old games are very slow

Zaref

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Egypt
hello everybody
i have win 8 64X running very well but with a very annoying problem
i really enjoy playing old strategy games like RA2 and stronghold crusader
they work properly *in case of RA2 only yuri's revernge work but the main game doesn't* but htey are much slower than what i used to
i tried increasing game speed in stronghold crusader but it's still slower than how it was when i was running windows XP
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Inter Core I5 3210M
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce 610
    Screen Resolution
    1366*786
    Internet Speed
    1MBpS
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    Google Chrome
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    Avira
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    medical student who enjoys gaming
Did you try Compatibility settings for those programs ?
Some older games might be 16 bit and that definitely will not run on 64 bit windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
they work but loading is very slow 'takes about 30 sec'
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Inter Core I5 3210M
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce 610
    Screen Resolution
    1366*786
    Internet Speed
    1MBpS
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avira
    Other Info
    medical student who enjoys gaming
those are the games "stronghold crusader" "stronghold2"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Inter Core I5 3210M
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce 610
    Screen Resolution
    1366*786
    Internet Speed
    1MBpS
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avira
    Other Info
    medical student who enjoys gaming
Stronghold crusader uses DirectX7. Windows8 newest version of directx is 11.2 if i recall correctly.
This version emulates older versions of Direct x exactly like Windows7 , except.... it appears the screwed it up.
Windows8 compatibility is pretty strong, and that is why the game works, (Looks like a cool game too) but I am having the same issue with MANY MANY MANY games that can work on anything from Windows95 to Windows7.

Microsoft created directx to be backwards compatible, so DON'T allow the NAYSAYERS and Blowhards to blow off your old game with , "Why should microsoft support and old game", when the fact is, they have.

There is ALOT of troubleshooting to get the games to work at speed. Some people have found success by disabling hyper v.

However my understanding is that some of this is caused by METRO.

Here is a few other options that may work.

"Hello!

Apparently DirectDraw games don't run to well on Windows 8.
I recently wanted to play a Desperados an old isometric tactics game. But it ran like 10% the speed it's supposed to. So it was unplayable.
There are some alternative ddraw stuff out there. Actually one works somewhat: with wine3d-s ddraw.dll. "


The direct Draw is emulated in directx 11.2 is emulated.... so its very slow..


now, I have the same issue with my game posted in another thread.
It uses and older version of Directx and runs at 10% speed.

However there is ONE person who has it working at 80% speed, making it playable.

So there is hope.

Microsoft needs to fix the backwards compability of directx, the reason for having directx was to maintain backwards compability, vs each developer creating their own solutions.


Also, try all the solutions people offer regarding compability settings, and such.

Some of the old game forums have found patches or fixes themselves for the older games.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows98 to Windows7
LOL, BIG HMMM>>>>> :p

Perhaps they consider it compatible if it works, not if it works at a playable framerate...

I see the feedback is 0 for 13 regarding it working...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows98 to Windows7
A solution which works for me on some old games is direct x emulation via linux wine... Sounds weird relying on linux to have a working windows but here is how it works...

Wine provides its directx wrapper component free, and you can download precompiled windows builds at : WineD3D builds for win32
As said on its page, all direct x calls are redirected to open gl, so this isn't emulation per se and can be very fast depending on your graphics card/drivers.
Download wind3d.exe. Don't execute it directly, extract it with an utility like 7-zip or similar.
In the extracted folder or subfolders, look for the files : ddraw.dll, libwine.dll and wined3d.dll (if they are not present, try downloading an older build, not the latest)
Copy them to whatever old game folder you want and try the game again.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (x64)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
That solution has appeared in other threads and forums, I am glad to see these alternative solutions working.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows98 to Windows7
I tried those solutions for Blood 2 and it wont run or still runs slow. around 2fps-15fps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    thermaltake
    CPU
    intel 2600 4ghz to 4.20ghz
    Motherboard
    gigabyte p67-d3-b3
    Memory
    16gb 1900mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 780 gtx + nvidia 580
    Sound Card
    sound ZxR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    asus hdmi 24inch
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    3x 2tb drivers
    PSU
    850 watts
    Case
    Thermtake V9
    Cooling
    very powerful fans
    Keyboard
    sidewinder x4
    Mouse
    logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    100
    Browser
    chrome,firefox,ie
    Antivirus
    Avira
for me the game is playable but it works with about half to 2/3 of the original speed
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Inter Core I5 3210M
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce 610
    Screen Resolution
    1366*786
    Internet Speed
    1MBpS
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avira
    Other Info
    medical student who enjoys gaming
A solution which works for me on some old games is direct x emulation via linux wine... Sounds weird relying on linux to have a working windows but here is how it works...

Wine provides its directx wrapper component free, and you can download precompiled windows builds at : WineD3D builds for win32
As said on its page, all direct x calls are redirected to open gl, so this isn't emulation per se and can be very fast depending on your graphics card/drivers.
Download wind3d.exe. Don't execute it directly, extract it with an utility like 7-zip or similar.
In the extracted folder or subfolders, look for the files : ddraw.dll, libwine.dll and wined3d.dll (if they are not present, try downloading an older build, not the latest)
Copy them to whatever old game folder you want and try the game again.

