I have trouble gettinng these game to work properly. I really want to play these games again. Can somebody please help me. Here's my list of games
1) Return To Zork - Sound dosen't work and then freezes after the first screen.
2) Return of the Phantom - Sound problems
3) Star Trek: The Next Generation: Final Unity - Won't Run
4) Gabriel Knight: The Beast Run - Won't run
5) X-Files Game - Video problems won't run
6 Freddy Pharkas: Fontier Pharmacist - Won't Run
7) Keen Dreams - Won't Run
8) Crusader No Regret Demo - It's just the demo but when ever I try to plasy it says certain file missing. I suspect it may be a dos problem. Does the game only run in dos?
I someone could help me it would be so great. I'd love to play these games again. Thanks
Troble Playing These Game (Sound Issues, Freezing & Othe
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Cellular Cactus
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DarkMystic
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- Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2004 8:19 am
- Location: The Mystical Sphere
Would be more helpful if you could give more information like OS and Speed..and perhaps some error messages or better descriptions. 
I'll assume you're on XP given that you said you didn't have access to DOS in part 8. SO I'll run my tests on XP SP1
1. Return to Zork
I don't have the game so can't really help on that one although you can try DOSBox/VDMS which may halt your crashing.
2. Return of the Phantom
You need to run install.exe and select your sound options from there. Then I'd recommend running the game using VDMSound (standard config) and it should work. You may get one error message about it trying to directly access the HDD but just click ignore and continue the game. Worked perfectly for me, but I use a SB16 so most games do. You may have to select "Sound Blaster (later)" from the sound list. If you're lucky the install program will highligh an option in white (compared to grey) to show it has autodetected that device. if it has...then use that device
3. Star Trek TNG - FInal Unity
Unfortunately I don't have the game. But what exactly is wrong when you try to run it? Have you tried with VDMSOund or DOSBox? Have you tried getting an error message? (right click on the exe, Select the program tab, uncheck the box "Close on Exit" - then try running again). Have you tried disabling sound etc to see if it is something in your config?
4. Gabriel Knight
Unfortunately I don't have the game. But what exactly is wrong when you try to run it? Have you tried with VDMSOund or DOSBox? Have you tried getting an error message? (right click on the exe, Select the program tab, uncheck the box "Close on Exit" - then try running again). Have you tried disabling sound etc to see if it is something in your config? I've heard something somewhere about Gabriel Knight not running on XP although most of the time when people say things like that they mean they couldn't get it to run after just clicking the exe and nothing else
5. X-Files
What sort of video problems? Any chance you can be slightly more descriptive? Also is that a windows game or a DOS game?
6. Freddy Pharkas
I have no problems whatsoever running this in any OS. So what exactly is your problem? Remember you have to run the setup and accept config changes then run the game. Have you tried without sound just to experiment and see if it is your sound config? That can often stop games from running. Are you just getting the error "Unable to intialize hardware"? If so, there is a fix for that somewhere on the nealthough I'll be damned if I can remember where...but I can upload it if that is what you want. Called GoSierrav3..helps with Sierra games..also some updated Audio drivers. Have you actually got a proper version? or have you downloaded from some tacky warez site with only half the files?
7. Keen Dreams
Again I have the game running on Win2k, WinXP here and both work perfectly. I'm pretty sure I've had it running in Win98SE before and Win95b and DOS. Have you tried DOSBox/VDMS? Can you give more info on your troubles running it? (perhaps using one of the tips earlier to get an error message)
8. Crusader No Regret
What file? Can't really help without that. If you tell the file perhaps someone can either find it for you. If it is something related to DOS I'm 90% sure there is a way around it and I'm 100% sure that if there is I can help you with it but more info is needed first before anyone (I guess) can help you.
Could do with more info:
OS
Game Problems in Detail
CPU Speed
Video Card Details - for video probs
Sound Card Details - for sound probs
Do try searching for errors with some of the advice above and of course try DOSBox/VDMS
You can get them here:
http://dosbox.sourceforge.net
http://ntvdm.cjb.net
I realize I've not been that helpful, other than to give advice that you could probably find anywhere etc. but I can't really be more specific until you are
I'll assume you're on XP given that you said you didn't have access to DOS in part 8. SO I'll run my tests on XP SP1
1. Return to Zork
I don't have the game so can't really help on that one although you can try DOSBox/VDMS which may halt your crashing.
