Originally posted by dud716 Just a quick one...Does anybody know what the deal is with the DREAMCATCHER game....'The New Advent […]
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Originally posted by dud716 Just a quick one...Does anybody know what the deal is with the DREAMCATCHER game....'The New Adventures of The Time Machine'...I'm using WIN XP HOME.

NOTE: I'm getting an error message that reads.....

ISDX_ERR_BADWINDOWSVERSION...entry not found in the string table.

Your first hint is the System Requirements: Windows 95 or 98. Note that NT, 2000, and XP aren't on the list. You can try tricking the game into working by using "Compatibility Mode" for Windows 95 or 98 and hope for the best.

You might also try disabling 3D-hardware acceleration to see if you can get just the basic program working. The company's FAQ is not encouraging. The very first question:

1: Is The New Adventures of Time Machine Windows XP Compatible?
A1: No. Various problems occur erractically causing the game to not be fully compatible.

Thanks, Nicht. Is there a way to change or alter any of the executable files?.....Or is this just wishful thinking on my part?:)

Originally posted by dud716 Do you have any info on the error message?

No. Just a couple of other people who also got it...and got the same answer.

Is there a way to change or alter any of the executable files?.....Or is this just wishful thinking on my part?

It looks like wishful thinking. I found my CD's and I can't even get to the error message, I just hear the audio cue for an error message.

Note: I was only able to test this on a NTFS partition, I didn't have a FAT partition with enough space available to test right now.

Thanks, Nicht. Fortunately, I only paid $5.00 for the game. I now have a coaster for my beverage, albeit a rather expensive one at that.😁

Originally posted by dud716 now have a coaster for my beverage, albeit a rather expensive one at that.😁

Well I wouldn't do that. Have you considered setting up a dual-boot?

Yes...I have. I have a copy of PARTITION MAGIC 8.0. I am in the process of attempting to set up a dual boot with WIN-XP Home and WIN 98 SE, (I will use FAT-32 for BOTH OS).

Unfortunately, I am having difficulty trying to backup my stuff to disc. I am trying to figure out how to use BACK-UP NOW DELUXE (by NTI). I keep getting errors trying to use the software. Once I resolve the error situaiton, I hope to install a second partition.

Any suggestions?

Thanks, dud

Originally posted by dud716 Yes...I have. I have a copy of PARTITION MAGIC 8.0. I am in the process of attempting to set up a dual boot with WIN-XP Home and WIN 98 SE, (I will use FAT-32 for BOTH OS).

You'll need it. I cleared up some space and tested it with XP on a FAT32 drive...it still failed to start. Ran fine in 98SE, in both software and hardware-3D modes.

Unfortunately, I am having difficulty trying to backup my stuff to disc. I am trying to figure out how to use BACK-UP NOW DELUXE (by NTI). I keep getting errors trying to use the software.

How many partitions do you have? If you're are just storing your various files, you can just drag and drop them to your CD-RW drive (use XP's built-in software).

Are you doing a "fresh start" or trying the "re-install" trick?

Actually, I'm only trying to back-up some files, (My documents, some downloads, and assorted other stuff...), I tried to test the BACKUP NOW by attempting to burn about 10Megs of stuff onto a CDRW. Does not compute!! Might be my burner...I haven't a clue...still playing with it.

I want to backup anything that I don't have the ability to reinstall without a lot of grief. It has been suggested that I do so before I use PARTITION MAGIC....sounds like a good idea, just in case my system decides to crash while creating a second partiton for WIN 98-SE.

Thanks, dud

dud716 [/i][B]Actually, I'm only trying to back-up some files, [/quote]If you can't transfer files to CD-R using XP's native cd-writing software, then something may be up with your CD-RW drive. [B][quote]I want to backup anything that I don't have the ability to reinstall without a lot of grief. It has been suggested that I do so before I use PARTITION MAGIC....sounds like a good idea, just in case my system decides to crash while creating a second partition for WIN 98-SE.[/quote] Understood. I've usually felt comfortable in backup irreplaceable files before resizing, but that's partly because it's hooked up to an UPS. [quote][i]Originally posted by dud716 wrote:

What can you tell me about creating the second partition with PARTITION MAGIC? The reason I'm asking is because I bought an OEM version, and it did not include a user's manual.

P.S. I currently have only one partition, see profile. I would like to create a second partition for WIN 98-SE.

Take a look at these:
showthread.php?threadid=988&highlight=Partition+Magic
showthread.php?threadid=1692&highlight=Partition+Magic
showthread.php?threadid=1692&highlight=Partition+Magic

I don´t have The New Adventures of the Time Machine so I can´t try it, but on this XP compatibility list is mentioned that this game can work in XP - there is also set-up for the game but no info about "ISDX_ERR_BADWINDOWSVERSION" so maybe it won´t help.

