jeff303

I am currently trying to play the original X-Com in Linux (I choose not to use Windows for various reasons). I own a legally purchased copy of the collector's edition, which as you know includes a Windows CE version of X-Com. Unfortunately, after spending two days trying to get it to work, with XcomUtil using Cedega/Linux, I still have not been successful. I'm fairly certain I could play the DOS version of the game using DosBox without problems. However, I do not own this version of the game. What I'm asking is if anyone would be willing to provide me with the DOS version of the game. Note this does NOT amount to a piracy request. I own complete and legal versions of the games (and can provide evidence of this if necessary). Anyone who wishes to discuss this with me further, please send me a PM. Thanks for your time.

Nah, I used Apocalypse with great success under Win ME. It retains enough of the required DOS environment.

You can't... at least there's no in-game setting. I suppose the only way to get it to work (since it doesn't communicate with Windows at all) would be to find yet another DOS legacy type emulator, but personally I don't feel like using any more of those on one game.

Sorry but it is too impractical to take a screenshot off my roommate's computer. I don't recall whether the install for Apoc is a .bat or .exe. The compatibility tab may not show up for .bat files. It should show up for EXEs though. If you've created a shortcut to the install program, selected its properties, and there is no compatibility tab, then I don't know what to tell you...

Erm... sorry for the confusion earlier. The "compatibility" tab should be under the properties of the executible in question.

Well my roommate just told me that the application compatibility came with Win2000 Service Pack 1, so I guess if you don't have that...

Well I do not have 2000 but my roommate does and I just checked his computer. 2k has a similar compatibility mode to XP. Just right click on the file in question (I reccomend creating a shortcut on the desktop and then right clicking that shortcut) and go to the "compatibility" tab. Check the box and select Windows 95 compatibility. This should solve at least some of the problems. HTH.

I've heard of that problem. I imagine the file would work if you could get it to officially install. I assume you've tried running the install program itself in compatibility mode? Failing that, I would try to create a .bat file to run the install program, because I think (in XP, I think same in 2000) that you can then set things like buffers manually by right clicking the .bat. Good luck!

This is the exact same message I posted in the SUPPORT forum for this site some days ago. I proposed invoking VDMSound into the batch file, and the file itself was discovered by Brattern I believe...

Do the X-Com manufactured craft lose market value as other things? I would think eventually the annihilators would be as unprofitable as anything else.

WOW! He is not joking. I bought, stipped, and sold all the stormdogs and hover cars I could find and made about $150000. Yeesh.

Lots of people have mentioned to me that the link is broke, so I've put the file on my webspace. PLEASE REMEMBER THE LEGITIMATE USE! Thanks. http://www.ktis.net/~kevans/XCOM3_CD.ZIP

OK. Thanks for the answers. Now a couple more... I have an interceptor and a hawk and that's apparently a really bad idea. Is a swarm of bikes a better solution? I don't remember which UFO it is, but I'm having a lot of trouble trying to shoot it down without one or both of my craft being destroyed. (It's week 3 on the easiest setting - the UFO looks like a carrot still in the ground and is escorted by some other larger, more traditional looking ships with, I want to say, medium disruptor cannons). Would a bunch of bikes be better at taking this ship down? How important is it to down every UFO? Also, how soon do you buy your second base? I bought mine at the beginning of week 3 (an expensive one in the top left corner that basically has room for 2x2 rooms all the way around). My second week's salary I spent on the hawk which may have been a bad move. Thanks.

I finally got this game working and it has been a nice distraction from doing things I need to be doing (studying). Anyway, lots of people mention manufacturing things like Biotrans and Toxi-guns to make money. Do the prices of these items fluctuate? I've read the FAQ but I didn't quite find it. Is there a certain "lowest" price for an item? Also, what are good tactics for taking down larger UFOs with just, say, an interceptor and hawk? I've heard mention of manual control - is that what you use to fight UFO's? The auto control of the planes is insane - by the time you get the message "Valkyrie Interceptor returning to base as damaged" it's way too late. Also, many people mentioned making money off drugs obtained by raiding gangs and the cult. Do you get these items automatically after killing all hostiles or do you manually have to pick them up? I never seem to have any. Thanks.

WARNING: I do not condone software piracy of any kind. The following "trick" must only be used to get a LEGALLY owned copy of X-Com Apocalypse to work under Windows XP. If any game deserves your hard earned dollar - it's Apocalypse (and that's about how much it costs so there is NO excuse for piracy). There are a variety of reasons why one must use this method - mainly because dual-booting is impossible with your current hardware configuration, or you do not wish to purchase another OS. This solution is for the "after viewing or skipping the intro movie, a blinking cursor briefly appears in the top left corner of the screen, and then returns the user to Windows with no explanation," from my observations, the most common Apoc problem. The problem arises from the fact that Windows doens't like programs to try to directly access drives without going through Windows. Also note, I will not be held personally responsible for any damage your computer or its files may suffer as a result of using this method. That said... First, you must download the xcom3_cd.zip file. http://one.megagames.com/pcgamefixes/XCOM3_CD.ZIP If for some reason the link above doesn't work, I will be glad to e-mail the file to whomever needs it. Once downloaded, unzip the file to your Apocalypse directory. To run the game, use the "Run X-com.bat" file included with the zip. To get sound to work, go to: http://vdmsound.sourceforge.net/ Download the newest version of VDMSound. After installing it, set up Apocalypse to use a Sound Blaster, 220, IRQ 7, DMA 1 (the default for SB emulation under VDMSound). Exit and save from the setup program. Finally, edit the run x-com.bat file that came with the zip from the first step. Add the command "dosdrv" on a new line between the "xcom3_cd.com" and "xcomapoc.exe SKIP" lines. This will invoke a VDMSound session inside the DOS box of the batch file, which will end when the game is exited. I did not discover this for myself. I just thought it would be nice to post for those who didn't realize it existed. Many thanks to the dedicated users on the WWW forums who realized this solution. Personally, I've been trying to get this to work for months, and I'm thrilled it's now possible. I hope this helps others run the game. Good luck. Remove ".FILTER" to send me e-mail. jwevans1@uiuc.edu.FILTER -- Jeff Evans "I swear - by my life and my love of it - that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine." -John Galt from Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged"