Running 32 bit games on 64 bit Vista Ultimate

"javelin1946" <javelin1946.3jwk85@no-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in
message news:javelin1946.3jwk85@no-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...

>
> Hi
>
> I am a newby with 64bit OS, how do I get my 32 bit games to run, I have
> just built a new Intel Quad 9550 / Nvidia 9800GT / 4Gb / 1TB + 400GB HDD
> machine with Vista 64 bit Ultimate. I have tried HalfLife 2 which is
> supposed to be compatible, The programme updates and loads from Steam
> ok, but it just locks up while loading to play and drops a flag in the
> left upper corner saying "64-bit mode active". Prog Manager, says
> programme not responding.
>
>

Vista64 has a 32bit compatibility layer so you can run both 64bit and 32bit
apps/games. A few tips for gaming in Vista in general, do not install games
to the default Programs(X86) folder as that is a protected folder and some
older games can't write their save games there, install latest version of
Directx because Vista shipped with Directx10 and is missing a file some
older games need (installing latest version of Directx will put that file
and back in place and not mess up DX10), some games need administrator
access (right click the game exe and select run as admin). Lack of admin
access may be your issue. I have HL2 on Vista64 and it runs fine.