MOO2: Graphics weird on Windows 7

I did copy dplay.dll from the net, and all the files from the cd to my hard disk. I tried various compatibility modes but the problem is the same, graphics palette is messed up with white or purple spots everywhere. Anyone else encounter the same problem and would like to help a poor guy out?

Not having seen Windows 7, I have no real idea. I would think that you could copy the CD and run setup as it is a Windows app. Then run Orion. There is a DOS version on the CD as well as a Windows one and that I would expect would have issues.

I have seen that on XP, but I am unable to recall the circumstances. I use Mo'Slo to run the Windows version, to slow it down. It was getting those types of issues and a sticking mouse.

I do not know if that is the issue in 7 or not. I do not even know if DosBox works on 7.

/thanks, I was running the windows version (orion95.exe). For now maybe I should try to make dosbox work in win7 (if it does).

Anyone else have the same graphic problem in 7 or vista?

BTW if it's any help, I'm on a laptop with ATI Radeon HD3430. Screen is wide.

I have noticed now that I replaced my monitor with a 25" one that the screen is not centered. This means that in the colony display, I cannot see the buy it part, nor the scroll.

It's good that when I play Orion 2 the viewable area stops being widescreen. The sides are black and the entire display is in the middle of the screen.

Hmm... I wonder if there is any windowed mode hack for Orion 2. I better go check. This might actually work...

Hi guys,

I just manage to run successfully MOO2 on my win 7, without dosbox.

After copying dplay.dll to system folder, I configured compatibility following:



I hope attachment works

That is good to hear. I figure it is like XP was, most systems will run the games just fine. Some will have issues.

There are several threads in other forums that ATI cards cause issues regarding MOO2.

Try other drivers or use DosBox (this issue will disappear in an emulated enviroment).

But... but... I don't like to play the DOS version...

Er... never mind...

ivansla said:

Hi guys,

I just manage to run successfully MOO2 on my win 7, without dosbox.

After copying dplay.dll to system folder, I configured compatibility following:

View attachment 232644

I hope attachment works

Click to expand...

I tried this and the graphics are still messed up.
Are you using the 32bit version of Windows 7?

Until bought new computer with Windows7 was using DOS version without issue on WinXP SP3.

- DOS version does not install in Win7
- DOS version will install using DOSBox, however only for that session >> everytime I want to use the program, I have to reinstall MOO2.
- DOS version will be fine (no discolouration), however if the game is interrupted by a Windows operation or if you activate the Start Menu the discolouration comes back. Exiting the program you have to reinstall MOO2 to play again.
- Major problem other than the discolouration is that there appears to be a lag for it to respond to any mouse commands

- I also had an unopened MOO2 Windows version CD that I've opened for the first time.
- It installs!
- It requires the dplay.dll fix
- It runs! It's fast!
- Discolouration issue
- Tried several variations (OS's WinXP SP2, SP3, Win2000, Win98/ME, Win95, all the other options including 640x480 resolution, 256 colours) of compatibility but doesn't fix issue.
- Looked for resolution switch to use with shortcut but can only find one to use with other applications

FYI --> Like Meatbuster I'm using a Laptop ATI Card (HD4650) and in widescreen (1600x900)

UPDATE: SOLUTION
- If found this solution a bit intrusive as discovered by another, however it does work:
http://www.sevenforums.com/gaming/34302-master-orion-ii-anyone-got-work-correctly.html#post377668

I'm using Win7 64-bit, so here's what I put in the .bat file:
TASKKILL /F /IM "explorer.exe"
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microprose\Orion2\"
start /w "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microprose\Orion2\Orion95.exe"
start C:\Windows\explorer.exe

- the only thing I need to add to this is that after explorer closes a dos window will come up asking me to re-type 'orion95' at the cmd prompt
- after i've finished playing, I type 'exit' and then the .bat resumes, restarting explorer

- READ BEFORE TRYING: IF FOR ANY REASON you have problems restoring explorer, remember that if you hit 'ctrl+alt+delete' and then click on 'Start Task Manager' you can then click on 'File' menu --> 'new task (run)' --> type 'explorer.exe' and hit the <enter> key

Hey ejafus, that worked for me! BUT, I'm not getting any sound. Are you? I'll have to go check out the configuration files...

Thorn said:

Hey ejafus, that worked for me! BUT, I'm not getting any sound. Are you? I'll have to go check out the configuration files...

Click to expand...

Good point, I didn't check for this originally (installed and used it in 'mute') however I just tried it and am experiencing no difficulties with respect to sound.

Perhaps it has something to do with the way the application is started or installed? Neither of these on my system were set to a different compatibility mode during play or installation.

I cannot even get the game to install off the CD. Anyone else have this problem? I am running windows7

Yes, I had to run the Dos version in DosBox. You may be able to copy the entire directory from ol system on to Win7 and get it to work. It is probably just the setup that fails. I have run into this on a few games.

I just have not gotten back to XP to copy them. I have to set up the PC again and am too lazy right now.

I´m running win7 and I had the same problem with the colours. I had to set my monitor (under graphicssettings in windows) from 32bit true colour to 16bit. That´s all that was needed.

There´s a modtool out there and a lot of useful fixes/patches. One that makes it able to play in windowsmode and another that increases the game to 1024 x 768.

In the end I deinstalled the game again after all this trouble because it was too administative. The battles are nowhere near MOO I, sadly. I´d advise to play a small game first to try it...

Khazaar are you talking about Moo3 or Moo2? I have the 1024 for Moo3, but never found one for Moo2, where is it?

My bad, this is of course for MOO3. Disregard all I said, although the graphicssetting to 16bit might still help. MOOII was the best of the three so good luck getting it to work...

Meatbuster and Ivansla - Together, in tandem, with what you guys said, I finally managed to get my MOO2 working back again. That did the trick - I had the exact same problems (on Vista).

I was able to get my MOO2 (and MOO) to work again by buying it off of Good Old Games!