System Shock installation and setup on D-Fend Reloaded

[Voodoo]

Article by Trebor

Time to have some fun installing what many consider a classic in action role playing: System Shock. This will be installed using D-Fend Reloaded as the carrier of this cyber-punk thriller set in the not too distant future, if we ever make it to Mars that is!

System Shock, designed by Doug Church, developed by Looking Glass and published by Origin Systems/ Electronic Arts was released to PC gaming audiences in March of 1994. It used an enhanced version of the Ultima Underworld engine and is played in a true 3D (not 3D accelerated, it was a few years before that) environment. Sadly it only sold a little over 169,000 copies since it was competing with Doom and Doom II the latter of which was released in the second half of 1994. But unlike Doom this game required some intelligence to play and was much more immersive and interactive than was ever seen in a action role playing game before.

So now, fourteen years after its release we can now appreciate what it offers through D-Fend Reloaded.

http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/3923/systemshockscreenshot1cz2.jpg (http://img372.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshockscreenshot1cz2.jpg)

...more after the jump...

[Voodoo]

To start you will need the System Shock CD in your possession. Since I have never thrown away a PC game I have bought I still have this classic in my possession. For those who do not have it I'm sure if you look on eBay http://www.ebay.com/ you will find it.


Next you need to use a program like Alcohol 120% http://www.alcohol-soft.com/ or some other type of ISO creating software.

Once you have created you ISO of System Shock start up D-Fend Reloaded by double clicking on the D-Fend Reloaded icon on your desktop.

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/7628/dfendiconmr5.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendiconmr5.jpg)


Right Click on the DOSBox DOS listing and left click on "Edit".

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/3070/dosboxeditba7.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dosboxeditba7.jpg)

In the Profile editor click on Drives and then click on "Edit".

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2520/dosboxdrivesad0.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dosboxdrivesad0.jpg)

Since this DOSBox DOS listing will be used as a template for future game installs I would strongly suggest you change the default free virtual space from 105 MB to 1024 MB for those DOS games that take up a larger foot print.

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9123/hddresizevb7.jpg (http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hddresizevb7.jpg)

Now please bear in mind that you can pick a different location for you game installs at the top of this configuration windows called "folders for mounting" if the default location is somewhat space limited. On my gaming system I have a dedicated folder setup on my g: drive to a folder called "Old Games". This is entirely up to you.

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2288/hddspacelocationve9.jpg (http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hddspacelocationve9.jpg)

Click on "OK" when done

Now click on the "Add" button

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/5894/addinganisopn2.jpg (http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=addinganisopn2.jpg)

In the Edit drive window click on the down arrow and select ISO image

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7488/isomountingmy2.jpg (http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=isomountingmy2.jpg)

Click on the folder icon to browse for the ISO image to mount.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8729/browseforisozl8.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=browseforisozl8.jpg)

Once selected make sure the Drive letter is set to D and then click on "OK".

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/1045/isoselectedib3.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=isoselectedib3.jpg)

Check to make sure your drives are configured correctly as shown and then click on "OK".

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2031/finaldosboxconfignk0.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=finaldosboxconfignk0.jpg)

Now we are ready to install System Shock, ready?

Right click on DOSBox and click on "Run Game".

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/4098/rundosboxrunxd9.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rundosboxrunxd9.jpg)

I bet it's been a while since you have seen a DOS prompt? So I hope you remember the basic commands to get around in a command line interface. From the C:\ type d: to switch to the D:\ drive which is where you ISO for System Shock is mounted. Once there type "dir" and press "Enter".

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/6044/dosboxinterfacefz6.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dosboxinterfacefz6.jpg)

Type install.bat to start the installation.

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/5893/systemshockinstallqc2.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshockinstallqc2.jpg)

Select the language you want to play the game in and press "Enter".

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9172/systemshocklanguagexc0.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocklanguagexc0.jpg)

Press "Enter" after reading the "Readme".

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/7452/systemshockreadmeti1.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshockreadmeti1.jpg)


Arrow key down to "Install System Shock" and press "Enter"...

[Voodoo]

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/923/systemshockinstalltohddcc2.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshockinstalltohddcc2.jpg)

When completed press "Enter".

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3566/systemshockinstallfinisvj7.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshockinstallfinisvj7.jpg)

Now things get interesting. Exit out of the DOSBox Screen by typing "exit at the c:\sshock>prompt.

At the D-Fend Reloaded Application, click on the "Add" button.

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/1646/dfendaddoo4.jpg (http://img406.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendaddoo4.jpg)

Click on "Add with wizard".

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/6974/dfendaddwithwizardfr9.jpg (http://img406.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendaddwithwizardfr9.jpg)


Leave the default selection for Emulation type as is since this will be a DOS game setup and click on "Next".

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/7601/dfendcreatenewprofilehg0.jpg (http://img406.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendcreatenewprofilehg0.jpg)

From here click on the browse button to the right of the field "Program to be started".

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/6750/dfendprogramtobestartedqx7.jpg (http://img406.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendprogramtobestartedqx7.jpg)

Locate the "CDSHOCK.BAT" file in the sshock directory you setup previously when installing System Shock and click on "Open".

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/9596/dfendcdshockjv9.jpg (http://img406.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendcdshockjv9.jpg)

Next click on the browse button to the right of the field "Setup program (optional)".

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/8726/dfendsetupprogramoptiondn2.jpg (http://img406.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendsetupprogramoptiondn2.jpg)

Click on "INSTALL.EXE" and click on "Open".

