hmm... no shortcuts or start menu entries

OK, I did it: I installed a game for my little one on my notebook (HP
Pavilion dv9000t, Vista Premium). The game (Ratatouille) works fine and it's
really cute, but the install did not create any start menu entries, nor did
it place an icon on the desktop - even though I affirmed that it could do
that - which is unusual for me. I simply inserted the CD and let it autorun
to begin the installation. I was logged in as my usual admin level (or not
really - wink wink, say no more) user when I installed.

Now, for me it's no big deal, I went ahead and made shortcuts on the start
menu (and yeah, one on the desktop too) manually, but I'd like to get an idea
of what's happened. Anyone?
--

Possibly it could be an compatibility problem with Windows Vista. Is the
games packaging labeled as Designed or certified for Windows Vista?
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
"IkidUnot" <> wrote in message
news:EE8A2E06-B365-4516-9642-...
> OK, I did it: I installed a game for my little one on my notebook (HP
> Pavilion dv9000t, Vista Premium). The game (Ratatouille) works fine and
> it's
> really cute, but the install did not create any start menu entries, nor
> did
> it place an icon on the desktop - even though I affirmed that it could do
> that - which is unusual for me. I simply inserted the CD and let it
> autorun
> to begin the installation. I was logged in as my usual admin level (or
> not
> really - wink wink, say no more) user when I installed.
>
> Now, for me it's no big deal, I went ahead and made shortcuts on the start
> menu (and yeah, one on the desktop too) manually, but I'd like to get an
> idea
> of what's happened. Anyone?
> --
>
>

IkidUnot;526771 Wrote:
> OK, I did it: I installed a game for my little one on my notebook (HP
> Pavilion dv9000t, Vista Premium). The game (Ratatouille) works fine and
> it's
> really cute, but the install did not create any start menu entries, nor
> did
> it place an icon on the desktop - even though I affirmed that it could
> do
> that - which is unusual for me. I simply inserted the CD and let it
> autorun
> to begin the installation. I was logged in as my usual admin level (or
> not
> really - wink wink, say no more) user when I installed.
>
> Now, for me it's no big deal, I went ahead and made shortcuts on the
> start
> menu (and yeah, one on the desktop too) manually, but I'd like to get
> an idea
> of what's happened. Anyone?
> --

Hi IKidUnot,

As Andre stated, it most likely is a compatibility issue if the program
was not designed or certified for Vista. There also may a option during
setup that you have to select to get the shortcuts.

If the program has was not designed for Vista and has any unusual
quirks when running, you might consider putting it in Compatibility Mode
for the OS that it was designed for. I would not worry about unless it
does. You can see how in this tutorial.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/75...lity-mode.html

Shawn


--
brink

*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them.*
OM\")
*Please post feedback to help others.*

Good suggestions, but I did look at the system requirements printed on the
box before purchasing. It does show that it's *supposed* to be compatible
with Vista. I know, I know. Since I can't use compatibility mode during
installation, it's too late if the install doesn't do what it's supposed to
(i.e. install shortcuts on the start menu) - unless I can do so manually, (as
I did later). During the install, the only option I had was whether to
install a shortcut on the desktop, which I did allow (but it didn't do). I
don't think I've seen many (if any) programs which give you the option of not
having shortcuts placed in the start menu, as I think this would freak out
very many computer users. So that's the story; even though it's academic
(the program seems to work just fine) - any other ideas?

This does bring up a question: The "Games for Windows" banners that we all
see on packaging for newer games; does that imply anything as far as
compatibility?
--
-me.
Let this forum know if this helps or if you figure out the problem, so
others can benefit. As far as I know the "notify me of replies"
does not work, so do not count on this feature.



"brink" wrote:

>
> IkidUnot;526771 Wrote:
> > OK, I did it: I installed a game for my little one on my notebook (HP
> > Pavilion dv9000t, Vista Premium). The game (Ratatouille) works fine and
> > it's
> > really cute, but the install did not create any start menu entries, nor
> > did
> > it place an icon on the desktop - even though I affirmed that it could
> > do
> > that - which is unusual for me. I simply inserted the CD and let it
> > autorun
> > to begin the installation. I was logged in as my usual admin level (or
> > not
> > really - wink wink, say no more) user when I installed.
> >
> > Now, for me it's no big deal, I went ahead and made shortcuts on the
> > start
> > menu (and yeah, one on the desktop too) manually, but I'd like to get
> > an idea
> > of what's happened. Anyone?
> > --
>
> Hi IKidUnot,
>
> As Andre stated, it most likely is a compatibility issue if the program
> was not designed or certified for Vista. There also may a option during
> setup that you have to select to get the shortcuts.
>
> If the program has was not designed for Vista and has any unusual
> quirks when running, you might consider putting it in Compatibility Mode
> for the OS that it was designed for. I would not worry about unless it
> does. You can see how in this tutorial.
>
> http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/75...lity-mode.html
>
> Shawn
>
>
> --
> brink
>
> *There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them.*
> OM\")
> *Please post feedback to help others.*
>

