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    Please do not post a support request without first reading and following the advice in https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

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

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    • S
      Simrose @quicksilver
      last edited by

      @quicksilver

      Thanks I'm just waiting to get a chance to try and will let you know. I was using notepad ++ but didn't change format thanks for the tip. I never experimented with them before.
      Sim

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      • S
        Simrose
        last edited by Simrose

        @quicksilver I am using your scripts and still no good. I can see the script message now and the game does play but the video is small in top left and rest of the screen is a graphical mess. I have no idea why. I really want to get it working.
        Thanks Sim

        Hello logfile - runcommand-onstart checking in here
        dosbox detected - changing video mode to 640x480@60hz
        Parameters:
        Executing: bash /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/pc/+Start\ DOSBox.sh "/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/pc/arkanoid.conf"
        /etc/timidity/fluidr3_gm.cfg: No such file or directory
        timidity: Error reading configuration file.
        Please check /etc/timidity/timidity.cfg
        DOSBox version SVN
        Copyright 2002-2019 DOSBox Team, published under GNU GPL.

        CONFIG: Loading primary settings from config file /home/pi/.dosbox/dosbox-SVN.conf
        CONFIG: Loading additional settings from config file /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/pc/arkanoid.conf
        ALSA:Client initialised [128:0]
        MIDI: Opened device:alsa
        One joystick reported, initializing with 4axis
        Using joystick Wireless Controller with 6 axes, 13 buttons and 1 hat(s)
        timidity: no process found
        Hello logfile - runcommand-onend checking in here
        Reverting display back to preferred mode

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

          @Simrose are you using these settings in your arkanoid.conf?

          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
          

          Also when you post code or configs here on the forums put them in a code block by placing three back ticks (```) above your code and three below it. The back ticks should be on their own lines.

          Also when was the last time you updated dosbox?

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

            @quicksilver

            No I just thought that we just had to change the Dosbox svn like you have it above.

            I just updated from source I'll try again then after that I'll try changing the Conf settings for the actual game.

            Is that what I should of done before?

            Should i keep in dosbox-SVN.conf
            fullscreen = true
            fulldouble = false
            fullresolution = desktop
            windowresolution = original
            output = overlay
            autolock = true
            sensitivity = 100
            waitonerror = true
            priority = higher,normal
            mapperfile = mapper-SVN.map
            usescancodes = false
            frameskip = 0
            aspect = true
            scaler = normal2x
            Or should i restore that file to default and just change in arkanoid.conf

            Sorry
            Sim

            Edit
            I added those above values to the arkanoid.conf and now the screen is much to large and doesnt fit into my resolution.

            The game runs but i would esitmate the top left corner of the game fills the whole screen.
            thanks
            Sim

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

              @Simrose try to restore the default dosbox-svn.conf to default and just change those settings in the arkanoid.conf.

              I can post the default settings if needed. Or delete the dosbox-svn.conf right before updating dosbox and it should get replaced.

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

                I kept the original but that didnt work. I deleted dosbox-svn.conf and now reinstalling so hopefully will work after that.
                this is my arkanoid.conf
                mount c "/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/pc/.data/arkanoid.pc"
                c:
                ARKANOID.COM
                EXIT
                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

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

                  @Simrose can you post your full arkanoid.conf?

                  Remember put three back ticks (```) above and below it (no parentheses)

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                  • S
                    Simrose
                    last edited by Simrose

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

                    [autoexec]
                    # Lines in this section will be run at startup.
                    # You can put your MOUNT lines here.
                    
                    mount c "/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/pc/.data/arkanoid.pc"
                    c:
                    ARKANOID.COM
                    EXIT
                    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
                    

                    image

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

                      @Simrose The formatting for your arkanoid.conf is completely wrong. Your screen settings need to be in their own [sdl] section. Delete the contents of your arkanoid.conf and copy/paste the entirety what I have below instead. For any other dos games using .conf files use what I have below as a template.

