GTA 1 doesn't run

I downloaded GTA 1 from the official R* site and it should work because they say it's fully optimized to work with XP. Every time I start the game, I have a black screen for about 5 seconds, and then get the classic windows error pop-up that asks me if I want to send the log to microsoft. This happens when using NO compatibility mode. When trying to run it under win95 or win98, I have these 2 errors: 'unable to link to kernel32.DLL' and 'cannot load WDIR32xxF.DLL'. When I run dxdiag and turn off directdraw/direct3D/AGP, I get this error: 'error 268.473 cannot find a suitable display mode'.

Any thoughts?:?

Hey, I already reinstalled it 3 times with no luck. I also let my firewall accept the game and still no luck.

I want to fix this because I would like to play this classic game again..

I just installed my version to see what happens. I get the exact same error from the disc version of the game. It might be the 8 series GPU or the dual core CPU, or something else entirely.

Edit: Instead of using the file GRAND THEFT AUTO.EXE in your gtawin folder, try the GTA.BAT file in your GTA root folder, then select start GTA from the list. Fires the game straight up for me, but for some reason I get a GTA disc not present error, even though it is.

You probably might not have that problem, though, with you not needing a disc to begin with.

I got exactly the same problem. First the screen was messed up when I was in the game. Then I tried with new drivers and the games doesnt run anymore.

I want to play mutliplayer GTA1 again. I can t use Windows Vista cause IPX protocol is not supported.

They should develop a new GTA1 with TCP/IP protocol for LAN, and improved graphics.

See ya.

There is a handy solution to this problem but it requires a little technical know-how. Basically, run the game in an XP virtual machine and it will run fine.

Follow these steps:

1. Install on PC as per usual. When you run the game it will probably crash.

2. Install Virtual PC 2007 from MS website (the program is completely free). http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx

3. Set up an XP virtual machine. You can download a trial version of the VM image if you don't want to go through the setup just yet. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=21EABB90-958F-4B64-B5F1-73D0A413C8EF&displaylang=en

4. Install "Virtual Machine Additions" (see in-program help).

5. Create a shared folder mapped drive from settings to the folder where the game is installed on the host PC.

6. Run game directly from shared drive.

If you're using a "Compatibility Mode", disable it.

Once you've disabled it, if you get any "settings" error, run the Settings program again in Admin mode if needed.

That should do the trick, as it's working Win7x64.

As much as I love to see MFSA get resurrected, stop bumping old threads!