Retro games for Win11 - Help with compatibility!
Retro games for Win11 - Help with compatibility!
I acquired a retro childhood game from an old website. It’s an ISO file I managed to mount and install, though it doesn’t run smoothly—it freezes or closes unexpectedly. It doesn’t work well with my Windows 11 Home or DirectX 12 setup. The title is The Saddle Club: Willowbrook Stables or Willowbrook Stables: Search for the Golden Horseshoe, just a rebranded version.
Required specs are:
Processor – Intel Pentium II
Speed – 350MHz
Operating System – Windows 95/98, 2000, ME, XP
Graphics – 16MB 3D card
Sound – DirectX 8.0 compatible
I’m considering using VMware, as I already have a Horizon client for remote work. Uncertain if it will fit or if another version is needed. Outside of work, I’m unfamiliar with VMware except for basic virtual drives and emulators. I’m comfortable following instructions.
Would anyone be interested in trying this together?
Well this is what the game should look and play like.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxkc3FNlo4g
I thought I would see if there is any help. I just got the game and wow your right super glitchy.
A few thoughts I will try tomorrow look for a patch.
I want to get into the game files and see if there is an inf file that I can preset game resolution as that also might be an issue the game being so aged trying to play off newer gear as when you launch game it goes jumbo.
In game there is no setting to adjust resolution.
I also got a second copy from another source and ran slightly better but still a disaster.
I did run it in compatibility mode for XP service pack 3 no change horrible.
One of the hardest road block when we moved to windows 11 is the early .nets from Microsoft will not install on the newer OS. Not having those could be an issue.
Also the game was Direct-X 8. That in and by itself is not a big deal but again Microsoft has removed a couple of .dll that went to the old Direct-X 8. On the second copy of the game I got it has the Direct-X 8 install files.
So tomorrow I will see if I can come up with a solution IF there is one to be offered to you.
Vm won't function properly because it doesn't support any specific video or sound card, so the game won't recognize the presence of video and audio. If you're comfortable with VMs, PCem is a better option as it emulates an old CPU, 3D Virge/Voodoo, and SoundBlaster, making it ideal for running older games. Setting it up can be complex initially.
After installing Windows, make sure to back up the files so you don't lose progress and always have a clean install for future use.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx2H3IV9SG4
We previously discussed this issue.
[SOLVED] - OLD GAME HELP
Have you explored dxwnd?
https://sourceforge.net/projectsdxwnd/
Setting up can be a challenge if it doesn't install smoothly, but I've successfully launched some classic titles with it—such as Viper Racing, Birth of the Federation, or Pharaoh, using a windowed setup.
Edit - I personally tried it myself. It managed to run in Windows 11 Home, though the process was a bit awkward. The Save Game window slowed down the mouse movement significantly. I don't know why, but it still functioned.
I'm unsure what to compare it with since I've never seen this game before. It's unclear if it's fully playable or if there are missing elements.
Next, I attempted dxwnd again. It refused to start the game and complained excessively.
I then revisited the configuration area and used the game's built-in settings menu to attempt a native launch.
Adjusted the resolution to 1280x1024, set it to 32-bit, windowed mode, and enabled VSync. It worked, albeit with some lag in the Save Game dialog.
The mouse cursor remained active within the game while the Windows mouse moved at the same time.
It's playable—you can navigate and interact, though it seems challenging to stop the chat feature. The game exits without crashes after a short play session.
Could you share your full system specifications?
Since I can run it in Windows 11 Home, you should be able to too.
The ISO I received is the UK edition and is 246MB in size. I launched it using its built-in autorun menu and the executable file, both of which worked.
I'll try dxwnd once more—it might improve performance, but the game seems functional in Windows 11.
Edit 2 - that's a bit frustrating. dxwnd seems to only work when the Hook disabled option is selected, but then it just does nothing.
The dual mouse cursors can be an issue, though some menus can be controlled via keyboard.
The performance slowdown is bothersome, but saving and loading are still possible using the keyboard.
Adjusting graphics settings requires a mouse, but pushing it to its limits isn't too difficult.
There are a few minor issues, but overall it seems to run.
The effort is definitely valued. You're among the top puzzle solvers I've encountered.
Where is the config menu located? Only options available are within the game, or the setup screen which offers low or high resolution choices. I'm willing to experiment and check if it functions, though I'm uncertain about the exact location.
Edited: Located them. Ready to explore and test.
Good luck.
In my trials, the game seemed identical to the video.
@stonecarver shared it, but added more plants and trees once I increased the visual settings.
A potential reason for the varied experience could be the DirectX redistributables on a PC. Some older titles on Steam might prompt Steam to locate and download .NET, DirectX, or DirectPlay files that it detects as missing during the first launch.
Other times, Windows 11 handles this automatically and requests installation of required components.
Perhaps I have some necessary files available, while you don’t.
It might be the situation... I managed to move beyond the initial video screen into the game itself, but then it crashed. I tried a few more times and couldn't progress much further
🙁