Making An Old Dos Game Run On My New(er) Hardware?
<div class="IPBDescription">Need some help!</div> So I just got a hold of "Strike Commander". I haven't played it for years. But if I remember having a blast playing it back in the day. Over the years, I lost it for some reason or another. So now I've just downloaded a copy, and want to get it running again. The game is from the early '90s, and I'm sure SOME of you have played it. I've been craving this kind of game for a long time, (and felt like going back to the original now that I have the actual skill to maybe finish it)
So, I have a copy, each disk was zipped up apparently (along with some "tools" to get it running) but ... that doesn't mean it'll let me install.
See it's asking for more DOS memory and extended memory or something, and well... how do I get around that? Cuz I know damn well my system has the memory. Do I need some kind of emulator?
A couple of quick searches on google gave me nothing, and I figured there would be some "in the know" types here. Any help would be great, links to tutorials, software, whatever. Something to get me started anyway. Thanks!
So, I have a copy, each disk was zipped up apparently (along with some "tools" to get it running) but ... that doesn't mean it'll let me install.
See it's asking for more DOS memory and extended memory or something, and well... how do I get around that? Cuz I know damn well my system has the memory. Do I need some kind of emulator?
A couple of quick searches on google gave me nothing, and I figured there would be some "in the know" types here. Any help would be great, links to tutorials, software, whatever. Something to get me started anyway. Thanks!
Comments
<a href='http://ntvdm.cjb.net/' target='_blank'>http://ntvdm.cjb.net/</a>
First off, try making a shortcut to the installer and/or game (whichever one needs these special settings), right-clicking it, going to Properties, and going to the Memory tab. If it's there, you should see settings for conventional memory, EMS, and XMS. I forget which type SC needs, but give it plenty of both -- you've got the RAM by now.
Speaking of which, find a program to slow down the computer. Some time ago, I tried going back to SC for nostalgia's sake, just like you are now. It's unplayably fast on today's 1+GHz machines without ways of slowing down the computer.
Since you've also probably got the hard drive space, consider running it off the hard drive instead of the CD. I forget how, but seem to remember the manual explaining where to copy the mission and movie files.
You sure picked a good classic. Enjoy.
and going through command prompt causes an illegal operation right away... <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->
I may try copying all the stuff onto floppies and doing it that way too. Might be having trouble finding stuff.
Do they even sell 3.4mb disks anymore? <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
**EDIT**
I see a couple more suggestions added in the time it took to type the above.
$nipe: Win ME won't cut it for that program I'm guessing.
Marik: Yeah, it's on the harddrive right now. I'll try what you suggested. Slow down my comp eh? Maybe I'll leave my SimCity 4 open, VALVe Hammer, Photoshop, and an NS dedicated server running at the same time. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> Thanks guys!
It's not a big important thing, but it would sure be nice. I may try installing it on my old pentium 233 at my parents house (but that'll be about xmas when I'm back there) But that's just plan "B" right now.
Any other suggestions would be appreciated!
p.s. <a href='http://members.cox.net/doomaniac/meandsamus.jpg' target='_blank'>Stay away, she's mine</a>!
<a href='http://ntvdm.cjb.net/' target='_blank'>http://ntvdm.cjb.net/</a> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
That doesn't support the games series I wanted to play when I last looked it up. (X-COM UFOD,TftD, Apoc)
Of course, I can get them to install under XP... just when I play them, the screen gets seriously farked up... (unsure of what could be causing it, but the screen looks like it's not making a difference between the lines of the screen...
Even when I lower the resolution, it gets all run-on-ish... Just tried to make a screenie, but it came out all black...
Some of this other info is interesting to know though...
