OS wars, who's moving on, and who's staying behind?

Brigz · Post by **Brigz** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 6:00 am

Originally posted by Twotribes
You can run a simulated win 95 or win 98 or even win 2000 on XP. As I recall you right click on the icon on desktop and go to properties to set it to run under that. I have one game that wont run with XP and I have it set to win 98 and it works fine.

That's good to hear. I'll probably be upgrading from 98SE to XP in the next year if I do get a new computer.

KG Erwin · Post by **KG Erwin** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 7:29 am

Posted by Les the Sarge:"Is there any point I say, to game designers making wargames that won't run on old platforms if enough grognards won't move ahead?" This is your key point, Les, but how many classic C64 wargames never made the transition to the PC platform? Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you suggesting that the only answer to the O/S problem for older software is something called universal compatibility? XP apparently has features that transfer older O/S to the new format, or at least adapt to the older ones, BUT it doesn't always work. Jeez, to my mind then, you should never discard an older PC when it can play favorite wargames that the new one won't. In that case, it's an unending cycle, and more & more of the "classics", including "SPWaW", will be outside the compatibility loop, given time. Is THAT what you're getting at?

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 8:15 am

I guess the term for me is graphical interest thresshold.

Which might sound odd considering all the put downs I field out there about "graphics".

But there are limitations.

Back in the Commodore days, computer games meant squat to me. I have no "old favourites" per se from that time period.

During the 70's Squad Leader and Third Reich ruled. I played numerous operational games of note as well.
During the 80's I bought a number of games, but the only feature was ASL.

I moved from Toronto in 1990 and as a result spent about 4 years in a gaming hobby limbo. I was glad to get back into the swing of things, but hmmm spent much of the 90s dealing with a health hassle.

Computers to me, began on an IMB PS1. I progressed with that to a 486 and that is basically about Win 95 time. Computer wargaming to me started with Steel Panthers.
Until Steel Panthers, computer wargames were just a desperate persons choice. If it didn't look as good as ASL, or play as well as A3R, it was not worth my time. And as I had real live opponents, I sure was in no need to fuss.

Well here I am today, I have Steel Panthers, and other games. I call them "other games", because frankly thats all they really are to me. My golden era started with Steel Panthers. As such, I can't really hold any connection with anything predating 95 much really.

If XP could run Clash of Steel I guess some would be happy. But the last time I looked at that game, I though UGHHH that game is ugly. I would much rather play a board game.
That XP can't play every darned dinosaur really doesn't bother me a great deal. It's not like I am going to be all that interested in playing them even if it could.

I realise that is not likely anyone's sentiments but my own, but there might be a lot more of people like me, just not as vocal as me hehe.

My usual minimum "graphical interest thresshold" is about 1995. Earlier than that, and I would probably not be interested in the game, then or now.

Pity is, if I had say my old 486 system still (I traded it for a washer and dryer when I realised my friend was never going to get the cash to me we agreed upon), I could plop it in my hobby room and let it run my older games probably.

But when I upgrade, I usually don't hoard the old parts long.

slickric · Post by **slickric** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 11:32 pm

Originally posted by Twotribes
You can run a simulated win 95 or win 98 or even win 2000 on XP. As I recall you right click on the icon on desktop and go to properties to set it to run under that. I have one game that wont run with XP and I have it set to win 98 and it works fine.

Is the option that will allow win95 only games to run onXP

Culiacan Mexico · Post by **Culiacan Mexico** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 11:33 pm

Originally posted by Kanon Fodder
Just wondering what you used in '92, '93, '94 and the first half of '95 ?
:p

DOS

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 11:56 pm

Aahhhhh DOS the other OS heheh.

Slickric The XP Compatibility feature allows you to sneak a few games onto XP that won't go immediately with no convincing, but it won't do them all.

As we speak, I have just yet again watched Operational Art of War successfully install and successfully accept the compatibility feature on the set up file, run, then I used the patch that was required of this game (a setup .dll hassle), then go the route of a successful install, modify the executable with compatibility feature, just so it could not function. It will inform you it won't function on NT.

Fortunately the uninstall works correctly. But in the end, XP can't make this 1998 software run.

Somestimes a person has to pick an OS and go with it, good points and bad points.

SLAAKMAN · Post by **SLAAKMAN** » Sat Dec 14, 2002 8:23 am

I USED TO BELIEVE MICROSOFT WAS THE CUTTING EDGE. BUT THAT WAS YEARS AGO. NOW THEYRE SHOVING THEIR RETAIL BULLSHIT "XP" DOWN OUR THROATS. WHY CANT PEOPLE JUST LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE?? AND WHEN IS LINUX GOING TO BE GAME COMPATIBLE? AT LEAST 98SE WORKS WITH THE MAJORITY OF GAMES. I WILL REMAIN WITH 98SE UNLESS SOMEONE (HOPEFULLY NOT MICROSOFT) COMES ALONG WITH SOMETHING BETTER, EVEN IF IT MEANS MIRROR TRANSFERS FROM NOW TO ETERNITY!!!
SLAAKATTAK

Culiacan Mexico · Post by **Culiacan Mexico** » Sat Dec 14, 2002 8:14 pm

Originally posted by SLAAKMAN
I USED TO BELIEVE MICROSOFT WAS THE CUTTING EDGE. BUT THAT WAS YEARS AGO. NOW THEYRE SHOVING THEIR RETAIL BULLSHIT "XP" DOWN OUR THROATS. WHY CANT PEOPLE JUST LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE??

