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    Dosbox on pi 4, game window is fullscreen but not centered on screen

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    • quicksilverQ
      quicksilver @ParadoxGBB
      last edited by

      @ParadoxGBB said in Dosbox on pi 4, game window is fullscreen but not centered on screen:

      Anyone try experimenting with config.txt settings in the boot folder to see if anything in there is causing a problem?

      The issue is that the pi 4 uses different display drivers compared to previous pi models. If you scroll up a ways you'll see that mitu provided a basic explanation of the issue. At the moment there isn't anything we can do about it. I've tried every combination of settings to try to get past the scaling issue and unfortunately they all involve using output=overlay, which is just too demanding for 3d dos games. So for now I'm just playing those dos games on my pi 3.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • quicksilverQ
        quicksilver
        last edited by

        So I started using raspi-config to set display res to 640x480, rebooting then playing my dosbox games using output=surface. It's the only way I can get it to work fullscreen and give the performance I'm looking for. Then if I want to play other emulators I revert back to 1080p. It's a very clunky way of doing it but for now it's all I can come up with. I wish there was a better way to switch video modes on the fly on the pi 4.

        F 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • F
          fede999 @quicksilver
          last edited by fede999

          @quicksilver said in Dosbox on pi 4, game window is fullscreen but not centered on screen:

          So I started using raspi-config to set display res to 640x480, rebooting then playing my dosbox games using output=surface. It's the only way I can get it to work fullscreen and give the performance I'm looking for. Then if I want to play other emulators I revert back to 1080p. It's a very clunky way of doing it but for now it's all I can come up with. I wish there was a better way to switch video modes on the fly on the pi 4.

          I've got the same problem on my Pi 4 (my Pi3B+ works perfectly with default config) and it's the only way I've managed to play games with a correct aspect ratio.
          However, I 've found it's not a "one size fits all" solution, as several games get a forced small window in the center or on the top of the screen, despite having the same config settings as other running full screen. What could it be?

          Here's my dosbox config, I'm on a 1920x1080 tv:
          fullscreen = true
          fulldouble = false
          fullresolution = original
          windowresolution = original
          output = overlay
          autolock = true
          sensitivity = 100
          waitonerror = true
          priority = higher,normal
          mapperfile = mapper-SVN.map
          usescancodes = false
          frameskip = 0
          aspect = true
          scaler = none

          It's a real bummer, since playing DOS games with improved graphics was one of the reasons for upgrading to the Pi 4.

          quicksilverQ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • shavecatS
            shavecat
            last edited by

            Have the same issue too :\

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • quicksilverQ
              quicksilver
              last edited by quicksilver

              This is my latest workaround for this issue. Youll need to create two scripts and place them in:/opt/retropie/configs/all/

              runcommand-onstart.sh:

              #! /usr/bin/env bash
              echo "Hello logfile - runcommand-onstart checking in here" >&2
              #START DOSBOX SECTION - SNIP CONTENTS IF PASTING INTO EXISTING SCRIPT
              if [ $2 = "dosbox" ]
              then
                  echo "dosbox detected - changing video mode to 640x480@60hz" >&2
                  tvservice -e "DMT 4"
              fi
              #END DOSBOX SECTION
              

              runcommand-onend.sh:

              #! /usr/bin/env bash
              echo "Hello logfile - runcommand-onend checking in here" >&2
              #START DOSBOX SECTION - SNIP HERE IF PASTING INTO EXISITNG SCRIPT
              if [ $2 = "dosbox" ]
              then
                  echo "Reverting display back to preferred mode" >&2
                  tvservice -p
              fi
              #END DOSBOX SECTION
              

              This script/hack will force 640x480 mode for Dosbox, so your TV will need to support that mode, otherwise modify the script to a mode your TV does support (as close to 640x480 as you can).

              For best performance in full-screen use these dosbox settings in conjunction with the above scripts:

              fullscreen = true
              fulldouble       = false
              fullresolution = original
              windowresolution = original
              output = surface
              autolock         = true
              sensitivity      = 100
              waitonerror      = true
              priority         = higher,normal
              usescancodes = false
              frameskip = 0
              aspect    = true
              scaler = normal2x
              

              These setting are working great for me and I can now run Tie Fighter Collectors CD-ROM edition in fullscreen with SVGA mode (gorgeous 640x480 resolution during gameplay) with absolutely no slow down. All 30 of the dos games I have on my pi are working good with these settings. I did have to lower the display res of windows 3.1 from 800x600 to 640x480 for my windows 3.1 games to display correctly.

