Solved Playing C&C on windows 7 home

[KenBaynham]

Hi again all

I again find myself in need of your help.

I recently purchased the ultimate collection of Command & Conquer. I really wanted to play the original games on windows 7 home edition which the spec. seemed to suggest I could but in reality only the later games run.

Does anyone know of anyway I can run these games (the earliest of which is Windows 95 based I think).

I look forward to your help yet again.

Best regards Ken.

 

[GokAy]

I would try:

- Install with "Run as admin"
- Install DirectX 9.0c https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35
- Install Visual C++ 2005/2008/2010/2012 redistributable - x86 versions, also x64 versions if you have 64bit OS (doesn't specify in your spec list) from MS website, after installing these search Windows Update, install Service Packs

First try running normally, if it wont work
- Right click exe or shortcut and go into compatibility - try different versions of Windows there

experiment

 

[Alejandro85]

Have a look at this post from a specialized forum that treats this issue exactly:
How to play C&C 95 on a 64 bit OS - Command & Conquer / Covert Operations - CNCNZ.com Forums

There is suggested to try an unofficial patch for C&C95 that improves compatibility for newer systems. I've tried it myself some time ago and worked quite well (not played very much really, but at least a for few games it worked). A patch for Red Alert 1 is also provided there. No idea if it works, never tried that.

Alternatively, instead of running the originals, you could try the open source project OpenRA that aims at clone C&C95 and RA1 (don't know about Tiberian Sun, and certainly not newer versions). While they claim to not copy exactly the original game, it's a nice attempt to make a free copy of the game (which happens to also be multi-platform, by the way). That could be some thing to try if the originals fail or give too much trouble.

 

[KenBaynham]

Thanks both for prompt replies.

Downloaded the patch cc95v106c_r3_u2 but the download had no file extension and so wouldn't run. I renamed the file to include the .exe extension and then installed OK and game is running. There are graphics glitches which I have not had time to evaluate yet but wonderful the game is playable. Thanks again.

 

[GokAy]

Great grats on the install. You can now try the compatibility options and whatnot if you like. Install the programs in my post above if you are gaming on your PC anyway.

 

[KenBaynham]

Hi GokAy

I am not sure what you are advising. I tried downloading DirectX 9.0c but was informed I had already a more recent version installed. What are the redistributables Visual C++ 2005/2008/2010/2012 redistributable - x86 versions, also x64 versions and how do I install them?

Although Command & Conquer now runs neither Read Alert or Red Alert 2 will run. I would be grateful for any further advice anyone can offer.

Best regards Ken

 

[GokAy]

You can read about VC Redist here Visual C++ - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In short: "Many applications require redistributable Visual C++ packages to function correctly." Normally provided by the developer within the installer.

And games are also (not necessarily) dependent on them. If you are a gamer, these should be the 1st things you install along with DirectX9.0c before installing your games even though they may be provided by the game installers.

32bit OS use only the 32bit(x86) versions of VC Redists
64bit OS can use both 32bit(x86) and 64bit(x64) versions, so you want them both if so.

Search in Microsoft website for :
- Visual C++ Redistributable 2005, 2008, 2010 - download the service pack versions
- Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012

Run a manual Windows Update scan even if you install service packed versions, just in case

Installing the above is just a proactive way to stop most common sources of problems, doesn't necessarily mean it will solve all your issues though.

Hope this helps you understand better. If others would like to add, I am happy to listen.

 

[KenBaynham]

Thanks for info GokAy. It did clarify things but didn't help much unfortunately. I did the installs you recommended and all told me they were already installed. I excepted the repair option in the hope this wold improve things but no improvement.

When I looked at the compatibility mode for the ra2.exe I saw it was set at windows 95 and greyed out. Since all advice seems to that is should be XP (service pack 3) I found I could change it by selecting "Change settings for all users". I thought I cracked it but no program will still not play.

As my pervious post any help would be much appreciated.