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Windows 7 Compatibility - 8/22/2009 9:03:59 PM   
TonyE


Posts: 1551
Joined: 5/23/2006
From: MN, USA
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HCE runs fine on Windows 7 release version.

I tested with Windows 7 Professional x64 and HCE 2009.036. The same SE limitations apply in Windows 7 as in previous versions of Windows, it just won't work natively on 64-bit versions of Windows but will work in 32-bit virtual machines and 32-bit versions of Windows.



_____________________________

Sincerely,
Tony Eischens
Harpoon (HC, HCE, HUCE, Classic) programmer
HarpGamer.com Co-Owner
Post #: 1
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 8/23/2009 7:00:19 PM   
danny66

 

Posts: 2
Joined: 8/4/2009
Status: offline
As a matter of interest, how did you get the game to work in the virtual os? Did you just re-install?

I only want to use the scenario editor, but im running vista 64bit as my main os.


(in reply to TonyE)
Post #: 2
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 8/23/2009 9:18:56 PM   
TonyE


Posts: 1551
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From: MN, USA
Status: offline
My virtual machine is windows 2000 running within VMWare workstation. I used the shared folders capability of VMWare to share my HCE from the host computer to the virtual machine so I don't have to install the game into the VM. Installing a second copy of the game into the VM is probably the more straightforward way to go.


_____________________________

Sincerely,
Tony Eischens
Harpoon (HC, HCE, HUCE, Classic) programmer
HarpGamer.com Co-Owner

(in reply to danny66)
Post #: 3
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 10/25/2009 3:26:37 PM   
johnfmonahan

 

Posts: 82
Joined: 6/11/2000
From: Waterford WI, USA
Status: offline
My question is when will it run in Windows 7 64 bit natively? Or will you delete this post too?

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When in doubt, go on line.

(in reply to TonyE)
Post #: 4
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 10/25/2009 4:06:21 PM   
TonyE


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I have no idea what you mean about deleting posts? I don't know that the scenario editor will ever run natively on 64-bit versions of Windows. That is in large part up to the community supporting the process since this is a volunteer effort developing the game and there has not been the support for such an effort.

_____________________________

Sincerely,
Tony Eischens
Harpoon (HC, HCE, HUCE, Classic) programmer
HarpGamer.com Co-Owner

(in reply to johnfmonahan)
Post #: 5
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 10/25/2009 7:31:43 PM   
Warhorse64

 

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What would actually be involved in making SE into 32- or 64-bit software? I take it it's more than just recompiling?
(I'm not enough of a geek to know this ... )

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Post #: 6
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 10/25/2009 9:40:27 PM   
TonyE


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From: MN, USA
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Yes, it is more than just recompiling, even the 32-bit to 64-bit is more than recompiling, tried that and it is much easier than 16 to 32-bit.

Anyway, the biggest direct difficulty in the 16 to 32-bit conversion is translation of the Windows API call. HC uses direct API calls, no MFC or other widgetset approach. In simple terms every chunk of code that sends something to the screen has to be modified with the 32-bit calls. That means thousands of code changes just to get it compiling (I did much of that procedure over a period of a couple of a few weeks a while back). You get lots of small issues there with the different flags for drawing (now a window might not size information like it used to, a button click no longer works cause Tony forgot a flag of some sort, etc.).

On the whole that might be the less troublesome part of the translation, perhaps bigger is maintaining scenario compatibility. An Integer in 16-bit land is, well, 16-bits whereas in 32-bit land it is 32-bits so all of the places the code is silly enough to say Integer need to be reviewed with a fine-toothed comb. Everywhere bit shifting is used it has to be checked because some of the code expects a 16-bit number shifted a certain number of spots, if you just switch to a 32-bit number and shift the same number of bits, you'll often get the wrong result but you won't get any error or warning. That's what can really make the conversion challenging!

My current view is that it is smarter and potentially less time consuming to build a new SE, and in the process start a new GE rather than sink almost endless hours into the existing code. You can read more about some of my ideas and a few of others (notice not nearly enough of others, nor commitments of time, nor anything even close to recent, etc. etc. etc.) http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?showforum=49 (note link to restructure ideas there which talks a little bit about 16->32-bit).


_____________________________

Sincerely,
Tony Eischens
Harpoon (HC, HCE, HUCE, Classic) programmer
HarpGamer.com Co-Owner

(in reply to Warhorse64)
Post #: 7
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 10/25/2009 10:58:04 PM   
rich12545

 

Posts: 1705
Joined: 10/31/2000
From: Palouse, WA
Status: offline
I recently installed xp 64 bit.  Hadn't gotten around to installing all my games yet including Harpoon.  I don't care about the scenario editor, just playing the game.  Will it work ok?

(in reply to TonyE)
Post #: 8
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 10/25/2009 11:43:43 PM   
CV32


Posts: 1046
Joined: 5/15/2006
From: The Rock, Canada
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: rich12545
I recently installed xp 64 bit.  Hadn't gotten around to installing all my games yet including Harpoon.  I don't care about the scenario editor, just playing the game.  Will it work ok?


Yes.

