CompuServe Thread

#MSCDEX latest version

11 messages in this thread
#38210From: Alan DodsJan 27, 1993 3:47 PM
Can anyone tell me what is the latest version of MSCDEX? I have 2.21, dated 23/7/91, which seems a bit old and it is giving me problems running DPMI DOS apps under Windows. If there is a later version, how can I get it? TIA Alan
#38298From: kevin kellyJan 28, 1993 12:25 AM
You've got the latest version, Alan. There were some garbage copies floating around that MS itself was distributing, but they just plain didn't run. If you want to be sure you haven't got a corrupt copy, you can download CDEXT.EXE on CIS (Go MSL).
#38310From: Alan DodsJan 28, 1993 4:33 AM
Kevin Thanks – I'll get a copy just in case. This probably a silly question (I'm new to CD-ROM) : I haven't got a sound board but why can't I hear CD sound from the headphones on my CD-ROM (Toshiba 3301)? Does that only produce an output from Audio CD's, not CD-ROMS? Thanks Alan
#38375From: kevin kellyJan 28, 1993 8:03 PM
Alan, good question, which is a nice way of saying that I haven't the foggiest! On my Sony and one NEC I've tinkered with, only CD audio worked. I'd assume that the sound effects, etc. meant for an audio board are specific to them, hence having to specify the brand/type to your CDROM software and that the sound files are coded to access the tones and features available in those products. Maybe someone who really understands that will enlighten both of us. Best of luck with mscdex; it's a pain, but it's about the only game in town!
#38387From: Craig HenriksonJan 28, 1993 8:56 PM
Kevin — Alan is correct. The direct audio you can hear from the jack on the front conforms to the Redbook standard (?) and is limited to music, tho not just CD music, you can also get music from some CD-rom's. To get speech and sound effects you need a supported dound board with the appropriate digital to analog converter and music synthesizer — eg. sound blaster, etc. (oops – "dound"="sound" in the above) Craig
#38452From: Bob BarrJan 29, 1993 8:13 AM
Hello Craig, The headphone jack on my Magnavox cdd 461 does play sound effects intended for soundboard. For example the animal sounds in Groliers Encyclopedia all play through the headphone jack, even though I have no sound board. So it must be machine dependant.
#38464From: Glen ChapmanJan 29, 1993 9:27 AM
Grolier's, both DOS and WINDOWS contain both redbook audio and audio for some of the sound boards. You select which one you want at either install time or by setting preferences.
#38513From: Jim NicholsonJan 29, 1993 9:08 PM
To further complicate the discussion, most sound boards have an audio line-in connector, and most "multimedia upgrade" kits include a cable to connect the CD-ROM drive's audio out to this line-in. The result is supposed to be a mixture of Redbook audio & internally generated sound. I've seen each, but never combined. I suppose it would make for interesting games – CD Audio playing, digital effects from the soundcard.
#38635From: J. RoosthJan 31, 1993 3:12 AM
I'm not sure if I should pipe in or not. I have a SONY CDU 531(aka dog drive) and a SB PRO. Battle Chess enhanced has a combo of CD Redbook sound and SB support. I have the SB going to the stereo and some little amp speakers on the front of the drive. I hear both types of sounds just fine
#38515From: Jim DivokyJan 29, 1993 9:20 PM
I hear such sounds also but they were recorded in Redbook Audio. That is, standard audio CD. While they may be passed to your sound board they would just be passed through. On my Grolier's I can hear both, unrelated channels simultaneously using the front panel mini plug. They have conserved disk space by recording each channel separately and use software to determine which channel is played when. Jim
#38466From: Alan DodsJan 29, 1993 9:53 AM
Craig / Kevin Thanks. I have discovered Redbook sound with my Dos Groliers, and I think I've got the idea now. MSCDEX was OK – it turns out my problem was with some DPMI drivers on the Borland C++ CD-ROM. Thanks for the help. Regards Alan