Links 2003 not working with Windows 10

[Lobofan]

At least I don't need to change the desktop resolution settings now.

Def Links and my machine are wrestling over resolution it seems

It certainly seems so. Well, I guess it's good that you can at least play the game.

I updated my Asrock BIOS to the latest May version (v3.26 on a PG Riptide 850) - all stable from what I can tell. Now about to try the latest Nvidia May driver as well.
The same symptoms persist i.e the starting aspect

So, the BIOS and driver weren't the issue. Process of elimination . . . Just keep after it, I guess. Optimistically, as you cross potential fixes off the list you'll arrive at the actual fix. Hopefully soon!

[The Dunster]

I have similar issues and can no longer get Links 2003 to load.

I installed via CD's
Patched to v1.7

All I get is a small black window screen then "not responding"

Can't change display modes in registry either as it doesn't exist - very strange.

I thought it was the latest AMD Adrenalin Driver - but now think it might be L-Connect and associated Visual C++ files ?

Nothing seems to work - I've never had an issue over the past 20 odd years with the game - this time it simply does nothing.

[dwg]

I can answer one question.

The basic registry entries for a user only get created once Links has successfully started for that user, that is when they are created.

[Mailman]

I have similar issues and can no longer get Links 2003 to load.

I installed via CD's
Patched to v1.7

All I get is a small black window screen then "not responding"

Can't change display modes in registry either as it doesn't exist - very strange.

I thought it was the latest AMD Adrenalin Driver - but now think it might be L-Connect and associated Visual C++ files ?

Nothing seems to work - I've never had an issue over the past 20 odd years with the game - this time it simply does nothing.

You might be interested in viewtopic.php?t=639 specifically the 27th July post as I tried the poster's method (of temporarily disabling the internet) and finally got Links to install on Windows 10 LTSC (with the full registry) and play. I still have to restart the game a number of times to get it to load (as per my Windows 11 installation detailed earlier in this thread) so something still not correct. Re visual c++ runtimes, I also installed the all-in-ones that are easily available so all those are now available on Windows 10. I also installed some legacy Direct X files from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downloa ... px?id=8109 which may or may not have helped we shall see.

So my method was to install 1. Links Download file 2. Final 1.07 download 3. Nvidia patch (all as administrators) and then fire up Links for the first time sans internet. What I intend doing shortly is to do the same routine except install from the CDs first. Oh yes and uninstall links, remove all those stray program data files and any user virtual files as well. For good measure I ran CCleaner and ran the registry cleanup tool prior to installing fresh. Only once Links fires up regularly without restarting do I reconnect to the internet. I also make sure that Links has firewall permissions (and linked to the correct executable location) and exclude Links from being scanned in Windows Defender for good measure. Changing compatibility modes has not helped except ticking 'Disable full screen optimisations'.

[The Dunster]

Thanks I will give that a try tonight and see how I go. I never thought to disconnect the internet

[The Dunster]

I think it has me beat.
my procedure was:

Disconnected internet.
I used the spreadsheet to track down possible conflicts or files left over from an old installation but couldn't find anything.
Installed Links 2003 from CD's to Windows 10
installed 1.07 Patch as admin
installed Nvidea patch as admin.

Tried over 50 times to start game as Administrator and same situation whereby I get a small black window on screen and not responding.

All I can put it down to is issues with C++ runtime libraries for L-Connect 3 software or maybe a the Adrenaline AMD 25.6.1 drivers

I did have the game crash a few months ago and I lost my season data - but I can't find any of those old files so I assume they are gone and it's not an issue.

[Mailman]

I think it has me beat.
my procedure was:

Disconnected internet.
I used the spreadsheet to track down possible conflicts or files left over from an old installation but couldn't find anything.
Installed Links 2003 from CD's to Windows 10
installed 1.07 Patch as admin
installed Nvidea patch as admin.

Tried over 50 times to start game as Administrator and same situation whereby I get a small black window on screen and not responding.

All I can put it down to is issues with C++ runtime libraries for L-Connect 3 software or maybe a the Adrenaline AMD 25.6.1 drivers

I did have the game crash a few months ago and I lost my season data - but I can't find any of those old files so I assume they are gone and it's not an issue.

I also have the Links (Xplosiv version) CDs and managed to get an installation on Windows 11 albeit necessitating multiple restarts before Links runs. I only installed the 1.07 patch but not the Nvidia patch with 11. With my Windows 10 install I'm going to uninstall the current install, clean any residue files left over and see if I can get Links to install from the disks. So I'm going to install the CD base version, followed by the 1.07 patch and the Nvidia patch before running for the first time to see if I can replicate what happened on 10 with the download version. Sunday morning should see what will happen with my hardware. I'll repost with what happens in 10 via the cds.

Just FYI I installed the C++ redistributables 'all in one' batch file that you can find from a few tech sites such as majorgeeks, techpowerup. You could go to the Microsoft site although they only do the individual redistributables going back to 2005.

[dwg]

I have 4 machines here I have been installing Links on - It amounts to two installation on Windows 11, one on Windows 10 and two on Linux Mint. I have done multiple installations on 3 of the machines in getting it to work.

All my installations have been from original CDs. I have an original Microsoft boxed kit as well as a UbiSoft kit, I've used whichever one has come to hand at the time.

Linux was the bigger challenge, but once worked out is not that complicated. Windows has been easier, but I have identified a number of courses that crash/hang for me on the platform.

I have only installed Links, the 1.07 update, the Nvidia Patch and dgVoodoo, Links did want me to install Direct Play and I allowed it, no other software was installed specifically for Links. My Windows 11 systems currently only have the embedded Intel graphics. My Windows 10 installation was done to look at a rendering problem on that machine, the golfer was disappearing and the menus were not displaying correctly.

I have seen a black screen, but that has been on Linux, when trying is use dgVoodoo with some configurations, I do not think you can correlate this with similar problems on Windows.

As I did with Linux I did jot down my installation procedure and any issues found, I have done a bit of formatting and attach a PDF of that here. It may help, suggestions for improvements most welcome.

I am considering dropping an Nvidia HBA in my Windows desktop and testing the hanging courses to see if they still show a problem, FWIW the same courses on Linux/Intel GPU/Wine work just fine.

Alas I need a software solution for my Windows notebook.