*watches Samus run*
My suggestion? go play Super Metroid, old dos based PC games can be *KEYWORD CAN* be boring because Nostalgia makes it seem better
<-- probably the first animated samus icon on the net. Stole it years ago. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
That is a fair suggestion Smoke. A good point, but by god, there is no way to find out if it will be boring unless I can play it! Right? <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> Personally, I am a big fan of flight sims. There just aren't many anymore that
a) have a modern setting (frankly quite tired of the WW1 and 2 games in general)
b) have realistic (not arcadey) flight controls
c) don't have a blatantly fantasy/sci-fi plot (while yet having a plot)
d) don't put me to sleep (eg. ms flight simulator)
That's not to say that I keep up with every game that comes out, but if there have been any that "resemble" strike commander (in design) in the last few years, could someone PLEASE enlighten me! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Otherwise I'm stuck trying to teach a new dog old tricks! (If that makes any sense) <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
I think I will play Super Metroid in the mean time.
It's not your run-of-the-mill flight sim, because... well, I suppose you could say it's a roleplaying game where you fly F16s. There's actual character interaction and stuff. There's a more-than-threadbare storyline. The manual is written as if it's a magazine for pilot mercenaries from the game world, ffs, and is a highly entertaining read in itself. Actually, a while ago I typed out one of the "articles" from the "magazine" for the The Opera fanfic forum, under an old (and terrible) screen name: <a href='http://pub2.ezboard.com/ftheoperafrm19.showMessage?topicID=130.topic' target='_blank'>clicky</a>.
<a href='http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/' target='_blank'>http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/</a>
EDIT: WARNING: Only Real Mode games work.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->That doesn't support the games series I wanted to play when I last looked it up. (X-COM UFOD,TftD, Apoc)
Of course, I can get them to install under XP... just when I play them, the screen gets seriously farked up... (unsure of what could be causing it, but the screen looks like it's not making a difference between the lines of the screen...
Even when I lower the resolution, it gets all run-on-ish... Just tried to make a screenie, but it came out all black...
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I've heard this works sometimes, but I've never had to try it: Display Proporties->Settings->Advanced->Performance-> Crank Hardware Accel all the way down.
Also, theres the DirectX version of XCom UFO Defense that was released on a PC Gamer Disc (THE BEST PC GAMER DISK EVA! BTW) , if you can't find it find some way to contact me.
*freakin dances* YES! It worked!
Thankee man. Hadn't heard about that before.
And now, to beat them without cheating! (UFOD anyway, never did beat TftD once...)
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hmm...
*watches Samus run*
My suggestion? go play Super Metroid, old dos based PC games can be *KEYWORD CAN* be boring because Nostalgia makes it seem better <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->Well... couldn't your suggestion also fall under that?
But I doubt there're any of us here that would say that about Super Metroid. I'd probably play it again if I had my SNES hooked up... ahve the cart around here somewhere...
Awesome game and uses broadly the same engine as SC.
I had to end up editing my config to enable enough memory gubbins.
Some games also require a set number of buffers (step up X Com: Apocalypse) so those are all error messages to watch for.
As for the sound........well I use 98, so no probs there, hehehhehehehehehe.
*freakin dances* YES! It worked!
Thankee man. Hadn't heard about that before.
And now, to beat them without cheating! (UFOD anyway, never did beat TftD once...)
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Glad that helped Linger. It seems to be a problem associated with nVidia cards, but I don't know for sure. Anyways, If you'd like some tips from a seasoned XCom UFO Defense vet:
1. Drop everything but rifles and clips right away, everything else is just not worth keeping around.
2. Research Laser tech immediatly.
3. Build a Large Radar, an Alien Containment, another living quartars, and maybe a general stores if you think you need it.
4. Drop the avalanch and cannon craft weapons... basically useless.
5. Buy Scientists, as many as you can for now.
6. When you get laser pistol, start building some (but don't use them) till you get laser rifle, then use exclusively laser rifles until you get
Heavy plasma, blaster, stungun, whatever.
I know lots of stuff about the best way to deal with alien bases, how to build and defend your own bases, how to best deal with Cydonia, ect. If you wan't some more info, just find some way to contact me.
Awesome game and uses broadly the same engine as SC. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Privateer 2! Someone else who has that?! Wow! (heh, the classic Origin game reunion thread...)
What OS? My version only wants to run under DOS mode and tries to set up some wierd dos-mode setup thingamajig to get it to work, which didn't run very well under Windows 98 and I highly doubt will run at all under XP...