32Gb virtually

With the demise of Windows 7 support in January, there may be the option of opening a virtual drive in Windows 10. I tried this some years ago and I couldn't get the save to work. I was using Window 64bit. Since Stalkersoup is a 32 bit program, I wonder if I loaded a 32bit version of Windows into a virtual drive, if the game could be run okay in that. After problems with Windows 10 pro in my opinion, having Window 7 32 bit inside it seems an option for those content with Win 7, I migrated a while back to Windows 10 pro, but I miss the smooth running of Win 7. Before I try this out, if anyone has opinions, expertise or other comments on any issues relating to this suggestion, please let me know. Thanks and regards.

TrueB wrote:

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Hi TrueB

If you want go this route, which won't be easy, then do your research first, and expect to learn a lot as you get things wrong along the way. If you go for virtual or dual-boot Win 7 - 32 bit, then bear in mind that you won't be able to use more than 4Gb of RAM in total - including Windows

We already know that StalkerSoup works well with Windows 7 - 64 bit

So if you go for virtual or dual-boot Windows 7 - 64 bit, and get it working, then experiment with other 32 bit games and programs first, because StalkerSoup will be more demanding, so you'll want to ensure that you've got a stable working version of Win 7, that works well with everything else, before installing StalkerSoup. Otherwise you won't know what's causing a problem...

EDIT: Also, do NOT use any program that you're currently using, like Word, to share common data between your virtual drive and Windows 10. Therein lies madness, and you'll find yourself in registry hell. Keep every program associated with one OS totally separate from the other...

Sword2012 wrote:

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Hi Sword, mmm, this is very good advice. I could try a photo program because I don't want it to affect existing programs, and the only game I have to play is Stalkersoup. I suppose 64bit Win 7 will work better since the rest of the PC is on that. As I mentioned, Win 7 did load last time but wouldn't  save. I think it should have done because that is the whole point of doing it. Anyway, I will try your advice. Thanks for providing it, and best wishes.

TrueB wrote:

Sword2012 wrote:

Previous post:

Hi Sword, mmm, this is very good advice. I could try a photo program because I don't want it to affect existing programs, and the only game I have to play is Stalkersoup. I suppose 64bit Win 7 will work better since the rest of the PC is on that. As I mentioned, Win 7 did load last time but wouldn't  save. I think it should have done because that is the whole point of doing it. Anyway, I will try your advice. Thanks for providing it, and best wishes.

Chances are that Win 7: 32-bit wouldn't work with much of your modern hardware anyway

Yes, once you get your virtual or dual-boot Win 7: 64-bit installed, try your 32-bit photo program, followed by several classic 32-bit games, ensuring that saves, graphics, sounds, etc work properly

But don't rush anything. Only when you're satisfied that everything is perfectly stable and working perfectly, bearing in mind that you'll need to add many Distributable files to get everything functional for games - only then, try StalkerSoup, because it'll push your new setup as it will be then beyond anything the other 32 bit games will throw at it...

Sword2012 wrote:

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Hi Sword, after considering your sound advice and 3 months left for support, it does seem an awful lot of work for such a short time. The mention of 'Distributable files' which I Googled, give so many variations, that I will instead either put in a 3rd internal SSD, or carry on as now. Thanks for helping me understand what would be involved. Regards, TrueB.

TrueB wrote:

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All the Redistributables you'll need are itemised in the Installation Guide, but you are right in that it will be a lot of work, and it would need to be done properly or not at all...