Warhammer (SotHR, Dark Omen) & Co

[Jasede]

Oh, I see now. I meant the other registry fix-

Run the Dark Omen setup, abort it, then run temp.reg. That fixed the black screen for me.

 

[pkt-zer0]

Can you hook me up with this registery thing too?
Thankee's

You don't need to do that with the full disc version, actually. (Note Marsal's post in this thread) Preferable to the rip, since the latter doesn't have music (no german or french voices, either, for that matter ).

Oh, managed to get the sound working on my laptop eventually, by the way. Luckily there was a HW sound acceleration setting where the cutscenes don't stutter yet and the sound effects still work. Conclusion: yay, it works (so far)! Thanks, sheek, and all.

 

[Yannos]

Yeah I do have the full disc version ...
Mmh, guess I'll have to keep looking

So far, Virtual PC with Windows98se just gives a black screen and my normal XP installation plays the intro and logo's just fine but stops right before going to main screen (plays main screen music though). I've tried the turning down HW acceleration but doesn't help much. Kinda thinking it might be dual core related (since the virtualpc thing seems to believe it's a dual core as well).

Or ofcourse the fact that I have a 8800 gts that just HATES older games ( Medieval TW1 & Shogun are also unplayable).



edit:

I did find a 3dfx emulator, maybe you guys could try it on Dark Omen to see if it works?

http://www.glidos.net/download.html

 

[Jasede]

Well, DID you run that temp.reg the setup created? When installing Dark Omen you have to abort the setup after running the setup.exe, then run the temp.reg, like sheek said earlier. That fixed the not getting to main screen for me.

 

[Marsal]

Yeah I do have the full disc version ...
Mmh, guess I'll have to keep looking

So far, Virtual PC with Windows98se just gives a black screen and my normal XP installation plays the intro and logo's just fine but stops right before going to main screen (plays main screen music though). I've tried the turning down HW acceleration but doesn't help much. Kinda thinking it might be dual core related (since the virtualpc thing seems to believe it's a dual core as well).

Or ofcourse the fact that I have a 8800 gts that just HATES older games ( Medieval TW1 & Shogun are also unplayable).



edit:

I did find a 3dfx emulator, maybe you guys could try it on Dark Omen to see if it works?

http://www.glidos.net/download.html

You got the version from the link I provided and replaced the cursors as written in instructions? If so, I don't have any smart suggestions Turn on the compatibility mode (right click on exe...) perhaps?

Or this:

run "regedit"
under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\Dark Omen\1.0\Options\Options set "Selected" to "0" Instead of ''4''

I just finished the campaign and it ran pretty much flawlessly. I found some Frankenstein version of SotHR that's supposed to run on XP, I'll post a link if it works (download is very slow atm).

 

[Yannos]

Yeah, thing is ; I can't really follow those instructions (aside from the cursor) since I don't even get far enough to change the rendering to CPU.

I'm now downloading Dark Omen cd rip from HOTU to see if that works.

Well, DID you run that temp.reg the setup created? When installing Dark Omen you have to abort the setup after running the setup.exe, then run the temp.reg, like sheek said earlier. That fixed the not getting to main screen for me.

I have the cd-rom version of the game which doesn't have the setup thing I'm afraid.

 

[Marsal]

Yeah, thing is ; I can't really follow those instructions (aside from the cursor) since I don't even get far enough to change the rendering to CPU.

run "regedit"
under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\Dark Omen\1.0\Options\Options set "Selected" to "0" Instead of ''4''

Try messing with this. This is where options are written. You can set cpu rendering and cursors from here.

 

[pkt-zer0]

Yeah, thing is ; I can't really follow those instructions (aside from the cursor) since I don't even get far enough to change the rendering to CPU.

Ugh, you mean that Virtual PC itself gives you a black screen, without Win98 even starting up? That's odd. Did you even manage to install Win98 on it, or you didn't even get that far?
You might try messing around with CPU affinities so it only runs on one core.

Here are the exported registry keys for the settings that work for me, left out the parts that set paths to various directories, since the full version's installer should do that.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\Dark Omen\1.0\Options]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\Dark Omen\1.0\Options\3DDebug]
"PerspectiveCorrection"="1"
"Prelighting"="1"
"GouraudShading"="1"
"RenderParticles"="1"
"RenderBattlefield"="1"
"RenderSprites"="1"
"RenderPortrait"="1"
"DisplayOverlays"="1"
"LightEdit"="0"
"MapGrab"="0"
"RequestBattle"="0"
"FullScreen"="1"
"TextureFilter"="1"
"EnableSound"="1"
"EnableMusic"="1"
"RenderArea"="0"
"DebugMessages"="0"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\Dark Omen\1.0\Options\Multi]
"plx"="0"
"ply"="0"
"plw"="438"
"plh"="300"
"playername"="MorganB"
"service"="IPX Connection For DirectPlay"
"nsx"="0"
"nsy"="0"
"nsw"="260"
"nsh"="530"
"assert"="1"
"logsingle"="0"
"logmulti"="0"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\Dark Omen\1.0\Options\Options]
"Selected"="1"
"HardwareSelected"="256"
"SoftwareSelected"="228"
"MMXSelected"="160"
"ToolTips"="1"
"MusicVolume"="540"
"SFXVolume"="750"
"SoftwareSoundQuality"="2"
"SoftwareParticleQuality"="2"
"MMXSoundQuality"="2"
"MMXParticaleQuality"="1"
"HardwareSoundQuality"="2"
"HardwareParticleQuality"="1"
"InformationNum"="1"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\Dark Omen\1.0\Options\Sound]
"status"="1"
"channels"="12"
"outputrate"="22050"

Also, it seems to me that the HotU version isn't any different, just with certain stuff missing, so that shouldn't change compatibility.

