Settlers IV on Windows 7

[Stev182]

I loved settlers IV when i was younger and decided to play it again now on a laptop which has windows 7.
I'm having trouble installing it let alone playing the game. When i try installing, the window asking if i want to allow this application (setup.exe, publisher unknown) pops up followed by the settlers main menu, when i click install the thinking mouse comes up and then nothing.
I've tried this using all the compatibility modes and changed the colour to 256 and 640x480res, disabled visual themes and run as administrator as a lot of people seem to be saying. I have been able to install and run master of olympus which has the same windows requirements so is this game just unable to run on windows 7??

Any help would be greatly appreciated (bear in mind i'm pretty lame at all this sort of stuff!! Evidently!)
Stev

 

[Gornot]

Changing the colors and res+visual themes shouldn't have been important. Desktop compositioning proved to be a much more effective compatibility tweak for older games, so definitely try that. Also, make sure you run the setup manually via right click -> Run as admin

 

[steviedon]

I also had this problem with Settlers, and although I've not tried this as a solution, I'll be trying this from Microsoft's website. Here's the link to it Download Windows XP Mode.
It's essentially kidding your windows 7 PC that it's got another computer inside it that runs windows XP (virtual PC it's called).
Like I say, I've not tried it but i'm hopeful as I've got a few old games that just won't run, and some that won't install even when I try the compatibility mode thing.

 

[Gornot]

In order for XP mode to work, your CPU needs to support hardware visualization. Not all CPUs are capable of this, so make sure you check before you download it, to avoid wasting time.

 

[Stev182]

Ok guys back up!! Lol!! I already did the running as admin thing but as for the desktop compositioning i havent got a clue!! and also hardware visualization? I'm really not good at this sort of thing but desperately want to play the game!!

 

[steviedon]

lol Gornot has a point - one of the downloads at that link I posted should take care of that though. Essentially, Settlers will either work or it wont - it won't break your PC though


Have a look at the link and do what it tells you.

When you run the whole "Virtual PC" thing all you're doing is running a program, either in a window or in full screen. It pretends to be another computer with another operating system like Windows XP. If you run it in a window you could, for example, have your "virtual pc" on the left of your screen, and Internet Explorer 9 (which only runs on windows 7)running on the right. Does that make any sense?

 

[Stev182]

Right well i clicked on the link and followed the directions and it told me 'you are not eligible to download Windows XP Mode' I think that this game isn't going to work on my computer

 

[steviedon]

That kind of message sounds like the copy of windows isn't validated - although I'm not an expert on that as I bought Win7Pro with my laptop. when I clicked the link it did validate my copy before the download started.... Sorry Stev but I think you're right as I don't know any other ways of getting XP to run through Windows 7

 

[Stev182]

It says its because i need Windows 7 professional or business and i've only got the standard. Thanks for your help, maybe i can buy a second hand old computer to play it on!! Lol!!

 

[SlasherIT]

You can't play the game with Virtual PC as it lacks Direct3D.

Completely uninstall the game. Type in the search box msconfig and open it. Click the Services tab. Check the box entitled 'Hide all Microsoft Services'. Press 'Disable All'. Apply. Ok. Restart the computer. Browse the CD, and run Setup.exe as an administrator. Install the game. Patch it Patches and Fixes: The Settlers 4 v2.50.1516 Patch (Full) - Demo Movie Patch Download Section - GamersHell.com. Right-click Settlers 4 Properties > Compatibility > Disable desktop composition and run in Windows 98/Me and Run as Administrator > Ok. Try running the game. It should work. Open msconfig again, go to services, check the box entitled 'Hide all Microsoft Services' and then press Enable All. Restart your computer again. Have fun with the game!

Slasher

 

[steviedon]

I tried Slashers advice and it works. Can't change the in game resolution of the minimum though but it does run....

 

[SlasherIT]

Happy I could help!

 

[just4funfun]

Settlers IV full screen w/ windows 7 x64

I guys,

Recently i installed the Settlers IV in the windows 7 x64 without any problems.

However, i can´t play it in a full screen mode (even with low resolution). Any sugetions?

Thanks.

 

[AndreLafibo]

yo

Thankyou man that really helped a lot, feels good to be able to play that old but gold edition game