Several problems with running on 8.1. Can't get Nam installed, experiencing graphics glitches

[ShortStraw 1]

I fixed this problem on windows 7 by playing in windows xp (sp3) mode but I can't figure out how to do that on windows 8.1 yet.  Does anyone out there have any tips on how I can fix these issues or is it just not possible to run old games on 8.1 (I also can't get any of my pre 2010 games to run properly on my windows 8.1 machine).

 

Windows 7 spoiled me by automatically setting the emulator to play the game on the best settings through a "troubleshoot" dropdown that appeared when the problems appeared but now I'm not getting a troubleshoot option at all.  I'm also not finding an option to activate a windows xp or vista or even 7 emulator.

 

Also, the version of nam I'm trying to install is from 2009.  Do I need to find an updated nam? (nam is the only mod I've ever used for simcity, I play sincity4 delux exclusively).  I tried loading the game from one of the several discs I've bought over the years with no luck at all.  Finally I broke down and bought the gamer again, this time from Steam, and it loaded and starts wonderfully but still refuses to accept the nam mod and shortly after gameplay begins I get graphical errors such as huge blocks of color obscuring the screen.  Is any of this familiar to other windows 8 users?  Am I destined to only play sincirty4 on my windows 7 machine?

 

Thanks very much for your help in advance.  You guys have been my fall back for years and I'm sorry to have been away for so long.

[rsc204 21,808]

Well only the latest NAM version, 32 from 2014 is fully supported, although in theory the installer for older versions should work I've no direct experience to back this up. Do you get some sort of error or can you explain what goes wrong when the installer is run?

 

As for your graphics issues (probably a separate problem), and you should be able to solve it.

[Tarkus 6,932]

First off, welcome back to the game!

 

The graphical glitches are something I've heard from quite a few Windows 8.1 users.  Try setting the graphics to "software" instead of "hardware"--that usually does it.

 

I don't know exactly which NAM version you're using--there were a few released in 2009--but there's been a ton added to the mod, and optimizations to the traffic simulation since then, so I'd look at updating it.  The Steam version, as far as I know, should be the fully-updated 1.1.641.  Several NAM Team members are running it (I'm not one of them).  Thus, it should support the NAM, though I've been hearing a few cases recently of Steam users having difficulty--I don't know if that's just a matter of folks not being familiar with the platform, or if Steam has changed the executable and screwed things up.  Someone with actual Steam experience would be able to give you a better idea.

 

Hope that helps.

 

-Tarkus

[ShortestStraw 0]

I think I found my problem.  I had installed the Nam  first then attempted to install from hard disc.  After using the "cleanitol" feature in my nam package, I downloaded a version from Steam and skipped the tutorial and the game has been working flawlessly.  Thank you to the folks who took the time out of their (your) busy day to try and help me.  You are much appreciated.  This community is as helpful as I remember it being.  Thanks again, look forward to interacting more with you (assuming I can get logged in, that seems to be a whole other issue).  Goodbye.