cnc-ddraw ? (Mohawk engine Might Work) & DDrawcompat 0.5.4 for Vista & 7 Might not Work, Use Vmware workstation. Supports All of The Learning Company Games (Windows ME not neaded)

[MicahMoo11]

Update sep 28th, 2024, this post was originally made to fix Reader rabbit personalized reading ages 4-6. Version 3.0 original build even, clue finder's original 4th-6th grade editions. although works with pal-ddraw, more info here ayuanx/pal-ddraw#3

As of 7.1, 98% fully works with the learning Company games. except Mohawk almost works with the latest experimental release is starting to work with the engine cnc-ddraw experimental (Some games might still have issues, it just runs).

1. reader rabbit toddler with RRTW32.exe might work with cnn-ddraw (Due Note at This time & current capacity of the engine FunkyFr3sh experimental Build of cnc-ddraw) It does not. Allthough some other people found away to do so.

2. These following Games engine is Mohawk are made even distributed by the learning company.
   (### cnc-ddraw appears fine with Superficial issues like occasional black screens or graphical glitche).

Dr. Seuss Toddler (1999)
Dr. Seuss Preschool (1999)
Dr. Seuss Preschool and Kindergarten Reading (1999)
Dr. Seuss Kindergarten (1999)
Dr. Seuss Reading Games (1999)

& others not listed as not made by the learning company, these below are distributed by the learning company.

these are Living Books Titles (these will not work with cnc-ddraw at this time)
Dr. Seuss's ABC
Green Eggs and Ham
Stellaluna
The Cat in the Hat

these below cnc-ddraw appears fine with extreme cosmetics or superficial issues like occasional black screens
Arthur's Computer Adventure
Carmen Sandiego's Great Chase through Time
Carmen Sandiego Math Detective

5. DDrawcompat 0.5.4 Might not work With Vista & 7 (with older or weaker GPU hardware related Issues) in that case please just use VMware-player-15.5.7 (Windows 7). Or VMware Workstation 10.0.7 Build 2844087 x86 (Use this for Pentium III - 2006 class hardware) with Windows 8 6.2 Build or Higher (due note Direct3D even ddraw.dll within windows 7 that uses DDrawCompat is unstable More info here. It is Strongly advised to use windows 8+ at this time.

those are Learning-Creative (Vista-11-Bonus) Ver. 4 (Debug)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nax1XTAhQvYlurWbSma0kZ8aqFfdz8as?usp=drive_link

[FunkyFr3sh]

I'm not sure if this is spam or a bad translation - Please post this again without translation and I'll translate on my own

[MicahMoo11]

this is not spam it is true, that we are group of people remastering the learning company. and we seen that the new cnc-ddraw 7.4. has improved the games engine.
now i do agree that i should have been clearer. i do have a learning disability.

i will need to figure out what was unclear the title or was it the statement about what the issue is
i think ill need to rework this.

[FunkyFr3sh]

Keep it short, just post a link to the file and the exact issues it got.

Example:

ReaderRabbit2.7z - Black screen
ReaderRabbit3.7z - Alt+tab not working

[FunkyFr3sh]

This level here? I can move in there just fine

2024-05-24.23-21-55.mp4

[MicahMoo11]

that is indeed the level and boat level picture. it appears not working on vmware player with VMware tools. it is working on our laptop with intel gpu. sorry we test out 7 different operating systems mostly windows 2000, we don't usually check on real hardware

as for the learning company it is not working that great on our laptops or vmware player. we are in the process of making the list.
we will test laptop and VMware player going Forword make sure it's not just a virtual machine issue.

[MicahMoo11]

forget to say our password is 802734, for google drive file.

Cluefinders games: Screen flickering, discoloration on 32-bit, widescreen might be unstable. All cluefinders games, More so with intel hd graphics 4600 or later,

Cnc-ddraw is needed to fix 16-bit bug on Windows Vista & 7, even on real hardware that supports 16-bit colors. Intel hd graphics 4600 or later not effected it supports 32-bit colors only.

ClueFinders' 4th.iso= some photos are not shown same as our loptop on intel 6th generation.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rDsWA29-ITvEZscCnxfQjoQVhMxr48aV/view?usp=drive_link

ClueFinders 5th.iso= same as ClueFinders' 4th.iso but worse on vmware and our loptop.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C8EbdaxlALbNO58GBOKjTR1DHfe7jZcy/view?usp=drive_link

ClueFinders 6th.iso= not as bad as cluefinders 4th but it appears.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U53HA6PH6QJGrSzH93oBSd_KzJ319Yyk/view?usp=drive_link

CFMATH(2002).iso= not as bad as cluefinders 4th but it appears.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tSgI_7Zw1C8rK6eFaJRBUU96nAPbE9pM/view?usp=drive_link

CF Reading.iso= most stable quite playable. charterers flickering although just vmware.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QR918miLOsWSqdVJjIlctL_KWsffmWoO/view?usp=drive_link

All Reader rabbit games more bugged than clue finders: Screen flickering, discoloration on 32-bit, black screen on 3 games 16-bit colors not working on vmware tools only although cnc-ddraw 6.4 does fix this.

