Links working on Steam Deck

[daneman20]

Hi all,
Here is a pdf file that I created meticulously walking through how to install Links 2003 download version successfully on a Steam Deck. I provided screenshots and instructions with specific steps. I am assuming that the reader has no prior experience with Linux or working in the Desktop mode of SteamOS (which is essentially a distribution of Linux). Hopefully, others find this helpful. I was able to recreate this several times to verify the steps. As far as I know, all Steam Decks carry the same hardware so I don't expect that there were be any variations. At some point, I will attempt to recreate this on my laptop that has a Ubuntu distribution. I would think that it would work (possibly with variations) on most Linux Distributions. I am also going to experiment with the disk version when I get time and see if I can't get that one to install and run.

I am inviting feedback should anyone feel inclined. I am (like most) very busy and sometimes it might be days before I reply, so sorry for the delay in advance.

daneman20

[dwg]

Interesting read.

I have Links running on Linux Mint at resolutions up to 1920 x 1200. The instructions for getting it to run on Mint should be the same as getting it to run on Ubuntu, given that are both based on Debian and the fact that Mint uses Ubuntu as its base. A copy of my doc is posted in the Tech Forum. I've refined it a little since that post and clarified it a little more. There are a couple of catches if you do not set the Wine Prefix to suit, these are around Windows Media Player 9.

The posted version of the doc is at viewtopic.php?p=22757#p22757

I did have a lot of trials and tribulations getting it to work, but as it turned out most of them were due to the hardware. Installation on a different machine went smoothly.

I used the original CD kit and installed it from the CDs, you do not need any additional patches from the ones you used.

It is necessary to use WineTricks on standard Linux install as well, I have not found a way to install WMP without it. I use it along with WineGUI as the overall tools for Wine management with WineGUI as the front end.

I would recommend you add the name of the OS to your doc title. I can see the potential for a few Links installation guides being around for different O/S.

I have created a doc for Windows as well based on installing Links on my Windows systems, depending on the hardware config you may or may not need dgVoodoo. I have one machine that needs it and one that does not.

Des

[daneman20]

Interesting read.

I have Links running on Linux Mint at resolutions up to 1920 x 1200. The instructions for getting it to run on Mint should be the same as getting it to run on Ubuntu, given that are both based on Debian and the fact that Mint uses Ubuntu as its base. A copy of my doc is posted in the Tech Forum. I've refined it a little since that post and clarified it a little more. There are a couple of catches if you do not set the Wine Prefix to suit, these are around Windows Media Player 9.

The posted version of the doc is at viewtopic.php?p=22757#p22757

I did have a lot of trials and tribulations getting it to work, but as it turned out most of them were due to the hardware. Installation on a different machine went smoothly.

I used the original CD kit and installed it from the CDs, you do not need any additional patches from the ones you used.

It is necessary to use WineTricks on standard Linux install as well, I have not found a way to install WMP without it. I use it along with WineGUI as the overall tools for Wine management with WineGUI as the front end.

I would recommend you add the name of the OS to your doc title. I can see the potential for a few Links installation guides being around for different O/S.

I have created a doc for Windows as well based on installing Links on my Windows systems, depending on the hardware config you may or may not need dgVoodoo. I have one machine that needs it and one that does not.

Des

Thanks for the feedback! I changed the name and added the updated guide with OS name. I am going to try to use Lutris via Ubuntu similar to what I did on SteamOS. The only concern that I would have is the video card on my laptop. Hopefully, I will not need the dgVoodoo tool. Lutris is a much cleaner way to use Wine in my opinion and it offers just about all of the same functionality including Winetricks. First, I am going to work on the CD version.

Daneman20

[dwg]

You should not need to use dgVoodoo on Linux. Wine is doing what dgVoodoo does and a lot more, and doing it better in my view on the platform.

FWIW the wine wrapper for DirectX when used on Windows is not working properly with Links, shame, if it worked like on Linux it would be an excellent solution.

dgVoodoo can work on Linux but only version 2.8 and older, it however will not work on some configurations at all. dgVoodoo actually takes away on Linux, when using it you do not get translucent golfer shadows, when using just Wine you do, so I just cannot recommend using dgVoodoo on Linux, the developer of it is also dead set against using it on the platform.

One thing I have noted on Linux is that the performance with Nvidia GPUs is not great, Links is performing much better in my experience when just using the Intel IGP. I cannot comment on AMD graphics on the platform. There are differences with different Nvidia driver families, I have tested up to the 575 family and while it is better, the inbuilt Intel processor is still rendering faster!

I will be interested to hear your experiences with Lutris on Ubuntu.

I would not be expecting you to have any major problem with the CD version, it should just mean that on initial install you do not have the 1.02, 1.05 and the no cd patches installed. The 1.07 update should resolve those. If you wish to avoid the CD shuffle just install Links without any courses, only CD 1 will then be required.

Des