User:Garrett/Sandbox
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.
- Direct3D Retained Mode DLL (d3drm.dll)
- Microsoft DirectX for Visual Basic (dx7vb.dll)
- Microsoft DirectX for Visual Basic (dx8vb.dll)
- Microsoft DirectInput Mapper (dimap.dll and diactfrm.dll)
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.
DRM problems
StarForce Protection driver blocked due to incompatibility
- StarForce versions below 3.04.062 will never work; 3.04.062 and higher work (may need driver update with SFUPDATE).[1]
SafeDisc games not working
Retail games using SafeDisc protection do not work due to SECDRV.SYS
support being disabled by 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 MS15-097.
References
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.
DRM problems
StarForce Protection driver blocked due to incompatibility
- StarForce versions below 3.07.018 will never work; 3.07.018 and higher work (may need driver update with SFUPDATE).[2]
Tages Protection driver is blocked due to compatibility issues
- Use TagesSetup to install the latest version.[3]
References
8
Inherited behaviour
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).
Display problems
Window border visible in fullscreen mode
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 (Windows 10, 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 DXPrimaryEmulation -DisableMaxWindowedMode
parameter.[1]
"This app cannot open - The screen resolution is too low for this app to run"
- Windows apps require a minimum desktop resolution of 1024x768. Desktop applications do not have this limitation.[2]
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 |
---|
DRM problems
StarForce Protection driver blocked due to incompatibility
- StarForce versions below 4.5 will never work; 4.5 and higher work (may need driver update with SFUPDATE).[3]
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.[4]
- For DOS games use the DOSBox MIXER. For native Windows games MIDI out setter will work in some situations.[5]
References
- ↑ Windows 8 strange things and 3d faster in window
- ↑ Scaling to different screens - Building Windows 8 - Site Home - MSDN Blogs
- ↑ Windows 8 support - StarForce Support
- ↑ What happened to MIDI Mapper on Windows 8? | CoolSoft
- ↑ VOGONS • View topic - WARNING: Currently impossible to change default midi device in Win8
8.1
First steps
Ensure you have installed the latest operating system updates, particularly the following:
- Windows 8.1 Update
- All update rollups
Inherited behaviour
All Windows 8 behaviour is inherited.
Mouse problems
- Mouse input is incorrectly scaled: set the application compatibility to Disable display scaling on high DPI settings.[1]
- Mouse pointer stutters or freezes: Use the fixit tool or make a compatibility package with NoDTToDITMouseBatch.[2]
- Problems using keyboard and touchpad simultaneously: see 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
- StarForce versions below 4.05.007.005 will never work; 4.05.007.005 and higher work (may need driver update with SFUPDATE).[3]
References
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.[1] A fix was released with build 10547[2], but it still fails to completely address the issue.[3] A workaround has been included since builds 10565 and 10586[4][5], but stopped to work for some users in 10586.3[6] (driver issue?[7]).
Build 14316 broke DTS again[8], fixed in build 14342[9][10].
Driver problems
Nvidia Optimus systems always run legacy DirectX games on integrated graphics
This behaviour affects DirectX 8 and earlier.[11]
Windows reinstalls incorrect driver
See 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 SECDRV.SYS
support being discontinued.[12] 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).[13] Some games have been patched to fix this issue.[14]
References
- ↑ 5.1 Channel Surround Sound not working in Windows 10. - Page 3 - Microsoft Community
- ↑ Realtek HD ALC892 - DTS Connect not working - Page 19 - Microsoft Community
- ↑ Windows 10 TP Build 10041 - 10240 RTM - AUDIO/SOUND ERROR - - Microsoft Community
- ↑ Realtek HD ALC892 - DTS Connect not working - Page 27 - Microsoft Community
- ↑ Realtek HD ALC892 - DTS Connect not working - Page 33 - Microsoft Community
- ↑ 5.1 Channel Surround Sound not working in Windows 10. - Page 51 - Microsoft Community
- ↑ Windows 10 TP Build 10041 - 10240 RTM - AUDIO/SOUND ERROR - - Microsoft Community
- ↑ Realtime DTS encoding is broken again in build 14316 : windowsinsiders - Reddit
- ↑ 5.1 Channel Surround Sound not working in Windows 10. - Page 86 - Microsoft Community
- ↑ Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14342 | Windows Experience Blog
- ↑ Games based on DirectX 8 and older versions of DirectX will only run on integrated graphics in an Optimus laptop under Windows 10
- ↑ SECDRV.SYS Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community
- ↑ IMPORTANT new Bios addressing the 8016 error in Windows 10 is because of Securom DRM does Bios flash Circumvent Microsoft Policy?
- ↑ When I open Crysis3 , it will show "This program cannot be executed(8016)". - Answer HQ