What in W2K makes it not run some games?

[MrCool]

I was trying out a demo disk that I got with the recent issue of Maximum PC. Half of the demos don't work; they either have anomalies or they flat-out wont start. What is it that W2K does differently than W9x/Me? I understand some of the fundamental differences such as the file systems and the kernels, but this has me puzzled.

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

DirectX, DOS, NTKernel, to name a few.

 

[rbV5]

Most new Games play very well in win2k, it may not be Win2k that keeps them from playing. Which demos aren't working?

If you understand kernels, then you know how very different Win9x and WinNT are.

 

[MrCool]

Using DirectX 8.1. The demos that work: Giants: CitKab, Fate of the Dragon, Fallout Tactics. That don't: Blade of Darkness, NBA Live 2001, Summoner (worked for a while). Haven't tried Gore or Triple Play 2002 yet.

Hamburgerpimp, what about NTkernel, DOS, etc. are causing problems?

 

[TonyRic]

Win9x is based on MSDos and NT/2000 are not, the fundamental way that the OS' interact with the hardware is what is stopping some of these games from running, either they want directr access to memory or the Vid Card or what have you to help speed up the game... This is mostly what is stopping you from running them... Go to MS' web site and read up on on the differences between win9x/Me and Win NT/2000...

 

[rbV5]

That would be 25% using your count BTW,

According to the Developer's Forum, Blade of Darkness does run under win2k (according to users in the Forum)

According to Nt CompatibleNBA Live 2001 Demo runs under Win2k, Summoner does run under win2k, Triple Play 2002 does run under Win2k.

According to the Developer's Homepage, Gore does run under Win2k.

It does look to me that all those particular games will run under Win2k, your mileage may vary.

 

[kw3i]

ive only had trouble with 1 game under 2k and it was a machine specific situation, so i guess it wasnt even 2k that was the problem: )

 

[Looney]

I have yet to run into a game i couldn't get working under Win2k... but then again i don't play games that are older than 2 years (oldest is everquest, newest is B&W).

 

[MrCool]

Then I conclude that it is obviously my setup. I have something wrong. 12.10 nVidia drivers maybe?

 

[AndyHui]

Have you tried the compatibility updates for Win2K? That fixes most games.