[galonrever]

Hey guys, I'm trying to install my copy of Freespace 2 (Original CD version) on my new windows 8 laptop...however, I'm having massive issues. When i try to run the setup application, it doesn't do anything. I've tried changing the compatibility modes, but to no avail. How do I get Freespace to install on Windows 8? Is there a Patch to adjust for issues going from a 32 to a 64 bit system? Is installshield the problem??

[Colonol Dekker]

Not being a windows 8 fan i can only guess, does compatibility mode offer any help? (right-clicking the installer?) otherwise i'd say ask over at Gog if nobody here can help?

[MetalDestroyer]

The better way is to install your Freespace 2 on Win XP or all other OS where you can install. And just copy your Freespace 2 folder into an USB key/External disk and then copy it into your PC where Win 8 is installed.

[galonrever]

Little difficult MetalDestroyer, as my XP laptop is long gone...

Nah, compatibility mode offers no help. I'm thinking it might be a installshield problem, since when I click on the setup application, it initially runs, says it's an 'unknown publisher, and do I want to contine,' I click yes, the disc spins up and the 'working' cursor shows up...and then after 10 seconds odd, returns to normal cursor and nothing happens. Been trawling the internet, but nothing seems to offer an answer. Having the same problem trying to install Homeworld 2 and Star Trek: Armada 2. Very very frustrating...

[General Battuta]

That is annoying. If MetalDestroyer's solution isn't viable and you're willing to shell out tenbux, you can always grab the game off GoodOldGames.com.

[The E]

There's another thing to try. Use 7zip or a similar program to extract the files from the .cab archives on the disc, copy them to a new directory. Then copy all .vp and .mve files from the CDs into that same folder.

[Phantom Hoover]

is this something that the Installer That Was Promised is going to have to implement, then

[General Battuta]

No

[MetalDestroyer]

If you have still your Windows XP CDs, you can just grab a Virtual Machine software like VM Ware, Virtual PC and so on. Install your Win XP in your VMs. Then configure your VMs so you can use your CD/DVD Driver from the VMs and as well for USB ports.
Install the game in the VM and then copy the files into ths USB Keys from the VM. Delete your VMs and copy the files from your USB into your PC.

[The E]

Or use a Linux VM and wine (Although I do realize that that's only an option for people used to the unholy mess that is VMs, Linux, and wine).

[Dragon]

If using a Linux VM, why not simply use a Linux FSO build?

[The E]

Because not everyone is willing to put up with Linux' idiosyncracies just for the sake of playing FSO?

[Dragon]

I don't think it's that difficult now that we have wxLauncher. Something tells me that using a Linux build on the VM instead of Windows build and Wine would be both faster and less error-prone. I didn't use Linux that much though, and the version I did use was very "Windows-like" at a glance.

[The E]

Yeah, you should just stop talking now. As far as I know, there are no free VM solutions available that can pass through commands to the GPU, which is kinda important for FSO use. In any case, setting up a VM with Linux just to play FSO is such a cumbersome way of doing things that I would not recommend it. Even using a VM to extract the files is overkill; it's something that I would only recommend if you have experience with things like that.

[niffiwan]

From my experiences, FSO in a Linux VM is too slow to enjoy.  OK for testing, not OK for playing.

[deathspeed]

There's another thing to try. Use 7zip or a similar program to extract the files from the .cab archives on the disc, copy them to a new directory. Then copy all .vp and .mve files from the CDs into that same folder.

Something similar I have had to do for other games was just copy the entire contents of the CD to a folder on my desktop, then run the installer from there.

[The E]

Which won't work here. The original FS installer is a 16-bit program, modern Windowses will refuse to run those.

[Kopachris]

I second the motion to just buy the game off of GOG.

Regarding the Linux suggestion, I'd suggest installing Ubuntu via Wubi, but apparently that's not such a good idea.

Weird.  I never had any trouble with Wubi 12.10 in Windows 7 64-bit.

[Fury]

I have 64-bit Windows 8 and as I am typing this, I am installing FS2 from original discs. There was no problems at all with opening setup.exe from Disc 1 and install seems to be going smoothly.

[Parias]

Which won't work here. The original FS installer is a 16-bit program, modern Windowses will refuse to run those.

I have 64-bit Windows 8 and as I am typing this, I am installing FS2 from original discs. There was no problems at all with opening setup.exe from Disc 1 and install seems to be going smoothly.

I can substantiate the "modern OS should still be able to run the installer" argument - it works fine on my 64 bit install of Windows 7 too:



There's likely something else blocking the setup software from running. Realistically though I'd just go with the "extract the setup files using something like 7Zip and copy over the remaining content" trick described earlier, that's probably the easiest way to fix your issue.