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/4553/dfendsetupoptionalsshocza3.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendsetupoptionalsshocza3.jpg)

Click on "Next" to continue...

[Voodoo]

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3241/dfendsshocknextlb7.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendsshocknextlb7.jpg)

Under CPU power click on the down arrow and select "more (complex games)". Next un-check the box next to where it says "Start in fullscreen mode. Click on "Next".

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/5707/dfendsshockcpusn2.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendsshockcpusn2.jpg)

This is where you can add a description to the game, who designed it, published it, etc. What is neat about this feature is that it saves all the info in such a way that when you add another game to D-Fend Reloaded it will allow you to use the drop down arrows to select information previously entered if needed again.

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/2771/dfendsshockmetainformatxt2.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendsshockmetainformatxt2.jpg)

Next you need to add the System Shock ISO file as a CD-ROM drive. Click on "Add" to start.

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7010/dfendaddagameisoec5.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendaddagameisoec5.jpg)

For type of drive click on the down arrow and select "ISO image". Then click on browse button to locate the System Shock ISO.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/2218/dfendbrowseforanisoze9.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendbrowseforanisoze9.jpg)

Once you have selected the System Shock ISO image, make sure you are mounting it to the D drive and then click on "OK".

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/1305/dfendaddinganisoimagemq1.jpg (http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendaddinganisoimagemq1.jpg)

Review the final drive configuration and click on "OK".

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/1946/dfendfinisheddrivesetupir1.jpg (http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendfinisheddrivesetupir1.jpg)

The listing for System Shock should look like this.

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/3593/dfendgamelistingjp0.jpg (http://img386.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendgamelistingjp0.jpg)

There are a few D-Fend Reloaded hosting configuration changes that still need to be made on the System Shock listing. Right click on the System Shock entry and click on "Edit".

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9769/systemshockhostsetup1jz6.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshockhostsetup1jz6.jpg)

Click on the "Memory" icon on the left side then change the value for the memory to be used from 16 MB to 32 MB.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8026/systemshockhost2dl6.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshockhost2dl6.jpg)

Next, click on the "Graphics" icon on the left side then click on the box next to "Use Double buffering" to select that option.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4871/systemshockhost3pb5.jpg (http://img510.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshockhost3pb5.jpg)

Finally, click on the "Sound" icon on the left side. On the right side under the Mixer section change the Sample rate to 48000, the Block size to 4096, and the Prebuffer to 25. Next click on the boxes next to "Activate PC speaker" and "Activate Disney Sounds Source" to disable them. Then click on "OK to save your changes.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/861/systemshockhost4nr7.jpg (http://img510.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshockhost4nr7.jpg)

The last thing you have to do here is make sure the setting for the game are correct. To do this right click on the System Shock listing and click on "Run Setup".

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/7060/dfendgamesetuphc8.jpg (http://img386.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfendgamesetuphc8.jpg)

Press the "Enter" key to proceed in English.

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/3076/systemshocksetuppart1qx3.jpg (http://img386.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocksetuppart1qx3.jpg)

Press the "Enter" key to select the setup sound system option.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/1784/systemshocksetuppart2ad0.jpg (http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocksetuppart2ad0.jpg)

[Voodoo]

It will default to choosing a music card so just press "Enter".

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8881/systemshocksetuppart3ms1.jpg (http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocksetuppart3ms1.jpg)

The selection of "General MIDI" works well as you default music card.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/2610/systemshocksetuppart4us2.jpg (http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocksetuppart4us2.jpg)

Just go with the "Auto Setup" selection.

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3376/systemshocksetuppart5fq9.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocksetuppart5fq9.jpg)

When completed successfully this message will display.

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3664/systemshocksetuppart6zx8.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocksetuppart6zx8.jpg)

Next down arrow key to "Choose digital card" and press "Enter".

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/6391/systemshocksetuppart7jd5.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocksetuppart7jd5.jpg)

Select the SoundBlaster 16 for the digital card.

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/6107/systemshockpart8uq6.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshockpart8uq6.jpg)

Go with the auto setup option.

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3376/systemshocksetuppart5fq9.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocksetuppart5fq9.jpg)

When completed successfully this message will display.

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3664/systemshocksetuppart6zx8.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocksetuppart6zx8.jpg)

At this point test both the music card and the digital card, both will work. When you test the digital card you will hear the voice of SHODAN telling you how pathetic you are! When you are finished getting berated by the digital card test just arrow down to "Return".

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/664/systemshocksetuppart9kh9.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocksetuppart9kh9.jpg)

Arrow key to "Save Settings and Exit".

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9610/systemshocksetuppart10mg9.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocksetuppart10mg9.jpg)

So you have made it so to this point? Good! Now you can test out your work. Select the System Shock entry and then click on the "Run" button.

http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/7533/systemshocksetuppart11sc5.jpg (http://img372.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshocksetuppart11sc5.jpg)

Note: If the audio runs a bit choppy you can reduce the CPU cycles on the System Shock Profile Editor from 30000 to 20000.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3143/systemshockcpuhh8.jpg (http://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemshockcpuhh8.jpg)


Until next time, see you on the game grid!

[UWCrash]

I know I still have this CD...somewhere. Unfortunately that might include my parents' house about 2000 miles away. Time to start hunting!

[PathMaster]

Woo, I was able to this game running for a little bit awhile ago, but hopefully this will actually lead to a stable game.

Anyway to update the game with the patch and the graphics update with this?