Age of Empires 2 no longer compatible?

I've been searching google for the last few hours and have come up with nothing as to why AOE2 no longer works with windows.

Here's what happens.

My friends and I select TCP/IP (the non-LAN one) and I host. My friends can see my game but when they try to connect, it always gives them an "Unable to join game". When they try to host, same result. I know my ports are forwarded, I've got the DMZ set to my computer. My firewall is off. Why can't I connect to my friends?

From my research it seems to be exclusive to Windows 7. Windows XP machines can play the game(lost) between each other. One of my friends is using Windows XP, one of them is using Windows Vista and the other two are using Windows 7. We're all pissed that this game isn't working. Also, from my research every post I've read anywhere was never successfully answered. I intend to, hopefully, fix that with this thread.

Would it be best if I somehow call their tech support? It pisses me off that this old, great classic won't work with my computer, and it is still being sold in stores, but Ensemble Studios was disbanded!

Well I just tried and it works for me. Heres how to do it.

Run AOE II, once you get the main screen press CTRL-SHIFT-ESC
It should take you to task manager on your desktop. Go to processes and end explorer.exe for your user.
Once finished just exit the game and open task manager again. Go to applications, click new task, and type in explorer. Press enter and you'll have everything back.

This fixes the grass/water discoloration at least. If it won't run at all then I don't know.. works fine for me.

EDIT: Make a batch file that does this automatically!

Code:

taskkill /F /IM Explorer.exe
age2_x1.exe
Start explorer.exe

put that it in a text document, save it as all files with .bat at the end of the name. Example of mine



Oh and make sure to save it into the directory your age2_x1.exe is. Then you can make a shortcut to it so you don't have to navigate there all the time!

Running in compatibility mode does not work.

Thanks for the fix for the graphics, but that doesn't fix the connection issue.

KremmenUK said:

Lanthus20 said:

Well I just tried and it works for me. Heres how to do it.

Run AOE II, once you get the main screen press CTRL-SHIFT-ESC
It should take you to task manager on your desktop. Go to processes and end explorer.exe for your user.
Once finished just exit the game and open task manager again. Go to applications, click new task, and type in explorer. Press enter and you'll have everything back.

This fixes the grass/water discoloration at least. If it won't run at all then I don't know.. works fine for me.

EDIT: Make a batch file that does this automatically!

Code:

taskkill /F /IM Explorer.exe
age2_x1.exe
Start explorer.exe

put that it in a text document, save it as all files with .bat at the end of the name. Example of mine



Oh and make sure to save it into the directory your age2_x1.exe is. Then you can make a shortcut to it so you don't have to navigate there all the time!

Wouldn't it be nice if Microsoft fixed this properly so that their games ran on their OS properly

Well yah, But let's face it. The game's too old. I'm really upset about age of empires 3. It won't work and it's like a year or two old.

On topic, LordTemplar, fill out your system specs.

Go to your start menu, all programs, accessories, system tools, then click system information. This will give you a bit of info, mostly the stuff we want to know like hardware. We don't really care what mouse your using but hey, fill it out!

Processor:
AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 810 Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.6GHz
Memory:
6144MB RAM
Hard Drive:
640 GB + 250 GB + 1 TB
Video Card:
ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series
Operating System:
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
Computer Case:
Antec 300 Black Steel ATX Mid-tower

I also have a DVD+RW drive and a BD-R drive.

Sweet! I don't see how you should have any problem, I have a similiar computer (in labtop form though) and it works on it. I know you video card at least should work.

Also go to your account settings and update your specs there. Sorry i couldn't help but it will help in future problems as they can just click "My system specs" and see them instead of you posting them everytime!

Would this also work for Star Wars Pod Racer?