2. Return of the Phantom
You need to run install.exe and select your sound options from there. Then I'd recommend running the game using VDMSound (standard config) and it should work. You may get one error message about it trying to directly access the HDD but just click ignore and continue the game. Worked perfectly for me, but I use a SB16 so most games do. You may have to select "Sound Blaster (later)" from the sound list. If you're lucky the install program will highligh an option in white (compared to grey) to show it has autodetected that device. if it has...then use that device
3. Star Trek TNG - FInal Unity
Unfortunately I don't have the game. But what exactly is wrong when you try to run it? Have you tried with VDMSOund or DOSBox? Have you tried getting an error message? (right click on the exe, Select the program tab, uncheck the box "Close on Exit" - then try running again). Have you tried disabling sound etc to see if it is something in your config?
4. Gabriel Knight
Unfortunately I don't have the game. But what exactly is wrong when you try to run it? Have you tried with VDMSOund or DOSBox? Have you tried getting an error message? (right click on the exe, Select the program tab, uncheck the box "Close on Exit" - then try running again). Have you tried disabling sound etc to see if it is something in your config? I've heard something somewhere about Gabriel Knight not running on XP although most of the time when people say things like that they mean they couldn't get it to run after just clicking the exe and nothing else
5. X-Files
What sort of video problems? Any chance you can be slightly more descriptive? Also is that a windows game or a DOS game?
6. Freddy Pharkas
I have no problems whatsoever running this in any OS. So what exactly is your problem? Remember you have to run the setup and accept config changes then run the game. Have you tried without sound just to experiment and see if it is your sound config? That can often stop games from running. Are you just getting the error "Unable to intialize hardware"? If so, there is a fix for that somewhere on the nealthough I'll be damned if I can remember where...but I can upload it if that is what you want. Called GoSierrav3..helps with Sierra games..also some updated Audio drivers. Have you actually got a proper version? or have you downloaded from some tacky warez site with only half the files?
7. Keen Dreams
Again I have the game running on Win2k, WinXP here and both work perfectly. I'm pretty sure I've had it running in Win98SE before and Win95b and DOS. Have you tried DOSBox/VDMS? Can you give more info on your troubles running it? (perhaps using one of the tips earlier to get an error message)
8. Crusader No Regret
What file? Can't really help without that. If you tell the file perhaps someone can either find it for you. If it is something related to DOS I'm 90% sure there is a way around it and I'm 100% sure that if there is I can help you with it but more info is needed first before anyone (I guess) can help you.
Could do with more info:
OS
Game Problems in Detail
CPU Speed
Video Card Details - for video probs
Sound Card Details - for sound probs
Do try searching for errors with some of the advice above and of course try DOSBox/VDMS
You can get them here:
http://dosbox.sourceforge.net
http://ntvdm.cjb.net
I realize I've not been that helpful, other than to give advice that you could probably find anywhere etc. but I can't really be more specific until you are
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Cellular Cactus
- Newbie
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2004 1:44 pm
Hi sorry it took me so long to get back i've been really busy this last weekend and for some of the games I had to find ad install again as after most of these problems occured I deleted them and until I fiound this board I coulden't really find some way of fixing them.
I've using Windows Me and I guess my computer is a AMD Athlon XP 2500+ AthenticaAMD ~ 1830 mhz according to system info. I downloaded both Dosbox and VMD sound after your post, VDM i coulden't even get to install for me and dosbox installed fine but after i went " mount c c:\dosprog" and after i did I was pretty stuck and didn't know what to do.
Now here's the updates/better info on the list of games from before.
1. Return To Zork - Same as before nothing's changed hopefully if I can get Dosbox or VDM to work then finally Zork will work.
2. Return Of The Phantom - It seemed to run fine but there was no voice and then after the opening credits it quit.
3. Star Trek TNG - FInal Unity - I coulden't even install it as it said please exit windows first, it woulden't even run from the Dos Prompt, i don't know if dosbox would fix this but i would think so.
