Ultrasound Daily Digest Sun, 18 Apr 1993 Volume 3 : Issue 18 Today's Topics: Adaptec and GUS Commanche Maximum Over Kill Problems Different SBOS install Disk 2.05 on epas? fat corruption? GusProbs w/ Comanche Smarter yet, but still probs w/ Comanche and digital sound subscribe Winjammer and MPU401 Yet another reason to boycott Sierra Information about the UltraSound Daily Digest (such as mail addresses, request servers, ftp sites, etc., etc.) can be found at the end of the Digest. *** HEY!!! *** Before you ask a question, *** READ THE FAQ ***. It's available on the request server and the ftp sites, or check the newsgroup archives. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 16 Apr 93 14:58:42 MET DST From: hodgen@informatik.uni-koblenz.de Subject: Adaptec and GUS Message-ID: Hi I finally got it working. Gusmod doesn't hang any more. I can save the setup as often as I want. It even works from the CD-ROM no problem. Ultramod works with the CD-ROM drivers in and Starcon2 as well. It all boils down to the programmers scanning for the interrupt and DMA lines. Maybe there's some reason why they can't just use the ULTRASND variable but ... The answer is to set the interrupt and DMA for the ultrasound and the adaptec so that these programms find the ultrasound first. My setup now is Ultrasound: B/a 210, DMA 5, IRQ 11 and 12 Soundblaster: B/a 220, DMA 1, IRQ5 Adaptec: B/a 300, DMA 7, IRQ 15 I hope this helps someelse. Maybe this could go into the FAQ. -- Wayne Hodgen | hodgen@infko.uni-koblenz.de | Opinions (c) Me 1991 | Intel SX Uni Koblenz, | (..!unido!infko!hodgen) | Keeper of the Scrolls, | Just Rheinau 3-4, | Voice: +49 261 9119-645 | Defender of the Net, | say 5400 Koblenz. | Fax: +49 261 9119-499 | His name is "root". | NO!!! ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 17 Apr 1993 21:23:55 +0501 (EDT) From: Gunnar Swanson Subject: Commanche Maximum Over Kill Problems Message-ID: Dear friends, Somebody mentioned they were having Comanche woes, I don't recall who, but they gave a long and detailed report on their system, very helpful. You have SBOS 2.04, however, you did not mention if you had the Comanche patch. This file is located at archive.epas.utoronto.ca in the following directory /pub/pc/ultrasound/misc the file is called comanche.arj try getting that file and using it and see if that solves your problems. Good Luck Gunnar gunnar@gibbs.oit.unc.edu ------------------------------ Date: 17 Apr 93 12:35 GMT From: ELSEWARE@AppleLink.Apple.COM (ElseWare Corp, B Bauermeister,PAS) Subject: Different SBOS install Message-ID: <735050085.7749970@AppleLink.Apple.COM> Attn: ultrasound digest SentBy: Don REGARDING Different SBOS install When I installed SBOS 2.04 according to the Gravis instructions, (i.e. copying the loadsbos, sbosdrv, and sbos.bat up to the \ultrasnd directory, I got an error of something like "Error loading sboslib.sbs". Operating under the assumption that it just couldn't FIND the sboslib, I decided to try putting all the sbos files in the SBOS directory and running it from there. I deleted all remnants of sbos from the ultrasnd directory, and I now run it directly from the sbos directory (I just put \ultrasnd\sbos on my path). It works just peachy. I only share this because I've seen a few messages here from people who appear to have had the same problems, and I'm curious if anyone else has tried this solution. On a slightly related note, I've heard people wondering how they could change the patch map in windows. From my understanding, all you have to do is edit the ultrasnd.ini file in your /ultrasnd directory. Find a group of GM patches you don't care for, and replace them with your favorite ones. The only hitch is that the ultrasound driver won't reset its internal patch list unless you restart windows. But for now, a (not entirely wonderful) solution is to make a bunch of .ini files in your /ultrasnd directory, one for each patch set you want to work with. For example, you could have techno.ini, allpiano.ini, or what have you. Then write a set of batch files that copy one of the .ini files to ultrasnd.ini, overwriting it. For example, you could have techno.bat, which would contain the line: copy techno.ini ultrasnd.ini The upshot is that when you want to change patch sets, you can leave windows, run one of these batch files, restart windows, and you're in business. (Of course, if all you want to do is re-order your patches, you can