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Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness Help

Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness CD's original requirements:

MS-DOS 5.0 or Windows 3.1 or greater
386/25 minimum, 486/25 recommended
2x CD-ROM
4 MB RAM
1 MB Hard drive space minimum, 25 MB recommended
VGA
16 bit sound card recommended
Mouse

 

Audio Problems

Audio problems are common in the later Sierra DOS SCI games. There's no single fix for all these games.

Problem - Poor Quality / No Sound (Win9x and XP):
The game has no sound or the music is of poor quality.

Solution 1 (preferred):
Play the game in DOSBox. It also will work with the MT-32 sound module, if you are fortunate to have one.

Solution 2:
Use VDMSound. The game work well with VDMSound. The sound will be as good as your audio hardware, and as with DOSBox, it works with the MT-32 sound module.

Solution 3:
Play the game with FreeSCI, a third party Interpreter for Sierra's early SCI games.

Solution 4 (DOS/Win9x):
Install DOS drivers for your sound card. Without DOS drivers installed you won't have sound in a DOS window in Windows 9x. If you can't find DOS drivers for your sound card., there is an alpha (developmental) version of VDMS that you can try.

Problem - Unable to initialize your audio hardware:
On starting the game you get the message:

Unable to initialize your audio hardware

Solution 1 (preferred):
Play the game in DOSBox. By playing your game in DOSBox, you can avoid this and other timer problems. Even the Windows version can be played in DOSBox if you install Windows 3x in it, first.

Back when computers came with a "Turbo" switch (a sort of speed switch,) Sierra's workaround was to turn off the Turbo switch to start the game, after which you could turn the Turbo back on. If you have your cycles in DOSBox set too high, you may still encounter this problem. You can mimic the turbo switch solution by lowering your cycles (Ctrl+F11) before starting your game. You may raise the cycles back up after the game starts (Ctrl+F12).

Solution 2:
Patch the old audio driver with GOSiERRA or SBSIERRA.

Solution 3:
Apply the SHADOWUP patch. This 1.0.1 patch also includes several updates to the original diskette version, including providing support for the Gravis Ultrasound Sound Card.

Solution 4:
Try installing the Windows version

Problem - SB sound crash:
MIDI is OK, no SB. Game crashes periodically. Game crashes at load time when SB sound is enabled.

Solution 1:
Play the game in DOSBox. Even the Windows version can be played in DOSBox if you install Windows 3x in it, first.

Solution 2:
Patch the old audio driver with GOSiERRA or SBSIERRA.

Solution 3:
Try the Windows version with "Compatibility Mode for Windows 98" and 256 colors for sound, though this might cause other audio problems in XP.

Problem - waveOutUnprepareHeader error:
When playing the Windows version on XP, right before a sound is played you get this error message with a title of "waveOutUnprepareHeader1":

An invalid parameter was passed to a system function.

followed by an error message with a title of "waveOutUnprepareHeader2":

The specified device handle is invalid.

and this error:

"waveOutClose": The specified device handle is invalid.

This may repeat several times, upon which the music disappears. This occurs in the Windows version, even if the NewRisingSun patch has been applied.

Solution #1 (preferred):
Play the DOS version of the game with DOSBox.

Solution #2:
Play the DOS version of the game with VDMS.

Speed problems

As with many of the Sierra VGA games, Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness has some speed bugs. These bugs can also be avoided by playing the game in DOSBox. If you can't or don't want to use DOSBox, you can try using a Slowdown Utility.

Here is a list of problems with solutions/workarounds.

Problem - Stamina loss:
Stamina loss while crossing chasm hand-to-hand/walking the rope

Solution #1 (preferred):
Apply this patch by NewRisingSun. (You may still want to play the game in DOSBox.)

Solution #2:
Play using DOSBox.

Solution #3:
Use a Slowdown Utility.

Problem - Error 47 At Slime Slope:
Error 47 occurs while attempting to slide down the slippery slope near the swamp.

Solution #1 (preferred):
Apply this patch by NewRisingSun. (You may still want to play the game in DOSBox.)

Solution #2:
Play using DOSBox.

Solution #3:
Use a Slowdown Utility.

Solution #4:
Go to the game's control panel and set the speed to maximum and detail to minimum. Afterwards, proceed to the slope a little bit at a time. Instead of clicking the walk cursor on the slope to move the Hero to it, click close to the Hero so that he moves a short distance. Repeat this to move the Hero in small steps until he is down the slope.

Problem - Freezing Guild Door:
Freezing Outside Adventurer's Guild with Igor (Windows version)

Solution #1 (preferred):
Apply this patch by NewRisingSun. (You may still want to play the game in DOSBox.)

Solution #2:
Play using DOSBox.

Solution #3:
Use a Slowdown Utility.

Problem - Wraith Drains Health:
Wraith drains health too quickly.

Solution #1 (preferred):
Apply this patch by NewRisingSun. (You may still want to play the game in DOSBox.)

Solution #2:
Play using DOSBox.