RRTODDLER.iso includes 3 games. Only rrbaby.exe appears to work but really unstable.
Like mouse not moving. And in some cases with real hardware red discoloration.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16eHgwW3AIQ0Gc2Pp--WcmWb_v9QUXAoL/view?usp=drive_link

RRReading46.iso= black screen even Alt+tab is unstable. (Sound Working)
real after intel hd graphics 4600 or later, and vmware tools.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VZDZtLl-ohKV55kbrEzsahflmwif84OY/view?usp=drive_link

RRReading69.iso=black screen even Alt+tab is unstable. (Sound Working)
real after intel hd graphics 4600 or later, and vmware tools.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AcPZSQ44asmL7xObptiDY6x6AWVTHcRK/view?usp=drive_link

RRM6_9CD (2002).iso= Alt+tab is unstable for discoloration on 32-bit.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O1T6bu2xd6LXiAH6hTYT8MtOlw43WHND/view?usp=drive_link

Learn To Read (2002).iso= Alt+tab is unstable even character flickering.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lwptEKXJtR4HbYLJcsPoxbkZxBcKYZKH/view?usp=drive_link

[FunkyFr3sh]

What is the password for these files?

[MicahMoo11]

the 802734 is the password sorry about that

[FunkyFr3sh]

I have identified most of the problems in Clue Finders 4th, still need to change a few more things (Will do that the next days)

Here's already a test build for Clue Finders 4th:
cnc-ddraw-ClueFinders.zip

I did not test the other games yet, but maybe you guys can give it a try already. I'll have a look into them soon

[MicahMoo11]

cluefinders 4th-6th no issues.

cluefinders 3rd grade and reading 6-9 you need to go to practice mode for hooking to work.
Cluefinders math shows black screen. cluefinders math (dark) broken vs 6.5 fully worked.
cluefinders(1998)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q8ZBy7tf3ZkpAR0WU6SBDGLqsACpy5Y3/view?usp=drive_link

Reader Rabbit greatly improved, still in bad shape compared to clue finders.

RRTODDLER.iso includes 3 games, Fly the Dreamship.exe was fixed under cnc-ddraw-ClueFinders.zip unlike 6.5 did not hook, & rrbaby.exe performance issues mostly fixed although 15-20 fps somewhat low not as bad it's 2 out of 3,
RRTW32.exe refuses to hook altogether.

as for RRM6_9CD (2002).iso. same as learn to read (2002), it will only hook thru practice mode for some reason.
RRReading46.iso & RRReading69.iso refuses to hook altogether.

we just discovered that TLC Launcher.exe included in 2002 builds is also DirectDraw which pressing play does freeze. we have to remove it from our upgrades source installer code. but it is hooking for the 1st time, I guess that is props.

that includes Scooby doo case file #1, the glowing Bigman although mean game does not hook.

update may 26 8: 45 am

we tested all Scooby-doo by our upgrades installers by the learning company
Scooby Doo, Activity, Scooby-Doo, Phantom, Scooby-Doo, Showdown are Direct 3d 7,
Scooby-Doo, Jinx_q11, Scooby-Doo, Case File #2 Dragon & Scooby-Doo! Case File #3 Camera are Direct 3d 8.

we believe Scooby-Doo, Case File #1 Bug Man looks like DirectDraw 7, but for some reason does not hook with cnc-ddraw. it might be Direct3d, we doubt it. even found this site https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/List_of_DirectDraw_games (again that site might be mistaken).
can you look at this

Scooby-Doo, Case File #1, this is not originals, we made this to cox it to work with Windows 8-8.1.
it is known not to work with windows vista even 7, it is quite broken (made by us)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jGxfJY-jUtvjcAYrakCmQEXFQ-Pd_71O/view?usp=drive_link

as of windows 10 build 2004, your only option is this guy
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qD_b1B_2O6gWWHCgDouirgPQYacfCPJX/view?usp=drive_link

This installer was made outside of our team, named Windows 11 SophieAyase compliance
we only advised testing on windows vista-8.1 only.

[FunkyFr3sh]

Ah nice, I will check out the other games to see what's wrong with them.

ClueFinders 3rd and 5th don't install for me, do you know anything about this problem?

