Troubleshooting XRoar: Common Problems and FixesXRoar is a powerful emulator for Dragon and Tandy/CoCo computers, but like any emulator it can present configuration and compatibility issues. This article walks through the most common problems users face with XRoar and provides practical fixes — from installation and ROM issues to sound, video, joystick, and disk image problems. Each section explains why the issue occurs and gives step-by-step solutions, plus tips to help you avoid future headaches.
1) Installation and Startup Problems
Common symptoms:
- XRoar fails to launch.
- Error messages about missing files or libraries.
- Crashes on startup.
Why this happens:
- Missing dependencies on your OS.
- Incorrect build or mixed ⁄64-bit libraries.
- Corrupt installation files.
Fixes:
- Use official builds first. Download XRoar binaries for your platform (Windows, macOS, Linux) from the project’s releases or package manager. On Linux prefer the distribution package (apt/yum/pacman) to ensure dependencies are handled.
- Check architecture match. Make sure 32-bit builds run on 32-bit systems and 64-bit builds on 64-bit systems. On Linux, install appropriate lib32-* packages if running 32-bit build on 64-bit OS.
- Install missing libraries. On Debian/Ubuntu, use apt to install required packages (for example SDL2 libraries) if the binary reports missing .so files.
- Run from a terminal to capture error output. The console often shows missing-file or permission errors.
- Rebuild from source only if comfortable. When compiling, follow README build instructions and install developer dependencies (compiler, SDL2 development headers, etc.).
2) ROM and BIOS Issues
Common symptoms:
- XRoar reports “missing ROM” or refuses to boot a machine.
- Partial boot with error messages mentioning missing ROM images.
Why this happens:
- XRoar needs appropriate ROM files for the emulated machine (Dragon/Tandy).
- File names or paths are incorrect, or ROMs are incompatible.
Fixes:
- Obtain correct ROMs. For Dragon and CoCo emulation you need the machine ROMs (e.g., Dragon ⁄64 or Tandy Color Computer ROMs). These are not bundled due to licensing — source them from your own dumps or legal archives.
- Place ROMs in the directory XRoar expects. Check configuration (xroar.ini or command-line options) or the emulator’s preferences for the ROM path. Default paths vary by OS and build.
- Use exact filenames when required. XRoar may look for specific names; rename your ROM files to match expected names if necessary (consult XRoar documentation for exact filenames for each machine).
- Confirm ROM versions. Some software may require particular ROM revisions. If a ROM fails, try another dump/version.
3) Disk Image and Tape Problems
Common symptoms:
- Disk images fail to mount or load.
- “Bad sector” or read errors.
- Tape files (.cas, .tap) won’t load or are noisy.
Why this happens:
- Corrupt images, unsupported formats, or incorrect media type selection.
- Image header mismatches or copy protection.
Fixes:
- Use supported image formats. XRoar supports common disk images (DSK, HFE, MGT, etc.) and tape images (.cas, .wav). Ensure your image is one of the supported types.
- Try alternative image sources. If an image fails, re-download or recreate it from the original media.
- Mount correctly. Use the emulator’s menu or command-line to insert disk/tape into the correct drive (Drive 0/1 or Tape). Some UIs require explicit selection of the drive type (single-sided vs double-sided).
- Convert problematic images. Tools exist to convert disk images between formats; try converting to a more compatible format.
- For tape audio: ensure sample rate/format is correct (often 44100 Hz stereo/mono). If using WAV, normalize or clean noise with an audio editor.
- Use snapshots/save-states where appropriate to skip long load times when testing.
4) Video and Display Issues
Common symptoms:
- Black screen or distorted graphics.
- Incorrect aspect ratio, stretched pixels, or wrong palette.
- Window is too small/large or full-screen broken.
Why this happens:
- Incompatible video drivers or SDL configuration.
- Incorrect machine video mode or monitor setting.
- High-DPI scaling inconsistencies.
Fixes:
- Update video drivers. Ensure your GPU drivers are current (Windows/macOS/Linux).
- Switch rendering backends. XRoar uses SDL; try changing SDL settings or environment variables (e.g., SDL_VIDEO_DRIVER) if available. Some builds offer options like OpenGL vs software rendering.
- Configure correct video mode. In xroar.ini or via command-line, set the machine/display type that matches the software you’re running (e.g., Dragon 32 vs Dragon 64). Also check PAL/NTSC settings for timing and color differences.
- Adjust scaling and aspect ratio. Use XRoar’s scaling options (integer scaling, maintain aspect, stretch) to correct pixel proportions. For crisp pixels, enable integer scaling where available.
- High-DPI: on Windows and macOS, adjust emulator or system DPI settings. Some front-ends provide a “native resolution” or “scale factor” toggle.
- Try windowed vs full-screen toggles. If full-screen fails, use a borderless window or a different fullscreen method.
5) Sound Problems
Common symptoms:
- No audio, crackling, or latency.
- Sound effects or tape audio playback incorrect.
