The One Academy
I've started using VMWare to run The Realm inside. It's simple, but time consuming, so bear with me. VMWare is a virtual desktop environment that's separate from it's host machine. These are called Guest desktops. You can use any virtual machine but I suggest Oracle. It's up to you to find your own copy of Windows XP and Serial Code, until Norseman says it's okay to give out links to other sources.
Remember, even if it's unsupported, you still need a code to get passed activation. Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft, or anything else, really. There are security risks involved in running an old operating system, but doing it this way will self-contain any threats. I offer no warranty, either expressed nor implied, that this will work for sure. If you mess something up, you can't yell at me.
When you open The Realm inside your desktop environment, full screen The Realm. Once you've done that you'll be able to resize the desktop window at will.
There are some advantages to running in an XP environment.
-It's better on the eyes: You can play the game in a larger window without having to full screen and run at 640x480 resolution.
-The game will look sharper, as it'll be resized by a different method and not stretched by the client.
-Your mouse wont move as fast across the screen.
-You'll crash less, as The Realm wasn't designed for modern operating systems.
-Handles are still an issue, but not as much of an issue.
-Have not tested it with multi-boxes.
-Have not crashed once since I've started this.
Things you'll need for this project:
Basic/Intermediate Knowledge of Computers.
A processor with Virtualization Support. Most have it.
One Windows XP Service Pack 3 Disk / ISO. (For this method I'm using ISO)
One Windows XP Activation Key.
One copy of Firefox 52 ESR (See Below)
One copy of Oracle VirtualBox. (See Below)
One copy of Internet Drivers from Intel. MAKE SURE IT'S x32 DRIVERS!!! Don't download x64! (See Below)
(1) FireFox 52 ESR: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/
(2) VirtualBox: www.VirtualBox.org
(3) Internet Drivers: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/18717/Network-Adapter-Drivers-for-Windows-XP-Final-Release
Step 1:</br>
Once you installed your VirtualBox, you'll open a window and come to this screen. You'll want to click the blue NEW icon.
Step 2:
After that you'll need to fill out some information and allocate RAM. RAM is where a program is stored as it's running. I gave myself 2 GB of RAM because I'm crazy, but you can get away with 1 GB.
Step 3:
This is where you set your hard-drive size. Once again, I gave myself 10 GB, but since we're just using it for The Realm, you can get away with a lot smaller. Leave all other settings in-tact.
Step 4:
We're back to the main window now. What you'll need to do here is click the YELLOW SETTINGS icon.
Step 5:
Click Network and set up everything as it's displayed in this screen shot.
Step 6:
Click Storage and then where it says Empty, click that. Then on the right hand side, you'll see a blue disk next to IDE Secondary Master. You'll want to click Choose Virtual Optical Disk File, find your ISO where it's saved on your computer, and then load it up.
Step 7:
Press save and then click the GREEN START arrow and wait a few seconds.
Step 8-9:
IMPORTANT: USE RIGHT CONTROL ON YOUR KEYBOARD TO DE-FOCUS ON THE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT.
Here we have our Windows XP setup screen. Click the window, and use your arrow keys to navigate. This is going to install Windows XP to your environment. This is when it gets tricky, so try to pay attention.
Select Unpartitioned Space with the Enter key.
Select THE THIRD OPTION, and press ENTER.
Step 10:
Go have a coffee break.
Step 11:
Once the installer is finished you'll see the Windows XP logo flash briefly, and then be met with a familiar face: The Windows XP Setup screen. Follow the on screen prompts, it's pretty self explanatory.
And now we wait. Go have a coffee, you've earned it!
Step 12:
After a few reboots, you'll see the Windows XP startup screen again and then be met with this. Click okay.
If you've done everything as I've instructed, you'll be met with this screen and hear the famous Windows XP Installation Music. This means your sound works. Congratulations, you've just installed Windows, and as a result, learned how to format a computer. I'm so proud of you. Follow the on-screen prompts.
Now click "Turn Off Computer" and open up your VirtualBox again. We need make a shared folder.
Step 13:
Creating the folder. Create a folder on your Desktop with whatever name you want. Go back into the settings menu for Windows XP by clicking the yellow wheel, and click the buttons in the order I have them on the screen shot. This is where you're going to navigate to the folder you created.
And just like this, click OK.
Step 13:
Click OK on the next window and then RIGHT CLICK on the folder on your desktop, click properties, click the sharing tab, advanced sharing, click share this folder, apply, then click ok, click close. It's so easy I don't even need to take a screen shot.
Step 14:
You remember those INTEL drivers you downloaded for internet? You're going to need to move them from your downloads folder and into the folder you just created.
Step 15:
Go back to your virtual box and press start, and wait for your Windows XP to boot fully. When it does, click the Devices tab and then click Insert Guest Additions CD image. Click through the menu options and just install it, and reboot it when it asks you to.
Step 16:
Click Start, go to My Computer, and then you'll see your shared folder set up. Go in there and install your drivers from earlier. Just click through, it's already set to how you need it set.
Step 16 1/2:
AFTER INSTALLATION, RESTART ZE VIRTUAL MACHINE!!
Step 17:
FIXING THE NO-INTERNET PROBLEM IN WINDOWS XP. When you start it up, and open Internet Explorer, you'll see that there's still no internet even after all that hassle. The reason isn't because the internet isn't working. It's literally Internet Explorer is too old for modern internet. Remember the Firefox 52 ESR you downloaded? It's made just so XP can internet. Move the installation file into your shared folder we discussed earlier, and install it like you did the drivers.
Step 18:
While your fox is installing, resize your VIRTUAL DESKTOP like you would any other window by clicking on the bottom right corner and dragging it. Now that Firefox is done, follow on-screen instructions and open that bad girl up, and go to www.realmserver.com.
Step 19:
Don't be silly. You know what to do from here. Go do your grocery shopping while this patches.
Step 20:
Now, before you open the realm, click the VIEW tab in the top left corner, and click scaled mode, and then click switch. Once that happens you'll notice the screen change slightly. This is okay.
Now, with your screen set to scaled, open The Realm Online, log in, and press the green Maximize orb at the top right. You'll see the The Realm Online fill whatever size your virtual machine window is. Just resize the VIRTUAL MACHINE WINDOW to your liking, and the realm will follow!
~ Mikaelynn, wanna-be Tech-Support
