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# DOSBox

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From ArchWiki

DOSBox is an x86 PC DOS-emulator for running old DOS games or programs.

## Installation

Install the dosbox package or dosbox-svnAUR for the development version. Alternatively, two forks can be installed:

- dosbox-stagingAUR aims to modernize the codebase
- dosbox-xAUR tries to emulate hardware much more accurately

Note that vanilla DOSBox has not seen a new release since 2019, and some distributions ship dosbox-staging as the default. [1]

## Configuration

No initial configuration is needed, however the official DOSBox manual refers to a configuration file named `dosbox.conf`. By default that file exists in your `~/.dosbox` folder.

You can also make a new configuration file on a per-application basis by copying `dosbox.conf` from `~/.dosbox` to the directory where your DOS app resides and modifying the settings accordingly. You can also create a configuration file automatically: simply run `dosbox` without any parameters inside your desired application's folder:

    $ dosbox

Then at the DOS prompt, type:

    Z:\> config -wc dosbox.conf

The configuration file `dosbox.conf` will then be saved in the current directory. Go in a change whatever settings you need.

The configuration options are described in the official DOSBox wiki.

## Usage

A simple way to run DOSBox is to place your DOS game (or its setup files) into a directory and then run `dosbox` with the directory path appended. For example:

    $ dosbox ./game-folder/

You should now have a DOS prompt whose working directory is the one specified above. From there, you can execute the desired programs:

    C:\> SETUP.EXE

## Tips and tricks

### Free DOSBox focus

If DOSBox traps your focus, use `Ctrl+F10` to free it.

### Play music in DOS games

To play music, some DOS games require a MIDI synthesizer which DOSBox does not emulate. However, DOSBox can use one if it is available. A software synthesizer such as FluidSynth or Timidity can be used if your computer does not have a hardware synthesizer.

## See also

- The official DOSBox website
- DOSGames.com - large repository of DOS games.
- Abandonia - large repository of old and abandoned DOS games.

Categories:

- Emulation
- Gaming