why not run 64 bit xp?

Mine is just fine with no hiccups whatsoever.

Install all of the .NET frameworks?

I think it needs a very specific .NET version or something. Try asking support@quakelive.com . Also if you say you're on some kind of pirated black edition or something they'll probably just laugh at you instead of answering. Actually, genuine XP itself might not be supported anymore. Hell, even Microsoft stopped supporting it.

I run it on XP just fine.

I have the following .NETs installed:

2.0 Service pack 2
3.0 Service pack 2
3.5 Service pack 1
4 Client profile
4 Extended
4 Multi-Targeting Pack

They probably aren't all needed.

QL has a forum
The forum has this sticky Problem? please READ THIS FIRST contains FIXES

In that there is Stand Alone Launcher Crashes (Solutions)

That will point you to the right .net version, the right c++ redist, and a font fix commonly needed on H.P. machines, that should hopefully get you going.

But now that XP is out of support from MS, I really would start looking at changing to win 8.1 u1.

Runs fine here too :>

you know long term support for XP is over. your PC might catch a cold from playing quake live!

You need NET Framework 3.0.

I myself tried it once at XP, and it works with NET Framework 3.0+ higher

Installed this, and got as close to get it working as ever before.

But it still won't start.

I think I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet and install Win7.

What do you guys recommend for a gaming rig that only runs UT99, UT2004 & QL? Win7 32-bit or 64-bit?

I only have 4Gb RAM in it anyway. So doing 64-bit for the RAM alone is barely worth it.

Looking at http://store.steampowered.com/app/13230/
I think even something on the "Minimum" tier of http://www.logicalincrements.com/ could work.

Did you actually try all the stuff on Stand Alone Launcher Crashes (Solutions) that I linked earlier?

.net 3.5 sr1, one particular c+ redist, and a font fix.