EDIT: Here's a VirtualPC install tutorial, in case it helps.

 

[Yannos]

No no, I can get VirtualPc running just fine, it's when I run Dark omen ON virtual pc that it gives me a black screen (and returns my cursor to the host pc, meaning it probably froze).

on my Host pc (the winxp) the intro's play fine but the game doesn't get to the main menu (aside from the music playing). Sometimes I can alt tab to kill the process but usually I have to reset.


I'll fiddle around in the registry a bit (in xp). Thing is, unless you make a succesful first start up, some reg keys never appear so I guess I'll have to make 'em myself thanks to your reg info.

Sorry if I'm being a pain in the ass :D , but I just don't understand why it won't work on my normal pc AND the virtual pc

 

[Trash]

Thanks a lot people, both for the great thread and the helpfull advice here. Got both my old copies of Shadow and Dark Omen running again. Though I had to download the wing.dll archive to get shadow running properly.

Was addicted to these in the past, lets see how they play today.

 

[Jasede]

They play awesomely~

A bit clunky though, but they've always been. Glad this thread made some people play those fine, fine games again.

 

[Trash]

Yup, they're still great. Having a blast with the missions. About Dark Omen being less open than Shadow is unfortunately right. At the start that is, you'll get plenty of optional routes later. But they're hard, really hard.


Missed the damn crossbows in the start of Shadow. Damned, I'll have to reload an older save. I always liked having a few missile units.

 

[Marsal]

I agree, nice thread Jasede. You should make "lets play Warhammer" thread, like Surgey did with DF.

I'll start playing SotHR in a couple of hours, Dark Omen was too "random" for me (ie. I managed to accidentally run the Dread King over with the steam tank, after I lost half of the cavalry I sent after him to a stray shell... go figure).

I have played SotHR long ago, but don't remember much about it. Let's hope I'll like it

EDIT: How are the missile units in SotHR? I found crossbow men pretty useless in Dark Omen (cannon too). Elven archers were pretty awesome, due to high rate of fire and arched shot, as was the mortar (shorter range than cannon, but I didn't have to be careful not to shoot my own troops in the back).

Is there a "active pause" option in SotHR? I really could have used it in Dark Omen. I like playing strategy games casually, but had to play Dark Omen as Warcraft 3, with shortcuts and lot of clicking and fast scrolling.

 

[Jasede]

I agree, nice thread Jasede. You should make "lets play Warhammer" thread, like Surgey did with DF.

I actually think that's a good idea, the game lends itself well to it. ("So guys, shall we escort the elf-fag to Loren, help the dwarves in Zhufbar or screw them and help the humans defend their villages? The first choice is super-hard, the second choice really difficult and the third choice incredibly hard. You decide!")

However, it's hair-tearingly hard, just like the math homework I got today, and the physics homework. Maybe if I have some time at the weekend and there's some interest.

Edit: I never owned the full version so I don't have the (supposedly) awesome cutscenes, so I can only do Dark Omen.

 

[Yannos]

I have the full version of Shadow though; maybe there's a simple way to extract 'em.
I just gave up on my Shadow campaign though, the lack of reinforcements for the last couple of mission coupled with the loss of Ragnar's riders is a bit much. The game really expects you to show up with full stacks of guys I think when they designed the missions. Reality is a cruel bitch since you're lucky to have half stacks of men sometimes.

 

[Marsal]

I just played the first mission of SotHR. The interface is clunky, I ended up just looking and clicking on the mini map, because camera controls are awful. Half the time I get disoriented and don't know where the enemy is (by looking at the main screen, mini map helps). And this was with just 2 regiments.

Maybe I'll grow to like it...

Oh, btw. it works flawlessly on XP. "Cinematics", music, sound, everything just works. I was very much surprised.

If anyone needs the game, PM me for instructions. I'd post the torrent link, but it's not a public tracker. As I understood it, it's some custom made mix of different versions of the game, so I dont think anyone else has it.

 

[Trash]

You can find torrents for both Dark Omen and Shadow on either torrentspy or isohunt. They're like ten years old, so I wouldn't be too squimish about getting them. Enjoy!

 

[JoKa]

i second the notion of you doing a Let's Play, Jasede, whether it's Rat or DO. i started rat yesterday (and got up to the orc mission...oh well), but haven't played DO due to graphics problems. have to play around with the registry and the cursors a bit more.

so: there's interest in a Let's Play

 

[Jasede]

Everyone hangs at the orc mission.

