Here's how to get DOS C&C working on XP:

1) Download the demo version of C&C:
ftp://ftp.westwood.com/pub/cc1/previews/demo/cc1demo1.zip (9 MB)
You only need the first file, not the media addon. Extract the files in a new folder.


2) Run the extracted "SETUP.EXE" in the C&C directory and choose the "Sound Blaster" card. 
After the install is done I noticed the setup program somehow keeps running in memory. Open the Task Manager, go to Processes and end the process "setup.exe". 


3) Delete these files: 
"DEMO.MIX" 
"DEMOL.MIX" 
"DEMOMAN.TXT" 
"MAP1.AUD" 
"WIN1.AUD" 
"FAQ.TXT" 
"FAQ.WRI" 


4) Now take the C&C CD, and copy all files from the sub-folder "INSTALL" to your C&C directory. 
People that have the file GAME.NEW in their "INSTALL" folder can skip step 5) about updating the game, since they already have the latest version. 


5) Now, you need to update the game to version 1.22: 
-Download the 1.22 patch, and put  it in your C&C directory
ftp://ftp.westwood.com/pub/cc1/updates/cc122p.exe (1.3 MB)
-Run the program (cc122p.exe). It  will extract three files: 
"PATCH.EXE" 
"PATCH.RTP" 
"PATCH.TXT" 
Run "PATCH.EXE". Once the patching is complete, delete "PATCH.EXE", "PATCH.RTP", "PATCH.TXT" and "cc122p.exe". 


Playing the game: 

Right now it is already possible to play the game, but as you probably heard in the setup program, the sound will stutter, making it very uncomfortable to play. 
To fix the sound stuttering problem, install VDMSound.
http://www.ece.mcgill.ca/~vromas/vdmsound/

To actually play the game with VDMSound, go to your C&C directory, right-click on "C&C.COM" and select "Run with VDMS" in the menu. 
Then, in the VDMS configuration wizard, select "Custom Configuration", then on the next page "Create a New Configuration", and on the next page press the "Advanced" button. 
-On the Program tab, check "Close  DOS window on exit" 
-Go to the Compatibility tab, and  enable CD-ROM support. 
-Go to the Sound Blaster tab and mmake sure the settings there are the same as those the C&C setup program had detected. If you don't remember what they were, open C&C's configuration file "CONQUER.INI" to check them. 
Click the OK button, go to the next page, finish the wizard, and enjoy the C&C intro movie :) 

From now on, remember to use the VDMS shortcut to run the game. I let the program make a shortcut on my Desktop. 


Extra's: 

1) Dinosaur missions: 
If you want to play the hidden dinosaur missions, make a copy of that shortcut, edit its properties and click on the "Change" button next to "DOS Command Line". 
There, in the "Arguments" area, type "funpark" (without the quotes). 

Run that shortcut, and press "Start New Game" to play the hidden missions. 

2) The Covert Operations: 
To install the Covert Operations, simply copy "SC-000.MIX" and "SC-001.MIX" from the INSTALL directory of the Covert Operations CD to your C&C directory. 
Renaming "SC-001.MIX" to "SC-002.MIX" will allow you to play the Covert Operations missions with any CD. 
SC-000.mix is actually nothing more than an update of the dinosaur missions. 



That's all, folks! There's a slight problem with the mouse sensitivity (it's way too high), but I found out that once you get used to it, it isn't really that problematic.

- Nyerguds, 14-6-2004.
http://cnc2sw.planetcnc.gamespy.com/dos_xp.html