                      # This is the configuration file for DOSBox SVN. (Please use the latest version of DOSBox)
                      # Lines starting with a # are comment lines and are ignored by DOSBox.
                      # They are used to (briefly) document the effect of each option.
                      
                      [sdl]
                      #       fullscreen: Start dosbox directly in fullscreen. (Press ALT-Enter to go back)
                      #       fulldouble: Use double buffering in fullscreen. It can reduce screen flickering, but it can also result in a slow DOSBox.
                      #   fullresolution: What resolution to use for fullscreen: original, desktop or a fixed size (e.g. 1024x768).
                      #                     Using your monitor's native resolution with aspect=true might give the best results.
                      #                     If you end up with small window on a large screen, try an output different from surface.On Windows 10 with display scaling (Scale and layout) set to a value above 100%, it is recommended
                      #                     to use a lower full/windowresolution, in order to avoid window size problems.
                      # windowresolution: Scale the window to this size IF the output device supports hardware scaling.
                      #                     (output=surface does not!)
                      #           output: What video system to use for output.
                      #                     Possible values: surface, overlay.
                      #         autolock: Mouse will automatically lock, if you click on the screen. (Press CTRL-F10 to unlock)
                      #      sensitivity: Mouse sensitivity. The optional second parameter specifies vertical sensitivity (e.g. 100,-50).
                      #      waitonerror: Wait before closing the console if dosbox has an error.
                      #         priority: Priority levels for dosbox. Second entry behind the comma is for when dosbox is not focused/minimized.
                      #                     pause is only valid for the second entry.
                      #                     Possible values: lowest, lower, normal, higher, highest, pause.
                      #       mapperfile: File used to load/save the key/event mappings from. Resetmapper only works with the default value.
                      #     usescancodes: Avoid usage of symkeys, might not work on all operating systems.
                      
                      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
                      
                      [dosbox]
                      # language: Select another language file.
                      #  machine: The type of machine DOSBox tries to emulate.
                      #             Possible values: hercules, cga, tandy, pcjr, ega, vgaonly, svga_s3, svga_et3000, svga_et4000, svga_paradise, vesa_nolfb, vesa_oldvbe.
                      # captures: Directory where things like wave, midi, screenshot get captured.
                      #  memsize: Amount of memory DOSBox has in megabytes.
                      #             This value is best left at its default to avoid problems with some games,
                      #             though few games might require a higher value.
                      #             There is generally no speed advantage when raising this value.
                      
                      language = 
                      machine  = svga_s3
                      captures = capture
                      memsize  = 16
                      
                      [render]
                      # frameskip: How many frames DOSBox skips before drawing one.
                      #    aspect: Do aspect correction, if your output method doesn't support scaling this can slow things down!
                      #    scaler: Scaler used to enlarge/enhance low resolution modes. If 'forced' is appended,
                      #              then the scaler will be used even if the result might not be desired.
                      #              To fit a scaler in the resolution used at full screen may require a border or side bars,
                      #              to fill the screen entirely, depending on your hardware, a different scaler/fullresolution might work.
                      #              Possible values: none, normal2x, normal3x, advmame2x, advmame3x, advinterp2x, advinterp3x, hq2x, hq3x, 2xsai, super2xsai, supereagle, tv2x, tv3x, rgb2x, rgb3x, scan2x, scan3x.
                      
                      frameskip = 0
                      aspect    = true
                      scaler = normal2x
                      
                      [cpu]
                      #      core: CPU Core used in emulation. auto will switch to dynamic if available and
                      #              appropriate.
                      #              Possible values: auto, dynamic, normal, simple.
                      #   cputype: CPU Type used in emulation. auto is the fastest choice.
                      #              Possible values: auto, 386, 386_slow, 486_slow, pentium_slow, 386_prefetch.
                      #    cycles: Amount of instructions DOSBox tries to emulate each millisecond.
                      #              Setting this value too high results in sound dropouts and lags.
                      #              Cycles can be set in 3 ways:
                      #                'auto'          tries to guess what a game needs.
                      #                                It usually works, but can fail for certain games.
                      #                'fixed #number' will set a fixed amount of cycles. This is what you usually
                      #                                need if 'auto' fails (Example: fixed 4000).
                      #                'max'           will allocate as much cycles as your computer is able to
                      #                                handle.
                      #              Possible values: auto, fixed, max.
                      #   cycleup: Amount of cycles to decrease/increase with keycombos.(CTRL-F11/CTRL-F12)
                      # cycledown: Setting it lower than 100 will be a percentage.
                      
