Here is a post so keep bumping it if possible if this method works for everyone.

References are here for the references of this topic, or other ways to solve your Arena problem: http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42478

If this method doesn't work for you, then go to the link above, and go to the 3rd post, Rabish12's method. That works for mostly everybody, if not everyone...



The Elder Scrolls: Arena Manual, in ultimate detail, with NO spoilers, can be found here: http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=173936






Here is a way to play it through DosBox, basically seamlessly ArenaXP is below the DosBox method.

Okay, go to your DosBox.conf file in your DosBox folder, and right-click it and click on Open With... Notepad.
After that, and you have Arena installed and everything, by using dosbox, copy and paste this into the Dosbox.conf file.

MAKE A BACKUP OF THE FILE, FOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: in case if this doesn't work for you...

# This is the configurationfile for DOSBox 0.72.
# Lines starting with a # are commentlines.
# They are used to (briefly) document the effect of each option.

[sdl]
# fullscreen -- Start dosbox directly in fullscreen.
# fulldouble -- Use double buffering in fullscreen.
# fullresolution -- What resolution to use for fullscreen: original or fixed size (e.g. 1024x768).
# windowresolution -- Scale the window to this size IF the output device supports hardware scaling.
# output -- What to use for output: surface,overlay,opengl,openglnb,ddraw.
# autolock -- Mouse will automatically lock, if you click on the screen.
# sensitiviy -- Mouse sensitivity.
# waitonerror -- Wait before closing the console if dosbox has an error.
# priority -- Priority levels for dosbox: lowest,lower,normal,higher,highest,pause (when not focussed).
# Second entry behind the comma is for when dosbox is not focused/minimized.
# mapperfile -- File used to load/save the key/event mappings from.
# usescancodes -- Avoid usage of symkeys, might not work on all operating systems.

fullscreen=false
fulldouble=false
fullresolution=original
windowresolution=original
output=surface
autolock=true
sensitivity=100
waitonerror=true
priority=higher,normal
mapperfile=mapper.txt
usescancodes=true

[dosbox]
# language -- Select another language file.
# memsize -- Amount of memory DOSBox has in megabytes.
# machine -- The type of machine tries to emulate:hercules,cga,tandy,pcjr,vga.
# captures -- Directory where things like wave,midi,screenshot get captured.

language=
machine=vga
captures=capture
memsize=128

[render]
# frameskip -- How many frames DOSBox skips before drawing one.
# aspect -- Do aspect correction, if your output method doesn't support scaling this can slow things down!.
# scaler -- Scaler used to enlarge/enhance low resolution modes.
# Supported are none,normal2x,normal3x,advmame2x,advmame3x,hq2x,hq3x,
# 2xsai,super2xsai,supereagle,advinterp2x,advinterp3x,
# tv2x,tv3x,rgb2x,rgb3x,scan2x,scan3x.
# If forced is appended (like scaler=hq2x forced), the scaler will be used
# even if the result might not be desired.

frameskip=1
aspect=false
scaler=normal2x

[cpu]
# core -- CPU Core used in emulation: normal,simple,dynamic,auto.
# auto switches from normal to dynamic if appropriate.
# cycles -- Amount of instructions DOSBox tries to emulate each millisecond.
# Setting this value too high results in sound dropouts and lags.
# You can also let DOSBox guess the correct value by setting it to max.
# The default setting (auto) switches to max if appropriate.
# cycleup -- Amount of cycles to increase/decrease with keycombo.
# cycledown Setting it lower than 100 will be a percentage.

core=dynamic
cycles=max
cycleup=500
cycledown=20

[mixer]
# nosound -- Enable silent mode, sound is still emulated though.
# rate -- Mixer sample rate, setting any devices higher than this will
# probably lower their sound quality.
# blocksize -- Mixer block size, larger blocks might help sound stuttering
# but sound will also be more lagged.
# prebuffer -- How many milliseconds of data to keep on top of the blocksize.

nosound=false
rate=22050
blocksize=2048
prebuffer=10

[midi]
# mpu401 -- Type of MPU-401 to emulate: none, uart or intelligent.
# device -- Device that will receive the MIDI data from MPU-401.
# This can be default,alsa,oss,win32,coreaudio,none.
# config -- Special configuration options for the device. In Windows put
# the id of the device you want to use. See README for details.

