1. Install the game from CD-ROM.

2. Install the 1.09 patch from here: http://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/919

3. Set compatibility mode on the Colin McRae Rally 2 shortcut to WindowsXP (doesn't matter which). If you don't, the game won't start at all.

4. Test if it works. You'll notice a window border around the game and a less-than-smooth framerate. Note: on my monitor for in-game resolution I can't use the maximum (stretched anyway) 2560x1440 resolution (as the game crashes setting it), so I go for 1920x1080 instead.

5. To remove the border and get full framerate (lovely and smooth), either drop a modified DDRAW.dll file into the game folder, or use ACT on both game.exe and rally.exe with the fixes listed here (I prefer ACT as it's not using a potentially one day out-of-date DDRAW.dll): http://www.blitzbasic.com/Community/post.php? … 77&post=1202630

Issue: the opening videos (if they even displayed for you before, with a border) now will show black, just press Return twice to skip them.

Enjoy!