From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.doors

Hi Everyone,

I am having a very frustrating time getting version 4 and above of "The
Pit" to work on my Synchronet (Win32) bbs.

Version 3.53 works fine - both single node and multinode. The only
problem with versions earlier than 4 is that multinode battles aren't supported.

Now comes the problem - version 4.15 and above has the UART comm
problem. Everything works PERFECTLY for single node use, but as soon
as another node tries to run the door, I get the well known
fossil/comm/uart error message.

So fine, I'll try versions of 4 that DON'T have this glitch - versions
4.03 and 4.05 both apparently work fine with fossil drivers. Here
comes my biggest problem - both versions (4.03 and 4.05) FREEZE when
they are first launched. Here's what happens:

-User launches door
-On server, the dosxtrn.exe window appears on my taskbar (this is
normal, all doors will execute this, but here's where it stalls).
-NOTHING will happen until I click on the dosxtrn.exe window on my
taskbar (as sysop from server). Once I click this window, it instantly
changes to full-screen, and the door then continues to load properly.
Even if I do nothing but click on the window and allow it to go full
screen, then hit alt-enter to switch it back to a window, it still
allows the door to load.

No matter how long I wait, nothing will happen until I click on the
dosxtrn.exe window. It almost seems like the window needs to be active
in order for the door to load - but this is unlike other versions of
the pit so it doesn't make sense to me.

Other doors work fine, even version 3.53 and 4.15 and 4.17 of the pit -
the dosxtrn window will appear on my taskbar, but I don't need to click
it to get it to work properly.

Only versions 4.03 and 4.05 seem to have this problem, and I have tried
it on different computers with different operating systems (xp and
2000) with the exact same problem.

I have seen other synchronet systems (same version as mine) run the pit
version 4.05, so there must be some way around this... anyone have any suggestsion? I'd REALLY like to get this running!

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From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.doors

To: xhumeka
Re: Problem running "The Pit" version 4 and above
By: xhumeka to alt.bbs.doors on Thu Sep 08 2005 01:27 pm

-User launches door
-On server, the dosxtrn.exe window appears on my taskbar (this is
normal, all doors will execute this, but here's where it stalls).
-NOTHING will happen until I click on the dosxtrn.exe window on my
taskbar (as sysop from server). Once I click this window, it instantly changes to full-screen, and the door then continues to load properly.
Even if I do nothing but click on the window and allow it to go full
screen, then hit alt-enter to switch it back to a window, it still
allows the door to load.

No matter how long I wait, nothing will happen until I click on the dosxtrn.exe window. It almost seems like the window needs to be active
in order for the door to load - but this is unlike other versions of
the pit so it doesn't make sense to me.

Other doors work fine, even version 3.53 and 4.15 and 4.17 of the pit -
the dosxtrn window will appear on my taskbar, but I don't need to click
it to get it to work properly.

Only versions 4.03 and 4.05 seem to have this problem, and I have tried
it on different computers with different operating systems (xp and
2000) with the exact same problem.

I have seen other synchronet systems (same version as mine) run the pit version 4.05, so there must be some way around this... anyone have any suggestsion? I'd REALLY like to get this running!

What happens if you UN-check the "minimize externals" checkbox in the Telnet Server Configuation dialog box?

digital man

Snapple "Real Fact" #166:
Before mercury, brandy was used to fill thermometers.
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From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.doors

I'll try that tonight and let you know - thanks for the fast reply!

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From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.doors


xhumeka@gmail.com wrote:

I'll try that tonight and let you know - thanks for the fast reply!

Well, that works Ok for node 1, but once node 2 logs in problems start.
Everything fine until they leave the game - when the first person to
leave does so, everything closes fine for him and it brings server back
to windows desktop with the 2nd dosxtrn.exe window minimized in start
bar. When the 2nd person leaves, he gets frozen until I click the
dosxtrn.exe window to allow it to maximize, take over, and close.

Seems a lot of problems with 4 and above, I can't believe so many bbs's
are running it!

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From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.doors

To: xhumeka
Re: Re: Problem running "The Pit" version 4 and above
By: xhumeka to alt.bbs.doors on Thu Sep 08 2005 05:47 pm

xhumeka@gmail.com wrote:

I'll try that tonight and let you know - thanks for the fast reply!

Well, that works Ok for node 1, but once node 2 logs in problems start.
Everything fine until they leave the game - when the first person to
leave does so, everything closes fine for him and it brings server back
to windows desktop with the 2nd dosxtrn.exe window minimized in start
bar. When the 2nd person leaves, he gets frozen until I click the dosxtrn.exe window to allow it to maximize, take over, and close.

Seems a lot of problems with 4 and above, I can't believe so many bbs's
are running it!

Perhaps they're running a different version of Windows than you are? Or have some other difference in their system/software configuration. Do you have another Windows system you could experiment with?

digital man

Snapple "Real Fact" #158:
The first MTV video was "Video Killed the Radio Star," by the Buggles.
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From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.doors

To: xhumeka

I run it fine here.. Im running xp pro...

Here is my setup info in scfg...

The 2 main parts anyway...

Command Line..

pit /node=%# /path=c:\sbbs\node%#\

Drop File is

Gap Door.sys
in the node dir..

Multiple users is yes
Everything else is
No


Join StarNet today.. Http://starfrontiers.dyndns.org

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From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.doors

Thanks for your posts guys...

I have tried this on xp and 3 different win2000 machines with the same
result.

Melkor: I have verified my setup is the same as yours, and I still have
the same issue. Do you have the "minimize externals" option selected?
Does The Pit (version 4.03 or 4.05) instantly go full-screen when
someone opens the door? Everything goes OK for me up until the 2nd
person disconnects from the Pit - that's when his session hangs until I
click on his dosxtrn.exe window.

I have also tried using batch files but get the same problem. I have
tried using netfoss instead of the included fossil driver (by enabling
32bit mode) and still the same problem. No matter what I do, I always
have to click that dosxtrn.exe window at some point in order for 2 or
more nodes to work properly.

I'll keep playing around, and if I ever fix it I'll update this thread.
In the mean time, I'm always open to more suggestions ;)

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From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.doors

To: xhumeka
Re: Re: Problem running "The Pit" version 4 and above
By: xhumeka to alt.bbs.doors on Fri Sep 09 2005 11:00 am

Thanks for your posts guys...

I have tried this on xp and 3 different win2000 machines with the same result.

Melkor: I have verified my setup is the same as yours, and I still have
the same issue. Do you have the "minimize externals" option selected?
Does The Pit (version 4.03 or 4.05) instantly go full-screen when
someone opens the door? Everything goes OK for me up until the 2nd
person disconnects from the Pit - that's when his session hangs until I click on his dosxtrn.exe window.

I have also tried using batch files but get the same problem. I have
tried using netfoss instead of the included fossil driver (by enabling
32bit mode) and still the same problem. No matter what I do, I always
have to click that dosxtrn.exe window at some point in order for 2 or
more nodes to work properly.

I'll keep playing around, and if I ever fix it I'll update this thread.
In the mean time, I'm always open to more suggestions ;)

Maybe verify the properties of your exec/dosxtrn.pif file... verify that you don't have "Always suspend" checkbox checked in the Background portion of the "Misc" tab. Stuff like that. :-)

digital man

Snapple "Real Fact" #111:
Only male turkeys gobble.
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