How to run older games on 64-bit Windows

Older games used 16-bit EXEs, and thus won't run on 64-bit versions of Vista and 7.

Well, I have the solution.

1. Delete the EXE file.

2. Rename the W32 file to have an EXE extension. E.g rename Puttzoo.w32 to Puttzoo.EXE. Ignore any warnings.

3. Play your newely christened game! I can now confirm that this works, now that I am on a 64-bit OS! :D

Happy gaming!

Awesome! I will promptly update the FAQ!

Thanks for explaining it in better words than I ever could, legoking! :D

I've also got some nice little statistics for you...

SPY Fox 2 is the oldest game where you don't need this trick to make it work. Freddi Fish 4 is the newest one where you do need it...

Ayandd....


The classics simply DON'T work... you'll have to use ScummVM to play them! D:

I have heard of a few people who have been able to play the classics on Windows Vista/7. I think Hondo20132 and AnthonyG3281 were able to.

legoking831 wrote:I have heard of a few people who have been able to play the classics on Windows Vista/7. I think Hondo20132 and AnthonyG3281 were able to.

I think my Windows 7 Starter Netbook is actually a 32-bit system.

Well, they crashed for me when I tired to run them, even after copying WING32.DLL... Hondo's got a 32-bit build of Windows, so that is likely why, no idea about that other guy. Also, Putt-Putt Enters the Race triggers the bloody UAC, forcing you to run with Admin privileges (obviously bad) unless you, once again, rename the W32.

I think he has a 32-bit computer as well.
Some 32-bits don't like the kind of sound cards the classics require, so you get no sound at all.

GeorgeQGreg wrote: SPY Fox 2 is the oldest game where you don't need this trick to make it work. Freddi Fish 4 is the newest one where you do need it...

When Freddi Fish came out?

Freddi Fish 4 came out in early 1999.

Thanks.

And thanks for tutorial too.

MrEightThreeOne wrote:I have heard of a few people who have been able to play the classics on Windows Vista/7. I think Hondo20132 and AnthonyG3281 were able to.

I have Windows XP Proffesional 32-Bit

Then you won't need any of the info here at all.

GeorgeQGreg wrote:Then you won't need any of the info here at all.

Yes I know but if you install Windows 7 it will be needed

Only if you install the 64-bit edition.

GeorgeQGreg wrote:Only if you install the 64-bit edition.

Yes I know I was just lazy to worthe that

You just have to consider the trade-off...

I had MS-DOS and Windows 95 I miss them And I also miss my old monitor and prossesor(Old monitors rock)

I have Windows 7, 64 bit. How do you actually carry out these steps? I can't figure out how to rename. I can't wait to play these games!

1. Delete the EXE file.

2. Rename the W32 file to have an EXE extension. E.g rename Puttzoo.w32 to Puttzoo.EXE. Ignore any warnings.

You can rename files by right-clicking on them and selecting rename.

You keep forgetting to tell people to copy the files to your hard drive...

I told him in PM.

Just tried it out for myself. I noticed it has the added benefit of making games like Backyard Soccer not force you to go into a low resolution, making it 9001% easier to record the game.

Really? I found it did the opposite. Oh well.

Can someone explain step-by-step as to how to do this. I have a Windows 7 laptop and really miss playing my HE games. I'm in college and I like to go back home and play them on a computer that will let me play them. Good times.