_____________________________

Brad Leyte
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner

(in reply to rich12545)
Post #: 9
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 10/27/2009 1:07:28 AM   
Warhorse64

 

Posts: 154
Joined: 12/9/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: TonyE

Yes, it is more than just recompiling, even the 32-bit to 64-bit is more than recompiling, tried that and it is much easier than 16 to 32-bit.

Anyway, the biggest direct difficulty in the 16 to 32-bit conversion is translation of the Windows API call. HC uses direct API calls, no MFC or other widgetset approach. In simple terms every chunk of code that sends something to the screen has to be modified with the 32-bit calls. That means thousands of code changes just to get it compiling (I did much of that procedure over a period of a couple of a few weeks a while back). You get lots of small issues there with the different flags for drawing (now a window might not size information like it used to, a button click no longer works cause Tony forgot a flag of some sort, etc.).

On the whole that might be the less troublesome part of the translation, perhaps bigger is maintaining scenario compatibility. An Integer in 16-bit land is, well, 16-bits whereas in 32-bit land it is 32-bits so all of the places the code is silly enough to say Integer need to be reviewed with a fine-toothed comb. Everywhere bit shifting is used it has to be checked because some of the code expects a 16-bit number shifted a certain number of spots, if you just switch to a 32-bit number and shift the same number of bits, you'll often get the wrong result but you won't get any error or warning. That's what can really make the conversion challenging!

My current view is that it is smarter and potentially less time consuming to build a new SE, and in the process start a new GE rather than sink almost endless hours into the existing code. You can read more about some of my ideas and a few of others (notice not nearly enough of others, nor commitments of time, nor anything even close to recent, etc. etc. etc.) http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?showforum=49 (note link to restructure ideas there which talks a little bit about 16->32-bit).




Ye flippin' gods ...

(in reply to TonyE)
Post #: 10
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 1/9/2010 12:02:31 AM   
Unzen


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Joined: 8/10/2008
From: United Kingdom
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: CV32

quote:

ORIGINAL: rich12545
I recently installed xp 64 bit.  Hadn't gotten around to installing all my games yet including Harpoon.  I don't care about the scenario editor, just playing the game.  Will it work ok?


Yes.


Yep - same here. Got it running on my Windows 7 64-bit machine absolutely fine. :)

_____________________________

Rusty 'ol Harpoon player - circa 1989

(in reply to CV32)
Post #: 11
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 5/22/2010 8:17:07 PM   
JayTac

 

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Joined: 7/8/2009
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What are the limitations in 7 64 bit?

< Message edited by JayTac -- 5/22/2010 8:18:02 PM >

(in reply to Unzen)
Post #: 12
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 5/22/2010 8:25:46 PM   
Warhorse64

 

Posts: 154
Joined: 12/9/2007
Status: offline
Game works fine, scenario editor doesn't work. This holds for any 64-bit version of Windows.

(in reply to JayTac)
Post #: 13
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 7/6/2010 8:07:49 PM   
LtMatthews

 

Posts: 20
Joined: 12/20/2007
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I also have a new windows 7 computer (transfered to my new computer using the xfer program)

I need my key and a set by step tutorial on how to make this work on the new computer please

(in reply to Warhorse64)
Post #: 14
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 7/6/2010 10:13:14 PM   
TonyE


Posts: 1551
Joined: 5/23/2006
From: MN, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: LtMatthews

I also have a new windows 7 computer (transfered to my new computer using the xfer program)

I need my key and a set by step tutorial on how to make this work on the new computer please


1. Find your serial number on your original CD or purchase e-mail. If you can't find it for some reason, go to http://www.findmyorder.com and look it up.

2. Install the base game from your CD or original download. If you don't have the base game, contact Matrix support via the helpdesk http://www.matrixgames.com/helpdesk/

3. Install the 2008.044 update from http://www.matrixgames.com/products/325/downloads/Larry%20Bond's%20Harpoon%20-%20Commander's%20Edition

4. Install the 2009.042 update from http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?showtopic=2049

Tada


_____________________________

Sincerely,
Tony Eischens
Harpoon (HC, HCE, HUCE, Classic) programmer
HarpGamer.com Co-Owner

(in reply to LtMatthews)
Post #: 15
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 3/5/2011 11:14:20 PM   
SteveFarrell

 

Posts: 3
Joined: 11/14/2006
Status: offline
Are there any issues with Windows 7 and the DB Editor or will that work fine with Windows 7?
Steve

(in reply to TonyE)
Post #: 16
RE: Windows 7 Compatibility - 3/6/2011 3:18:13 AM   
TonyE


Posts: 1551
Joined: 5/23/2006
From: MN, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Steve.farrell

Are there any issues with Windows 7 and the DB Editor or will that work fine with Windows 7?
Steve


DB editor works fine on all MS operating systems that are newer than Windows 3.2 (bet you thought 3.11 was the last 3 series).



_____________________________

Sincerely,
Tony Eischens
Harpoon (HC, HCE, HUCE, Classic) programmer
HarpGamer.com Co-Owner

(in reply to SteveFarrell)
Post #: 17
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