Running a windows 95 game in windows XP

[Lord Setheris]

So I recently came across one of my old favorite games, Master of Orion. Problem is, its a windows 95 game. Does anybody know of a way that I can get it to run?

[Azisien]

Try using compatibility mode. Go to the .exe of the file (shortcut works too I think), right click, and go to properties. There should be a tab for Compatibility, and you can turn it on to Windows 95.

It might work, it might not. I know the mode doesn't work for ALL older games, but it's worth a shot!

[Demetrius]

The other option is to run it from the Command Prompt, sometimes that does the trick.

[Zoran]

Run the Program Compatibility Wizard

You should run the Program Compatibility Wizard before you try other ways of updating your programs or drivers because it identifies compatibility fixes written specifically for Windows XP. If the wizard does not solve your problem, you can try other steps listed at the end of this article.

To run the Program Compatibility Wizard:

1.Click Start, and then click Help and Support.

2.Click Fixing a problem, and then click Application and software problems.

3.Under Fix a problem click Getting older programs to run on Windows XP.

4.Read the instructions and then click the Program Compatibility Wizard.

Note If a compatibility problem prevents you from installing a program on Windows XP, run the Program Compatibility Wizard on the Setup file for the program. The file may be called Setup.exe or something similar, and is probably located on the Installation disc for the program.

The wizard prompts you to test your program in different modes and with various settings. For example, if the program was originally designed to run on Windows 95, set the Compatibility Mode to Windows 95.



The wizard also allows you to try different settings, such as switching the display to 256 colors and the screen resolution to 640 x 480 pixels. The wizard will then launch your program with the selected settings, and allow you to test how the program works.

The final page of the wizard enables you to select whether to permanently apply the compatibility settings, abandon the changes, or save them and run the wizard again to apply different settings. You might need to repeat this process a few times, until you find the correct Compatibility Mode.



Set Compatibility Properties Manually

As an alternative to running the Program Compatibility Wizard, you can set the compatibility properties for a program manually

To set the compatibility properties for a program manually:

1.Right-click the program icon on your desktop or the shortcut on the Start menu for the program you want to run, and then click Properties.

2.Click the Compatibility tab, and change the compatibility settings for your program.


Note The Compatibility tab is only available for programs installed on your hard drive. Although you can run the Program Compatibility Wizard on programs or Setup files on a CD-ROM or floppy disk, your changes will not remain in effect after you close the program.


I hope that helpt.

[Lord Setheris]

Now I have a different problem. I can get a program to run, but now I don't have the program I want.

I'm looking for a program called Stars!

It was released in 1995 and is nearly impossible to come across. If anybody can help me find a way to get it, I would be VERY grateful!

[Zoran]

Mind telling me what the program does? I can then start a search for it.

[Althane]

Stars! is a very basic 4x (graphically wise, gamplay wise it's quite advanced).

I have found it before, I THINK that this link still works:

http://www.starsfaq.com/index.htm

Hope it works for yah.

[Sky Warrior Bob]

DosBox is working towards supporting Windows 95 (http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/news.php?show_news=1), but the compatibility meter seems to suggest it just barely runs.

Then again, if the program has a Dos mode, you might want to just try using DosBox off the bat.

I found this: http://www.warpcore.org/~sirian/moo1/dosbox.html
And this: http://www2.ntcompatible.com/Master_of_Orion_not_working_in_xp_t26450.html

Both links might help get you started, but the first looks a bit more promising.

Actually, after looking around the first link, I found this page: http://www.warpcore.org/~sirian/moo1/tweak-moo.html

SWB