OK, all you tech-wizards out there, here's a hard one for you!

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Author Topic:   OK, all you tech-wizards out there, here's a hard one for you!

Allod posted 06-14-99 10:30 AM ET
I have a technical problem! I just bought the english version of Birth of the Federation and installed it, but I can't run it! As soon as I try, the screen becomes black for half a second and brings me then back to the desktop. On the computer of my friend it worked just fine.
What's wrong again? What could be the problem? Please tell me what you think about it, and preferably a solution as well.
I'm using win98, have the latest DirectX-stuff and my hardware is absolutely sufficient for the game.
Please help a desperate tech-stupido!
My eternal thanks will be sure.
Allod
Allod posted 06-14-99 10:32 AM ET
Before you ask; I DID try the microprose tech-support, but they simply said they don't know what's wrong. Wow. And for such an answer they get paid...
Provost Harrison posted 06-16-99 03:58 AM ET
try upgrading your video drivers, or close down all background programs. See if this gives you any joy (I mean, whilst on desktop, close down all of the unnecessary crap, NOT explorer + rundll32)
cousLee posted 06-16-99 04:49 AM ET
your not alone. I got "Star Trek Generations" for my sis's puter, and the same thing happens. I have not tried to install it on this one.
umbra1 posted 06-16-99 11:03 AM ET
My Boft looks like crap, I get flickering graphic gliches on mu Main, map and combat screens. I emailed Tech Support and got this back:
"Things to check:
* Check video card manufacturers website to make sure you running latest drivers for your video card."
My drivers are the latest already...
"* Run display setting at 16bit high color 800X600 and make sure that your monitor is configured correctly in windows and that it supports these settings"
Okay, Tried that, no change.
"* CTRL+ALT+DEL and verify that your not running any programs in your background except EXPLORER and SYSTRAY"
Okay, Game still no workee.

"* Disable any screen savers, virus or zip programs that may be running in
the background."
Ditto.
"* Search your harddrive for dxdiag.exe and run this program. Go to the display tab(s) and make sure that direct draw is set as acceleration enabled. Then test to make sure that everything is okay."
Yeah, my direct draw is okay...
"* Try disabling the intro movie and sound by going into the BOTF folder on your harddrive and open the stbof.ini file and change movieon=on to movieon=off and soundon=on to soundon=off and save the change. Change these one at a time to see if you can get into the game. If changing the sound allows you to launch then try updating sound card. If changing movie allows you to launch then update your media player."
The game lanuches fine, It just fickers on the main option screen, the map screen and the ship combat screens are a total mess.
"* Also RIGHT click on My Computer and go to properties. select the performance tab and click graphics at the bottom of this window. Is this set to full? Now select virtual memory beside graphics, are you
letting windows manage this? "
Yes and Yes. Still looks like crap.

"Give these suggestions a try, and if your problem persists, give us an e-mail and we'll see what else we can think of."
You bettcha..
umbra1 posted 06-16-99 11:05 AM ET
My Boft looks like crap, I get flickering graphic gliches on mu Main, map and combat screens. I emailed Tech Support and got this back:
"Things to check:
* Check video card manufacturers website to make sure you running latest drivers for your video card."
My drivers are the latest already...
"* Run display setting at 16bit high color 800X600 and make sure that your monitor is configured correctly in windows and that it supports these settings"
Okay, Tried that, no change.
"* CTRL+ALT+DEL and verify that your not running any programs in your background except EXPLORER and SYSTRAY"
Okay, Game still no workee.

"* Disable any screen savers, virus or zip programs that may be running in
the background."
Ditto.
"* Search your harddrive for dxdiag.exe and run this program. Go to the display tab(s) and make sure that direct draw is set as acceleration enabled. Then test to make sure that everything is okay."
Yeah, my direct draw is okay...
"* Try disabling the intro movie and sound by going into the BOTF folder on your harddrive and open the stbof.ini file and change movieon=on to movieon=off and soundon=on to soundon=off and save the change. Change these one at a time to see if you can get into the game. If changing the sound allows you to launch then try updating sound card. If changing movie allows you to launch then update your media player."
The game lanuches fine, It just fickers on the main option screen, the map screen and the ship combat screens are a total mess.
"* Also RIGHT click on My Computer and go to properties. select the performance tab and click graphics at the bottom of this window. Is this set to full? Now select virtual memory beside graphics, are you
letting windows manage this? "
Yes and Yes. Still looks like crap.

