Games (I-Q) Requiring or Performing Better in MS-DOS Mode (132995)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 95

This article was previously published under Q132995

SUMMARY

This article lists games (I-Q) that must be run in MS-DOS mode. Additional information is provided when available.

For information about running games in MS-DOS mode, please see the "Running an Application in MS-DOS Mode" section later in this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Inca,

Inca MM CD by Sierra Online

Executable: INCA.EXE

Inca programs the Direct Memory Access (DMA) controller incorrectly. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

Indy Car Racing by Papyrus

Executable: INDYCAR.EXE

Indy Car Racing makes incorrect assumptions about the system memory configuration when Windows 95 is running, causing it to believe the computer has a negative amount of memory. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

It may be necessary to delete the existing INDYCAR.PIF file before running this program so that Windows can configure it properly.

Inferno: The Odyssey Continues by Digital Image Design

Executable: INFERNO.BAT

Inferno is distributed by Ocean Distributing. Inferno moves an active data segment which results in a system hang if that data segment is needed while it is being moved. This problem may be alleviated if you run Inferno in MS- DOS mode.

Ishar 3 by Ready Soft

Executable: START.EXE

Ishar has a problem in its timing code that causes it to stop responding (hang). There are also problems with the MS-DOS extender used by Ishar.

NOTE: Before installing this game, restart your computer, press F8 when you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, then choose Safe Mode Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.

Isle of the Dead by Merit Software

Isle of the Dead requires MS-DOS mode.

Jutland by Software Sorcery

Executables: JUTLAND.EXE, JUTLANDV.EXE

Jutland does not run in Windows 95 due to an uninitialized variable. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

Kingdoms of England II - Vikings: Fields of Conquest by Realism Entertainment

Executable: VIKINGS.EXE

The MS-DOS extender used by Kingdoms of England is incompatible with Windows 95. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

King's Quest III by Sierra Online

Executable: KQ3.BAT

King's Quest III must run in MS-DOS mode due to the way it implements copy- protection.

Lawnmower Man by Sales Curve

Executable: LAWN.BAT

Lawnmower Man requires MS-DOS mode.

Lemmings by Psygnosis

Executable: LEMMINGS.BAT

Lemmings manipulates expanded (EMS) memory in a manner incompatible with Windows 95. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

Lemmings II - Tribes by Psygnosis

Executable: L2.BAT

Lemmings II uses the timer in a manner not compatible with Windows 95. It can be run in Windows 95, but does not run smoothly. Running in MS-DOS mode allows the program to run smoothly.

Lemmings Chronicles by Psygnosis

Executable: L3.BAT

Lemmings Chronicles manipulates expanded (EMS) memory in a manner incompatible with Windows 95. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

Links 386 CD by Access Software

Executables: GOLFCD.BAT, LINKSCD.BAT

Links 386 moves an active code segment, resulting in a problem if that code segment is needed while it is being moved. The problem may be resolved in MS-DOS mode.

Lost in Time by Sierra Online

Lost in Time requires MS-DOS mode.

Machiavelli the Prince by Microprose

Executable: PRINCE.EXE

Machiavelli the Prince uses Virtual Direct Memory Access Services (VDS) incorrectly. Depending on your system configuration, it may play static instead of sound and music. It may also hang when exiting due to another problem in the program. If you encounter either of these problems, run Machiavelli the Prince in MS-DOS mode.

Mammals

Executable: GO.BAT

Mammals detects the hard disk as a network drive if run under Windows 95. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

Mechwarrior 2 by Activision

Executable: MECH2.EXE

Mechwarrior 2 plays the intro movie, but when you go into combat, a page fault error occurs. The problem is resolved when the program is run in the MS-DOS mode.

Menzoberranzan by Strategic Simulations (SSI)

Executable: MENZO.EXE

Menzoberranzan encounters internal assertion failures when run under Windows 95. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

Metaltech: Earthsiege by Sierra Online

Executables: ES.BAT, ES.EXE

The way Metaltech uses the sound card is incompatible with Windows 95. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

Mickey's 1-2-3 by Disney

Executable: MICKEY.BAT

Mickey's 1-2-3 has a timing-related problem in its sound code that causes it to hang. The problem may be resolved when Mickey's 1-2-3 is run in MS-DOS mode.

Microcosm by Psygnosis

Executable: MCOSM.EXE

Microcosm uses a memory model that is not compatible with Windows 95. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

MIG-29 by Spectrum Holobyte

MIG-29 requires MS-DOS mode.

Mixed-up Mother Goose by Sierra Online

Executables: MGCD.BAT, MG.BAT

Mixed-up Mother Goose has a timing-related problem in its sound code that causes it to hang. The problem may be resolved when the program is run in MS-DOS mode.