Unfortunately that's not maintained and has bugs. I could play through desperados, but it was messy. I had a broken user interface and invisible dynamic objects. Like a train.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 1600
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B350-PLUS
    Memory
    G.SKILL Trident Z 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3000MHz F4-3000C15D-16GTZB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 (Asus ENGTS450)
    PSU
    500w FSP
Stronghold crusader uses DirectX7. Windows8 newest version of directx is 11.2 if i recall correctly.
This version emulates older versions of Direct x exactly like Windows7 , except.... it appears the screwed it up.

It was already emulated in 7? Surprising because I didn't have such crappy performance and compatibility issues with seven.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 1600
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B350-PLUS
    Memory
    G.SKILL Trident Z 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3000MHz F4-3000C15D-16GTZB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 (Asus ENGTS450)
    PSU
    500w FSP
i noticed a strange thing lately
i installed the HD patch for stronghold crusader to increase the resolution so it fits my 1366*768 screen then the game became slower
stronghold crusader extreme -without the HD patch- is running very smooth and fast just like it should be but in 1024*768
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Inter Core I5 3210M
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce 610
    Screen Resolution
    1366*786
    Internet Speed
    1MBpS
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avira
    Other Info
    medical student who enjoys gaming
What about an old game like Q-Bert or Frogger 2: Swampy's revenge? I loved those games as a kid and was thinking of buying them again but I'm afraid they won't work on my computer or be too slow (similar to what you're experiencing). I have win 8 64X too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I'm about to uninstall Neverwinter Nights 2 on my laptop and try reinstalling the base game only because the updater program's broken which you need for vital patches to help the game run. It was the first game which literally couldn't run without turning on DirectDraw on 8.1 and on my desktop, the game can be played fast after a system restart... sometimes I feel like I'm kicking the operating system repeatedly to make games run. Try playing after a restart, it can occasionally help with an old game.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 64-bit/ Windows 8.1 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Desktop: Allison Designs by Austin Computers / Laptop: Toshiba Satellite L50-A006
    CPU
    Intel Core i5- 4590/ Intel Core i5 processor 4200U
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte H97M-D3H/ ?
    Memory
    16 GB Kingston at 1600 Mhz/ 4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Geforce GTX 760 OC Windforce (2 GB/256-bit)/ nVIDIA GeForce GT 740M 2GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio'
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 2216Vw 22"/ 15.6" Widescreen HD LED Backlit Display
    Screen Resolution
    1680*1050 / 1366*768
    Hard Drives
    2 TB Western Digital Black Caviar Drive (7200 RPM)/ 750GB (5400rpm) with Toshiba HDD Accelerator
    PSU
    Coolermaster 750W VS Series 80+ Gold Power Supply (Desktop Only)
    Case
    Corsair Carbide SPEC-02 Mid Tower Gaming Case (Desktop Only)
    Cooling
    Two Case 120 mm fans and GPU, CPU, PSU cooled by own fans respectively. (Desktop Only)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wired Keyboard Desktop 600 (Desktop Only)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wired Mouse 600/ Toshiba Touchpad and Logitech Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer and Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 by Symantec
I'm about to uninstall Neverwinter Nights 2 on my laptop and try reinstalling the base game only because the updater program's broken which you need for vital patches to help the game run. It was the first game which literally couldn't run without turning on DirectDraw on 8.1 and on my desktop, the game can be played fast after a system restart... sometimes I feel like I'm kicking the operating system repeatedly to make games run. Try playing after a restart, it can occasionally help with an old game.

What does "turning on DirectDraw on 8.1 and on my desktop" mean?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 1600
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B350-PLUS
    Memory
    G.SKILL Trident Z 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3000MHz F4-3000C15D-16GTZB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 (Asus ENGTS450)
    PSU
    500w FSP
As in the first time I ran the game on my laptop which has 8.1, it automatically activated DirectDraw to let me play it at all. On my desktop with Windows 8, the compatibility issue of lagging on a system which many times over can play the game is resolved by playing it when you start the computer and solving lagging by restarting the entire machine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 64-bit/ Windows 8.1 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Desktop: Allison Designs by Austin Computers / Laptop: Toshiba Satellite L50-A006
    CPU
    Intel Core i5- 4590/ Intel Core i5 processor 4200U
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte H97M-D3H/ ?
    Memory
    16 GB Kingston at 1600 Mhz/ 4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Geforce GTX 760 OC Windforce (2 GB/256-bit)/ nVIDIA GeForce GT 740M 2GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio'
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 2216Vw 22"/ 15.6" Widescreen HD LED Backlit Display
    Screen Resolution
    1680*1050 / 1366*768
    Hard Drives
    2 TB Western Digital Black Caviar Drive (7200 RPM)/ 750GB (5400rpm) with Toshiba HDD Accelerator
    PSU
    Coolermaster 750W VS Series 80+ Gold Power Supply (Desktop Only)
    Case
    Corsair Carbide SPEC-02 Mid Tower Gaming Case (Desktop Only)
    Cooling
    Two Case 120 mm fans and GPU, CPU, PSU cooled by own fans respectively. (Desktop Only)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wired Keyboard Desktop 600 (Desktop Only)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wired Mouse 600/ Toshiba Touchpad and Logitech Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer and Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 by Symantec
Direct Draw is part of DirectX that deals with 2D.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
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