Anonymous edits have been disabled on the wiki. If you want to contribute please login or create an account.

Warning for game developers: PCGamingWiki staff members will only ever reach out to you using the official press@pcgamingwiki.com mail address.
Be aware of scammers claiming to be representatives or affiliates of PCGamingWiki who promise a PCGW page for a game key.

Difference between revisions of "User:Garrett/Sandbox"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m
(removed display and DRM)
Line 30: Line 30:
 
===Can't change MIDI mapper===
 
===Can't change MIDI mapper===
 
For DOS games use the [[DOSBox]] [http://www.dosbox.com/wiki/MIXER MIXER]. For native Windows games use [http://sierrahelp.com/Utilities/SoundUtilities/PutzlowitschsVistaMIDI_Mapper.html Putzlowitsch's Vista MIDI Mapper Control Panel].
 
For DOS games use the [[DOSBox]] [http://www.dosbox.com/wiki/MIXER MIXER]. For native Windows games use [http://sierrahelp.com/Utilities/SoundUtilities/PutzlowitschsVistaMIDI_Mapper.html Putzlowitsch's Vista MIDI Mapper Control Panel].
−
 
−
==DRM problems==
 
−
===StarForce Protection driver blocked due to incompatibility===
 
−
{{ii}} StarForce versions below 3.04.062 will never work; 3.04.062 and higher work (may need driver update with [http://www.star-force.com/support/drivers/ SFUPDATE]).<ref>[http://www.star-force.com/support/users/vista/ Windows Vista support - StarForce Support]</ref>
 
−
 
−
===SafeDisc games not working===
 
−
Retail games using SafeDisc protection do not work due to {{file|SECDRV.SYS}} support being disabled by [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3086255 MS15-097]. Any versions sold digitally are not affected.
 
−
 
−
The game may show an error message ("Access Denied - Please login with administrator privileges and try again" or similar) or simply not work.
 
−
 
−
Some games have SafeDisc removed in a later patch (refer to the game's page for details). Protected games can be played with the workaround covered on [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3086255 MS15-097].
 
−
 
−
{{References}}
 
  
 
==Other problems==
 
==Other problems==
Line 64: Line 51:
 
==Games use incorrect refresh rate==
 
==Games use incorrect refresh rate==
 
{{ii}} This occurs when running some games on displays that report TV-compatible timings.<ref>[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2006076 Screen refresh rate in Windows does not apply the user selected settings on monitors & TVs (that report specific TV compatible timings)]</ref> If the correct refresh rate cannot be chosen in the game's settings set the desktop to the intended refresh rate and use [[Glossary:Borderless fullscreen windowed|borderless fullscreen windowed]] or [[Glossary:Windowed|windowed]] mode.
 
{{ii}} This occurs when running some games on displays that report TV-compatible timings.<ref>[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2006076 Screen refresh rate in Windows does not apply the user selected settings on monitors & TVs (that report specific TV compatible timings)]</ref> If the correct refresh rate cannot be chosen in the game's settings set the desktop to the intended refresh rate and use [[Glossary:Borderless fullscreen windowed|borderless fullscreen windowed]] or [[Glossary:Windowed|windowed]] mode.
−
 
−
==DRM problems==
 
−
===StarForce Protection driver blocked due to incompatibility===
 
−
{{ii}} StarForce versions below 3.07.018 will never work; 3.07.018 and higher work (may need driver update with [http://www.star-force.com/support/drivers/ SFUPDATE]).<ref>[http://www.star-force.com/support/users/windows7/ Windows 7 support - StarForce Support]</ref>
 
−
 
−
===Tages Protection driver is blocked due to compatibility issues===
 
−
{{ii}} Use [http://www.tagesprotection.com/main.htm?page=5.5.htm  TagesSetup] to install the latest version.<ref>http://www.tagesprotection.com/contact.htm</ref>
 
−
 
−
{{References}}
 
  
 
=8=
 
=8=
Line 79: Line 57:
 
[[User:Garrett/Troubleshooting/Windows 7|Windows 7]] behaviour is inherited except for the following:
 
[[User:Garrett/Troubleshooting/Windows 7|Windows 7]] behaviour is inherited except for the following:
 
* [[Rainbow color problems in older games]] does not occur (a visually similar issue with 16-bit color Direct3D games still occurs).
 