mpu401=intelligent
device=default
config=

[sblaster]
# sbtype -- Type of sblaster to emulate:none,sb1,sb2,sbpro1,sbpro2,sb16.
# sbbase,irq,dma,hdma -- The IO/IRQ/DMA/High DMA address of the soundblaster.
# mixer -- Allow the soundblaster mixer to modify the DOSBox mixer.
# oplmode -- Type of OPL emulation: auto,cms,opl2,dualopl2,opl3.
# On auto the mode is determined by sblaster type.
# All OPL modes are 'Adlib', except for CMS.
# oplrate -- Sample rate of OPL music emulation.

sbtype=sb16
sbbase=220
irq=7
dma=1
hdma=5
mixer=true
oplmode=auto
oplrate=22050

[gus]
# gus -- Enable the Gravis Ultrasound emulation.
# gusbase,irq1,irq2,dma1,dma2 -- The IO/IRQ/DMA addresses of the
# Gravis Ultrasound. (Same IRQ's and DMA's are OK.)
# gusrate -- Sample rate of Ultrasound emulation.
# ultradir -- Path to Ultrasound directory. In this directory
# there should be a MIDI directory that contains
# the patch files for GUS playback. Patch sets used
# with Timidity should work fine.

gus=true
gusrate=22050
gusbase=240
irq1=5
irq2=5
dma1=3
dma2=3
ultradir=C:\ULTRASND

[speaker]
# pcspeaker -- Enable PC-Speaker emulation.
# pcrate -- Sample rate of the PC-Speaker sound generation.
# tandy -- Enable Tandy Sound System emulation (off,on,auto).
# For auto Tandysound emulation is present only if machine is set to tandy.
# tandyrate -- Sample rate of the Tandy 3-Voice generation.
# disney -- Enable Disney Sound Source emulation. Covox Voice Master and Speech Thing compatible.

pcspeaker=true
pcrate=22050
tandy=auto
tandyrate=22050
disney=true

[joystick]
# joysticktype -- Type of joystick to emulate: auto (default), none,
# 2axis (supports two joysticks,
# 4axis (supports one joystick, first joystick used),
# 4axis_2 (supports one joystick, second joystick used),
# fcs (Thrustmaster), ch (CH Flightstick).
# none disables joystick emulation.
# auto chooses emulation depending on real joystick(s).
# timed -- enable timed intervals for axis. (false is old style behaviour).
# autofire -- continuously fires as long as you keep the button pressed.
# swap34 -- swap the 3rd and the 4th axis. can be useful for certain joysticks.
# buttonwrap -- enable button wrapping at the number of emulated buttons.

joysticktype=auto
timed=true
autofire=false
swap34=false
buttonwrap=true

[serial]
# serial1-4 -- set type of device connected to com port.
# Can be disabled, dummy, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
# Additional parameters must be in the same line in the form of
# parameter:value. Parameter for all types is irq.
# for directserial: realport (required), rxdelay (optional).
# for modem: listenport (optional).
# for nullmodem: server, rxdelay, txdelay, telnet, usedtr,
# transparent, port, inhsocket (all optional).
# Example: serial1=modem listenport:5000

serial1=dummy
serial2=dummy
serial3=disabled
serial4=disabled

[dos]
# xms -- Enable XMS support.
# ems -- Enable EMS support.
# umb -- Enable UMB support.
# keyboardlayout -- Language code of the keyboard layout (or none).

xms=true
ems=true
umb=true
keyboardlayout=none

[ipx]
# ipx -- Enable ipx over UDP/IP emulation.

ipx=false

[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.
mount c: c:\arena -freesize 1000
c:
arena



Save that as Arena.conf

Now make a shortcut of DosBox on your desktop if there isn't one there already...
Right-click the DosBox icon on your desktop, and check Target:

Then direct it to the Arena.conf file...

Apply. Done. Right-click the DosBox icon, and rename it Arena. Double-click it, and see if it works...

If it don't, then delete the Arena.conf file, go to your file that is backed up, and try another method...







Here is all of what I did to get Arena to work on Windows XP. (In order, not sing DosBox)


I installed Arena from this website from the 10th Anniversary Downloads.

Then, after that, I copied all of the arena files by clicking on one file in the folder that I installed Arena in, then pressed CTRL + A, to select them all. I clicked on copy all selected files on the left menu. Then I moved it to a folder named DOs in c:\ ( which is c:\DOS\ ) - *If you haven't already created the folder, c:\DOS, then it will create automatically when you move all of the Arena files in that file* Now forget about c:\ARENA, I use it for back-up files for Arena incase if I mess anything up.