                      core = dynamic
                      cputype   = auto
                      cycles = max
                      cycleup   = 10
                      cycledown = 20
                      
                      [mixer]
                      #   nosound: Enable silent mode, sound is still emulated though.
                      #      rate: Mixer sample rate, setting any device's rate higher than this will probably lower their sound quality.
                      #              Possible values: 44100, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.
                      # blocksize: Mixer block size, larger blocks might help sound stuttering but sound will also be more lagged.
                      #              Possible values: 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 512, 256.
                      # prebuffer: How many milliseconds of data to keep on top of the blocksize.
                      
                      nosound   = false
                      rate      = 44100
                      blocksize = 1024
                      prebuffer = 25
                      
                      [midi]
                      #     mpu401: Type of MPU-401 to emulate.
                      #               Possible values: intelligent, uart, none.
                      # mididevice: Device that will receive the MIDI data from MPU-401.
                      #               Possible values: default, win32, alsa, oss, coreaudio, coremidi, none.
                      # midiconfig: Special configuration options for the device driver. This is usually the id or part of the name of the device you want to use (find the id/name with mixer/listmidi).
                      #               Or in the case of coreaudio, you can specify a soundfont here.
                      #               When using a Roland MT-32 rev. 0 as midi output device, some games may require a delay in order to prevent 'buffer overflow' issues.
                      #               In that case, add 'delaysysex', for example: midiconfig=2 delaysysex
                      #               See the README/Manual for more details.
                      
                      mpu401     = intelligent
                      mididevice = alsa
                      midiconfig = 128:0
                      
                      [sblaster]
                      #  sbtype: Type of Soundblaster to emulate. gb is Gameblaster.
                      #            Possible values: sb1, sb2, sbpro1, sbpro2, sb16, gb, none.
                      #  sbbase: The IO address of the soundblaster.
                      #            Possible values: 220, 240, 260, 280, 2a0, 2c0, 2e0, 300.
                      #     irq: The IRQ number of the soundblaster.
                      #            Possible values: 7, 5, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12.
                      #     dma: The DMA number of the soundblaster.
                      #            Possible values: 1, 5, 0, 3, 6, 7.
                      #    hdma: The High DMA number of the soundblaster.
                      #            Possible values: 1, 5, 0, 3, 6, 7.
                      # sbmixer: Allow the soundblaster mixer to modify the DOSBox mixer.
                      # oplmode: Type of OPL emulation. On 'auto' the mode is determined by sblaster type. All OPL modes are Adlib-compatible, except for 'cms'.
                      #            Possible values: auto, cms, opl2, dualopl2, opl3, opl3gold, none.
                      #  oplemu: Provider for the OPL emulation. compat might provide better quality (see oplrate as well).
                      #            Possible values: default, compat, fast, mame.
                      # oplrate: Sample rate of OPL music emulation. Use 49716 for highest quality (set the mixer rate accordingly).
                      #            Possible values: 44100, 49716, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000.
                      
                      sbtype  = sb16
                      sbbase  = 220
                      irq     = 7
                      dma     = 1
                      hdma    = 5
                      sbmixer = true
                      oplmode = auto
                      oplemu  = default
                      oplrate = 44100
                      
