old games are very slow

[Vince800]

GPUs are in no way the issue with this particular bug now so it must not be involved thus confusing the issue. There are workarounds which involve changing some of the DirectX parameters as explained here Windows 8 strange things and 3d faster in window. The workaround makes the games run much smoother in Windows 8, if it was a GPU issue no amount of workarounds would solve the issue. It's just a stupid overlooked bug in the DirectDraw emulation nothing more, possibly quite an easy fix by someone who knows what they're doing.

 

[oneeyed]

The workaround makes the games run much smoother in Windows 8, if it was a GPU issue no amount of workarounds would solve the issue. It's just a stupid overlooked bug in the DirectDraw emulation nothing more, possibly quite an easy fix by someone who knows what they're doing.

Sadly I think you're right. But even if it's something easily fixed by any MS developer, I doubt it will ever be done. This problem doesn't affect enough people to invest time and money on a fix.

 

[avada]

The workaround makes the games run much smoother in Windows 8, if it was a GPU issue no amount of workarounds would solve the issue. It's just a stupid overlooked bug in the DirectDraw emulation nothing more, possibly quite an easy fix by someone who knows what they're doing.

Sadly I think you're right. But even if it's something easily fixed by any MS developer, I doubt it will ever be done. This problem doesn't affect enough people to invest time and money on a fix.

Maybe it's time to organize Microsoft pestering in the Windows 10 feedbacks.

 

[CT Ralf]

There is some feedback, we just have to spread the word on several forums for people to click the "me too" button on feedback. Also the twitter for the guy in charge of windows 10 updates is:

https://twitter.com/GabeAul

I messaged him about the issue but i am sure others messaging him with the issue will help with the awareness.

If anyone is on W10 preview and you want to help just go to the feedback app on the start menu where the tiles are at and then look for steam. You can find it on recent programs, just run steam first and then check. You will see a long post with multiple links and it starts with "certain games run at lower framerates..." and there is also another separate feedback post called "framerate in older games cut in half..."

 

[elbmek]

I have the GeForce GTX 750 ti in a new quad core - it runs the Wolfenstein New Order perfectly. I had an ATI 6700 before this in a quad core and it was useless for The New Order.

 

[avada]

I have the GeForce GTX 750 ti in a new quad core - it runs the Wolfenstein New Order perfectly. I had an ATI 6700 before this in a quad core and it was useless for The New Order.

This has nothing to do with this topic.

 

[elbmek]

It is in reply to an earlier post regarding graphics cards and games, therefore relevant. In hindsight maybe I should have quoted the post.

 

[CT Ralf]

I made a thread in the feature suggestion for Windows where Microsoft gets feedback. Vote to get it noticed. 3 votes is the max so that would be better if you can. Here is the link:

https://windows.uservoice.com/forum...he-frame-rate-issue-that-has-been-in-since-wi

 

[Burgurne]

Done!

 

[avada]

Anything change in the new build of Win10?

 

[CT Ralf]

Anything change in the new build of Win10?

Nothing yet in terms of the issues. Although i am not expecting it to any time soon i do check every time they have a new build and also remind the guy in charge on twitter. Here is the link again for anyone else who didn't vote to help get the issue noticed. Spread it around to others as well:

https://windows.uservoice.com/forum...he-frame-rate-issue-that-has-been-in-since-wi


Man in charge of W10 tech preview twitter:

https://twitter.com/GabeAul

 

[elbmek]

Back to the topic - I use an online downloading site that has emulators preinstalled in the software. Even REAL oldies like Beneath a Steel Sky and The Bards Tale run perfectly. The site does what it says on the kettle

 

[avada]

Back to the topic - I use an online downloading site that has emulators preinstalled in the software. Even REAL oldies like Beneath a Steel Sky and The Bards Tale run perfectly. The site does what it says on the kettle

There aren't any emulators for old windows versions and their apis/technologies.

 

[elbmek]

There are, via Steam, as I said 'built in'. When I open Beneath a Steel Sky, there is a small dos window opens first, then the game runs. It was downloaded with the software. Graphics are somewhat iffy, but hey, the game works.

 

[Vince800]

There are, via Steam, as I said 'built in'. When I open Beneath a Steel Sky, there is a small dos window opens first, then the game runs. It was downloaded with the software. Graphics are somewhat iffy, but hey, the game works.

That's probably DOSBox which is an emulator for DOS games. This is not the problem we're having and if it was just DOS Games then we'd be able to sort it by changing the DOSBox settings. DOS games are not an issue.

This is specifically a problem with Windows based DirectDraw games and there is certainly no fancy emulator for these. DirectX has built in emulation for the old DirectDraw stuff and it worked quite well in Vista/7 however they screwed something up in Windows 8 probably unintentionally.

The only real workaround would be to play these games in VMware but VMware only really supports DirectX9 which works in Windows 8 anyway. DirectX8 and older games do not seem to run properly in VMware.

If they aren't going to fix this it would be nice if they just told everyone so we could make alternative arrangements for playing these old games.

 

[avada]

That's probably DOSBox which is an emulator for DOS games. This is not the problem we're having and if it was just DOS Games then we'd be able to sort it by changing the DOSBox settings. DOS games are not an issue.

This is specifically a problem with Windows based DirectDraw games and there is certainly no fancy emulator for these. DirectX has built in emulation for the old DirectDraw stuff and it worked quite well in Vista/7 however they screwed something up in Windows 8 probably unintentionally.

The only real workaround would be to play these games in VMware but VMware only really supports DirectX9 which works in Windows 8 anyway. DirectX8 and older games do not seem to run properly in VMware.

If they aren't going to fix this it would be nice if they just told everyone so we could make alternative arrangements for playing these old games.

Well, you can play directdraw games in virtualbox+XP. But that's not really a solution.

 

[Hopachi]

Well, you can play directdraw games in virtualbox+XP. But that's not really a solution.

Depends which game.

But what you mention here might be the best solution after all. Just get the VM resolution/windows size to your needs, the mouse pointer working properly and you're good to go.

For instance I use Red Alert 2 YR in a VBox XP VM, although the game works on W8.
The VM facilitates window minimizing without pausing game or changing resolutions: the VM window can easily get minimized even in full screen so you can switch between multiple running instances / programs.

 

[madmax1100]

I am glad this was posted. THank you....

GPUs are in no way the issue with this particular bug now so it must not be involved thus confusing the issue. There are workarounds which involve changing some of the DirectX parameters as explained here Windows 8 strange things and 3d faster in window. The workaround makes the games run much smoother in Windows 8, if it was a GPU issue no amount of workarounds would solve the issue. It's just a stupid overlooked bug in the DirectDraw emulation nothing more, possibly quite an easy fix by someone who knows what they're doing.

 

[Vince800]

You're welcome madmax.

I wonder if it'll be fixed in this upcoming Windows 10 Consumer Preview. Be interesting to find out if they're fixing real bugs or just screwing around with the GUI, Cortana and other things which aren't integral to the running of the OS.

 

[elbmek]

MS fix bugs? I wont be holding my breath