Tomb Raider Windows Vista Installation Guide

IMPORTANT: These instructions do not apply to Windows XP or 2000. To play TR1 and Unfinished Business using either of these operating systems, see the TR1 XP/2000 setup page.

This method has not yet been tested with Windows 7. If you have tried it, I would very much like to hear about your results.

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 Vista or Windows 7. Please note that this is a work in progress and there are still a few issues to be worked out. Still, this is a great start and improvements are on the way.

This page covers three different methods for installing the game:

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 & Recommended 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 or VDos32 (second and third options 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, XP or Vista 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.

trld.mintrasystems.com

- OR -
Glidos.exe
version 1.37 or later

(optional but recommended)
Improves the graphics quality of the original Tomb Raider and Unfinished Business. Also allows you to add optional sound and graphics enhancements. Glidos is free to try but costs $10 US to unlock. For more information, visit the Glidos site. Glidos.net
TrAndUbForGlidos.exe A preconfigured, self-extracting archive. When you run this, it will install all the miscellaneous files you'll need to run the game with Glidos. You will not need to download any other patches. Glidos.net
VDos32.exe A virtual environment for running 32-bit DOS programs, specifically intended for Windows Vista. VDos32 is still in development. It is currently free but requires unlocking via the internet (instructions below). For more information, visit www.vdos32.com. VDos32.com
Tomb Raider Audio Pack
(optional but recommended)
Restores missing background sounds and music. (Link at right includes instructions.) Glidos.net
- OR -
TrAndUbForVDos32.exe A preconfigured, self-extracting archive. When you run this, it will install all the miscellaneous files you'll need to run the game without Glidos. The graphics will not be nearly as good and you will not be able to use the optional sound and graphics packs, but this option is currently free. Glidos.net
VDos32.exe (see above) VDos32.com

Instructions

To Set Up TR1/Unfinished Business Using the Tomb Raider Installer:

  1. Download the installer at trld.mintrasystems.com.
  2. Insert the Tomb Raider disk in your CD drive. Exit the program without installing but leave the CD in the drive.
  3. 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 & VDos32:

  1. Insert your Tomb Raider or Unfinished Business 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:.
  2. Exit the program without installing but leave the CD in the drive.
  3. If you want to play the downloaded version of the Unfinished Business bonus levels, rather than the CD version, you must first download the 3dfx version (here) and run the trub3dfx.exe file to install them.
  4. Download and install TrAndUbForGlidos.exe (above).
  5. Download and install Glidos (above). If you already have Glidos, make sure it is version 1.37 or later to ensure compatibility with VDos32.
  6. Download VDos32 and move it into the Glidos folder (which should be C:\Program Files\Glidos).
  7. Unlock VDos32: Double-click the VDos32.exe icon. Click "Run" then "Unlock" and then "Unlock over the internet." When the message "done" appears in the window, click "Close" and then quit VDos32. Unlocking the program is free and you need to do it once.
  8. Run Glidos and make a few changes to its configuration: To run Glidos, double-click the Glidos.exe icon or the Glidos desktop shortcut. Then click the "Adjust" button.

    1. Under the "Display" tab, change OpenGL to Direct3D.
    2. Under the "DOS" tab, check the "Use VDos32" box.
    3. If you like, you can also change things like screen resolution, windowed or full-screen mode, use of optional sound and texture packs, etc., in this setup area of Glidos.
  9. Press "Start game" to run TR1. The next time you run the game, everything will already be set up. So you can just run Glidos and click "Start game".
  10. To restore the missing background sounds and music (optional), download and install the Tomb Raider Audio Pack, following the instructions on the Glidos site.
  11. 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.

To Set Up TR1/Unfinished Business Using VDos32 Only:

  1. Insert your Tomb Raider or Unfinished Business 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:.
  2. Exit the program without installing but leave the CD in the drive.
  3. If you want to play the downloaded version of the Unfinished Business bonus levels, rather than the CD version, you must first download the software version, not the 3dfx version, (here) and run the trubsoft.exe file to install them.
  4. Download and install TrAndUbForVDos32.exe (above).
  5. Download VDos32 to your desktop or anywhere else on your system.
  6. Unlock VDos32: Double-click the VDos32.exe icon. Click "Run" then "Unlock" and then "Unlock over the internet." When the message "done" appears in the window, click "Close" and then quit VDos32. Unlocking the program is free and you need to do it once.
  7. Run Tomb Raider or Unfinished Business by running VDos32. Then click the "Load Program" button and browse to the tomb.exe or tombub.exe program. These should be in C:\TOMBRAID. When you select tomb.exe or tombub.exe and click "Open", the game should start.

    The next time you run the game, repeat step 7 to play.

NOTE: Without Glidos, you can only run the game in software mode, so the graphics will be quite rough. You cannot run the game full-screen, only in windowed mode. Also, there will be no background sounds. Currently these can only be restored using Glidos and the Tomb Raider Audio Pack.

Advanced Options/Troubleshooting

VDos32 is still in development, and there are some known issues, which will hopefully be worked out in time. Currently VDos32 only works with 32-bit (not 64-bit) Vista installations. Background sounds are not present unless you use Glidos and the optional Tomb Raider Audio Pack (above). Also, you may experience some crackling sound during gameplay and FMV sequences. However, Paul is on the case and hopes to have this sorted out soon. At this stage in its development, VDos32 is free, though later versions may require a fee to unlock.

For more information and support, visit the Glidos and VDos32 sites.

Finally, my TR1 & Windows XP/2000 Quick Installation Guide has a few tips that are also relevant to Vista users, including links to the optional Tomb Raider Xtra texture packs. See the sections on Advanced Options/Troubleshooting and Support, at the bottom of that page.

[TR1 XP/2000 Page | TR1 Downloads Page | Main Page | TR1 Walkthrough]


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Glidos and VDos32 were created by Paul Gardiner. His sites include additional credits for the help he received in its development. Many thanks to Paul for the tireless help he's given the gaming community. The Tomb Raider Installer was created by Chris Ware and Gidierre. It incorporates the OpenSource DOS emulator DOSBox.

Walkthroughs and related diagrams copyright © 2006-2009 - Stellalune (email ). Feel free to print, quote and share the information on this site, but kindly include the copyright and contact info at the bottom of each page so people can send me their corrections, comments and suggestions. Also, if you'd like to offer my walkthroughs on your own website, please read and follow the instructions here.

Stella's Tomb Raider Site: http://tombraiders.net.