Freelancer on VirtualBox

PhilippeM

After quite a lot of trial-and-errors, I managed to run Freelancer in a Windows XP VM on VirtualBox, on a Windows 10 Host.
With an i7 4700 HQ laptop with 8 Go RAM, it runs with maxed graphic options.

Here is what I did:

Follow this excellent article to install your Windows XP virtual machine:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/download-windows-xp-for-free-and-legally-straight-from-microsoft-si/
I allocated 1024 Mo RAM, a Video Memory of 128 Mo and enabled 2D/3D acceleration.
Using the VM’s Peripherals menu, install the Guest Additions CD image and reboot
Install Freelancer (from CD or ISO)
Install the No-CD Exe : http://the-starport.net/freelancer/download/visit.php?cid=1&lid=2649
Reboot the WinXP WM, and press F8 to enter the “mode sans echec” (failsafe mode ??)
Restart the Guest Additions and select Direct3D (maybe this could be done the first time)
[ I had added in the flconfig file : Vendor = 0x80EE “Virtual”
0xbeef = “default”, but I don’t think it is needed at all]
Now, FL runs (even though it displays a large green block in the intro videos - don’t worry, no problem in game).
The mouse “jumps” 10% of the screen at each move -> disable Mouse Integration (VM icon on the bottom right of the window), this is solved.
Set the resolution in FL options before switching to Full Screen.

Et voilà, I could at last (re-)play this fantastic game !
Hope this can help others.
I have just to find a WinXP activation key to avoid having to reinstall the whole thing each 30 days…

FriendlyFire

…. But why? Freelancer works fine on Windows 10.

Bolte

AFAIK, indeed, FL works on Windows 10 just fine with the NO-CD patch. What in particular was not working for you?

PhilippeM

Even with the No-CD patch, I couldn’t run it on my system, it crashed without even opening a window. This was not the Secdrv issue (as seen in the Windows error logs), but a generic APPCRASH error whose cause I could not determine (see below if interested – don’t lose time on this, though, especially if I am the only one with this kind of issue).
I tried many of the suggestions I could find here on starport and elsewhere, to no avail. So, I resolved to try the VM path, and published the result, for others who might run into the same difficulties.