use the midi-mapper in Windows. This tip is only for those folks who actually have more patches than they can fit into ultrasnd.ini.) Don Munsil New address for mail: dmunsil@holonet.net ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 17 Apr 93 12:11:53 PDT From: cs64sbg@sdcc8.UCSD.EDU (Anthony Tang) Subject: Disk 2.05 on epas? Message-ID: <9304171911.AA12899@sdcc8.UCSD.EDU> What are the new things in the disk 2.05 set on epas? If there are any useful items in there, I'm sure all of us would be grateful if someone took them out and posted the new things (newer than in 2.01) seperately, as DLing 7MBs of stuff isn't a lot of fun. Thanks! -- Anthony Tang Real exciting sig, eh? AANT aktang@sdcc13.ucsd.edu ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 17 Apr 1993 06:20:13 -0600 (CST) From: "Neil D. Danylczuk" Subject: fat corruption? Message-ID: > Re: FAT Corruption w/Ultrasound & Dblspace > Most likely, it wasn't DoubleSpace that *caused* this - the > Ultrasound uses the NMI for things that it probably shouldn't, and > the resulting interrupt latency can cause problems with Smartdrive's > write caching. > I strongly recommend that anyone using Smartdrive *turn off > write-caching*. > For what it's worth, I finally got my GUS from Gravis, after a 2 week > delay. (I'm a dealer - this is my demo board). It came with version > 2.05 disks. I immediately popped 6 256x4 chips into it. > -Jim Jim: I've been using the Gus heavily since Oct. 1992, with every driver they've produced. It just doesn't cause FAT corruption. However, in using DOS 6 on just a few systems for 2 weeks, I've seen plenty of hard disk trouble. Your claim is dead wrong, especially considering you've only had a GUS for x? days. Good luck fixing it, but please don't fearmonger. Oh, in case you are right and I'm wrong, my humble apologies in advance. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 17 Apr 1993 06:27:36 -0600 (CST) From: "Neil D. Danylczuk" Subject: GusProbs w/ Comanche Message-ID: Well, I read your message asking for help and that you are not stupid. Well, having read your message over numerous times, reading several DOS books, studying the program code for Comanche, and giving the entire issue deep thought, I believe I have the answer. You are, in fact, stupid. Ha Ha! I am just joking! Actually I know what you mean, sometimes I get messages that treat me like a no-mind myself. Anyway, John Smith's reply to was probably appropriate though, since the problems he describes are typical of maybe about 90% of problems - idiots & intellects alike. After suffering through that, here is your help!: Here is my CONFIG.SYS: --------------------- DEVICE=C:\dos\himem.sys DOS=HIGH,UMB BUFFERS = 30 files = 30 Here is my AUTOEXEC.BAT ----------------------- prompt Set up for Maximum Overkill$_$p$g PATH C:\WINWORD;C:\WINDOWS;C:\;C:\DOS;D:\COMBUTIL;D:\ULTRASND;D:\ultrasnd\sbos mouse SET ULTRASND=220,1,1,11,7 D:\ULTRASND\ULTRINIT SET ULTRADIR=D:\ULTRASND SET BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 T1 SET GUSMOD=d:\sound\mod YOUR AUTOEXEC.BAT: ------------------ path c:\dos;c:\ultrasnd; <-----Hey! Add the SBOS directory to path! SET ULTRASND=220,1,1,2,5 <-----Hey! make the five = 7, the 2=11! C:\ULTRASND\ULTRINIT ULTRAJOY 16 SET ULTRADIR=C:\ULTRASND SET BLASTER=A220 I2 D1 T1 <-----Hey! this has to match the prompt $p$g number above! So make 2=7! c: cd \apps\dosapps\games\comanche <-----Hmmm, move comanche to c:\comanche (?) * NOTE: The last number on the ULTRASND MUST match the Ix number on BLASTER! ---- YOUR CONFIG.SYS: ---------------- DEVICE=C:\dos\himem.sys DOS=HIGH BUFFERS = 30 FILES = 30 SBOS <-----NOPE! Run SBOS -x2! Don't worry about the CM01B program. Didn't work for me either. I think the program has already been patched at the factory. Ours was bought at about x-mas time in Canada. You should only have to run SOUNDSET the first time. Run it once, now that you have the right parameters. Pick IRQ 7, and SB for everything. SUMMARY: Fix your path statement to include c:\ultrasnd\sbos! Make BOTH references to the ultrasnd IRQ = 7. Seven is the default and is very reliable for game compatibility. Five is your second choice. Two is risky! Don't bother messing around with DMA numbers, all games use 1. Load SBOS with the -x2 switch. It is the switch that frequently fixes no digital sound problems. Your comanche will work well on your power platform. Hope this helps and that you send