Mechwarrior 3 only works on Windows XP with the following

[pcunite]

After much testing I have found that MechWarrior 3 only works reliably under Windows XP with the following settings (assuming your hardware is comparable to mine). Hope this helps someone.

1. Install Windows XP 32bit with Service Pack 2 slipstreamed.

2. Don't install any windows updates, just your needed drivers etc.

3. Install Mechwarrior 3 from CD-ROM.

4. Install official 1.2 patch from here:
http://www.mechwarrior3.org/wordpress/download-manager.php?id=17

5. Install version 5 of the EOP high resolution patch from here:
http://www.mechwarrior3.org/wforum/download.php?id=1881

6. Create a shortcut to loader.exe and set it to Windows 98 compatibility.

7. Set your loader.ini file to 1024x768.

The game works like a champ. It will crash from time to time on the mission briefings... but gameplay works very well.

My hardware for reference:
Motherboard: Asus P5K-E
CPU: Intel Q6600
Video: nVidia GeForce 8800GT
RAM: 8GB Crucial DDR-667

Also I don't actually run the game from the real CDROM I use a virtual image of the cd. In the game settings under Graphic Options I have everything set to high as possible. Take care all.

[Dawg Pack]

Wow... thanks for that one. I'm just now updating my PC to a dual core and I'm gonna try this.

[pcunite]

Do report your success. I think the issue is all about the DirectX version, a very precise version that handles the sensibilities of what MechWarrior 3 prefers (6.4 I think). At first I was testing XP and installed SP 1a, no go, then I applied SP2 and had problems as well. Installing XP from a disk with SP2 already present gave me success. If it crashes during any mission briefing, just restart the game and skip the briefing.

[Perigren]

I run on an xp sp2 platform with zero problems after applying EoP's rez patch and tweaking my video cards settings for mw3 specifically and install using 98se compatibility then turning it off after i have successfully launched.
direct x 9.0c

[GhostFocht]

Hi there,

I downloaded the EOP high resolution patch (Link from first posting, point 5). During unzipping my virus scanner alarmed me, that loader.exe would contain the trojan TR/Hijacker.Gen.

(And that's too bad After years I installed MW3 under WinXP SP3 and had fun until Operation 2 Mission 4 (the one, where Epona should be found and the bad, bad Annihilator has to be destroyed). At the beginning of the mission I get the targetting-crash.)

Greetings,

GhostFocht

[GhostFocht]

Good news: The Annihilator is miiine

I installed the high resolution patch, that Perigren posted in http://www.mechwarrior3.org/wforum/viewtopic.php?t=4217&sid=05f0e43c917d3e39ad86127cb828e8a0
No more crashes to the desktop (ok, in that one hour, but before installing MW3 crashed permanently in that mission).

Thank you very much, I really enjoy MW3 now (started with reading BattleTech-Books in the 80s )!