SHP Forums

A couple questions regarding text display within the DOS prompt..

First, is there a batch command that can make a text message appear for a certain length of time before the game starts? In other words, I run a game via a custom conf, my text message appears in the prompt for say 5 seconds, then the game starts (without having to press enter or anything)..

Second, how can I display my text messages in color (like the green text, blue background, and white border you see in the DOSBox welcome message)?

Yes, you can setup a batch file for both.

1st, to change colors, just type color, then a #. Like COLOR 1. To see a list of different color options, type color atr

As far as giving an amount of time to display a message, there are multiple ways to do it. I personally use a ping command. Where you have the batch file ping a IP for a certain length of time. Like PING 1.1.1.1 -n 1 -w 60000 >NUL. This will cause your batch file to pause for about 60 seconds. I'd suggest that if you want more detailed help, that you google the creation of batch files and what you want them to do

Btw, the batch file commands can be different depending on what OS you're using. For instance, the ping command as I have it won't work on XP but does work in Win7

If he is talking about a conf then he is talking about DOSBox. That won't work in DOSBox. I think someone was playing around with a patch to add the color command to it, but since it is not required for games, it probably will never be added. The splash screen is hard coded in DOSBox. To add a delay you will need to find a separate utility, such as dossleep to run in DOSBox. You could just use "pause", where the user would have to press a key to continue.

Yes I was referring to text within the DOSBox prompt, but thanks. I think the pause command will do just fine. Just one small question, is it possible to change the given message "Press any key to continue" to something else?

Ooops, thinking to literally when he said dos prompt. Was presuming he wanted to make a batch file using regular DOS commands

That was my fault, I should have been more specific. It's too bad those commands don't work with DOSBox

It is not possible to change the message without altering the DOSBox source.