Once upon a time, I was able to get Manalink 1.32 to work in Windows 2000. I had to manually do that ACT fix to make all text appear in Shandalar.
Today, I am using Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. I can get Manalink 1.32 and Manalink 2.0 to work, but with the usual missing text like "Y/N" and specific colors of spells for the quest. With Manalink 1.32, I cannot use Deckbuilder because the moment I toggle any filter, the cards stop displaying properly. With Manalink 2.0, power, toughness, even life totals do not display.
So I thought I'd try 2010 ISO even though all I want is the Shandalar as it was (old cart art, no newer cards). I thought it would work better since the readme says the ACT fix is built in. Here's some images of what I'm (not) seeing:
(Won't let me post offsite URLs to images. Picture the install screen with buttons with no text, the Launcher with buttons with no text, and the Shandalar title screen with options that have no text.)
I have all EXEs listed under DEP and have even tried running Shandalar directly in XP compatibility.
If anybody could point to where/how to manually apply the ACT fix, I think I might just rather play Manalink 1.32 directly. Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks to all the people who have worked so hard that we can even be having this conversation here today