Part 1: Preface |
First things first. There is no DOS in Windows XP! What is called the "command prompt" is not really DOS ... it can be thought of as more of a simulation of DOS. Windows XP (and Windows 2000), unlike Windows 95, 98, and ME, are NOT built on an MSDOS foundation. So, while this makes for better speed and stability, it also makes for sometimes lousy backwards compatibility.
However, have no fear! This page will hopefully help you to get the majority of DOS games running under XP. Of course, it's important to remember that some games just won't work on your modern computer, no matter how hard you try, so don't be too disappointed. ;) Also please keep in mind that these tips are for Windows XP only ... for more general tips on getting games to run, please read the DOSGAMES.com Frequently Asked Questions page. Thanks!
One more thing, the majority of this guide was paraphrased from an article in the July 2002 issue of Computer Gaming Magazine, my favorite gaming mag. Thanks for the tips guys! (Don't sue me!!!)
Part 2: Catch error messages |
Sometimes when you run old games, the error message that results when you run the game will pop up and disappear so quickly that it's impossible to read it! Here's how to fix that problem:
This will stop the DOS window from closing automatically when the game ends, or when it refuses to start. The resulting error message(s) can help you solve problems with the game.
Waaaaaay back in the MSDOS days, we had to play with our computer's memory to get games running. Stuff like conventional memory, EMS, XMS, upper memory, loadhigh ... lots of yucky stuff like that. Windows tries to manage memory for you automatically, but sometimes it doesn't do a very good job. Try giving the game the maximum amount of memory it could possibly want by:
Sometimes using the maximum memory settings isn't enough! Sometimes you need to create custom AUTOEXEC and CONFIG files for the game to use. Luckily in XP this isn't too hard at all. Here's how: This should take care of any memory problems you're having, and by checking the "Compatible Timer Emulation" box, it may also fix speed problems. (ie the game runs too fast ... or too slow!)
There are a couple of other tweaks you can do to make games run and/or make them run more smoothly:
Getting sound to work properly in games can be one of the most annoying problems in XP. Windows XP tries to emulate DOS sound automatically, using the following settings: A220 I5 D1 T3 P330. If a game (or its setup program) is asking for sound card info, that is what you should enter. However, I've found that this rarely works. A better solution is to download VDMSound, a Sound Blaster emulator specifically made for Windows XP/2000. (VDMSound will NOT work in Windows 9x or ME!) Download and install the software found on that site. Then when you want to play the game, either create a shortcut using VDMSound as described in the game docs, or, just right click on a game, and choose the option to run it with VDMS. Hopefully, you'll hear sound! :) Note that sometimes the only way to get a game working is to turn off sound. It can kinda suck to play a game without sound, but its better than nothing. Often there is a "SETUP.EXE" or "CONFIG.EXE" (or something similar) file that comes with a game that allows you to select your sound options. Use this program to turn sound off and see if that allows you to run the game.
If the game runs too fast, here's what to do:
If you're getting an error which looks something like "RUNTIME ERROR 200" (possibly followed by "AT ADDRESS {blah blah blah}") or sometimes just something like "DIVIDE BY ZERO", there are two things you can try to do: If neither works, skip to and read Part 10 ...
If you find that you need to use some specific keyboard sequences (like Alt-Enter, or Ctrl-Esc for example), there is a way to turn them off for specific games:
Okay, smashing your computer probably won't do any good. Unless you're rich. In which case, SHOW ME THE MONEY!!! Ahem. What I mean to say is that, as I mentioned above, some games just will not work in XP. The only solutions available to you then are: THUS ENDS THE GUIDE TO RUNNING DOS GAMES IN WINDOWS XP. I hope that you have found this guide helpful! If you need more assistance, or some aspects of the guide are not clear to you, please post on the DOSGAMES.com Discussion Forum in the "Getting old games to work" group. Thanks, good luck, and good gaming! :) |
(www.dosgames.com)
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