As a current Windows 7 x64 user, I occasionally come across a favorite game or program that was originally designed for older Windows operating systems, such as Windows 2000 or XP. Thankfully, there are a host of options for running said programs (if they do not run natively), so here is a quick tip that works especially well for games like Star Trek Armada II or some Command & Conquer games.
1. Install the program
2. Right-click on the program’s .exe file (in 64-bit Windows, usually located within C:\Program Files x86)
3. Click the “Compatibility” tab and select “Windows XP (Service Pack 2)” (or more practical option depending on the program) within the Compatibility mode drop-down box
4. Check the box next to “Run this program as an administrator” (sometimes this is all you will need to do. If not, continue to the next step).
5. Check the box next to “Disable desktop composition”
Your program should now run just fine. If not, try experimenting with some of the other available options within the same menu. Alternatively, Google around for your specific program (including the name of your current operating system) and see if you cannot find a better way for running the program. Sometimes fellow users will create patches to make programs compatible with newer operating systems like Windows 7 64-bit.
Also, users of Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate might consider using Windows XP Productivity mode, which lets a user run a form of integrated virtual desktop environment to facilitate the installation and use of older or incompatible programs. If worse comes to worse, however, your program may simply be hopelessly incompatible, and you will need to acquire an older computer running an appropriate operating system.
Hope this helps… good luck with all of your installations!
I installed command and conquer: renegade on my windows 7, it works but when I start it.. A small window suddenly pops out and says:
Cannot locate the CD-ROM
Please insert the correct CD-ROM, select OK and
restart application.
The CD is already inserted at my driver but it still won’t work, what do you do when that happens?
Microsoft lists the original C&C Renegade as incompatible with Windows 7 (even 32-bit), which is generally regarded as a software death sentence, as opposed to only non-compatible with 64-bit, which can usually be fixed with the tweaks mentioned above.
All is not lost however, so try these steps, assuming your Renegade disc is an original retail disc and not part of the “C&C: The First Decade” program compilation, which requires a different solution.
1. Install the program like normal, but also install the “Shared Internet Components” in addition to the game.
2. Download the v1.037 patch here.
3. Extract the EXE file from the zip archive and paste it into the folder where you installed Renegade (C:\Program Files (x86)\etc\etc).
4. Run the patch as administrator and install it.
5. Run the “Renegade.exe” file in your install directory as administrator and see if that works. Also try running it in Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode in addition to administrator.
If these steps do not work for you, there may be something else I can suggest, or it could be a driver or other issue with your specific computer or Windows installation. Also try the suggestions in this comment mixed with some from the original post, e.g. disable desktop composition, etc. In any case, please consider giving the post a high-star rating. Thanks!