Now, all of the Arena files are in c:\DOS\. Next, I downloaded the mouse program Mousectl, which can be downloaded from the first page that Rabish12 had mentioned, along with other people that also has links that lead to that file.

Then, I went ahead and right-clicked my "ARENA" file in c:\DOS and clicked EDIT. *(Back-up any file that you edit just in case if these methods don't work for you) * After you click EDIT, erase everything in the notepad, and replace it with this: @A -sa:220 -si:9 -sd:1 -ma:330 -mq:2 -md:1 -ssbpdig.adv -mgenmidi.adv

Next, I intalled the other file that Rabish12 also mentioned about, into c:\DOS\: emm386

Now, take the AUTOEXEC file, Right-click it, and click on EDIT. Now, erase everything and type this:
SET BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 H5 T6
REM SET SOUND=C:\SB16
SET MIDI=SYNTH:1 MAP:E
LH C:\DOS\MOUSECTL.COM 4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12

Next, right-click all Arena files (only the ones that let you play the game) and go to properties. If it has a Compatability Tab, click it and make sure it says Run only for Windows 95. Then, click on Memory, and turn everything on auto.Now, click on Program tab, and click on Advanced. Make sure it says AUTOEXEC reads: c:\dos\AUTOEXEC.BAT. Now make sure CONFIG reads: c:\dos\CONFIG.SYS.
Now click on APPLY.

Next, click CONFIG.SYS, and open it with Notepad. Make sure it says this. If it dont,erase it and replace it: DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE RAM 1024
DOS=HIGH,UMB
FILES=30
BUFFERS=20

Now, click on all fo the Arena files that activates the game (or tries to) and right-click them and go to the Properties, then compatibility tab and make sure they all say: Run this program in compatability mode for: Windows 95. (if you havent already)
Then click APPLY.

Now click on ARENA (which I renamed this file optionally: ARENA XP) and it works for me. So if it doesnt work for you, then I dont know.Look for another answer. Press - or + during gameplay if you want to mess with the speed. Seems very fast but its almost right really.

Instructions for the game:

Getting passed the sewers: When you beat the sewers, you will enter your hometown of your race, BUT before you enter, you will be asked a question. Press ALT + TAB and go to your c:\DOS\Docs\ and click on Passwords for the answer of the spell they are asking you for. (If you can't however, escape by pressing ALT + TAB, go to the Arena game file you use to play the game, right-click it, and go to Properties. Go to the Misc. tab and make sure the phrase ALT + TAB is check-marked. If this dont work then I dont know.)

Preferred classes: You really need both magic and fighting skills in this game. So choose a spellsword, battlemage or what-not that has both spells, but beware that certain classes can only wear certain armor.But if you want to you can be anything else you want, just saying it would be easier if you were capable of casting magic as well as fighting too.(most people prefer Spellsword)

How to fight: click the Sword icon and click and hold down the right mouse button onto the game screen and move the mouse back and forth. Different ways you drag the mouse, shows different attacks, (which may vary in which attack, gives the most damage to the enemy)

Spells: Click on the star, then double-click a spell in the bottom right hand corner you wish to cast, then click on the screen if nothing happens.

Jumping: Hold down SHIFT + J to jump.

Sleep: Click on the camp-fire icon to rest. Preferabbly on a raised up wall you can stand or jump onto to reast more and easier.

Map of town and traveling Tamriel: Left click the map to look at the local map. Right click the map to see the whole country, choose the region you want to go to, select a town then go there. (I wish I had Daggerfall, its a bit like this as well)

Journal: The LOG or JOURNAL are your quests that you are doing or that you have done so far.

Equipment: Click on your picture of your character at the bottom left, during gameplay, to equip armor if you have any. You can also equip magical items, which most of them needs to be identified at a Mages Guild.(Depending on how good the item is, depends on how much the identification of that certain item costs.) Then you can equip that item that gives special bonuses to many things.

Armor Rating: The armor rating goes negative, which is good, not bad like other games. The higher the number with a Negative sign behind it, the better. ( example: -18 is a whole lot better than -9) and ( +9, or just 9 is worse than 4) It works like integers, if you know what that is. If you dont then forget I said it...

