Proposed FAQ additions

Ask for help with ScummVM problems

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eriktorbjorn
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Proposed FAQ additions

Post by eriktorbjorn »

There have been a number of reports about ScummVM misbehaving on some hardware under Windows, but that these can be worked around by telling the SDL library to use different video and audio drivers. This information ought to be in the ScummVM FAQ but isn't.

I propose that something like this is added:
ScummVM starts, but all I get is a transparent window!

This problem has been reported to happen under Windows in some cases.
Check that you have the latest drivers for your graphics card. If that
does not help, try setting the SDL_VIDEODRIVER environment variable to
"windib" and try again.

ScummVM runs, but sound is stuttering and/or garbled!

This problem has been reported to happen under Windows in some cases.
Check that you have the latest drivers for your sound card. If that
does not help, try setting the SDL_AUDIODRIVER environment variable to
"waveout" and try again.

How do I set an environment variable?

That depends on what operating system and/or command shell you are
using. Under Windows, you could try creating a file called scummvm.bat
in the same folder as scummvm.exe. Open this file in your favorite
text editor and put something like this in it:

Code: Select all

@echo off
set SDL_VIDEODRIVER=windib
set SDL_AUDIODRIVER=waveout
scummvm.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
You should now be able to run ScummVM by double-clicking on this batch
file, instead of the ScummVM executable.

On more recent versions of Windows, you can also set an environment
variable permanently through the control panel.
However, I do not currently have access to any computer running Microsoft Windows, so it's a bit like flying blind here. So this text would have to be fleshed out and proof-read by someone who actually knows Windows. In particular, I'm a bit uncertain about the .bat file syntax...
Last edited by eriktorbjorn on Thu Jan 26, 2006 3:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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joostp
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Re: Proposed FAQ additions

Post by joostp »

eriktorbjorn wrote: ScummVM runs, but sound is stuttering and/or garbled!

This problem has been reported to happen under Windows in some cases.
Check that you have the latest drivers for your sound card. If that
does not help, try setting the SDL_VIDEODRIVER environment variable to
"waveout" and try again.
Not using windows, but I think SDL_VIDEODRIVER should be SDL_AUDIODRIVER here.
joachimeberhard
ScummVM Team Member
Posts: 377
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Location: Austria

Re: Proposed FAQ additions

Post by joachimeberhard »

eriktorbjorn wrote:

Code: Select all

@echo off
set SDL_VIDEODRIVER=windib
set SDL_AUDIODRIVER=waveout
scummvm.exe %1

Without the $* it works.

You probably meant "scummvm.exe %1" for passing a parameter.

Regards

Joachim
clem
Posts: 2159
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2005 11:14 am

Post by clem »

also there are probably more than just one parameter;

Code: Select all

@echo off
set SDL_VIDEODRIVER=windib
set SDL_AUDIODRIVER=waveout
scummvm.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
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eriktorbjorn
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Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:39 am

Post by eriktorbjorn »

I've edited the BAT file part of the document. I still wish someone who knows Windows would finish it, though...
clem
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Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2005 11:14 am

Post by clem »

in your topmost post, you still write
does not help, try setting the SDL_VIDEODRIVER environment variable to
under "ScummVM runs, but sound is stuttering and/or garbled! " - should be changed to SDL_AUDIODRIVER as well I think

a note on naming the batchfile SCUMMVM.BAT: this won't be a problem as long as you start it by clicking on it - but if you use the commandline and just type "scummvm", the .exe will execute (the order for identically named files ist: .com .exe .bat)

clem
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eriktorbjorn
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Post by eriktorbjorn »

clem wrote:in your topmost post, you still write
does not help, try setting the SDL_VIDEODRIVER environment variable to
under "ScummVM runs, but sound is stuttering and/or garbled! " - should be changed to SDL_AUDIODRIVER as well I think
clem
I've edited this part now, since it was obviously wrong. Thanks!
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joostp
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Post by joostp »

Didn't I point this out 2 weeks ago already? :?
clem
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Post by clem »

hehe

I read it but somehow thought it referred to the code in the batchfile and was subsequently changed and this was a 2nd error - meh, I should learn to read ;-)

clem
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eriktorbjorn
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Post by eriktorbjorn »

joostp wrote:Didn't I point this out 2 weeks ago already? :?
Yes. But I missed it. 8) <-- Smiley wearing really dark shades. Blind as a bat.
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joostp
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Post by joostp »

No worries, I didn't want to be a dick, I was just starting to doubt my own sanity. :D
clem
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Post by clem »

about 4.13. I get "WARNING: Unable to open configration file C:\windows\scummvm.ini!" (http://scummvm.org/faq.php#AEN238)

apart from the typo (configration?), this line is not printed that way anymore by current builds - maybe we should remove that question, or add as a workaround "please upgrade", or at least note that it's obsolete?

(it now displays: Creating configuration file: C:\WINDOWS\scummvm.ini)

clem
puntloos
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Re: Proposed FAQ additions

Post by puntloos »

eriktorbjorn wrote:There have been a number of reports about ScummVM misbehaving on some hardware under Windows, but that these can be worked around by telling the SDL library to use different video and audio drivers. This information ought to be in the ScummVM FAQ but isn't.
I have another suggestion for the faq:

Q: Why does http://www.scummvm.org/faq.html give me a 404 (File does not exist) error?

Also, (semi-shameless self plug, hey it took me a while to make ;) ) perhaps people would like to be pointed to useful ogg/mp3 compression resources like my Ogg Compression Guide. Few handheld devices have the free space to hold uncompressed games in their storage.

[edit]Oh I've found the answer.
A: The URL is http://www.scummvm.org/faq.php
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eriktorbjorn
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Re: Proposed FAQ additions

Post by eriktorbjorn »

So is this in good enough shape that it could/should be added to the FAQ? As I've probably already said, I don't have access to any computer running Microsoft Windows at the moment, and I'd really prefer it if someone who did could take care of it.
clem
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Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2005 11:14 am

Post by clem »

looks good do me!

clem
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