Personally, I use VDMSound, although DosBox works as well... Grab the latest version from:
http://ntvdm.cjb.net/This site has bee down a while. If it is still down, check this thread on the official VDMSound Website:
http://vogons.zetafleet.com/viewtopic.php?t=2071The 2.1.0 beta should come with "launchpad" as the default means of running. In the installer, this is "Shell Integration". If you've gone the 2.0.4 route, you will need to download Launchpad seperately. Launchpad makes setting up VDMSound Much easier via a point and click interface.
I'm assuming you are using the 2.1.0 beta. Run the installer. When done, reboot.
Now, go into Windows Explorer. find your IT directory.
Look for "IT.EXE". Right-click on it - There should be a new option in there which says "Run with VDMS". Select that... It'll bring up a new window.
You need to set up a new configuration for VDMSound that'll work with IT. To do this, there will be an option to "Setup a custom configuration". Select it by clicking on the radio button next to this option. Click the next button to Continue.
Because this is your first VDMSound shortcut, you need to create a new configuration from scratch. It should already be selected. Click Next.
There's a screen here that says "TODO: Add stuff here". Basically they haven't added a description yet. There is however an advanced button. Click on it.
This brings up a dialog box with a bunch of "Tabs" at the top. The first tab we'll look at is the Soundblaster tab. Most settings here will be good. However you need to make some choices here. Make sure that SoundBlaster Emulation is enabled. Make sure the checkbox next to "Enable Soundblaster Emulation" is checked off.
There is a dropdown list next to DSP Ver. This is the type of Soundblaster you want to emulate. Choose "Soundblaster 16" as this is the best driver for IT and VDMSound.
Beneath that, there is a section for Output. Ensure that there is a checkbox next to the word "Dev." (Dev stands for Device - Your Actual sound card driver). Put it to "Primary Sound Driver (DirectSound)". You should be able to change this to whatever output device you wish.
Next, we need to set up what kind of DOS settings you need. Click on the "Compatibility" tab at the top. There's a bunch of memory stuff at the top. EMS and XMS. Mase sure both of these are set to 16384 (Select that from the dropdown list).
Not sure how they affect IT, but make sure both "Enable DPMI support (DOSX)" and " Enable CLI/POPF Workaround" are checked off. these should be checked by default.
MAKE SURE VESA SUPPORT IS TURNED OFF. Make sure it is unchecked. This will speed things up a LOT. As well, it prevents certain errors from occuring with EMS memory.
You don't need network or low level CD-ROM support for IT. Make sure these boxes are unchecked as well.
That's all you NEED to set up. Click on the OK button of the "Advanced" dialog box. When you're back at the "TODO" screen, click next.
the "Remember settings" box on the next page should already be checked. If it isn't, check it off, or all these settings will go away after this run.
As well, it might help to click the "Add shortcut to desktop" box at the bottom. It'll Create a shortcut which runs all these settings from your desktop.
When you run IT using this shortcut, IT will open up in a window, and it won't look pretty. you need to fullscreen it before you get to the pattern editor... Click on the surrounding window, then hit "Alt - Enter"... This will fullscreen IT. It should look much better now. Move your mouse and click Continue, just as you would as if you were using IT in DOS. IT Should function correctly and sound "Just about right". It won't be 100% perfect, but it shouldn't be too bad if you've got a modern system.
If you encounter problems with VDMSound after setting this all up (EMS Problems crop up from time to time on random systems), then you may wish to try the DosBox method used with FastTracker (See the FAQ Posted above) Dosbox emulates an entire DOS based system, and therefore uses more resources (Thus requiring a more powerful PC). IT works VERY well under Dosbox, providing your system can handle DosBox.