[MicahMoo11]

they was a bug in the 1999 build that includes DSSAGENT.exe that brakes with windows 8+.
as for windows vista+ it is known not to work with newer hardware mostly nvadia graphics.
almost forget did you trying to remove 5thadv.ini, sometimes it conflicts when reinstalling.

as for newer hardware use this, those are installer upgrades so, they not will tested expect with 22 people.
due note there include https://github.com/ayuanx/pal-ddraw.
and more .ini code like compared to originals

[Fifth Grade Adventures - CD]
CDDrive=
UseDirectDraw=1
DisplayFullScreen=0
ScriptDebug=1
altDance=1

cluefinders 5th https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s51YqXKhNiYRvCwRNsZVGi4i5s5LHyok/view?usp=drive_link
cluefinders 3rd https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i6aLOg8mRj39YfmgwBsmfwMr2xkM9Cya/view?usp=drive_link

if this does not work with some cases with people, just go to C:\Program Files (x86)\The Learning Company\ClueFinders 5th Grade Adventures. and remove the folder.

[FunkyFr3sh]

Thanks, I will try your updated installers. Do you also have updated installers for the other games? I tested all and some of them are not working either.

Here are my test results:

ClueFinders 3rd.iso

• Installer doesn't work - "Cannot create directory"

ClueFinders 4th.iso

• cnc-ddraw 6.5: Flickering characters, window cannot be moved, cursor not working in windowed, upscaling/borderless not working
• cnc-ddraw new: No issues

ClueFinders 5th.iso

• Installer doesn't work - "Cannot create directory"

ClueFinders 6th.iso

• Installer doesn't work - "Cannot create directory"

CFMATH(1998).ISO

• cnc-ddraw 6.5: Flickering characters, window cannot be moved, cursor not working in windowed, upscaling/borderless not working
• cnc-ddraw new: No issues

CF Reading.iso

• cnc-ddraw 6.5: Flickering characters, window cannot be moved, cursor not working in windowed, upscaling/borderless not working
• cnc-ddraw new: No issues

CFMATH(2002).ISO

• Installer doesn't work - "Cannot create directory"

Learn To Read.iso

• Installer doesn't work - "Cannot create directory"

RRM6_9CD (2002).ISO

• cnc-ddraw 6.5: Flickering characters, window cannot be moved, cursor not working in windowed, upscaling/borderless not working
• cnc-ddraw new: No issues

RRReading46.iso

• cnc-ddraw any: Unplayable, partial blackscreen

RRReading69.iso

• cnc-ddraw any: Unplayable, partial blackscreen

RRTODDLER.ISO

• Installer doesn't work - "Cannot create directory"

Scooby-Doo, Case File #1 Bug Man.iso

• Using Direct3D7 - Will probably not work with cnc-ddraw

[MicahMoo11]

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13P8pzkr_4Tabw1RzHfPWxmtgXTp48Ehv?usp=drive_link

this is all of our upgrades installer projects. (Due note we do not support windows 9x putting it under compatibility mode, will likely not work. we are targeting windows 2000 barely supported to later.)

[MicahMoo11]

• Installer doesn't work - "Cannot create directory"

rtoddler.iso= Installer doesn't work - "Cannot create directory". that is surprising. is that windows 7, on real hardware. or is that on a virtual machine. we also trad it on our loptop with intel hd graphics 4000, 4600, 520 even 620.

im wondering is this NVidia or AMD. im thinking, we need to expend our hardware outside of intel graphic's.

[FunkyFr3sh]

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13P8pzkr_4Tabw1RzHfPWxmtgXTp48Ehv?usp=drive_link

this is all of our upgrades installer projects. (Due note we do not support windows 9x putting it under compatibility mode, will likely not work. we are targeting windows 2000 barely supported to later.)

Nice thanks, I will try them

• Installer doesn't work - "Cannot create directory"

rtoddler.iso= Installer doesn't work - "Cannot create directory". that is surprising. is that windows 7, on real hardware. or is that on a virtual machine. we also trad it on our loptop with intel hd graphics 4000, 4600, 520 even 620.

im wondering is this NVidia or AMD. im thinking, we need to expend our hardware outside of intel graphic's.

I tested first on windows 7 32bit SP1 and it did not work - then I switched to Windows XP 32bit SP3 and it also didn't work there. All tests were done on VMware

[MicahMoo11]

ok we will test this on windows x86, we only support x64 windows. that is odd we try windows 7 x86 and xp x86.
if this is under upgrades that is not a good sign, even originals.

[FunkyFr3sh]

Just tested your new installers - they all have the same problem "Cannot create directory"

[MicahMoo11]

this is odd we are using vmware workstation pro paid, now its free thru Broadcom, 17.5.1 with vmware tools 12.4.0, with

windows6.1-kb3125574-v4-x86_ba1ff5537312561795cc04db0b02fbb0a74b2cbd
windows6.1-kb4490628-x86_3cdb3df55b9cd7ef7fcb24fc4e237ea287ad0992
windows6.1-kb5032383-x86_3a1b7887f7e9f2349b558d8b4d6b84c7920258f5
windows6.1-kb5037780-x86_ab7c72ba7e45d616ecda020223e87c617031d301

https://github.com/abbodi1406/vcredist/releases/download/v0.82.0/VisualCppRedist_AIO_x86only.exe

we even triad Windows xp x86 with https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_xp_service_pack_4_unofficial.html
not pos ready updates due to brakeage with Windows xp pr0.

is C:\Users\Public\Documents\The Learning Company\TLC Launcher
C:\Users\Micah\AppData\Local\VirtualStore
C:\Program Files\The Learning Company\TLC Launcher
C:\Windows=TLCUninstall.exe
are they corrupted.

we even tried installing 8 different 2002 builds from cerman sanderigo, to clue finders, to reader rabbit, star flyers. even Oregon trail 5th edition we are trying to corrupt it, reinstalling, put it on read only. northing.

