Running Starcraft in Microsoft Way

ToukoAozaki

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After wondering where Microsoft would have stored Game information, I searched registry for Starcraft. Suddenly, I found out this weird feature.

ddraw_compat.png

I searched for this registry key, but there wasn't much information available. It seemed like the key to get the colors working.

Basically there were three keys named StarCraft: StarCraft100, StarCraft115, and StarCraftDemo. Since I had already installed SCBW 1.16, I decided to test with demo version of StarCraft. Not surprisingly, it worked like a charm.

So it seemed like I could get SCBW 1.16 working with this registry feature. Name was self-explanatory; the problem was ID and flag.

In case of ID, different versions had different IDs. Modifying the ID made SC demo have incorrect colors. So I searched for ID in SC demo binary, and found a match. It later turned out to be PE header timestamp in little-endian order. That is, 0x3591566B as 6b,56,91,35.

Different games have different flags. I couldn't find any documentation about this feature. If someone could find out what the flags mean, then someone can make a tool for adding DirectDraw games to work.

With above information, I simply added a new registry entry called Starcraft116, with timestamp of SCBW 1.16.1 executable. This fixed the color issue all but initial loading screen. It might be due to the loadscreen being displayed before compatibility measures kick in.

To apply the fix, download and run attached sc116.reg. It basically adds an entry for SCBW 1.16.1. You still need compatibility mode, or run as administrator, when starting the game; otherwise you will get crashes due to write without permission.

Tested on Windows 7 Professional 32-bit.
 

Attachments

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.25GHz
Motherboard
ASUS P5B Deluxe
Memory
DDR2 1GB PC2-6400 x2
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB
Sound Card
Onboard
Hard Drives
Western Digital HDDs
Confirmed on W7 64bit, just modify the regfile to implement Wow6432Node.
I am logged in as Admin, I need no modification of compatibility. Works out of the box. Incredible!
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
E8600
Motherboard
Asus P5Q Deluxe
Memory
4GB Corsair Dominator DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 8800GT
Interesting. I don't have Starcraft / Broodwar installed on 7, played that game to death. I'm amazed at how many people still do though. :cool:
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self - Build | Asus K53e Laptop
OS
10 x64 | 7 x64
CPU
AMD FX-9590 Vishera 4.7 | i5 Sandy Bridge
Motherboard
MSI 990 FXA | K53e
Memory
16 gigs Crucial Ballistix | 8 gigs Adata ddr3 1600
Graphics Card(s)
RX-570 4gd5 | Intel HD 3000
Sound Card
Realtek HD OnBoard Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 22" & 37" Toshiba | 15.6
Hard Drives
ADATA 240 ssd & 750 Caviar Black 7200 sata | 250 840 EVO ssd & samsung ssd
PSU
Thermaltake 700 | 65w
Case
CoolMaster Centurion 534+
Cooling
Corsair H60
Keyboard
Rosewill RK-800G PS/2 Gaming Keyboard | Asus Chiclet
Mouse
Ventus | MS w/side buttons
Internet Speed
RoadRunner
Other Info
I hate the smell of friggin corn chip butt breath snacks.
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