HELP!! Problems using DL with Windows Vista???

blasted spiders · Post by **blasted spiders** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 9:59 pm

HELP!! I recently bought a new computer with Windows Vista. I installed DL, And it worked fine for a few days. Now When I save a game, then try to re-open the game I get an error I've not seen before. Here is the code... TerrQuad_ReadTerrOBjFileInfo:: Invalid Slot #0 ... I've tried starting several new games and saving in different slots and the only result I get is the Invalid slot number changes.

I also tried to move the existing games to another folder and starting a new game with the same result. the odd thing there is even after emptying the save folder and starting a new game there are still a few slots that show saved games in them.

I even tried to copy older saves to the new game with the same results.

I've checked the various DL web sites and even Microsoft and found no answers to this question.

I had heard that Vista had many compatability issues with existing S-ware, games in particular. This may be just be one to add to that list, But I am at a loss as to what to do. Any help would be appreciated.

Iceman1963 · Post by **Iceman1963** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:48 am

Because this game was made before the existance of Vista it seems it's not compatable with it.. One more reason to not change operating systems until it's completely debugged.

Iceman1963 · Post by **Iceman1963** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 5:51 pm

Also

Try disabling the Firewall for Vista unless you want to go through the 23 steps to set up access to the web for the game. And repeating it everytime you turn off your computer.

darkpark · Post by **darkpark** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 6:01 pm

Try running the game in compatibility mode. Beyond that, I'm not sure either since Vista is so new.

Scottg · Post by **Scottg** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:04 pm

I have exactly the same problem. I just uninstalled DL CE and will place it on a dual-boot portion with Win2k (..and remove the Explorer shell for Lightstep for that Win2k).

MS's idea of using Virtual PC 2007 is laughable for a gaming application. The virtual video card isn't up to it, nor does it have USB capability (which kills game controllers). The answer then is dual-boot OS's. (..on the other hand Virtual PC 2007 is awesome for the internet - totally isolated "sand box" solution that can never harm your Vista OS with spyware & viruses while allowing access from within a Vista window. In fact that's what I'm on right now writing this!)

Complicated yes - but there are bound to be plenty of games that will have problems with Vista, even the 32 bit version.

Note here is an article on "compatibility mode":

WindowsDevCenter.com -- Ensuring Application Compatibility in Vista

I haven't tried this myself yet.

blasted spiders · Post by **blasted spiders** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:36 pm

Still frustrated

Thanks fellow gamers,

It's pretty much the answers I expected, Vista is too new and full of BUGS.

(Thanks Bill)! However a couple of you did offer some suggestions. IF I knew I could creat a 2nd OS on this computer without damaging Vista I might just be tempted to give it a shot. For the time being I will try the lesser of the evils.

Almost enough to make a gamer want to change ofer to Mac :laugh:

Anyway thanks again.

Scottg · Post by **Scottg** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:53 am

blasted spiders wrote:Thanks fellow gamers,

It's pretty much the answers I expected, Vista is too new and full of BUGS. (Thanks Bill)! However a couple of you did offer some suggestions. IF I knew I could creat a 2nd OS on this computer without damaging Vista I might just be tempted to give it a shot. For the time being I will try the lesser of the evils.

Almost enough to make a gamer want to change ofer to Mac :laugh:

Anyway thanks again.

Actually it isn't that Vista is full of BUGS - but rather their extreme use of security to prevent BUGS (..and in fact Vista is FAR superior to any OS Microsoft has created thus far). IF you were to turn off the User Account Control for Vista - then I suspect most of the problems would go away (..provided you are using the 32 bit version), of course IF you do this then you could be opening the "gateway" to problems in the future from spyware/malware/viruses etc..

To Dual-Boot all you'll need is a "full" windows xp,win2k, or win98ME OS installation disc and a partition on your drive with enough space for your games and the respective operating system. Basically its just like installing Vista. In fact Vista provides a nice bootmanger so that when you turn on your computer with both operating systems installed you'll be given the opportunity to select the OS you want to load. If your interested in this then give google a "whirl" and see what info is available and to your liking on the subject.

Vista currently has 2 real problems:

1. The above (in that "legacy" applications like most of the games available for the PC - won't always meet the stringent policies of Vista's User Account Control.. and worse, game developers have no incentive to do so on these older games).

2. Drivers for Vista (for a great deal of hardware) are either poor or non-existent. I've got a pair of 7600 GS video cards configured in SLI, but don't have any driver capable of SLI.. Thats Nvidia's fault. These Hardware Manufacturer's have known for quite a while that Vista was "eminent".

blasted spiders · Post by **blasted spiders** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:17 pm

One of these suggestions worked....

Thanks Scottg, Your suggestion about turning off the user account conrtrols worked within limits. Yes it leaves the system open to all kinds of other nastiness. But in my case I don't play DL online anyway. So it is an acceptable fix, although somewhat annoying having to reboot the computer. Just something I'll have to live with until a more permanent fix comes out. I really wasn't thrilled about the dual boot option. I would have had to reboot the computer anyway, plus the space on the HDD I would lose to the second OS. Then there is also the hassle of having to set up a second OS. Could I even do that without losing my existing OS. Vista has it's quirks, but it also has some "really sweet" features too which I would've hated to lose.

Anyway thanks again.

At least I can play again now.

kathycf · Post by **kathycf** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:02 pm

It seems like you have your problem under control, but this article might make for interesting reading. I didn't see Dungeon Lords mentioned specifically, but I only skimmed it.

Will Vista Run Your Games: The Final Word