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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
      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)

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • 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
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                    • 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!

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                                        • 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
                                          • BuZzB
                                            BuZz administrators @ecto
                                            last edited by BuZz

                                            @ecto there are some performance issues with dosbox and the sdl1 dispmanx driver, but it's better than the previous overlay config for most things.

                                            I've just committed a change to default to dispmanx on the rpi4 and I removed some previous default configs. It's worth removing the dosbox-SVN.conf from /opt/retropie/configs/pc and reinstalling after updating retropie setup as the old entries could make trouble. But it sounds like your config is probably correct, but just in case.

                                            To help us help you - please make sure you read the sticky topics before posting - https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

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