"Give these suggestions a try, and if your problem persists, give us an e-mail and we'll see what else we can think of."
You bettcha..
umbra1 posted 06-16-99 11:12 AM ET
On my BOTF (Uk version) I get these flickering graphic glitches on the main screen, the map screen and the ship to ship combat is just a total mess... I got this email back from MircoProse:

"Things to check:
* Check video card manufacturers website to make sure you running latest
drivers for your video card.
* Run display setting at 16bit high color 800X600 and make sure that your
monitor is configured correctly in
windows and that it supports these settings
* CTRL+ALT+DEL and verify that your not running any programs in your
background except EXPLORER and SYSTRAY
* Disable any screen savers, virus or zip programs that may be running in
the background.
* Search your harddrive for dxdiag.exe and run this program. Go to the
display tab(s) and make sure that direct draw
is set as acceleration enabled. Then test to make sure that everything is
okay.
* Try disabling the intro movie and sound by going into the BOTF folder on
your harddrive and open the stbof.ini
file and change movieon=on to movieon=off and soundon=on to soundon=off
and save the change. Change these one at a time
to see if you can get into the game. If changing the sound allows you to
launch then try updating sound card. If changing movie
allows you to launch then update your media player.
* Also RIGHT click on My Computer and go to properties. select the
performance tab and click graphics at the bottom of this window.
Is this set to full? Now select virtual memory beside graphics, are you
letting windows manage this?
Give these suggestions a try, and if your problem persists, give us an
e-mail and we'll see what else we can think of.
Have a nice day,
James
CS"

Yes my drivers are up to data, my PC runs fine at 800x600/16bit. There's nothing in the background,the Movies play fine. No sound problems. If the video performance is any thing other than "Full" the game won't even load. Windows is managing the swap file and my direct draw is running okay.
THE GAME STILL NOT WORKING.

