Older games in 2k

[videobruce]

I tried to install a number of older games (Win 95, but mostly Win 98) running 2k w/sp3 and many of them came up with a error that the uninstaller didn't register (or something like that).
I know that 2k isn't the best choice fro games, but is this (pardon the expression) 'normal for games written around '95 through '98 to behave like this?

I did most of these in the user screen with resticted rights, not the administator screen if that matters.

 

[Heisenberg]

Definitely try installing as admin.

 

[thedan]

You could try running the installers/games in compatibility mode (emulating windows 98). Make shortcut to whatever it is, then go to the properties and the compatibility tab.

Other than that, your left out in the rain. 🙁

 

[videobruce]

Originally posted by: AthlonXP
get windows xp.

Don't want to deal with Product Activation!

You could try running the installers/games in compatibility mode (emulating windows 98). Make shortcut to whatever it is, then go to the properties and the compatibility tab.

Don't know exactly what that is or where it is.

 

[Vernor]

I've yet to see a game not run in win2k in both normal and compatibility mode.

Of course you have to use an admin account.

 

[Bacinator]

I've yet to try "Vampire: The Masquerade" in compatibility mode, which I will now cuz I'm about to return it, but it definately does not run in normal XP mode. Won't install proper like. BAD ACTIVISION!

 

[Bacinator]

BTW, how does one activate this "compatibility" mode?

 

[videobruce]

These are 5+ year games guys!

Does it matter if it is in the restricted user screen or the administrator screen?

 

[onelin]

odd, Bacinator:
I never had a problem playing Vampire: The Masquerade Redemption under WinXP. If I'm an idiot and there's a previous older game, then perhaps that doesn't work.

For a game to not work in 2k or XP, they have to have been coded in a certain manner to begin with. Need For Speed 3 (EA games in general) is a prime example.

Generally most well-coded games. The reason is usually that 2k and XP don't allow direct access to video memory among other things (IIRC) and some old games were coded that way, which makes them go crashy crashy when XP or 2k won't let them do that.

Definitely install as admin, as people have mentioned already.

 

[Bacinator]

You just gave me an epiphany. I'm using XP-Pro (essentially super NT)
I tried installing on my wife's XP-Home machine, and it worked no problem. Grrr... Oh well.

 

[onelin]

Weird, I am using WinXP pro myself 😉 /shrug ...maybe there's something causing a conflict.

Hope you get it working, it really is a fun game. Once classes end, I need to finish going through the campaign.

 

[Bacinator]

Really. Wow.
I get a "Please insert disc 2" error, after it refuses to install properly. I had to go to activision.com, and find a work around for "Known installing issues with XP". Poopsuit. Even then, every pop-up window in the installer was blank (where it would normally ask where to install, complete or minimal, etc etc), so I just had to select blank menu options and guess, and it even installed it to C:\Raven\SoF. That's Soldier of Fortune I believe. Ya, hella weird. Still havn't figured out that "compatibility mode" thinger.

 

[Cosmic_Horror]

compatability mode can be accessed by creating a shortcut to the exe of the game. DO a right click on the short cut and select properties and select the third tab called compabablibity. then selcet which operating system you think will work best (namely win95) and any other options as you feel appropriate.

 

[Bacinator]

Woot. Got it to work. Couple things:
On the install disks, had to go on each disk, and ensure compatibility for windows 95 was set for demo.exe (DemoShield Installer).
Also, game will not run without play disk being in the drive INSTALLED FROM.
Kinda odd, but at least it works now. I just have to make sure I use the same CD drive (I have 3, 😀).

Thanks for everyone's help.