Question No longer able to install 32 bit software on a 64bit windows 10

[Ing17]

Hi everyone I have a gaming PC (i 5 6600k non-overclocked) and a R9 380. This happened a long time ago though but I was able to play old nostalgic games that I have lying around (Toy story activity center, Scooby doo and jinx at the sphinx) both of which are 90s PC games and are 32 bit. Ever since windows update of which I don't know when, (I have the latest windows 10 version) these no longer run or even install. It runs the task manager but nothing on screen so any solution?

 

[Colif]

did you install them using compatibility modes? - https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/set-compatibility-mode-windows-10

Jinx at Sphinx from 2001 but they sure are old games.

I don't think problem is 32bit, more likely just age of games.

 

[richiestang_78]

Colif nailed it, its not really a 32bit or 64bit issue, its a old <Mod Edit> game problem. Things have changed a lot and older software isn't always going to work.

A quick Google searched uncovered this

https://www.play-old-pc-games.com/2015/01/19/scooby-jinx-sphinx/

 

[Ing17]

Still not working. The interesting part is it works fine on my crappy laptop with windows 10. The installation exe just refuses to show up anywhere else besides the task manager

 

[Colif]

I would just use the laptop then, older games more likely to work on older hardware

I have games that are only 10 years old that have problems playing on my hardware, so a game from 20 or more years ago is an order of magnitude harder. At least the 10 year old games load, they just don't like 4k and their interfaces are way too small to read. You trying to play single core games on mult core CPU and hardware that didn't exist at time they were created. Its hard enough to get win 7 to run on new hardware, let alone win XP age games.

Many people keep old PC around to play old games.

 

[Ing17]

I would just use the laptop then, older games more likely to work on older hardware

I have games that are only 10 years old that have problems playing on my hardware, so a game from 20 or more years ago is an order of magnitude harder. At least the 10 year old games load, they just don't like 4k and their interfaces are way too small to read. You trying to play single core games on mult core CPU and hardware that didn't exist at time they were created. Its hard enough to get win 7 to run on new hardware, let alone win XP age games.

Many people keep old PC around to play old games.

Thanks for the reply well I guess thats the only way. Though u suggest running a VM just for old games I mean my back catalog is quite huge with games like magic school bus, jumpstart etc would it work on a VM though (I know seems like an overkill but still)

 

[Colif]

Thanks for the reply well I guess thats the only way. Though u suggest running a VM just for old games I mean my back catalog is quite huge with games like magic school bus, jumpstart etc would it work on a VM though (I know seems like an overkill but still)

VM could be the way forward, it is always possible. Would need to see if games have any issues running in one, but it is an alternative. I will ask someone who uses them, unlike me.

 

[gardenman]

The installation exe just refuses to show up anywhere else besides the task manager

This could indicate overzealous security software. If you are sure the installs are safe, try temporarily disabling any security software to see the install will run though.

I would consider a Clean boot if that didn't work.

Many people keep old PC around to play old games.

I bought a Dell yesterday for $5 (plus $35 shipping). It's 2.8 Ghz, 768MB of RAM and comes with WinXP on a 60GB HDD. Not much else (no Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor). But most older PCs can be had on ebay for around $100-ish. Good XP systems fully capable of playing older games.

VMs are great for running older software but things aren't perfect. VMs basically set up a whole fake PC and therefore usually don't have full access to some/most of your hardware, for example, the video card. This means some games will run, many won't. I've been able to run The Sims and many of it's add-ons in a WinXP VM once. But many other games I've tried simply quit with a 3D error or graphics error of some type or another. I've only used Oracle VirtualBox and I haven't tried looking for ways around this. There may be ways around it. Other VM software may be better. You'll also need to find Windows XP. Microsoft does have a version that you can download and use in VMs but what most people won't tell you is that it expires in 30-days and will no longer boot.

For any DOS games, also consider DOSBox which should work on Windows 10.