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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

    Launch script for CD-based DOS games?

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    dosboxcd games
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    • ibonihsI
      ibonihs
      last edited by ibonihs

      Could someone help me create a .sh launch script for CD-ROM DOS games (.iso or .bin/.cue) that require the CD "in drive" when playing?

      I'm trying to play Star Trek Judgement Rites (the "talkie" CD version) and others like that. Sure I can go to DosBox and type in the DOS commands to imgmount the disc image etc. but I'd like to launch them directly from Emulationstation so that one click in there would 1) mount the disc image(s) and 2) start the game with all the settings needed.

      I've read the tutorial someone wrote on Wolf3D but can't get my head around doing the same for a CD image based game.

      Here are my locations and what I need to use (located at the roms/pc folder)
      CD image: /INST/TREKJUDG/STARTREK.CUE
      Installed: /INTRPLY/TREK2/TREKJR.EXE

      ALSO - now all games are only able to install to C: root. Is this a permissions issue? I'd like to keep my PC roms folder neat and install to a specific directory (like roms/pc/GAMES/TREK2) but I'm not able to.

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      • ChasKa04C
        ChasKa04
        last edited by

        You Can easily.
        A few months ago a friend gave me a cd-rom for a dos game. All you need to do is copy the cd into a folder on your computer then import the folder to the "pc" roms folder. If it's an iso just I would think that you just extract it into a folder then port to retropie.
        If this doesn't work/make sense inform me.
        Charlie

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        • ibonihsI
          ibonihs
          last edited by

          Hmmm...I'm not sure I follow. You mean it would work if I extract / copy the files on the CD image to the installed game folder (for instance, /INTRPLY/TREK2 in this case)?

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          • ChasKa04C
            ChasKa04
            last edited by ChasKa04

            I mean extract the iso and place in "\roms\pc<iso extraction>"
            Then you when you want to play the game on retropie, you have to click on the extracted folder (TREK2), then the exe.

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            • ChasKa04C
              ChasKa04
              last edited by

              For instance, you have a .iso called ATLANTIS.iso, you want to extract it to a folder called ATLANTIS. Then copy that folder to the "pc" roms folder in ssh/USB.
              Let me know if there's any issues,
              Charlie.

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              • ChasKa04C
                ChasKa04
                last edited by

                I've made a quick video explaining it. I'm using a mac but Windows can do the same if you use WinRar or alternative.
                Don't judge my voice!!!!
                I had to give you a link because of the file size limit.

                The Video

                P.S. I'm not a kid, I'm just British.

                stooS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • stooS
                  stoo @ChasKa04
                  last edited by

                  P.S. I'm not a kid, I'm just British.

                  I lolled.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • ibonihsI
                    ibonihs
                    last edited by

                    This solution is not viable. It requires the extraction of the CD image, which in turn requires some utilities I don't have.

                    Anyone else could help?

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                    • ChasKa04C
                      ChasKa04
                      last edited by

                      Do you have a PC/Mac with a DVD drive?

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                      • stooS
                        stoo
                        last edited by stoo

                        @ibonihs From the DOSBOX docs:

                        In the DOSBox configuration file is an [autoexec] section. The commands present there are run when DOSBox starts, so you can use this section for the mounting.

                        An extra configuration file can be generated by CONFIG.COM, which can be found on the internal DOSBox Z: drive when you start up DOSBox. Look in the Section 4: "Internal programs" for usage of CONFIG.COM. You can start DOSBox with the -conf switch to load the generated file and use its settings.

                        DOSBox will load configuration files that are specified with -conf. If none were specified, it will try to load "dosbox.conf" from the local directory. If there is none, DOSBox will load the user configuration file. This file will be created if it doesn't exist.

                        So looks like you would generate a new config file, put the MOUNT instructions in there and then change the launch command to load the custom config?

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                        • ibonihsI
                          ibonihs
                          last edited by ibonihs

                          I managed to get this working by moving the image file (.ISO or .BIN/.CUE) to the pc/roms root and then creating a small batch (.BAT) script for each game. I had it before, but for some reason it wasn't able to navigate to a deeper folder where I previously had the images and came up with error messages.

                          All it does is do an imgmount command, then go to the folder where the game is installed and launch the exe. Games launch from Emulationstation, I can use box artwork, all that good stuff. :)

                          Maybe there's an easier way to do it, but at least this works. :) I tried extracting the CD to the game folder by the way, and it didn't work - it was still looking for a CD at the D: drive.

                          Edit: and yes, this can also be done using .conf files.

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                          • S
                            Spiky
                            last edited by

                            you can check the following thread (or just the first post, OP summarised it nicely)
                            https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/7934/ignition-dosbox-working

                            similar approach can also be used to have a well organised DOS games in RetroPie gui

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