[MicahMoo11]

something just occurred to us are you useing doeman tools lite 10.2. also known as DTLite1020-0116.exe.
trying to figure this out.

[FunkyFr3sh]

It aborts the installation, so there no files on the system. I also trried to remove all other files from the folder (CF 4.4) and also tried compatibility mode, nothing worked for me.

I'm using VMware player 15 - With the free "Windows XP Mode" aka "VirtualXPVHD.vhd" (you can download this from many places like archive.org)

On Windows XP I use Deamon tools lite 4.35.5.0068
On Windows 7 I use Virtual CloneDrive 5.5.2.0

[MicahMoo11]

we trad Virtual CloneDrive 5.5.2.0 under windows xp it worked, despite being made at 2020.
and Deamon tools lite 4.35.5.0068, also worked. It aborts the installation. mean what is conflecting,

we are now going to test vmware player 15 now with our windows 7 loptop.

[FunkyFr3sh]

RRReading46.iso

• cnc-ddraw 6.5: Unplayable, partial blackscreen
• cnc-ddraw new: Game does use GDI, not DirectDraw so cnc-ddraw cannot do much with it (but windowed mode works at least and maybe I can fix upscaling too later)

RRReading69.iso

• cnc-ddraw 6.5: Unplayable, partial blackscreen
• cnc-ddraw new: Game does use GDI, not DirectDraw so cnc-ddraw cannot do much with it (but windowed mode works at least and maybe I can fix upscaling too later)

cnc-ddraw-learning-company-test2.zip

Now I have tested all games that run for me - Can't continue now (need to fix the "Cannot create directory" error somehow)

[MicahMoo11]

Ok We give-up we used vmware player 15.5.7, we can not found or locate "Cannot create directory" error.

but we did test cnc-ddraw-learning-company-test2.zip

all cluefinders appers fine no issues at this time. likely for cluefinders they are alternate installers.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ojy9HT_P6atie-ynhcvn1sFlC7Zg8my-?usp=drive_link

all are latest except 3rd grade due to issues, with the 32-bit release under windows 10, we don't remember why SophieAyase operated for ms-dos versions.

as for RRReading46.iso and RRReading69.iso cnc-ddraw cannot do much. this we have to disagree we get emails quite regularly. that NVIDIA has color related issues with the games. 2 people did respond and fixed they issue. also it is a pain in a virtualization environment all though we never have such an issue. but we are surprise it is GDI though,

as for reader rabbit they is no installer alternatives. as only issues are virtualization environment & never at real hardware. so it was no demand for it. RRTODDLER.ISO still has a bug with RRTW32.exe refuses to hook altogether.

oddly the 1998 version does fully wotk. https://archive.org/details/redump-id-80443
now i,m wondering is the is the 2002 build direct3d if so, why did baby and that 2nd game did not get that treatment.

[FunkyFr3sh]

Ok We give-up we used vmware player 15.5.7, we can not found or locate "Cannot create directory" error.

It is strange that I get the same error on different systems. Maybe It's because my windows are german language?

What game is still not working with cnc-ddraw? Or are all working good now?

[MicahMoo11]

other than RRTODDLER.ISO. no issue everything is resolved.

they is a miner bug that all clue finders, that if, DisplayFullScreen=1 to 0 it will not hook. however not a big deal as all originals has 1 be defeat. it looks everything is working good.

3 years ago we had a user in Russia. that games in the 2002 builds did not install, in that time we had Japanese language and English. and never figured out why it did not work.

[MicahMoo11]

again Thick you reopen if you think it is not resolved.

[MicahMoo11]

these 2 below im getting mixed massages on visual studio 2002, 1 it wants a different .dll what d3d8.dll (unlikely)
or 2, they is a bug with dinput8.dll, that was rerouted from windows 95, which is known to break games.
or 3, it is flat out not compatible with NT 4.

they is a 3rd game i am testing under windows xp to make sure that cnc-ddraw can read it dispute being d3d8.dll I'v found 1 other game that was the case. dispute what Microsoft sues that directdrew 7 being the last.