That is all I know on how to get this game to work and to help you out. This post should be stickied, if it works for everyone. Have fun!

It's nice of you to post this.

First though, this should probably only be used if you have a low-end XP PC. This is because it's much easier to run DOSBox than make all these changes, & DOSBox runs much better than it ever did in 2005.

Also, at least with me, you get bugs like mad. I'm sure if I tweek more, I can get some of these working, but it isn't worth it to me:
1. Sound isn't working. Even on default settings and screwing with the install setup.
2. pressing spacebar (at least one time) makes it crash from the intro.
3. During character creation, the cursor moves through the edge to the other side (kind of neat, actually)
4. I can't get past Rita's Intro speech to actually play the game, it's nothing but a black screen for 40 seconds.
5. (More of a question) can you use scalers and pixel shaders like DOSBox?

Actually, sometimes this does work better than DOSBox, even on good computers. Arena hasn't crashed on this machine once using it in straight XP, but it has crashed several times on this one in DOSBox and while using DOSBox/actual DOS on a number of other systems.


Screw with the stuff a little more. Maybe get http://sourceforge.net/projects/vdmsound/, and use that to make it work.



2 hasn't happened to me on any system. 4's happened to me on a Windows 98 machine, so I don't think the problem is with how you're setting it up. As for 3, I think that could be fixed by modifying MouseCTL's settings in the AUTOEXEC, but since it's virtually impossible to find MouseCTL itself (the only places I can find it are the page I linked to in the other thread and the one that I'm hosting) you can imagine how hard it'd be to track down the readme file for it, which makes it pretty hard for me to fix that.


Bleh. I still don't get why people insist on using these things on games with sprites.

I don't, either. To each his own, I suppose.

Any game I have run in DOSBox has always felt more "stable" to me, as I'd rather have a program crash DOSBox than Windows itself. Come to think of it, I've had very few games crash DOSBox, and I don't think I ever got them working anyway.

If this works, then tell me if it did, and if it hasnt, state your problem about whats happening. I may not be able to fix it myself, but others here will see and reply to your problem...

Just a rebump to get newcomers to see this...

Just one thing I don't see mentioned, but Arena runs incredibly too fast on modern processors. One can easily install and run Arena on an XP system (without sound of course) but things get screwy. On my older P2 and P3 systems running 98SE I could use a program called "moslo" or something, and it slowed down the game to proper levels by eating up excess CPU cycles, but I don't know if it would work on an XP system.

The whole thing is, wouldn't you have to slow it down on a P4 or AMD Athlon?

I have an AMD Athlon, and when I follow these steps, I had no need to slow it down, it was running perfect speed, not using DosBox.

Odd, on my P4 just running in XP without sound or any DOS emulation tools, the NPCs are crazy fast. Same thing on my P2/233 in real DOS without slowing it down.

Im sorry, but my method dont work for everyone, depends on your computer, processing speed, Everything... But follow Rabish 12's way of doing it and it should work fine. His method works for most, if not all people. May take a while, but patience is all you need... To find his method, click on the link at the top (first post) and should be the third post down... Good luck, and if it dont work, ask help from others :foodndrink:

I don't need to, I own two 486 computers, as well as others both older and newer that I can run the game on. I believe that people running the game in this fashion are unaware of how the game originally ran and don't understand that this method is running the game much faster than it did on the target system from the original release.

On top of that, your method doesn't seem to mention sound or music. This is because soundcard manufacturers no longer produce DOS drivers for their hardware and DOS games cannot use XP/2K drivers. Even if they could, the program would fail because DOS applications had direct access to hardware, which is a big no-no in modern Windows systems, thanks to the HAL.

*EDIT*

I see that you do set some environment variables for old SB cards to get audio working, but this does not work on modern soundcards. I own an X-Fi soundcard, and it won't work with it. It also won't work on AC97 and other built-in soundcards, but it does seem to work on SBLive soundcards. I guess Creative dropped support for those variables with the Audigy series soundcards.

The best way to run Arena on XP is with DOSBox, because you get full sound and you can make it run at the correct speed with almost no setup.

My signature has been edited, to retain more information, and the Manual for Arena, or "Guide" that contains no spoilers, are in my "ArenaXP and/or in DosBox" sig. I will further update my sig once more, for a guide for myself and others on how to get Daggerfall to work.

Thou shalt be bumped. *bumps with hip*