IMPORTANT:These instructions do not apply to Windows Vista or Windows 7. To play TR1 and Unfinished Business on a system running either of these operating systems, see the TR1 Vista/7 setup page.
Tomb Raider 1 and the Unfinished Business expansion were designed to run in DOS, not Windows, so a bit of effort is needed to make them work on newer systems. If you've never done anything like this before, the process can seem a little intimidating, but it's really not that hard. The following is a simple, step-by-step guide to installing Tomb Raider 1 and the Unfinished Business bonus levels on a PC running Windows XP or 2000. After the basic instructions you'll find links to more advanced options in case you want to try them.
This page covers two different methods for installing the game: The Tomb Raider Installer, created by Chris Ware and Gidierre, is a free program that makes installation quick and easy. Glidos, by Paul Gardiner, is shareware (free to try, $10 to unlock). It's also simple to use and allows you to configure the game with various sound and graphics enhancements.
THE USUAL DISCLAIMERS: While I recommend all of the programs presented here, tombraiders.net is not responsible for anything that happens to your computer as a result of downloading or installing them. If you have any questions or problems, please seek support through the links in the Troubleshooting section below.
Necessary Files
PROGRAM/UTILITY
WHAT IT DOES
WHERE TO DOWNLOAD
Tomb Raider and/or Tomb Raider Gold
The game CD is required to install and play the game. If you don't have the Gold edition, which includes a second CD with the Unfinished Business bonus levels, they are included with the Tomb Raider Installer (first option below). If you're using Glidos (second option below), you can download the bonus levels separately here. In both cases you will still need the TR1 CD in the drive to play.
N/A
- AND -
Tomb Raider Installer
This utility, created by Gidierre/Chris Ware, installs Tomb Raider and/or Unfinished Business under Windows 2000 or XP (32-bit version) without the need for any patching or complicated configuration. All it takes is one download and a few simple mouse clicks to install and fully configure the game and DOSBox DOS emulator.
This utility, created by Paul Gardiner, improves the graphics quality of the original Tomb Raider and Unfinished Business. It also allows you to add optional sound and graphics enhancements (see bottom of page). It works with both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP. Glidos is free to try but costs $10 US to unlock.
This utility is optional but recommended, especially if you have never done an installation like this before, since it does most of the work for you. If you prefer to install the game manually, refer to the instructions on the Glidos site.
* VDMSound can be downloaded from tombraiders.net, but I do not offer support or documentation. For this, you can go to the VDMSound page on SourceForge.net or the VOGONS forum.
Instructions
To Set Up TR1/Unfinished Business Using the Tomb Raider Installer:
Insert the Tomb Raider disk in your CD drive. Exit the program without installing but leave the CD in the drive.
Run the installer program by double-clicking the program's icon and following the on-screen instructions.
To Set Up TR1/Unfinished Business Using Glidos:
Download Glidos, VDMSound and the Glidos Installer (above).
Install VDMSound. Run the vdmsound.exe file you downloaded and follow the on-screen instructions. Unless you have a reason to do otherwise, choose the 'Typical' installation. Be sure to restart your computer after installing VDMSound.
Install Glidos. Run the Glidos.exe file you downloaded and follow the on-screen instructions.
Insert your Tomb Raider CD. If your computer has more than one CD-ROM drive, be sure to use the one with the letter designation closest to A. For example, use C: rather than D:.
Exit the program without installing but leave the CD in the drive.
Run the Glidos Installer by double-clicking on the TRinst.exe icon and then following the on-screen instructions:
Click "Next" to begin the installation.
Click "Install Main Files".
After the files have been installed, click "Next".
Select the option for VDMSound (which you should have installed in step 2) and then click "Next" and "OK".
Make sure your computer is connected to the internet and then click "Download" to acquire and install the Voodoo Rush patch (for improved game graphics). When that step is complete, click "Next" again.
Click "Finish".
To install the Unfinished Business bonus levels, follow these instructions:
Download the 3DFX version of Unfinished Business here.
Install it by double-clicking the trub3dfx.exe file, then clicking "Unzip", then "Close".
Run the game by double-clicking the Glidos icon on the desktop or by running Glidos from the Windows Start Menu. Under "Game," select "Tomb Raider" or "Unfinished Business". Then, if you like, you can make changes in by clicking the "Adjust" button. (For example, set screen resolution, windowed or full-screen mode, select downloaded texture packs, etc.). Then just follow the on-screen prompts to run the game.
Advanced Options/Troubleshooting
If you are using Glidos and like the way it runs, visit the Glidos site and pay to unlock Glidos and remove the spinning Glidos logo from the game.
If the game runs but the graphics are hideous, welcome to 1996, the year Tomb Raider was released. Using Glidos with the Voodoo Rush patch improves the graphics quite a bit. If you're not using Glidos, try pressing F1 during gameplay for slightly nicer graphics. For optimum graphics, use Glidos with the Tomb Raider Xtra texture packs. Wow!
If you're running Unfinished Business with Glidos for the first time and you receive an error message saying the CD cannot be found, click the "Adjust" button on the Glidos window. Click the "Executable" tab. Then delete any information in the box under "Path to CD check file" and click "OK". Then start the game again. (You will still need to have the TR1 CD in the drive.)
If the game runs but the FMV movie sequences are cut short, try this: Open My Computer, then the hard drive where Glidos is installed, then Program Files, then Glidos (or use Search in the Windows Start Menu to find the Glidos.ini file). Open it using Notepad and, in the sections about Tomb Raider and/or Tomb Raider Gold, delete the line:
VESASupport: Yes
Then save the modified Glidos.ini file, close it and re-start the game.
Or, if you can't see the FMV movies at all, you can run them outside the game using EscapePlay. The readme.txt file included with the download explains how to use it.
If you can hear the gameplay sounds (footsteps, gunshots, etc.) but no music or background sounds, there are two possible fixes: If you have the Sold Out Software version of the game, the fault is with the CD itself. This version does not include the music or background audio. You can restore the missing sound—plus bonus audio tracks that were originally included in the PlayStation game but not the PC version—using the Tomb Raider Audio Pack from Glidos site. Or, if you are not running the game with Glidos, you can create a replacement CD by following tombraiderchronicles.com's CD Audio Repair guide.
Support
If you're having problems installing the game using these instructions, or if you have issues not covered above, please visit these sites. You'll find better technical help there than I can offer.
Glidos.net - Info about Glidos as well as general troubleshooting tips.
Dracman's Site - Additional info, files and tips for running and enhancing Tomb Raider and Unfinished Business using various hardware configurations.
VOGONS Forum - V.O.G.O.N.S. = "Very Old Games On New Systems". Peer support for DOS games with sections on Glidos and VDMSound.
Tombraiderchronicles.com's Windows Vista/XP/2000 Guide - Support for the TR Advanced Installer, plus info on running all the other TR games with XP, 2000 and Windows Vista.
Tomb Raider Hub's TR1 FAQ - Same basic info as the tombraiderchronicles.com guide but also includes some extra troubleshooting.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:Glidos was created by Paul Gardiner. His site includes additional credits for the help he received in its development. Tomb Raider Xtra is a project of Matthew Hill and associates. The Tomb Raider Installer was created by Chris Ware and Gidierre. It incorporates the OpenSource DOS emulator DOSBox. VDMSound was created by Vlad Romascanu. ESCAPEplay is the property of Eidos Interactive.