4. Gabriel Knight: The Beast Within - I have the Dos version and the opening video ran fine but as soon as I got to the game the sound didn't work at all but the video was fine.
5. X-Files - After I installed this it ran fine no problems at all. It's great to play this game after all these years I thik what my main problem before was when i tried to install this last time i didn't install Quicktime or DFirect X as i had newer versions at that pont wheras this point I just did the whole install process.
6. Freddy Pharkas - Seems to run fine but some of the voices would cut out for a bit and then be back and the gone again but other that seemed fine.
7. Keen Dreams - Works fine no problems at all.
8. Crusader: No Regret - My old PC Gamer cd woulden't even run and I can't seeme to find a demo on the net anymore so until I do i won't be even be attempting to play anyway.
I've using Windows Me and I guess my computer is a AMD Athlon XP 2500+ AthenticaAMD ~ 1830 mhz according to system info. I downloaded both Dosbox and VMD sound after your post, VDM i coulden't even get to install for me and dosbox installed fine but after i went " mount c c:\dosprog" and after i did I was pretty stuck and didn't know what to do.
Now here's the updates/better info on the list of games from before.
1. Return To Zork - Same as before nothing's changed hopefully if I can get Dosbox or VDM to work then finally Zork will work.
2. Return Of The Phantom - It seemed to run fine but there was no voice and then after the opening credits it quit.
3. Star Trek TNG - FInal Unity - I coulden't even install it as it said please exit windows first, it woulden't even run from the Dos Prompt, i don't know if dosbox would fix this but i would think so.
4. Gabriel Knight: The Beast Within - I have the Dos version and the opening video ran fine but as soon as I got to the game the sound didn't work at all but the video was fine.
5. X-Files - After I installed this it ran fine no problems at all. It's great to play this game after all these years
I thik what my main problem before was when i tried to install this last time i didn't install Quicktime or DFirect X as i had newer versions at that pont wheras this point I just did the whole install process.6. Freddy Pharkas - Seems to run fine but some of the voices would cut out for a bit and then be back and the gone again but other that seemed fine.
7. Keen Dreams - Works fine no problems at all.
8. Crusader: No Regret - My old PC Gamer cd woulden't even run and I can't seeme to find a demo on the net anymore so until I do i won't be even be attempting to play anyway.
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DarkMystic
- Member
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- Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2004 8:19 am
- Location: The Mystical Sphere
Pure DOS..Windows ME...easy
There is a patch for Windows ME that enables Pure DOS mode (previously locked by M$). The patch is not supported by Microsoft and therefore I guess there can be no guarantee. Only place I've found which still hosts a working download for it is here. There are probably more but I couldn't be bothered googling anymore
As for the other points - VDMSound isn't made for Windows ME/9x (In my first post I assumed you were in XP) so that is why it won't work. There is a patch to make it work on Win 9x AFAIR but I've never used it.
DOSBox..well..with the pure dos mode for ME patch you shouldn't need to use DOSbox but you may need to. Anyway their readme file within their archives is very good if you are stuck. Then again you still require a basic knowledge of DOS..so here goes:
mount c c:\gamedir\gamename <hit enter>
C: <hit enter>
Then type the name of the game's executable file. E.g. if it was...Delta Force Land Warrior (bad example but I have that directory open atm
) you would type:
dflw <hit enter> (because the game exe is dflw.exe)
You get what I mean? Well I hope so and I hope that it will get you through your troubles with DOSBox. I think in the DOSBox forums (VOGONS) there is a guide somewhere. I remember linking to it a while ago (not in my posts here though) ..but can't remember the URL so you'll have to do a search.
Sorry to ask again but even more info would be nice.
1. Return to Zork - definitely try with DOSbox as explained above.
2. Phantom - no voice...do you have the cd or have you downloaded it as 'abandonware'? Abandonware downloads are often ripped to save server space which means you may just not have the voices
3. Star trek - Right Click on the install file. Select Properties. Then goto the Program tab in that dialog box. Then hit the advanced button. Then CHECK the box saying "Prevent MS-DOS based programs from detecting Windows" (or something along those lines) and UNCHECK the box saying "Suggest MS-DOS mode as necessary". Hit Apply. Hit Ok. And see if the install will run from there. Sounds to me like it's just having probs with windows
4. Sound didn't work at all - again check your config. I don't have access to the game so can't have a look but check that the config for the game matches yours and you may wish to try to use a program which emulates old sound cards (from new ones) ...there are a few lying around the net
5. Good Good
6. Voices cutting out - perhaps try closing some background apps especially those which typically use sound - e.g. MSn messenger or anything like that They could easily intefere with it. Also if you look through some of my other posts in this forum - there aren't many - you will find a link to a proggie called "PITSET". have a look at the description again. I should re-read it but I remember vaguely one of the symptoms something like this..
