DOSBox and Aces of the Pacific (Linux)
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Baron von Pilsner (aka. Chris McBride)
07-15-2007
http://acepage.beckament.net
baron_von_pilsner@hotmail.com

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Get DOSBox source from: http://dosbox.sourceforge.net
I'm using dosbox-0.70, if you have a different version, change version # as appropriate (later in the document).
$ means type command in terminal (don't type the $)
C:\> means type command in DOSBox (dont type the C:\>, D:\>, Z:\>, C:\DYNAMIX\AOTP>, etc...)

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INSTALL DOSBOX

In a terminal go to wherever you downloaded DOSBox.
In my case: $ cd ~/Downloads

As a regular user extract sources and install:
         $ tar -zxvf dosbox-0.70.tar.gz
         $ cd dosbox-0.70
         $ ./autogen.sh
         $ ./configure
         $ make
         $ su
         $ make install
         $ exit

Run DOSBox and create the config file:
         $ cd ~
         $ dosbox
         Z:\> config -writeconf .dosboxrc 

Is it working?? good. Exit DOSBox:
         Z:\> exit
If not check out the DOSBox site (http://dosbox.sourceforge.net) and look for answers.

in a terminal create your DOS directory: (it will be your C: dir in DOSBox)
         $ mkdir ~/DOS
         $ dosbox -c c ~/DOS
if it worked correctly you should be seeing a C: prompt instead of the default Z: prompt in DOSBox.
         C:\> exit
If not check out the DOSBox site (http://dosbox.sourceforge.net) and look for answers.

OPTIONAL: DOSBox CD support? put your disc in your drive (if you have one) and start DOSBox:
         $ dosbox
         C:\> mount d /media/ACES -t cdrom -usecd 0
Replace /media/ACES (above) with your CD's mount point....
         C:\> D:
         D:\> dir
If it worked, you should be looking at the files on your CD.
         D:\> exit

DOSBox should have created a file in your home dir called .dosboxrc
We want to edit that file...
  GNOME: $ gedit ~/.dosboxrc
  KDE:   $ kedit ~/.dosboxrc
Scroll down to the bottom of the file and add any startup options under the [autoexec] section:
          mount c ~/DOS
          C:
And save the file.
This will automatically mount your C: directory when you start DOSBox (very helpful).

At this point DOSBox is now all set up!

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INSTALL ACES OF THE PACIFIC

I'll assume you have a downloadable version of Aces of the Pacific, but most everything in this document will work with the CD and floppy versions. Just copy the AOTP files to ~/DOS/Dynamix/AOTP instead of extracting them there (later in this document you'll see what I mean).

Get yourself a copy of Aces of the Pacific
http://www.abandonwarering.com/?Page=Listing
And look for it on the abandonware sites here...
or
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=aces+of+the+pacific+abandonware&btnG=Search

Extract Red Baron files to: ~/DOS/Dynamix/aotp
Navigate (in terminal) to wherever you downloaded Aces of the Pacific. I'm assuming it's called acespacific.zip
         $ cd ~/Downloads
         $ mkdir ~/DOS/Dynamix
         $ mkdir ~/DOS/Dynamix/aotp
         $ unzip -d ~/DOS/Dynamix/aotp acespacific.zip
         $ cd ~/DOS/Dynamix/aotp
         $ unrar e aces.rar
         $ mkdir TAPES
         $ mv _TAPE_.TMP TAPES/
         $ rm aces.rar

This should unzip AOTP files to the folder ~/DOS/Dynamix/aotp and place _TAPE_.TMP in ~/DOS/Dynamix/aotp/TAPES
Or simply use your favorite archiving program to do the same.

Time to setup AOTP:
         $ dosbox
         C:\> cd dynamix\aotp
         C:\DYNAMIX\AOTP> install.exe

Hopefully you are now looking at the AOTP installer.
Change music and select: sound blaster

Select: accept these choices and save configuration

To play AOTP:
         C:\DYNAMIX\AOTP> aces

In-game:
OTHER OPTIONS -> PREFERENCES
turn on joystick (if you have one), mouse, music and sound. NOTE: you may need to navigate w/the keyboard since the mouse is probably not turned on in the game yet...

PLAY THE GAME!
you can play AOTP later with:
         $ dosbox
         C:\> cd dynamix\aotp
         C:\DYNAMIX\BARON> aces

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DOSBOX HINTS

for fullscreen use ALT+ENTER
to free your mouse from DOSBox CTRL+F10
for custom DOSBox keymapper CTRL+F1
to quit DOSBx C:\> exit
Need help in DOSBox?
         C:\>help
or
         C:\>help /all

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DOSBox can map your keyboard / joystick with the keymapper (CTRL+F1), if you like you can use an external utility.
QJoyPad - Map your joystick to keyboard and mouse http://qjoypad.sourceforge.net/
Joy2Key - Another similar program http://freshmeat.net/projects/joy2key/
I use QJoyPad because I have a Saitek joystick with millions of buttons and axes (yes that is the plural of axis, I looked it up).

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Hopefully this document was helpful! I enjoy the old games and especially flight sims. If you get really stuck with DOSBox setup visit their site (I am no expert with DOSBox). If you get stuck installing Aces of the Pacific you can email me as a last resort.

Enjoy,
Baron von Pilsner
baron_von_pilsner@hotmail.com

p.s. - I have lots of patches, addons, and updates at my site: http://acepage.beckament.net

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The author of this document wrote this while a bit hung over... sorry for any typos or mistakes. I'm not responsible for any damage caused to you, your computer, or your cat. I am not affiliated with Sierra/Dynamix in any way (other than I like their games). Abandonware may or may not be totally legal, don't blame me if it's not legal where you live. It is your responsibiility (not mine) that you comply with all federal, state, and local laws!

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