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Chaos OverlordsWindows 10 Fix Directions - No White Boxes - Runs Great!(9 posts)(9 posts)
(9 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted October 16, 2023
high rated
Hey all,

After scouring the web to get this game running for a LAN session I was able to cobble together a handful of different fixes that finally got the game running smoothly and without the "white box" issue most folks run in to.

This has worked for me on 7 different PC's all running Windows 10.

Here's the steps.

1 - Install GOG version of Chaos Overlords.

2 - Install DxWND. Link below.

3 - Open the "Data" Folder inside of Chaos Overlords.
- Copy all files within "PX16" into "PX08" and replace them.

4 - Right Click the Chaos Overlords .exe and under the "Compatability" tab click the following
- "Disable fullscreen optimizations".
- "Run this program in compatability mode for: Windows XP (Service Pack 2).
- "Run this program as an administrator".

5 - Launch the Chaos Overlords exe.
- You may notice white or distorted graphics. Not a problem, we're not done yet.
- Under "Options" deselect Thousands of Colors - (16bit).
- Exit the game.

6 - Open DxWnd.
- Click the "Edit" tab and choose "Add"
- Under name write "Chaos Overlords"
- Under "Path" enter the location of the Chaos Overlords .exe or click the ". . ." and point to the location manually.
- Uncheck the "Run in Window" box. It never ran correctly for me in windowed mode.
- Click "Ok"

7 - Launch Chaos Overlords from within DxWnd.

8 - Enjoy!!!!!!!

DxWnd Link
sourceforge.net/projects/dxwnd/files/Latest%20build/

If you get "CREATE PROCESS ERROR 740" when trying to launch from DxWnd - Run DxWnd as an administrator.
Post edited October 16, 2023 by zackharrison
Posted November 16, 2023
This does work...ish. Got rid of the white boxes for me. Graphics are still bunked but better than blank boxes so a step up. Running win 11 currently.

Thanks for the tip and clear instructions!
Post edited November 16, 2023 by Elppin
Posted December 01, 2023
Legend! Works perfectly on 2 of my Windows 11 machines!

Really appreciate you taking the time to share this fix. I'd been craving a play!

Edit:

We can also automatically hide the taskbar in the Dxwnd settings for the game:

1. Right click on the 'Chaos Overlords' entry in DXWND and select 'Modify'
2. Go to the 'Video' tab and look for 'Window handling'
3. Select 'Hide Taskbar'
Post edited August 27, 2024 by rjk3
Posted December 12, 2023
YES!!!

THX alot Man! I was sooooooo pised that CO was not workin all the time.

Great work...
Posted June 18, 2024
thank the gods you have ended years of misery and despair, we can finally bring misery and despair to AI Criminal Overlords again
Posted July 02, 2024
avatar
zackharrison: Hey all,

After scouring the web to get this game running for a LAN session I was able to cobble together a handful of different fixes that finally got the game running smoothly and without the "white box" issue most folks run in to.

This has worked for me on 7 different PC's all running Windows 10.

Here's the steps.

1 - Install GOG version of Chaos Overlords.

2 - Install DxWND. Link below.

3 - Open the "Data" Folder inside of Chaos Overlords.
- Copy all files within "PX16" into "PX08" and replace them.

4 - Right Click the Chaos Overlords .exe and under the "Compatability" tab click the following
- "Disable fullscreen optimizations".
- "Run this program in compatability mode for: Windows XP (Service Pack 2).
- "Run this program as an administrator".

5 - Launch the Chaos Overlords exe.
- You may notice white or distorted graphics. Not a problem, we're not done yet.
- Under "Options" deselect Thousands of Colors - (16bit).
- Exit the game.

6 - Open DxWnd.
- Click the "Edit" tab and choose "Add"
- Under name write "Chaos Overlords"
- Under "Path" enter the location of the Chaos Overlords .exe or click the ". . ." and point to the location manually.
- Uncheck the "Run in Window" box. It never ran correctly for me in windowed mode.
- Click "Ok"

7 - Launch Chaos Overlords from within DxWnd.

8 - Enjoy!!!!!!!

DxWnd Link
sourceforge.net/projects/dxwnd/files/Latest%20build/

If you get "CREATE PROCESS ERROR 740" when trying to launch from DxWnd - Run DxWnd as an administrator.
Thanks be to the chaos overlords - I am sitting here with the background music I have not heard for so long... Dear friend - take all my karma, I have hundreds of thousands of it and it's all for you, for this moment you have given me in teh midst of despair.

I ran into a problem downloading the file from sourceforge - it said it had a virus and so I had to mess with new windows security (not defender, that's only if you pay for 365 now) - you just open windows security and select the "severe trojan" to be allowed and then you can download it.

Installing it is basically extracting the .rar and then setting the .exe to run as admin - i followed the rest of the instructions without an issue except for the one about opening the game and deselecting 16 bit - I couldn't open the game without the "trojan virus" dx windows app that handles it.

It runs in full screen at 1600x1200 for me np.

Thanks so much, man - I was workign on a flash remake but, well , flash died - one day I'll make a fan version!
I'm trying to make it more multiplayer live though, like Mindnight or The Purge Dilemma, so ppl can chat in game - I just can't afford the plug-ins required for my vision :`(

+ 10,000 rep.
Posted July 02, 2024
Quickly to add - since it is running in a window and not scalable for some reason - you can use windows magnifier (windows control and M - turn off following all cursors and have it centre on cursor - then zoom in (win and + keys) with the mouse int he centre of the game window - not the best but it works.

I tried magnifixer and a few other 3rd party apps but nothing scales it properly except messing around with magnifier's settings until you find the way that works for you.

170% on windows magnifier (win and +), after setting the scaling steps to be 10% (defauly 100% steps) and not following mouse, zooming on mouse cursor, not caret, etc...

Thanks again - I can actually read the game now with the magnifier too.
Posted August 27, 2024
avatar
teh_saccade: Quickly to add - since it is running in a window and not scalable for some reason - you can use windows magnifier (windows control and M - turn off following all cursors and have it centre on cursor - then zoom in (win and + keys) with the mouse int he centre of the game window - not the best but it works.

I tried magnifixer and a few other 3rd party apps but nothing scales it properly except messing around with magnifier's settings until you find the way that works for you.

170% on windows magnifier (win and +), after setting the scaling steps to be 10% (defauly 100% steps) and not following mouse, zooming on mouse cursor, not caret, etc...

Thanks again - I can actually read the game now with the magnifier too.
This issue might be unique to your system, as the OP's instructions worked without issue on 2 systems (+ added the 'Hide taskbar' option from the Video tab.)

Perhaps it's an issue with the aspect ratio?

It may be worthwhile for you to explore the options in the 'Video' tab when setting up Chaos Overlords in DXWnd.
Post edited August 27, 2024 by rjk3
Posted September 16, 2024
avatar
zackharrison: 5 - Launch the Chaos Overlords exe.
- You may notice white or distorted graphics. Not a problem, we're not done yet.
- Under "Options" deselect Thousands of Colors - (16bit).
- Exit the game.
Anyone else unable to complete step #5? The game opens as a black window with periodic little horizontal lines of grey static. There's a top bar with "File, edit (greyed out), Options, Comm, Help" at the top and my cursor is the blue circulating windows "loading" icon and I can't interact with anything. I have to force close via task manager on a separate monitor.
Post edited September 16, 2024 by Subpablo
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Chaos OverlordsWindows 10 Fix Directions - No White Boxes - Runs Great!(9 posts)(9 posts)
(9 posts)