I want to get in on TNT this week, so I found my old copy and tried to install it. It tells me that it is not compatible with the version of Windows I'm running. Is there a trick to getting it to install and run?

The game runs fine on Vista. If you're having problems with installation then try running setup.exe directly from the CD. The retail version is way out of date so you'll need to patch it (found here: http://www.quakeunity.com/file=1150).

@Neezie: It runs fine on Windows 7, so.. try installing the point release 1.32c (full). I think I stopped playing Q3 right before Vista came out, but it should run using a compatibility mode (98 or XP).

Tried compatibility mode? Right click on the .exe -> properties -> somewhere in there.
I played original Quake 3 in Windows 7, so it should work in Vista, too.

Why don't they use Quake Live btw?

@mnzy said:

Tried compatibility mode? Right click on the .exe -> properties -> somewhere in there. Why don't they use Quake Live btw?

Probably because you need a premium account to run your own server. It also restricts the number of non-premium users to 3 on that server.

Still can't get it to go. I've gone into the disc and tried the set up but that just doesn't launch. Weird.

 Why don't they use Quake Live btw?

They should just use the Quake 3 online browser version,

@mnzy said:

 Why don't they use Quake Live btw?

that would be good, you wouldn't need to dust off your CD key then or purchase a new copy.

@mnzy said:

@groin: Oh wow, didn't know that. Long time since I played QL. Looks like they made some severe cuts for the non-premium users. (Also it doesn't have Rocket Arena 3, which made it useless for me from the start)

I think I saw Clan Arena 6on6 or 8on8 or something like that.. which is good enough, imho. But none of the good old maps were in there when I tested it.

@mnzy said:

Quake 3 servers don't validate CD keys since like 2000. Type in whatever you want. (I think there are exceptions, but generally it's true)

That's a false statement mate. With the point release 1.32 and punkbuster they turned it back on and all the legit servers (osp, cpma, ra3, ut etc) had cd key validation (I think at least until 2007, no idea how it is now). Baseq3 = cheaters paradise.

I got the game to install, after setting compatibility to windows 98 it took 30 minutes for the set up screen to actually come up. Haven't tried running it yet

@Neezie: I'm running into the exact same issue as you right now. If it takes 30 minutes to open, I guess that at least gives me time to download the point release.

You need to use the 2nd setup.exe on the disc. Do not run the setup.exe that you first see when you browse the disc. Open the folder named "Quake3" on the disc and run the setup.exe in there. You don't need compatibility mode, which is the culprit for the 30 minute hangup.

Anything's possible if you put your mind to it!

I just installed it the other day on my Windows 7 64-bit machine and it works fine.  

A different question: Did you need gamespy or whatever to get into multiplayer games? Because there is literally no one playing anymore. (Yeah I know Quake Live...still).

I really can't seem to remember anymore since it's been quite a while (online at least - still a great game for LAN parties).

Or maybe I just need to patch it...hmm...

Edit: Okay, yeah, patched it and there's tons of games. Apparently I'm an idiot.