                      [gus]
                      #      gus: Enable the Gravis Ultrasound emulation.
                      #  gusrate: Sample rate of Ultrasound emulation.
                      #             Possible values: 44100, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.
                      #  gusbase: The IO base address of the Gravis Ultrasound.
                      #             Possible values: 240, 220, 260, 280, 2a0, 2c0, 2e0, 300.
                      #   gusirq: The IRQ number of the Gravis Ultrasound.
                      #             Possible values: 5, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12.
                      #   gusdma: The DMA channel of the Gravis Ultrasound.
                      #             Possible values: 3, 0, 1, 5, 6, 7.
                      # ultradir: Path to Ultrasound directory. In this directory
                      #             there should be a MIDI directory that contains
                      #             the patch files for GUS playback. Patch sets used
                      #             with Timidity should work fine.
                      
                      gus      = false
                      gusrate  = 44100
                      gusbase  = 240
                      gusirq   = 5
                      gusdma   = 3
                      ultradir = C:\ULTRASND
                      
                      [speaker]
                      # pcspeaker: Enable PC-Speaker emulation.
                      #    pcrate: Sample rate of the PC-Speaker sound generation.
                      #              Possible values: 44100, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.
                      #     tandy: Enable Tandy Sound System emulation. For 'auto', emulation is present only if machine is set to 'tandy'.
                      #              Possible values: auto, on, off.
                      # tandyrate: Sample rate of the Tandy 3-Voice generation.
                      #              Possible values: 44100, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.
                      #    disney: Enable Disney Sound Source emulation. (Covox Voice Master and Speech Thing compatible).
                      
                      pcspeaker = true
                      pcrate    = 44100
                      tandy     = auto
                      tandyrate = 44100
                      disney    = true
                      
                      [joystick]
                      #  joysticktype: Type of joystick to emulate: auto (default), none,
                      #                  2axis (supports two joysticks),
                      #                  4axis (supports one joystick, first joystick used),
                      #                  4axis_2 (supports one joystick, second joystick used),
                      #                  fcs (Thrustmaster), ch (CH Flightstick).
                      #                  none disables joystick emulation.
                      #                  auto chooses emulation depending on real joystick(s).
                      #                  (Remember to reset dosbox's mapperfile if you saved it earlier)
                      #                  Possible values: auto, 2axis, 4axis, 4axis_2, fcs, ch, none.
                      #         timed: enable timed intervals for axis. Experiment with this option, if your joystick drifts (away).
                      #      autofire: continuously fires as long as you keep the button pressed.
                      #        swap34: swap the 3rd and the 4th axis. Can be useful for certain joysticks.
                      #    buttonwrap: enable button wrapping at the number of emulated buttons.
                      # circularinput: enable translation of circular input to square output.
                      #                  Try enabling this if your left analog stick can only move in a circle.
                      #      deadzone: the percentage of motion to ignore. 100 turns the stick into a digital one.
                      
                      joysticktype  = auto
                      timed         = true
                      autofire      = false
                      swap34        = false
                      buttonwrap    = false
                      circularinput = false
                      deadzone      = 10
                      
                      [serial]
                      # serial1: set type of device connected to com port.
                      #            Can be disabled, dummy, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
                      #            Additional parameters must be in the same line in the form of
                      #            parameter:value. Parameter for all types is irq (optional).
                      #            for directserial: realport (required), rxdelay (optional).
                      #                             (realport:COM1 realport:ttyS0).
                      #            for modem: listenport (optional).
                      #            for nullmodem: server, rxdelay, txdelay, telnet, usedtr,
                      #                           transparent, port, inhsocket (all optional).
                      #            Example: serial1=modem listenport:5000
                      #            Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
                      # serial2: see serial1
                      #            Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
                      # serial3: see serial1
                      #            Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
                      # serial4: see serial1
                      #            Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
                      
                      serial1 = dummy
                      serial2 = dummy
                      serial3 = disabled
                      serial4 = disabled
                      
                      [dos]
                      #            xms: Enable XMS support.
                      #            ems: Enable EMS support. The default (=true) provides the best
                      #                   compatibility but certain applications may run better with
                      #                   other choices, or require EMS support to be disabled (=false)
                      #                   to work at all.
                      #                   Possible values: true, emsboard, emm386, false.
                      #            umb: Enable UMB support.
                      # keyboardlayout: Language code of the keyboard layout (or none).
                      
