Problem running Mars Rising in SheepShaver - 'Couldn't open Sound Tool' error

[joshc]

This is a long shot as I know most of us use real hardware instead of emulation, but real machines are not always accessible for me as I have limited space, plus my G4 is having a few issues at the moment so until I get that sorted out I am relying on SheepShaver.

I am trying to run Mars Rising and I get this error, under OS 8.6, any ideas?

The game is meant to be compatible with System 7.5 or later, and Sound Manager 3.1 or later. I am on 8.6 and 3.3 respectively.

I have tried with the JIT Compiler on and off.

Also tried with OS 9.0.4, same thing.

Any ideas? I guess this one just doesn't like being run under emulation, there must be something not implemented in SheepShaver that it needs.

Below is the error message I get:

 

[Phipli]

This is a long shot as I know most of us use real hardware instead of emulation, but real machines are not always accessible for me as I have limited space, plus my G4 is having a few issues at the moment so until I get that sorted out I am relying on SheepShaver.

I am trying to run Mars Rising and I get this error, under OS 8.6, any ideas?

The game is meant to be compatible with System 7.5 or later, and Sound Manager 3.1 or later. I am on 8.6 and 3.3 respectively.

I have tried with the JIT Compiler on and off.

Also tried with OS 9.0.4, same thing.

Any ideas? I guess this one just doesn't like being run under emulation, there must be something not implemented in SheepShaver that it needs.

Below is the error message I get:

View attachment 60257

Hum. Not seen that one... Does it need Sprocket Libs installing?

https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/gamesprockets-175

 

[joshc]

So, 'Sound Tool' in this instance means one of Ambrosia's internal libraries I think.

From one of the read me files for the game:

[A] - Mars Rising was written in C/C++. It utilizes Ambrosia's Sound Tool for audio, Ambrosia's Monitor Tool for monitor selection and fading, and Ambrosia's Registration Tool for the shareware license code system.

OS 9.0.4 has SoundSprocketLib 1.7.1 and SoundManager 3.6.4.

 

[Phipli]

So, 'Sound Tool' in this instance means one of Ambrosia's internal libraries I think.

From one of the read me files for the game:


OS 9.0.4 has SoundSprocketLib 1.7.1 and SoundManager 3.6.4.

What happens if you boot without extensions?

 

[joshc]

Same thing

 

[Phipli]

Same thing

Bleh. Tried a clean install?

I've never played Mars Rising, I can test tomorrow. Have the B&W and a 7200 set up ATM, can test on them. I think they are... 8.1 and 9.2.2?

Is there any commonality between your attempts in the two OSes? Did you launch the same actual install?

 

[Phipli]

Although sound is already weird on the B&W. Cubase doesn't work properly and Nanosaur sound glitches.

 

[joshc]

Yep, both 8.6 and 9.0.4 are clean installs.

Same game installer used on both - from an Ambrosia CD image. Not tried the separate one from Mac Garden but I'll do that next, but it's also Mars Rising 1.0.2 so I guess it'll be the exact same installer.

 

[joshc]

Right, the installer did look a little different but the installed game does the same thing.

 

[lobust]

I have Sheepshaver installed on my windows pc so I gave it a try and it runs fine.

• Sheepshaver 25-3-2015 build and 5-6-2013 build, both work fine
• 9.0.4
• Macintosh Garden download
• Windows 10 host

 

[joshc]

Strange.

I am using a much newer build (Version 2.5, 13 July 2023, universal (x86_64 and arm64) from github.com/kanjitalk755/macemu source) with macOS Monterey host.

2013 and 2015 are very old builds so I can't run anything that old under Monterey, but I also tried an Intel build (Version 2.5, 4 May 2019, 64-bit Intel) so that is running under Rosetta and I get the same results, so it's not to do with the newer Universal binary build.

At this point I will probably give up and just play on my Pismo for now.

 

[joshc]

@lobust which ROM are you using? Any other variables you think may be different between your setup and mine?

 

[joshc]

The plot thickens to the question that nobody is asking but me... so I tried a web-based OS 9 emulator which is just Sheepshaver under the surface, and Mars Rising does work in that. But I have issues with the controls jumping (arrow keys are used to move and they get stuck)... but anyway, why Mars Rising is working in that emulator and for lobust but not for me is a mystery, and I'm now even more curious as to what is going on.

 

[lobust]

I don't remember the specifics of the issues, but I gave up trying to use Sheepshaver on my MBP. It never worked as smoothly as the windows version for me. I remember playing one of the Escape Velocity games and being irritated by something that I couldn't get to work nicely, but it wasn't audio... keyboard input and video refresh rate perhaps?

There are also reasons why I am using old builds under Windows, but again I forget what they are. I have had this one installed for a few years now.

@lobust which ROM are you using? Any other variables you think may be different between your setup and mine?

The ROM is called newworld86.rom

I don't remember where it came from. PM me your email if you want a copy of it.

It identifies as the following in System Profiler:

 

[lobust]

The plot thickens to the question that nobody is asking but me... so I tried a web-based OS 9 emulator which is just Sheepshaver under the surface, and Mars Rising does work in that. But I have issues with the controls jumping (arrow keys are used to move and they get stuck)... but anyway, why Mars Rising is working in that emulator and for lobust but not for me is a mystery, and I'm now even more curious as to what is going on.

Ok, an update: I booted my SS into 8.5 with all other settings left alone, and I got the Sound Tool error.

 

[lobust]

OK, another update, I have figured it out why it wasn't working in 8.5, maybe it helps you...

In 8.5, in Monitors and Sound, there was no output device available and testing the alert sounds just flashed the menubar.

In the Apple Extras folder there is the old Sound control panel. I opened it and was able to select Built-In as the output device, and after that sound worked and Mars Rising launched no problem.

 

[joshc]

That was it! The audio output needs setting, even in OS 9 for me.

Thanks lobust - managed a few levels before I ran out of lives.

 

[olePigeon]

Mars and Deimos are great little games.

 

[joshc]

I grew up with these - all the Ambrosia releases were great. Some of them are quite hard (I was always useless at Malestrom) but still good.

 

[Phipli]

I grew up with these - all the Ambrosia releases were great. Some of them are quite hard (I was always useless at Malestrom) but still good.

Same, I was addicted to Swoop. The music is etched in my brain even now.