How do I run the *original* Quake (aka Quake I) under WinXP?

[AnitaPeterson]

Hi there,

I'm putting together my gaming computer, trying to fit all my pre-Doom3 games on it...

I've succeeded to run everything I wanted so far, from old Doom-based games to Unreal 2.

Strangely enough, I can't figure out how to install and play the original Quake.

I copied the CD on my HD, but I can't seem sto be able to run the game, I've tried forcing the compatibility mode.

What's worse, when I tried to google for answers, I got all kind of different and sometimes contradicting suggestions (WinQuake, Tenebrae etc...) Plus there doesn't seem to be an agreement concerning the required files and videocard matching (the game was apparently optimized for Glide and Voodoo cards....)

For the record, I'm running a P3-900 with 512 MB RAM and a Radeon 9000 video card.

So... Can anyone give me the definitive answer as to what do I need in order to be able to play this fun and creepy game?

 

[Nothinman]

For the Doom games you'll probably have the best luck getting one of the rewritten OpenGL ports to work, since it was GPL'd there have been several projects working on extending the Doom engine.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

I got Doom95 running nicely, Strife is now fully ported to Windows, even Shadow Warrior and Blood are working... I'm not sure if I missed anything, but these are old-school FPS games that I like and play. BTW, I'd post a .torrent or upload a link to Strife for Windows, since it's considered abandonware, but I'm not sure the mods would be happy with it...

Now, what about Quake?

 

[ViRGE]

GLQuake should run just fine.

 

[IdaGno]

If you're gonna bother, then Tenebrae is the way to go. You wont believe your eyes.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: IdaGno
If you're gonna bother, then Tenebrae is the way to go. You wont believe your eyes.

Neat. I might have to try that out on my next Q1 play through.

 

[JRich]

Quake CTF was the sh1t!!

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Ok, If I go for Tenebrae (from http://tenebrae.sourceforge.net/index.php?page=download.txt), do I need anything else?

 

[BFG10K]

If you're gonna bother, then Tenebrae is the way to go.

That'll run far too slow on a Radeon 9000. Tenebrae is about as demanding as Doom 3.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: BFG10K
Tenebrae is about as demanding as Doom 3.

I doubt that (yes, I've run both) - Tenebrae should run fine on that system, just don't turn on AA or all of the fancy eyecandy.

- M4H

 

[IdaGno]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
Ok, If I go for Tenebrae (from http://tenebrae.sourceforge.net/index.php?page=download.txt), do I need anything else?

That'll do ya. Should run just fine w/your hardware.

extra info here & here

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

Dosbox?

 

[AnitaPeterson]

I\m a bit concerned... 90% of the times all I get is errors when trying to navigate in the Tenebrae website (http://tenebrae.sourceforge.net/index.php?page=download.txt)

So, I'll be grabbing the "Compiled exe & data (Installer)(4.00 MB)" - is this all I need? Kind of small!
There's a mention of "Water vissed maps" among System Requirements, and I have no clue as to what that means.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
I\m a bit concerned... 90% of the times all I get is errors when trying to navigate in the Tenebrae website (http://tenebrae.sourceforge.net/index.php?page=download.txt)

So, I'll be grabbing the "Compiled exe & data (Installer)(4.00 MB)" - is this all I need? Kind of small!
There's a mention of "Water vissed maps" among System Requirements, and I have no clue as to what that means.

There is a patcher you have to run against your quake files that alters the water textures to be translucent.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

You mean the "Vis patch for transparent water (0.96 MB)" listed just under the other file? Aha... thanks!

 

[BFG10K]

I doubt that (yes, I've run both) - Tenebrae should run fine on that system.

No it won't. You'll need to drop the details so low it won't look like Tenebrae anymore. Either that or run the game at a low resolution 800x600 or something.

For a system like that I'd start with ID's stock version of GLQuake and work from there.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Perfect!!

Tenebrae works like a charm, and my hardware is *definitely* robust enough for it. Zipped through the first couple of Quake 1 levels last night, it's amazing how good this old game can look...

*edit* and yes, I'm running at 1024x768x32, and I can see my shadow and other stuff (it actually scared the hell out of me, the first time I saw my shadow suddenly growing on a wall)... I haven't had my FPS displayed, but I must be running above 30 fps all the time, 'cause I haven't experienced any choppiness, even during fights with lots of explosions.

 

[skace]

You may want Ezquake also if you plan to play online, I don't recall anyone ever using Tenebrae for MP.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

thanks much for all your suggestions, everyone.

I never play on-line, though.

 

[Smilin]

I've gone through this whole "how do I get this old thing working again" process several times now.

My suggestion: now that you are done, zip up that quake folder and squirrel it away somewhere.

I've got one zipped up that has my quake, glquake, vis fix and gamma fix, plus config file that tweaks a couple things ( +mlook ??).

It's a timesaver especially since I know someday I'll drag this game back out again. Quake 1 rocks. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. That Elders zone still puts me on edge. It had some of the best traps and amushes ever designed.