D Girlfriends.zip
D Monster.zip

[FunkyFr3sh]

these 2 below im getting mixed massages on visual studio 2002, 1 it wants a different .dll what d3d8.dll (unlikely) or 2, they is a bug with dinput8.dll, that was rerouted from windows 95, which is known to break games. or 3, it is flat out not compatible with NT 4.

they is a 3rd game i am testing under windows xp to make sure that cnc-ddraw can read it dispute being d3d8.dll I'v found 1 other game that was the case. dispute what Microsoft sues that directdrew 7 being the last.

D Girlfriends.zip D Monster.zip

It's the same old crash that I fixed already. You're using a old ddraw.dll

[MicahMoo11]

this game might be dangerous or unstable, with windows 2000 it might force windows restart, iv notice it at 1st with NT 4
far worse. i advise most people stay at Windows XP or above. it appears not to restart windows but cant trust it.

The computer has rebooted from a bugcheck. The bugcheck was: 0x0000001e (0x80000003, 0x801335bc, 0x00000000, 0x806e0004). Microsoft Windows NT [v15.1381]. A full dump was not saved.
i also got one for windows 2000 this game needs to be looked at for stability

also quicklime does not render, even, no intro Disney video.

D Tinker yikes.zip

as for that other d3d8.dll it's just menu/intro and overlay. it looks also indeo codec.
but it does appear to be windowed mode. i expcit this is scooby bugman again.
i think video or some parts is ddraw.dll but game play is d3d8.dll. game i wont say as this is better for wined3d .

[MicahMoo11]

D Tinker D9 Test.zip

The restarting problems are only happening with GDI, with windows 2000. on a older vmware bios that did support direct3d 9 thru 2000. appers somewhat ok, but alt enter may fail in a black sceen. you will need to close the game. likely the auto safe is better good. or under windowed the x may disapper, this was a bug in bugs life but come back in this game. windows xp with no directx 9c not fully working with GDI. (ME not testing) as most cnc bugs comes from windows 2000 or NT.

[MicahMoo11]

carmen sandiego's great chase through time is almost starting to work, i got emails some days ago about this. the video works, even windowed, been playing over 3 hours it appears, mostly fine sometimes the game will turn black, but it I force maximized mode than minimized it will fix it self. although disabled by cnc-ddraw engine. in the past had to use
ddrawcompat. which if you not on something like intel hd graphics 4200 or better good leck getting to work.

i still have a loptop with intel hd graphics from 2010, and intel hd graphics 3000 it appers fine. i thick with windows xp-7 just remove support for ddrawcompat to cnc-ddraw as it appears mostly fine. however i have done limited testing.
i was mostly testing mostly on windows 11 build 26100 with vmware player.

cnc-ddraw-Time32-1.zip

[FunkyFr3sh]

Ah nice! Yes, I'm currently doing a lot of updates. Someone posted over 100 games tested with cnc-ddraw on discord. I will check out carmen sandiego soon again and will also check bear imagine that and tinker bell too.

jeopardy is now also working, the videos play fine now (Still need to fix the text). Wheel of fortune is now working, the videos are fixed as well. Maybe some other games are working now too

[MicahMoo11]

will CarmenTQC ever be supported, at this time only DDrawcompat 0.5.4 not 0.5.3, these 2 were in the read me from 0.5.3. not sure why Cs_gctt is starting to work with cnc experimental build. as narzoul is different

Fixed presentation in some palettized fullscreen games, e.g. Carmen Sandiego's Great Chase Through Time
Fixed QuickTime videos in Carmen Sandiego series

however from 0.5.3 to 0.5.4 it appeared narzoul did fix it with CarmenTQC same as windows 7 with virtualized/emulated environment. although i sometimes wondered if both of this is by accident due to D3DDDI related issues in game.

CarmenTQC (compat).zip (this is from windows 10, windows 7 just can't smoothly run even with intel hd graphics 520.

I did remember you saying in the past that, CarmenTQC to work with cnc-ddraw that the engine needs to be rewritten for it to work. due to i believe how it handles displays if i remember right.
Sadly for XP most likely never -or Vista & 7 due major stability no support for CarmenTQC is really available.

[MicahMoo11]

question FunkyFr3sh, is it possible that Reader Rabbit Sparkle is be patched for super debug mode. a user claims 3 years ago that TLC only removed from the mean executable. others told me the code was almost removed from final.

Dream Ship is slightly different. At first, it's missing cheats in main module only (just as Sparkles). But all other modules have them fully intact. Here is the part with the names, maybe you'll see something useful.

question assuming the executable can be patched can it behaved like
Reader Rabbit Learn To Read With Phonics 1st and 2nd grade.

There are scripts (I think) in RPScripts and HD/RPScripts dir are on CD still. These dirs are identical
Each of them has dedicated key/section (it seems) for the debug. That's how it looks for the RPA1.MPS, for example:

Unfortunately, I cannot promise anything. I am not a advised coder, and all I can is analyses text by known code words, hoping to find more words to replicate - it worked before only because scripts of TLC contains plain English marks. I can check them, of course, if you'll supply the data and will tell me what to seek.

