This document provides files and instructions on how to convert a DOS copy of Privateer 2 to a native Windows Privateer 2 (like the Windows 95 Deluxe Edition). This patch works with all DOS versions of Privateer 2. The converted "Deluxe Edition" you get after applying the patch will also work in Windows 9x/Me/2000/XP.
A french translation of this page can be found here: home.tele2.be/rimaimbeur/Page_52.html
You will (of course) need your original Privateer 2 DOS CD-ROMs (3) while converting it to Windows 95. You need one blank CD-R (or CD-RW) where you will burn the Windows version of your Privateer 2 CD1. Also, you need my Privateer 2 Windows 95 Patch Archive, which includes all files you need to convert Privateer 2.
You can download the Patch Archive here › priv2windowspatch.zip
Make sure you have got about 633MB (CD Image and Installation) free space on your harddisk. Now, create a temporary directory somewhere on your harddisk (eg c:\p2cd1). Insert your Privateer 2 DOS CD1 into your CD-ROM drive and copy all its contents to the directory you just created.
If you haven't already downloaded the Patch Archive from this site, grab it now › priv2windowspatch.zip. Extract this archive (using, for example WinZip) to the temporary directory in Step 1. If you are asked about overwriting existing files, say YES. The files from the DOS version have to be overwritten with the files from the Patch Archive for the Patch to work!
Now you've got a fully working copy of Privateer 2 Windows in the temporary directory created in Step 1. Now, fire up your favourite burning software and add ALL the files in that temporary directory to the CD. Burn. Insert the CD. You should now see my Launcher appearing. You can now install Privateer 2 to your Windows computer.
Sometimes (ex when you press ALT+X) you have to answer a question with your keyboard. If you don't have the English version of Privateer 2 DOS (I have the German version for example), you'll have to press "Y" for the positive answer (no matter what the "yes" is in your language), and a "N" for the negative answer (the "no" in your language).
If you have problems using your throttle on your joystick, simply reinstall Privateer 2 without throttle support. This saves you from dealing with the (slightly buggy?) throttle handling in Privateer 2 Windows.
If you have got problems getting your sound/music working on Windows 2000 or Windows XP, try to set compatibility mode: Right-click on the dark.exe file and chose "preferences", then go to the "compatibility" tab and check the compatibility mode. Selecting either Windows 95 or Windows 98 should work for everyone. (Thanks to Andrey Petrov for pointing this out).
Mischa Jillek suggests the following extra step for users with non-English language versions of Privateer 2:
If you copy
the files GAMEFLOW.IFF and INSTALL.IFF
from your original Privateer 2 version (in your language),
you will get the installation interface and the game interface
in your language, and not (up to now) in English. Furthermore,
Mischa reports that he successfully replaced the above mentioned
files and has also played the beginning of the game. He hasn't
fully tested this, but to him, it seems stable.
If you prefer your own language in Privateer 2, you might try to change these files, but if you are unsure or if there are mystical crashes (although none reported so far), please try to play with the files from the patch and see if the problem still persists.
The Privateer 2 DOS to Windows Patch community (where you can report bugs or just say thank you for the patch) can be found here › Privateer 2 DOS to Windows Patch guestbook.
Probably the most comprehensive list of links and information about Privateer 2 can be found at the Wing Commander CIC. The direct link to the Privateer 2 resource can be found here: http://www.wcnews.com/background/p2.shtml
This patch wouldn't have been without the direct or indirect help of some people I'd like to mention here:
Origin Systems // Without them, there would be no Privateer 2: The Darkening
sasa_25 // He has a great Privateer 2 Website with all kinds of information
Alex Barnfield // He sent me most of the Windows files and helped with testing
The Wing Commander CIC // (wcnews.com) Thanks for keeping the WC/Privateer community alive
SolSector.net // Hosted this page for quite a long time - since 2007 hosted again here :)
Tino Müller // Contributed a file for the joystick problem to go away
Andrey Petrov // Suggested the compatibilty mode fix for sound/music problems in XP