How to make the Downloaded CD file for Red Alert game to work.

RED ALERT 1 Windows XP CD Download Fix

Unlike the Regular CD . The CD downloaded verson comes
without a certain programed tag on the CD that singles the software "I am here"
SO every time you try to lanch the game it will say "Insert a RED ALERT CD"
Even though you could make a new ISO that auto lauches & Installs.
My game would simply not read the files on the CD.
So after 500MB of downloaded information that took all day.
I didn't like the idea of that being wasted time so started my own cross file
surgery on the games files & made the downloaded version work.

In orter for this to work you will also need to download the
RED ALERT DEMO. It's about 20-30 MB.

1.Follow all regular XP INSTALL instructions as usual. (I tried to replicate
the CD & INSTALLED from a CD with all the files moved to it knowing the game
was older & the software would probaliy automaticly direct to the CD drive
"Which it dose" for the files it needs to run the game.

Do not launch the game after you modifiy all the INSTALLED files.
(Mine either frezes or askes to "Please insert a Red Alert CD
even thought the thing auto launches.)

2.Right click on the RA95DEMO installer & select properties. There should be
three file menus on the top. Select "Compatibility". In this menu there should
be a box called "Compatibility mode" Select "Windows 95" Click "Apply" then
"OK"

Run the Installer.

3. Once installed extract the updated "Thipx32.dll" into Red Alert DEMO
Directory, overwriting the existing Thipx32.dll.

4. Right click on the RA95.EXE file in the demo file. Select Compatibility.
Set Compatibility mode to Windows 95.
Change the display settings to
"Run in 640x480 screen resolution"
"Disable visual themes""
Change Input settings to
"Turn off advanced text services for this program"

5. At this point you can launch the Demo version to see if the Thipx32.dll
is working properly & to see if you selected the proper settings. If it runs,
cool. The Red Alert Game should work to.

(After following all regular install instructions for the full RED ALERT
INSTALL FILE.)

6.Select & move all files in the file."CD1_ALLIED_DISK" into the RED ALERT
Folder were the game was installed. DO NOT let any of the files overwrite the
ones in the FOLDER! Just click no for all the that it askes you to overwrite
(I have no Idea what that will do but it worked the first time this way
for me.)

7. Select the RA95.EXE file you modified from the demo folder.
Move & write it over the installed game RA95.EXE

8. At this point you can make a shorcut to your desktop.
--
A few things you should know befor you decied to download the
RED ALERT 1 from online. With this chop job the options are limited.
These being.
--
1. Demo version dose not have saves. So you dont have saves. So you have to
play missions all the way to the end & if your going to play this game to
beat it you have to leave the program running untill the end.
Thank Microsoft for Alt Tab. Then leave your Computer on.
a.)Remeber to press Esc so the game pauses befor you alt tab.
You'll click again & all your base buildings could be half destroyed.

2. Demo versions has only two songs. So make sure you have your own music.
the tracks are awsome but will ware your ears out played over the entire game.

(Wait Just loaded the minamized game. The other music files go onto the
menu to select songs as they go automaticaly. So you have to wait to have
all the songs.)

3. With the Allies it starts in Mission two or three. (At least I think so.
I never played the game befor this. I've tried to play this game for more
then 10 years now. Sad. I know.)

4.At least the videos work.

Enjoy RED ALERT.

OrganDonnor
AKA Mr Spell