The Need for a True Game Blaster

[Great Hierophant]

I have some bad news.  Apparently, some games actually need a true Creative Music Systems or Game Blaster Card to play CMS music.  Through DOSBox I was able to find out that Tatio games read and write to I/O memory locations (227h, 22Bh,) that do not correspond to the SAA-1099 chips (220h-223h).  The Game Blaster software also does this.  This must be where that mysterious CT-1302 Creative Programmable Logic IC must reside.  8-bit non-Pro Sound Blasters, even with the SAA chips in them cannot be regarded as a true substitute.  On the other hand, the Sound Blaster 1.0 with chips should work in LucasArts, Origin, Sierra, Accolade and SSI games.

[Cloudschatze]

Those two ports probably have something to do with a detection routine.

At least one Taito game, Operation Wolf, worked fine with a SB2.0 w/CMS, despite stating during configuration that it couldn't detect the card. Sky Shark, Rambo III and Bubble Bobble remained silent.

Any need for an actual CMS or Game Blaster can, in theory, be resolved by patching the offending software.

I've not tested with an SB1.5, but the SB2.0 w/CMS seems to work just dandy with software from the other listed companies.

[Great Hierophant]

I think Taito was the only gaming company that bothered to purchase a development kit from Creative Labs, which would have given specs for the chip.  Their titles are among the earliest titles that support the Game Blaster or the Adlib.  Everybody else probably got by with a SAA datasheet, the manual and the accompanying software.

However, lets say that you patched the executables to remove the detection routine.  There are still two problems to overcome: what if the game's music actually uses the capabilities of the mystery chip, and if so, then you may not be hearing the proper sounds if the chip isn't functioning.  Operation Wolf argues against this.  In DOSBox's Debugger, it identifies the unhandled read and write to the ports I have mentioned in the configuration menu, but during the game does not read or write to those ports at all.  I don't know what is the difference between Operation Wolf and Sky Shark, Rambo 3, Bubble Bobble, Rastan, Arkanoid II or Puzznic. 

[Great Hierophant]

You said that Alkarion was able to get the Game Blaster software working with his Sound Blaster 1.0.  Maybe the early DSPs have logic programmed in them to work like a C/MS PLG just to the extent as to get past the detection routine.  While I have a Sound Blaster 1.5, it has a V2.00 DSP and it may not work.  If you would be willing to pull the chips from the sockets of the 2.0 and stick them in the sockets of the 1.5 and test, that would eliminate any doubts. 

[Great Hierophant]

I have good news and bad news:

The good news is that I know how the Sound Blaster can be made to work with most of the C/MS and Game Blaster software, thanks to Alkarion.  It turns out that the Sound Blaster driver disks contain an updated version of the CMSDRV.COM driver that will work with the Sound Blaster (i.e. sans CT-1302 chip.) 

The bad news is unfortunately, the Intelligent Organ software will not work because it does not use CMSDRV.COM or has it embedded into the executable.  Also, this means that the Taito games also will not work. 

The inevitable conclusion to be drawn is this: a real Game Blaster is necessary to ensure that all games that support the Game Blaster card will work with the Game Blaster option. 

[BlueMax]

Weird...  I had the original v1.0 sound blaster and the Intelligent Organ used the CMS part, not FM!

[Cloudschatze]

The bad news is unfortunately, the Intelligent Organ software will not work because it does not use CMSDRV.COM or has it embedded into the executable.  Also, this means that the Taito games also will not work.

To help put your mind at ease, the Taito CMS support is terrible; the AdLib was definitely the intended output device.

And the Intelligent Organ? Stinkeroo!

[Great Hierophant]

Maybe DOSBox is the problem, otherwise, the Intelligent Organ was updated on the Sound Blaster disks.  I really think we should have disk images of those disks.  It seems like all Creative software can be made to work, one way or another, on a Sound Blaster 1.0.  However, I am more concerned about games, in particular the Taito games, even though they sound crappy regardless of device most of the time. 

[BlueMax]

Crappy or not - it'd be fun to hear! 

[Great Hierophant]

I view the Taito games as a litmus test of Game Blaster compatibility.  IF they don't work on a Sound Blaster, what else will not?  I have not tested every game, and I have difficulty getting the EA games to work with any sound device.

[Patrick Chang]

Weird...  I had the original v1.0 sound blaster and the Intelligent Organ used the CMS part, not FM!

Hi BlueMax,

Would you want to post your SB1.0 diskette here so that for those with SB1.0,1.5,2.0 can test it out and can provide more feed back?

I believe the CMS Intelligent Organ software in SB1.0 diskette is a little different from the one bundled with Game Blaster.

Patrick Chang.

[Great Hierophant]

Would you want to post your SB1.0 diskette here so that for those with SB1.0,1.5,2.0 can test it out and can provide more feed back?

I believe the CMS Intelligent Organ software in SB1.0 diskette is a little different from the one bundled with Game Blaster.

I second that request.  The CMS Intelligent Organ software is different because it has to work with the Sound Blaster, which does not have the CT-1302 chip that the Game Blaster possesses.  The CMSDRV driver is also different. 

[BlueMax]

I'll try.....  I might need a 5.25" floppy drive to do it though. 

[Patrick Chang]

Hi BlueMax...

The Great Hierophant & PC are waiting... still waiting... still still waiting [sound familiar? Does SQ1 *click*?]

PC.

[BlueMax]

I appreciate that....  nothing I can do until I can track down an old PC with a 5.25" floppy.

[Cloudschatze]

I appreciate that....  nothing I can do until I can track down an old PC with a 5.25" floppy.

You're not terribly far from where I'm at. If you want to drop the disk into a photo mailer, and send it my way, I can make a disk image and return the original to you afterward.

Heck, I'll even return two SAA1099P chips along with it for your SB1.5. (If you want them, that is. I figure I still owe you for the AdLib Gold.)

[BlueMax]

I appreciate that....  nothing I can do until I can track down an old PC with a 5.25" floppy.

You're not terribly far from where I'm at. If you want to drop the disk into a photo mailer, and send it my way, I can make a disk image and return the original to you afterward.

Heck, I'll even return two SAA1099P chips along with it for your SB1.5. (If you want them, that is. I figure I still owe you for the AdLib Gold.)

How did I miss this post??  That's an awesome offer!    I might be able to up the ante now - my local computer scrap shop had an old AT system I was able to get the 5.25" drive out of, as well as the floppy cable to connect it (and my 3.5" still in service!)  Hope it works!  If not, I'll send you those disks.

[Cloudschatze]

Here is the software that came with the SB1.5:

Sound Blaster 1.5 720KB Archive
Sound Blaster 1.5 360KB Archive

[BlueMax]

Sorry....  I was unable to supply anything...  old technology just not working for me....

[Great Hierophant]

Not bad.  I have the installation disks in one form or another for most Creative's ISA products.  I am only missing the following:

Sound Blaster 1.0 Disks
Sound Blaster Pro 2.0 Disks
Sound Blaster AWE64 CD

If anyone could help me fill the gaps in my driver disk collection, I would appreciate it.