add emm386.exe to config.sys
How do I set up EMS on Windows 98SE?

This game apparently has compatibility issues in the windows environment. Run it in DOS mode.

Unofficial Ghost wrote on 2023-03-01, 15:26:

Device=c:\windows\himem.sys /testmem:off Device=c:\windows\emm386.exe ram d=64 min=0 Dos=high,umb […]
Show full quote

Device=c:\windows\himem.sys /testmem:off
Device=c:\windows\emm386.exe ram d=64 min=0
Dos=high,umb

Unfortuantely no luck with that either!... Come on damn game, work! 😁

You don't need the "d=64 min=0" part.

If it still complains about memory even under DOS, you might have to tweak EMM386's address ranges.

It also seems to not like SmartDrv, so don't add that if you were considering it. EDIT: see my post below.

eddman wrote on 2023-03-14, 23:05:

This game apparently has compatibility issues in the windows environment. Run it in DOS mode. […]
Show full quote

This game apparently has compatibility issues in the windows environment. Run it in DOS mode.

Unofficial Ghost wrote on 2023-03-01, 15:26:

Device=c:\windows\himem.sys /testmem:off Device=c:\windows\emm386.exe ram d=64 min=0 Dos=high,umb […]
Show full quote

Device=c:\windows\himem.sys /testmem:off
Device=c:\windows\emm386.exe ram d=64 min=0
Dos=high,umb

Unfortuantely no luck with that either!... Come on damn game, work! 😁

You don't need the "d=64 min=0" part.

If it still complains about memory even under DOS, you might have to tweak EMM386's address ranges.

It also seems to not like SmartDrv, so don't add that if you were considering it.

If MS-DOS mode is needed for the game, a PIF shortcut with custom CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT settings can be created. Furthermore, the OP must install the DOS drivers for the SB Audigy 2 ZS. Here is a way to do it in Windows 98 SE: Guide: Installing Windows 9x and DOS drivers on Audigy cards (version 3.1).

Also, there are benefits with SMARTDRV when caching content from HDD into RAM in DOS. If reliability is a concern, write (and CD) caching can be disabled.

Gmlb256 wrote on 2023-03-15, 01:29:

Also, there are benefits with SMARTDRV when caching content from HDD into RAM in DOS. If reliability is a concern, write (and CD) caching can be disabled.

It had nothing to do with the switches though. The game doesn't require the CD, if installed on the HDD, and the /X switch was set. However, after looking into it a bit further, it seems the issue (which was freezing) wasn't caused by smartdrv itself, but the insufficient free upper memory caused by it being loaded.

The game is very finicky with memory. It needs about 587 KB of free conventional memory, and also EMS, seemingly at least 256 KB.

However, what it does not specify is that it also requires enough free upper memory blocks. I haven't managed to pinpoint how much is needed exactly. Sometimes it works with as low as 21 KB, sometimes 64 KB and more is needed.