How to run an old game?

[newtonx]

Hello


I found an old game, DUNE2, and tried to run it. I received an error message that my system does not support fullscreen mode. I am running Vista Ultimate 32-bit.

What shall I do?

 

[niemiro]

Hi,

Dune 2 is a very old game that Windows attempts to run in command prompt. However in Windows Vista, the full screen mode of command prompt has been disabled. To play Dune 2, you have to download DOS BOX. Detailed instructions on its use and how to get Dune 2 to play are here:

Dune 2 Game Free Download & Install Guide | Glenn's Guides : Download & Play Classic Games

If you have any problems, reply back, as I will watch this thread for a couple of days.

Hope this helps,

Richard

 

[Blackhawk7188]

have you tried running in compatibility mode for windows 2000 or XP SP2? Doing this may solve the problem.

 

[niemiro]

have you tried running in compatibility mode for windows 2000 or XP SP2? Doing this may solve the problem.

Dune 2 is so old that it needs to be run in DOS or Command Prompt. The Vista Command Prompt does not allow fullscreen mode using Alt-Enter as XP does, hence newtonx's error. Therefore it has to be run in DOSBOX, and this is what my guide shows.

Richard

 

[stargazer830]

I was having the same error message when I tried firing up my old Ultima games - glad to see there's a solution now! :D

 

[niemiro]

Hi,

If you have any problems, just post back and I will try and help you. Obviously the instructions for Ultima will vary slightly from each other and DUNE2. I do not know exactely what version of Ultima you have, so here are the guides for all of them:

Ultima IV (4) - Quest of the Avatar PC Game Free Download & Install Guide: Windows XP & Windows Vista (Using Dosbox Emulation) | Glenn's Guides : Download & Play Classic Games

Ultiima 5 (V) - Warriors of Destiny PC Game Free Download & Install Guide: Windows XP & Windows Vista (Using Dosbox Emulation) | Glenn's Guides : Download & Play Classic Games

Ultiima 6 (VI) - The False Prophet PC Game Free Download & Install Guide: Windows XP & Windows Vista (Using Dosbox Emulation) | Glenn's Guides : Download & Play Classic Games

Ultima VIII - Pagan PC Game Free Download & Install Guide: Windows XP & Windows Vista (Using Dosbox Emulation) | Glenn's Guides : Download & Play Classic Games

Ultima Underworld - The Stygian Abyss PC Game Free Download & Install Guide: Windows XP & Windows Vista (Using Dosbox Emulation) | Glenn's Guides : Download & Play Classic Games

Ultima Underworld 2 - Labyrinth of Worlds PC Game Free Download & Install Guide: Windows XP & Windows Vista (Using Dosbox Emulation) | Glenn's Guides : Download & Play Classic Games

Ultimate Domain Game Free Download & Install Guide | Glenn's Guides : Download & Play Classic Games

I hope at least one of them applies to you, if not post back with your version of Ultima.

Richard

 

[Blackhawk7188]

Even if you do the furthest compatibility mode doesn't help? If it especially for DOS then I understand. I guess all you can do is emulate it. Have you thought of using Windows Virtual PC and installing windows 98/2000 in a virtualized environment to play it? Since it probably has minimal requirements a virtual environment should work great.

Just me ranting on suggestions.

 

[niemiro]

Hi BlackHawk,

Installing Windows 98/2000 (or even XP because it allows Command Prompt to go full screen) would work perfectly. However you have to go to all the time and trouble of installing the OS. Although 98 is now pretty much abandon-ware, you still need to have a genuine license. However I have a copy of DOS 6 running on Microsoft Virtual PC which I downloaded easily off the Internet. You may as well just use this instead. DOSBOX however is smaller (but not easier!).

There is a way of getting Command Prompt to work in full screen in Vista, but I really would not recommend doing it so I will not provide exact instructions. If you want them post back.

The "Windows Display Driver Model" (WDDM) no longer supports all DOS Display modes, and it is for this reason that you can no longer access full screen mode. However you can install the XP Version of your Graphics Card Drivers from ATI or nVidia etc or the Standard Microsoft VGA Drivers (not WDDM). This almost always causes regular random crashes of you computer and will disable Windows Aero. Why ruin your computer (albeit until you reinstall your Vista drivers) so you can play an old DOS game until your computer crashes again(!)?

There is a way of making Command Prompt fill your screen, i.e. maximized, but it is ridiculously complex and not the full screen a DOS game needs!

To do so:

(As a one off)

1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt.
2. Type "wmic" without the quotes and press enter.
3. Maximize your window using the middle of the three buttons in the top right hand corner of you Command Prompt.
4. Type "exit" and press enter, DO NOT press the red X.
N.B: You may have noticed that this method gives you a bottom slider!

(Always until you undo it)

1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt.
2. Type "wmic" without the quotes and press enter.
3. Maximize your window using the middle of the three buttons in the top right hand corner of you Command Prompt.
4. Type "exit" and press enter, DO NOT press the red X.
5. Right click on the top bar where it usually says "Administrator:Command Prompt".
6. Select "Properties".
7. Click OK without doing anything.
8. Type "exit" and press enter.
N.B: You may have noticed that this method gives you a bottom slider!

(To undo it)

1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt.
2. Right click on the top bar where it usually says "Administrator:Command Prompt".
3. Select "Properties".
4. On the layout tab set the following values:

SCREEN BUFFER SIZE:
Width: 80
Height 300

WINDOW SIZE:
Width: 80
Height: 25

6. Click OK.
7. Type "exit" and press enter.

N.B. You can also use this method to set the window size in the first place.

Richard