Solved - BLACK squares around units on the field ?

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Scourge of War: Waterloo >> Tech Support >> Solved - BLACK squares around units on the field ?

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Solved - BLACK squares around units on the field ? - 6/9/2015 1:18:47 PM

Lancier

Posts: 94
Joined: 9/17/2013
Status: offline

edit: ok just realised Windows 8 / 8.1 Compatibility topic.

< Message edited by con20or -- 6/13/2015 11:13:58 AM >

Post #: 1

RE: BLACK squares around units on the field ? - 6/9/2015 5:06:36 PM

WHLNH

Posts: 12
Joined: 7/3/2004
From: Concord
Status: offline

Hoping for a quick fix!!

Just bought for my Win 8 laptop and am going away on business. Thought this would keep me busy.

Hoping to buy for the win7 desktop when I get home.

Bill

(in reply to Lancier)

Post #: 2

RE: BLACK squares around units on the field ? - 6/9/2015 5:10:02 PM

VPaulus

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Joined: 6/23/2011
From: Portugal
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quote:

ORIGINAL: WHLNH

Hoping for a quick fix!!

Just bought for my Win 8 laptop and am going away on business. Thought this would keep me busy.

Hoping to buy for the win7 desktop when I get home.

Bill

You can play from your Windows 8 laptop as long as you add the compatibility to Windows 7 on the main exe file.

(in reply to WHLNH)

Post #: 3

RE: BLACK squares around units on the field ? - 6/9/2015 5:41:46 PM

Bandred

Posts: 3
Joined: 2/9/2004
From: Derby, UK
Status: offline

Thanks for the compatibility setting advice ... it fixed my problem.

(in reply to VPaulus)

Post #: 4

RE: BLACK squares around units on the field ? - 6/9/2015 7:43:44 PM

ETF

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Joined: 9/16/2004
From: Vancouver, Canada
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Hmmm Didn't fix mine.....curious why would this be necessary for a 2015 game?

Any trick with the Compatibility mode?

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(in reply to Bandred)

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RE: BLACK squares around units on the field ? - 6/9/2015 7:51:52 PM

VPaulus

Posts: 3630
Joined: 6/23/2011
From: Portugal
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ETF

Hmmm Didn't fix mine.....curious why would this be necessary for a 2015 game?

Any trick with the Compatibility mode?

Try also adding administrator rights.

(in reply to ETF)

Post #: 6

RE: BLACK squares around units on the field ? - 6/9/2015 8:29:17 PM

ETF

Posts: 1748
Joined: 9/16/2004
From: Vancouver, Canada
Status: offline

Works now.....Had to lock in the Administrator aspect....:)

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My Top Matrix Games 1) CMO MP?? 2) WITP/AE 3) SOW 4) Combat Mission 5) Armor Brigade

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(in reply to ETF)

Post #: 7

RE: BLACK squares around units on the field ? - 6/10/2015 6:18:39 AM

Hertston

Posts: 3564
Joined: 8/17/2002
From: Cornwall, UK
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Sorted, but honestly.. why should I be setting a $50 game released yesterday to Windows 7 compatibility?! Windows 10 is only a couple of months ago FFS.

(in reply to ETF)

Post #: 8

RE: BLACK squares around units on the field ? - 6/10/2015 7:04:46 AM

zakblood

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Joined: 10/4/2012
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some game don't like the advanced memory management features that both windows 8.1 and windows 10 beta gives and throws up errors, that aren't errors in there own rights, as it's not the fault of the game in general but how the operating system see's or handles it, so using compatibility mode and using a older version type tricks windows into behaving better, while using the administrator account settings tab unlocks other stuff so windows doesn't throw a wobbly.

so game designer / programmer may not be at fault, but game engine and windows maybe to a degree, and as long as a work around can be and is being used, won't be a problem or issue, using compatibility mode while making some games more stable only makes a slight % loss in performance on most pc's but does depend on age and speed

(in reply to Hertston)

Post #: 9

RE: BLACK squares around units on the field ? - 6/11/2015 11:54:15 PM

chops

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Joined: 12/16/2012
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I have to say that I am pretty disappointed with the black square issue, and the fact that a work-around is required. Seriously, Windows 10 will be out soon and it is ridiculous to have to use Windows 7 Compatibility Mode on a $50 game. Lame!

(in reply to zakblood)

Post #: 10

RE: BLACK squares around units on the field ? - 6/12/2015 5:17:28 AM

zakblood

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Joined: 10/4/2012
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well don't be, and here's the reason why,

Compatibility mode is achieved using so called shims. There is a good article on TechNet describing how these work.

Windows application files contain an import table which tells the application loader which DLLs the application needs and which functions it uses from them. A process might for example reference GetVersionEx in the kernel32.dll. When a program shall run in compatibility mode, then the shim is put between the application and the shim replaces the GetVersionEx function, so that the application does not call GetVersionEx from kernel32.dll but the GetVersionEx in the shim. The shimmed functions then implement the behaviour of previous Windows versions. GetVersionEx is an easy sample, each Windows version returns its own version numbers in GetVersionEx, so when faking an old Windows the GetVersionEx function now not returns the Windows 7 version numbers but for example the Windows XP version numbers. So the application will believe it is running on Windows XP.

There have also been some other changes from Windows version to Windows version. In older versions for example, if a program loaded a DLL, the search path for the DLL also included the current directory. This is a security issue, so newer versions of Windows by default don't search in the current directory. With the proper shim you can simulate the old behaviour.

Since shims are just a layer between the application and the Windows API a shim can just do what the application could do itself. The shim cannot be used for example to circumvent UAC or access protected files.

so it's not lame, it's windows, so enjoy the game as it works as designed...

(in reply to chops)

Post #: 11

RE: BLACK squares around units on the field ? - 6/13/2015 10:08:04 AM

con20or

Posts: 246
Joined: 5/6/2015
Status: offline

Excellent explanation - thanks Zakblood

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(in reply to zakblood)

Post #: 12