IkidUnot;527320 Wrote:
> Good suggestions, but I did look at the system requirements printed on
> the
> box before purchasing. It does show that it's *supposed* to be
> compatible
> with Vista. I know, I know. Since I can't use compatibility mode during
> installation, it's too late if the install doesn't do what it's
> supposed to
> (i.e. install shortcuts on the start menu) - unless I can do so
> manually, (as
> I did later). During the install, the only option I had was whether to
> install a shortcut on the desktop, which I did allow (but it didn't
> do). I
> don't think I've seen many (if any) programs which give you the option
> of not
> having shortcuts placed in the start menu, as I think this would freak
> out
> very many computer users. So that's the story; even though it's
> academic
> (the program seems to work just fine) - any other ideas?
>
> This does bring up a question: The "Games for Windows" banners that we
> all
> see on packaging for newer games; does that imply anything as far as
> compatibility?
> --
> -me.
> Let this forum know if this helps or if you figure out the problem, so
> others can benefit. As far as I know the "notify me of replies"
> does not work, so do not count on this feature.
> ---------------------------------------
> "brink" wrote:
> > Hi IKidUnot,
> >
> > As Andre stated, it most likely is a compatibility issue if the
> program
> > was not designed or certified for Vista. There also may a option
> during
> > setup that you have to select to get the shortcuts.
> >
> > If the program has was not designed for Vista and has any unusual
> > quirks when running, you might consider putting it in Compatibility
> Mode
> > for the OS that it was designed for. I would not worry about unless
> it
> > does. You can see how in this tutorial.
> >
> > 'Compatibility Mode'
> (http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/75...lity-mode.html)
> >
> > Shawn
>

IkidUnot,

It might just be a bug in the Ratatouille program. You might check out
it's website for updates or to see of it is a known issue.


The "Games for Windows" label means that it is certified to work on
Vista. You can read more on it here.

_About_Games_for_Windows (\"http://www.gamesforwindows.com/en-US/AboutGFW/Pages/gamesForWindows.aspx\")_

Shawn


--
brink

*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them.*
OM\")
*Please post feedback to help others.*

Hi,

If the games are marked as "Games for Windows", then they should put their
shortcuts into the Games Explorer. Check via the Games link on your Start
Menu.

--
Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
MVP Windows Shell/User

"IkidUnot" <> wrote in message
news:FF7B2B4E-6751-423E-BE89-...
> Good suggestions, but I did look at the system requirements printed on the
> box before purchasing. It does show that it's *supposed* to be compatible
> with Vista. I know, I know. Since I can't use compatibility mode during
> installation, it's too late if the install doesn't do what it's supposed
> to
> (i.e. install shortcuts on the start menu) - unless I can do so manually,
> (as
> I did later). During the install, the only option I had was whether to
> install a shortcut on the desktop, which I did allow (but it didn't do).
> I
> don't think I've seen many (if any) programs which give you the option of
> not
> having shortcuts placed in the start menu, as I think this would freak out
> very many computer users. So that's the story; even though it's academic
> (the program seems to work just fine) - any other ideas?
>
> This does bring up a question: The "Games for Windows" banners that we
> all
> see on packaging for newer games; does that imply anything as far as
> compatibility?
> --
> -me.
> Let this forum know if this helps or if you figure out the problem, so
> others can benefit. As far as I know the "notify me of replies"
> does not work, so do not count on this feature.
>
>
>

I see, so the banner is a program that's supposed to help assure me that the
program should work properly with Vista. Oh well.
I did check in the Games folder on the Start menu and it's not there. I'll
just chalk this one up to some error, and I'll take a peek at the Ratatouille
site. Since the game runs fine otherwise, I'll just use the shortcuts I
created and instead of ferreting this out further, spend the time with the
important one I installed this for! I think most of us would agree that's
the way to go - have fun with your kids. Thanks for the info, Brink & Jane.
--
-me.
Let this forum know if this helps or if you figure out the problem, so
others can benefit. As far as I know the "notify me of replies"
does not work, so do not count on this feature.



"Jane C" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> If the games are marked as "Games for Windows", then they should put their
> shortcuts into the Games Explorer. Check via the Games link on your Start
> Menu.
>
> --
> Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
> Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
> MVP Windows Shell/User
>
> "IkidUnot" <> wrote in message
> news:FF7B2B4E-6751-423E-BE89-...
> > Good suggestions, but I did look at the system requirements printed on the
> > box before purchasing. It does show that it's *supposed* to be compatible
> > with Vista. I know, I know. Since I can't use compatibility mode during
> > installation, it's too late if the install doesn't do what it's supposed
> > to
> > (i.e. install shortcuts on the start menu) - unless I can do so manually,
> > (as
> > I did later). During the install, the only option I had was whether to
> > install a shortcut on the desktop, which I did allow (but it didn't do).
> > I
> > don't think I've seen many (if any) programs which give you the option of
> > not
> > having shortcuts placed in the start menu, as I think this would freak out
> > very many computer users. So that's the story; even though it's academic
> > (the program seems to work just fine) - any other ideas?
> >
> > This does bring up a question: The "Games for Windows" banners that we
> > all
> > see on packaging for newer games; does that imply anything as far as
> > compatibility?
> > --
> > -me.
> > Let this forum know if this helps or if you figure out the problem, so
> > others can benefit. As far as I know the "notify me of replies"
> > does not work, so do not count on this feature.
> >
> >
> >
>