Subject: Finding my dad the version he came to love

Date: Thu Jul 6 01:42:01 2017
User: notreallygoodbut
Message:
My dad is elderly, legally blind but can still barely see enough to play, and doesn't have much time left or quality of life. One of his few joys in life lately has been Freecell, which he's loved playing for a few years now. I "believe" it originally came with his Windows 8.1 installation. The machine was since wiped and restored and Freecell disappeared. I have spent hours scouring the web and trying various versions but have not found the one he became accustomed with, and he just isn't happy playing any variation that I've found thus far. He keeps asking for the one he became familiar with. I know there are so many variations it's probably not likely we can find that same one without my being able to provide a screen shot or anything, but let me give it a try. It had a simple menu at the top that "I think" included a prompt asking whether to save or discard the game (or maybe that prompt was only or "also" on closing the program). The one he has now is SolSuite's basic Freecell, which I paid for. He complains it doesn't behave the same way (a simple click causes action or something like that, etc). I'd probably recognize the old version if I saw it. Any way I can find a library with thumbnails of the main screen? Or else any chance someone might be able to guess at what he had based on just knowing it came stock with Windows 8.1? (I suppose it's possible it was Windows 8 before the guy did a restore.) Thanks!

Date: Thu Jul 6 01:58:16 2017
User: TNmountainman
Message:
There's a good chance it was the 'standard' Microsoft version, that they (as I understand it) quit pre-installing when they came out with either Windows 7 or 8 (not sure which). This has been discussed on this board previously, but don't remember if there was a specific answer or solution. I believe I proffered that it *could* be possible to just copy that file from an old computer that still has it. Don't know if the previous requestor tried that or not. I suspect there are others here more likely to be able to solve this for you than I. That said (and at this point the transition to this site may be too much trouble)..........this site is vastly superior to the original Microsoft one. The learning curve to play the 'original' 8x4 matrix is not steep, and with your help, he may be able to manage it. But it may be more than you all wish to take on. Good luck.

Date: Thu Jul 6 11:14:50 2017
User: Punster
Message:
I found this out on the internet, let me know if this helps ??? => Title => Good old Windows XP Freecell, a Windows 8.1 upgrade installation story Geplaatst op 14 november 2013 Recently I upgraded my fathers pc with a new motherboard (Gigabyte GA-H77-DS3H), processor (Intel Core i5 3550) and memory. He already had a SSD, housing and power supply are sufficient, being a nice set for Windows 8.1. The old motherboard was running Windows XP. Updates for Windows XP ends april 8 2014: http://blogs.technet.com/b/security/archive/2013/04/09/the-countdown-begins-support-for-windows-xp-ends-on-april-8-2014.aspx The Windows 8.1 wouldn’t run on the old motherboard, an upgrade was indeed necessarry. With the new motherboard I run the Windows 8.1 installation twice: I started with internet disconnected so Windows doesn’t ask an online account. Somehow after connection to the internet the password wasn’t accepted… The quickest and cleanest solution was a new installation and that went well. My parents only use one user account, so I set up an automatic logon with netplwiz, going online apperently affects that. And of course straight to the good old desktop. My father being a frequent user of Freecell, we were in for a surprise. To get Freecell the “Microsoft Solitaire Collection” app had to be installed and is only useable with a online account. Freecell in the Microsoft Solitaire Collection is slow and enough for my father wanting the old system back. But low and behold, the good old Windows XP Freecell also runs on Windows 8.1 with the files cards.dll and freecell.exe. They can be found on Windows XP – when installed – in the system32 folder. On a Windows 8.1 32 bit (x86) system that also the place to put the files. On a Windows 8.1 64 bit (x64) system that has to be the SysWOW64 folder. I have put these 2 files online at http://qatsi.ath.cx/diverse/freecell_xp/ The files can’t saved straight to the system folder, first saved them anywhere Windows allows it and then move the files to the system folder. Have fun!

Date: Thu Jul 6 13:37:33 2017
User: sking
Message:
I just looked at my games that came with and I do have a freecell from Microsoft and it looks pretty basic. Not being the most computer literate, if you can tell me how to send it to you, will be glad to.

Date: Thu Jul 6 13:43:37 2017
User: sking
Message:
Sorry, should have done this orig. All it says at the top is "Game, and Help"

Date: Wed Jul 26 13:22:03 2017
User: Snowguy
Message:
MSN has an on-line version that seems to mimic the original Microsoft solitaires. One is Freecell, but you click a link and play on-line. With cookies, it can manage your progress.

Link: Microsoft's on-line suite

Date: Wed Jul 26 13:45:35 2017
User: Ginxi
Message:
hi my brother in law played freecell in 1998 the one I remember sounds like the one your dad is referring to but I am not sure. it wasn't on line but I guess people were playing on line. this had a lot of games simple clicks and I know sisters played until they beat it. if they found a challenging game they would write the number and compete with eadh other. One sister still has this on her computer because I had to get used to the old way again. If there is a way we could copy it could you tell me and we can try to get it to you/ from Ginxi

Date: Wed Jul 26 17:23:16 2017
User: Punster
Message:
I haven't seen any response from the originator of this discussion => notreallygoodbut. I'm curious if they tried what I suggested, previously ?