Are you talking about the GOG version?

You could try the approach described there:
http://www.sevenforums.com/gaming/78003-pax-imperia-eminent-domain-2.html

As I haven't used this method myself, I can't guarantee success, nor do I know the utility mentioned there.

Will this allow the game to run in a window?

Don't know. I never had any problems with Pax Imperia myself, so all I can contribute is indirect information.

I've been playing Pax Imperia and noticed that there isn't a direct way to create an alliance with another computer. Also, it seems the computer just randomly declares war in the game without provocation. Is this normal?

I have never tried to create an alliance with an AI player, but i remember that AI players tend to declare war for no apparent reason (except that they want to kill you, obviously) - and they are quite capable opponents, I daresay. :-)

So that means trying to start trade routes with them is pointless?

Again, I must admit that I haven't tried to start trade routes (or at least don't remember it). My encounters with the AI players were violent ones most of the time (maybe a consequence of my preferred playing style).
Why don't you give it a try and see what happens?

Usually I would start a trade route with the first encountered AI, then moments later...

:-). I'm not surprised. In my experience, the AI is aggressive. Either they attack immediately, or they disappear, build up strength (presumably), and return with superior forces. I don't remember periods of peaceful coexistence.
I haven't completed many games victoriously (and I'm not a power gamer). In these games, I invested in economy and research rather than in warships. Victory depended on when I encountered the aliens: too early - defeat. Usually, I lost a couple of battles (and systems) early on, but that gave me time to build up my own fleet and stop the invasion (or I lost the game).

See if this helps:

0. Unset all compatibility options that you've tried for now (see 5 below if you want to try a combination which should work in most cases but it may not be necessary).

1. Paste the following into a text file using Notepad or equivalent:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectDraw\Compatibility\Pax Imperia.exe]
"Flags"=hex:00,08,00,00
"ID"=dword:357ead8c
"Name"="Pax Imperia.exe"

2. Naturally check that you're happy with the changes it's making - it's just an additional key with some values so is easy to remove manually if you're not happy with the results.

3. Save the file with a .reg extension.

4. Double click the file to merge it with your registry.

5. This fixes the problems for me so you may not have to do anything else. But if you're still having problems, try setting the following compatibility options for "Pax Imperia.exe" in the game's directory (typically C:\GOG Games\Pax Imperia - Eminent Domain):

- Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows 95
- Run in 256 colors
- Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution
- Disable visual themes

[Don't set Disable desktop composition]

The game runs in 640 x 480 anyway so you're not losing anything by setting these options.

Hope it helps.

Phil

Hello,

thanks for trying to help me (and to all others as well), but it still didn't work. I was actually unable to even get the registry setting to import ... and no compatibility settings worked, the graphics still looks like this (or even worse), see attachment.

I suppose I'll have to give up trying ...
Thanks anyway ...

Tom

Yep, without those registry settings in place, that's exactly how it will look unfortunately.

Another option would be to use DxWND.
This is a wrapper for old DirectX draw calls and bugs that came about with windows updating.

I have to admit I am getting kind of disappointed in GoG with stuff like this. I mean, wasn't them making old games run better on new systems, without us players having to resort to jumping through all sorts of hoops, the original point. I mean, sure, sell new games too. That's fine. Just don't forget your roots.