TINY SCREENS bothering anyone else?

[TheoD]

I have tried a few versions of ZC. Running in 600x480 big with WinXP, all of them offer a playing area about half the size of my monitor (laptop). Version 2.10win does not even launch, and although I know my WinXP isn't supporting the DOS very well, I can't understand why 2.10 makes my computer want to submit an error report everytime I start it or its editor. I've had an itch to reinstall Win2000 for other reasons, so if it would help these issues to run the DOS version of 2.10 under Win2000, don't hesitate to suggest it.

So, to recap:
1) How can I make the screen size twice as big?
2) What would cause 2.10 not to launch? WinXP?

Remember, any help offered is redeemable for loads of good karma!

[TheoD]

Me again with an update

PS --- Allegro log for 2.10w (build 0) showing header reading error when I start ZC. That should be a clue. Again, thanks.

[Russ]

I think that under the start menu folder, there is a full screen option. BTW welcome to ZC. And try not to double post. Most people don't like it. There is an edit button if you need to make changes.

[TheoD]

Thanks for the welcome, and 10-4 on the double posting.

I don't have a start menu folder for any of the versions I've tried (2.11b142, 2.10win, 1.92b183, and 1.90). When I set the fullscreen value to 1 in ag.cfg, I get a "fullscreen" mode in which the entire game screen is contained in the center with about half the area of the screen. I'm looking to play in 1028x768.

WOW - Interestingly enough, as I am typing this, the screensaver for ZC just kicked in (on my other computer) and THE SCREENSAVER IS IN 1024x768!! When I adjusted ag.cfg to 800x600, the screensaver lost a little bit of area, reflecting the change, but the game screen did not. So, when ZC is really is running at 1024x768 like I want it to, then why is the gameplay screen remain that little 320x240 or640x480 or whatever it is?! Is there a way to stretch the image and keep the aspect ratio, or even scale it up?

[Russ]

I had this problem on a different computer before. I think the problem is with the computer, and there is nothing you can do about it.

[TheoD]

As much as I hate to admit it, I think you're right, russadwan. I'm using a laptop so the videocard is probably not "the cutting edge" to say the least. Probably closer to "the cutting room floor".

'preciate the feedback. Outstanding site and game!

[Saffith]

The game simply doesn't get drawn any bigger than 640x480. Normally, the game changes the resolution so that it takes up the whole screen. If it doesn't make it any bigger, it's because of how the system handles the lower resolution. You could try lowering the resolution in Windows, if it'll let you, but that may make it distorted or do nothing at all.
You might try a zooming program (http://www.download.com/DesktopZoom/3000-2347_4-10702012.html?tag=lst-0-3). That's probably your best bet.

This is definitely something that should change in the future, but for now that's just how it is. I'll see about how hard that would be to change in the current code (geez, I've been gone way too long...), but I imagine it would've been done already if it were simple.

[LostInHyru1e]

I have a problem too - on Windows Vista, 2.10 doesn't work, so I got a beta build to screw around with, but it will only go in its minimized version.(really small) Whenever I fullscreen it, it crashes. Any ideas? I believe it's build 584.

[Russ]

That fullscreen problem is a bug that will hopefully be fixed in the next build.

[LostInHyru1e]

Oh, so it's not because of Vista?

[Nicholas Steel]

uh, the gamplay area can't be stretched bigger then 640x480, any bigger just makes the black border around it bigger.

to achieve this 640x480 size you have to set the sbig value in the configuration file to 1

[erm2003]

Do you use the ZC Launcher when running the programs? I have been able to get full screen on Vista fine if I use the Launcher application to load the programs.