"sadly mean executable needs to be patched even then it might not fully work, as TLC removed a lot of code it is unfortunately TLC, has removed from Dream ship & Sparkles reader rabbit games"

if you cant that is OK, I'm sure you have other things to fix other than messing with a game that the public might not care. even the fact it is not even ddraw.dll request. more like added back code assuming it was that simple.

[MicahMoo11]

This is just info we are not looking for a fix (at this time) as we are busy with other things with our community.

Jecub R and I are talking about CarmenTQC, what to do with older processors with windows vista & 7 and ridiculous GPU requirements , with unstable Narzoul Code. Yes we are away of dxwrapper XP Version but without DDrawcompat no dice. the extanded kernal for windows 7 was rebooted Discord # 1, Homepage # 2, VxKex # 3. which appears to fix DDrawCompat with nasty GPU hacks, It does the job still strongly advised VMware-player-15.5.7 (Windows 7) button post

if your on pentium 2 or 3. if your not on Jecub R extended kernel, which is a private community, process will be tougher.
the last vmware workstation was 10.0.7 that can run on such processors, even than windows x86 only.
the very last vmware tools is 12.4.5 later builds starting in 12.5 are 64-bit windows only.

button post
even if your on something like pentium 4 or later, i can't no longer safely endorse ddrawcompat on Vista or 7. (Windows 8+ appears fine) As i got a lot of complaints by email. Which by installing vmware with windows 8+ fully resolved with Windows Vista & 7 users did fix with mine and jecub R's overall community. even by my extreme testing with CarmenTQC.

Due note for Pentium 3 users or old hardware, vmware workstation 10.0.7 never did support windows 10, and yes vmware tools 10.2.5 (last Vista open GL support) does add support for windows 10. due note if your on vmware tools 12.4.5. the highest open gl is 3.3, dispute claiming open GL 4.3 hardware and 4.5 software due to bios limits. (for some reason Direct3d 11.1 & wddm 1.2 appears supported came with vmware workstation & player 17). also it will break direct3d 9 with windows 2000, that is why im looking for vmware workstation 10.0.7 and not something like player as they is no override settings for security reasons removed by vmware company since version 12. at less for diect3d 9 mode for windows 2000.

[MicahMoo11]

based on emails found
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego for schools & Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego for schools

these looks Versions 4 (newer than 3.5.3) It is same engine (Mohawk engine) as CarmenTQC. i no longer test windows 10 due to demographic so i keep windows 11 Iot LTSC for unstable tests, I mostly test Vista & 7 as most people are running them, based on demographic. very close 2nd is windows NT 4 (oddly) people appears not to care about 2000.

Carman USA.zip
Carman World.zip

with these 2 games only ddrawcompat appears to work at this time, it might still work with windows 7 but with older or weaker hardware. virtualization with windows 8+ might be your only option 7 with virtualization might not work. My only theory on this is that vmware workstation is now more powerful than 2006-2010 class hardware. or 2nd theory vmware tools version 12 added wddm 1.2 since Version 16, which can still be installed with windows 7, or upgrade vmware tools to 12+. This does not explain why ddrawcompat 0.5.4 appears fixed with WDDM 1.2 or newer hardware even some virtualization like vmware. others like VirtualBox even Proxmox Virtual Environment does not although works with 8+.

for this reasen alone, if you cant get ddrawcompat to work with real hardware with windows vista or 7. please just use virtualizations, with 8+. iv personally tested 5, even others that are exclusive to Linux and Mac os (by other People).

[FunkyFr3sh]

Yeah, these games are looking pretty bad in the logs, so they're probably not going to work

Maybe they'll work with the "fake_mode" setting, but thatz's the only thing you can try

[MicahMoo11]

cnc-ddraw-CSUSA-1.log
cnc-ddraw-CSUSA-2.zip

yes i does somewhat work however, in the 2nd window quicklime might close the game with chief but once it works the closes do stop,however if you see this screenshot below
do not clack video outside of the chief it will close the game with a corrupt file. if that happen go to
C:\Users\Micah\AppData\Local\VirtualStore, and remove all of the folder, will mean will have to start over.

yes and no it barely works, it's atless running somewhat, ill be doing my tests tomorrow.

cnc-ddraw-CSUSA-3.log

some of the logs do not have fake mode it appears to work but it is a hot mess.

[MicahMoo11]

Mohawk engine
carmen sandiego great chase thru time = almost good but might press alt key or force maximized mode, do to black screen issues. This game did not use quicklime in game, dispute being installed from the learning company.

Carmen Sandiego Math Detective & Word = same issues as Cs_gctt. but it is at less playable other than issues above.

