Will Windows 7 or Chrome OS affect Civ?

I read online that Google is producing an operating system called Chrome OS. I also know that Microsoft is making a new version of Windows called Windows 7 to replace Vista because they decided that Vista was a flop. We all know that whenever a new operating system comes out, you never know how your stuff will be affected. Does anybody know if these new changes will prevent us from playing Civ? I don't want to get 7, and then try to play Civ and have it not work!

I also know that those with a Mac have to get a different game of civ from those who have Windows. But that may be because Mac is on its own hardware-the Macintosh. Windows and Chrome will be on the PC. Does that mean it will be the same with future Civ-releases or does it mean that if I get Chrome I'll have to wait for longer to get a new Civ game? Does anybody know the answer to this major question?

It works with 7, because there's a beta out, and I know that some cfc people here are using it.

As for Chrome OS, IIRC, it is based on the Linux kernel.

It works off Vista, and anything that works off Vista works on 7. (In fairness anything that works on Vista can probably work on an abacus).

I've recently got 7 (enterprise version) on this, and CIV IV complete is working better than on Vista.

I see. That's good. So with Chrome (I'm a real Google fan ), it won't work because it's based on Linux kernel? Or am I misunderstanding you?

Vortilex said:

I see. That's good. So with Chrome (I'm a real Google fan ), it won't work because it's based on Linux kernel? Or am I misunderstanding you?

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I'm playing under linux. It's a little bit more complicated than playing under windows (especially installation), and from time to time weird glitch happen. But on some game it work better.

Bottom line : You can play CivIV under linux, so playing under chrome seem realistic.

Awesome, so I'm covered on Civ at least through 2010, and by then Civ V should have come out (my fingers are crossed )

I play Civ 4 on my laptop running windows 7 RTM and can't get the game to run in full screen mode. I do have it running by setting "FullScreen = 0" but would rather be running full screen. In full screen mode I get the error this thread discusses:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=133147"]

I am guessing the problem is that, since there aren't any video drivers for my laptop for Windows 7, I am running Vista drivers.

Edit: BTW, it ran fine on Windows 7 Beta.

JBC, try downloading the latest drivers for your video chipset.

Intel: http://www.intel.com/
ATI: http://www.ati.com/
Nvidia: http://www.nvidia.com/

Don't ever go to the OEM's web site, because they never keep up to date.

Also, I'd advise uninstalling your current video driver, installing the latest video driver (even if it's the same version -- this can fix issues), uninstalling the game, reinstalling the game (from scratch; make sure that everything is gone, except maybe your saved games/HOF), and, finally, make sure that you're completely up to date with the latest DirectX 9 and 10 updates.

I'm sure you've tried all of the above already, but if you're willing to humor me and do it all over again (I know, it sucks, and I hate going through that pain, too), maybe we can get the game running in fullscreen again.

My guess is that somewhere along the line, one of your drivers (I suspect the video driver) was overwritten by an older, Windows 7-default driver.

Thanks for the advice Powerslave, I will give it a shot and post back the results. It might take a day or two as the next couple days for me are crazy.

TheLazyHase said:

I'm playing under linux. It's a little bit more complicated than playing under windows (especially installation), and from time to time weird glitch happen. But on some game it work better.

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How do mods work on Linux?

phungus420 said:

How do mods work on Linux?

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What you're doing under Linux with WINE is providing a reimplementation of the Windows API.

Think of it as having your own little version of Windows running inside Linux. You can install civ4, mods, etc etc on it and it should all work.

OK, good to know. I was mainly asking because I know many mods (those that have a modified gamecore) break for Macs, and was wondering if Linux had a similar issue.

phungus420 said:

OK, good to know. I was mainly asking because I know many mods (those that have a modified gamecore) break for Macs, and was wondering if Linux had a similar issue.

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There are issues whith mod. For example, from time to time Fall from heaven crash the graphical server hard. I must restart the computer to make it work again, and it mean a lot when I restart only every 3-5 month usually.

TheLazyHase said:

There are issues whith mod. For example, from time to time Fall from heaven crash the graphical server hard. I must restart the computer to make it work again, and it mean a lot when I restart only every 3-5 month usually.

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That's the danger of allowing direct hardware access, unfortunately. In order to prevent that, I might suggest virtualization software, such as VMware. It's been years since I last used it, but I remember it working somewhat well under Linux, though with quite limited success concerning video games. Hopefully, it's gotten better in the intervening years.

If you can afford it, a dedicated gaming system that runs Windows is usually the best solution. Luckily, a budget gaming computer is possible for just a few hundred dollars now. In the bad old days, it took thousands of dollars...

