Windows 7: 32b XP game runs - only intermittently

After migrating from XP SP3 (32bit) and getting used to Windows 7 Ultimate (64bit), I finally got around to installing some older programs. One game in particular is giving me some trouble and I am hoping someone can point me to a possible solution.

When initially installed, the game crashed and burned. So I found out that I had to manually regedit its key into Wow6432Node. From web forums, I found that others have done so on their 64bit Windows 7 machines, and they have been successful in getting the game to work.

Once the key was added in my registry, the game started up and ran fine - Once. After quitting out of the game, I tried to restart it and it would not start. After several more tries, it started working again. Once. Then stopped again. So I fiddled with different permutations of the following:

- Run compatibility under XP SP3
- Run compatibility under XP SP2
- Run as administrator

The result was the same. Sometimes it works, just once. And then stops working again for several more tries. Sometimes, after I start task manager, game starts up. But subsequent times, it fails. I cannot consistently get it to start.

When it fails, most of the time a message box pops up that the game "has stopped working. Windows is collecting more info" ... "Do you want to send ?"

Poking into the resulting XML error logs, I see references to ntdll.dll and d3d9.dll. Not really sure if this information is useful.



A few times, when it fails, the game process just stops and disappears in Task Man. I don't even get the courtesy of an error notice.

This is really vexing. Not sure why the game would only work intermittently. One would think that if it runs, it should run until something signiifcant changes in the OS. But in my case, it would run once, but not again even with no changes to the OS. The worst part is that I cannot consistently repro the conditions under which it does run.

At this point, I have installed XP Mode to be able to run this game. But XP Mode is a full blown XP installation inside a VM so it has a HUGE resource footprint. I want to uninstall it.

Therefore if someone can suggest ways to make this game run under Windows 7, it would be much appreciated.

I think I missed it, what game?

Have a look here - Tips on Troubleshooting Game Issues

Thanks. I went through the troubleshooting tips. But still no dice.

The trouble is not with the game performance once the game has started. The graphics performance is just fine so there are no driver or DirectX issues. The issue is that the game does not start reliably.

Some times it starts, and when it does, it runs. At at other times, it does not start at all.

Out of curiosity what is the game??? And have you visited it's forums/website for help? (as suggested in my tips)

one thing I can say until the mystery game is revealed is that XP Mode is not good for gaming

quoted from a Q&A session by Microsoft about XP Mode

Windows XP Mode is best suited for older business and productivity applications such as accounting, inventory and similar applications. Windows XP Mode is not aimed at consumers because many consumer applications require extensive use of hardware interfaces such as 3-D graphics, audio, and TV tuners that do not work well under virtualization today.

running my older games in Windows 7 x64 would exhibit many of the same problems described until I updated my DirectX 9c runtimes like it is suggested in #5 Updating your DirectX files in the thread sygnus21 posted....now I have no problems with any of my older DX9 games

As for the game, it's um .. let's just say it's not a mainstream game ;-). The publisher is foreign and they do not offer overseas support. I have been the main English language forum. I've trawled through every post on the subject, but have not found the answer. That's why I'm here.

BTW, before the question comes up, I have Ultimate, and I installed and have been using the East Asian Language packs from the beginning. There's no issue there.

As for DirectX, I followed your link to the troubleshooting thread. Upon reading the section of DirectX, I thought, ah, that must be it! I DLed dxwebsetup.exe and ran the update. Supposedly I am up to date now. (Although I can't tell what DX 9 version I have. dxdiag only tells me I have DX11).

Thanks for your help thus far.

It's kind of hard trying to help with that type of answer. Plus the fact that you still haven't provided system specs.

Good luck

Porn game I bet. I think xp mode causes more problems than it helps. Isn't it like a virtual machine type thing? Your pc may not have the power for it.

Yes and no, it use virtual machine, does run in virtual but it can also be ran in 7's environment. Have a look here - Windows Virtual PC: Home Page and here - Install and use Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

This also - Helping Small Businesses With Windows 7 Professional and Windows XP Mode: Q&A: Scott Woodgate discusses how Windows XP Mode helps customers maximize productivity and manage their technology infrastructure, while migrating to Windows 7. Woodgate also

I left it out of my game troubleshooting tips as I didn't think it was helpful in that area, not like compatibility mode.