* [[Rainbow color problems in older games]] does not occur (a visually similar issue with 16-bit color Direct3D games still occurs).
−
 
−
==Display problems==
 
−
===Window border visible in fullscreen mode===
 
−
[[File:Windows 8 fullscreen border example.jpg|thumb|Visible border example]]
 
−
Some games have a window border visible in fullscreen mode on Windows 8. The result may vary from the example on the right (e.g. the border area might be solid white instead). To fix install the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit ([http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=526740 Windows 10], [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=7352 earlier versions]) and apply the ForceSimpleWindow compatibility fix.
 
−
 
−
(Ideally provide a ready-made shim for the affected game).
 
−
 
−
===Low frame rate in fullscreen mode===
 
−
Make compatibility fix with <code>DXPrimaryEmulation -DisableMaxWindowedMode</code> parameter.<ref>[http://www.blitzbasic.com/Community/post.php?topic=99477&post=1281001 Windows 8 strange things and 3d faster in window]</ref>
 
−
 
−
==="This app cannot open - The screen resolution is too low for this app to run"===
 
−
{{ii}} Windows apps require a minimum desktop resolution of 1024x768. Desktop applications do not have this limitation.<ref>[http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/03/21/scaling-to-different-screens.aspx Scaling to different screens - Building Windows 8 - Site Home - MSDN Blogs]</ref>
 
  
 
==Dependency problems==
 
==Dependency problems==
Line 105: Line 70:
 
# If problems persist copy <code>dplayx.dll</code> from <code>{{p|windir}}\SysWOW64</code> to the game's installation folder and rename it to <code>dplay.dll</code>.
 
# If problems persist copy <code>dplayx.dll</code> from <code>{{p|windir}}\SysWOW64</code> to the game's installation folder and rename it to <code>dplay.dll</code>.
 
}}
 
}}
−
 
−
==DRM problems==
 
−
===StarForce Protection driver blocked due to incompatibility===
 
−
{{ii}} StarForce versions below 4.5 will never work; 4.5 and higher work (may need driver update with [http://www.star-force.com/support/drivers/ SFUPDATE]).<ref>[http://www.star-force.com/support/users/windows8/ Windows 8 support - StarForce Support]</ref>
 
  
 
==Other problems==
 
==Other problems==
Line 133: Line 94:
 
* Mouse pointer stutters or freezes: Use the [https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2908279 fixit tool] or make a compatibility package with NoDTToDITMouseBatch.<ref>[https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2908279 Mouse pointer stutters or freezes when you play certain games in Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2]</ref>
 
* Mouse pointer stutters or freezes: Use the [https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2908279 fixit tool] or make a compatibility package with NoDTToDITMouseBatch.<ref>[https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2908279 Mouse pointer stutters or freezes when you play certain games in Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2]</ref>
 
* Problems using keyboard and touchpad simultaneously: see [https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2907018 Button clicks for internal touchpads and pointing sticks are not responsive while or shortly after the keyboard is used].
 
* Problems using keyboard and touchpad simultaneously: see [https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2907018 Button clicks for internal touchpads and pointing sticks are not responsive while or shortly after the keyboard is used].
−
 
−
==DRM problems==
 
−
===StarForce Protection driver blocked due to incompatibility===
 
−
{{ii}} StarForce versions below 4.05.007.005 will never work; 4.05.007.005 and higher work (may need driver update with [http://www.star-force.com/support/drivers/ SFUPDATE]).<ref>[http://www.star-force.com/support/users/windows81/ Windows 8.1 support - StarForce Support]</ref>
 
−
 
−
{{References}}
 
  
 
=10=
 
=10=
Line 154: Line 109:
 
===Windows reinstalls incorrect driver===
 
===Windows reinstalls incorrect driver===
 
See [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3073930 How to temporarily prevent a Windows or driver update from reinstalling in Windows 10].
 
See [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3073930 How to temporarily prevent a Windows or driver update from reinstalling in Windows 10].
−
 
−
==DRM problems==
 
−
===SafeDisc games not working===
 
−
Retail games using SafeDisc protection do not work on Windows 10 due to {{file|SECDRV.SYS}} support being discontinued.<ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/games_windows_10/secdrvsys-not-loading-in-windows-10-this-will/65a6fe83-08df-4760-b2ad-6b1ce61d40d4 SECDRV.SYS Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community]</ref> Any versions sold digitally are not affected.
 
