My how to get NFS SE windows version working on Windows 10 using VMware

this originally is credited to web link http://cryforspeed.com/en/classic-need-for-speed/#more-1
I have updated it for my windows 10 host setup.

install VMware workstation version 10.0.0 build 1295980 onto windows 10
create an windows XP pro 32-bit with SP2
choose typical
set OS install to I will install later
choose guest OS windows XP pro 32-bit with SP2
store as single virtual disk
200GB HD
customize hardware
RAM 2.0GB
1 CPU
assign a CD/DVD letter
NIC using NAT
Usb enabled and use USB 2.0 for compatibility and show all USB input devices (can not use USB 3.0, as VMware is not able to trick windows XP to understand USB 3.0)
sound auto detect
remove printer
display auto detect and for 3D graphics check “Accelerate 3D graphics

boot via DOS image
chose VM > removable device > CD > setttings and choose a dos iso image
fdisk drive C:
format drive C: /s

once rebooted, switch to CD via
chose VM > removable device > CD > setttings and choose a CD from HOST
make sure windows installer CD is in tray
power on VM
install windows XP pro 32-bit with SP2
help protect my PC - not right now

Install Vmware Tools via the VM tab of VMware workstation

add share to host to install files via VMware VM tab > settings > options > shared folders > always enable and map as network drive then add the share

install MS .net framework 1.1 from dotnetfix
install microsoft application compatibility toolkit 4-1

install the ms app compat NFS SE databases for installation and running the game
to do this quickly with premade database click file open and choose nfs se cd installer from my directory XP vmware setup for windows 10 to install
nfs se cd installer will now show up in custom databases
right click on Need for Speed SE CD Installer under custom databases and select install
you should get that it was successfully installed
repeat this operation for also the premade nfs se loader from from my directory XP vmware setup for windows 10 to install
right click on Need for Speed SE under custom databases and select install
you should get that it was successfully installed
there should now be 2 installed databases under the +installed databases
for more info
(see ms app compat setup notes) or use my directory XP vmware setup for windows 10 to install
credited web link How to get Need For Speed Special Edition working perfectly in Windows XP
I saved locally to How to get Need For Speed Special Edition working perfectly in Windows XP_php

enable the wheel via VMware VM removable tab and connect g25 from host to guest
be sure G25 is physically connected to the 2.0 usb ports on pc
if you dont see the wheel in the VMware VM removable tab nor the Win XP game controllers, then physically unplug the USB wheel and replug in. both HOST OS and Guest OS should see it now.
Guest OS should see a logiteh driving force USB

eject via VM explorer the VMware Tools and mount your host CD player with NFS SE cd
choose instalw from the CD
directx already installed
choose install
select auto detect sound
test sound
test video
choose custom install and add all types
total to install should now be 135megs
install
you can calibrate the g25 wheel, but we need to assign buttons first, so we need the logitech profiler for that
exit the game

run jcu.exe from the NFS SE installed location
hit enter until you see a list of game devices
choose generic forcefeed back wheel
hit enter a bunch of times till it exits

install logitech profiler version win XP lgs440enu
launch logitech profiler
import profile the XP Need for Speed SE.wgp wheel profile
browse to the c:\NFSSE and choose nfs
test buttons on wheel - I assigned paddles to A and Z for shift up and down, plus front buttons to horn and camera view change

if not already, enable the vm removable and connect g25 from host to guest
if you dont see the wheel in the VMware VM removable tab nor the Win XP game controllers, then physically unplug the USB wheel and replug in. both HOST OS and Guest OS should see it now.
Guest OS should see a logiteh driving force USB

create logitech profiler shortcut to desktop
change the icon of the logictech profiler to NFS SE
rename shortcut to NFS SE

set video in XP to 1920 x 1080
choose full screen mode in VMware view
choose exclusive mode in VMware view
some times the VMware or the game will kick back to smaller resolution, to fix, redo full screen and exclusive mode

run dxdiag in XP and disable sound acceleration on the sound tab, this stops sound shuddering and allows game to run at normal speed without being cliped.
also disable the display acceleration

test turning the wheel, if it feels hard to turn, tell windows XP to reboot
the g25 wheel should recalibrate on its own on shut down and boot up of the XP VM
the wheel should now feel much lighter i.e. use the force feedback settings via the logitech profiler

make sure NSE SE CD is in tray and mounted for VMware to the guest OS
Launch NFS SE from within logitech profiler
watch intro and smile with delight

set wheel buttons and controls in game via options
controller setup
set steering to joystick
set acceleration to joystick
set shifting to keyboard AZ
set horn to keyboard H
not worried about the rest but keyboard

if have saved game and video from previous NFS SE playing
copy config.dat file to NFSSE\gamedata\config
copy replays to gamedata\replay
for rebuild, copy the windows xp vdi and vmdk to a new pc and install the VMware workstation

i didnt need to do the following, but might be helpful hints
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install NFS SE (needed to copy installer local to virtual machine first?)
use 800 x 600 for screen resolution 16bit colors. using the list mode in advance to change resolution seems to want to always go higher in resolution and mess up the game when rebooting

For a better compatibility, run the game while in safe mode. This should allow unsupported GPUs to run this game. The game also doesn't crash in safe mode for me anymore, and I don't have to 'run again' loop to wait for when it launches. Also works in Windows 7 and Windows 11 safe mode.
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