Difference between revisions of "Getting W:A to work on Windows 8"

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{{ParentArticle|[[Troubleshooting FAQ]]}}
 
{{ParentArticle|[[Troubleshooting FAQ]]}}
  
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If you're on this page, it means that you're running Windows 8 and trying to make the [[Beta_updates_(Worms_Armageddon)|W:A {{LatestBeta}}]] to work.
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This page describes getting [[Beta_updates_(Worms_Armageddon)|W:A {{LatestBeta}}]] working on Windows 8.
  
 
== It worked on Windows 7! Why doesn't it work properly on Windows 8? ==
 
== It worked on Windows 7! Why doesn't it work properly on Windows 8? ==
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Well, the Microsoft is to blame. In Windows 8, they have implemented an emulation of the 8-bit (256-colour) and 16-bit applications in a 32-bit window, most likely to prevent any of the colour issues. As a result, some games which were made a long time ago without knowing about Windows 8, can behave unusually inside that 32-bit window. WA is an example.
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Windows 8 no longer supports screen resolutions with colour depths other than "true colour" (24-bit depth or 16,777,216 colours). 8-bit and 16-bit screen resolutions are (poorly) emulated in software, which results in unusual behaviour or poor performance in certain older games, including Worms Armageddon.
  
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== Methods to solve ==
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== Solution ==
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We need to know how deep does the problem touch you. It may be possible that graphic drivers could get an update to better support the aforementioned technology, but for now it's all how we see it.
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Different users may be affected in different ways. Follow the steps below in order:
  
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#If you haven't yet, install [[WormKit]] or [[WormKitDS]] at your choice. This will be needed for the further steps.
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#If you haven't yet, install [[WormKit]] or [[WormKitDS]] at your choice. A working WormKit setup will be required for the following steps.
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#Download [https://dl.dropbox.com/u/48532592/wa/wk/wkFrontendFix.rar this] WormKit module and extract it to your W:A folder. The frontend's white fields should be fixed, but nothing is done to the in-game, and nothing is done to the speed of frontend. If you see that the game is lagging so much that it's unplayable, proceed to the next step.
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#Download [https://dl.dropbox.com/u/48532592/wa/wk/wkFrontendFix.rar this] WormKit module and extract it to the W:A installation directory. The frontend's white fields should be fixed, however it does not affect in-game or frontend performance. If the game or frontend is too slow, proceed to the next step.
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#Delete the ''wkFrontendFix.dll'' installed previously, and download the [https://dl.dropbox.com/u/48532592/wa/wk/windowmode.rar windowed mode] libraries. Put them all into your W:A folder, and launch the game. This windowed mode adds its own rendering to replace the one used by Windows 8 to improve performance. Please consult the readme, as it's not bug-free! If everything in-game is fine for you, you may stop here. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
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#Delete the ''wkFrontendFix.dll'' installed previously, and download the [https://dl.dropbox.com/u/48532592/wa/wk/windowmode.rar windowed mode] libraries. Put them all into your W:A installation directory and launch the game. The libraries will emulate the graphics APIs used by W:A using modern APIs. Please check the included readme file, as it's not a bug-free solution. If everything in-game is fine for you, you may stop here. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
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#Download and install [http://px.worms2d.info Project X]. Follow the instructions on the site. Assuming you have an average modern PC, there should be no problems during the game for you (the system requirements in Project X are higher than the default ones). [[Project X]] adds DirectX-9 rendering during the game, which completely bypasses all the crappy methodics of Windows 8. Combined with the windowed mode mentioned above, it gives the best effect.
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#Download and install [http://px.worms2d.info Project X]. Follow the instructions on the site. Assuming you have an average modern PC, there should be no problems during the game for you (the system requirements in Project X are higher than the default ones). [[Project X]] replaces W:A's in-game graphics code with a modern (DirectX 9) true color graphics API, which does not interfere with Windows 8's compatibility layers. Combined with the windowed mode libraries mentioned above, it should result in the best performance.
  
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For now these are the only methods known to resolve the performance and frontend issues on Windows 8, except [[Emulating_Worms_Armageddon|emulating W:A]]. If you have anything to add, feel free to discuss on the [[Talk:Getting_W:A_to_work_on_Windows_8|talk page]].
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For the moment, these are the known methods which resolve performance and frontend issues on Windows 8, except [[Emulating_Worms_Armageddon|emulating W:A]]. If you have anything to add, feel free to discuss on the [[Talk:Getting_W:A_to_work_on_Windows_8|talk page]].
  