---------- (windows error report - WER file)
Version=1
EventType=APPCRASH
EventTime=131486496671359365
ReportType=2
Consent=1
UploadTime=131486496679393138
ReportStatus=268435456
ReportIdentifier=0cd3031a-60fb-46f3-baa6-7db485371c79
IntegratorReportIdentifier=b428de40-894f-49c8-9b54-23e9129ae52a
Wow64Host=34404
Wow64Guest=332
NsAppName=Freelancer.exe
AppSessionGuid=000032a8-0001-0017-8589-58a54522d301
TargetAppId=W:00063d0579e0158d622547d79e2e2f8ebc9400000904!0000eab2f12172058795f6cd6a8e175e0266824bde50!Freelancer.exe
TargetAppVer=2003//02//04:19:58:49!21e253!Freelancer.exe
BootId=4294967295
ServiceSplit=3539031
TargetAsId=19774
Response.BucketId=785401b2ce89dfaaa636a7a42a74c790
Response.BucketTable=1
Response.LegacyBucketId=107773220228
Response.type=4
Sig[0].Name=Nom de l’application
Sig[0].Value=Freelancer.exe
Sig[1].Name=Version de l’application
Sig[1].Value=1.0.1223.11
Sig[2].Name=Horodatage de l’application
Sig[2].Value=3e401b79
Sig[3].Name=Nom du module par défaut
Sig[3].Value=StackHash_2beb
Sig[4].Name=Version du module par défaut
Sig[4].Value=0.0.0.0
Sig[5].Name=Horodateur du module par défaut
Sig[5].Value=00000000
Sig[6].Name=Code de l’exception
Sig[6].Value=c0000005
Sig[7].Name=Décalage de l’exception
Sig[7].Value=PCH_65_FROM_ntdll+0x000722CC
DynamicSig[1].Name=Version du système
DynamicSig[1].Value=10.0.15063.2.0.0.768.101
DynamicSig[2].Name=Identificateur de paramètres régionaux
DynamicSig[2].Value=1036
DynamicSig[22].Name=Information supplémentaire n° 1
DynamicSig[22].Value=2beb
DynamicSig[23].Name=Information supplémentaire n° 2
DynamicSig[23].Value=2beba6fb4680d73a8c78ca7c24ccdb46
DynamicSig[24].Name=Information supplémentaire n° 3
DynamicSig[24].Value=cfd7
DynamicSig[25].Name=Information supplémentaire n° 4
DynamicSig[25].Value=cfd7ad72b02c318914bfc4ba719d4940
UI[2]=C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Freelancer\EXE\Freelancer.exe
UI[3]=Freelancer a cessé de fonctionner
UI[4]=Windows peut rechercher une solution au problème en ligne.
UI[5]=Rechercher une solution en ligne et fermer le programme
UI[6]=Rechercher ultérieurement une solution en ligne et fermer le programme
UI[7]=Fermer le programme
LoadedModule[0]=C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Freelancer\EXE\Freelancer.exe
LoadedModule[1]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
LoadedModule[2]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\KERNEL32.DLL
LoadedModule[3]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\KERNELBASE.dll
LoadedModule[4]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\apphelp.dll
LoadedModule[5]=C:\WINDOWS\AppPatch\AcLayers.DLL
LoadedModule[6]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\msvcrt.dll
LoadedModule[7]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\USER32.dll
LoadedModule[8]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\win32u.dll
LoadedModule[9]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\GDI32.dll
LoadedModule[10]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\gdi32full.dll
LoadedModule[11]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\msvcp_win.dll
LoadedModule[12]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\ucrtbase.dll
LoadedModule[13]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\SHELL32.dll
LoadedModule[14]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\cfgmgr32.dll
LoadedModule[15]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\shcore.dll
LoadedModule[16]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\RPCRT4.dll
LoadedModule[17]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\SspiCli.dll
LoadedModule[18]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\CRYPTBASE.dll
LoadedModule[19]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\bcryptPrimitives.dll
LoadedModule[20]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\sechost.dll
LoadedModule[21]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\combase.dll
LoadedModule[22]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\windows.storage.dll
LoadedModule[23]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\advapi32.dll
LoadedModule[24]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\shlwapi.dll
LoadedModule[25]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\kernel.appcore.dll
LoadedModule[26]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\powrprof.dll
LoadedModule[27]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\profapi.dll
LoadedModule[28]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\OLEAUT32.dll
LoadedModule[29]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\SETUPAPI.dll
LoadedModule[30]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\MPR.dll
LoadedModule[31]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\sfc.dll
LoadedModule[32]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WINSPOOL.DRV
LoadedModule[33]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\bcrypt.dll
LoadedModule[34]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\sfc_os.DLL
LoadedModule[35]=C:\WINDOWS\AppPatch\AcGenral.DLL
LoadedModule[36]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\ole32.dll
LoadedModule[37]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\UxTheme.dll
LoadedModule[38]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WINMM.dll
LoadedModule[39]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\samcli.dll
LoadedModule[40]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\MSACM32.dll
LoadedModule[41]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\VERSION.dll
LoadedModule[42]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\USERENV.dll
LoadedModule[43]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\dwmapi.dll
LoadedModule[44]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\urlmon.dll
LoadedModule[45]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WINMMBASE.dll
LoadedModule[46]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\iertutil.dll
LoadedModule[47]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\IMM32.DLL
LoadedModule[48]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\WS2_32.dll
LoadedModule[49]=C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Freelancer\EXE\Common.dll
LoadedModule[50]=C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Freelancer\EXE\DALib.dll
LoadedModule[51]=C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Freelancer\EXE\Movie.dll
LoadedModule[52]=C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Freelancer\EXE\DACOM.dll
LoadedModule[53]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DINPUT8.dll
LoadedModule[54]=C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Freelancer\EXE\ImeUI.dll
LoadedModule[55]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\SHFOLDER.dll
LoadedModule[56]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\MSVCP60.dll
LoadedModule[57]=C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Freelancer\EXE\zlib.dll
LoadedModule[58]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\MSVFW32.dll
LoadedModule[59]=C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\x86_microsoft.windows.common-controls_6595b64144ccf1df_5.82.15063.413_none_55bc94a37c2a2854\COMCTL32.dll
LoadedModule[60]=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CRTDLL.dll
LoadedModule[61]=C:\WINDOWS\System32\clbcatq.dll
State[0].Key=Transport.DoneStage1
State[0].Value=1
FriendlyEventName=Fonctionnement arrêté
ConsentKey=APPCRASH
AppName=Freelancer
AppPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Freelancer\EXE\Freelancer.exe
NsPartner=windows
NsGroup=windows8
ApplicationIdentity=9FA1EB2D2621C4363033D891BE983497
MetadataHash=-589977725

