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[jazzercise]

my sincere apologies for a question that has probably been asked before but how do I get windows 98 games to run on XP? Do I need emulation software? These are games for which I have the disks.

[_r.u.s.s.]

well, you can always try running them in pure windows xp, that usually works, but if doesn't

there is this 'compatibility mode', when you right click the excutable and in compatibility tab select 'windows 98'. well, that never works neither=P so we get to the real option:

virtual machine. it's really user friendly, you'll need a cd of win98

[The Fifth Horseman]

First thing to try is right-clicking the executable of the game, choosing "Properties" and then "Compatibility" tab. You can do a few things there that are sufficient to make most games run just fine (sometimes, like with Mechwarrior 3, you also need to patch the game to latest version).
Second option is to download Microsoft Virtual PC (free download from MS website) and setup Windows 98 on it. This isn't too complex, but has its own disadvantages (and is a bloody resource hog to boot).

Third option, and also the best, is to buy some old cheap HDD (anything between 2 and 80 GB will do), install it in your PC and set up Windows 98 on it. As long as you have the proper drivers, you'll get perfect compatibility.

[brucra42]

how can you change the compatibilty of a game thats on CD?

[The Fifth Horseman]

The same way you do it with any other game.
Except IIRC Windows will only keep those settings until you either shutdown the system or eject the disc.

[Japo]

Originally Posted by brucra42

how can you change the compatibilty of a game thats on CD?

I think it will do if you edit the properties of a shortcut that's on you hard drive (on your Desktop for example) instead of the program itself.

[Scatty]

Originally Posted by brucra42

how can you change the compatibilty of a game thats on CD?

You change it the same way as anywhere else. Wherever it is Windows XP saves the settings for the programs, it will save them for programs on a CD until you change them. They remain the way you set them even after you restart the system or eject the CD.