Technical Details
Installation under Windows XP (any Service Pack)System Requirements under Windows XP:
- Pentium II 300Mhz or better
- CD-ROM drive (only for install)
- 128M RAM minimum
- Windows XP (any Service Pack)
- 360M Hard disk space (contents of entire CD)
- VESA 1.2 Compliant Video adapter and a compatable driver that supports 640x480x256.
- Mouse
Step 1: Run the DOS installer
Insert the CD. When (or if) the Master of Orion II install window pops up, close it. That is for installing the Windows 95 version of the game. We want to install the dos version instead.
Find the Install.exe on your CD and double click it to start the DOS installer. You should see the screen as below. If your video does not appear to be functioning at this point, you will not be able to play the DOS version of the game (unless you can find compatable video drivers). Also, many people do not have a CD with the dos version of the game on it.
Select a drive and click install ( I suggest you use the default directory C:\MPS\ORION2 ). The game will install. When the installation is complete, the Sound Configuration Utility will start. Do not configure the sound right now. Leave both MIDI music and Digital audio as None. We will configure it later. Select Done and exit.
Step 2: Copy the entire CD onto the hard drive (optional step)
In order to speed up the game, I recommend you now copy the entire contents of the CD into the C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. When you are copying you can feel free to say 'Yes to All' when it asks to overwrite the files. Once all the files are copied you will need to edit the 'ORIONCD.INI' file within the C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. Change the top line in the file to C:\MPS\ORION2\
Step 3: Apply the v1.31 patch
Now you need to apply the 1.31 patch to the game. Download the 1.31 english DOS patch from the microprose web site. Unzip it into your C:\MPS\ORION2 folder overwiting files as needed.
Step 4: Apply the v1.40 patch
Now you need to apply the 1.40 patch. Download the 1.40 patch. Unzip it into your C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. Run it. Be sure to say yes to 'Create Desktop Icon'.
Step 5: Configure the sound (optional)
These settings apply to all XP installations regardless of what type of soundcard you have. Windows XP includes Sound Blaster emulations for DOS mode games. Do not use the setsound utility to configure the sound. Manually edit the files as indicated below.
NOTE: Some soundcards and sound drivers do not support DOS mode sound in XP. For some you may need to run a TSR or enable Sound Blaster compatability in the BIOS. Most AC97 cards will work well. Also, the game music may have clicking or static with some cards. I do not know any fix for this (try turning down the music volume in the game).
Edit the 'DIG.INI' within the C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. Change it as follow:
;
;Miles Design Audio Interface Library V3.02 of 18-Jan-95
;DEVICE Creative Labs Sound Blaster or 100% compatible
DRIVER SBLASTER.DIG
IO_ADDR 220h
IRQ 5
DMA_8_BIT 1
DMA_16_BIT -1Also, edit the 'MDI.INI' within the C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. Change it as follow:
;
;Miles Design Audio Interface Library V3.02 of 18-Jan-95
;DEVICE General MIDI (Roland MPU-401 interface or 100% compatible)
DRIVER MPU401.MDI
IO_ADDR 330h
IRQ -1
DMA_8_BIT -1
DMA_16_BIT -1Step 6: Configure an icon on the kali games launch bar (optional)
Next, open up kali. Right click the game launch bar (in the blank area beside the game icons in kali). Pick 'Add New Game' from the menu. Then select 'Master of Orion 2' from the selection window. Now in the Game Settings window, click the browse button. Browse to and Open 'ORION2v140.EXE'. Leave everything else as default. Click OK to finish.
