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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 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
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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

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                        • BuZzB
                                          BuZz administrators
                                          last edited by BuZz

                                          I can confirm the fading issue with system shock. It's likely due to the way the dispmanx driver double buffers and enforces vsync. I will see if there's a workaround in the driver code (but it's an old issue, and I don't think there's a quick fix. Probably better to focus on the libretro cores etc).

                                          It's been a while since I looked at the dosbox modules also, so I will see. Maybe there are alternatives/improvements for the sdl2 core also.

                                          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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                                          • BuZzB
                                            BuZz administrators
                                            last edited by

                                            I will also look at adding dosbox-staging or replacing current dosbox-sdl2 with it if it works better.

                                            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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