More Lemmings by Psygnosis

More Lemmings manipulates expanded (EMS) memory in a manner incompatible with Windows 95. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

Mortal Kombat II by Acclaim Entertainment

Executable: MKII.EXE

Mortal Kombat II makes incorrect assumptions about the system memory configuration when Windows 95 is running. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

NASCAR Racing by Papyrus

Executable: NASCAR.EXE

NASCAR Racing makes incorrect assumptions about the system memory configuration when Windows 95 is running, causing it to believe the computer has a negative amount of memory. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

It may be necessary to delete the existing NASCAR.PIF file before running this program, so that Windows can configure it properly.

NOTE: The 1.2 patch of NASCAR.EXE runs in Windows 95, with some reservations:
  • If this is the first MS-DOS-based program that uses the sound card after the system is restarted, it hangs the system.
  • If this is the second MS-DOS-based program that uses the sound card, it works correctly.
  • With this patch, the program works properly at any time if the sound card is disabled in Device Manager.

NBA Live '95 by Electronic Arts

Executable: NBA.BAT

NBA Live '95 has problems with timing and mixing sounds. It runs better in MS-DOS mode.

NCAA Basketball - Road to the Final Four 2

Executable: NCAA2.BAT

NCAA Basketball fails when it attempts to access protected-mode operating system data structures. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

One Must Fall by Epic

Executable: OMF.EXE

One Must Fall occasionally accesses memory it did not allocate. Windows 95 memory protection terminates the program due to an invalid operation. Run One Must Fall in MS-DOS mode to avoid the problem.

One Must Fall comes with a custom .PIF file called OMF.PIF that you must delete before running One Must Fall. This allows Windows 95 to create a new OMF.PIF file that is properly configured.

Oregon Trail Deluxe by MECC

Executable: OREGON.EXE

Oregon Trail attempts to take control of the sound card if run under Windows 95. It must be run in MS-DOS mode for sound to work properly.

Pacific Strike, by Origin

Executable: PACIFIC.EXE

Pacific Strike requires Virtual Control Program Interface (VCPI) services, which are not supported by Windows 95. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

PGA Tour Golf 486 by Electronic Arts

Executable: GOLF.EXE

PGA Tour Golf 486 has a problem in its timing code that causes it to pause for long periods of time under certain conditions. You may also encounter general protection faults with certain hardware. The problems may be resolved in MS-DOS mode.

Pinball 2000 by Expert Software

Pinball 2000 requires MS-DOS mode.

Pinball Arcade by 21st Century

Executable: ARCADE.BAT

Pinball Arcade attempts to calibrate the computer in a manner not compatible with Windows 95. Running it in MS-DOS mode allows the calibration to succeed.

Pinball Fantasies by 21st Century

Executable: PINBALL.EXE

Pinball Fantasies attempts to calibrate the computer in a manner not compatible with Windows 95. Running it in MS-DOS mode allows the calibration to succeed.

The Playroom by Broderbund

The Playroom requires MS-DOS mode.

NOTE: Before installing this game, restart your computer, press F8 when you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, then choose Safe Mode Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.

PowerHits BattleTech by ActiVision

PowerHits BattleTech must be run in MS-DOS mode.

PowerHits Movies by ActiVision

PowerHits Movies must be run in MS-DOS mode.

Privateer by Origin

Executable: PRIV.EXE

Privateer uses the Virtual Control Programming Interface (VCPI) which is supported by Windows 95 only in MS-DOS mode.

Putt-Putt Joins the Parade by Humongous Entertainment

Putt-Putt Joins the Parade requires MS-DOS mode.

Quarantine by GameTek

Executable: Q.BAT

Quarantine programs the sound card to a rate faster than it can handle. It must be run in MS-DOS mode.

Running an Application in MS-DOS Mode

Windows 95 usually runs programs that require MS-DOS mode in MS-DOS mode automatically. If it does not, delete the corresponding .PIF file and double-click the program icon again. Note that .PIF files usually have the same name as the program file, but with a .PIF extension instead of the .BAT, .COM, or .EXE extension. The corresponding .PIF file can be found in one of the following locations:
  • In the folder that contains the program file.
  • In the hidden PIF folder in the Windows 95 folder.
  • In a folder specified by your PATH statement.
To make certain you find all copies of the .PIF file, use the Find Files Or Folders feature.

If Windows 95 does not configure the program to run in MS-DOS mode automatically, follow these steps:
  1. Click the executable file with the right mouse button, then click Properties on the menu that appears.
  2. On the Program tab, click the Advanced button.
  3. Click the MS-DOS Mode check box to select it.
  4. You can usually use the Use Current MS-DOS Configuration option. However, some programs may require that you use the Specify A New Configuration option. Consult the program's documentation for sample CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files.
  5. Click OK.
These steps cause the program to run in MS-DOS mode. You may need to optimize the settings if the program requires a mouse, expanded memory, a CD-ROM drive, or a sound card. Consult the program's documentation to determine if it has specific needs.

NOTE: You may have to double-click the program icon in Windows Explorer or My Computer, or type the program name in the Run dialog box, for the program's settings to take effect. Typing the program name at an MS-DOS prompt does not always cause the program's settings to be used.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/28/2001
Keywords:kbAppCompatibility kbinfo KB132995