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    Vista and "Run as Administrator"/"Compatability" For games

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by Chimera6586, Mar 13, 2007.

  1. Chimera6586

    Chimera6586 Notebook Consultant

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    I just got my new laptop (see sig) and have been installing numerous games on it. Some with ease, some not. Hopefully Vista will be nice to me.

    I have installed F.E.A.R, Quake 4, Doom 3, Medieval 2 Total War, BF 2142...

    I was wondering two things:

    1.) Should I run these games with the "Run as Administrator" option on? (under right click menu of desktop shortcut)

    2.) Should I run all these games with the "Window XP Service Pack 2" option on?

    Thanks guys
     
    Chimera6586, Mar 13, 2007
    #1
  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Only if you have problems with the game. I'd turn on option 2 first, and then option 1...but it really doesn't matter too much I think.
     
    Greg, Mar 13, 2007
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  3. Airman

    Airman Band of Gypsys NBR Reviewer

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    I seriously doubt either will make any real difference.
     
    Airman, Mar 13, 2007
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  4. kidwithshirt

    kidwithshirt Notebook Geek

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    I m not an expert at this, but as a vista owner, i suggest you use administrative run option

    Sometimes, not all the time (But most of the time for me), if you DONT run as administrator. The files you generate with a software (In this case a game), will be stored in a virtual store folder (If you look closely, its in your C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\VirtualStore folder)

    Dont know what exactly Vista is doing with this, but certainly this feature hasnt helped me at all

    If you use steam:

    BEFORE i run steam as administrator, the steam default download folder (where it store its games, SteamAPPS folder they call it) is in the virtual store. Steam doesnt know to look for its files in virtual store, instead it looks in its original expected folder (program files/steam/steamapps)

    IF you run as administrator, steam will do its thing and start working inside your c:/program file.

    -

    I m no expert at computer, these are simply my observations.

    Hope it helps
     
    kidwithshirt, Mar 13, 2007
    #4
  5. Aceimager

    Aceimager Notebook Guru

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    Hi Forum,

    I'm running Vista Home Premium. With Rush For Berlin, Rise and Fall, and SpellForce 2, the only way I could get the games to run was to set them to "Run as administrator". All my other games are fine, but I believe this is due to the Star Force protection software incorporated into these titles. Titan Quest I have to run as Windows 98 / Windows ME, but that's just Titan Quest being the buggy game that it is :) Otherwise I run everything as Windows XP (Service Pack 2).

    My ATI X1950 Pro Ultimate runs far more stable with Vista than my previous NVIDIA 7900GS. I'm sure they'll get their drivers sorted out in due course, but I for one couldn't handle the vast majority of my games crashing under Vista.
     
    Aceimager, Mar 14, 2007
    #5