How to install Red Alert 1 on 64-bit systems

[Nyerguds]

[Note: see this thread (http://www.commandandconquer.com/forums/showthread.php?67&p=1675&viewfull=1#post1675) for links to download the game CD ISOs]

The CD installer of Red Alert 1 is a 16-bit program. This means that any 64-bit Windows system will utterly refuse to start it, no matter what compatibility options you try to set.

However, the Red Alert installation files aren't packed in any kind of installer archive, they are simply dumped on the CD, which makes installing the game really easy. On top of that, I've created an installer for the 3.03 patch which will make sure the game's registry items are all set correctly.


Instructions:

Create a folder on your hard disk where you want to install the game.
Copy the complete contents of the INSTALL folder of the game's CD (Allied or Soviet, doesn't matter which one) to that folder you made on your hard disk.
Download and run the Red Alert v3.03 installer (http://nyerguds.arsaneus-design.com/cncstuff/0_files.html#ra303). When it asks for a folder to install in, point it to the folder in which you copied the CD files.


That's all? Yep, that's all. Don't forget to use RA95.exe to start the game, not RA.exe or RUNGAME.exe.

If you get the "unable to set video mode" error, this can be fixed by setting the game to 640x480 mode in RASETUP.exe. For more tech support, see the Common Problems thread in the First Decade forum (http://www.commandandconquer.com/forums/showthread.php?547).


Some notes on the installer:


Don't check the options to install Counterstrike or The Aftermath unless you have the CDs. Once you install The Aftermath, the game will refuse to let you play Skirmish games with any other CD than the Aftermath one.
You can't uninstall the game this way, since nothing really installed it. To remove the game, simply delete the folder.
The internet components are not needed if you already have more recent ones, from Tiberian Sun or Red Alert 2.
I have not updated or tested these internet components; they're just the internet components that were included in the original RA 3.03 patch, so it's very possible they are outdated anyway.

[Meyerm]

I need help. I followed the instructions exactly, but there's still a problem. Whenever I click on RUNGAME.EXE an air message comes up saying "Audio needs to be configured for Red Alert DOS version. Press OK to continue." Then I click OK, and a black screen with a blinking horizontal white bar in the corner comes up (as if I'm supposed to type something) but I can't type anything, and I can only exit out of it with the windows task manager. I exit out of it, and two more air messages come up. The first one:

C:/WESTWOOD?REDALE~2/_SETUP.EXE
C:/PROGRA~1/Symantec/S32EVNT1.DLL. An installable Virtual Device Driver failed Dll initialization. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.

Second one:

C:/WESTWOOD/REDALE~/RA.EXE
C:/PROGRA~1/Symantec/S32EVNT1.DLL. An installable Virtual Device Driver failed Dll initialization. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.

If I choose to ignore both of them, this comes up:

Red Alert Setup Program
The NTVDM CPU has encountered an illegal instruction.
CS:c000 IP:5055 OP:f0 00 ff ff 20 Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.

If I ignore that one too, the same one comes up again, and then goes away if I choose to ignore a second time. This is all the information I can readily dish out at this time, and I'm no computer wiz so I'm clueless on what this means. Any help?

[Larsee]

Thanks Nyerguds for posting the Windows 7 64 bit method! I was going nuts trying to set up a Windows 98 loaded computer to play my old RA Aftermath. I used your instructions and it works fine on my new computer with Windows 7. Havent played RA in over 10 years and wanted to play it again for old fun.

Mayem...did you create your directory to the "INSTALL" file of the RA components? That is the only way I could get mine to work. C:/Westwood/Red Alert/INSTALL

BTW: LoL...Anybody know which Skirmish game has the ants that come out of the ant holes and attack the human bases? I can't find it on my Aftermath disc -- I know it's in there!

[Vayjir]

BTW: LoL...Anybody know which Skirmish game has the ants that come out of the ant holes and attack the human bases? I can't find it on my Aftermath disc -- I know it's in there!

