DOS Games Discussion

[DJones033]

I finally got the game to actually run without crashing. However, in the towns, I am not able to purchase new cards. When I click a card, the larger image shows with no other options. Is this a problem with the download or am I doing something wrong?

[dosraider]

Are you sure it isn't the demo you've downloaded?

Otherwise, no idea.



BTW, you eventually can cheat .... those card files are editable with notepad.

[DJones033]

It is the full version.

I was told via response to an email I sent to the site where I downloaded the program to try pressing the Y button to purchase cards. I'll give it a try after work.

Another problem I have encountered is that the game will not run on my laptop (running Vista). It will run smoothly on my desktop (running Windows XP). I tried every conceivable combination of compatibility modes with every version of Windows, with 256 colors and without, using 640 X 480 and without, etc. Also, it is not a DOS game, so DosBox won't help as far as I know. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I really want to get it working on my laptop.

Thanks

[dosraider]

My wrong here, it isn't a dosgame, so dosbox won't help you.
Sorry 'bout that.

Must be that the game uses 8bit code -(it's from the W95/98 era)-, won't go in Vista.

VPC2007 with W98SE on it?
VPC2007 works flawless in Vista, and the game don't needs 3D support, so it should run fine in it.

I will give VPC/W98SE a tryout with it. Will keep you posted, but it will take some time.

[dosraider]

Tried Magic:The Gathering in Vista-VPC2007-W98SE.
W98SE screen setting in VPC: 1024x768-High color(16 bit)


Runs perfect







Now not 100% perfect, only one flaw, a bit too fast when walking the map, but that's no problem at all.


To conclude, Vista = VPC2007-W98SE.
Would probably also work in VPC2007-W95, but in my experience W95 is a sucker in VPC, was already a sucker on a real PC also anyway, .

Should you decide to give VPC a try, don't forget to install the additions, gives max sound-graphics support in VPC.

[DJones033]

Hey man, thanks for all the help. Please forgive my limited computer knowledge and apparently my limited computer luck...

I found, downloaded, and installed VPC 2007. The only installation instructions I found require an actual Windows 98 CD-ROM. There is no way I will be able to find any of my old Windows CDs let alone an old 98 one.

Is there a way to set up the virtual pc without a cd? Or is there any other way you know of to run this game?

[dosraider]

I don't know a way to get this game running directly in Vista (don' think there is, no patches apparently).

And yes, you need an install CD of W98.
There are ways to install W98 in VPC without install CD, but those are not legal. So I can't help you with that.

Googl'in around you can find some sites that offer an W98 ISO for download ..... no need to say you better be carefull where you download it, some notorious sites amongst them. (bittorrent....)
BTW, if you get an ISO, no need to burn it, you can mount that directly in VPC.

Or simply ask around, many still have their W98 CDs laying around and gathering dust.

[DJones033]

OK, I found an old Windows XP cd. I installed XP on the virtual pc. Now, when Windows opens it asks for my user id password. It is the window with an icon (mine is a skateboarder), my user name, and the password entry below. It also has a guest icon below mine.

THe problem is I never created a password. Anything theoretical password I try or even leaving the box blank gives me a message:

"The system could not log you in due to the following error:
The specific domain either does not exist or could not be contacted.
Please try again or consult your system administrator"

I consulted myself. I still won't let myself into Windows XP.

Can you help me with this new problem? I am sure if I can get XP running on this virtual pc, then Magic the Gathering will work. It works fine on my desktop using XP.

[dosraider]

Installing XP in VPC is identical as on a 'real' PC.
I would say start again from scratch?
Simply delete the VPC folder you used.
You'll get a warning restarting VPC console, that's all.
Seems you went wrong somewhere.

After succesfull installing XP, run XP in VPC, go to 'action' -(in the VPC menu bar above)- and click on 'Install or update Virtual machine additions', this will automount an ISO and install those additions. XP will work much better in VPC (sound-graphics).

We all had to learn ....

[Edit]
Some things to speed things up in your XP/VPC:
Set desktop to 'classic'.
Disable indexing on C:
Set everything to best performance.
Disable all eye candy.
All in VPC of course.

But honnestly said, from a gaming point of view you're better of with W98SE in VPC, most of those recalcitrant W95/W98 games will run fine in it. As long as they have a software graphics setting, most do.
VPC can't give hardware 3D support, alas.