well it's a matter of bits and not os, there is no way to run it in 32-bit compatibility mode so you can never play this game. I'll get the grave ready for your red alert.....
Just realised something that may help.
Try to copy the cd to your hard disk and run the exe manualy using the instruction's westwood say and see if it works, also i do belive that the first decade pack will work but are you using the original disk?
If your using the original version then it is supposed to run in windows 95.
What you need to do is:
1. Go to the ra install directory (usually c:\westwood\red alert\
2. Set the view to sort by type and change the compatibility of all of the executables to windows 95. (there should be about 7-8)
3. Copy the thip32.dll file to the directory.
4. Run it and tell me if it works.
Looks like there can be difficulties with installing red alert 1 on vista, because it's such a new operative system. But you guys should try out dosbox, or try to install the game with ms-dos
i tried but i could not find anything good.
Try using
Free Game Downloads - Game Demos, Game Videos, Game Mods
i know this is not like your problem but try it anyway.
This error is given when the game is not running with a patch higher then 1.08. So install patch 1.08 or 3.03.
Download
http://www.sharoma.com/ral/files/ra108usp.exe
1) copy the patch file ("ra108usp.exe") to your ra folder ("c:\westwood\redalert").
2) doubleclick the patch file to start file extracting.
3) now, on the folder there should be file named "patch.exe". Doubleclick it.
4) wait while it patches ra. Dos screen will appear for while. Let it finish.
5) now you have patched the game, create shortcut for file named "ra95.exe". Rightclick the shortcut and select properties. Click compatiblity tab. Apply following compatiblity settings to shortcut: Windows 95, 256 colors, 640x480, disable themes and turn off advanced text services.
6) done, launch the game by using this shortcut.
And yet another alternative
insert a red alert cd into your cd-rom drive. When the autoplay menu appears, choose "explore cd."
> find "setup.exe," right-click, and choose "properties." click on the compatibility mode tab and set the compatibility to windows 95.
>install red alert as you would normally, but do not reboot when it prompts you to.
>open up my computer and navigate to your red alert directory (usually c:\westwood\redalert).
>right-click on a blank area in the folder, and "sort by file type."
>change the compatibility mode on all of the executable files (about 7-8) to windows 95.