Installing old games, possible?

[Krabby]

Heya,

I was going through my old CD-roms and I found my old Red Alert CD (Command & Conquer). I remember loving this game as a kid, so I tried to install it again. Sadly, it said: "Windows 6.0 is currently running. This version of Red Alert is a Windows 95 only product." So, it wouldn't install.. Now, I'm wondering - is there some kind of software available that allows you to install such games on a Vista pc?

Thanks,
Krabby

[Pieman]

You might need some sort of emulator. I'm not sure if we're allowed to post about them (They're primarily used for pirating games).

[SODA]

Your best bet would be to see if they republished the game. Windows 95 and 98 use a totally different system than 2000, XP and Vista.

[Far]

Truthfully emulators are for playing games that you already own. So long as you own the game using an emulator for it is legal.

[ilovebrownies]

If you happen to have a Windows 95 or 98 installation CD lying around, you could always install it on Virtual PC (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx) and run Red Alert on that.

[kkhan]

What about Windows compatibility mode? Application Properties > Compatibility Tab> Check run this program in compatibility mode for: and select Windows 95. See if that works. I assume you're using Windows XP.

[SODA]

What about Windows compatibility mode? Application Properties > Compatibility Tab> Check run this program in compatibility mode for: and select Windows 95. See if that works. I assume you're using Windows XP.

He is using vista. Though vista also has compatibility mode, but he can't even get it installed in the first place.

[Krabby]

I can work PCs, not into the whole programming thing though. If it's legal, mind telling me more about the emulator things? If it's illegal, PM me about it, I won't use them -.-'

[PyroOwned]

Krabby, I like you now. That was my favourite ever computer game when we first got a computer. :lol:

I'd really like to know this as well actually. I want to play my Crazy Taxi game i got for £1. :mad:

[ericssin]

as long as you own the software emulators are ok to use. Vista hates old software, that's for sure. you can try to use DosBox which is intended to emulate DOS based games, can't recall something for windows apps, but saddly some games will never run on Vista.

[Spastic]

Have you tried exploring the disc, dragging all the files on the disc into it's own folder and running the installer in compatibility mode? That's the only thing I can think of since I don't actually own Vista myself, hope this helps.

I have also read that the 64 bit version of Vista does not support 16 bit anything, so you may be out of luck if you aren't running Vista 32bit.

[Krabby]

I feel somewhat retarded - any idea where to check? And I'll try the explore disk thing.. Compatibility mode.. Time to search my pc. He's in dutch :x

[Spastic]

All you have to do for compatibility mode is right click the .exe and click the compatibility tab, then tick the box that says Windows 95.

[Krabby]

When I try to run the setup in Compatibility mode, a window pops up saying:

Title: 16 bit MS-DOS Subsystem
Message: This system does not support fullscreen mode. Choose 'close' to terminate the application.

Options: Close or Ignore

Both just close the pop-up and do nothing afterwards.

[Spastic]

Sorry, don't know anything of that error :frown:

[Krabby]

Hmm, hadn't seen this before. If I click ignore, this opens:

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/1848/errorredalertie7.jpg

[kkhan]

Try this (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx) and this. (http://www.dosbox.com/download.php?main=1)

[Spastic]

Alright Krabby, that helps. It looks as though you can run it from DOS, so I'll direct you to this post, just follow the steps and all should work fine.

http://www.coolrom.com/forums/showthread.php?t=467

[ilovebrownies]

Try this (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx)

Yeah, 'cos it's not like I already mentioned that or anything :indiff:

[kkhan]

Yeah, 'cos it's not like I already mentioned that or anything :indiff:

Well excuse me! I gave him two options! :lol:

[Krabby]

Alright Krabby, that helps. It looks as though you can run it from DOS, so I'll direct you to this post, just follow the steps and all should work fine.

http://www.coolrom.com/forums/showthread.php?t=467

Did all the steps, everything was as described. Tried to run the file and got this:

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/7941/errorredalertni9.jpg

Will try what ilovebrownies and kkhan suggested next :x Thanks for the help everyone, by the way.

[kkhan]

It seems the game doesn't run on DOS. That rules dosbox out, try virtualpc.

[Krabby]

I'm making progress. I'm not sure how, but I installed the game. I was running win98 on the virtualPC so that's probably why. Now - I try to run the game but it says it "can't find the access point of procedure SMapLS_IP_EBP_12 in DLL-file KERNEL32.dll"

Any tips? xD
I've only had this pc for about two weeks so I doubt anything is wrong with my kernel32.dll file :x

[Matterialize]

Your best bet would be to see if they republished the game. Windows 95 and 98 use a totally different system than 2000, XP and Vista.

Just wanna reiterate this. The game was republished, and included in The First Decade. If you can't get this to work, I recommend spending the money on that. You'll get a Vista-compatible version of C&C95 plus every other game right up to Zero Hour.

I know it's not really a fix, but it solves this particular problem.

[Krabby]

What the.. The First Decade costs like €30 and it's like ten games.. I might have to try that, thanks.

Still, if anyone knows how to fix it, please continue telling me. I've got other games I can't play anymore :( "Eat This" anyone? xD

[Hickabod]

What the.. The First Decade costs like €30 and it's like ten games.. I might have to try that, thanks.

I got first decade, all the games are identical to their original ones (infact its the same game files with a fancy loader), and I can conferm they all work on Vista

[Krabby]

Hoorah, thanks. I'll resort to that. Or I'll see if I can find just the Red Alert game on eBay first.

[barnesy111]

I took the hard, unintelligent route. As I still have my old 266MHtz and 64mb RAM PC, I partitioned the 4GB hard drive and installed Linux (command line only), DOS, Windows 3.1 and Windows 95; so as to play all of my favourite old games.
DOS games kick ass.

[Axidos]

I'm making progress. I'm not sure how, but I installed the game. I was running win98 on the virtualPC so that's probably why. Now - I try to run the game but it says it "can't find the access point of procedure SMapLS_IP_EBP_12 in DLL-file KERNEL32.dll"

Any tips? xD
I've only had this pc for about two weeks so I doubt anything is wrong with my kernel32.dll file :x

Look, I'll explain something to you. Kernel32.dll is a huge collection of things that programs use. Metaphorically speaking, it's a colossal box of tools.

The Kernel32.dll for Windows 95 (which that game is trying to use) is very different from the Kernel32.dll you'll find in Windows Vista. There will be new things added and old things taken out. The tools in the box have changed.

Red Alert needs one of those old things that's been taken out and isn't there anymore. This is why you cannot install old games on new PCs. The stuff they need is not there for them to use anymore.

[I_Smell]

Download Red Alert 2. It's legal if you have the first one.

I feel somewhat retarded - any idea where to check?

Pyschiatric ward.