Windows 7 Sid Meir's Railroads!

[Jancsika]

Motherboard: Asus P5Q SE
Processor: Intel Q6600 (2.4 GHz)
Ram: 4.00 GB (3.25 usable) Patriot PDC24G6400LLQK
Operating system: Windows 7 32-bit, Build 7100
Video: XFX GeForce 8800 GT, 512 mb


The game: Sid Meier's Railroads! Released by 2K in October 2006. (no help there!)
It worked with Vista when the compatibility was set to XP Service Pack #2., there was always some CTD (Crash To Desktop) problem, but not severe.


It loads and works with Windows 7, (XP Service Pack #2 compatibility), except the crashes are more frequent. It occurs mostly when over-scrolling with the mouse, but also when clicking on the dialog boxes or sometimes just doing nothing.
If I reload a saved game it will crash at the same point where it crashed before, even when I do nothing.


Couple weeks ago I installed the Virtual XP machine software. Thought, that it is a great idea! Set the usable memory to 2 GB. The game needs only 512 MB to run.
When I started to install the game, it gave an error message,that the computer does not meet the minimum requirement and stopped installing.


I got rather disgusted and removed the Virtual Machine. Now that I have calmed down, I wonder if there could be something else that I can do.
Any suggestions? Please.
Jancsika

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are experiencing issues running Sid Meier's Railroads! on your Windows 7 system with compatibility settings even after attempting to use a Virtual XP machine. Here are a few suggestions you can try to potentially address the crashing issues:

Solution 1: Run the Game in Compatibility Mode​

1. Right-click on the game's shortcut or executable file.
2. Select "Properties" and go to the "Compatibility" tab.
3. Check the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for:"
4. Choose an earlier Windows version like Windows XP Service Pack 2.
5. Apply the changes and try running the game again.

   Solution 2: Update Graphics Drivers​

6. Ensure your graphics card drivers are up to date.
7. Visit the XFX website or NVIDIA's official website to download and install the latest drivers for your GeForce 8800 GT.

   Solution 3: Adjust In-Game Settings​

8. Within the game settings, lower graphics settings like resolution, texture quality, and other graphical effects.
9. Disable any unnecessary in-game features that may strain your system.

   Solution 4: Install Windows Updates​

10. Make sure your Windows 7 system is fully updated with the latest patches and service packs.
11. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Update to check for updates.

    Solution 5: Disable Data Execution Prevention (DEP)​

12. Go to Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings > Performance > Settings > Data Execution Prevention.
13. Add the game to the exception list or temporarily disable DEP to see if it affects the game's stability.

    Solution 6: Check for Game Patches or Mods​

14. Look for any official patches or community-made mods that could address compatibility issues or stability problems.
15. Install any available updates or patches for the game.

    Solution 7: Check Event Viewer for Error Details​

16. Open Event Viewer (Type "Event Viewer" in the Start menu search bar) to check for any specific error messages related to the game crashes.
17. Look for clues in the Application or System logs that might pinpoint the cause of the crashes.

    Note:​

    • Running a 32-bit Windows 7 system with limited usable RAM might also be a contributing factor to the crashes. Upgrading to a 64-bit version could potentially improve performance.
    • Considering the game's age, some compatibility issues might persist due to the hardware and software advancements since its release in 2006.
    Feel free to try these solutions and see if they help improve the stability of the game on your system. If you encounter any specific error messages or need further assistance, please provide more details for a more tailored solution.