Shivers Windows XP Mode Installer

[Collector]

Since most 16-bit applications do not run on x64 Windows, I have not made any installers for the Win16 games since I first got Vista x64. One solution for the 16-bit Windows games is to create a VM with Win3x in DOSBox or some virtualizer. This is not an option for my installers since Microsoft has not freewared Win3x so I would not be able to distribute it. Another solution, at least for Win7 Pro and Ultimate users is XP Mode. XP Mode uses Virtual PC with a hard drive image with XP installed on it. It is (somewhat) integrated into the host OS to allow programs installed in the Virtual PC to run like they are running natively in Win7, even if the window looks like an XP window. XP Mode is a free download from MS.

This post got me to start thinking about a way to automate setting up an XP Mode game/application. Messages that I have received in the past shows that it may not be readily apparent to some how to access these programs in this manner.

Here is a first attempt. It is not completely automated, but I don't think that this is too complicated. Depending on the feedback I get, I may see if I can automate it further. If you have not already done so, download XP Mode and install it. You will need the main Shivers installer and the Shivers XP Mode installer:

ShiversSetup.exe

(583.89 KiB) Downloaded 484 times

Shivers_XPModeSetup.exe

(323.24 KiB) Downloaded 488 times

Once you are ready:

1. Start the XP Mode virtual machine -- "Windows Key"+"R" and paste the following in the run box:

   Code: Select all

   %WINDIR%\system32\vmwindow.exe "%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines\Windows XP Mode.vmc"

   and copy the Shivers installer, paste it in the Virtual Machine then run it to install the game in the VM.
2. Run the Shivers XP Mode installer in your Win 7.

[gat]

Collector: Will the Shivers installer by itself work on a 32 bit XP/Vista machine (since I do not have XP mode on my Windows 7 computer)? And, as always, thank you for all of your excellent work!

[Collector]

XP Mode for Shivers is only required for those with x64. I do not have a machine with Win7 x86, but reportedly, Shivers 1 runs without issue on Win7 x86. Yes you can use the installer. The main advantage over the original installer is that it installs the entire game to the hard drive for CD-less play. It also has a high res icon for Vista/Win7.

[BBP]

Shivers runs fine on my Vista 32 bit, with the only exception that it automatically runs videos at half-screen. You can change that in the preferences, but the title video will be half-screen.

I installed it onto my Win7 home premium three times, but the sound wouldn't work. Shame since I wanted to record all the Ixupi scares. Oh well.

[Collector]

Try the SHP installer to see if the sound works.

[BBP]

Still no sound.

[Collector]

Odd, since it uses digital audio instead of MIDI. Attach your RESOURCE.WIN here.

[BBP]

"The extension win is not allowed."
Contents of it:
[Windows]
showTitle = TRUE
title = Shivers
titleBar = FALSE
wwidth = 640
wheight = 480
borderpixels = 5
colorCursor = TRUE
maxCursorSize = 1024
asyncCheckFreq = 60
brightness = 2
pagelock = FALSE
scimink = 2200
leadSubmits = 5
minSubmits = 4
maxSubmits = 48
dacSize = 4096
audioSize = 64K
requireDAC = TRUE
enableMidi = FALSE
useMIDI = FALSE
synthtype = basesynth

movieDir = .\MOVIES
resSfx = .\
resmap = .\

[Collector]

Looks right. Attach the diagnostic log.

[BBP]

System Info ========================

Windows 7 HomePremium (6.1.7601.2) 32-Bit, Dutch
Service Pack : 1
Account type : Administrator
UAC status : On

CPU : Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU T4300 @ 2.10GHz, ~2094 Mhz
Memory : 2048MB RAM
Graphics Adapter : Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family w/ 256MB of memory.
Screen Resolution : 1366 x 768, 32 bit color
DirectX Version : DirectX 9.0c
CD-ROM Drive(s) : E:\


========================= Game Info =========================

Game : Shivers
Game Version : Shivers
Game Path : D:\Sierra\Shivers
Installer Version : 1.0
NSIS Version : v2.46
Start Menu Directory : Sierra\Shivers
UninstallString : D:\Sierra\Shivers\uninst.exe

Compatibility Mode:

SIERRAW.EXE: Not set


================== Game Configuration File ==================

RESOURCE.CFG

Game configuration file not found. Please reinstall the game.


====================== Game Files List ======================

VERSION
RESMAP.000
RESMDT.000
RESSCI.000
RESOURCE.CFG
SCIDLL.DLL
README.DOC
SIERRA.ERR
DiagnosticTool.exe
Shivers.exe
SIERRAW.EXE
uninst.exe
ShiversHR.ico
LANGUAGE.INF
SIERRA.INF
Shivers.lnk
65535.MAP
RESOURCE.SFX
GAMEDAT.SHP
Installer License.txt
New Installer README.txt
RESOURCE.WIN
MOVIES\1002.VMD
MOVIES\16000.VMD
MOVIES\24380.VMD
MOVIES\28040.VMD
MOVIES\3361.VMD
MOVIES\35170.VMD
MOVIES\35171.VMD
MOVIES\35172.VMD
MOVIES\35173.VMD
MOVIES\35180.VMD
MOVIES\39260.VMD
MOVIES\39310.VMD
MOVIES\900.VMD

(I must admit the Dutch part confuses me a bit, since I got to choose between Dutch and English (which cannot be undone unless I get a new harddrive again) and chose latter.)

[Collector]

I see nothing that is blatantly wrong, so it must be something unique to your setup. Try changing the audioSize entry in the RESOURCE.WIN to 48K

[gat]

XP Mode for Shivers is only required for those with x64. I do not have a machine with Win7 x86, but reportedly, Shivers 1 runs without issue on Win7 x86. Yes you can use the installer. The main advantage over the original installer is that it installs the entire game to the hard drive for CD-less play. It also has a high res icon for Vista/Win7.

Thank you. That is the advantage I was excited about.

[BBP]

It didn't work, sorry. I'll fire up Dino now.