7. Good Good
8. Well Wally said it needs Pure DOS so see above in my message if you find your CD again.
-- DarkMystic
There is a patch for Windows ME that enables Pure DOS mode (previously locked by M$). The patch is not supported by Microsoft and therefore I guess there can be no guarantee. Only place I've found which still hosts a working download for it is here. There are probably more but I couldn't be bothered googling anymore
As for the other points - VDMSound isn't made for Windows ME/9x (In my first post I assumed you were in XP) so that is why it won't work. There is a patch to make it work on Win 9x AFAIR but I've never used it.
DOSBox..well..with the pure dos mode for ME patch you shouldn't need to use DOSbox but you may need to. Anyway their readme file within their archives is very good if you are stuck. Then again you still require a basic knowledge of DOS..so here goes:
mount c c:\gamedir\gamename <hit enter>
C: <hit enter>
Then type the name of the game's executable file. E.g. if it was...Delta Force Land Warrior (bad example but I have that directory open atm
) you would type:dflw <hit enter> (because the game exe is dflw.exe)
You get what I mean? Well I hope so and I hope that it will get you through your troubles with DOSBox. I think in the DOSBox forums (VOGONS) there is a guide somewhere. I remember linking to it a while ago (not in my posts here though) ..but can't remember the URL so you'll have to do a search.
Sorry to ask again but even more info would be nice.
1. Return to Zork - definitely try with DOSbox as explained above.
2. Phantom - no voice...do you have the cd or have you downloaded it as 'abandonware'? Abandonware downloads are often ripped to save server space which means you may just not have the voices
3. Star trek - Right Click on the install file. Select Properties. Then goto the Program tab in that dialog box. Then hit the advanced button. Then CHECK the box saying "Prevent MS-DOS based programs from detecting Windows" (or something along those lines) and UNCHECK the box saying "Suggest MS-DOS mode as necessary". Hit Apply. Hit Ok. And see if the install will run from there. Sounds to me like it's just having probs with windows
4. Sound didn't work at all - again check your config. I don't have access to the game so can't have a look but check that the config for the game matches yours and you may wish to try to use a program which emulates old sound cards (from new ones) ...there are a few lying around the net
5. Good Good
6. Voices cutting out - perhaps try closing some background apps especially those which typically use sound - e.g. MSn messenger or anything like that
They could easily intefere with it. Also if you look through some of my other posts in this forum - there aren't many - you will find a link to a proggie called "PITSET". have a look at the description again. I should re-read it but I remember vaguely one of the symptoms something like this..7. Good Good
8. Well Wally said it needs Pure DOS so see above in my message if you find your CD again.
-- DarkMystic
*Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and then end the program which isn't responding*
*So how do I do that then?*
*Exactly how it sounds..*
*But what If I don't want to do that?*
*Well why phone if you won't take my advice?*
*Because I wanted someone to talk to*
*Well if you won't press Ctrl+Alt+Delete press that little button just beneath where the handset goes on your phone*
*this o...*
*dialtone*
yay!
*So how do I do that then?*
*Exactly how it sounds..*
*But what If I don't want to do that?*
*Well why phone if you won't take my advice?*
*Because I wanted someone to talk to*
*Well if you won't press Ctrl+Alt+Delete press that little button just beneath where the handset goes on your phone*
*this o...*
*dialtone*
yay!
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J Eastwood
- Newbie
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:15 pm
I finally got this Game to work, it took a while, but I got it. Go here to get everything you need to make it work. Download instructions.exe,Dos Box,VDMSOUND. The instructions tell you each step to take. 
http://members.aol.com/eastwood1106/dosgames/afu.htm