Links 2003: Nothing seems to help get it to run on my computer.

[dalbrech]

I have just about given up on getting Links 2003 to run on my Windows 11 computer.
When I try to start it, I get the Links splash photo then a black DOS like screen then crash to desktop.
I have tried almost all the solutions I have found on line; unplug all USB devices except for mouse and keyboard;trying various compatibility settings.I I have installed DG Voodoo and it did not help.
I went so far as buy the version of the game on the Links site, with all the courses. (My first installation was from my 2003 CDs),applied all the patches, still same result, splah screen, black box , CTD.
Nothing seems to work.
I wonder if the problem is not with the game per se, but will the introductory movie.
My Video Card is a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050.
I am hoping somebody can help me. Once again I really wonder if the problem is with the opening movie.
Thanks in Advance.

[pmgolf]

What is your PC? Laptop? Desktop? Mini?

Pete

[dwg]

As far as I can tell the difference between the CD and online versions is that the online version has the 1.07 update applied, but not the so called Nvidia patch.

The splash screen showing and then nothing sounds to me like a resolution issue, What is the resolution of the system and what have you set Links to, if anything.

The maximum resolution of Links is 1920 x 1200 so anything higher will require scaling either by Links or by Nvidia, or the use of Windowed mode. It is likely to require some testing to see just what will and will not work, so you may well have to edit the registry to test some settings. I would also suggest choosing a Links resolution with an aspect ratio that matches your system for example 1920 x 1200 is 16:10 I would be avoiding that setting on a machine with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

[pmgolf]

I have the download version of Links2003, and it came with the nVidia patch. I have never seen the links movie, so I wonder about that. More information about your PC will help. Most people have success getting it to run - even me with a spare laptop. Other things to try... 1. run as administrator, 2. run this program in compatibility mode for Windows XP -- service pack 2, 3. override high DPI scaling, 4. shortcut target: "C:\Links 2003\LinksMMIII.exe" (I have all 5!)

Also, as players drop by this thread, more suggestions will be made. Provide as much info as you can and give everything a try! Stay positive!

Pete

[dwg]

Thanks for the info on the Nvidia patch's inclusion, I have struggled to work out exactly what is in the download version, I have CD kits.

FWIW I have Links running on 2 Windows 11 systems.

The first is a desktop with an Nvidia GT1030 HBA, the monitors are only 1920 x 1080 however. There is no need to use the wrapper on this machine.

The second is a Windows 11 notebook with embedded Intel Xe graphics, that machine has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 as well, it is necessary to use the wrapper on this system.

I do not have a good handle on what needs to be done when using resolutions higher than what Links provides for.

I have seen the black screen but that is on Linux when using the wrapper with some video chipsets and drivers, so not directly comparable to your situation, but the initial splash screen did display.

[dalbrech]

What is your PC? Laptop? Desktop? Mini?

Pete

Desktop.

[dalbrech]

I tried several different resolutions down to 1024 by 768 same result.

[dalbrech]

I have the download version of Links2003, and it came with the nVidia patch. I have never seen the links movie, so I wonder about that. More information about your PC will help. Most people have success getting it to run - even me with a spare laptop. Other things to try... 1. run as administrator, 2. run this program in compatibility mode for Windows XP -- service pack 2, 3. override high DPI scaling, 4. shortcut target: "C:\Links 2003\LinksMMIII.exe" (I have all 5!)

Also, as players drop by this thread, more suggestions will be made. Provide as much info as you can and give everything a try! Stay positive!

Pete

The Links movie is the montage of golfing scenes you see before you reach the game itself. It uses a video program rather then the actual game program.I wonder if the video program is not read by modern video programs.

[dalbrech]

I have the download version of Links2003, and it came with the nVidia patch. I have never seen the links movie, so I wonder about that. More information about your PC will help. Most people have success getting it to run - even me with a spare laptop. Other things to try... 1. run as administrator, 2. run this program in compatibility mode for Windows XP -- service pack 2, 3. override high DPI scaling, 4. shortcut target: "C:\Links 2003\LinksMMIII.exe" (I have all 5!)

Also, as players drop by this thread, more suggestions will be made. Provide as much info as you can and give everything a try! Stay positive!

Pete

I have tried all those things except for the shortcut targer, In fact, run as Adminstrato and several different compitalbity modes were the first things I t tried.
I am pretty good at getting older programs to run on my computer. I am a big customer of www.gog.com which sells (100% legally) older game tweaked to run on a modern computer. In fact they have two older Links programs for sale. And that is what is frustrating me. All the usual tricks just do not work. The DG vooddo wrapper did nothing ,

[Titus]

Hello,

I had the same problems.

Now the game runs under Windows 11, but not always on the first launch. Sometimes it has to be started several times, and very rarely it doesn't run at all.

I know that video; it appears when you first start Link's 2K3. Sometimes it runs in the background, the desktop is black, but the video audio plays. It could also be that the video isn't included in the download version, just a guess.

I haven't installed the Voodoo Patch.

The resolution isn't the problem during the initial Link installation, because you can only change the resolution after a successful launch of Links. The game starts at 800x600—but it could also have been 1024x768.

Once the game has started, other settings become available in the registry.

These settings:

1. Run as administrator
2. Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
3. Disable high DPI scaling

I haven't configured anything there.

4. Target of the shortcut: "C:\Links 2003\LinksMMIII.exe"

This isn't necessary; mine is "D:\Links 2003\LinksMMIII.exe"

Since I've installed the game what feels like 1000 times, I can't remember what finally worked. I've tried all those things too, and nothing helped.

I only knew that others with Windows 11 had no problems and hadn't changed many settings.

My suggestion would be to just keep at it. I tried it on and off for about a year.


My desktop:

Windows 11 24H2
Intel i7-14700KF
RTX 4080
32GB DDR4 3600
LG OLED CX48 with 3840x2160

DirectPlay enabled in Windows 11
Links to 2K3 download version
Links to 2K3 1.07
Links to 2K3 Nvidia Win7 1.07 Final

With these, it works for me, and I have no graphics problems in the game.

I don't know if this will help you.

Good luck!

P.S. I still play Link's 2K3 on my old Windows 10 system, as I have much better control over the swing meter there.