I post this here again, since I posted this first in "general discussion", maybe this is the better place for it:

I recently spent a "fortune" on an orignal physical version of Riven on DVD-ROM. The DVD is supposed to have the best available quality (less compression and more "stills"). However, I can't get it to run on Windows 7 64bit.

It's supposed to run if you first install it on XP or lower, and then copy the entire game folder from the hard drive to the newer computer. Unfortunately, I don't have that option since I have only 1 computer and no XP to install.
Can anybody send me the installed game folder of the DVD-ROM version (full installation)? I can prove I bought the game legally (with pictures), so this would not be piracy.

The second option is to get a combination of the gog version and the better quality of the DVD to run.
So if anybody has a code for gog-Riven, thank you!!!

I promise to report my findings/solution here. :-)

I wanted to inform my fellow myst fans :-) that I got Riven to work (at least it seems like it) on my Windows 7 64bit notebook using a combination of the gog version and my dvd-rom version!!! (first release, not anniversary edition). It took me several ours to figure it all out, but here is what you have to do to enjoy the game in the best version available: :-)

1. Install the gog version. (I did not install quicktime from gog)

2. Copy all the MHK files with "data" in the filename from the DVD-ROM version of riven (1998 release) into the data folder of the installed gog-Riven. Almost all of them are bigger in size than the gog version.

3. Watch out, the file "t_data" is only 1 file in the gog version, but 2 files in the DVD-ROM version (t_data1, t_data2). Delete the gog file and replace it with the two files from the DVD-ROM. Because there are now two files, you have to later adjust the file "riven" (cfg) with an editor (see 5.)
The file "a_data" is also a bit tricky, since there are two versions of it on the DVD-ROM (in an extra folder "All" which isn't there in the gog version). In the end, I copied the biggest "a-data" file from the DVD-ROM into the data folder of the installed gog-Riven.
In case it is needed, I also did a new file named "All" (similar to DVD-ROM) and placed the smaller of the two "a_data" files from the DVD-ROM in it. The gog-"a_data" was therefore replaced by the DVD-ROM version.

4. There are also MHK files with "sound" in their file name. In the gog version, they contain wav-files, in the dvd-rom version they are only mp3 files. Since wav is superior to mp3 sound quality, I decided to keep the mhk sound files from gog.
However, it's possible that the wav files were encoded from the mp3 source, which would have made the new wav files bigger, but the sound would be exactly the same as the mp3s. If they are indeed "real" wav files, it's of course better to use the files from the gog version.

5. You need to tamper with the "riven" (cfg file) and open it in an editor. It has to look like this:
UPDATE 23.7.2014, CORRECTED CFG FILE.

; Volume name to disc number mapping
[Riven1]
Disc = 1

[Riven2]
Disc = 2

[Riven3]
Disc = 3

[Riven4]
Disc = 4

[Riven5]
Disc = 5

; Data file sets
[aspit]
Disc = 0
File_0 = "data/a_data.mhk"
File_1 = "data/a_sounds.mhk"

[ospit]
Disc = 0
File_0 = "data/o_data.mhk"
File_1 = "data/o_sounds.mhk"

[pspit]
Disc = 0
File_0 = "data/p_data.mhk"
File_1 = "data/p_sounds.mhk"

[gspit]
Disc = 0
File_0 = "data/g_data.mhk"
File_1 = "data/g_sounds.mhk"

[rspit]
Disc = 0
File_0 = "data/r_data.mhk"
File_1 = "data/r_sounds.mhk"

[tspit]
Disc = 0
File_0 = "data/t_data1_.mhk"
File_0 = "data/t_data1.mhk"
File_1 = "data/t_data2.mhk"
File_1 = "data/t_data2_.mhk"
File_2 = "data/t_sounds.mhk"

[jspit]
Disc = 0
File_0 = "data/j_data1.mhk"
File_1 = "data/j_data2.mhk"
File_2 = "data/j_sounds.mhk"
File_3 = "data/j_data3.mhk"

[bspit]
Disc = 0
File_0 = "data/b_data.mhk"
File_1 = "data/b_sounds.mhk"
File_2 = "data/b_data1.mhk"

Additional info: I played a bit around with the t-data files. There are now two identical files, the only difference being the file name. Its possible this is not necessary, but it works :-).
All replaced files in the gog version were dated 1997 (= most likely CD-ROM version as a source, the riven cfg file also mentions five discs), most files on the DVD-ROM version are dated 1998.
Riven uses Quicktime. I have the version 7.7.1, but no further adjustments were necessary. VCL player instead on Quicktime could also work. I did not install the quicktime version that comes with the gog version of Riven.

