new build for older games

[m65]

I want to put together an inexpensive system for a child that loves those cheap games on Big Fish and a couple of old games on disk 🙁Age of Empires and Roads of Rome.) I know from experience that these don't play well with some systems. They wont play on our newer laptops that boast being able to play all the latest games. What CPU, GPU dedicated or integrated, direct x 9,10,11, and OS. I am thinking 32 bit. Any ideas are much appreciated.

 

[Shneiky]

Did you try to run all those games in compatibility mode?

----

Right click on the .exe . Click on the "Compatibility" tab. Choose an OS close to the date of the game/program/application. Like Win 95 / 98 / Millennium or XP.

 

[geofelt]

32 bit is necessary for my all time favorite, civilization 2(not the gold edition)
To that end, I built a pc explicitly so I could get my fix.
But, 32 bit is no longer sold new. I might suggest a pre build pc from Lenovo that uses windows 7, or possibly a used pc from craig's list or ebay. If it comes with windows 7 64 bit, realize that you can reinstall the 32 bit version using a borrowed 32 bit dvd and the original 64 bit activation key.
Here is one for $302: http://outlet.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/outlet_us/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=445&Code=ES06826388-7724XF1
Or, how about this unit for $99? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Refurbished-IBM-Desktop-Computer-Windows-7-Home-Premium-2G-RAM-Pentium-4-3-2-Ghz-/141010682129?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item20d4e44111#ht_2188wt_1044

 

[m65]

32 bit is necessary for my all time favorite, civilization 2(not the gold edition)
To that end, I built a pc explicitly so I could get my fix.
But, 32 bit is no longer sold new. I might suggest a pre build pc from Lenovo that uses windows 7, or possibly a used pc from craig's list or ebay. If it comes with windows 7 64 bit, realize that you can reinstall the 32 bit version using a borrowed 32 bit dvd and the original 64 bit activation key.
Here is one for $302: http://outlet.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/outlet_us/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=445&Code=ES06826388-7724XF1

 

[Shneiky]

Well at least when I needed, the Compatibility mode has did the job for me. Running in compatibility mode for Windows 98 for example (on my windows 7 64-bit) has made me run 32 bit programs/games. But I cannot say it works 100% of the time. Worth a try at least.

 

[m65]

I have a couple of win XP OEM that I got a couple of years ago. I had installed one of them on the kid's old PC'S. It finally breathed it's last breath, But I still have the disks somewhere. Would that do? Or I could buy a copy as they are cheap.I don't think they are being supported anymore, but does that really mean anything as it will be used for old games and a little bit of browsing?

 

[m65]

Well at least when I needed, the Compatibility mode has did the job for me. Running in compatibility mode for Windows 98 for example (on my windows 7 64-bit) has made me run 32 bit programs/games. But I cannot say it works 100% of the time. Worth a try at least.

 

[m65]

I tried the compatibility mode with little success. If it installs, it wont play. Surprisingly It works with Vista although it tends to stutter and occasionally lock up.

 

[Shneiky]

What game/application are we talking about?

 

[m65]

What game/application are we talking about?

 

[m65]

Age of Empires 2, Roads of Rome and Solar Empire.

 

[swifty_morgan]

sometime run as admin works.

sometimes if you disable cores they will work or work better.

XP still supported until 2014.

if you have W7 pro or better you can set up a virtual "XP" machine to run older games on.

64bit-32bit.......... the programs should still work.

information here............ check W7 versions first.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwindows.microsoft.com%2Fen-us%2Fwindows7%2Finstall-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7&ei=VTzjUdstr77gA86ygOgD&usg=AFQjCNEGhbj4LSemgRvNFucLVi0z60x8dA&bvm=bv.48705608,d.dmg&cad=rja

 

[m65]

sometime run as admin works.

sometimes if you disable cores they will work or work better.

XP still supported until 2014.

if you have W7 pro or better you can set up a virtual "XP" machine to run older games on.

64bit-32bit.......... the programs should still work.

information here............ check W7 versions first.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwindows.microsoft.com%2Fen-us%2Fwindows7%2Finstall-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7&ei=VTzjUdstr77gA86ygOgD&usg=AFQjCNEGhbj4LSemgRvNFucLVi0z60x8dA&bvm=bv.48705608,d.dmg&cad=rja

 

[m65]

what about the GPU? Do older games that had requirements of direct X9 work with the newer Direct X 11?

 

[nostall]

what about the GPU? Do older games that had requirements of direct X9 work with the newer Direct X 11?

Some do, a lot don't. Are you, or your child, playing on a modern laptop, or are you using a desktop (mid or full tower PC)?

If you are using a tower, you might get away with buying a new hard drive and installing Windows XP or maybe even 98 on that drive, and the kids games and boot from that OS when the kid wanted to play. If you do that it is MOST important to disconnect any other hard drives before installing to the new drive lest you overwrite your current W7/8/vista OS.
Another idea: check garage sales for old PC's, or make contact with local school districts and see if they will sell you (or give you) one of their older obsolete and unused (retired) PCs.
Did that for my grandson's first PC.