h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Okay, I've been offline for a while. Partly because I needed to concentrate on finishing school, but also partly because I just got a new computer!

Problem, though: while my old computer wasn't advanced enough for Starship Titanic, my new one is *too* advanced for Starship Titanic. Does anyone know if there's a trick to getting it to run on XP?

http://support.selectsoft.com/customer40/ViewCase.asp?Casenum=279&ReturnPage=FAQ

Hmm...no, that doesn't work...

The problem...and I seem to be noticing it on other games as well...is that the entire screen seems to be moving up and to the right. Some of these games (like Sim City 3000) have resizing options to fix this. Some (like Myst) are in such a small screen anyway that it doesn't make a difference. Starship Titanic, though, it's tough...this is either something really big, or really simple.

since you're playing older games, i suggest you play Grim Fandango. i haven't met anyone that doesn't like it

*stares at the closets with a heavy shovel ready to swing*

Affi has a new computer! Is this one a Vger?

No, it's not. We still have V'Ger, of course, but this current one is an entirely new beast. Literally top of the line. AMD 64 Athlon X2 processor, two DVD-Rom drives (one with Light Scribe technology), dozens of ports for flash cards, USB, firewire, and things I've never heard of, a large flat screen, a built in radio and TV, scanner/copier/printer machine...

and a soundcard. If it has nothing else, it has a soundcard. The end of the two years of silence has come.

Congratulations. When you get a chance, could you re-insulate the ceilings downstairs?

Um...I suppose...did something happen in CLI over the last month or so that requires it?

Getting a new PC for my birthday. Don't know the exact details, was a bit blinded by science, as K ordered it. I do know it's AMD dual core processors with dual ATI gfx card adapters, 2x250gig mirrored hard drives and various other stuff. This time it's going to be built for us as K says it's all moved on a bit since he last built a PC.

Sounds like a pretty nifty computer!

Did something happen? Yes, you got a sound card.

But...insulation? What?

Oh, wait. Soundproofing? I think I get it now.

Affy , in addition to following the instructions for the "compatibility" setting for setup.exe, try it on the Starship Titanic executable itself. It might help. Also play with your "advanced" display properties - look for compatibility or "acceleration" settings and twiddle those. Update graphic drivers if necessary. Or, you might even try using the default VGA graphics instead of the one designed for your card (don't blame me if you can't see a darned thing on your screen afterwards though. )

Well, I've fixed the problem through simple monitor manipulation. Not automatic, but it seems to be solving my problems.

Myst only took me about a week of playing. I didn't even go online to look for hints. THIS is the phenomenal challenge that people told me would rank among the hardest trials of my life? At least the storyline was good and the puzzles imaginative.

Fortunately, Riven seems to have all three: good story, imaginative puzzles AND the level of difficulty I expected from the first one. A couple of days now, and there's only one puzzle that I'm willing to confidently say that I've solved. And even then I'm not entirely sure.

*wonders if affy has given a look to grim fandango*

hey marv, are you still playing wow? on an alt? i noticed keg party disbanded and haven't seen you around lately.

WoW? Crikey... must play that again some time.

Myst was groundbreaking when it first came out, but that was a dozen years ago, an eternity in computer years. Does anyone here remember The 7th Guest?

Sporky, I have not played a ton for a couple of weeks due in part to the Keg Party breakup and due to some computer problems. I think I have those licked now, so I will play more often. I think that I am going to join Honor Rizen soon.

I thought about getting The 7th Guest a while back, Lil. It was big when I was approaching Middle School, and naturally didn't have the chance to play it then.

I guess you could still get it to run if you can get your video card to run 640x480 in DOS.