Article ID: 99860
Article Last Modified on 11/14/2003
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows Sound System 1.0
- Microsoft Windows Sound System 1.0a
- Microsoft Windows Sound System 2.0
This article was previously published under Q99860
SUMMARY
Under certain conditions it may be necessary to ensure that the sound card that ships with Windows Sound System is able to emulate the Creative Labs Sound Blaster audio card. The following debug script may be used to test whether the Windows Sound System hardware is properly set for Sound Blaster emulation mode.
MORE INFORMATION
The following script must be run from the MS-DOS Prompt program running in a window in Windows or after configuring for sound blaster support at the DOS level. In this script, BaseIO+6 represents the BaseIO address value selected in the Windows Sound System Games Configuration dialog box plus six. For example, if the BaseIO address in the Games Configurations dialog box is 220h, then BaseIO+6 would be 226. All values returned using Debug's "i" command will be in base 16 (hexadecimal format).
- At the MS-DOS command prompt, type debug. This command starts Debug, a program that allows you to test and debug executable files. When Debug is started, the prompt becomes a hyphen (-).
- Type o BaseIO+6 1. This command sends the value of the byte to the specified output port.
- Type o BaseIO+6 0. This command sends the value of the byte to the specified output port.
- Type i 22e. This command reads and displays the byte value at the specified port address. The returned value should indicate that the seventh bit of the byte is a 1. For example, if the returned value is C0, converting this value to binary format results in 11000000. As a result, the seventh bit is a 1 (bits are counted from right to left). If you are not familiar with the conversion of hexadecimal to binary format, see the section immediately following this debug script for a conversion procedure.
- Type i 22a. This command reads and displays the byte value at the specified port address. The returned valued must be AA. If it does not return AA, do not proceed, an error has occurred (see the possible causes listed below).
- Type o 22c e1. This command sends the value of a byte to the specified output port.
- Type i 22e. This command reads and displays the byte value at the specified port address. The returned value should indicate that the seventh bit of the byte is a 1.
- Type i 22a. This command reads and displays the byte value at the specified port address. The returned value should be 01 (indicating major version 01).
- Type i 22e. This command reads and displays the byte value at the specified port address. The returned value should indicate that the seventh bit of the byte is a 1.
- Type i 22a. This command reads and displays the byte value at the specified port address. The returned valued should be 05 (indicating minor version 05, combining the result from line 7 and line 8 gives a version 01.05).
- Type q. This command exits Debug and returns you to an MS-DOS command prompt.
If the returned values are other than those stated above, the Windows Sound System hardware is not properly emulating the Sound Blaster audio card. This could be the result of one of the following:
- The debug script was not run from an MS-DOS command prompt running in a window under in 386 enhanced mode or at the MS-DOS level after configuring the system for the Sound Blaster compatability. Sound Blaster virtualization is not available in standard mode.
- Voice Pilot is open (but it doesn't have to be active). Voice Pilot monopolizes the Windows Sound System hardware.
- The system is not configured for Sound Blaster compatibility.
- VSNDSYS.386 put up a blue screen during Setup, indicating that the IRQ or DMA settings are not correct and Sound Blaster virtualization is not possible (if this occurred, Sound Blaster virtualization is automatically disabled).
- The Windows Sound System hardware is in use by some other Windows-based application.
- There may be some hardware or software conflict, or the possibility of a problem with the board itself.
NOTE: If sounds are initiated on your system by the opening of an MS-DOS virtual machine, this may cause the game to fail to detect the Sound Blaster compatibility of the Windows Sound System. For example, if a .PIF file referencing an MS-DOS-based application is started, and the action of opening a new MS-DOS Prompt window initiates the play back of a .WAV file, and the game initializes while the .WAV is playing, the game will operate as though it was unable to detect Sound Blaster hardware because the Windows Sound System hardware was in use by Windows.
Converting Hexadecimal Numbers to Binary Format
- Open or switch to Calculator (usually found in the Accessories group).
- Choose Scientific from the View menu.
- Select the Hex radio button to place Calculator in Hexadecimal mode.
- Enter the hexadecimal number into Calculator using either your keyboard or mouse.
- Select the Bin radio button to place the calculator in Binary mode.
- Calculator now displays the binary equivalent of the entered hexadecimal number.
Keywords: KB99860