Its not a skirmish map its a hidden campaign when you are at the main menu outside of a game you hold left alt and press the speaker to the right of the menu atleast i think that should be it someone correct me if im wrong.
Ofc this is on the Aftermath menu.

[Larsee]

Its not a skirmish map its a hidden campaign when you are at the main menu outside of a game you hold left alt and press the speaker to the right of the menu atleast i think that should be it someone correct me if im wrong.
Ofc this is on the Aftermath menu.

Thanks for the reply!

I looked on the game start up pages (Skirmish and network) and don't see a speaker to hit. It has to be one of the games available in the skirmish - I wasn't smart enough to do anything but play the campaign and skirmish games back 10 years ago...LoL! I remember there were "volcanoes" on the map -- what I thought were volcanoes (I was expecting lava flows) -- until the ants came out and attacked all the bases...LoL! You just don't forget memorable events like that on Red Alert! :-)

[Vayjir]

http://i56.tinypic.com/213ru4h.png

Thats the speaker i mean.
You hold left alt i think then click on it.

[Larsee]

I tried all kinds of buttons (L+R alt, ctrl, shift, tab, etc) and moving the cursor all over the screen but nothing happens.

I remember the map/game I'm looking for was surrounded by water, green foilage (not ice/snow), and had lots of rivers. The ant holes were strewn about. I thought it was a Mega (8) game - but I've been opening them and can't seem to find it. Is it possible it was on the base RA game and not in the Aftermath disc?


Update: At least I now know I'm not having messed-up memories...I looked at a couple of Red Alert - ant videos on youtube. One of them shows the "speaker method" but I have no idea how they did it -- and none of the other videos show how to get to the ant games.

[Kahuna09]

I played one of the map versions[skirmish] that had the ants in it.It was one of the mega map and it was some sort of island to island battle but I don't know the name of it.If I find it again I will post it here.It was part of the aftermath mappack.

[Kahuna09]

ok..it's definetley an Island Conflict Exreme mega map that has the ants on it..enjoy!

[Larsee]

Thanks Kahuna09! It is the "Island Wars Extreme (Mega 8 Players)" in the Skirmish section. I found it by checking the island mega games due to your post. Not exactly islands as you can walk/drive to every land mass...but the ants attacking adds to the warfare...LoL!

[Kahuna09]

Good News Larsee!!Glad to help.I just got back from playing it myself.If you are looking for a heavier challenge try "The Hills Have Eyes" mega..it requires unique solutions to the mutant infestation there.. Enjoy!!

[Larsee]

"The Hills Have Eyes" -- at first I was thinking this game doesn't have ants...then I played it again and remembered what you meant about mutant infestation...LoL!

Dang civilians/partisans! I built fleets of cruisers and wiped out the town where the civilians come from but then they started attacking from the south edge!

[Nyerguds]

http://i56.tinypic.com/213ru4h.png

Thats the speaker i mean.
You hold left alt i think then click on it.
SHIFT, not alt.

From the morse sheet that came with my Counterstrike box (http://nyerguds.arsaneus-design.com/manuals/Red%20Alert/counterstrike_morsecode.txt):


.... --- .-.. -.. | -.. --- .-- -. | - .... . | .-.. . ..-. -
... .... .. ..-. - | -.- . -.-- | .- -. -.. | .-.. . ..-. -
-.-. .-.. .. -.-. -.- | --- -. | - .... . | .-. --- ..- -. -..
... .--. . .- -.- . .-.

HOLD DOWN THE LEFT
SHIFT KEY AND LEFT
CLICK ON THE ROUND
SPEAKER

In reality, just tapping [shift] once is enough though; you don't need to hold it down at all. And the right one works just as well :p

[Kahuna09]

"The Hills Have Eyes" -- at first I was thinking this game doesn't have ants...then I played it again and remembered what you meant about mutant infestation...LoL!

Dang civilians/partisans! I built fleets of cruisers and wiped out the town where the civilians come from but then they started attacking from the south edge!

