Old games not working on computer

[rkade8583]

I bought my girlfriend civ 1 for windows and civ 2 off of ebay. Her computer is giving her problems. Any time we try to install either game, an error saying "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application." occurs

Now she says she has XP and any instructions given should be as detailed as possible so I can relay them to her (in Arizona through skype). Thanks in advance.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

First, is it DOS or Windows? I think if it DOS, there's usually a BAT file somewhere in the directory.

If it's a 16-bit Windows game, try this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324767

If it's a DOS game, try this:
Download DOSBox at http://www.dosbox.com/
Now, install DOSShell at http://www.loonies.narod.ru/dosshell.htm It's a GUI for DOSBox, one of the easiest ones I've found.
Within DOSShell, set it up in Edit >> Preferences to point to the DOSBox directory.
THEN, you click on the green plus sign, and add the game info, and in "Path to executable" point to the game EXE. (Sometimes there's several EXE files, if it doesn't work the first time it's editable.)

Good luck.

 

[Bestbank Tiger]

Find the .exe file, right click, and somewhere in the Properties there's an option to run in compatibility mode for Windows 95.

That's how I got Master of Orion working.

 

[rkade8583]

Thanks guys. I'll let you know how it goes. She's coming up here on Wednesday so I'm GOING to find out what the problem is (because now I'm curious)