DOS Games Discussion

Does anyone knows a command in windows95/98dos what can set the number of colors to 256 colors?

Yeah.
Start
Settings
Control Panel
Display
Settings.
Change it to 256, and you're done!

Ehh, I know that.
I mend; a dos command line, what I can use in a .bat file.

I don't think that's possible....in a .bat file anyways....

Inside Windows 95/98 (not outside in full DOS mode) and in XP you can use PowerStrip to change the colour depth automatically whilst any particular program is running. It will then change things back again when all is done.

PowerStrip is more highly configurable than I can bear to think about. See some of these for example-
http://pub28.ezboard.com/fentechfrm4

Anything to do with graphics inside Windows and PowerStrip can do it. I wouldn't be without it.

Thanks all, but thank you very much procerus, the hot keys manages is quite useful in that program.
Next question, is it possible to make a bat file what can press 4 you (examlpe ctrl+alt+1). Because if it can, it can also do automaticly set the monitor to 256 colors.

Hi Xyrexz,

if you have installed and are running PowerStrip then what you are asking is easy to set up.

First go to "Display Profiles", "Configure". Here set up the resolution and colour depth you want and save it (you can use the default name).

Second go to "Application Profiles", Configure" and select either the batch file or whatever program you want to run at the res and colours you chose before. Then select the settings you saved in the first stage in the "Display, color and performance preferences" section of that Window. Save the profile.

Now, so long as PowerStrip is running, every time you run that batch file or program, Windows will switch to the desired colour depth (or whatever) and then switch back again when you quit.

If you need the setting applied a bit earlier (before the program can even initialise) then create a shortcut to the program (right-click the .exe...) and point PowerStrip at the shortcut instead. Then PowerStrip will make sure the settings are applied before the program or batch file is begun.

I did not know that I had to add the .exe file to the application profile. I only did the shortcut to the .exe file.
So again thank you very very very much procerus. BTW KaZaA has a full version of Powerstrip

Xyrexz. :Angry:

You probably won't want to read this.

I have no problem with you using the free version of PowerStrip from its proper download site-
http://www.entechtaiwan.com/ps.htm

BUT I am angered and dismayed to learn that you would use a pirated version.

Ashley Saldanha and R.Wang who write and maintain the program are good and generous people who devote their lives to the most useful Windows gaming utility in existance.

To give you some clue as to the kind of people they are-
1/ PowerStrip 3.* only supports Voodoo1 and Voodoo2 cards because I asked them to include the support.
2/ They spent hours fixing a problem that only manifested itself on my system by sending me custom written test programs to diagnose the error.

PowerStrip is shareware. But you are absolutely free to use the free version for as long as you like. The only catch is that it will eventually take longer and longer to initialise.

Personally I have no problem with people stealing software from big, insensitive and rich companies like Microsoft. I've paid Microsoft hundreds of dollars over the last decade and received no support whatsoever for their buggy software.

But the "small guys" like the people who write PowerStrip deserve consideration and support. If you steal from them you are stealing their livelihoods. If people steal their programs they'll go out of business. And then we all lose.

Use the free version of PowerStrip legitimately.

Or pay for the full version if it's useful to you.

But don't steal the full version because you're harming some people I care about. I care about them because they've shown they care about me as a legitimate user of their code.

'nuff said...

NEW RECORD:Procerus's first angry post!

Procerus,

I buy a lot you know, but I can't say to person "you must BUY powerstrip if you want instant 256 colors." My first search for powerstrip was on kazaa. I found it I downloaded it and I found out that it was the full version and I post it on this topic.
I download full versions from KaZaA, but I see them as Demo versions because they don't have movies, music, extra's & update tools. If I like a game I buy it. Also because I want to make my collection of legal games bigger (the boxes of the games). In the post of Doom II slow I typed, I've spent thousands of dollards to buy games". I still do.
I'm a Kazaa user but not a serious Kazaa user.
I hate people that download every thing from kazaa and buy nothing.
So personally I download a lot but I also buy a lot.
I hope you don't think me as a liar

Ooh, I don't know, Thunderdog. I got a bit snotty with emmzee too when I first posted here and the profile settings wouldn't support my sig.

And sorry Xyrexz. I'm a bit sensitive about PowerStrip in particular because I tend to back up the people that back me up, if you see what I mean. I'm loyal to those who are loyal to me.

i support u procerus. Ene tho i cant figure out what ur name says......

I dont buy games because, unfortunately, my pc doesnt have the specs to run most games. So i got sick of buying gams, finding out they dont work on my pc, and i cant return them. When I do get my new vid card to work, I will be able to run a few more, but for the moment, the best game I can run is Red Alert 2. So tha5t y i use kazaa a lot.

I agree with Procerus. Yes, it's Proc's first real rant, that's amazing. Xy, use the pirated copy until you can go out and buy Powerstrip.

Man, the Proco rant almost made me cry...

yeah, stupid Microsoft....

I also hate it when people download independent musician's music off KaZaA, since Accidental Superhero is one of my new-found favorite bands and my dad is striving to be a songwriter.

On topic, I used to occassionally use a "mode" command for certain types of video. My video card came with a manual listing the video modes and you would either start the machine with the video mode you wanted in the exec or made a batch (*.bat) file with the video mode and any other special configs you needed. Usually it was in my Autoexec in the bad old days, then in a batch file as I got wiser. Finally it was back in the exec under the "menu item" boot. So get out your DOS manual and check on the video modes.

Ironicly, I did this to enable the higher colors and res for my then "big" Amdek 15" monitor because some games that wouldn't auto detect the abilities of my 2 MB CirrusLogic 5428 chipset VL-bus card.

can someone please help me? i am trying to play a game it is installed but when i go to play it it says this programs requires SVGA, set to a minimum of 640x480 resolution and 256 colors and i tried changing it but i don't know how and going through the conrol panel and to settings is not working can anyone please help

There isn't a conrol panel in Dos.