Lol, oh yes the mutants in that town will come at you from the edge of the map if you wipe out their homes. I usually wall them off as soon as I can .They start to accumulate in signifigent numbers after awhile[looks like a miniature Garth Brooks concert inside the perimeter ]until I turn them loose on the last standing enemy while I sit behind cement walls and watch them relentlessly attack.Good Times.Good Fun.

[Larsee]

SHIFT, not alt.

From the morse sheet that came with my Counterstrike box (http://nyerguds.arsaneus-design.com/manuals/Red%20Alert/counterstrike_morsecode.txt):



In reality, just tapping [shift] once is enough though; you don't need to hold it down at all. And the right one works just as well :p

I've tried every button on the keyboard but nothing happens when I put the cursor over the speaker and hit any button on the mouse. I've hit the keyboard buttons and held them down.

I am using the aftermath collection -- is it possible this is only on the basic RA CD?

I have found the "G" (guard) and "E" (select all in screen) buttons work while playing.

[Larsee]

Lol, oh yes the mutants in that town will come at you from the edge of the map if you wipe out their homes. I usually wall them off as soon as I can .They start to accumulate in signifigent numbers after awhile[looks like a miniature Garth Brooks concert inside the perimeter ]until I turn them loose on the last standing enemy while I sit behind cement walls and watch them relentlessly attack.Good Times.Good Fun.

LoL!! How long does it take you to build the massive concrete walls?

I build lots of five-man groups to combat the hordes of civilians -- each group consists of 1 medic, 2 rocket soldiers, and 2 rifle soldiers.

[Kahuna09]

LoL!! How long does it take you to build the massive concrete walls?

I build lots of five-man groups to combat the hordes of civilians -- each group consists of 1 medic, 2 rocket soldiers, and 2 rifle soldiers.

When I play as Allies[Germany] it doesn't take long at all.You set up your base.wall off attcks with sandbags or concrete[the mutants can't pass that] then walk sandbags up to the entrances to thier town.When you get to an entrance you switch to concrete and wall off their exits.Then you walk sandbags to each exit and do the same.After you wall off all exits you can deal with your nearest enemy.The enemy can and will tear down the walls if they get that far and it's funny to see them knockin on the cement exits trying to get thru and getting zapped by the muties inside the perimeter..lol.. I like your idea of basing the squads with medics but I lose them when the guy with the satchel charge nukes that area so I started keeping the little buggers on their side of the walls and then making my enemies run a gauntlet with detroyers and cruisers on one side and the muties all boxed up in their town and not happy about it, so the enemy is slaughtered between those.Later on after you control your half of the map you can build walls[cement] to wall off the biggest enemy left and then open one of the exits where the unhappy muties will swarm out[eventually] and kill that foe while not being able to attack my positions.It's usually a long game but I enjoy those more than quick ones.

[Larsee]

I'll have to give that a try...LoL!

[Nyerguds]

I am using the aftermath collection -- is it possible this is only on the basic RA CD?
You NEED the Counterstrike expansion for it to work.

The first post has links to all isos, and the v3.03 installer allows you to enable both expansions.

[Larsee]

You NEED the Counterstrike expansion for it to work.

The first post has links to all isos, and the v3.03 installer allows you to enable both expansions.

Nyerguds...I'm only smart enough with computers to get myself in trouble...

I have downloaded the original Red Alert file, have the Red Alert Aftermath set (aftermath, allies, and Soviet discs) I bought some 11-12 years ago, and am using the 3.0.3 Patch from this thread on my Windows 7- loaded computer.

Following the instructions of this post -- I copied the RA file to my computer (Created C:/Program files/westwood/Red Alert) then installed the patch in the same file and clicked on add "Aftermath" when I loaded the patch (Directory C:/Program files/westwood/Red Alert/Install) . All I have to do now is insert the Aftermath CD, open "My Computer" and click on the "CD" drive, and I play Red Alert Aftermath. BTW is there a way to make it so I can click on a desktop Icon to make this work?

