http://www.7-zip.org/ ? Yes?

Yep...everything is unpacked and in a folder.

Included readme:
After installing DOSBox edit the (end of) dosbox.conf supplied to correct the path in the line "mount c c:\dosboxc"

Replace c:\dosboxc by the correct path/folder where you have your stuff.

If you're on Vista/Win7 read the tutorials.
http://www.abandonia.com/vbullet/forumdisplay.php?f=90

K; it all worked out fine and game works. However, shortcut thingie doesn't seem to work. I am probably not doing something right though.

Glad to hear it works, it's a nice game, enjoy.

Shortcut trick works if you fill in the correct paths and don't make tipooz.
Notice:
Latest release is dosbox 0.74, not 0.72
If you're on a 64 bit OS dosbox will be in 'program files (x86)', adapt accordingly.
Easiest is to use the 'search target' option when creating the shortcut.

But of course you don't really need that shortcut trick, a couple of clicks extra to launch the game won't hurt ya.

Well, a little late but I am here nonetheless.

You simply need to follow the instructions in the readme of that archive.

If it doesn't work, you'll need to figure out how to mount drives with DOSbox. We'll be happy to help you in Troubleshooting if you need help.

BTW, the STARS! Wiki site has moved since I made this review. You can now find it here.

Sometimes when playing with a costum race, or for some other reason, an earlier game may demand a password. In the game, open the file (game name).hst
This opens host options where you can set the password. Its usually something you set before anyway. This is not the same as the serial code, its a way to make sure noone can steal your race designs etc

As an edit, really read that wiki page, or those pages
this game is from a time when they had to make a game interesting in some other way than graphics and easy interface. With the wrong specs you'll have your back against the wall in no-time

And even on easy the AI expands fast, real fast, AND into your "territory" too


well, lets add some more
When you choose a major characteristic, think of this: Jack of all trades gives you big, big penetrating scanners. "no advanced scanners is no big deal
Inner strength... Transports in orbit will HELP your colony grow. A galleon minelayer with some defences is deadly to AI AND helps to build your colony
Build minelayers, lots of them
Beam Weapons are better than Missile in the beginning
Missiles rule as soon as you get better computers and the ships with the elect to hold em
Matter Packets hurt, get a defender with some transport capacity on all border planets. better, get 10
Matter packets HURT, send them to anyone you suspect of not being able to catch em. they get 1/3rd of the matter and suffer a big bomb. Unless you picked the major trait related to this, since your packets may terraform planets
Again, more minefields. 3 minelayers a place is better than one time 3

most things i picked are also on the wiki/help pages for this game, but i thought i make it shorter

Then do not miss out about the main community of this game, on AutoHost. ;)

I've lost my pass code for Stars! I have the CD and label sleve from the case, but the pass code has long since fallen out of the game organizer pouch. Is there anything that can be done?

Unfortunately no. Your code is likely gone forever... But you can always get a new code at autohost if you pay a small donation to keep the site running. Just make sure you are using the latest version of STARS!, I'm not entirely sure those codes can work for every version (but you can get the latest version anywhere for free anyways).

Here is the relevant link. You might need to subscribe to the forum to see it.