Install GR on Windows 10/ 11 with great graphics

[JayQ]

UPDATE (2022/12/04):

Updated the article with new information

 

Questions have been asked on how to play Ghost Recon on modern hardware with Windows 10/ 11. Back when this great game was developed there was no knowledge on how todays graphics audio cards would evolve. It sometimes makes it impossible to play the great games of old.

Below the way to run Ghost Recon on Windows 10/ 11 with any type of driver or update installed. It also brings EAX back, without even owning a SoundBlaster card.

1. Installation:

The original CD installation media for GR has SafeDisc DRM, which does not work on Windows 10/ 11. DRM free versions can be acquired via:

• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Gold Edition (PC DVD), which includes the original game, Desert Siege and Island Thunder
• Steam, where all 3 editions can be bought
• GOG, where only the original game is available

2. Audio (DSOAL):

DSOAL is an open source libary that enables EAX, even without owning a soundblaster card.

1. Get DSOAL; latest version: http://vaporeon.io/hosted/dsoal-builds/
2. Copy the 3 files to the game installation folder.

3. Graphics (dgVoodoo2):

For AMD graphics cards owners that update their drivers: Using dgVoodoo2 resolves the MiniDumpWriteDump error for the atiumdag.dll file.

1. Get dgVoodoo2; either 2.54 or latest version: http://dege.freeweb.hu/dgVoodoo2/dgVoodoo2/
2. Copy D3D8.dll from the x86 folder (since this is a 32-bit game) to the game installation folder
3. Start dgVoodooCpl (application found in the archive) when using the latest version:
   • For AMD cards with the latest drivers, it is required to set the Output API to Direct3D 12 (fl_12)
   • Copy the created dgVoodoo.conf to the game installation folder

4. Run Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon

1. No preset options.xml file required
2. 32-bit Z-buffer can now be selected in the configuration screen
3. EAX should by default have been detected and enabled

Have fun. Maybe this should be made a sticky topic.

Edited December 4, 2022 by JayQ
Sharpened the content