Windows 7 - StarCraft fix holy cow!

mudlord · 07-28-2010

If Squall_Leonhart is here:

I had a brainwave to automate this registry patching for other games. Some utility to automate getting the game filename, the process ID, and setting the registry keys accordingly, from just loading the game filename into the application. The application will then run the game until it boots, gathers the process ID information, forces the game to shutdown by killing its threads, and saving the information in the Compatibility tab of the Windows Registry.

What do you think Squall?

**daboarder** · 07-28-2010

Could someone please explain how to implement Squal's fix for the computer illiterate amongst us, I've tried everything except the explorer kill to fix Starcraft and the best I get is a single run and then it freezes on the next game.

mudlord · 07-28-2010

I am working out a method so Squall's fix can be made generically to any affected 256 colour game, so then its easy for newbs. I already worked out how to capture DirectDraw IDs, and its very easy to extract the filename only from a complete Windows path, and then stuff it into Registry keys.

The issue is working out how Windows generates the application's name for the Compatibility key. I have a hunch is related to window class ID, but not 100% sure since it will take some time to make sure if its true, OR if its possible to just add any name in there and it applies the fix regardless. If possibility 2 is true, shouldn't be too hard writing a patcher that does it.

EDIT: Okay, wrote the patcher. Tested on Starcraft and Warcraft II BNE. Only works on Windows 7 x64, it is also a 64bit application, too. Source code in C is included.

Dragoon · 07-31-2010

You patcher worked for me to fix the graphic errors. Gonna test this on some older games too this weekend.

**Gamer1238** · 08-01-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by mudlord

I am working out a method so Squall's fix can be made generically to any affected 256 colour game, so then its easy for newbs. I already worked out how to capture DirectDraw IDs, and its very easy to extract the filename only from a complete Windows path, and then stuff it into Registry keys.

The issue is working out how Windows generates the application's name for the Compatibility key. I have a hunch is related to window class ID, but not 100% sure since it will take some time to make sure if its true, OR if its possible to just add any name in there and it applies the fix regardless. If possibility 2 is true, shouldn't be too hard writing a patcher that does it.

EDIT: Okay, wrote the patcher. Tested on Starcraft and Warcraft II BNE. Only works on Windows 7 x64, it is also a 64bit application, too. Source code in C is included.

I used the Patcher on my 32 bit system running Pro 7.... StarCraft Now runs like a dream thank you....

Was it only meant to work on a 64bit system??

mudlord · 08-02-2010

Correct, it was originally a x64 application, I recompiled it and did some updates to work on Windows 7 x86.

**Saint Oni** · 08-05-2010

How do I download this patcher?
I am getting a 404

**Dwarf** · 08-05-2010

It looks like he is having problems with his site. I checked the link, and got a 404 error. Going to the site root yields the following, meaning that the site is there, but has no content.

Dragoon · 08-06-2010

Until Mudlord website comes up again, I uploaded the patcher to a filehoster

http://www.file-upload.net/download-...games.rar.html

**hariharanblr** · 08-07-2010

zZanthraXx
BeholdHisNoodlyAppendage

Sir, you are one of those things mankind needs to feel eternally grateful to. You are the reason I even bothered creating a profile on this site. Your fix for StarCraft colors deserves nothing less than a Nobel. If you have other forums where you've posted this fix, please post them here so I can join each of them just to thank you! You are by far the most amazing thing mankind ever bothered to create in the last quarter century or so.

THANK YOU FOR THE FIX!