              If you run into issues let me know! :)

              F G shavecatS 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • quicksilverQ
                quicksilver @fede999
                last edited by

                @fede999 said in Dosbox on pi 4, game window is fullscreen but not centered on screen:

                @quicksilver said in Dosbox on pi 4, game window is fullscreen but not centered on screen:

                So I started using raspi-config to set display res to 640x480, rebooting then playing my dosbox games using output=surface. It's the only way I can get it to work fullscreen and give the performance I'm looking for. Then if I want to play other emulators I revert back to 1080p. It's a very clunky way of doing it but for now it's all I can come up with. I wish there was a better way to switch video modes on the fly on the pi 4.

                I've got the same problem on my Pi 4 (my Pi3B+ works perfectly with default config) and it's the only way I've managed to play games with a correct aspect ratio.
                However, I 've found it's not a "one size fits all" solution, as several games get a forced small window in the center or on the top of the screen, despite having the same config settings as other running full screen. What could it be?

                Here's my dosbox config, I'm on a 1920x1080 tv:
                fullscreen = true
                fulldouble = false
                fullresolution = original
                windowresolution = original
                output = overlay
                autolock = true
                sensitivity = 100
                waitonerror = true
                priority = higher,normal
                mapperfile = mapper-SVN.map
                usescancodes = false
                frameskip = 0
                aspect = true
                scaler = none

                It's a real bummer, since playing DOS games with improved graphics was one of the reasons for upgrading to the Pi 4.

                I would recommend trying the settings in my above post first as I think it will give you the best performance on the pi 4 (better than the pi 3!)

                However if you don't want to use that method for whatever reason then you'll need to change to these settings:

                fullscreen = false
                fulldouble       = false
                fullresolution = original
                windowresolution = 1920x1080
                output = overlay
                

                Just be aware that performance will still not be as good as your pi 3. So I'd encourage you to use my above method.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • S
                  Simrose
                  last edited by Simrose

                  I copied your settings exactly also, put scripts in correct place and changed dosbox settings to match yours and ended up with tiny screen in top left. The other settings using output overlay still work ok though.

                  This is how mine looks maybe i missed something?
                  I have a 2 files added in opt/retropie/configs/all
                  called runcommand-onstart.sh
                  with this code

                  #! /usr/bin/env bash
                  echo "Hello logfile - runcommand-onstart checking in here" >&2
                  #START DOSBOX SECTION - SNIP CONTENTS IF PASTING INTO EXISTING SCRIPT
                  if [ $2 = "dosbox" ]
                  then
                  echo "dosbox detected - changing video mode to 640x480@60hz" >&2
                  tvservice -e "DMT 4"
                  fi
                  #END DOSBOX SECTION

                  and
                  runcommand-onend.sh

                  #! /usr/bin/env bash
                  echo "Hello logfile - runcommand-onend checking in here" >&2
                  #START DOSBOX SECTION - SNIP HERE IF PASTING INTO EXISITNG SCRIPT
                  if [ $2 = "dosbox" ]
                  then
                  echo "Reverting display back to preferred mode" >&2
                  tvservice -p
                  fi
                  #END DOSBOX SECTION

                  and edited dosbox-SVN.conf

                  fullscreen = true
                  fulldouble = false
                  fullresolution = original
                  windowresolution = original
                  output = surface
                  autolock = true
                  sensitivity = 100
                  waitonerror = true
                  priority = higher,normal
                  mapperfile = mapper-SVN.map
                  usescancodes = false
                  frameskip = 0
                  aspect = true
                  scaler = normal2x

                  Thanks Sim

                  quicksilverQ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • quicksilverQ
                    quicksilver @Simrose
                    last edited by

                    @Simrose what specific game is causing you issues? Can you confirm that your TV is switching to 640x480 resolution?

                    S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • S
                      Simrose @quicksilver
                      last edited by

                      @quicksilver

                      Arkanoid is the one i tried.

                      With the other settings it all works fine for me.

                      Ill test if tv switches correctly. thanks

                      quicksilverQ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • quicksilverQ
                        quicksilver @Simrose
                        last edited by

                        @Simrose I suspect that your TV isn't switching to 640x480 mode. I just downloaded and tested arkanoid for dos using my settings and I get a fullscreen image. The fact that your seeing the game in a small window in the corner of the screen confirms it for me (at 640x480 display resolution, even if the games render resolution was very low it still shouldn't be a small window like that).

