Q: Isn't DSx86 too complicated for me?

A: No, go to the "Instructions for Use" page on this site and follow the instructions carefully.

Q: What software will it run?

A: In theory, it should run any software that requires a 286 energy bar processor or lower.

Q: What software won't run on DSx86

A: Anything that requires a 386 processor or higher (though there is the odd exception), or anything that requires the DOS4GW.EXE file.

Q: How can I find out what games are running on a 286 (or lower) processor?

A: You can find two lists of games that should run on a 286 (or lower) at mobygames:

http://www.mobygames.com/browse/games/dos/tic,11/ti,64/list-games/

http://www.mobygames.com/browse/games/dos/tic,11/ti,65/list-games/

Q: Does that mean, that DSx86 can play all these games?

A: No, please check the Compatibility List to get an overview of the software that has already been tested.

Q: What should I do when the software I want to play isn't listed?

A: Just test it and hope that it works. If you are lucky, it plays just fine.

If it doesn´t, read the FAQ section about debug.logs.

Q: The software isn't working, what should I do?

A: Always test the software with a freshly started DSx86. Check if you have the newest version of DSx86.

• Start directly from the DOS screen or from a .bat file.(see Instructions For Use on how to create a .bat file)
• Don´t start the software by using other programs like for example Norton Commander. They eventually use RAM that could be useful for your software to work properly.
• Try to run all the different executables of the software, meaning: .exe-files, .com-files and .bat-files.(also "setup" and "install" files, after testing the other files with no success)
• If the game has a .cfg or a .bat file, open it with a text-reader (f.e. wordpad). By reading these files you can get more information about what they do. Sometimes you can change the text in these files to get the software to work.

Also don´t forget to test the game with the DOSBox-program on your PC. Use a "shell extension"-program for super-easy usage. (google leads the way)

Q: I´m getting colored error-messages that say "unsupported .........!". What´s that?

A: These are debug-messages generated by DSx86.

Everytime a software tries to perform an action that is not (yet) supported by DSx86, it will write a new debug message into the debug.log file on your DS.

You can try to skip these massages and proceed further in the software by pressing the"B Button" (eventually several times) on your Nintendo DS. This however may not always work, meaning the software can´t be run further than to this point.

Q: What can I do with this debug.log and where can I find it?

A: The debug.log is saved into the DSx86 folder on your DS card. You can send it to Patrick Aalto, the creator DSx86.

Eventually he can fix the problem and include the fix into a further version of DSx86.

Please comment on the problems of the software:

• What is the name of the software? (Please specify the software-version and a download-link, if available)
• What is the name of the file that you started the software with?
• How did you create the error / what was the software supposed to do next?
• Is it a recreatable error that always happens at this point of runnig the software? 

After using DSx86 for a while, your debug.log-file will automatically grow larger.

It is recommended that you deliver "clean" log-files, so that they are easier to work with.

Beginner´s guide for creating "clear" debug.logs:

Make short notes on all the software that are giving you "unsupported....!" messages and on what point in running the software these were created. Let´s call these "error-list"

Now delete the debug.log

Run again the software thats on your "error-list" and refine your notes. (Always restart the DS before starting the next software.)

When finished with testing the software from your "error-list", you should take the debug.log-file from your DS and send it -along with your comments- to Patrick Aalto.

Make sure that the software you´re testing runs on a 286 (or lower) processor before sending your debug.log.

However, some programms can give you a "386 opcodes not supported error" 

-this can eventually be fixed, but you should make sure that this program really is able to be run on a 286 processor before sending a .log-file for these.

Q: How do I create a software-specific sub-page for the software that I have tested?

A: Go to the Game Template and read the comments.

The following workaround is obsolete since DSx86 has better Soundblaster support since v 0.20.

Q: I am getting "unsupported SB opcodes" when playing a game, what can I do about it?

A: Try to enter the setup of the software (usually the setup.exe or install.exe, or within the software environment itself) and change the sound settings.

Soundblaster should only be used for Music OR for Audio/Speech, not for both at the same time.

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