I've downloaded and installed this game using win7. I'm having trouble getting it to play correctly. I think it's a compatibility issue but I can't seem to find the right combination. Any ideas?

Dottie,

Do you have the patch?
That might help.
It's the third one under Download on the Crystal Shard website.
It says Upgrade to V 1.3.

Gil.

I tried the patch and the game did start. I heard some music but couldn't get control of the mouse. Should I try different compatibility? Thanks

Let me install it, dottie, and see what happens.
I'm also using Win 7.

Gil.

Thanks so much!! Let me know!

Well, this wasn't the longest test but I played through one game of Dampiry after arriving at the castle and talking to Rhiannon.
Did the problem show up by then?
What is your mouse doing, just wandering all over the place?

One thing: I did not play with the patch.
I just clicked on the game icon and started it.
It played fine as far as I went.
What if you try it without the patch?
If it doesn't play without it, maybe you have a bad download.
Anyway, if nothing else, you might try downloading it again while you wait for a pro to help you.

Gil.

Thanks so much. I'll try downloading again because I never did get a game icon. I think you're a pro and I do appreciate the help. I'm off to download. Thanks again!

I just happened to think.
I dl'd the game without the Windows installer.
You just click on the ATOK icon in the files.
I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

Gil.

Downloaded and re-installed. Still no real control of the mouse and some very jerky movements and graphics. Added the patch and tried different compatibility modes without luck. I'll try more tomorrow.

Dottie,

Did it actually install?
(Meaning is it in Add/Remove Programs?)
Or is it like most AGS games and just plays from the download file?

Gil.

It is in the Add/Remove program. There is an icon on the desktop.

That is interesting. Where did you go to download it?
Did you dl from the Crystal Shard website?

Dl again and this time do NOT get the Windows installer version.
Get the Zip file that doesn't have an installer.
See if the game works then.
AGS games always come with a file called Winsetup.
If the game doesn't play correctly, you might be able to fiddle it there: change the resolution, use a graphics filter instead of going with the default 'no' filter, etc.

I played this game years ago when I got it from AGS (Adventure Game Studio).
It worked then on whatever I was using, 98 or XP, it works now on 7.
I just can't imagine what the problem is unless it does lie in the installer.

Gil.

I give that a try. Maybe the patch was the problem.

Tried every combination on the configuration screen. Still no go. Graphics are slow and sometimes jumpy and the mouse doesn't respond. Guess it wasn't meant to be. Thanks for all the help anyway!

Could the problem be the mouse?
Do you have a special mouse, like a wireless mouse?

Could your antivirus be scanning the game as it tries to run?

Hi, Jenny,

Since I've been talking to dottie about this, I thought I'd chime in on the mouse.
I use a Logitech wireless mouse and it's never caused me any trouble with a game...or anything else, for that matter.
Of course, there are mice and mice but if she has a Logitech wireless, I doubt that's the problem.

Do some AV programs really scan a game while it's being played? How odd!

Gil.

Yes, they'll often scan everything that's going on on your computer -- unless you make an "exception" for the game exe -- and sometimes they'll still scan. Most modern antivirus don't just go by virus signatures. They analyze the behavior of programs running on your computer, and if something looks "virus-like," it gets blocked. This scanning can also slow things down, which is noticeable on some computers more than others.

2 things 1) As Jenny100 stated, AVs scan in background, check your AV, most of them have a Gaming Feature where you add a checkmark and when you are playing a full screen game the AV will not scan or update while playing the game, it will only pop up if there is trouble. I have Kaspersky Security and it is called "Gaming Profile" in the settings.

2)Some games give me the same problems you are having and in the Compatibility tab I add a Checkmark in the box "Disable display scaling on High DPI settings" and works like a charm for me.

Good luck in finding a solution.

Mouse seems to work fine otherwise. The game doesn't respond or responds slow and jerky. The games does start and the music plays well. It seems to sort of "half plays" if that makes sense.

dottie,

Have you tried disabling display scaling in the compatibility tab you find when you right click the desktop icon and bring up Properties?
I'd go further and disable desktop composition and visual themes as well.
And I'd run as administrator.
Whack it with everything.

Have you tried going off-line and stopping your antivirus program to play the game?

Gil.

Did what Starcom suggested with the antivirus as well as diabiling desktop and visual. Will try to whack it as you say. Seems it's running at about 50%.

This is totally weird.
ATOK is not some high powered, first person shooter!
Try disabling your AV instead of making an exception for the game in it.
Have you tried contacting Crystal Shard about this?
Here's the link to their main page Perhaps you could ask about it in the Forum for ATOK.

Gil.

I agree with traveler, this is not a high powered game and....
After following traveler's and others suggestions, did you try "Rebooting/restarting" your machine? Sometimes this clears away all the hanging stuff in the background and gives your machine extra energy.
Also, when was the last time you checked for Video, Sound card Driver updates? Plus any other necessary driver updates.

It's all been done. Tried posting on the site Traveler suggested but then couldn't find where it was posted. Their site isn't as good as Gameboomers.Maybe I'll try Crystal Shard directly. I think I've run out of options. I do appreciate all the help though!