CarmenTQC= Big no this game uses Mohawk 5.0 engine and last game with it, i found out it was somewhat broken even under Narzoul ddrawcompat , apparently Mouse does not work. The game can be fully completed with Keyboard.

living books= Mohawk engines impassable for some reason. it does not use quicklime. except 1

Arthur's Computer Adventure= bad but works it has same issues as Dr seuss kindergarten with Microsoft visual c++ 6 errors. it might be possible that overall Mohawk engine is bugged with Visual c++ 6 engine I expect is the case.

dr seuss kindergarten= bad but works stopped microsoft visual c++ 6 errors, and quicktime issues however starting in windows 10.14393 and behind it will close the game although Narzoul ddrawcompat did fix this. this also includes,
cnc-ddraw-Seuss-1.log

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego for schools & Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego for schools =
Yes by removing C:\Program Files (x86)\The Learning Company\Where in the World or USA is Carmen Sandiego for schools\data\Movies, does stop the closes within cnc-ddraw. again that is from windows 10 or 11 users only.

Rugrats Adventure Game = this uses quicklime it will close sense windows Vista+. also Narzoul ddrawcompat appears not working, unlike carmen sandiego games. for some reason. (This needs a game patch or something us going on.

overall If on Windows Vista & 7, it does appear to fix issues mostly Dr Seuss kindergarten which was formally impassable.
even dr seuss Preschool and reading same engine, which looks ok. living books does nothing except 1. Carmen Sandiego yes except CarmenTQC sadly i beleave only Narzoul ddrawcompat can fully this based on cnc-ddraw limits.

[MicahMoo11]

Overall yes cnc-ddraw is greatly improving Compatibility with Windows Vista & 7 operating environments. which still does have server issues, even crazy amount of bugs, but at less playable. Narzoul ddrawcompat is not really in option for most users with Vista & 7. I do have trust issues, with the developer. i still respect what he or she does. sadly based on demographics and complaints i'm getting, some are quite dangerous even concerning assuming these are not Lies or exaggerations, i'm putting on a leveling system with cnc-ddraw on windows Vista & 7 users only. yes cnc-ddraw might never properly support Mohawk engine. However I know what to expect, what iv seen is mostly extreme cosmetics or superficial issues. which can be resolved by other means. or things like Mohawk engine does not support windowed mode not an issue, what is most important is the game working it does not have to be perfect. but at less functions.

[MicahMoo11]

this is a bug with all 6 Dr seuss games, all you need to do is alt than click about button to move it around the screen.
still this is a lot more stable compered to 7.0 release. 1 Nasty bug is Microsoft visual c++ 6 error might appear in middle of game just click no on debugger os it will fix itself. it's only occasional it appears not to close or corrupt files.
cnc-ddraw-Seuss-1.log
cnc-ddraw-SeussPKR-1.log

[FunkyFr3sh]

These are GDI games and very bugged ones. They have a bunch of settings you can change though, maybe one will make them work better. Some examples:

I can't even debug them properly because they keep crashing. But here's a ddraw.dll that works a bit better:

ddraw.zip

still need to use "fake_mode=640x480x32"

Not sure if I will spend more time with them, they're the same mess as Dr, Seuss

[MicahMoo11]

interesting you say dr seuss, somewhat being a mess serpriseing iv been playing for over 3 hours
although i will acknowledge windows 8+ does have issues.

is Carmen Sandiego's Great Chase through Time also Mohawk engine, as iv notice 8+ is not running so hot.
but works also, if i let i fail 3 times or so. but once it runs it appears fine. think you for trying

i will try these out. once more thinks.

[MicahMoo11]

Ok, I had my young niece figure out how to play Dr. Seuss preschool which is close 2nd to kindergarten for quite a mess without wrappers in our only Windows Vista laptop. Sadly she found nothing for a good 15 minutes. In the end, we were forced to use your code. It opens and closes 5 times, with no errors. Even played the game for 20 minutes. It had no issues.

I was on my laptop using VMware trying to get Dr. Seuss to work with Windows 8.1. It was quite yikes. Yes, Dr. Seuss is not the most stable engine. I'll give you that, but to my understanding, it is the same engine as Cs_gctt1, even if it does not.
Even though it was not my neace playing, it was part of the reason why Learning-Creative (Vista-11-Bonus) Ver. 4 (Debug) came to be.

I'm part of an education game community, about 300 people 70% are running Windows 7, 10% are Windows 10, 14% are Windows NT 4, and 6% are Windows XP. These are the demographics. In other words, if Dr. Seuss never works beyond Windows 7 I will not care. As I moved to Linux in 2018 I saw Windows 10 was going in a bad direction for game compatibility. Sadly even wine that powers Linux can run Dr. Seuss through your code that Windows 8 and even 11 can't without a fight.