I never did load Aftermath using my CD...so I'm a bit confused. How would I go about adding the Counterstrike expansion to my windows 7 computer if I download it from your post? If I reload the patch and click on the Counterstrike and Aftermath will that be all I need to do?

THANKS!

[Larsee]

When I play as Allies[Germany] it doesn't take long at all.You set up your base.wall off attcks with sandbags or concrete[the mutants can't pass that] then walk sandbags up to the entrances to thier town.When you get to an entrance you switch to concrete and wall off their exits.Then you walk sandbags to each exit and do the same.After you wall off all exits you can deal with your nearest enemy.The enemy can and will tear down the walls if they get that far and it's funny to see them knockin on the cement exits trying to get thru and getting zapped by the muties inside the perimeter..lol.. I like your idea of basing the squads with medics but I lose them when the guy with the satchel charge nukes that area so I started keeping the little buggers on their side of the walls and then making my enemies run a gauntlet with detroyers and cruisers on one side and the muties all boxed up in their town and not happy about it, so the enemy is slaughtered between those.Later on after you control your half of the map you can build walls[cement] to wall off the biggest enemy left and then open one of the exits where the unhappy muties will swarm out[eventually] and kill that foe while not being able to attack my positions.It's usually a long game but I enjoy those more than quick ones.

Kahuna09 I used your method of controlling the mutants/civilians/partisans in "The Hills Have Eyes"! I almost got wiped out before I could surround my base but once I built the walls I was safe from them...LoL! I did this on the hardest setting too -- I had only 2 AI enemies but just sat back and watched them get wiped out by the mutants/civilians/partisans and then built 4 chronotanks and finished the enemies off to win the game. I didn't think the walls would hold them off -- but even the nukes didn't phase the walls...thanks for the idea/method!

[Kahuna09]

Kahuna09 I used your method of controlling the mutants/civilians/partisans in "The Hills Have Eyes"! I almost got wiped out before I could surround my base but once I built the walls I was safe from them...LoL! I did this on the hardest setting too -- I had only 2 AI enemies but just sat back and watched them get wiped out by the mutants/civilians/partisans and then built 4 chronotanks and finished the enemies off to win the game. I didn't think the walls would hold them off -- but even the nukes didn't phase the walls...thanks for the idea/method!

Great my friend!!I'm glad you tried that and you are welcome indeed!I usually use the lowest setting[easy] so I have more time and cash to set up my base defenses first to withstand attacks..then I can start walling off the muties but if you play with it a few games you will develop your own techniques I am sure.I haven't found any other challenging maps yet like that..have you?Let me know if you do.catch ya later!

[Larsee]

Great my friend!!I'm glad you tried that and you are welcome indeed!I usually use the lowest setting[easy] so I have more time and cash to set up my base defenses first to withstand attacks..then I can start walling off the muties but if you play with it a few games you will develop your own techniques I am sure.I haven't found any other challenging maps yet like that..have you?Let me know if you do.catch ya later!

The only other game I've found that is remotely like "The Hills Have Eyes" is the "Island Wars Extreme (Mega 8 Players)" with the ants. I've played mostly the mega 8 games (I like lots of land or water) so I haven't looked into many of the other smaller-sized games yet. ...and boy did they provide lots of maps! LoL!

[dustydunes]

I need help, I installed the ra3.03 patch but now I get an Error-unable to set the video mode message ?

[dustydunes]

[Note: see this thread (http://www.commandandconquer.com/forums/showthread.php?67) for links to download the game CD ISOs]

The CD installer of Red Alert 1 is a 16-bit program. This means that any 64-bit Windows system will utterly refuse to start it, no matter what compatibility options you try to set.

However, the Red Alert installation files aren't packed in any kind of installer archive, they are simply dumped on the CD, which makes installing the game really easy. On top of that, I've created an installer for the 3.03 patch which will make sure the game's registry items are all set correctly.


