I have a CD that has Entertainment Pack 1-4 on it. I would like to install these games on my computer that is running Windows 2000 professional so they are easily accessible.

I installed Pack 1 but it didn't add a shortcut to the Start/Programs menu. In the installation it suggests a folder (C:\WEP) which it created and it copied all of the files for all games into this folder. But to get to the games, you have to open the folder and find the executable file for the game you want to play. I am setting this computer up with games for someone in their 80s and they need an icon they can click on rather than opening folder tree and looking for a file. I could create a shortcut to the desktop, but then I would end up with really cluttered desktop.

Is there a way to create a folder (Games) in the Start/Programs menu and have all of the game's executable icons show up in that window? Or any other suggestions would be appreciated. Also, I am not sure if this is the right forum for this question. If not, please point me in the right direction.

Thanks.

The Entertainment pack was released back in 1990 during the days of Windows 3, before the entire concept of a Start Menu had been thought of. Back in those days Program Manage was available but wasn't the be-all and end-all of accessing programs. DOS programs made no shortcuts at all.

You can make your own shortcuts to any executable file you want, in any folder names you want on the Start Menu or Desktop. With this pack you'll have to do the shortcuts manually due to its age. Have you verified they work under Windows 2000?

I clicked on one of the execute files and the game started, so I assume it works but I didn't actually play the game to see if it worked. From other searches on the net, I think these games do work on 2000 and XP.

The CD has a folder for each entertainment pack, i.e. 4 folders. When I opened the folder for pack 1 and clicked on the setup file, it asks where I want the files to be stored, and suggested C:\WEP. Do you think its Okay to dump all 4 packs into this folder? Also, should I place WEP under the C:\Program Files folder to create C:\Program Files\WEP or does it matter?

Thanks for your help.

Program Files the folder was only added under Windows 95. Under Windows 3 days, filenames could only ever be eight characters long so when you install anything you'd get the shortest folder name possible by default.

You can probably move the files to Program Files\WEP, though you're going to be making a rod for your own back as the software dates from a time when there were no spaces in the path name, and it may not work. I'd leave it at the default. Typically if all four installers want to dump things in the same folder, I'd say let it. Those older programs have little concept of subfolders and what not.

Thanks for your help. It turns out Entertainment Pack 1 was the only one that I had to set up a folder for. Packs 2,3 and 4 created their own folders under Start\Programs with each game's shortcut listed in the respective folder.

I installed 1,2 and 3 in C:\WEP because that was the default. Doing so didn't affect any of the games.

I probably didn't need to, but I set up Pack 4 under C:\WEP4 just to set it apart from the others. Pack 4 came with its own install program and uses the sound card so, I just thought I should separate it's games from the others.

One other question that you may be able to help me with. I bought IGT Slots to put on this computer that has a 866mhz Intel Pentium III processor. The game says it needs a 1.2Ghz processor. Do you know how strict these games are regarding this specification? Do you think this processor will run this game or should I take it back to the store? I haven't opened it yet or tried to install it because of the processor question.

Presuming you mean this:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/IGT+Slots:+Tex...d=1218115832981

Then that's not listed for Windows 2000 so the processor speed becomes irrelevant as the game won't work anyway.

That's not it. It's this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/IGT+Slots%3A+L...d=1218016961558

Or if this link doesn't work, its on the link you posted, but its in the lower right corner of the screen shot when you first open that link called Little Green Men.

Realistically the older the machine the less chance it has of running the game happily.
It'll probably run but it wouldn't be a pleasant experience since you'll probably find some other bit of hardware is dragging it down and on the age of the machine it's probably not worth upgrading.

I went ahead and downloaded the game. The only slowness I noticed was when you walk through the casino. That animation is a bit jerky, but the reels on the slots seem to work fine.

Thanks for your help Neil.