Updated Card Games? Another PC question.

[Dan Schultz]

Yeah... the solitaire game that comes with Windows 7 is definitely a lot 'cooler' than the older versions. I took a look at the executable file and it looks like it might be free-standing and capable of just being 'stuck into' an earlier version of Windows.

[ThomasDodd]

It probably need some other files.

I know the older versions used some system dll files.


Sounds like it's looking for a file in windows\System32 and it's not there.

[Dan Schultz]

It probably need some other files.

I know the older versions used some system dll files.


Sounds like it's looking for a file in windows\System32 and it's not there.

There are three other files in the 'Solitaire' directory. The executable only contains 717KB. I wouldn't think that's a big enough file to support the graphics. There must be other stuff scattered elsewhere on the hard drive.

It's just for pretty, Schlep. It's still the same old game!

[ThomasDodd]

It probably need some other files.
I know the older versions used some system dll files.
Sounds like it's looking for a file in windows\System32 and it's not there.

I know, and that's where it gets complicated. They've got all the files scattered exerywhere else but windows\system32 on Windows 7. But on XP, they apparently have to be in system 32 or they won't work.

Try putting them in the system directories. systems32 or system (I think they finally got all the dlls out of the Windows directory). If that doesn't work try creating the directory Windows7 uses and put them there.


I used to know how to find the dlls an application needed and where it would look for them, but that was 10+ years ago. I haven't kept up. I think I used something from VisualC++ or some linux tool.

The trick is finding all the libraries(DLLs) and putting them where the system can find them. Some apps hard code the location, some use the default OS locations.

Another possible issue is that some new version of a system call is used, and that can cause lots of problems.

[Kevin Hendrick]

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed how much more often (geometrically so) one "wins" at computer solitaire compared to "real cards" solitaire...??

I dunno. I never learnt how to play real Solitaire.
Had it not been for PC Solitaire, I never would have even looked at it.

I think they're still making amends for Reversi ...

[ThomasDodd]

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed how much more often (geometrically so) one "wins" at computer solitaire compared to "real cards" solitaire...??

Never could get to playing cards on the computer.

Solitaire in particular, as it's so much easier to grab a deck of cards and play.

[SplatterTone]

I bought a PDA (Palm Zire 31) a few years ago thinking I might do something productive with it. I never used it for anything other than playing solitaire during boring meetings. For that alone, I would say it was worth the price.

[gwwilk]

Hi y'all!
I'm currently using Windows XP and have noticed how much better the card games on my wife's Windows 7 PC appear. I'd sorta like to update my games on my XP machine, but don't know if it's possible while leaving my OS in Windows XP.
Any suggestions? (other than buying another Windows 7 PC)

Is your wife's PC new with a high resolution screen? This makes a huge difference in the appearance of the graphics.

Three days ago I replaced free of charge my 89 y/o mother's Dell XP computer with a HP Pavilion 2.8 GHz Quad Core AMD Phenom II and 8 GB of DDR3 memory and preinstalled Windows 7 Home Premium. The display I chose was a 23" LG Full HD 1080p 2 ms monitor. NONE of her old games installed or ran on the new Windows 7 machine. The graphics are wonderful and the text is amazingly clear. Ironically my mother is too proud to wear appropriate vision correction ("Everybody is amazed that I don't need glasses at my age.") and she can't even begin to appreciate what's on the new screen. The text on intermediate size is "too small".

Today I will install some new Hoyle Game packages for her and hopefully we'll get her dissatisfaction with that part of it resolved. And she's seeing her eye doctor this week; I told her to get some "computer glasses" so she can see clearly what's on the screen but you can almost bet how that's going to go. I may end up hooking up her old monitor and bringing the new one back home.