You need a "glide wrapper" to emulate 3dfx, which is a glide app based on a video card that is no longer around. Do an internet search for "dgvoodoo" and download the latest version - I use 1.5beta for example. It's easy to use - extract the files into the F1 game folder, run 'dgvoodoosetup.exe' [one of the files extracted into the game folder] to set resolution and other parameters, and go. I'm not a VISTA user but the wrapper works well in XP so I think you'll be fine. You will be able to play at much higher resolutions than 800x600... good hunting...

Only dgvoodoo 1.5 beta2 works with Vista/7. nGlide also works great and has the best compatibility so far.

Check out other F1RS threads in this forum. For example, this one may have some useful information (patches, etc):

F1 Racing Simulation installation

I believe to install the 3Dfx version you have to put sstinit.dll and glide.dll (which you may be able to find somewhere!) into system32 so the game detects 3Dfx, allowing you to pick the Glide versions when installing. You'll also need to run the game at 16bit color only. You may need Win98 compatibility mode too.

I have F1RS in storage but I think I may break it out for a 'retro' look. I remember finding throttle pedal inputs very bizar at low revs [some kind of deadzone issue but it was more than that] and never felt fully comfortable at the wheel. For open wheel racing I basically stuck with GP2 until the F1-2000/F1C series came out, then rFactor to this day.

Lots of racing games came out in the late 90's but many were half-baked. F1RS garnered critical praise at the time but I don't think it ever took off, at least not to the extent the other signature racing sims of the era did.

I read the tech link posted above and found the 3dfx version installation workarounds for Vista/W7 insteresting. Wouldn't be possible to install it as a D3D game, then just copy the requisite 3dfx exe from the CD after? Often the difference between video versions was just the game.exe. But I don't have the game in front of me so I can't be sure on this one.

The sequel, Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation 2, handles better IMHO, plus you can run in higher resolutions, but it's not official F1 license. After that Ubisoft made F1 Racing Championship (official 99 F1 license, great GPS mapped tracks, but crazy poor AI) then Racing Simulation 3 (unofficial, made up driver and track names, missing scenery but AI improved, though sound is worse).

See my full screenshot comparison (up to 2010, I may update it in future) here http://community.codemasters.com/forum/f1-201 … c-compared.html

@ VIM - you're correct - they used fictitious teams to get around the license issue. Have it too and will haul them both out for a spin. As I remember the sequel was an improvement, but still dogged by input problems. Never got RS3 and will try to track that one down. BTW GP2 is still a great drive and the only thing I feel is really missing is sound of the opposing cars. Which is surprising given other games of the era; Nascar, ICR etc. have them..

Sorry for the side topic-ing...