SWAT_OP-R8R

well, i never ever had any problems getting it to run on win10
that you get crashes is very strange

Bolte

Some of the errors appear to be in french that resemble language errors or some such, maybe its an issue with language region perameters? Maybe try installing an english language to the Windows install if you don’t have one. Or maybe USA english, as that’s what I seem to remember the game using.

PhilippeM

Thanks for the idea, would have been a good explanation. Unfortunately, it still fails. The only difference in the error reports is the exception offset, but I have absolutely no idea on how to use this information, and whether it is significant at all

Sig[7].Name=Exception Offset
Sig[7].Value=PCH_1F_FROM_ntdll+0x000722CC
DynamicSig[2].Name=Locale ID
DynamicSig[2].Value=1033

Bolte

PCH is referring to platform controller hub, relating to your intel motherboard chipset most likely, and ntdll is an important Windows file.

Are you running the game as admin?
Do you have antivirus running?
Have you installed the latest drivers or are you running from standard Windows 10 reference drivers?
Have you completely re-installed Freelancer?

Also can you open the event viewer and go into application logs and find the entry that corresponds?

Additional thought, try booting w10 into safe mode and see if FL runs or still has the crash.

Another additional thought, try going into freelancer.ini and commenting out the movie references, incase its anything to do with bink codec.

Other than that, try a w10 virtualbox and see if it runs, if it does, its likely something specific to your machine, as virtualbox virtualises all hardware.

adoxa

I tried my virtual 10 (original Creators Update, English) and it worked without issue (sharing my current install, though, rather than installing from scratch) - Windows prompted to install DirectPlay, the EULA came up, then it started. You said it “crashed without even opening a window” so does that mean you didn’t get the DirectPlay prompt? If it’s not already installed, try doing so manually (I think you’ll find it under legacy features, but not sure of the exact steps, sorry).

PhilippeM

Thanks @Bolte and @Adoxa for the support.

In short:

I tried a complete reinstall on my machine, following Bolte recos, without success (details below)
I tried to install it on a VirtualBox VM with Win10 (running on my machine) - it works (after promting for Direct Play install)
Next step: I will search whether DirectPlay is installed on my system, and try to reinstall it. I will post the result here.

===== Details (this failed):
a) Completely Uninstalled Freelancer, Cleanup registry to remove all FL data (compat info…), Cleanup of freelancer data in C:\ProgramData, C:\Users\Philippe\AppData,
delete C:\Users\Philippe\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Freelancer\EXE
C:\Users\Philippe\AppData\Local\CrashDumps\freelancer

b) Updated Nvidia GeForce Drivers to latest
c) Stopped Windows Defender, Rebooted in Safe Mode, Installed FL As Admin.

d) Start FL (normal, or AsAdmin): Idem, nothing displays, the mouse pointer returns to inactive after a few seconds. No DirectPlay prompt, just a record in Windows Event Observer.
Same result if I comment the ‘movies’ lines in freelancer.ini

From the Event Observer:
Event Type: BEX, ID of CAB: 0, PCH_69_FROM_ntdll+0x000722CC, same code c0000005, ExceptionData: 00000008

This code c0000005 seems to be DEP (Data Execution Prevention)
=> System info > Advanced > Performances > DEP : Added Freelancer.exe to the Exclusion List.
Idem, fails to start but now with an EventType=APPCRASH in the Event Observer record.

