Trying to run Windows 95 games on VMware

[Candlelight]

Trying to get Doom working on a VMware version of Windows 95, but having issues. It is saying it can't access the video card and I should check my directx installation (which is fine). Am running a MBP.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Candlelight]

Mods, please move to science & technology. Thanks.

 

[ATimson]

Well, Windows 95 didn't come with DirectX by default like later versions of Windows do; you'll have to try to find it and install it before you can run it.

 

[Candlelight]

I have installed DirectX and it still does it, also my friend leant me a copy of Windows 98 to try and see if it fixed the problems, which it didn't.

It must be a config setting in VMware.

 

[Alaedhros]

If you strongly suspect VMware then you'll have much better luck getting a solution in their IRC channel, I think.

 

[Candlelight]

Yeah I've posted a couple of things on their forums but it's currently Sunday night as I type this... you never know...

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Why are you using VMware? Is your primary OS not Windows? Doom95 works on XP.

 

[ATimson]

Why are you using VMware? Is your primary OS not Windows? Doom95 works on XP.

No it doesn't--there's no mouse support.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Why are you using VMware? Is your primary OS not Windows? Doom95 works on XP.

No it doesn't--there's no mouse support.

Figures. I never used a mouse for Doom.

I might also recommend alternatives like ZDoom that run on modern hardware and add features but rely on the original game data.

 

[Candlelight]

Why are you using VMware? Is your primary OS not Windows? Doom95 works on XP.

My primary OS is Mac, and I have XP running on VMware as well.

Unfortunately, the XP workspace is work, while the others are mine, and I'm not allowed to install any games on XP.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Check out Doomsday Engine. It runs on Mac, and can be set to run as much like the original Doom as you want. They also have a bunch of addons that do things like replace the sprites with 3D models, and have high-res texture packs, and other stuff. Or, you can run it with the vanilla Doom IWAD file. And it supports a mouse right out of the box.

This seems like it would be considerably less work--not to mention better performance--than running it in VMWare.

 

[zephramc]

My understanding is that gaming on VmWare is hit and miss. You can try this though. Make sure you have VmWare tools installed, then add the following lines in the .vmx file (your VM has to be shutdown).

mks.enable3d = TRUE
svga.vramSize = 67108864
vmmouse.present = FALSE

This will enable Accelerated 3D, which may or may not help.

 

[Candlelight]

Thanks everyone, i will try all that is suggested.

 

[Candlelight]

My understanding is that gaming on VmWare is hit and miss. You can try this though. Make sure you have VmWare tools installed, then add the following lines in the .vmx file (your VM has to be shutdown).

mks.enable3d = TRUE
svga.vramSize = 67108864
vmmouse.present = FALSE

This will enable Accelerated 3D, which may or may not help.

Unfortunately this didn't work.

 

[Candlelight]

Check out Doomsday Engine. It runs on Mac, and can be set to run as much like the original Doom as you want. They also have a bunch of addons that do things like replace the sprites with 3D models, and have high-res texture packs, and other stuff. Or, you can run it with the vanilla Doom IWAD file. And it supports a mouse right out of the box.

This seems like it would be considerably less work--not to mention better performance--than running it in VMWare.

Have started using this. Thanks for pointing it out.