That's it! Enjoy the game in the best version available :-)
Please post if this also works for you :-)

Remaining Problems:
I could play the whole game, but there are still a few animations that are not working (buttons and such). When clicking in the journals, it sometimes skips a page (turns two pages instead of one). And quite often a small stripe of a previous image remains at the top or bottom of the screen for some time (overlapping the new "landscape").
And I cant load a saved game from the start menu. I first have to start a new game in order to load a savegame.

And there is a bug: The glitch happened in the jail cell tunnel, where it opens up to look out on the ocean. You have to go trough the secret passage and light the tunnel. In order to do that, you first have to light the lamp at the water and than go backwards through the cave. BUT once you have seen the water and try to "walk" back, it will warp you back to the entrance and you can not light the remaining lamps. To be able to progress, you have to go back once again and light the remaining lamps (without looking at the picture with the water and the the lamp you previously lighted) .

Thats about it. If someone knows the solution to these, it would be perfect.

Unfortunately, I experienced some problems:

-I can't load a savegame from the startup menu, I have to select new game and then load it once I'm in the game.

-Also, some animations like the button at the rotating building are still not working. I tried different quicktime versions with no effect.
I heard the original riven.exe and menus.dll from the DVD-ROM could make the difference. Unfortunatley, they are not on my DVD-ROM which probably means you only get these files once the game is installed. But install doesn't work because of Windows 7.
Can anybody upload these files? It would be very much appreciated!
I hope this would fix the animations.

Any other ideas? Thanks for your help.


Additionally, I had a problem after the magride? video (in the beginning of the game). After the video finishes, it asks if I want to eject all non Riven DVDs and then forces me to quit.
Anybody had this problem before and can help?
Edit: I may have solved this problem by changing something in the riven cfg file.

An easier way might be to use the latest developer's build of ScummVM to play Riven. While not 100%-complete, you can still complete the game in its entirety. (EDIT: All that's left for the ScummVM devs to implement are things like non-critical sounds, fixing some rare issues with vidoes, and transitions.) To do so, download and install the latest developer's build from , copy all the game files for the DVD version of the game as listed [url=http://wiki.scummvm.org/index.php/Datafiles#Riven:_The_Sequel_to_Myst]here to a single folder, then add the game to ScummVM as you normally would.

Thanks for this, Expack!

However, I was able to play the whole game! Still have to do the alternate endings and read the whole journals of Cathrine and Ghen which are really hard to decipher, but add a lot to the story/atmosphere.

I basically replaced most of the data files in the gog-version with the ones from the DVD-ROM to get the best quality and adjusted the riven cfg.

(see solution in my 2nd post)

Bumping this thread as it may be useful to others who have just come around to playing Riven, and want the best possible version.

EDIT: on Windows 7 64 Bit

- I first installed the CD-ROM-based GOG version of Riven and managed to play around with it without any issue EXCEPT for the lack of some specific (and secondary) animations (related to buttons only I think - those affected by the issue are not zoomed on when triggered). I have QuickTime Lite 4.1.0, which is an optional install that comes with the GOG installer and when you install it, make sure to unclick the MP3 coding box (thanks to dbrizzee for the tip - first given for Myst Masterpiece Edition on Windows 7 64 Bit, see here: https://www.gog.com/forum/myst_series/myst_masterpiece_edition_problems_on_windows_7_64_bit ).

