Windows10 compatability - patch?

[ars_belli]

This was driving me insane until today.  I've experimented with three different versions and now they are all working on up-to-date Win 10 Pro.  I hope that this helps someone else!

0. Install directory: I installed everything to subfolders of C:\SMAC\ to avoid Win10's "secure" behaviour concerning the C:\Program Files\ and C:\Program Files (x86)\ folders.

1. SMAC only
    1a. GoG install
    1b. scient v2 patch
    1c. terran.exe > Properties > Compatibility > Win XP SP3
    1d. PRACX v1.11 install
    1e. AlphaCentauri.ini > DirectDraw=0 and DisableOpeningMovie=1
Everything works in-game, but when playing SP videos you need to press Esc to exit an infinite loop!

2. SMAX
    2a. GoG install
    2b. Yitzi 3.5 patch
    2c. Yitzi 3.5d install
    2d. terran.exe > Properties > Compatibility > Win XP SP3
    2e. PRACX v1.11 install
    2f. AlphaCentauri.ini > DirectDraw=0 and DisableOpeningMovie=1
This seems to be fine...

3. CD install of v4 SMAC (from early 2000s, I don't remember the precise CD I have)
    3a. terran.exe > Properties > Compatibility > 256 colour mode
    3b. terran.exe > Properties > Compatibility > Disable full-screen optimisation
    3c. AlphaCentauri.ini > deleted ForeceOldVoxelAlgorithm line from [Alpha Centauri] since it's already under [Preferences]
    3e. AlphaCentauri.ini > deleted DirectDraw=0
DO NOT USE AlphaCentauri.ini > DirectDraw=0 on this version -- this will render the entire game inoperable!
This doesn't obey AlphaCentauri.ini > DisableOpeningMovie=1 but opening movie plays fine (as do SP videos).

So the best result I had agrees with the consensus that SMAX + Yitzi's 3.5d patch work fine, with a few compatibility tweaks. 

[bvanevery]

Well that's good information about results.  I would note that at least with my version of GOG, "C:\GOG Games\Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri" is the default directory, so there are no "Program Files" security issues.  I always use DirectDraw=0.  I've got Secret Project Videos turned off.  I don't know if that's necessary anymore, but once upon a time a long time ago, it seemed to prevent some lockup problems.  I suppose I could try turning it back on and seeing if I suffer any ill effects.  I've just seen those videos so much lol.

Lately I've been suffering a "stutter" between turns.  Like the AI is taking a long time to resolve something, and I get the Windows spin-wait icon thingy.  But it resolves in a few seconds and the game doesn't crash.  This behavior is somewhat new and makes me wonder if some Windows 10 update has caused it.  At least it is not a fatal error, I just have to be patient for a few seconds.

[DrazharLn]

Thanks for posting your notes

Pracx v1.11 should cause the value of DirectDraw to be irrelevant. Are you sure it makes a difference for you once pracx is installed?

[ars_belli]

Thanks for posting your notes

Pracx v1.11 should cause the value of DirectDraw to be irrelevant. Are you sure it makes a difference for you once pracx is installed?

DirectDraw=1 (and PRACX v1.11) only creates a difference when the Secret Project films are enabled, in which case the resolution temporarily changes to 800x600, then appears to revert to normal when the film is playing, after which the map is visible during the look-how-awesome-your-faction-is-monolith scene.

I'm quite happy to disable to SP videos, which appear to be the cause of most Win 10 bugs.  There's no change using DirectDraw settings to the gameplay itself...

In fact, the only PRACX issue I had was with the installation from my old SMAC CD, where it did strange things to the default factions (e.g. Gaian faction with Univ buildings).  Since I now have the GoG version I can play that instead.  (At 1200x900 resolution, PRACX is a life-saver -- no more stretched text and blurry graphics!)

[DrazharLn]

That's interesting, thanks

[ars_belli]

It might be obvious to everyone else, but in AlphaCentauri.ini does the fourth digit control Secret Project movies?
Preferences=10101011111000011101110110100110
appears to turn them off for me, which prevents mid-game crashing in Win. 10.

[bvanevery]

There's no reason a particular bit position would be "obvious".  Nor do you need to control these bits by adjusting them manually.  Use the GUI menus in the game.  If it's different before and after, then yep, that's the bit.

[timesquare]

This is very helpful information, thank you for sharing it. Recently, a friend and I have been trying to solve the compatibility problem of his PC with Windows 10, and it didn't work out. Maybe it's because we don't have the necessary knowledge with him. When I installed Windows 10 on my pc, I didn't have any problems. I even installed Windows 10 key Reddit to make sure that the system is genuine and not used on more devices than allowed by the terms of the license agreement. However, I'm sure with your help we will be able to work it out and resolve the compatibility issue.

[BFG]

Did you try installing from the original CD?  I discovered when I tried to do that recently that I could not get it to install because the installer requires Flash and Flash has been deprecated.  I bought the GOG version for all of $1.50 as a result.