Because X-COM games are old, and that new computers work with different operating systems (Windows 2000 & XP are not DOS based OS), it can be tricky to play. In windows XP, there is the "Compatibility Mode" that can help out sometimes, however, sometimes it's not enough. The best of course is to run them all on Windows 98SE. But if you don't, here are some pointers and utilities that can help you run X-COM more smoothly.
Note: scroll down to access the utilities.
XCOMUFO.com's bug FAQ (technical bugs)
X-COM 1 X-COM 2 X-COM 3
X-COM 1 & 2:
(Please note that the demo of X-COM 1 does NOT work in DOSBox. The demo for TFTD works, but there is no sound effects.)
Use a CPU-slower program, such as Moslo or Turbo. Because these games were meant for 486's and first generation of Pentium, Today's computers are way too fast for the game's internal clock. Such utilities are live-savers as they restore the original game speed. Because they are DOS-based, you can also use VDMSound if you don't have a Sound Blaster sound card to emulate the sound.
Another software was brought up to my attention, called DOSBox. This utility does it all! After some tweaks in the configuration, I was able to play without any problems on Windows XP! To help you out, here are some configuration recommendations:
- I have a Pentium 4 1.7 GHz. I have set the CPU cycles to 8500 with Frameskip set to 1 to play X-COM 1 & 2. I also changed the sound card configuration as follows: IRQ=5 & DMA=1. Please read the readme file carefully to know how to calculate the cycles setting for your computer.
- You can also use the last section [autoexec] of the configuration to have DOS based command lines executed automatically. For example, I added the following lines:
mount c c:\games\
c:
If you need more details you can email me here or visit DOSBox's website.
X-COM Apocalypse:
(About the Demo: I was able to install correctly the game only if I used DOSBox. However, I had to make the sound configuration outside of DOSBox, as setup.exe would freeze. I was able to run the Demo in DOSBox without any problems.)
This game is also DOS-based, so running the "Compatibility Mode" in Windows can prove useful. VDMSound as well can help out with the sound if you don't have a Sound Blaster card.
For Windows 2000 / XP users, see the xcomufo.com's forum thread here.
You can also use the DOSBox utility. See above for details.
X-COM Interceptor:
There is an issue with Windows XP and Interceptor:
- It only occurs in Single-Player mode. you can play missions against the above targets fine using the Simulator.
- Only the Alien Base, Sensor Probe, Data Jammer Probe and Pirate Base are affected. Alien Outposts, OPPs or Pirate Ships aren't effected in any way.
- The "invisible" target is always positioned at -0,00km from your ship at a SE direction.
- The probe's sound doesn't stop annoying you EVER during the mission, not even when you're going into hyperspace.
- The missions don't apparently have any other active targets besides the "invisible" probe/base, but when you leave the mission they leave the probe/base and come after you. you also get a Mission Failed and 0 score for doing nothing on the mission.
Unfortunately, no fix has been found, except to play the game in Windows 98. For more information on this issue, please visit xcomufo.com's forum here.
UFO: Aftermath:
So far, the only issues I've encountered are video drivers issues. Please check your driver versions and those tested by Altar Interactive. Don't be afraid to install an older driver, if it means that you won't get any problems playing UFO: Aftermath. click here for Altar's support page, or here for their interactive support form.
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DOSBox (663 Kb)
A very useful utility if you want to play X-COM on today's computers & operating system. It may take you a while to configure it properly, but backup your configuration file and you'll be good to go!
(Description taken from the website)
DOSBox is a DOS-emulator that uses the SDL-library which makes DOSBox very easy to port to different platforms. DOSBox has already been ported to many different platforms, such as Windows, BeOS, Linux, MacOS X...
DOSBox also emulates CPU:286/386 realmode/protected mode, Directory FileSystem/XMS/EMS, Tandy/Hercules/CGA/EGA/VGA/VESA graphics, a SoundBlaster/Gravis Ultra Sound card for excellent sound compatibility with older games...
You can "re-live" the good old days with the help of DOSBox, it can run plenty of the old classics that don't run on your new computer!
DOSBox is totally free of charge and OpenSource.
Turbo (51 Kb)
Turbo is a free utility program. It allows you to slow down your processor in order to execute older programs, such as X-COM. Because it is Windows-based, it is easier to use than Moslo. Use this program for X-COM 1 & 2.
VDMSound is a program that lets you emulate a Sound Blaster card in DOS games with almost any other card.Here is a description taken from their website:
VDMSound is a program that overcomes what has probably been the most exasperating limitation of DOS boxes since Windows NT -- sound support. VDMSound is an open, plug-in oriented platform that emulates an MPU-401 interface (for outputting high-quality MIDI music), a Sound Blaster compatible (SB16, SB Pro 2, SB2, SB Pro, etc.) implementation (for digital sound effects and FM/Ad Lib music), as well as a standard game-port interface (for playing games with joystick support). In development are improvements to the existing joystick emulation, and possibly VESA support.
Unlike all the Win9x Sound Blaster ISA 'legacy' drivers available from a variety of PCI sound card manufacturers, VDMSound is not a mere 'wrapper' or 'bridge' to existing audio hardware. It is a self-contained, 100% software emulation program that is completely independent of your audio hardware type and settings. VDMSound works with any sound card, and will even work on computers that have no audio hardware at all (for instance, instead of outputting sounds through your sound card using the standard Windows drivers, VDMSound can easily output them to disk).
To visit their website, click here
