Current Version (date-time) DirectDrawFix 20130101-154045
Introduction
Windows Vista and Windows 7 break color compatibility with certain applications that depend upon palette-based, 256-color graphics. Due to changes to DirectX and DirectDraw, the colors of these applications and games may appear distorted under these newer operating systems. This issue applies to both The Age of Kings and The Conquerors Expansion.
DirectDrawFix will allow you to resolve this specific issue by applying required compatibility fixes to the registry. Elevation is required for this application to perform its updates. Windows XP and earlier operating systems are already compatible and do not require this update.
System Requirements
Windows Vista or later operating system
Elevated user account privileges
Oh my, this is really quite amazing. I've been struggling to get used to the green and red colours for a while now on my new Windows 7 operating system and this bug fix cleans it right up. Thanks for discovering this and for sharing.
panel Official Reviewer
Posted on 12/01/11 @ 08:37 AM
This is probably the best fix I've encountered for this particular issue, I was tired of killing my explorer.exe just to play the game. Us windows 7 users are forever grateful for it.
scripter64 File Author
Posted on 12/01/11 @ 10:38 AM
Thanks for the comments :)
scripter64 File Author
Posted on 12/11/11 @ 03:54 AM
Released DirectDrawFix 20111211-005156.
- Adjusted for 64-bit compatibility.
damiankeur
Posted on 12/14/11 @ 02:01 PM
this is not only a problem for vista and windows 7 but also for XP.I have an XP and i also have this problem
[Edited on 12/14/11 @ 02:01 PM]
Dementor561 (id: dementor561)
Posted on 12/14/11 @ 06:48 PM
I cant find the folder which contains the .exe Please help
scripter64 File Author
Posted on 12/14/11 @ 06:52 PM
If you experience color distortion on Windows XP or earlier, it is likely that an application running in the background on your system is using your GPU to render an advanced user interface, manipulate images, or play videos. Various media players may cause this issue, including some music players with advanced "visualizations" during playback. Please ensure that no such software is operating in the background.
The game is typically installed to this path:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires II\age2_x1\
64-bit operating systems may find it here:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires II\age2_x1\
[Edited on 12/14/11 @ 06:54 PM]
panel Official Reviewer
Posted on 12/15/11 @ 03:37 AM
@ Dementor: you could also use the search tool to find the age2_x1.exe, and then right click - go to location (or something in those lines)
Possidon Official Reviewer
Posted on 01/03/12 @ 08:44 AM
Finally to round to trying this out! Superb one of the most useful utilities to date thanks alot!
Celebi Megatron
Posted on 01/03/12 @ 10:40 PM
this worked well. great job. made my day and rescued me from using batch files. however i wanna ask something. am i the only one who's having an in game audio trouble on windows 7 ultimate 64 bit? any fixes for it?
Posted on 11/28/11 @ 11:10 AM (updated 01/01/13)