−
 
−
The game may show an error message ("Access Denied - Please login with administrator privileges and try again" or similar) or simply not work.
 
−
 
−
Some games have SafeDisc removed in a later patch (refer to the game's page for details).
 
−
 
−
===SecuROM Error 8016 on Intel Skylake CPUs===
 
−
Error message: "A required security module cannot be activated. This program cannot be executed (8016)."
 
−
 
−
Update the BIOS (if available).<ref>[http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/61590-important-new-bios-addressing-8016-error-windows-10-because-securom-drm-does-bios-flash-circumvent-microsoft-policy.html IMPORTANT new Bios addressing the 8016 error in Windows 10 is because of Securom DRM does Bios flash Circumvent Microsoft Policy?]</ref> Some games have been patched to fix this issue.<ref>[http://answers.ea.com/t5/Crysis-3/When-I-open-Crysis3-it-will-show-quot-This-program-cannot-be/td-p/4696669 When I open Crysis3 , it will show "This program cannot be executed(8016)". - Answer HQ]</ref>
 
  
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}

Revision as of 02:19, 4 August 2016

Vista

Behaviour on this page applies to both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows; for behaviour specific to 64-bit versions see 64-bit Windows.

First steps

Ensure you have installed the latest operating system updates, particularly the following:

Inherited behaviour

Some Windows XP behaviour is inherited (details incomplete).

Dependency problems

DLL is missing from your computer

The following gaming-related DLLs are not included with Windows Vista. Download them manually to fix the error.

Sound problems

Can't enable 3D sound

DirectSound3D functionality has been removed. See Restoring Legacy Audio Effects (DirectSound hardware path).

WMA Source Filter music not working

The Windows Media Source Filter has been removed, so games using this method have no music. Affected games include Test Drive 6 and Ford Racing 2.

FMV/audio codec issues

N and KN editions of Windows lack multimedia codecs expected by some games; see Get Windows Media Player.

Can't change MIDI mapper

For DOS games use the DOSBox MIXER. For native Windows games use Putzlowitsch's Vista MIDI Mapper Control Panel.

Other problems

Can't change bindings or bindings lost on game restart

Microsoft DirectInput Mapper is not included with Vista due to IDirectInput8::ConfigureDevices being deprecated.[1] Download it manually to fix the error.

"Feature not included" or "Help not supported" when choosing help option

WinHelp (.hlp) files are not supported by default. Install WinHlp32.exe.


References

7

First steps

Ensure you have installed the latest operating system updates, particularly the following:

Inherited behaviour

Most Windows Vista behaviour is inherited (details incomplete).

Games use incorrect refresh rate

This occurs when running some games on displays that report TV-compatible timings.[1] If the correct refresh rate cannot be chosen in the game's settings set the desktop to the intended refresh rate and use borderless fullscreen windowed or windowed mode.

8

This page may require cleanup to meet basic quality standards. You can help by modifying the article. The discussion page may contain useful suggestions.

Inherited behaviour

Windows 7 behaviour is inherited except for the following:

Dependency problems

DirectPlay games do not work or prompt for DirectPlay feature/DLL

DirectPlay is disabled by default due to this feature being deprecated.
Instructions

Other problems

Can't set Windows NT 4.0 compatibility mode

This mode is no longer listed; use the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (Windows 10, earlier versions) to make fixes using this mode.

Can't change MIDI mapper

MIDI support has been further reduced in Windows 8.[2]
For DOS games use the DOSBox MIXER. For native Windows games MIDI out setter will work in some situations.[3]


References

8.1

First steps

Ensure you have installed the latest operating system updates, particularly the following:

Inherited behaviour

All Windows 8 behaviour is inherited.

Mouse problems

10

Inherited behaviour

Most Windows 8.1 behaviour is inherited (details incomplete).

Audio problems

Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect don't work

Encoding APO (Audio Processing Objects) are broken.[3] A fix was released with build 10547[4], but it still fails to completely address the issue.[5] A workaround has been included since builds 10565 and 10586[6][7], but stopped to work for some users in 10586.3[8] (driver issue?[9]).
Build 14316 broke DTS again[10], fixed in build 14342[11][12].

Driver problems

Nvidia Optimus systems always run legacy DirectX games on integrated graphics

This behaviour affects DirectX 8 and earlier.[13]

Windows reinstalls incorrect driver

See How to temporarily prevent a Windows or driver update from reinstalling in Windows 10.


References