Bolte

Hmm.

Have you tried turning user account control to off as a test and re-running the install/launching the game?

The fact that you can run it in a VM fine and not in your native system implies the difference is the particular hardware/driver software. As otherwise it would fail as there is no difference in the software being installed.

Its why I asked you to try it.

Alex.

Please do not suggest disabling UAC. Doing that is not required to run Freelancer.

FriendlyFire

You can check for DirectPlay by running C:\Windows\System32\OptionalFeatures.exe directly and looking for it in the list.

Bolte

Bolte. wrote:
switch account control to off as a test

I believe I did not tell him to turn it off forever, he is even free to try this in safe mode if he wishes.

Alex.

I wouldn’t do it at all.

Bolte

That’s you, but we are dealing with something relating to his PC, as the game runs virtually - it’s mere experimentation.

And, I have run without UAC since it was invented, and I have never had a single problem because of it. I know what I am doing when browsing the web sir, but I know not everyone does, I merely suggested it as a troubleshooting step, just to rule it out.

UAC is NOT a security boundary, it was invented to allow for de-elavated permissions in certain scenarios. Internet Explorer protected mode for example, some protected modes in Microsoft Office for example.

Most programs have gone past UAC now, flash player for example will still prompt to be run in modern browsers, back in the day with UAC off this would have run without prompt.

These days it is superfluous due to downloads being marked in a certain way as to not be trusted by default. It is mere inconvenience these days.

PhilippeM

YES!

DirectPlay did the trick.

For reference:

On windows 10 64b, install freelancer, then apply the No-CD patch.
Try to launch freelancer. If it exits without showing any display (an error code c0000005 can be found in the event observer), then install manually DirectPlay:
Open C:\Windows\System32\OptionalFeatures.exe, and under “Inherited Components” (or legacy ?), check DirectPlay.

Launch Freelancer to check that it works.
I applied then the JFLP patch…. its soooo beautiful now, I can’t wait to relive this adventure !

Many thanks for your support.

Bolte

That’s what I needed to know, thanks, now I can see if the launcher can detect if DirectPlay is enabled and if not attempt to activate it if possible, as part of the wrapper program that installs the fonts etc.

FriendlyFire

Bolte, I don’t know what you’re rambling on about, but UAC most assuredly is still relevant today. It’s an elevation authorization prompt, nothing more, nothing less. To disable it means you’re instantly and permanently granting any piece of software executing under your Windows identity access to the Administrator account on your computer. That’s an awful idea, though I’m happy to hear you haven’t run into issues with that glaring security hole in your system.

I wouldn’t recommend running Windows with UAC off even if you know exactly what you’re doing, for the record. There are way too many potential drive-by exploits in browsers to not have that additional safety layer.

Bolte

And all of the malware these days targets the user, not UAC.

“One important thing to know is that UAC is not a security boundary. UAC helps people be more secure, but it is not a cure all. UAC helps most by being the prompt before software is installed. This part of UAC is in full force when the “Notify me only when…” setting is used. UAC also prompts for other system wide changes that require administrator privileges which, considered in the abstract, would seem to be an effective counter-measure to malware after it is running, but the practical experience is that its effect is limited. For example, clever malware will avoid operations that require elevation. There are other human behavior factors which were discussed in our earlier blog posts (post #1 and post #2).”

From a microsoft blog ^^
Anti-Malware programs are the first line of defence, not UAC, as they are frequently updated with definitions.

Source: https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/e7/2009/02/05/update-on-uac/

The idea of UAC is sound, it didn’t turn out that way in practicality, because of the users. But that’s another story and irrelevant now.