Why this happens:
- Incorrect audio backend or sample rate mismatch.
- High system load causing buffer underruns.
Fixes:
- Select proper audio backend. XRoar typically uses SDL audio; if options exist try ALSA/PulseAudio on Linux or WASAPI/DirectSound on Windows by adjusting SDL choices or OS-level defaults.
- Set correct sample rate and buffer size. In xroar.ini or command-line, set audio sample rate (commonly 44100 Hz) and increase buffer size to reduce underruns/ crackling.
- Lower emulation speed or background load. Close CPU-heavy apps to reduce latency.
- For tape audio, ensure the WAV’s sample rate/bit-depth is correct. Convert files to a standard format (44.1kHz, 16-bit) if playback fails.
- Update SDL and audio drivers on your system.
6) Input and Joystick Problems
Common symptoms:
- Keyboard input not registering.
- Joystick/gamepad not detected or mapping wrong.
- Mouse pointer behaves incorrectly.
Why this happens:
- Input device mapping conflicts or wrong device selected.
- SDL/gamepad deadzone/config differences.
- Keyboard grab or focus issues when in full-screen.
Fixes:
- Check input configuration. Map keys in xroar.ini or use the GUI to set keyboard mappings. Ensure the emulator window has focus when typing.
- Use SDL gamepad mappings. If your gamepad isn’t recognized, update or provide SDL gamecontrollerdb mappings. Many controllers require custom mapping strings to behave correctly.
- Adjust deadzone and sensitivity in the config for analog sticks.
- For Windows, run as administrator only if needed for device access, but avoid unnecessary elevation.
- If keyboard input conflicts with host OS shortcuts, disable those shortcuts or run XRoar in windowed mode.
7) Performance and Speed Issues
Common symptoms:
- Emulation runs too slowly or too fast.
- Audio stuttering or dropped frames.
Why this happens:
- Incorrect CPU throttling settings, vsync issues, or insufficient host resources.
- Power saving modes or thermal throttling on laptops.
Fixes:
- Use host timing sync. Enable XRoar’s real-time sync (often the default) so the emulator runs at the correct speed.
- Toggle vsync options to avoid tearing or excessive frame-limiting; experiment with enabling/disabling to find the best setting.
- Increase host performance: disable power-saving, set performance mode in OS, or plug into power on laptops.
- Close other programs that consume CPU/GPU.
- If running at too-fast speeds (frame skipping off), enable frame limiting or vertical sync.
8) Save States and Snapshot Problems
Common symptoms:
- Save states fail to load.
- Corrupt snapshots or incompatibility between versions.
Why this happens:
- Save state format differs between XRoar versions or builds.
- Corrupted file writes due to crashes or bad storage.
Fixes:
- Use the same XRoar version for creating and loading save states.
- Prefer disk/tape file saves (in-guest save utilities) for long-term compatibility.
- Regularly back up save-state files. Store multiple numbered snapshots to recover a previous working state.
- If a save-state corrupts, revert to an earlier snapshot or a disk image that was saved before the snapshot.
9) Compilation and Build Issues (for advanced users)
Common symptoms:
- Build errors during compilation.
- Missing headers or linking failures.
Why this happens:
- Missing development libraries or incorrect build flags.
- Incompatible versions of dependencies.
Fixes:
- Install development packages: SDL2-dev, libpulse-dev, libasound2-dev, build-essential, autoconf, automake, etc., depending on OS.
- Read the project’s INSTALL/README for dependency versions and build steps.
- Use the project’s configure script and inspect its output for missing features. Install any missing libraries the script reports.
- Consider using Docker or a clean build environment to avoid local dependency conflicts.
10) Miscellaneous and Edge Cases
- Crash when loading particular software: the software may rely on specific hardware quirks or copy protection. Try alternative ROMs, different XRoar versions, or disk image variants.
- Networked features not working: ensure any required host networking or permissions are enabled.
- File permission errors: check read/write permissions for ROM, disk, and configuration directories.
Quick Troubleshooting Checklist (one-line fixes)
- Update XRoar and your OS drivers.
- Put ROMs where XRoar expects them and use correct filenames.
- Use supported disk/tape formats and correct sample rates for audio.
- Adjust audio buffer size and sample rate to fix crackling.
- Map joystick/gamepad via SDL mappings or config file.
- Run XRoar from a terminal to capture error messages.
- Use same XRoar build for save-state compatibility.
When to Ask for Help
If you’ve tried the above and still have issues, provide:
- Your OS and version.
- XRoar version/build and where you got it.
- Exact error messages or terminal output.
- The machine you’re emulating (Dragon ⁄64, Tandy CoCo model).
- ROM filenames and disk/tape image types.
- A short description of steps to reproduce the problem.
With that information, someone can give targeted troubleshooting steps or patches.
Troubleshooting emulation takes patience, but most XRoar issues are solvable by confirming ROMs/images, aligning configuration to your host (audio/video/input), and keeping versions consistent.
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