- I also got my hands on the DVD edition of Riven (not via GOG): no difference in image quality (even FMVs, good luck seeing the difference), the only interest in the DVD edition at this point is 1) to get the additional views (i.e., "stills" - the additional views help with immersion, trust me - you can actually already benefit from them right at the beginning, try looking up) and 2) to make sure ALL animations work.
The result? Works like a charm! I still use the same QuickTime Lite 4.1.0 (installed with MP3 coding box unclicked) for the DVD version, and all animations without exception work, and all the possible views you can get in Riven are there! The only caveat is that the game crashed once (after playing for 15-20 min), but just save regularly and you'll live with that (small edit: had a second crash, it appears crashes are encouraged by clicking about and changing views quickly several times in a row; if you move at a more considerate speed - usually the case when you visit a new area, requires more discipline when traversing already explored areas - then you should be fine).

I might try to bring over the DVD files into the GOG folder (replacing the CD edition files) in the way that Xscape2041 did, but for now the DVD install works perfectly (save for the rare crash) so I can't say I'm not in a hurry to just play the game.

It would be good if GOG just made the DVD version available though!

P.S.: since I installed the DVD version of the game, I have the original riven.exe and menus.dll files from the DVD-ROM - so if Xscape2041 or someone else needs them for combining the DVD version with GOG's version, let me know...

having just finished myst masterpc edition and getting ready to start Riven here. I have the Gog version and didnt even think to use my original from back in the day cd from my personal library so this thread is really interesting to me. Do I understand right that you ran the game straight from cd version and only tweaked the Quicktime Lite (unchecked mp3) and it works? i already employ 'calmer' adventuring from myst (slow clicking in crash zones lol) so this will be really cool to play old school from disc.

Hey mintee,

That's right, I'm running the 2003 DVD version of Riven straight from the disc (so DVD-ROM in this case, not CD-ROM - Riven on CD comes with 5 discs!! no changing discs in the middle of a playthrough with the DVD version), and only tweaked Quicktime Lite (unchecked mp3 yes) and it works! No need (with Windows 7 64 Bit with 4 Intel CPUs, Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 graphics card for reference in case that changes anything) to do anything else (compatibility modes etc.).
It's good you employ the "calmer" adventuring mindset, you'll need it with Riven ;P (as expected, I find it awesome)

thanks mate, will give it a go :)

Hey Sat42,

The GOG Galaxy version of the game appears to be the DVD version.

While the image quality is the same (I extracted images from both games to compare), the DVD version appears to have higher quality FMVs with no VSYNC issues or pixels at the top of the screen from the last image. The CD version has larger sound files, but that might not necessarily mean higher quality.

Benefits of the GOG CD Version:
- Ultra-fast transitions and load-times!
- Possibly higher quality audio (?)
- Less crashes (The DVD version froze three times in the short span of recording footage)

Benefits of the GOG Galaxy DVD Version:
- No double-turning of pages
- Some additional views
- No missing animations (Needs further testing)
- Higher quality FMVs (Source: http://imgur.com/a/Ke5ZM)

Honestly, the slow transitions and crashes in the DVD version are a bit of a deal-breaker for me. Hopefully, someone will be able to fix them, but I think I'll just stick with the CD version until then. I had no bugs when I played this version. However, I did experience one crash - which makes me glad that I was playing the CD version as I could get right back to where I was at lightning fast speeds.

Hey deanf,

Thanks for the heads up! Good to know about the GOG Galaxy version, even though I don't need it. Thanks for the comparison of FMV images between both CD and DVD versions, I'll admit I now see the difference, and I'm glad I enjoyed all FMVs in best conditions - I have now finished Riven which is the best point-and-click I've played thus far, the only problem was that the DVD version indeed crashed a lot but regular saves made this a minor hindrance for me (and crashes usually occurred in already visited areas where I wanted to move past quickly, not during the slow exploration of new areas when immersion is most important). Loading times didn't strike me as slow...

Cheers and happy gaming!

personally i chose to play, and enjoyed playing the DVD version, just because of the higher quality FMVs. i see the difference is not huge, but they are just such an important part of this game.

the main downside is (more) crashes, but only one area was made significantly annoying because of it (a lot of in-and-out of FMVs.)

iirc i fixed the page-turning somehow - maybe i limited my FPS with nvidia inspector? well, i can't remember. but i do know i was able to read every page!


this is probably my favorite puzzle game, despite playing it very late (2015?) :-)

Similar feelings here mate, and I only got around to playing Riven in 2017! :P