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== I can't start the game! An error "Unable to set desired video mode" pops up! ==
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== The error "Unable to set desired video mode" pops up when attempting to start the game ==
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This is because your Windows 8 failed to install some compatibility manifests (during installation?), so you will have to set them up yourself.
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For some reason, Windows 8 identified W:A as an application targeting Windows 8, which forbids using non-24-bit screen modes. Follow these instructions to correct the problem:
  
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Make a .reg file with the content below. This can be done by unhiding the file extensions in the "Folder Properties" settings, and then creating a text file, renaming its extension to .reg.
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* Open Notepad, and copy and paste the following:
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    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
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<table class="toccolours"><tr><td style="font-size: 140%; font-family: monospace;">Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00<br/>
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<br/>
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    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers]
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[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers]<br/>
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    "C:\\Team17\\Worms Armageddon\\WA.exe"="$ DWM8And16BitMitigation"</code>
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"C:\\Team17\\Worms Armageddon\\WA.exe"="$ DWM8And16BitMitigation"<br/>
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* If you installed W:A in a location different from <tt>C:\Team17\Worms Armageddon\</tt>, correct the path on the last line. Remember to use double backslashes instead of single ones.
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</td></tr></table>
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* Click '''File''' &rarr; '''Save''' to open the save dialog.
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* In the '''Save as type''' drop-down, select '''All files'''.
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Where the default path is C:\Team17\Worms Armageddon\WA.exe.
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* Enter '''FixWA.reg''' in the '''File name''' field, and save the file.
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* Locate the file using Explorer, and double-click it. Confirm Registry Editor's warning.
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If you want to specify another path, replace the words accordingly. Note that there have to be two slashes instead of one, since we edit the registry by text. This is for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.
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Note: if your system doesn't support the 640x480 resolution, you will need windowed mode (see above).
 
Note: if your system doesn't support the 640x480 resolution, you will need windowed mode (see above).
  
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Another way to set this manifest is by enabling "256-color mode" in the WA.exe settings' Compatibility tab, launching the game, and then removing the "256-color mode" checkbox. (The system doesn't become 256-colored because of what is said above).
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Another way to set this manifest is by enabling '''256-colur mode''' in WA.exe properties' Compatibility tab, launching the game, and then removing the '''256-color mode''' checkbox. (The system doesn't become 256-coloured because of what is said above).
  
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== When I go into settings, there are no resolutions in the drop-down list! ==
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== There are no resolutions listed in the drop-down on the WA's settings screen ==
 
See the previous paragraph.
 
See the previous paragraph.
  
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== Links ==
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== External links ==
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[http://forum.team17.com/showthread.php?t=57661 Team17 forum thread about Release Preview]
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[http://forum.team17.com/showthread.php?t=57661 Has anyone gotten Worms Armageddon to work on Windows 8? - Team17 forum]

Revision as of 11:28, 20 August 2012

This page describes getting W:A 3.8.1 working on Windows 8.

It worked on Windows 7! Why doesn't it work properly on Windows 8?

Windows 8 no longer supports screen resolutions with colour depths other than "true colour" (24-bit depth or 16,777,216 colours). 8-bit and 16-bit screen resolutions are (poorly) emulated in software, which results in unusual behaviour or poor performance in certain older games, including Worms Armageddon.

Solution

Different users may be affected in different ways. Follow the steps below in order:

  1. If you haven't yet, install WormKit or WormKitDS at your choice. A working WormKit setup will be required for the following steps.
  2. Download this WormKit module and extract it to the W:A installation directory. The frontend's white fields should be fixed, however it does not affect in-game or frontend performance. If the game or frontend is too slow, proceed to the next step.
  3. Delete the wkFrontendFix.dll installed previously, and download the windowed mode libraries. Put them all into your W:A installation directory and launch the game. The libraries will emulate the graphics APIs used by W:A using modern APIs. Please check the included readme file, as it's not a bug-free solution. If everything in-game is fine for you, you may stop here. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
  4. Download and install Project X. Follow the instructions on the site. Assuming you have an average modern PC, there should be no problems during the game for you (the system requirements in Project X are higher than the default ones). Project X replaces W:A's in-game graphics code with a modern (DirectX 9) true color graphics API, which does not interfere with Windows 8's compatibility layers. Combined with the windowed mode libraries mentioned above, it should result in the best performance.

For the moment, these are the known methods which resolve performance and frontend issues on Windows 8, except emulating W:A. If you have anything to add, feel free to discuss on the talk page.

The error "Unable to set desired video mode" pops up when attempting to start the game

For some reason, Windows 8 identified W:A as an application targeting Windows 8, which forbids using non-24-bit screen modes. Follow these instructions to correct the problem:

  • Open Notepad, and copy and paste the following:
   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
   
   [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers]
   "C:\\Team17\\Worms Armageddon\\WA.exe"="$ DWM8And16BitMitigation"</code>
  • If you installed W:A in a location different from C:\Team17\Worms Armageddon\, correct the path on the last line. Remember to use double backslashes instead of single ones.
  • Click File → Save to open the save dialog.
  • In the Save as type drop-down, select All files.
  • Enter FixWA.reg in the File name field, and save the file.
  • Locate the file using Explorer, and double-click it. Confirm Registry Editor's warning.

Note: if your system doesn't support the 640x480 resolution, you will need windowed mode (see above).

Another way to set this manifest is by enabling 256-colur mode in WA.exe properties' Compatibility tab, launching the game, and then removing the 256-color mode checkbox. (The system doesn't become 256-coloured because of what is said above).

There are no resolutions listed in the drop-down on the WA's settings screen

See the previous paragraph.

External links

Has anyone gotten Worms Armageddon to work on Windows 8? - Team17 forum

Retrieved from "https://worms2d.info/?title=Getting_W:A_to_work_on_Windows_8&oldid=21451"
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