Instructions:

Create a folder on your hard disk where you want to install the game.
Copy the complete contents of the INSTALL folder of the game's CD (Allied or Soviet, doesn't matter which one) to that folder you made on your hard disk.
Download and run the Red Alert v3.03 installer (http://nyerguds.arsaneus-design.com/cncstuff/0_files.html#ra303). When it asks for a folder to install in, point it to the folder in which you copied the CD files.


That's all? Yep, that's all.


Some notes on the installer:


Don't check the options to install Counterstrike or The Aftermath unless you have the CDs. Once you install The Aftermath, the game will refuse to let you play Skirmish games with any other CD than the Aftermath one.
You can't uninstall the game this way, since nothing really installed it. To remove the game, simply delete the folder.
The internet components are not needed if you already have more recent ones, from Tiberian Sun or Red Alert 2.
I have not updated or tested these internet components; they're just the internet components that were included in the original RA 3.03 patch, so it's very possible they are outdated anyway.


get an Error-unable to set the video mode message when I try installing the game,any ideas?

[Nyerguds]

Wooah, sorry for not checking this thread for far too long, and for apparently missing some issues when I last replied.


I need help. I followed the instructions exactly, but there's still a problem. Whenever I click on RUNGAME.EXE an air message comes up saying "Audio needs to be configured for Red Alert DOS version. Press OK to continue." Then I click OK, and a black screen with a blinking horizontal white bar in the corner comes up (as if I'm supposed to type something) but I can't type anything, and I can only exit out of it with the windows task manager. I exit out of it, and two more air messages come up.
I'd think the fact it specifically mentions "Red Alert DOS version." would've been a hint. Don't use RA.exe or RUNGAME.exe, they're for the DOS version. Use RA95.exe instead.


Mayem...did you create your directory to the "INSTALL" file of the RA components? That is the only way I could get mine to work. C:/Westwood/Red Alert/INSTALL
No need to do that. Just make sure you copy the FILES from the "install" folder (not the folder itself, just the files inside it) from the CD to your folder on hard disk. The game itself just reads from its own folder and from CD. Besides that, it does not care in the least where it is located on your disk, or supposed to be located, so it doesn't matter at all.


If I reload the patch and click on the Counterstrike and Aftermath will that be all I need to do?
Indeed. Though you'll obviously need the Counterstrike disk to play it. As I said, I linked to all of the game ISOs in the first post. You can just mount them with a tool like Daemon Tools or write the ISO to a CD.


I need help, I installed the ra3.03 patch but now I get an Error-unable to set the video mode message ?
Run RASETUP.exe to change the game resolution to 640x480. If you got more problems, please consult the Common Problems thread in the First Decade forum. It's got solutions for practically all issues you could have with the game.

[santy1024]

Hi there. I'm having some trouble installing RA on my 64-bit Windows 7 machine. I downloaded the files for both the soviet and the allied disks. I downloaded the ra303patch. I followed the above instructions and installed the patch. But when I went to run the ra95.exe file, all it did was change my screen resolution and changed it back. Anything I can do to actually play?

[Nyerguds]

That seems like it could be the video mode problem. Try changing the resolution to 640x480, or use CnC-DDraw (http://hifi.iki.fi/cnc-ddraw/) to make the whole graphics handling more reliable and customizable.

[BTR666]

Hi

First off, just wanted to say thanks!!! Been looking at trying to get this to work for ages!!!! And it works like a charm.

One question though, before i get hold of copies of Aftermath,tib sun,counterstrike etc. Do they work in the same way? Your installer does it support those add ons?

Thanks

[Nyerguds]

One question though, before i get hold of copies of Aftermath,tib sun,counterstrike etc. Do they work in the same way? Your installer does it support those add ons?
The expansions are simple checkboxes in my installer. Once you install it, no further installation from the expansion CDs is needed, at all. The patch contains everything the expansions need.

You still need to insert the CDs to actually play the expansion missions though, of course.

As for Tiberian Sun, um, that's totally unrelated to this. You might need some Win98 compatibility mode for that on Win7/Win8, I dunno about that.