16-bit Installer Doesn't Work on Windows 7 x86

[Supernova]

In an highly ironic turn of event, the installer of Sky Target 3D I've uploaded weeks ago doesn't work anymore on my laptop, it keeps popping up error message as it's ran from x64 OS.

Yet I could've sworn that it worked like wonder a year ago (it worked on other 32bit PC before I moved to laptop also), but the since game suddenly keeps saying that it isn't installed correctly. Maybe the installation registry got wiped out while I'm using CCleaner to fix the registry.

Any idea that isn't involving VMware, using DOSBOX, or reinstalling the whole OS?

[InsaneFury]

I ran the installer on my x86 WinXP VM, and 7zipped the resulting folder.
Ironically, the default installation folder is C:\SKYTG\ , while the game's ini file contains references to C:\SEGA\SkyTarget\ instead.

I found no reference to registry entries, hopefully it'll run in x64 mode:

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[Supernova]

Hm, doesn't seems to be working. I recall I have to install it directly from the installer to get the game's .exe working.


I suppose I have to go back to the ye olde M2 emulated version then. Otherwise I have to install it on my other PC then moving the .exe only.

[Supernova]

update: Apparently I just remember that the issue above can be fixed by renaming a certain .dll file but in the end it keeps asking for 'please run setup' all over again.


Oh, if you're curious of what kind of error message that shows on setup, it says 'Cannot find file *something at my \Appdata\Local\Temp path*'. Check to ensure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available.

[InsaneFury]

Hm, doesn't seems to be working. I recall I have to install it directly from the installer to get the game's .exe working.


I suppose I have to go back to the ye olde M2 emulated version then. Otherwise I have to install it on my other PC then moving the .exe only.

I had the same error trying to run it from the x86 VM, right after I installed it from the installer. Perhaps run the game in some compatibility mode? Perhaps if the game requires the Win98/Win95 KERNEL32.dll, copying that file from one such installation to the game dir may work? Doubt it though...

[Supernova]

I had the same error trying to run it from the x86 VM, right after I installed it from the installer. Perhaps run the game in some compatibility mode? Perhaps if the game requires the Win98/Win95 KERNEL32.dll, copying that file from one such installation to the game dir may work? Doubt it though...

Didn't work, I said earlier that removing the said .dll/replacing it with a newer .dll gives "Please reinstall" message instead.

[Supernova]

Finally managed to fix it myself with some tweaking on the registry.

[InsaneFury]

Interesting, mind sharing which tweaks you did?

[Supernova]

Interesting, mind sharing which tweaks you did?

Basically it has something to do with directory path/file name being too long

The creation of 8.3-compliant short names on NTFS partitions is controlled by a registry value, which by default is set to enable the creation of short names.

If the following value is set to 1 then short file names are not created:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\
CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem\
NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation=1

If the value is missing, or set to 0, then short file names are created:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\
CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem\
NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation=0

http://www.softinterface.com/FAQ/FAQ-In ... -Error.htm

[InsaneFury]

So you tweaked Windows to not create the 8.3 filenames for performance reasons, and had to re-enable it? As far as I know it by default creates these legacy filenames...
Also, the default C:\SKYTG entry would fall within the 8.3 guidelines in itself.

[Supernova]

So you tweaked Windows to not create the 8.3 filenames for performance reasons, and had to re-enable it? As far as I know it by default creates these legacy filenames...
Also, the default C:\SKYTG entry would fall within the 8.3 guidelines in itself.

I know that. But it's pretty strange that even the program can't read from C:\SKYTG or even C:\ iuntil I tweaked the registry.

[oldman]

i posted a topic here that 'might' be useful
Installing 32-bit programs with 16-bit setup launcher stubs
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13287&view=unread#unread