Solution #3:
Use a Slowdown Utility.

Problem - Erana's staff:
You can't use Erana's staff with the crystal at the end of the game, because you get a message saying that you're busy at the moment.

Solution #1 (preferred):
Apply this patch by NewRisingSun. (You may still want to play the game in DOSBox.)

Solution #2:
Play using DOSBox.

Solution #3:
Use a Slowdown Utility.

Solution #4:
Before going up the Heart altar, alter the speed and detail settings in the game's control panel. Have the speed at maximum and detail at minimum. It is a good idea to first restore a saved game at a point before the final game screen.

Problem - Error 52 In Swamp With "Chernovy":
Error 52 causes the game to crash at the swamp screen with the Mad Monk's Tombstone and the Chernovies guarding it.

Solution #1 (preferred):
Apply this patch by NewRisingSun. (You may still want to play the game in DOSBox.)

Solution #2:
Play using DOSBox.

Solution #3:
Use a Slowdown Utility.

Solution #4:
E-mail your saved game to someone who has the exact same version of QfG4 as you. First, go to the installation program to set the sound to "No Sound" or "PC Internal Speaker." Save your game just outside the swamp in a new directory. After quitting the game, e-mail the GLORYSG.CAT and GLORYSG.000 files from that directory to the person who will play the game for you past the point of error. By changing the sound setting, the person can play your saved game without any problems with the sound setting saved in the saved game file since anyone can play with no sound or with the internal speaker sounds. If you are playing QfG4 in DOS, make sure the other person has the DOS version as well. Also make note of whether you have the original disk version, stand-alone CD, QfG Anthology CD, or QfG Collection CD so that you can make sure the other person has the exact same thing. Once the person plays the game past the swamp, he or she will save the game and e-mail the saved game files back to you. Copy the files back to the directory where you have your saved game created outside the swamp. Go back into the game and restore.

Problem - Erana's staff turns into Ad Avis:
You strangely see Erana's staff turn into Ad Avis after killing him with the staff by using it as a spear.

Solution #1 (preferred):
Apply this patch by NewRisingSun. (You may still want to play the game in DOSBox.)

Solution #2:
Play using DOSBox.

Solution #3:
Use a Slowdown Utility.

Problem - Missing Cursor:
Missing mouse pointer when exporting character (endgame)

Solution #1 (preferred):
Apply this patch by NewRisingSun. (You may still want to play the game in DOSBox.)

Solution #2:
Play using DOSBox.

Solution #3:
Use a Slowdown Utility.

Game Specific Bugs

There are some bugs the game has that are not speed dependent. Most of these only apply with the floppy disk version only.

Problem - Caught by Ad Avis Lockup:
Fatal Lockup when Hero is caught by Ad Avis

Solution:
Apply this patch (for Diskette Version only.) This will update version 1.0, 1.0a or 1.1 to version 1.1a. This will correct several other problems.

Problem - Restoring from the Burning Gypsy Crash:
Fatal when Restoring from the Burning Gypsy death message

Solution:
Apply this patch. (For Diskette Version only) This will update version 1.0, 1.0a or 1.1 to version 1.1a. This will correct several other problems.

Problem - Jumping In Swamp Crash:
Fatal in the swamp, when jumping from hummock to land

Solution:
Apply this patch. (For Diskette Version only) This will update version 1.0, 1.0a or 1.1 to version 1.1a. This will correct several other problems.

Problem - Thieves' Guild Safe Crash:
Fatal at the Thieves Guild main safe

Solution:
Apply this patch. (For Diskette Version only) This will update version 1.0, 1.0a or 1.1 to version 1.1a. This will correct several other problems.

Problem - Monk's Tomb Crash:
Fatal at the Monk's Tomb

Solution:
Apply this patch. (For Diskette Version only) This will update version 1.0, 1.0a or 1.1 to version 1.1a. This will correct several other problems.

Problem - Save Crash:
Fatal "Assertion Failure" during saving

Solution:
Apply this patch. (For Diskette Version only) This will update version 1.0, 1.0a or 1.1 to version 1.1a. This will correct several other problems.

Problem - "Purge is not a selector for glory" Error:
Polygon problems, to include "purge is not a selector for glory"

Solution:
Apply this patch. (For Diskette Version only) This will update version 1.0, 1.0a or 1.1 to version 1.1a. This will correct several other problems.

Problem - Note does Not Appear:
The note signed "Katrina" 1-3 nights after rescuing Tanya does not occur and the game cannot be completed.

Solution:
Apply the Quest for Glory 4 Note Patch. (For Diskette Version only).

Problem - Can't Import Character SAV:
The game cannot read some of the statistics in the character SAV file.

Solution:
Apply the Quest for Glory 4 Import Patch. (For Diskette Version only) This patch fixes character import problems.

Problem - Can't Get Tanya's Doll:
You are unable to get Tanya's doll from the cabinet in the inn, and you never visited the Domovoi before.

