[Info] How to run older Command & Conquer titles on Windows 8.1 [ Edited ]

[EA_Nils]

Some players have reported difficulties playing older Command & Conquer titles on a newer PC. The following steps should be sufficient to get your games running on Windows 8.1.

Run the game in Compatibility mode and as an Administrator

Older programs can be run on newer Windows OS versions by telling Windows to act like the older version they need. This is known as running the program in Compatibility mode. If you have a Desktop shortcut for the game, you can right-click that to get started. If you did not create a Desktop shortcut icon for this game, please navigate to the following folder location: 

• C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\

Within the game's folder, look for the game application itself, and right-click on it.

Whether you right-clicked from the Program Files directory or the Desktop shortcut, selectProperties in the right-click menu. On the window that opens, click on the tab for Compatibility.



Under Compatibility mode, check the box beside Run this program in compatibility mode for:, then select Windows XP (Service Pack 3) in the drop-down. If you are not offered Windows XP, then choose Windows Vista (Service Pack 1). 

Finally, in the same window, check the box beside Run this program as an administrator. ClickApply, then OK.


Configure Game Properties in Origin

In addition to the changes you're making on Windows, there are a couple of minor settings to configure within Origin.

1. Launch the Origin client on your computer, and go to My Games
2. Right-click the game, and select Game Properties
3. In the text field, type -Win
4. Check the box beside Disable Origin in Game for this game
5. Click OK

Run the game in 16-bit high color

This change is intended to accommodate the difference in the graphics between the older game and the newer system.

1. Right-click the game's Desktop shortcut (or the application itself in the Program Files (x86) directory), and choose Properties.
2. Select the Compatibility tab.
3. Check the box beside Reduced color mode, and select the option for 16-bit in the drop-down.
4. Click Apply, then OK.

If you do not have a listing for 16-bit color in your options, that may be a limitation of your hardware or driver. This may ultimately prevent you from running the game, but please first proceed with the remaining steps below.


Create or edit the Options.ini file

There is a file the game looks for upon launching. If that file does not yet exist, the game will assume it can run at its standard, default settings. Creating or updating this file to the specifications below will tell the game the right settings to use when it tries to launch.

1. Navigate to your Documents directory.
2. Locate the game's folder in that directory. It may be nested within a folder called Electronic Arts or EA Games, or it may simply appear by the game title.
3. Is there a file called Options.ini in this folder? If so, skip to step 7. If not, proceed to step 4.
4. Right-click on a blank space inside the folder, and select New > Text Document.
5. A new Notepad file will appear with the placeholder title New Text Document. Right-click that file, and select Rename.
6. Name the file Options.ini and hit Enter.
7. Right-click the Options.ini file and choose Edit.
8. The file should be blank at this point. If it is not, delete any existing text so that you can start with a blank file. Select the following text, and copy it to your clipboard (Ctrl & C). Paste (Ctrl & V) the content into the text file. Then save the file.

AntiAliasing = 
DrawScrollAnchor = 
FirewallBehavior = 1
FirewallNeedToRefresh = FALSE
FirewallPortAllocationDelta = 0
GameSpyIPAddress = 0.0.0.0
Gamma = 50
IPAddress = 0.0.0.0
IdealStaticGameLOD = Low
LanguageFilter = false
MoveScrollAnchor = 
MusicVolume = 55
Resolution = 
Retaliation = yes
SFX3DVolume = 57
SFXVolume = 51
ScrollFactor = 28
SendDelay = no
StaticGameLOD = High
UseAlternateMouse = no
UseDoubleClickAttackMove = no
VoiceVolume = 70

The "Resolution"  line is best filled in with your desktop resolution. The syntax is simply "Resolution = 1920 1080"; width and height separated by spaces.

Try a lower resolution setting

If none of the above steps worked, there is one final thing to try.

1. Right-click the game's Desktop shortcut (or the application itself in the Program Files (x86)directory), and choose Properties.
2. Select the Compatibility tab.
3. Check the box beside Reduced color mode, and select the option for 8-bit.
4. Check the box beside Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution.
5. Click Apply, then OK.

We hope these suggested workarounds enable your game to run on your newer Operating System. While we cannot guarantee older titles will run on newer computers, we are happy to offer solutions whenever possible to help you to keep enjoying classic favorites.

Source: http://help.ea.com/en/article/how-to-run-older-command-conquer-titles-on-windows-8/

[EA_Nils]

We have received scattered reports from users who are experiencing crashes upon start up or a hanging black screen when loading up Command & Conquer 4.

To solve this issue, we recommend running C&C 4 on Vista Compatibility mode with no service pack.

1. Right-click on your Command & Conquer 4 launcher.
2. Choose Properties.
3. Click on Compatibility Mode.
4. Checkmark the Run this program in compatibility mode for:
5. Select Windows Vista (see image below)
   • DO NOT select Windows Vista (Service Pack 1) or Windows Vista (Service Pack 2)
6. Click OK.

You should now try to run C&C 4.

Source: http://help.ea.com/en/article/c-c-4-crashing-on-windows-7-8/