I like XP and for me it has caused a lot less trouble. I don’t think MS can leave their Operating Systems alone because they are so bad to start with.

AND WHEN IS LINUX GOING TO BE GAME COMPATIBLE?

Then I would actually have a choice… I like that.

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Sat Dec 14, 2002 9:43 pm

Linux will be compatible about the same time we gamers demand it. Not before.

That society continues to be enslaved to Microsoft, is entirely of our own free will.

I hate Microsoft, but if I use it willingly, I can't complain.

SLAAKMAN · Post by **SLAAKMAN** » Sat Dec 14, 2002 11:07 pm

THATS TRUE SARGE. WE LOST OR BIG OPPORTUNITY BACK IN THE 80'S WHEN EVERYTHING COULDVE BEEN MAC INSTEAD OF PC.

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 12:01 am

I have a friend that uses a Mac, he says a Mac can't walk and chew bubblegum.

Open a program , and it goes to desktop, open another and it too goes to desktop.

I don't know anything about Macs, but the way he described it, it made it seem clear, Macs are not all that perfect.

SLAAKMAN · Post by **SLAAKMAN** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 12:58 am

YOUR SPEAKING AFTER THE FACT. MACS ARE LONG GONE ITS TRUE. BUT IF APPLE WOULDVE HAD THE FORESIGHT OF IBM IN 1979, THEY WOULDVE TAKEN OVER PERMANENTLY. ALL THOSE OLD BUGS WOULDVE BEEN FIXED AND SINCE THE MOTOROLA CPU'S WERE GENERALLY SUPERIOR, THEY WOULDVE CAPTURED IT ALL. BUT ALAS, THATS ANOTHER STORY. AH THE GOOD OL DAYS OF MY APLLE IIe AND AMIGA 500. "SIGH"

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 1:06 am

My OS blues might be moot today. I have found I can get Operational Art of War via Century of Warfare to run on XP.

See this 98, you can sit on it and rotate hehe.

When I get the chance I am re installing XP and there will be NO sign of 98 on it. Secondary or otherwise.

SLAAKMAN · Post by **SLAAKMAN** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 1:58 am

THAT MIGHT NOT BE A GOOD IDEA TO REFORMAT THAT DRIVE SARGE. RECOMMEND; BUY A NEW DRIVE TO PUT XP ONTO. IVE HEARD THAT XP DOESNT RUN MOST GAMES WELL AT ALL AND SOME NOT AT ALL. 98 IS STILL THE MOST STABLE SO FAR FOR GAMING AND WE ALL KNOW HOW CRITICAL THAT IS!

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 2:11 am

98 sucks

True XP won't run every game in creation.
True XP won't make me dinner either.

But XP runs without fail regardless of how little I know about computers.

98 on the other hand still uses the blue screen of death. Not to mention it won't help me set up squat. XP is sufficiently helpful that I no longer have to fret over installing hardware or processing details like interent connections.

Computers are supposed to make life easier, XP accomplishes this. 98 on the other hand constantly irritates me and makes me go crying for tech help from my friends.

Stable, nope I don't believe that for a micro second.

When I heard that Century of Warfare will run on XP (thus ending my lamentations I could not play Operational Art of War Elite edition Volume 1, without resoorting to lame 98), 98 was doomed.

It is gone, and it ain't wasting good computer resources any further.

And I must say, formating with an XP OS disk is fairly easy eh. Something I would never say about 98.

Brigz · Post by **Brigz** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 3:22 am

Originally posted by Les the Sarge 9-1
98 sucks
When I heard that Century of Warfare will run on XP (thus ending my lamentations I could not play Operational Art of War Elite edition Volume 1, without resoorting to lame 98), 98 was doomed.

It is gone, and it ain't wasting good computer resources any further.

And I must say, formating with an XP OS disk is fairly easy eh. Something I would never say about 98.

Never say never, Les. Better hang on to that 98 CD. You never know with computers what lies down the road. I wouldn't put all my eggs in one XP basket.

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 7:37 am

Don't worry Dave, I'm a Scot after I am a Canadian hehe, I never throw out anything I spent good money on heheh.

I have stuff around the house I KNOW I am never going to use again, but I keep it because I spent good money on it hehe.

brent_2 · Post by **brent_2** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 8:29 am

You have made me think about trying to install Harpoon onto my XP machine and seeing if it works... I have an older computer with Win95 on it still - basically because of it, besides it gives the little one a keyboard to hammer on without getting into any of my work on the other machines.

If I could get Harpoon working on it...I could dump one old machine...hmmm

brent_2 · Post by **brent_2** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 8:42 am

D@mn, drat, double-d@mn

It flashes up a black screen and then returns me to the desktop

Gaaah

alot more than what I got on the Win2k machine though...

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 9:12 am

XP isn't a miracle worker, but sometimes you have to play with a program.

Sometimes you have to use compatibility feature on the install, and sometimes just to run the installed exe file.

Sometimes you have to adjust colour setting such as 256 mode.

And sometimes a mix of all three.

Sometimes you have to dig deep.

Never hesitate to just post a question about a game and an OS and ask for input.

I have Harpoon II Admirals edition. I will see if I can install that just for the heck of it and get back to you on my results. (I got it in a game pakage).

OS wars, who's moving on, and who's staying behind?

XP; MICROSOFT IN RETREAT

Re: XP; MICROSOFT IN RETREAT