Solution:
With this bug, you must visit the Domovoi before Day 5. You do so by waiting until midnight and going into the dining hall of the inn downstairs. The green Domovoi will be sitting on the mantle above the fireplace. You must make this visit so that he will give you permission to get Tanya's doll later on. The bug makes it impossible to visit him after Day 5, so you must take the opportunity to visit him before that day passes. If you are beyond Day 5, you will, unfortunately, have to start the game over. If you don't visit the Domovoi early, you won't be able to get Tanya's doll later, and as a result, you won't be able to beat the game.

Problem - Squid Stone combination Doesn't Work:
You have trouble opening the Squid Stone even if you know the combination letters.

Solution:
To get around this bug, double-click each letter instead of single-click. It may also help to do this slowly so that each letter you select is recognized.
 

How to get Quest for Glory IV to run in DOSBox

Note: The following information is only for those that want to setup GK1 manually. Other users should use the SHP Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness DOSBox Installer

Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness is easily setup to run in DOSBox. To setup the game in DOSBox:

  1. Create a folder on your hard drive for the game and in it, copy the PATCHES folder and the files:

SINST.EXE or INSTALL.EXE (depending on what version of the game you have)
65535.MAP
FLYTHRU.SEQ
INSTALL.HLP
INSTALL.SCR
INSTALL.TXT
RESOURCE.000
RESOURCE.AUD
RESOURCE.CFG
RESOURCE.MAP
RESOURCE.SFX
SIERRA.ERR
SIERRA.EXE
SIERRA.INF
SIERRAW.ICO
VERSION

and all *.DRV files.

  1. Unzip the NewRisingSun QfG4CD patch into the PATCHES folder.
     
  2. Open the RESOURCE.CFG file in Notepad and edit it to:

    videoDrv = VGA.DRV
    soundDrv = GENMIDI.DRV
    audioDrv = DACBLAST.DRV
    joyDrv = NO
    directory = .\
    cmd = QG4CD
    mouseDrv = NONE
    memoryDrv = NONE
    minMemory = 1600k
    brightness = 0
    language = 1
    minCPU = 386
    CD = yes

    resAUD = .\
    resSFX = .\
    patchDir = .\;.\patches
    audiosize = 63k

You can then start the game in DOSBox with SIERRA.EXE. For cycles, first try "auto". If this does not work try setting cycles to 8000 in the dosbox.conf and adjust up (Ctrl+F12) or down (Ctrl+F11) until both the game and the sound runs smoothly. When you find what works best for your PC, you can change the cycles settings in the dosbox.conf.

Or you can set it up to run with a Windows shortcut:

  1. Create a dosbox.conf file in the installed folder or copy the one from the DOSBox folder to it (Note: the config file can have just the changes to want and DOSBox will use defaults for all of the other settings.
     
  2. Edit the dosbox.conf file for any changes to the settings from the DOSBox defaults that you want, like aspect correction (to make the DOSBox window have the same proportions as a monitor) or scaling (2x or 3x) and most importantly, cycles (to adjust the speed of DOSBox.) Many of these settings will be a matter of personal preferences, but some of these settings are critical to getting the game to run right. You might need to experiment with some of these settings to find what works best for your computer. Also, under the [autoexec] of the dosbox.conf, add:

    mount c "path_to_your_game_folder"
    c:
    SIERRA.EXE
    exit

    and save it as "dosbox.conf" in the game's folder. (Note: you will need change "path_to_your_game_folder" to the path that matches the location of your Quest for Glory IV folder.

  3. Create a DOSBox shortcut on your desktop, Start Menu or where ever you wish to start the game from and rename it to "Quest for Glory IV" or what ever you want to. You can also change the icon to the one from the game.
     
  4. To get DOSBox to use your dosbox.conf file, right click on the new shortcut and choose "Properties". At the end of the DOSBox path in the "Target:" box, add -conf C:\Sierra\QfG4\dosbox.conf. Depending on where you have DOSBox installed, the Target box should now say:

"C:\Program Files\DOSBox\dosbox.exe" -conf "path_to_your_game_folder\dosbox.conf"

Important: If you have any spaces in the folder names for the game, be sure to enclose the path to your dosbox.conf file in quotations like the path to DOSBox above, or DOSBox will not find your custom configuration file. This can be avoided by not using any spaces in your folder or file names.

The game can now be started in DOSBox from this shortcut. This will get DOSBox to use this config file, automatically mount the QG4CD folder as a "C:" drive, use the dosbox.conf file in the game's folder to configure DOSBox, suppress the console window, start the game in DOSBox and close DOSBox when you exit the game. You can also customize the shortcut by renaming it (such as Quest for Glory IV) and changing the icon to to the one that comes with the game.

Notes:
 

To suppress the console window you can also add -noconsole to the end of what is in the "Target box of the Shortcut, i.e.:

"C:\Program Files\DOSBox\dosbox.exe" -conf "path_to_your_game_folder\dosbox.conf" -noconsole

See the DOSBox README for other options for running the game in DOSBox.

 

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