Vista users....

AVGWarhawk · 01-06-09, 06:43 AM

I have Vista 64 now and I find something strange. I loaded up SH4 and COD waw. For some reason, a desktop icon for the games do not appear. Any reason why Vista does not allow a desktop icon to appear after the game is installed?

CaptainHaplo · 01-06-09, 07:19 AM

Some installers were pre-vista and did not / do not put a desktop shortcut up. Make sure you set the desktop itself to classic view. Also if an icon doesn't appear, its easiest to create the icon thru sending one to the desktop from the start menu.

One really big word of advice - with vista 64 there are 2 program files folders - do NOT install programs to either one. While that is the default location with many programs - its much better to place them elsewhere - in a "games" folder or something off the root.

AVGWarhawk · 01-06-09, 07:55 AM

I see. What I did was was find the .exe file and made a short cut to the desktop. Why should I not load a game to the program files? I do see program files and then a second program files (X86). Currently my two games are loaded to the (X86) program files. Both work fine. So, what is the benefit of loading games to a games file?

Just a quick look at this (X86) file apparently handles 32 bit games/applications. The other program file handles 64 bit applications. Some say you can load to X86 without issue. Other say make a different folder. At any rate, if the game runs 64 bit the computer will run it at 64 bit no matter where the file is loaded. Anyway, running SH4 in X86 I was able to load up JSGME and get mods working etc. Seems ok to me.

I have also just read that the X86 program files are protected files and some games can not save the 'game save' function. I was able to save SH4 without issue. Unless there is a super valid reason to move SH4 out of X86, I will leave it there. My next game I will create a games folder.

Thomen · 01-06-09, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I have Vista 64 now and I find something strange. I loaded up SH4 and COD waw. For some reason, a desktop icon for the games do not appear. Any reason why Vista does not allow a desktop icon to appear after the game is installed?

More recent games will place a shortcut in the Games folder that is attached to your Start menu. Others, like SH4 wont sometimes show up at all, as you said.

As far as the directory structures goes: No idea. Haven't noticed any difference at all. It might be that they are just named differently so you can see what are the new folders, if you had a previous Windows version. But thats just my guess, of course.

Spike88 · 01-06-09, 12:06 PM

I installed SH4 on my 32bit vista and realized that it didn't create a folder in the start panel nor did it create a icon on my desktop, so I had to go looking through my program files to find it and create a shortcut of it.

AVGWarhawk · 01-06-09, 01:36 PM

That is what I did. The games loaded to the program files X86. I navigated to the just the program files and nothing there. I then navigated to the X86 files and that is were I found them. I was busy not paying attention to where I was loading the darn things

. Anyway, I did just that, sent a short cut to the desktop. However, I did not use the SH4.exe icon. I used the GU.exe that was loaded with the 1.5 add on. Worked fine. As far as COD waw, I just load the disc and the splash screen loads and I click play.

FIREWALL · 01-06-09, 02:38 PM

I just went to install Microsoft FSX on my Vista and it won't let me. :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

It has a conflict with the software. :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

And Billy wants me to buy Windows 7 ?

Task Force · 01-06-09, 03:12 PM

I think Il give windows 7 a couple of months/year before I get it. (The end product might not be that great, buggy mess.):hmm:

What are the main differences between 64 and 32 bit.

Wolfehunter · 01-06-09, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I have Vista 64 now and I find something strange. I loaded up SH4 and COD waw. For some reason, a desktop icon for the games do not appear. Any reason why Vista does not allow a desktop icon to appear after the game is installed?

Vista puts most icons for games in the game explorer

Sometime it doesn't even show in your programs depending on the game.

I don't like that setup that vista has for icons. I know their is a purpose for it I just can't recall what. :hmm:

AVGWarhawk · 01-07-09, 12:16 PM

Game Explorer? Hmmmm. I will have to check that out. You are correct, the SH4 start icon is not in the program folder. I made the short cut to the GU.exe that was installed after the 1.5 patch was introduced. Where can I find the Game Explorer folder?

01-06-09, 06:43 AM	#1
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,282 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Vista users.... I have Vista 64 now and I find something strange. I loaded up SH4 and COD waw. For some reason, a desktop icon for the games do not appear. Any reason why Vista does not allow a desktop icon to appear after the game is installed? __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

01-06-09, 07:19 AM	#2
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Some installers were pre-vista and did not / do not put a desktop shortcut up. Make sure you set the desktop itself to classic view. Also if an icon doesn't appear, its easiest to create the icon thru sending one to the desktop from the start menu. One really big word of advice - with vista 64 there are 2 program files folders - do NOT install programs to either one. While that is the default location with many programs - its much better to place them elsewhere - in a "games" folder or something off the root. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

01-06-09, 07:55 AM	#3
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,282 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I see. What I did was was find the .exe file and made a short cut to the desktop. Why should I not load a game to the program files? I do see program files and then a second program files (X86). Currently my two games are loaded to the (X86) program files. Both work fine. So, what is the benefit of loading games to a games file? Just a quick look at this (X86) file apparently handles 32 bit games/applications. The other program file handles 64 bit applications. Some say you can load to X86 without issue. Other say make a different folder. At any rate, if the game runs 64 bit the computer will run it at 64 bit no matter where the file is loaded. Anyway, running SH4 in X86 I was able to load up JSGME and get mods working etc. Seems ok to me. I have also just read that the X86 program files are protected files and some games can not save the 'game save' function. I was able to save SH4 without issue. Unless there is a super valid reason to move SH4 out of X86, I will leave it there. My next game I will create a games folder. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road Last edited by AVGWarhawk; 01-06-09 at 08:24 AM.

01-06-09, 01:36 PM	#6
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,282 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	That is what I did. The games loaded to the program files X86. I navigated to the just the program files and nothing there. I then navigated to the X86 files and that is were I found them. I was busy not paying attention to where I was loading the darn things. Anyway, I did just that, sent a short cut to the desktop. However, I did not use the SH4.exe icon. I used the GU.exe that was loaded with the 1.5 add on. Worked fine. As far as COD waw, I just load the disc and the splash screen loads and I click play. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

01-06-09, 02:38 PM	#7
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	I just went to install Microsoft FSX on my Vista and it won't let me. :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: It has a conflict with the software. :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: And Billy wants me to buy Windows 7 ? __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

01-06-09, 12:06 PM	#5
Spike88 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 3,052 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	I installed SH4 on my 32bit vista and realized that it didn't create a folder in the start panel nor did it create a icon on my desktop, so I had to go looking through my program files to find it and create a shortcut of it.

01-06-09, 03:12 PM	#8
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	I think Il give windows 7 a couple of months/year before I get it. (The end product might not be that great, buggy mess.):hmm: What are the main differences between 64 and 32 bit. __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

01-07-09, 12:16 PM	#10
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,282 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Game Explorer? Hmmmm. I will have to check that out. You are correct, the SH4 start icon is not in the program folder. I made the short cut to the GU.exe that was installed after the 1.5 patch was introduced. Where can I find the Game Explorer folder? __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road