Windows Vista Technical Support

[Atreidi]

I have windows vista. My Dominions 3 directory is inside the Program Files folder. The folder is automatically restricted by windows vista. Meaning that I cannot save or override any file inside the Program Files folder without going clicking on 3 windows security agreements.

The problem is this, when I save a game in dominions it usually goes to the savedgames folder and when I save a random map it usually goes to the maps folder, BUT because of Windows vista restrictions, the files do not save in that folder they save somere else. I think it might be some temporal folder somewhere. I've tried using F1 but I cant find the files anywhere.

Any one has an Idea were I might find the files?

I know I can fix the problem by re-installing the game outside the program files folder but I was looking for the files I've saved already http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Atreidi]

Lol, found it. Apparently windows makes a VirtualStore Folder and puts all files that should be saved in the program files folder in it.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Ballbarian]

I hate Vista.
Have I mentioned that before?
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Jazzepi]

http://www.dailytech.com/Intel+Turns+Its+Back+on+Windows+Vista/article12199.htm

The problem with Vista is that when they upgraded from 98 -> XP the change was revolutionary. Going from XP -> Vista means doubling your footprint both in memory, processing power, and hard drive space while reaping virtually no benefits. I think the only thing I could possibly see myself really enjoying out of the new Vista would be the fact that you can load RAID drivers off of flash drives.

Jazzepi

[PvK]

Ya, it's another really annoying idea that programs shouldn't be able to write into their own folders. Sigh. Hmm, Linux.

[Ballbarian]

Thanks for the link Jazzepi. I had not read that article.
I work as system admin for a small county. We have 30 PC's running mostly XP and a few stragglers running Win2000 & 98. We will not be switching to Vista until there is absolutely no choice. It brings very little to the table except added expense and an incredible array of problems in incompatibility with existing software.

The more that the operating system tries to hide and help, the more it confuses and hinders. The added security is great, but the delivery and implementation is very foreign to existing users. It strikes me as driving Ford brand passenger cars for years with the steering wheel and driver's seat in the front and then when you buy the new model they are suddenly located in the back seat because it is generally safer and puts more distance between you and the car in front of you. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Gandalf Parker]

I just saw an article in the news where Intel has decided to NOT upgrade its office desktop to Vista. It will remain WinXP.
OUCH!
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1224437818

[PvK]

Gee, someone making an intelligent choice... that's refreshing...

[Dedas]

I can't remember when I had a similar problem, then I don't use Microsoft stuff anymore.

[Jazzepi]

Wow. Apparently Gandalf and PVK didn't bother to read the link I posted.

Jazzepi

[PvK]

What does it appear we didn't read?

[Endoperez]

The same article Gandalf found, about Intel not changing to Windows Vista.

Or at least, the URLs are similar. I didn't bother to read either of the posted links, because I'm not interested in Vista.

[kasnavada]

My Dominions 3 directory is inside the Program Files folder.



Stop right here... here is your mistake. Over the years the safest way to run anything on a Windows computer (including XP, 98, 95, NT, 2000) is to partition your main hard disk in two, leaving a place for windows and associated stuff ("my documents" and other useless folders, drivers... and a second disk for data and programs like games.

Of course, you have to leave significant place for the OS (about 10 times the minimum requirement written on the box) so the disk doesn't get full. For Vista I decided on 50 Gb, for the OS only.

If you do that, and save all your important data you gain the following benefits :
- you have control of what you do.
- you can reinstall your OS without having to reinstall anything, except for drivers and the like.
- you second data disk is 'clean'.
- you can easily create a backup for your OS.

The only "downside" is it takes about 20 more seconds for every install of a program because you do not place it randomly in the default folder...

Actually, that should also work with Macs and Linux systems, but I got only little experience with those, so I can't really tell.

About vista : the main problems with it in my opinion is that it gives too much eye candy to the 'average' user and nothing that looks or sounds like a real useful improvement, and that for 'security reasons' you can't do what you want where you want without altering significantly the system... another problem is that people's memory is short, the exact same remarks had been made about XP in the past, and now everyone clings to it like it's an excellent OS or something... it never was.

[jimkehn]

I just installed my dom3 on the new laptop with Vista, and all I get is a black screen and nothing happens. The music plays in the background, and the menu comes up with the "please wait" for a background. Then it locks up.ctrl-alt-delete. I patched to 3.17 and tried running it in XP mode, but it didn't seem to help. I am sure it is something simple.

[Heinrich]

Ok sorry for the delay, I faced the same problem on my brother's laptop this week end. I was stuck with this black screen and the game would only work in windowed mode (with flashing lights all along).

The solution is indeed really simple:
1-Install your latest video drivers
(check http://www.my-config.com if you are not sure)
2-Install the latest version of DirectX
(see Microsoft website for "DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2008)")
3-Restart your computer

Then it should work fine http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Tell me if you still have troubles...

[Herode]

Gandalf Parker said:
I just saw an article in the news where Intel has decided to NOT upgrade its office desktop to Vista. It will remain WinXP.
OUCH!
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1224437818


Yep. Too bad I didn't see such papers before installing Vista on my new PC. Gimme my XP back !!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Morkilus]

I had a very similar problem with this VirtualStore crap when I tried to find the savegame folder to send my pretender off. Assuming it doesn't cause any other problems, I just made a link to the folder and called it good for now. What a frustrating five minutes that was, though. I guess I haven't played much Dominions multiplayer on my new computer.