Help get sound in DOS

[almoststew1990]

Hi everyone

I am building a DOS PC (here is a short build log). I bought a sound card. It doesn't say what manufacturer or model it is, but the chips it has are an Opti 82C924 and Crystal CS 4231A-KL, and also a Yamaha OPL3 chip. I have identified a number of cards that it could be (i.e cards with the same chips) and downloaded them. I put all of them into a folder each in C:\DOS\Drivers and then added the following Autoexec.bat commands:

SET SOUND=C:\DOS\DRIVERS\TYPHOO~1
SETBLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 E620 T6

However I don't get any sound, with any of the drivers. I understand that drivers weren't like they are now, and would work if they picked up the relevant chip rather than ID the actual manufacturer/model of your card and cancel if the right one wasn't detected.

I have a CF card so it is easy enough for me to dump dozens of drivers onto it from my XP PC and try each of them in turn.

Or are my Autoexec.bat commands the problem?

Annoyingly the BIOS on my board is very limited - I can't change or see any IRQ values!

 

[linktoinsanity]

Don't you have to put something into the Config.sys as well? Our 486 used to need this for it's "Mozart" sound card.

 

[EssexBoy]

I remember setting the sound up for different games in something like setup/sound.exe and then going through all the different cards till it worked

 

[Armageus]

not sure if just a typo but should be a space between SET and BLASTER.

Annoyingly the BIOS on my board is very limited - I can't change or see any IRQ values!

Not knowing the IRQ isn't going to help, although if you can find a mirror of the Microsoft Diagnostics program "Msdzip.exe" then that should list any in use.
ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/softlib/mslfiles/msdzip.exe - is where it used to be, but not working for me at least.

This page: https://flaterco.com/kb/audio/ISA/index.html
may be useful if you haven't already come across it, although doesn't look to have that exact card.

 

[almoststew1990]

not sure if just a typo but should be a space between SET and BLASTER.



Not knowing the IRQ isn't going to help, although if you can find a mirror of the Microsoft Diagnostics program "Msdzip.exe" then that should list any in use.
ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/softlib/mslfiles/msdzip.exe - is where it used to be, but not working for me at least.

This page: https://flaterco.com/kb/audio/ISA/index.html
may be useful if you haven't already come across it, although doesn't look to have that exact card.

OK that's interesting, I didn't know there should be a space. All the "example" autoexecs I saw had no space in them! I'll give it a go with the space.

 

[tonym]

Try this:

ftp://ftp.umh.es/drivers/SONIDO/OPTI924/

 

[ZXSpectrum]

WOW This brings back memories.. lol you would be better binning that card and finding a old soundblaster card as they were loads more flexible in a DOS environment.

 

[almoststew1990]

WOW This brings back memories.. lol you would be better binning that card and finding a old soundblaster card as they were loads more flexible in a DOS environment.

I would love to but I take it you haven't seen the prices of soundblaster cards!

 

[ZXSpectrum]

let me have a look round at home for you. I think I may have one or 2.. .

 

[TheMightyTen]

My Soundblaster AWE32 is framed and mounted on a wall

(It was so good in it's day I just never had the heart to throw it away)

 

[cee-S-dee]

My Soundblaster AWE32 is framed and mounted on a wall

(It was so good in it's day I just never had the heart to throw it away)

If it's one of the cards with OPL3 and simm slots they fetch money.

 

[cee-S-dee]

I would love to but I take it you haven't seen the prices of soundblaster cards!

Keep looking on the ebay mate. Bargains do pop up. Last night i picked up a Sound Blaster Pro 2.0 (CT1600) for £18 and this Aztech Sound Galaxy BX last week for £9.99!



Maybe look for a ESS card or one of the Aztechs. I have a few of the Aztech cards and the software is really easy to set up and they are compatible with everything!

 

[almoststew1990]

OMGGG I FINALLY HAVE SOME FRICKIN SOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FMSynthesis anyway from the real OPL3 chip

I corrected the set blaster.
I changed "set sound" to be "set soundsw" and pointed it to the specific subdirectory that setsoundsw was saved. I get both SB Pro sound effects and FMsynth now (before I got nothing)

Now for some Jill of the Jungle and Secret of Monkey Island!

Thank you for the help everyone

 

[cee-S-dee]

Good job dude! Now time to enjoy some games!!

 

[TheMightyTen]

If it's one of the cards with OPL3 and simm slots they fetch money.

It is and I know they fetch a pretty penny but I just can't part with it (I still have the box as well )

 

[almoststew1990]

nope, sound's gone again I have to have SET SOUND pointing at the general driver directory "typhoon", not the sndinit sub-directory where setsound lives. As such I have to trigger setsound manually. When I do this, the sound is veeeerrrryyy quiet (not amplified basically). Any ideas why this could be? Also the soundcard utility (probably made for another soundcard, but detects the chips and volumes easily enough) won't save any setting changes (e.g. disable the gameport to free up an IRQ).

Getting annoyed again now

edit - now it is just crackling with the odd note (at full volume). Maybe it is broken and it set up fine or does this suggest a software problem

 

[TheMightyTen]

edit - now it is just crackling with the odd note (at full volume). Maybe it is broken and it set up fine or does this suggest a software problem

Sounds like a borked card to me

 

[almoststew1990]

Sounds like a borked card to me

I thought so. Very annoying. Luckily I hadn't left feedback or anything so I'll contact the seller.