How to change to 16 bit inWindows 8.1

acb550 · May 15, 2015

I have read previous posts and the guide. When I get to all modes, I still only see 32 bit options, NOT 16 bit. The lowest display I can get is 800x600 59 HZ 32 bit true color. Does this mean I can't downplay to any 16bit games?

rgd1101 · May 15, 2015

color and games is different.
it is a dos games or windows xp games?

ahnilated · May 15, 2015

Is it Windows 8.1 64 bit? If so you can't play a 16 bit game on it. 16 bit games are from Windows XP and earlier. The new 64 bit OS's will play down to a 32 bit game but not a 16 bit game.

acb550 · May 15, 2015

rgd1101 :

I have a bunch of Origin games. I'm trying Command and Conquer now. I was thinking I'd even reset to 600x480. The compatibility modes aren't working, I just get the error message unable to access video mode

jimmysmitty · May 15, 2015

http

/answers.ea.com/t5/Command-Conquer-The-Ultimate/Info-How-to-run-older-Command-amp-Conquer-titles-on-Windows-8-1/m-p/4236614#U4236614

Have you tried the settings in that thread?

rgd1101 · May 15, 2015

isn't those dos game? you can try using dosbox.
http

/www.dosbox.com/

http

/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOSBox#Usage

acb550 · May 15, 2015

jimmysmitty :

Thank you. Yes, I tried compatibility. I'm getting an error that it cannot access the video mode. It was the first thing I tried, but thank you.

To the comment above, rather than quote and make a 2nd comment, yes it is 64 bit 8.1 That stinks I can't do 16 bit. I was afraid of that

spdragoo · May 15, 2015

DOSBox should be able to handle some of that, then. I know I have no problem when playing X-Wing or TIE Fighter with the built-in DOSBox (purchased them from GOG.com). Sound & color work just fine, & those were games where you had to set up a special batch file boot disk to run them under WIndows 3.1.

jimmysmitty · May 15, 2015

acb550 :

It actually is not because of 8.1 being 64bit. That guide even shows how to make it work and the location is Program Files (x86) which is only there when you install a 64bit version of Windows.

If you have tried everything in that thread, there is more than just changing compatibility, then you could always try loading up a VM with XP and see if that will run it.

The problem with older games is that they don't get updated to run on newer OSes. Command and Conquer was a DOS game but did have a Windows 95 edition. Getting it to run on 7 was a pain, I did it once. The biggest problem is it didn't have a frame limiter so it ran at thousands of frames per second and was like playing it in super fast speed.

I haven't tried anything in 8/8.1 except for 3 and 4 both which work fine in 7/8.1

acb550 · May 15, 2015

Thank you. I did try everything. I have even clicked the run 8bit mode in properties. The screen doesn't flash. Could it be my monitor and card? I just get the same error message; that the program has no access to video mode.

Is VM an emulator? What is it and where do I get one? Do you have a recommended type/location? Thank you.

spdragoo · May 18, 2015

VM = Virtual Machine. Basically, you set it up where it runs a "virtual" PC in your RAM, & you can use it to run a different OS (i.e. run Linux under Windows)..including running an older version of Windows without going through dual-boot setup.

That would also be another option, though: setting up your PC to dual-boot, with the option of Windows XP as the 2nd boot choice.

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How to change to 16 bit inWindows 8.1

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