P. Kelly

Thanks for the help. I will try this tonight. Are you saying that I have to go thru all this each time I play f14 as it does not get installed?

Sobe,

Please read ALL the posts in this thread. There are clear instructions on how to install the F14 game (as opposed to "F14 Gold"). The game is on the F14 Gold CDROM and can be installed seperately. Do not confuse installing F14 Gold with installing the F14 game. These are not the same thing. You do not need F14 Gold installed for any reason (including playing the F14 game). F14 Gold is simply multimedia stuff that you can access off the CDROM without installing it.

And yes, DOSBox installation is completely different.

OK. I got it installed and it worked except I have to lower the cycle rate and figure out how to get the rudder and throttle to work. I have all ch products and I read some prior messages on the throttle and rudder but it was a little confusing this late at night.
Editing the config file in Dosbox did not seem to help the throttle and rudder situation.
Should I just use the CH mapping program and map the throttle and rudders to keys?

I've found that using CHCM to make multiple controllers a combined controller with the least amount of buttons and axes works best for me in DOSBox. This doesn't preclude you from using all the buttons, it just limits the number of stick buttons the software sees. The rest can still be programmed as KB input.

Re Cycles

Once I got my Saitek X52 (throttle) working I started to experiment with Dosbox cycles and frameskip.

Although I'm sure there is a direct relationship between 'your' (i.e your meaning anyone's) PC and the cycles setting I've found that with my 'rig the various settings have an effect on sound as well as frame rate.

After getting a little frustrated, I finally went into the Dosbox config (off the Start Menu) and set the cycles to Max - 'just to see how this would play out.

The Max setting gave me the highest frame rate with no degradation in sound quality.

LawnDartLeo: thanks for the CH info.

Regards,

J. P. Kelly