86.5Hz suggests it's switched the resolution to 1024x768 or 1280x1024 interlaced, which LCD monitors generally can't display.
Are you using the Windows or DOS version of this game?
What video card do you have? The Matrox Millennium II?
If Windows 98 thinks your monitor can't handle 1024x768 @ 60 Hz or 1280x1024 @ 60 Hz which would be more appropriate, it can help to change the type of monitor to a different one, even the "wrong" one. Assuming your video card can handle that. Otherwise, you'll need to stop this game from setting such a high resolution--maybe it's hardcoded to look at the list of resolutions and force the biggest one.

The password dialog is to protect people from the blood and gore.
Are you trying to run the 3Dfx version or the software rendered version?
The software rendered version runs at 320X240, but can be made to run at 640x480 with the commandline "carma.exe -hires'. The system in your signature has a VooDoo 1, so I highly recommend you try the 3Dfx version.

jakethompson1 wrote on 2026-08-24, 21:18:

86.5Hz suggests it's switched the resolution to 1024x768 or 1280x1024 interlaced, which LCD monitors generally can't display. Ar […]
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86.5Hz suggests it's switched the resolution to 1024x768 or 1280x1024 interlaced, which LCD monitors generally can't display.
Are you using the Windows or DOS version of this game?
What video card do you have? The Matrox Millennium II?
If Windows 98 thinks your monitor can't handle 1024x768 @ 60 Hz or 1280x1024 @ 60 Hz which would be more appropriate, it can help to change the type of monitor to a different one, even the "wrong" one. Assuming your video card can handle that. Otherwise, you'll need to stop this game from setting such a high resolution--maybe it's hardcoded to look at the list of resolutions and force the biggest one.

Thanks! I set the resolution to 256 colors in Windows settings, and now the game has started 😉

Dorunkāku wrote on 2026-08-25, 00:53:

The password dialog is to protect people from the blood and gore.
Are you trying to run the 3Dfx version or the software rendered version?
The software rendered version runs at 320X240, but can be made to run at 640x480 with the commandline "carma.exe -hires'. The system in your signature has a VooDoo 1, so I highly recommend you try the 3Dfx version.

I lowered the resolution to 256 colors, and the game launches, but it doesn't start in 3dfx mode. I've already applied the patch included on the Carmageddon CD. This is the contents of the folder where the game is installed. When I double-click the 3dfx executable, the game launches in software mode.

So: Carmageddon is installed, official 3dfx patch is applied, I assume Voodoo is correctly set up, i.e. device detected, drivers installed? Your desktop resolution or color shouldn't really matter for 3dfx.

Perhaps give this one a go:
Help getting some 3DFX DOS games to run

Is the Diamond Monster 3D working correctly under Windows and if so, which drivers are you using?

The Windows version is software only. The 3dfx patches available for Carmageddon are DOS only. I'd recommend the Voodoo2 patch even if your card is a Voodoo1, because this version has translucent water effects. Also make sure you have Glide2x.ovl in the same folder as Glide2x.dll or inside the game's folder. There is also a very early 3dfx patch which doesn't rely on Glide2x.ovl but I wouldn't recommend that one because it runs kinda choppy.

such wrote on 2026-08-25, 10:30:

So: Carmageddon is installed, official 3dfx patch is applied, I assume Voodoo is correctly set up, i.e. device detected, drivers installed? Your desktop resolution or color shouldn't really matter for 3dfx.

Perhaps give this one a go:
Help getting some 3DFX DOS games to run

As for the password, I typed “gog” and it accepted it. As for the resolution, I set it to 256-color mode and the game launched normally. However, it doesn't seem to launch in 3Dfx mode. I did a clean reinstall of the game and applied the official patch I found on 3Dfxzone. Inside the ZIP file, there’s a folder called DATA and a file named CARMAV.EXE. I copied and pasted these files into the game’s installation directory and launched the game by double-clicking CARMAV.EXE—is that correct? The game launches normally, but the graphics don’t look very sharp even though I have the Diamond Monster 3D. I’ve attached the contents of the game’s installation folder below. Thanks for your help

TheMLGladiator wrote on 2026-08-25, 12:14:

Is the Diamond Monster 3D working correctly under Windows and if so, which drivers are you using?

Yes, the Diamond Monster 3D works properly in Windows. I installed the latest official Diamond drivers, version 4.10

filipetolhuizen wrote on Yesterday, 22:49:

The Windows version is software only. The 3dfx patches available for Carmageddon are DOS only. I'd recommend the Voodoo2 patch even if your card is a Voodoo1, because this version has translucent water effects. Also make sure you have Glide2x.ovl in the same folder as Glide2x.dll or inside the game's folder. There is also a very early 3dfx patch which doesn't rely on Glide2x.ovl but I wouldn't recommend that one because it runs kinda choppy.

Yes, in the game folder I have both the glide2x.ovl file and the glide2x.dll file, as well as glide3x.dll. However, when I launch the game from the Voodoo2C executable, the 3Dfx logo doesn't appear at startup, and the game isn't in 3Dfx mode. I'm using the official Diamond 4.10 drivers. Maybe I should use older drivers?

It should work with these drivers, but it's also worth trying generic 3dfx drivers.