Thanks, Jiri, I'll give it a try. This is definitly an intersting site, I must look into it!
Meanwhile, I am perusing Nicht's suggestions pertaning to Partition Magic. I am more confused now then I ever was! How exciting! Trying to figure out this stuff is more exciting,(and entertaining), than any adventure game I have played. Wish me luck, I'm goin' in! 😁

dud716 wrote:

Thanks, Jiri, I'll give it a try. This is definitly an interesting site, I must look into it!

Yes, that site is really good (except of colours, but Inferno probably must be black and red 😀 ).

dud716 wrote:

Trying to figure out this stuff is more exciting,(and entertaining), than any adventure game I have played. Wish me luck, I'm goin' in! 😁

I completely agree with you. Sometimes I hate it but sometimes I also think that it is a bigger challenge then playing any adventure game. And sometimes I´m so exhausted when I finally get some game running that I can´t even play it. Thanks for so much fun, Microsoft 😀

Well, Jiri, I tried the patch. No good. I continue to get the same error message,(see above). I tend to agree with Nicht, ...the game is not meant to be played on XP. ....Microsoft, et al, suck dead squirrel nuts!! Damned carefree capitailst bastards!

I must say, the game makers aren't much help either; but then again, maybe I should be doing something constructive with my time other than playing PC games. 😀

I'm almost to the point of wiping my HD clean, and starting all over. It might be the most prudent method of getting stuff to work.

I'll set up a dual boot with 98-SE and XP. This should be exciting!!! Firstly, (like that word!), I'll install 98-SE then I'll dick around with creating a partition for XP.

....Once I get my back-up software working, that is!!

Having fun in Epping Forest,

dud716....thanks again!!!😕

Originally posted by dud716 Meanwhile, I am perusing Nicht's suggestions pertaning to Partition Magic. I am more confused now then I ever was!

Make sure that you have a copy of your BOOT.INI file copied to a floppy (make sure it's not hidden or read-only). Otherwise, you will be crying.

Trying to figure out this stuff is more exciting,(and entertaining), than any adventure game I have played. Wish me luck, I'm goin' in!

*slight tangent*
Some clever people came up with an install script for the Amiga's official installer program (yes, there really was one).

It used the installer like it was the interface for a text adventure (like INFOCOM). IIRC, to "win" the game you had to infiltrate Commodore and sneak out with an Operating System update.

dud716 wrote:

Well, Jiri, I tried the patch. No good. I continue to get the same error message,(see above). I tend to agree with Nicht, ...the game is not meant to be played on XP. ....Microsoft, et al,

Why blame Microsoft? The game's programmers must've known NT was coming as the replacement for 9x (2000 had come out and XP was on it's way). If they had bothered to make it compatible with Win2K you would be playing it right now.

Damned carefree capitailst bastards!

Actually I think the programmers are from a socialist nation. No idea if they are carefree or damned.

I'm almost to the point of wiping my HD clean, and starting all over. It might be the most prudent method of getting stuff to work.

It's the best option, but also the most tedious, time-consuming method.

I'll set up a dual boot with 98-SE and XP. This should be exciting!!!

It's a good thing to have. It's nice to know that there is a backup for those titles that simply won't work otherwise. Sometimes, it's just better to run some games in Win9x, even if you can get them running in XP.

"King's Quest VI", for example. I can get the DOS version running fine in XP, but the Windows version is a "no-go".

I prefer to run the Windows version in Win98, as it uses higher-resolution artwork.

Nicht, Thanks for the info. One thing though, I don't understand what you mean by:
Make sure that you have a copy of your BOOT.INI file copied to a floppy (make sure it's not hidden or read-only). Otherwise, you will be crying.
I haven't a clue what you are talking about. BOOT.INI Are you refering to XP? Is this needed to reinstall XP?

Any help on this?

Thanks, dud

P.S. I'm waiting on a response from MICROSFT on this very topic.

Check this out: http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/newadven … ws_2873552.html[/URL]

Originally posted by dud716 One thing though, I don't understand what you mean by:
Make sure that you have a copy of your BOOT.INI file copied to a floppy (make sure it's not hidden or read-only). Otherwise, you will be crying.
I haven't a clue what you are talking about. BOOT.INI Are you refering to XP? Is this needed to reinstall XP?

It's needed if you're going to try installing Windows 9x after XP.

XP creates this for you during a normal install. If you try the trick-install, you have to manually edit the BOOT.INI file. It's a lot easier if you have your original BOOT.INI file to use as a template.

Check this out: http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/newadven … ws_2873552.html

A shame. Cryo has been responsible for some of the more interesting and unusual game titles.

Thanks, Nicht. The best alternative, in my opinion, is to COMPLETEY wipe my hard drive clean, and start all over.
Of course I will have to back-up some of my stuff before I wipe it clean. I have WIN 98-SE and WIN XP-HOME on CD-ROM, however, I may need to download, (onto floppy disks), some startup disks for both OS's.