You know, if I ever see someone do it without using the crossbowmen they have my deepest respect. And if you manage it without the black avengers I delcare you Master of Tactics.

RE Let's Play, I'll see what I can do. Just installed Fraps.

 

[pkt-zer0]

Interest++ for the Let's Play. Mainly since I believe I'll have woefully little time to play Dark Omen myself.

Also, if things work out exceptionally well, could there be a chance of some multiplayer Dark Omen goodness?

 

[JoKa]

yeehaw, just did the orc mission...on the 2nd try today (ok, and 15 yesterday..)! and without too many losses, so all my regiments are at full strenght for the next mission...but oh well, i'm stuck at the next mission, because i'm still not used to the view and get lost too often.

 

[Yannos]

Got Dark Omen to work on Virtual Pc thanks to pkt-zer0!

For some reason, I think it doesn't like Windows98 Second Edition!


Muchos Gracias again

 

[herne]

I came across this thread and forum while browsing for a possible solution to get Dark Omen running on my computer. I'm desperate by now. I have literally dreamed about playing this game, and it's been better than any wet dream could ever be. I got this game back in 2000, and played the shit out of it until I got a new computer a couple of years back, with Windows XP. Needless to say, it won't run. I've read dozens of solutions on the net, many of them fool-proof and guaranteed to work, but it still doesn't work for me.

Could I get a summarized "how to run dark omen on your xp-infested computer" - for dummies- post by one of you people that actually know what you're talking about? Reading this thread I really got the image that you guys know what you're on about.

It'd be insanely much appreciated!


Oh, and Edit: I downloaded Virtual PC and created a virtual win98 and ran it.. And didn't have a clue what to do next.

 

[herne]

I came across this thread and forum while browsing for a possible solution to get Dark Omen running on my computer. I'm desperate by now. I have literally dreamed about playing this game, and it's been better than any wet dream could ever be. I got this game back in 2000, and played the shit out of it until I got a new computer a couple of years back, with Windows XP. Needless to say, it won't run. I've read dozens of solutions on the net, many of them fool-proof and guaranteed to work, but it still doesn't work for me.

Could I get a summarized "how to run dark omen on your xp-infested computer" - for dummies- post by one of you people that actually know what you're talking about? Reading this thread I really got the image that you guys know what you're on about.

It'd be insanely much appreciated!


Oh, and Edit: I downloaded Virtual PC and created a virtual win98 and ran it.. And didn't have a clue what to do next.

Pretty please? I _will_ bump this relentlessly, I desperately want to play my favourite game of all time after years and years of waiting.

 

[sqeecoo]

Oh Jasede (and everyone else),
here is how to play the game under XP (I tested it and it works) :

1)Copy RMORPH folder contents to your windows\system32 folder.
2)Copy WARFB folder to C:\GAMES folder (or whatever folder you want, but then you'll need to change paths in reg file).
3)Create empty folder TEMP inside WARFB folder.
4)Create folder UPDATE inside WARFB folder.
5)Create folder BINARY inside WARFB\UPDATE folder.
6)Copy only files (not the folders!) from <your>\WARFB\FILE\BINARY to C:\GAMES\WARFB\UPDATE\BINARY folder.
7)Run the included file SOTHR.reg to register required dlls.
8)In your WARFB folder set for game executable compatibility option "Run in 256-color mode".
9)Run the game. If you want windowed mode, ALT-TAB from it and then select it from taskbar, it should stay windowed.




<haven't got the reg file uploaded anywhere, but just make a reg file yerself with the following contents :

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mindscape]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mindscape\WarHammerFB]
"Options"="1,1,1,1,1,2,1,1"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mindscape\WarHammerFB\InstallDir]
@="C:\\GAMES\\WARFB"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mindscape\WarHammerFB\InstallOption]
@="Maximum"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mindscape\WarHammerFB\Language]
@="ENG"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mindscape\WarHammerFB\LocalDir]
@="C:\\GAMES\\WARFB\\FILE"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mindscape\WarHammerFB\RemoteDir]
@="C:\\GAMES\\WARFB\\REMOTE"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mindscape\WarHammerFB\SaveDir]
@="C:\\GAMES\\WARFB\\TEMP"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mindscape\WarHammerFB\UpdateDir]
@="C:\\GAMES\\WARFB\\Update"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLLs]
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\WING.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\WING32.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\WINGDE.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\WINGDIB.DRV"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\WINGPAL.WND"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RLDDF.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RLDDI.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFTF.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFTI.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFT\\RLFRG16M.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFT\\RLFRG256.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFT\\RLFRG64K.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFT\\RLFRM16M.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFT\\RLFRM256.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFT\\RLFRM64K.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFT\\RLIRG16M.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFT\\RLIRG256.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFT\\RLIRG64K.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFT\\RLIRM16M.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFT\\RLIRM256.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00
"C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\RL\\SOFT\\RLIRM64K.DLL"=hex:01,00,00,00





Enjoy!