Hi Sol,
Since installing using SafeDisk compatibility software didn't work...
Try installing and playing that using 95/98 Compatibility mode.
To install a program using Windows XP's Compatibility Mode, hold
down SHIFT as you insert the game CD, use My Computer to browse
to the setup program, and then skip down to step 1 in the list below:
To run an installed program using Windows XP's Compatibility Mode,
first right click the program and "Send To..." / Desktop (create shortcut).
1.. Right click on the shortcut to the program.
2.. Click on Properties.
3.. Click on the Compatibility tab.
4.. Click on Run this program in compatibility mode and select one of these:
a.. Windows 95
b.. Windows 98
c.. Windows NT 4
d.. Windows 2000
5.. Under Display settings, check mark the mode that you think that is best:
a.. Run in 256 colors.
b.. Run in 640 X 480 screen resolution.
c.. Disable visual themes.
Click on Apply.Click on Ok.Double click on the program.
Of course, let's not forget to check for any patches or updates for that game.
A good place to find them is:
www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
If you'd like to learn more information about compatibility mode, you can click the
link in the Compatibility tab that reads "Learn more about program compatibility",
or watch this Application Compatibility Power Point Presentation:
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/webcasts/wc112202/WC112202.ppt
--
Cheers, *Windows_XP_MVP_Shell/User*
Jimmy S.
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
Visit my MSN Games and Windows Gaming Help Site:
www.msce.mvps.org
MS Games Help and Support Center:
http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________
Sol Wrote:
=================
| I have XP Home SP2 with all the updates. I have no trouble installing Red
| Alert 2 (my original CD, not a copy), but when I click on the icon to play
| the game, the "Red Alert 2" splash screen appears, but then it disappears
| and my desktop freezes.
|
| I tried installing/running it in compatibility mode, using a program called
| Safedisc which seems to help some people (but not me), but that didn't help.
| Sometimes I get a "String Manager Failed To Initialize" popup message when
| trying to load it.
|
| I tried installed the most recent patch, but that didn't help either.
|
| Can anyone help me out?