I have not tested Carmen senefeigo world yet I will tomorrow, however, I'm surprised you tried and went that far for a fix. However, cnc-ddraw is doing something to fix Dr. Seuss even with unstable GDI.

now im going to bed, normally i don't let my neace up this late but i did this to tell you what she and 300+ others have to duel with ageing software that is not properly supported, windows 10 is the prime focus, and should be 1st prorady.
however to my knowledge they is only two other developers called wined3d and DXGL. only wined3d has peoper Direct3d support. allthough they is another one based on cnc-ddraw with limited direct3d 2 support. who is outside of my group of 300 people. but can't say anymore than this.

again i did not use "fake_mode=640x480x32", as dr seuss does not need it. i will test the other Mohawk engine tomorrow.

[MicahMoo11]

I'm at work now; however, I had my 10-year-old niece do tests on Dr Seuss. Sadly, In my 300-person community, they are not interested.

Dr. Seuss Preschool and Kindergarten Reading,
Appears to cause issues with ddraw.zip. I told her to switch to the XP experimental build for better exception handling. It appears to stop the errors.
I'll be doing my tests on Windows 8.1 when I get back. Windows 7 and Vista are mostly fine now.

As for Carmen USA or World 4.0. It appears not OK. I've decided just not to bother because even Narzoul's ddrawcompat is more broken than CarmenTQC's. With feather tests from the community. I'm thinking of removing it or moving it outside of cerman sandiego folders.

They are better off playing 3.5.3 versions of it

[MicahMoo11]

What a hot mess the Mohawk engine is on Windows 8.1. Here are some updates. I've found out that the original release of Living Books used a scumm engine folder called Mohawk (draw) or ScummVM. (I wish I had known that rather than to find workarounds with Draw, more so with Narzoul ddrawcompat with 1999-2008 class hardware.) I found it all on the internet.

It appears that when the learning company bought Living Books through the Broderbund buyout in 1998, it moved all 17 games to the unstable Mohawk engine, which the learning company still exists today as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

I have removed all Mohawk engine living books, except ARTHUR, CAT_HAT, GREENEGGS & Seuss_ABC. If you do have a Mohawk version of Living Books, it just can't work properly with cnc-ddraw. Even Carmen Sandiego's Great Chase Through Time (which is the same engine). If FunkyFr3sh can fix this TLC game. I expect all other Mohawk games should work. Again I'm not sure if this is possible, as based on research there is no proper wrapper, Even with Narzoul ddrawcompat 0.5.4.

as for Carmen Sandiego's Great Chase Through Time it appears the most stable i'm not sure this is because they is a preset for it in cnc-ddraw. or is FunkyFr3sh still working with it. i do plan to fully complete the game today with 8.1.

[MicahMoo11]

cnc-ddraw-Time32-1.zip

1. they is some limitations one you cannot quit the game thru cnc-ddraw, if you do you will lose all your saves, and have to start all over, that is due to the alt key does not work, and because of it the save & quit option is not shown.
   in other words red x has to be disabled on the game. however Cs_gctt, may work with windows 8.1, if you can get it to work alt key does work. Oddly Dr seuss games with ALT key works thru cnc-ddraw, is this a bug with Cs_gctt.

2. they are black screens all over you need to force full screen and windowed regularly, to stop the issues. the Levals of the game will stop responding, per cut scene with chief or carmen in game when moving chapters, however due to bug 1 if it does quit in game due to not responding the saves will be lost, so far it has not but in windows 10-11 it really does.

They are more bugs, but these 2 are the most importet as it may be duel breaking bugs.

[MicahMoo11]

cnc-ddraw-seuss (Pre)-1.zip
cnc-ddraw-Seuss (Kin)-1.zip
cnc-ddraw-SeussPKR-1.zip

This will be my last test with Dr. Seuss the games were 100% completed, except Toddler which is not Mohawk engine. But does not ddraw.dll, not sure what it is. And Dr. Seuss Reading Games due to a nasty installer bug that prevents installation with Windows Vista+ users, I did fix it with them, but a more serious issue came with 8+ which I'm still trying to debug. However, it is giving me Madeline math NT 4 installer bugs. I have a good idea of how to fix this, but will take it away.

1. the overall black screen with Windows 8.1 and 11, is very bad a lot worse than Cs_gctt, however, the game can be complicated as is like moving the mouse around, even at a time forcing the alt key with the refresh option.
2. quicklime does strange color things like some 16-bit under 32-bit color hybrid issues mostly at the ending & opening. At 1st I thought it was a virtualization bug, but when I copied my saves from Dr. Seuss preschool and kindergarten (or reading), it did the same thing windows 7 and below appears not affected. My guess is it is trying to use DirectDraw legacy 8-bit color depth (256 colors) or palette mode, which was last seen since Windows 7. as I got a warning for 256 colors.

Other than that it appears somewhat playable, by any means it's not ideal, but the games can be played now without virtualization with windows me, but ideally ill advise most people to use Vista or 7 until the bugs are sorted out.