I'm using PCEM to run old Windows 95/98 games many of which require different versions of Quicktime. Specifically, versions 2, 3, and 4. All the DirectX games work fine. Only games that require Quicktime are having issues

The challenges I'm facing are:

1) I get one game working, but when I install a game the requires a different version of Quicktime, it breaks the other games (e.g., slow screen refresh, stuttering sound and/or repeating sounds)

2) Completely removing Quicktime so I can start with a clean slate. All Quicktime uninstalls leave remnants in the Registry, Quicktime icon in Control Panel, left over files on hard drive, etc.

3) Every download I've found for Quicktime 4 crashes with an error

Any tips or suggestions on how to get multiple versions of Quicktime to get along on the same PC?

Thanks,
Craig

I don't much about this, but I do know that later versions of Quicktime will overwrite earlier versions, so the idea of more than one version installed and coexisting peaceably probably is not going to work. My method has always been to completely remove Quicktime so I can start over with a clean slate, as you said. But maybe someone here will know more.

If I had several different games that used different versions of Quicktime and I wanted to have them all at the ready for play, I would create individual Virtual Box virtual machine emulators for each game - that would work, as that way they would all be running in their own environment.

I can't add anything to what Marian has already suggested. Quicktime was always a little squirrely when trying to use different versions.

Wow, seems like a lot work arounds, GOG has a lot of older games that would work on modern machines, a few of them free or at a reasonable price, below is a link of some of the Older games available at GOG:

Good Luck:

https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/List_of_formerly_retail_games_exclusive_to_GOG.com

Starcom, as always, GOG is the best resource for running old games on new machines. There is only so much fiddling I'm willing to do to play an old game. That's a great link!

I couldn't agree more, Starcom. Unfortunately not all adventure games that use Quicktime are on GOG - maybe someday!

Thanks for everyone's quick responses. GOG is my go-to source for any games. They're fantastic!! I only use Steam when a game isn't available on GOG, and once a game becomes available on GOG, I buy a copy from GOG to support them as much as I can.

Unfortunately, all the games I'm playing aren't available on GOG, Steam, or anywhere else except on Abandonware or CDs I own. But I did figure out a way to resolve the issue.

QuickTime 2 and 3 can reside on the same machine with no issues, but QuickTime 4 can't be on the same machine with 2 and 3. As I mentioned before, I'm using PCEM to run Windows 98 SE. Here's the steps I went through.

(1) Using PCEM I created one virtual hard drive (.VHD file) for running QuickTime 2 and 3, and a second VHD for running QuickTime 4

(2) Launched PCEM and completed fresh Windows 98 SE install on each VHD

(3) Upgraded DirectX 6.1 to DirectX 7.0 on VHD for QuickTime 4. The games that need QuickTime 4 require DX 7, not DX 6.1 which is the default version installed on Windows 98 SE

(4) Created two PCEM configurations, one for QT 2 and 3 and one for QT 4

(5) Installed QT 2 and 3 games on first one and QT 4 games on the second one

(6) Created batch file to run PCEM using VHD with QT 2 and 3, and another batch file to run PCM using VHD with QT4

(7) Added shortcuts for these two batch files to Start Menu

Everything is working perfectly now.

Yes, it is a lot of work, but I REALLY enjoy these old games.

If anyone is interested in an in-depth explanation of the technical steps, I'll be happy to post the details here.

I would share the PCEM configurations I setup, but I can't because Microsoft still has copyright on Windows 98 SE, although they don't sell it anymore. I used my licensed copy of Windows 98 SE. As I mentioned above, all the games I installed are abandoned or CDs I own so I didn't violate any copyrights.

Successfully installed the following games:
- AMBER Journeys Beyond
- Dune 2000
- Egypt 1156 B.C.: Tomb of Pharoah
- Egypt II: The Heliopolis Prophecy
- FAUST: Seven Games of the Soul
- Morpheus
- Nightlong: The Union City Conspiracy
- RHEM
- The Cameron Files: Secret of Loch Ness
- The Crystal Key
- The Forgotten
- The Messenger
- Traitors Gate