Hm, if that's an issue with Linux, then I guess I should get Widows 7 and not Chrome OS (although Chrome OS is coming in 2010, when Civ V will hopefully be out and Windows is coming in 17 days )

I think Chrome OS is more for netbooks. It's basically just another Linux distribution; it wouldn't have any publicity were it not for the fact that Google's making it.

Is there any reason why you NEED a new OS? Unless you're getting a new computer, you probably don't have much reason to upgrade. You should only ever upgrade your OS for two reasons:
1. You're getting a new computer
2. You absolutly need a feature of that OS and you can't reasonably get it any other way.

No exceptions (well, maybe Vista to 7, but that's because under the hood the two are nearly identical and 7 is just that good).

Powerslave said:

That's the danger of allowing direct hardware access, unfortunately. In order to prevent that, I might suggest virtualization software, such as VMware. It's been years since I last used it, but I remember it working somewhat well under Linux, though with quite limited success concerning video games. Hopefully, it's gotten better in the intervening years.

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In my opinion, it's too much work to pull that out. Wine tend to work very well and does not need a lot of resources.

Powerslave said:

If you can afford it, a dedicated gaming system that runs Windows is usually the best solution. Luckily, a budget gaming computer is possible for just a few hundred dollars now. In the bad old days, it took thousands of dollars...

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I does not want to pirate window, and for my need I find window too much expansive for what I get.

Seriously, will you pay 100+$ just to have less glitches in somes games ?

Vortilex said:

Hm, if that's an issue with Linux, then I guess I should get Widows 7 and not Chrome OS (although Chrome OS is coming in 2010, when Civ V will hopefully be out and Windows is coming in 17 days )

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Microsoft's product are better and better. I still don't think they are in any way better than linux counterpart, especially if you factor the price, but buying windows to avoid problem seem reasonnable to me. Especially if you have never run linux, since it's some work to get used to linux, so basically you trade time for money.

Vortilex said:

I also know that those with a Mac have to get a different game of civ from those who have Windows. But that may be because Mac is on its own hardware-the Macintosh. Windows and Chrome will be on the PC. Does that mean it will be the same with future Civ-releases or does it mean that if I get Chrome I'll have to wait for longer to get a new Civ game? Does anybody know the answer to this major question?

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Contrary to popular belief, Mac's do not run on different hardware. There is little difference between Mac hardware and mid to high end PC hardware. Asus mobo, AMD or nVidia graphics and same memory. The difference is in the bios and how it sees the operating system. That is why you can bootcamp Microsoft windows onto a Mac, by using a virtual bios. It is the operating and file system that require a different game.

Not a fanboy, just an administrator that works in a mixed environment.

I wouldn't say that Linux is "better". Getting it to work if you aren't a programmer can be a nightmare, especially if all of your hardware isn't natively supported by the kernel and/or you want to install more applications (as almost all open source applications require you to compile them and download additional libraries, which themselves require additional libraries and need to be compiled).

For example: I tried to set up my laptop to dual boot between Vista and Ubuntu (using the install under Windows option); I have a Lenovo Thinkpad W500. Ubuntu is not compatible with switchable graphics, requiring me to go into BIOS and change the settings every time I want to switch between Ubuntu and Vista (as I use the feature every time I go on battery power). My wireless card does not work in Ubuntu either. Tried to install an application to communicate with my graphing calculator; could not install from the download from its site, even after installing 10 other libraries (one of which wouldn't install); eventually found how to install it via package manager (which is NOT obvious) but it still wouldn't detect my calculator over USB. At this point I gave up.

By the way, the install CD I got is 8.04, so I had to do two internet updates to get to 9.04. Can't burn my own because then I would have to spend money to get CDs as well as spend a really long time downloading (the download speed at my college fluctuates between dialup and barely broadband, ie 384k).

deanej said:

I wouldn't say that Linux is "better". Getting it to work if you aren't a programmer can be a nightmare, especially if all of your hardware isn't natively supported by the kernel and/or you want to install more applications (as almost all open source applications require you to compile them and download additional libraries, which themselves require additional libraries and need to be compiled).

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For me, it's better in all sense. I agree that your mileage may varie, but it's the same for windows. Go check thoses people that bought a "vista-compatible" laptop just after Vista was released.

For me, installing more application is a lot easier than on windows, but it may be because my package manager work very well. I'm a little confused to see Ubuntu problem on this matter, I was under the belief that the Ubuntu package manager was pretty good too.

But all I all, I agree that I should had put more focus on the fact that was my opinion on the topic.