Alpha Centauri Takes at least 6 attempts to start up

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Author Topic:   Alpha Centauri Takes at least 6 attempts to start up

Greyhawk posted 03-08-99 07:34 PM ET
Every time I try to start AC My DVD-ROM fires up for a few seconds, the mouse pointer has the 'pointer and hourglass' thingy then switches back to normal pointer and my DVD drive stops - no game, no error messages, nothing. I've tried running the .exe file from the CD, the start menu, everything. It eventually decides to start after a MINIMUM of 6 attempts. It usually takes anywhere up to 10 to 12 attempts to start the game. My PC doesn't crash, it operates normally as if nothing happened.
Spec: PII Celeron 400
64 Megs SDRAM
Chaintech 6BTM mobo
Matsu****a SR-8583 DVD-ROM drive
Windows 98
Starts OK on my P200 running win 95 every time but its too slow on that machine (why? - not exactly demanding computing wise is it?)
BTW - a crash occured once when an Isle of the Deep attempted to move into a newly built city with no units in it.

A Edwards posted 03-08-99 08:25 PM ET
I am no expert here, but it may be your DVD-ROM drive. From my families experiances, they have had lots of trouble with some CD's mainly the el cheapo Sierra CD's with their DVD-ROM Drives. When I went to replace my CD-ROM I almost oppted for a DVD, until I saw the price and heard about the troubles.
Again, I claim not to be an expert here, but at least you can get it to run, when your computer feels like it.
jfelten posted 03-09-99 06:45 PM ET
Often such behavior is timing related. Probably doesn't help you any but perhaps something will click. I assume the DVD is the only laser drive in your system?
ihegerty posted 03-09-99 06:48 PM ET
A wild stab in the dark:
You have a European version of SMAC, right?
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS posted 03-09-99 10:37 PM ET
What's the brand name of the system? There is a compatibility problem with SB64PCIs and certain DVD's. Gateway and a company called Tiny (i've never heard of them) have a solution on their webpage. Does that describe your setup?
jkm
firaxis games
Greyhawk posted 03-10-99 06:39 PM ET
Tiny are a big PC brand name in the UK. My Soundcard is an onboard SB PCI 64. My PC's brand is Evesham Vale - I doubt you'll have heard of them either
Yes my DVD is the only laser drive on my system.
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Author	Topic: Alpha Centauri Takes at least 6 attempts to start up
Greyhawk	posted 03-08-99 07:34 PM ET Every time I try to start AC My DVD-ROM fires up for a few seconds, the mouse pointer has the 'pointer and hourglass' thingy then switches back to normal pointer and my DVD drive stops - no game, no error messages, nothing. I've tried running the .exe file from the CD, the start menu, everything. It eventually decides to start after a MINIMUM of 6 attempts. It usually takes anywhere up to 10 to 12 attempts to start the game. My PC doesn't crash, it operates normally as if nothing happened. Spec: PII Celeron 400 64 Megs SDRAM Chaintech 6BTM mobo Matsu****a SR-8583 DVD-ROM drive Windows 98 Starts OK on my P200 running win 95 every time but its too slow on that machine (why? - not exactly demanding computing wise is it?) BTW - a crash occured once when an Isle of the Deep attempted to move into a newly built city with no units in it.
A Edwards	posted 03-08-99 08:25 PM ET I am no expert here, but it may be your DVD-ROM drive. From my families experiances, they have had lots of trouble with some CD's mainly the el cheapo Sierra CD's with their DVD-ROM Drives. When I went to replace my CD-ROM I almost oppted for a DVD, until I saw the price and heard about the troubles. Again, I claim not to be an expert here, but at least you can get it to run, when your computer feels like it.
jfelten	posted 03-09-99 06:45 PM ET Often such behavior is timing related. Probably doesn't help you any but perhaps something will click. I assume the DVD is the only laser drive in your system?
ihegerty	posted 03-09-99 06:48 PM ET A wild stab in the dark: You have a European version of SMAC, right?
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS	posted 03-09-99 10:37 PM ET What's the brand name of the system? There is a compatibility problem with SB64PCIs and certain DVD's. Gateway and a company called Tiny (i've never heard of them) have a solution on their webpage. Does that describe your setup? jkm firaxis games
Greyhawk	posted 03-10-99 06:39 PM ET Tiny are a big PC brand name in the UK. My Soundcard is an onboard SB PCI 64. My PC's brand is Evesham Vale - I doubt you'll have heard of them either Yes my DVD is the only laser drive on my system.