April 2016
I bought the c&c ultimate collection and I got all the games to work except red alert 2. yuri's revenge works but not the base game. I been trying all day but all it says is "error: unable to set video mode" I have windows 10.
my operating sys is:
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6400 CPU 2.71GHz
Ram: 8gb
System type: 64-bit Operating Sys,x64- based processor
any help would be appreciative
Solved! Go to Solution.
April 2016 - last edited April 2016
@ParkAir024 Hey, can you try the steps in this post?
As well as the 16-bit color mode, you might want to try Windows XP SP3 compatibility mode too.
i've also seen that some folks can fix this by adding a small edit to the RA2.ini file.
it can be found at C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\Command and Conquer Red Alert II and the fix is to add "VideoBackBuffer=no" without quotes to the [Video] section.
Thanks.
April 2016 - last edited April 2016
@ParkAir024 Hey, can you try the steps in this post?
As well as the 16-bit color mode, you might want to try Windows XP SP3 compatibility mode too.
i've also seen that some folks can fix this by adding a small edit to the RA2.ini file.
it can be found at C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\Command and Conquer Red Alert II and the fix is to add "VideoBackBuffer=no" without quotes to the [Video] section.
Thanks.
March 2017 - last edited March 2017
RA2.ini file is nowhere to be found. please help.
Yes i purchased this game through Origin.
Yes i am using Windows 10
i have changed the video mode to 16 bit but it still results in "cannot set video mode".
May 2017
I'm also getting this problem, would really like a solution
May 2017 - last edited May 2017
There are only 3 reasons for this error:
1. Your windows runs in 32 bit color depth, which is usally the case since it is forced in win 8/10
Solution: Go into your Red Alert 2 folder, in there you will find "game.exe" and "gamemd.exe", right click -> properties -> compatibility, Enable "Reduced Color Mode: 16bit"
2. High dpi scaling
Solution: Go into your Red Alert 2 folder, in there you will find "game.exe" and "gamemd.exe", right click -> properties -> compatibility, Enable "Disable Display Scaling on High DPI Settings"
3. You chose a resolution that is not supported
Solution: You can change your resolution via ra2.ini and ra2md.ini - try 1280*720 (if the files don't exist, create them)
[Video]
ScreenWidth=1280
ScreenHeight=720
June 2017
RA2.ini file is nowhere to be found. please help.
Yes i purchased this game through Origin.
Yes i am using Windows 10
i have changed the video mode to 16 bit but it still results in "cannot set video mode".
December 2017
I'm in the same boat, just purchased and I'm running windows 10, have it set to run in 16 bit with windows xp service pack 3 compatibility. Override high DPI scaling selected. No .INI file for either, attempted to download a template and moved it into the red alert 2 folder. Still getting unable to set video mode error. Suggestions?
December 2017
I also had the same problem , the .ini file is the one of configuration type you haven't probably enabled file extensions on windows. What fixed it for me is that i set the size in the .ini file as 1280x720 and then experimented with the resolutions in game options until it was running properly
February 2018
In compability mode check the "Windows 98/me" settings. that usually fixes all errors.
I have a different kind of probleem tho: My game doesn't show videos at all. it's like that option is turned off
February 2020
This actually works, Right click your game and click properties, then click compatibility, choose Run Windows 98/Me and reduce color to 16bit. it works for me it should do to you if you are getting an error saying unable to set video mode. tnx