King's Quest 6 - Windows Version problems in Vista

[Angel Valis]

Hi,

I've read in several places that it's possible to run KQ6 (Windows version) in Vista. The fact is, I have...however, after the initial Sierra logo, when it switches over to the title screen, the colors are only accurate for a split second before they go...well crazy, all pink and garbled. This carries over into the game and I can't figure out how to fix it, and as much as I want to play it again, I don't think I could stand it with those colors.

I've tried forcing 256 colors under the compatibility tab, I've tried setting my display to 256 colors before even running the game and there is no change. I've also tried running the installers from here.

The version I'm using is the one that was on the original collection.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

[Collector]

Try the Collector's Edition Installer.

[Angel Valis]

I actually did try the installer before I originally posted and I still have the same color problems.

[Collector]

You may have some process that takes focus from the game window. Try closing out all other programs and if necessary, kill Windows Explorer with the Task Manager. When you are through playing, you can start Explorer again with the Task Manager.

[envisge0ne]

I have a somewhat similar problem but only with one screen. When I'm at the Isle of Wonder, when I go up to the screen with the stick in the mud, the screen's colors will get all distorted and not display the screen at all. Just distorts the colors of the original screen. If I try to walk around, it will usually get it to display the screen, but alexander will be frozen in one spot and all other animation doesn't work. At least visually anyway, because I can still use the walk icon and it will have him walk around. Just won't show it. I tried completely re-installing KQ6 from 2 different cd's but still doesn't fix it. Has anyone else noticed this problem?

I'm using Vista Ultimate 32bit btw.

[Collector]

I haven't tried the Win version of KQ6 on Vista 32 any longer than to see that it runs without any tweaking. Try replacing the Windows Shortcut with a batch file and set it to run in 256 colors via Compatibility Mode.

It might be interesting to see if the VDMS solution will work on Vista and if it still has the same issues. I wonder if it would introduce the cursor bug again. Might be a while before I can try, as I am using Vista 64.

[envisge0ne]

I already had a bat file with compatibility set for color and screen resolution. Didn't help And I tried vdms and it does the same there also. When I play the dos version with DOSBox, it works fine. But for some reason, the windows version has an issue with just that one screen. It's not a big deal and I can still play around it, but just thought it would be nice to find a fix for it.

[Collector]

If I get some time to boot into Vista 32 I'll have a look, but I may not be able to do much about it. It probably will involve a patch on a script level.

[whitehelm]

I've got the exact same problem as envisge0ne. I'd like to add that putting the mouse over the menu is what "updates" the visuals, though it will still be frozen.

[Collector]

Did you try killing Windows Explorer?