umbra1 posted 06-16-99 11:34 AM ET
test post
umbra1 posted 06-16-99 11:57 AM ET
Woah ! Sorry about that... my posts wheren't updating so I resubmitted.. Doh !
OhWell posted 06-16-99 03:37 PM ET
What kind of vidio & sound card do you have? Check that the vidio card has a hardware IRQ.
Allod posted 06-16-99 05:54 PM ET
Thanks a bundle to everyone! You told me to go to the ini file; there I found something extremely odd: my english version had the language setting on german! The whole thing's in English, I don't have the slightest idea where "German" came from, but I solved the problem with typing "English" into the field.
LOL!
umbra1 posted 06-16-99 06:15 PM ET
My System Specs:
Celeron 333
32mb ram
8mb Hercules Terminator Beast AGP
12mb Creative labs Voodoo2 PCI
Sonic Storm PCI sound card
Windows 98
Direct X6
I've tried running the game with v1.02 and v.99 drivers for the Hercules cards... No effect. If I turn down the graphics acceleration the game will not load. I've also tried removing the Voodoo 2 card and running on just the Hercules, No effect.
The Herc card has an IRQ, no conficts.
CarniveaN posted 06-17-99 01:02 AM ET
please skip this if you are looking for help...
just thought i'd say that if you download the game from newsgroups (i.e. the less than legally obtained "free home test/evaluation" version) it works just fine.
odd no?
Carny
umbra1 posted 06-17-99 09:31 AM ET
I guess I should have waited for the demo before rushing out and buying the game
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Author	Topic: OK, all you tech-wizards out there, here's a hard one for you!
Allod	posted 06-14-99 10:30 AM ET I have a technical problem! I just bought the english version of Birth of the Federation and installed it, but I can't run it! As soon as I try, the screen becomes black for half a second and brings me then back to the desktop. On the computer of my friend it worked just fine. What's wrong again? What could be the problem? Please tell me what you think about it, and preferably a solution as well. I'm using win98, have the latest DirectX-stuff and my hardware is absolutely sufficient for the game. Please help a desperate tech-stupido! My eternal thanks will be sure. Allod
Allod	posted 06-14-99 10:32 AM ET Before you ask; I DID try the microprose tech-support, but they simply said they don't know what's wrong. Wow. And for such an answer they get paid...
Provost Harrison	posted 06-16-99 03:58 AM ET try upgrading your video drivers, or close down all background programs. See if this gives you any joy (I mean, whilst on desktop, close down all of the unnecessary crap, NOT explorer + rundll32)
cousLee	posted 06-16-99 04:49 AM ET your not alone. I got "Star Trek Generations" for my sis's puter, and the same thing happens. I have not tried to install it on this one.
umbra1	posted 06-16-99 11:03 AM ET My Boft looks like crap, I get flickering graphic gliches on mu Main, map and combat screens. I emailed Tech Support and got this back: "Things to check: * Check video card manufacturers website to make sure you running latest drivers for your video card." My drivers are the latest already... "* Run display setting at 16bit high color 800X600 and make sure that your monitor is configured correctly in windows and that it supports these settings" Okay, Tried that, no change. "* CTRL+ALT+DEL and verify that your not running any programs in your background except EXPLORER and SYSTRAY" Okay, Game still no workee. "* Disable any screen savers, virus or zip programs that may be running in the background." Ditto. "* Search your harddrive for dxdiag.exe and run this program. Go to the display tab(s) and make sure that direct draw is set as acceleration enabled. Then test to make sure that everything is okay." Yeah, my direct draw is okay... "* Try disabling the intro movie and sound by going into the BOTF folder on your harddrive and open the stbof.ini file and change movieon=on to movieon=off and soundon=on to soundon=off and save the change. Change these one at a time to see if you can get into the game. If changing the sound allows you to launch then try updating sound card. If changing movie allows you to launch then update your media player." The game lanuches fine, It just fickers on the main option screen, the map screen and the ship combat screens are a total mess. "* Also RIGHT click on My Computer and go to properties. select the performance tab and click graphics at the bottom of this window. Is this set to full? Now select virtual memory beside graphics, are you letting windows manage this? " Yes and Yes. Still looks like crap. "Give these suggestions a try, and if your problem persists, give us an e-mail and we'll see what else we can think of." You bettcha..
umbra1	posted 06-16-99 11:05 AM ET My Boft looks like crap, I get flickering graphic gliches on mu Main, map and combat screens. I emailed Tech Support and got this back: "Things to check: * Check video card manufacturers website to make sure you running latest drivers for your video card." My drivers are the latest already... "* Run display setting at 16bit high color 800X600 and make sure that your monitor is configured correctly in windows and that it supports these settings" Okay, Tried that, no change. "* CTRL+ALT+DEL and verify that your not running any programs in your background except EXPLORER and SYSTRAY" Okay, Game still no workee. "* Disable any screen savers, virus or zip programs that may be running in the background." Ditto. "* Search your harddrive for dxdiag.exe and run this program. Go to the display tab(s) and make sure that direct draw is set as acceleration enabled. Then test to make sure that everything is okay." Yeah, my direct draw is okay... "* Try disabling the intro movie and sound by going into the BOTF folder on your harddrive and open the stbof.ini file and change movieon=on to movieon=off and soundon=on to soundon=off and save the change. Change these one at a time to see if you can get into the game. If changing the sound allows you to launch then try updating sound card. If changing movie allows you to launch then update your media player." The game lanuches fine, It just fickers on the main option screen, the map screen and the ship combat screens are a total mess. "* Also RIGHT click on My Computer and go to properties. select the performance tab and click graphics at the bottom of this window. Is this set to full? Now select virtual memory beside graphics, are you letting windows manage this? " Yes and Yes. Still looks like crap. "Give these suggestions a try, and if your problem persists, give us an e-mail and we'll see what else we can think of." You bettcha..
umbra1	posted 06-16-99 11:12 AM ET On my BOTF (Uk version) I get these flickering graphic glitches on the main screen, the map screen and the ship to ship combat is just a total mess... I got this email back from MircoProse: "Things to check: * Check video card manufacturers website to make sure you running latest drivers for your video card. * Run display setting at 16bit high color 800X600 and make sure that your monitor is configured correctly in windows and that it supports these settings * CTRL+ALT+DEL and verify that your not running any programs in your background except EXPLORER and SYSTRAY * Disable any screen savers, virus or zip programs that may be running in the background. * Search your harddrive for dxdiag.exe and run this program. Go to the display tab(s) and make sure that direct draw is set as acceleration enabled. Then test to make sure that everything is okay. * Try disabling the intro movie and sound by going into the BOTF folder on your harddrive and open the stbof.ini file and change movieon=on to movieon=off and soundon=on to soundon=off and save the change. Change these one at a time to see if you can get into the game. If changing the sound allows you to launch then try updating sound card. If changing movie allows you to launch then update your media player. * Also RIGHT click on My Computer and go to properties. select the performance tab and click graphics at the bottom of this window. Is this set to full? Now select virtual memory beside graphics, are you letting windows manage this? Give these suggestions a try, and if your problem persists, give us an e-mail and we'll see what else we can think of. Have a nice day, James CS" Yes my drivers are up to data, my PC runs fine at 800x600/16bit. There's nothing in the background,the Movies play fine. No sound problems. If the video performance is any thing other than "Full" the game won't even load. Windows is managing the swap file and my direct draw is running okay. THE GAME STILL NOT WORKING.
umbra1	posted 06-16-99 11:34 AM ET test post
umbra1	posted 06-16-99 11:57 AM ET Woah ! Sorry about that... my posts wheren't updating so I resubmitted.. Doh !
OhWell	posted 06-16-99 03:37 PM ET What kind of vidio & sound card do you have? Check that the vidio card has a hardware IRQ.
Allod	posted 06-16-99 05:54 PM ET Thanks a bundle to everyone! You told me to go to the ini file; there I found something extremely odd: my english version had the language setting on german! The whole thing's in English, I don't have the slightest idea where "German" came from, but I solved the problem with typing "English" into the field. LOL!
umbra1	posted 06-16-99 06:15 PM ET My System Specs: Celeron 333 32mb ram 8mb Hercules Terminator Beast AGP 12mb Creative labs Voodoo2 PCI Sonic Storm PCI sound card Windows 98 Direct X6 I've tried running the game with v1.02 and v.99 drivers for the Hercules cards... No effect. If I turn down the graphics acceleration the game will not load. I've also tried removing the Voodoo 2 card and running on just the Hercules, No effect. The Herc card has an IRQ, no conficts.
CarniveaN	posted 06-17-99 01:02 AM ET please skip this if you are looking for help... just thought i'd say that if you download the game from newsgroups (i.e. the less than legally obtained "free home test/evaluation" version) it works just fine. odd no? Carny
umbra1	posted 06-17-99 09:31 AM ET I guess I should have waited for the demo before rushing out and buying the game