Aladdin 1997 Windows Fix

An unofficial compatibility fix for the Windows version of Disney's Aladdin included in the 1997 Disney Classic Video Games compilation.

It restores correct graphics, sound, timing and modern Windows integration while keeping the original game data. The project was developed from a personally owned physical copy and validated on Windows 10 22H2.

This repository and its downloads contain no game executable, music, artwork or other Disney assets. You need your own original disc or installation.

Running on Windows 10 in borderless 4:3 at 60 FPS. Screenshot captured from the project owner's original physical copy; the pictured game content is not covered by this project's MIT licence.

Download and install

1. Open the latest release.
2. Download the named GameVaultDraw_*.zip asset. Do not download GitHub's automatically generated “Source code” archives unless you want to compile the project yourself.
3. Extract the ZIP.
4. Copy the contents of its patch directory beside your original ALADDINW.EXE and MIDI files.
5. Run Install patch.cmd once.
6. Start the game with Play Aladdin.exe.

The installer verifies the exact original executable before changing anything, creates a checked backup and refuses unsupported versions. Run Restore original.cmd to restore the verified original executable.

What it fixes

• obsolete 256-colour detection;
• privileged x86 CLI and STI instructions rejected by modern Windows;
• invalid DirectDraw destination rectangles and 8-bit palette handling;
• black output, unstable exclusive fullscreen and uncontrolled game speed;
• long-path MCI/MIDI crashes;
• taskbar, Alt+Tab, thumbnail and live-preview integration;
• crashes in the original Joystick and Keyboard settings pages;
• access to the original Properties panel with F2;
• a safe pause-and-exit dialog with Esc;
• the permanent Windows busy cursor during gameplay, while retaining a normal cursor for Properties and exit dialogs.

The default presentation is borderless 4:3 at 60 FPS and does not change the desktop resolution.

Supported executable

• Original SHA-256: 77B7B7B03F80BAD087E23217D4CDCA51A5F93C550D0FF290B22EC7FB4694C209
• Patched SHA-256: 8CE7F608D1BFEF1F67B5495D33653ED602B1CA05BBFC521255D9D6DF48FB4740

Only that exact executable is supported. No unknown executable is modified.

Source and technical documentation

• src/gamevaultdraw: the 32-bit DirectDraw compatibility layer;
• src/gamevaultlauncher: the native console-free short-path launcher;
• installer: auditable installation and restoration scripts;
• recipes: the strict Game Vault patch recipe;
• docs/TECHNICAL_REPORT.es.md: complete Spanish technical report;
• docs/REPRODUCIBILITY.md: build and reproduction instructions;
• docs/VALIDATION.md: validation record;
• diagnostics: sanitized evidence for the repaired failures.

The compiled ddraw.dll and Play Aladdin.exe are distributed in the release asset, not committed to the source tree.

Validation status

Version 1.1.2 was validated with the opening logos, main menu, gameplay, MIDI music, voices, sound effects, difficulty changes, keyboard remapping, Joystick and Keyboard settings pages, F2, Esc, taskbar and Alt+Tab. The patch also hides the busy cursor during play and restores it for dialogs. It contains no original game files and accepts only the executable whose hash is listed above.

A detailed technical report is also available in Spanish.

Disclaimer

This is an independent, unofficial preservation and compatibility project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Disney or the original game's developers and publishers. All third-party names, trademarks and game assets belong to their respective owners.

License

The original compatibility code, launcher and scripts in this repository are available under the MIT License. That licence does not apply to the original game or any third-party property.