Difference between revisions of "Glossary:DirectX/DirectDraw troubleshooting"
Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
#Remove the '0x' part of the ID and separate the values into pairs, like this: ''02 e4 1c 67'' | #Remove the '0x' part of the ID and separate the values into pairs, like this: ''02 e4 1c 67'' | ||
#Take the pairs and reverse their order, like this: ''67 1c e4 02'' | #Take the pairs and reverse their order, like this: ''67 1c e4 02'' | ||
− | #Open notepad and add | + | #Open notepad and add the following. Change <code>NameOfGame</code> to whatever you want, leave <code>Flags</code> alone, enter your own ID keeping commas intact, and change <code>game.exe</code> to whatever it is.<br> |
32 bit only | 32 bit only | ||
<pre> | <pre> | ||
Line 48: | Line 48: | ||
"Name"="game.exe" | "Name"="game.exe" | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
− | + | 7. Save it as ''fix.reg'' and run it to import it to the registry. | |
− | 7. Save it as 'fix.reg' and run it to import it to the registry. | ||
{{--}} Not the best method for new users as editing the registry incorrectly can damage your OS. | {{--}} Not the best method for new users as editing the registry incorrectly can damage your OS. | ||
}} | }} |
Revision as of 05:48, 28 August 2017
Key points
- Windows XP, Vista and 7 have compatibility issues with DirectDraw games using 256 color depth resulting in incorrect colors.
- This color issue does not occur on Windows 8 and later; the steps below only apply to earlier versions.
Cause
This issue appears to be caused by Explorer.exe
resetting the system palette, essentially overwriting the palette defined by the game (hence the rainbow colors). This is evidenced by how taking a screenshot of an affected game will show just the discoloration with black where the other game assets would be rendered and by the fix itself.
A more technical explanation: These games rely on DirectDraw, an API in DirectX which was used to render graphics which is now deprecated. More specifically, they used an exclusive palette, where they set the system palette (the colors the system can use, back when there were only 256 colors) to the palette the game wants to use. However, some applications try to set their own exclusive palette, causing conflicting colors since the game's exclusive palette is no longer actually exclusive and is set to the wrong colors. In newer versions of Windows, CSRSS and the desktop window (explorer.exe) set their own palette, which causes the odd colors.[1]
Fixes
w7ddpatcher
- w7ddpatcher is the simplest and best method.[citation needed]
PalettestealerSuspender
PalettestealerSuspender prevents palette issues using a different method.[2]
DxWnd DirectDraw emulation
DxWnd was originally created to enable old DirectX games to run in a window. Nowadays it provides far more features: It can fix the odd rainbow color issue, enable time stretching, and you can decide between running the game in a window or in full screen.
Registry hack
Windows 7 actually has a builtin, hidden fix for this issue but requires editing the registry.
Instructions |
---|
Kill Explorer with batch script
Paste the following into a text editor and save as a batch script. Run it from the game's folder:
TASKKILL /F /IM "explorer.exe" start /w [insert executable name here].exe start explorer.exe
- If script fails/crashes before it restores the Explorer, you will be left with a blank desktop screen and will have to force restart you machine via the power button. Still this method remains a useful last resort if above utilities fail.
- Interestingly, using a batch script is actually often the first method everyone tries.
See also