NOTE: I did not think that it was possible to install Win 98-SE AFTER Win XP. At least not without a lot of grief. As I have only one HD installed, I will have to partition the HD. I was under the impression that WIN 98-SE will not work properly if it is installed on a partition other than C: (Am I correct to ASSUME that you CAN NOT reassign DRIVE letters? Herein, lies the WIN 98-SE, Drive C: issue)

If this is the case,....then,I will start with a clean HD, then install WIN 98-SE, next step will be to use PARTITION MAGIC to create a second partition onto which I will install WIN XP-HOME. If I follow this model, then WIN 98-SE will be installed on Drive C:, and WIN XP-HOME can be installed on the second partition, regardless of Drive letter.

One more thing, if you don't mind, Is it neccessary to install two sets of drivers, one set for WIN 98-SE AND an additional set for WIN XP-HOME? (I understand that XP has it's own drivers, will these drivers automatically install, once WIN XP is installed to the HD?..Will these XP drivers cause a conflict with the WIN 98-SE drivers?

Wheew, I think I'm finished, and yes, I have wiped myself!!!:)

Thanks, dud716
P.S. get some sleep!!!

Originally posted by dud716 I have WIN 98-SE and WIN XP-HOME on CD-ROM, however, I may need to download, (onto floppy disks), some startup disks for both OS's.

For Win98, go to http://www.bootdisk.com and grab either the Windows95B or the 98 bootdisk. Create the floppy then test it to make sure you can access your CD-ROM drive from the floppy. For XP, make sure your PC has the capacity to boot from the CD-ROM. If not, well, you should still be OK since you can always start the installation within Windows98. In fact this has the advantage of using "Advanced" install options like copy all files to your hard drive from the CD before the install begins.

Just remember 98 MUST have control of C: and you want the "New Install" option for XP (not "Upgrade).

NOTE: I did not think that it was possible to install Win 98-SE AFTER Win XP. At least not without a lot of grief.

Well, you do have to know what you're doing and it's still too easy to goof up; but the only real problem I have with the "Reinstall Trick" is that both Win98 and XP will consider themselves to be on the C: drive. When you're running XP, 98 shows up on the D: drive, when you're running 98 it will show itself on the C; drive and XP is invisible.

I do recommend that one of the 2 OS's use a directory name other than "Windows". When in 98, it's not an issue because XP is invisible. When in XP, however, you'll have two "Windows" directories and some of the more poorly-coded programs out there may make presumptions about file locations.

By makin my Win98 install into C:\W it helps to distinguish between the two OS's. Also, it helps prevent me from running out of "environment space" for those annoying programs that insist on adding pathways to my startup sequence.

IOW,

SET PATH=C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\Q;C:\DOS;C:\BATCH;C:\SCSI;C:\DOSUTILS\HDM

becomes

SET PATH=C:\W;C:\W\COMMAND;C:\Q;C:\DOS;C:\BATCH;C:\SCSI;C:\DOSUTILS\HDM

As I have only one HD installed, I will have to partition the HD. I was under the impression that WIN 98-SE will not work properly if it is installed on a partition other than C: (Am I correct to ASSUME that you CAN NOT reassign DRIVE letters?

Correct, you can't re-assign drive letters in 98. You can in XP, but even then it can't be your boot/system drive:
showthread.php?threadid=1697&perpage=20&pagenumber=4

If this is the case,....then,I will start with a clean HD, then install WIN 98-SE, next step will be to use PARTITION MAGIC to create a second partition onto which I will install WIN XP-HOME. If I follow this model, then WIN 98-SE will be installed on Drive C:, and WIN XP-HOME can be installed on the second partition, regardless of Drive letter.

Correct, but I recommend creating a bunch of tiny little FAT partitions before installing XP. That way XP has high-letter like N: which will help prevent drive-letter-juggling when you add partitions. That way, D:/SIERRA/KQ5 STAYS D:/SIERRA/KQ5 whether I'm in 98 or XP. I delete the tiny partitions after XP has finished installing.

One more thing, if you don't mind, Is it necessary to install two sets of drivers, one set for WIN 98-SE AND an additional set for WIN XP-HOME?

Ooo. Make sure you get this straight before you even start. XP drivers will almost never been the same as Win98. Make sure you have all your drivers ready and burn them to a "drivers CD" so you have them all together when the OS needs them.

AIDA32 will collect your system info and when you look at the report it generates you'll find that it has web links for each piece of hardware where you can find their drivers.

BTW, the drivers included with an OS are almost always the oldest and poorest quality. Go get the most recent drivers from the manufacturers.

... I have wiped myself!

This visual wasn't needed.

P.S. get some sleep!

Trying...

Just to give you an idea. I've attached a script of what I typically do after a Windows install. It's written for myself, but hopefully it will give you an idea about needs to be done when installing an OS.