Lode Runner Online Install on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 64 bit or 32 bit

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Confirmation of patched Lode Runner MMR working on Windows 10! The save and load bugs have been fixed. Check it out: Lode Runner Online Install on Windows 10

If you are here, you probably already know what Lode Runner is, but in case not, just Google it. 2015 will be the 20th anniversary of the release of Lode Runner Online MMR.

As the years have passed it has become a real headache to install LodeRunner. Thanks to fiveolddogs on the Lode Runner Yahoo group, it was discovered (actually that is the way it was with a lot of these old programs) that you could bypass the incompatible installer by copying files from an older computer. However, as all of the downloads available on the net now require you to have an older computer or run a Virtual Machine this has made it nearly impossible to install.

No longer! This installer contains the latest version of Lode Runner, Lode Runner Online: Mad Monk’s Revenge. I completely rewrote the installer so it works. In addition, it allows you to install to locations other than C:/SIERRA/etc due to auto INI file generation. I even included the auto compatibility mode settings. Put simply, this installer should work great first time, just like software should – no copying, hacks, editing ini files, launching virtual machines, installing WINE, configuring DOS Box, or long grueling integral u-substitutions. 😉

I must give a word of credit to SIERRA – You guys looked to the future. How many other 19 year old programs can be easily auto-configured to work like they were created yesterday? SIERRA you made my job easy.

The installer has been currently tested on the following systems:

Windows 8.1 Professional Media Edition (64 bit)
Windows 7 (64 bit)

Presumably, it works on both 32 and 64 bit versions of Win7, Win8, and Win8.1. If anyone wants to confirm and send me a note I will add it to the list of known supported. Also, if it doesn’t work let me know and I will see what I can do.

~~Update (6-Jan-2014): Just received confirmation that the installer works on Windows 7 (64 bit). It has been added to the list of compatible systems.~~

Update (16-May-2015): Due to updates, it no longer works on Windows 7 by default. However, it can still be made to work by disabling desktop composition as described below. In addition, Windows 8 and 8.1 are limited and cannot allow saving of games due to the forced desktop composition. Fear not however! See the end of this post for a great new update in progress.

WINDOWS 7 USERS! DISABLE DESKTOP COMPOSITION.

This has been rumored to fix the notorious crashes upon launching on windows 7.

Right click the launch link and click properties
In the compatibility tab, select “Disable desktop composition”
Click ok

So enough talking! Download Lode Runner Online MMR

MD5: 6fb77f4e0e1396ef936f1e9f702599c5
SHA-1 [160]: 44e7c666113e123d2229307fe786f72c233df0a5

Check out the post on How to Get the Music Working in Lode Runner Online: MMR.

Update (11-Jan-2014): Hooray! The issues with signing have been resolved. The executable is now signed for extra security for you all, as well as for peace of mind for the Windows Smart Screen.

Update (6-Jan-2014): It has been brought to my attention that some of you on newer machines are getting notifications from browsers and smart screen warning that the installer that I made has no reputation. This is because it is a relatively new program (I just created it) and because I didn’t sign the installer. My background is in older software so I didn’t think I would need to sign the installer but it looks like on most newer machines that that generates a warning. I am looking into getting a certificate and signing the software so this should be resolved soon, but I just thought I would explain that you might see a reputation notice so you don’t have to wonder what it is.

~~I also have a call in to Norton to evaluate the installer so it doesn’t get removed due to a WS:Reputation match (due to short file history). That could take a few weeks so hang in there.~~

Questions:

Where is my music. I want the music in the installation!

This question was first asked by Anthony, but I’m sure more will have the question.

The version of installation files that I had does not have the music. The way the program was created, you had to have the CD in the drive to be able to have the music work.

Update (9-Jan-2014): I have determined that it would be way to much work to get the music re-integrated into the files. As an alternative, I have provided a download of an image of the disk with instructions on how to get it working.

Check it out!

Get Music for LROMMR.

Note: the disk theoretically contains the original installations files which I could not remove because it would upset the track offsets. However, installing from the disk may corrupt your installation, or do other ugly things. The CD is provided for the music purposes only. Any other use has not been tested by me.

I have finally obtained a copy of the ISO, however it is a bit more tricky than I anticipated. The audio is on the CD in the red book format so I can’t just copy the files anywhere. Also, the cd must be in the first drive letter that is a cd so there is not an easy way to configure an automount iso. I will keep working on this and get back with you all later. If anyone knows a good way to work around this, let me know. I will try to put up the disk image for starters if I can’t get it working soon. Also, I may make an MP3 download soundtrack for anyone that is interested. There is some fun music!

Awesome New Update!

An exciting thing happened this most recent year for fans of LR:MMR. When saving games (and more importantly, loading custom level sets, am I right?) was confirmed to not work for windows 8 and above last year (windows 7 users, you are in luck. See above for instructions on disabling desktop composition to get saving working again), a developer and his brother started working on a true-to-original remake. It’s been through several revisions now, and I’ve had the privilege to test several of the aspects as they went through rewriting the app. Overall, I’ve been impressed with the work Bram (quartrobot) has done, and he has been making quite the headway with the project. While it still has a ways to go, you can check out there progress at the quark robot development blog. In addition, there is a current version available for download that just might get you excited for the project. The current version has some of the gameplay implemented, most of the editor, and the original music can easily be added in. Awesome work there, Bram!

Check it out: www.quarkrobot.com

Lode Runner Online Install on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 64 bit or 32 bit

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