Also, make sure you have updated your sound and video card drivers (see manufacturer list below) and have installed the latest version of DirectX (currently v9.0). Finally, check for any Windows updates/patches that may be available at: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.

Check DriverGuide.com to help you update any other drivers for your system (e.g.g, printer drivers, cdrom drivers, modem drivers, sound drivers, mouse drivers, monitor drivers, etc.).

If you have checked the README file and the tips below, please begin a new topic in this forum with a DETAILED thread topic of your problem and your system specs.

Please note that, "Somebody please help me!" is not a detailed thread topic!

Please include your system specs with each question! The aow2log.txt file keeps track of them for you:

OS:
Processor (brand & speed):
RAM (type and amount of):
Video Card:
Sound Card:
DirectX version:
Motherboard chipset (e.g.,Intel, AMD, nForce, VIA, ALI, etc.):

Here are some other Q&A from Josh (we'll be adding to this list as issues come up):

Issue #1: When I try to install the game, it reboots my PC. - Added 4/17/02

Solution: This is definitely a hardware/configuration issue, as there is nothing AoW2 does that can completely reboot a system, no matter how bad things go. Try doing the following:

• Check for new video drivers (see the list below).
  
• Install DirectX 8.1 if you do not have it.
  
• Shut down all background tasks before starting the game.
  
• Turn Hardward Off (hit Ctrl+R)
  
• Turn Sound and Music Off.
  

Use the "aow2setup.exe" program. You can find it in the root directory where ever the game was installed. Using aow2setup.exe you can:

• Turn off Direct3D (Hardware rendering)
  
• Turn off Resolution Switching
  
• Switch to Windowed Mode
  

Issue #2: I get an error message, "Can't find DLL-file VCLX50.BPL" when I start the game. - Added 4/17/02

Solution: This indicates the game did not install properly. You may want to try installing again, after a fresh re-boot, and after shutting down all background tasks.

Issue #3: When using Norton's "CleanSweep" program (which notes down the installation of programs to easily clean it up later), upon rebooting, Norton's Virus.dat definitions registry becomes corrupted and will fail to load. - Added 4/18/02

Solution: There currently is no solution to this problem. Redownloading the latest definitions does not fix the problem. If you have a program like "GoBack," reverting your hard drive a point in time before you installed the demo should fix the problem. Otherwise, disable or uninstall "Norton's Cleansweep" before you install the game.

Quoted from Josh Farley, Triumph Studios:

Issue #4: The color and black & white mouse cursors do not display properly. - Added 4/18/02

Solution: Some systems have problems running the Color or B&W cursors properly. That's why there are 3 options, and why "Software" is the default. Color and B&W cursors use hardware to display, so their framerate is always very high, even if AoW2 slows down. Software cursors are rendered according to AoW2's framerate, so can become sluggish if your system is unable to keep up with the game.

Issue #5: "I have an AMD processor. When I select TC mode the game crashes. If I choose to view the battle after by choosing FC, the game doesn't crash. I already have the latest drivers for all components in my computer. Any Ideas?"

Solution: If this happens on any combat it would indicate a driver issue. Also note that AMD has released a Win2k patch that fixes a Microsoft bug that could cause lockups with AMD CPUs. Other AMD hardware driver updates for Video, Sound and Hard Drives can be found here. You might also check for Sound Drivers, and turning DirectSound off, and Sound/Music off. Creative's "Live!" cards are notorious for being very finicky and unstable.

Issue #7: I have an older monitor that can only display resolutions of 640x480. I can't play the game unless I turn off "allow resolution switches," but then it is so small I can't even read the letters on the screen. I also can't play it in "windowed" mode.

Solution: Unfortunately, 640x480 resolution is not supported.

Issue #8: When playing in a window, much of the information isn't there. And I can't play outside a window, I just get a black screen.

Solution: This is a driver/configuration problem. Try the solutions listed above under "Issue #1."

[This message has been edited by Nojd (edited 12-22-2002 @ 10:31 AM).]