                      xms            = true
                      ems            = true
                      umb            = true
                      keyboardlayout = auto
                      
                      [ipx]
                      # ipx: Enable ipx over UDP/IP emulation.
                      
                      ipx = false
                      
                      [autoexec]
                      # Lines in this section will be run at startup.
                      # You can put your MOUNT lines here.
                      
                      mount c "/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/pc/.data/arkanoid.pc"
                      c:
                      ARKANOID.COM
                      EXIT
                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • S
                        Simrose
                        last edited by

                        @quicksilver

                        That is so kind of you. It is working now with your settings. I will do the same for each game.

                        I am so happy :-)
                        Thanks
                        Sim

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

                          @Simrose Im glad we finally got it sorted it for you! Happy gaming! :D

                          S 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • S
                            Simrose @quicksilver
                            last edited by Simrose

                            @quicksilver
                            Thanks so much, I love DOS games and to be able to play them on my pi is wonderful.
                            I will keep an eye on your posts in forum for any change.

                            I thought you might like my dos games list i have working on pi
                            Arkanoid
                            Atomix
                            Berusky
                            Brix
                            Bumpy
                            Challenge of the ancient empires
                            chip and dale rescue rangers nimnul's
                            christmas jetpack
                            crystal caves
                            dragonsphere
                            ducktales quest for gold
                            dyna blaster
                            jazz jackrabbit
                            klass of 99
                            klax
                            prince of persia
                            star wars xwing
                            stunts
                            the incredible machine
                            transport tycoon deluxe
                            wacky wheels
                            wasteland

                            Thanks Sim

                            Edit
                            Most games are playable but I do notice some like atomix not all the game is fitting. But maybe i can adjust those games.

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

                              @quicksilver

                              Did those same video settings work for all your dos games?
                              I am finding some of them not correct fitting.
                              Thanks
                              Sim

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

                                @Simrose The game is appearing too small or they are being cut off?

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

                                  @quicksilver
                                  I can actually play the games what dont fit they just being cut off missing just a small part of top etc ( Full Screen)

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

                                    @Simrose hmm, im not sure, I havent seen this with any of my games.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • R
                                      RussellB
                                      last edited by RussellB

                                      20200731_182719.jpg

                                      Hi,

                                      I've been working with Hurrican, the Linux port and switched over to the DOS version and came up with the DOSBOX issue on the RPI4. I setup my dosbox.conf per this thread as well as runcommand-onstart and runcommand-onend so it flips to 640x480. The image comes up centered but as you can see it leaves a lot of black border around the image. I assume it's keeping the aspect ratio. Is this expected?

                                      Russ

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

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

                                        I assume it's keeping the aspect ratio. Is this expected?

                                        If you have aspect=true then yes it will preserve the original aspect ratio.

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • R
                                          RussellB
                                          last edited by RussellB

                                          Ok this is weird... using the same setup on another RPi4 a friend has the overscanning issue, and I don't. Using the same executable and the same dosbox-SVN.conf.

                                          Ok... my bad... the TV did not support 640x480 properly. Switched to zoom mode and viola. Time for a new tv!

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • ectoE
                                            ecto
                                            last edited by

                                            I made some quick tests yesterday and wanted to share my findings:

                                            Since SDL1 is patched, dispmanx can be used again with the right aspect ratio (as in not streched across the whole screen) in dosbox.

                                            This is true, and it's nice to see this improvement. Games just ran along nicely. I tested Blood with a resolution up to 640x480.

                                            What didn't work was Ultima 7.2 (Serpent Isle), because there where severe slowdowns whenever the screen faded. I also tried System Shock with the same outcome: screenfading is very slow.

                                            I did not change output=surfacein the dosbox.conf, so that might be another go at it. But so far I would suggest to stick to the workaround quicksilver suggested.

                                            BuZzB quicksilverQ 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
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