me your ATI Ultra Pro since you are probably tired of it! Neil Danylczuk ndd41@jester.usask.ca 'til April 30/93. ------------------------------ Date: 18 Apr 1993 02:05:35 -0400 (EDT) From: PSANTUCCI@DESIRE.WRIGHT.EDU Subject: Smarter yet, but still probs w/ Comanche and digital sound Message-ID: <01GX51KAX1W20056I3@DESIRE.WRIGHT.EDU> Yes, me again, smater than I was but still not smart enough. Acting on suggestions sent me from subscribers to this list (Neil Danylczuk, Phat Tran, and a Swedish gent whose names escapes me at the moment) I have done some mucking about with my AUTOEXEC and CONFIG files. Here are the new ones: AUTOEXEC.BAT path c:\dos;c:\ultrasnd;c:\ultrasnd\sbos SET ULTRASND=220,1,1,11,7 C:\ULTRASND\ULTRINIT ULTRAJOY 16 SET ULTRADIR=C:\ULTRASND SET BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 T1 prompt $p$g c: cd \apps\dosapps\games\comanche CONFIG.SYS DEVICE=C:\dos\himem.sys DOS=HIGH BUFFERS = 30 FILES = 30 Still no digital sound. I have added ultrasnd\sbos to my path, and the MIDI IRQ now matches the BLASTER IRQ. I used IRQ 7 at the advice of those writing to me, even though my system uses it for LPT1 (I understand that it SHOULDN'T cause problems unless I print while playing comanche, but this thing's got me spooked). I am using 11 for the ULTRASND IRQ (which if I understand correctly should be irrelevant while using SBOS) even though my hardware manual states that it is "reserved". Now, where I come from, "reserved" means only the OS can use it, not a device or user (as in "reserved word") is this a freakish MS-DOS use of "reserved", bad choice by the document author, or is 11 really closed to me? Using these new settings, I tried using both adlib and soundblaster music in SOUNDSET, set the IRQ to 7, and left the channel at 220. No luck there. I tried running SBOS straight and with -x2 (used SBOS -f between tries). Still no digital sound. Anyone? Anyone? Fabricati Diem, PATMAN PSANTUCCI@desire.wright.edu ------------------------------ Date: 17 Apr 1993 11:08:45 -0500 (EST) From: TWE6889@ritvax.isc.rit.edu Subject: subscribe Message-ID: <01GX469X29IQ90QO5Z@ritvax.isc.rit.edu> ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 17 Apr 93 12:49:08 EDT From: apervazo@sas.upenn.edu (Andrian Pervazov) Subject: Winjammer and MPU401 Message-ID: <9304171649.AA24652@mail.sas.upenn.edu> After I got my GUS a tried to use Winjammer for sequencing. It caused a lot of problems, though - program crashes, Windows crashes etc. I was thinking that the problem was in the Winjammer - GUS incompatibility. Today, however, I did something I hadn't thought of before - I removed my MPU401 MIDI interface from the Input list in Winjammer. The result? It works OK. No crashes, no problems, no nothing. So what is wrong with the tandem MPU401 - Winjammer? (Or MPU401 - GUS maybe?) Well, it is not exactly an MPU401, it is a PC MIDI card from Musicquest, but does it matter? Before getting the GUS, I have been using it for more than 8 months with my synth and with the Finale notation program without any problems. Any comments? -- |===============================================| | Andrian Pervazov | | University of Pennsylvania | | Music Department | | Internet: apervazo@mail.sas.upenn.edu | | Phone: 215-382-0798 | |===============================================| ------------------------------ Date: 17 Apr 1993 10:55:57 -0500 (EST) From: DEATH BEFORE DISCO Subject: Yet another reason to boycott Sierra Message-ID: <01GX45OU24MQ90QPP1@ritvax.isc.rit.edu> Yeah...they'll support that crappy 'Micor$oft Sound System'. How typical. That card sounds like #$%^, but because Bill Gates puts his ugly puss on the box, the whole world genuflects and supports it. Maybe we can start a Pirate Mailing list with all of Sierra's source code (easire to crack). Ha ha. The previous line was a joke and should not be taken seriously, especially by those who think DOS 6.0 is 'good' and a major improvement over DOS 5.0 Thank you for your support. ------------------------------ End of Ultrasound Daily Digest V3 #18 ************************************* Digest Address: ultrasound@dsd.es.com To post to tomorrow's digest Request Server Address: ultrasound-request@dsd.es.com To subscribe, unsubscribe, and request files Owner Address: ultrasound-owner@dsd.es.com To contact a human if the server has troubles FTP Sites: archive.epas.utoronto.ca pub/pc/ultrasound wuarchive.wustl.edu systems/msdos/ultrasound