                        Can you confirm what the permissions and ownership of the two scripts you created are? Also what type of display are you using?

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • S
                          Simrose
                          last edited by Simrose

                          @quicksilver

                          I am just waiting to test again as others are using the tv i need.

                          Its a 4k uhd samsung display but i am using in my boot config file
                          hdmi_group=1
                          hdmi_mode=16
                          as recommended on here to use 1080p
                          my info on control shows 1080p
                          within ES

                          permissions for the script i transferred over with winscp as pi user and its on pi and they show owner pi

                          I follow a rule im not sure if right or wrong when i transfer any changes check first what the owner is for files mostly in that folder and stick to the same.

                          e.g. in my configs\all they are all owner pi user

                          dosbox-SVN.conf is pi user which was default

                          the only one from memory i transfer over with root user is es_systems.cfg changes or emulators.

                          thanks
                          sim

                          quicksilverQ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • F
                            fede999 @quicksilver
                            last edited by fede999

                            @quicksilver seeing that we are running the same game (TIE Fighter Collector's Edition), did you manage to play it wth a joypad?

                            I have a Xbox 360 knockoff and it seems to calibrate just fine, but for some reason it will only move left and up once ingame. Is there any kind of driver I have to install?

                            I have the same problem with other games from the same period (Fifa 96, NBA Live 95, for example)

                            quicksilverQ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • quicksilverQ
                              quicksilver @fede999
                              last edited by

                              @fede999 Yes I am using a wireless xbox360 controller exclusively. Are you launching your game via a custom .conf file? If not, you should be :) If so, then make sure that under the [joystick] section that

                              joysticktype  = 2axis
                              timed         = false
                              

                              I also used the dosbox key mapper (cntrl+f1) to map all the important controls to my xbox360 controller. That way I dont need to use the mouse and keyboard at all.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                              • quicksilverQ
                                quicksilver @Simrose
                                last edited by

                                @Simrose somehow I missed your response. Did you ever figure it out.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • S
                                  Simrose
                                  last edited by

                                  @quicksilver I never figured it out and started experimenting with other things. But I would love to get it working as you have.

                                  quicksilverQ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • quicksilverQ
                                    quicksilver @Simrose
                                    last edited by quicksilver

                                    @Simrose does your TV remote have a button labeled "display" or something similar? My Vizio TV has this, and when pressed it shows the current input selected and the current resolution. Then you can launch a dos game and check to see what resolution it's running in.

                                    A few other things to check. Can you launch a dos game then exit the game. Then go to /dev/shm/runcommand.log and post the contents of that file here?

                                    Also you might try looking up your exact Samsung TV model and see if you can get a list of supported resolutions. Perhaps we are requesting a resolution that your TV doesn't support.

                                    CrushC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • CrushC
                                      Crush @quicksilver
                                      last edited by

                                      Great thread, this answers pretty much all the questions i had on this subject really.
                                      But is this an issue that is being worked on to resolve or is it just incompatible with the PI4 drivers and that's the end of story?

                                      quicksilverQ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • quicksilverQ
                                        quicksilver @Crush
                                        last edited by

                                        @Crush said in Dosbox on pi 4, game window is fullscreen but not centered on screen:

                                        But is this an issue that is being worked on to resolve or is it just incompatible with the PI4 drivers and that's the end of story?

                                        Not much can be done I'm afraid. It doesn't sound like much development is happening on the fkms drivers. But it's possible this isn't an issue on the full kms drivers. Kms seems to be what the rpi devs are focused on right now.

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • G
                                          Glaglachel @quicksilver
                                          last edited by

                                          @quicksilver Very nice workaround, it takes just some time for my projector to adapt the display resolution but as it is automatic, fine for me :-) Thanks !

                                          I even had to slow some games... :-D

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                          • S
                                            Simrose
                                            last edited by Simrose

                                            @quicksilver
                                            The resoltion on tv info says 1920x1080p
                                            so that must be the issue that its not switching and the scripts not activated.
                                            i have them in correct location, do i need to do anything with them before running games.
                                            Sorry took along time to respond
                                            Thanks
                                            Sim

                                            quicksilverQ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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