Chris H.:
Most of the "older" games will run perfectly well on Windows XP. Some need
to use Compatibility Mode (details are in Help and Support), and this
TechNet article will help you:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/lgcyapps.mspx
I got several (most old games to work by using VDMSound):
http://ntvdm.cjb.net/
Quote from the documentation:
1. PRODUCT OVERVIEW
VDMSound is a program that overcomes what has probably been the most
exasperating limitation of DOS boxes since Windows NT - sound support.
VDMSound is an open, plug-in oriented platform that emulates an
MPU-401 interface (for outputting high-quality MIDI music), a
SoundBlaster compatible (SB16, SBPro 2, SB2, SBPro, etc.)
implementation (for digital sound effects and FM/AdLib music), as well
as a standard game-port interface (for playing games with joystick
support). In development are improvements to the existing joystick
emulation, and possibly VESA support.
Unlike all the Win9x SoundBlaster ISA 'legacy' drivers available from
a variety of PCI soundcard manufacturers, VDMSound is not a mere
'wrapper' or 'bridge' to existing audio hardware. It is a
self-contained, 100% software emulation program that is completely
independent of your audio hardware type and settings. VDMSound works
with any soundcard, and will even work on computers that have no audio
hardware at all (for instance, instead of outputting sounds through
your soundcard using the standard Windows drivers, VDMSound can easily
output them to disk).
2. FEATURE DESCRIPTION
VDMSound features Microsoft Installer technology for smooth product
installation, removal and upgrading. It also seamlessly integrates
with Windows Explorer, bringing your old favourites literally within
two mouse clicks from running with sound. This unique feature allows
you to enjoy the classics without spending any of your valuable time
changing directories, setting environment variables or tuning memory
settings. Other features include:
· emulation support for a MPU-401 interface, complete with MIDI
stream validation, MIDI activity indication (via the keyboard LEDs),
and the ability to map MT-32 music to GM/GS should the need arise;
· emulation support for SB16-compatible and AdLib cards,
featuring DirectSound mixing of digital sound effects and FM-synthesis
music, while still offering plain old WaveOut as an alternative to
high-latency Windows NT 4 DirectSound 3 implementations;
· emulation support for up to two joysticks, ideal for those
classic two-player games;
· versatile .ini file support, makes the system highly
configurable, letting you tweak performance to satisfy even the most
demanding DOS applications and games;
· support for multiple configurations, allowing different
emulation settings for different applications or games;
· active support on the VDMSound site,
http://ntvdm.cjb.net/.
