Any Suggestions?

[djcyclone]

I just bought an old computer game, called Axis & Allies. It was made 1998 I think, so it is actually the same age as Fleet Command.

At any rate, my computer seems to be to advanced for the game. It freezes when it is playing the opening credentials. I can click the mouse and skip the opening videos, but then it goes into the game, and certain parts of the game do not show up. I have to guess where the Start Button is, and then when I click to move a unit the Unit dissapears. I have to guess where I am in order to place the unit on a different county.

I owned the game about 4 years ago, so I know what it should be. My only options are to just wait until the game kicks me out, and then let the computer do its thing. The bar popps us and tells me that the game failed, and Windows is trying to locate the problem.

I just figured I would ask you computer wizzes if you had any suggestions, otherwise I will just have to wait until my computer figures the problem out.

Thanks for your help.

[Fleet Command CC]

Hey djcyclone

What OS are you useing the game on? Also have you check out the patchs that are available for the game?

[djcyclone]

Hey djcyclone

What OS are you useing the game on? Also have you check out the patchs that are available for the game?

I can look for any patches, but I do not know if there are any. A good idea though. Cannot hurt to try I guess.

As for the computer, it is a Acer Vista. It has a Direct X of 9.5 I think. That is the last update that came with a game. Axis and Allies wants me to install Direct X 5.0, but when I try to do it, nothing happens.

[djcyclone]

I did a search and found a single patch. I had to become a member, and then download both a patch installer, plus the patch itself. So far nothing seems to have changed.

I am not sure what you are asking for when you say OS, so I will type what the sticker on the front of the Laptop says.

TravelMate 4200 - 4091
Intel Core Duro Processor T2300E
( 1.66 GHz. 667 MHz FSB. 2 MB L2 cache )
15.4" WXGA LCD
Intel" Graphics Media Accelerator 950
120GB HDD
DVD - Super Multi double layer
(support DVD+R Double layer/DVD+RW)
1GB DDR2
802.11 a/b/g wireless Lan

If you need anything else, then let me know. Might be helpfull to tell me where I can find out too.

[Scott Chisholm]

DJ,

I feel your pain. For some reason, Spellforce won't run on my computer now. It worked fine a few months ago, but I think something with XP SP3 has gooned me up. The game installs, but won't start.

I assume you're running Vista as the Operating System (OS) on your Acer? If so, that could be the problem. I find Vista to be game-unfriendly.

Otherwise, I would suppose it's a video driver issue. My son's Acer won't run most 3D-intensive games, which is how I want it since he's supposed to be using it for school.

[Fleet Command CC]

I did a search and found a single patch. I had to become a member, and then download both a patch installer, plus the patch itself. So far nothing seems to have changed.

I am not sure what you are asking for when you say OS, so I will type what the sticker on the front of the Laptop says.

TravelMate 4200 - 4091
Intel Core Duro Processor T2300E
( 1.66 GHz. 667 MHz FSB. 2 MB L2 cache )
15.4" WXGA LCD
Intel" Graphics Media Accelerator 950
120GB HDD
DVD - Super Multi double layer
(support DVD+R Double layer/DVD+RW)
1GB DDR2
802.11 a/b/g wireless Lan

If you need anything else, then let me know. Might be helpfull to tell me where I can find out too.

Hey djcyclone

Has Scott Chisholm as say (OS) means Operating System, unfortunately I don't think the game will run on Vista, the only game that will work great on Vista will be DirectX10 games, but you could try putting the Axis and Allies.exe file into compatibility mode.

[djcyclone]

Hey djcyclone

Has Scott Chisholm as say (OS) means Operating System, unfortunately I don't think the game will run on Vista, the only game that will work great on Vista will be DirectX10 games, but you could try putting the Axis and Allies.exe file into compatibility mode.

I looked into the compatibility options. The game was made in 1998, so I chose Windows 98 ME. The Opening Videos, have stopped freezing with this option, but the menues on the game are still hidden. I have to guess where everything is at. Being that I played it so much a couple of years ago, I can feel my way around, but it is annoying.

[djcyclone]

Vista is definetly a pain when it comes to things like this. It is probably the reason I could never down load the NWS files, without all the trouble with the weapons.

I have to admit though, this Laptop has lasted longer than all my other Laptops. I think that has something to do with being hooked up to the Internet. I never hooked my other laptops to the Internet.

Just about once a month, I will go to shut this one down, and I will notice that upgrades have been automatically downloaded. The computer basically does maintance on itself, which is something my other computers did not have the luxery of doing. Hopefully this one will last me for a couple more years.

My next one however will definetly be a desk top, and not Vista. You can call people, and they will come straight to your home and fix, or update a desk top if anything goes wrong. A laptop on the other hand has to be mailed back into the manufacturer, and sometimes they cannot even fix a problem.

[Fleet Command CC]

Vista is definetly a pain when it comes to things like this. It is probably the reason I could never down load the NWS files, without all the trouble with the weapons.

I have to admit though, this Laptop has lasted longer than all my other Laptops. I think that has something to do with being hooked up to the Internet. I never hooked my other laptops to the Internet.

Just about once a month, I will go to shut this one down, and I will notice that upgrades have been automatically downloaded. The computer basically does maintance on itself, which is something my other computers did not have the luxery of doing. Hopefully this one will last me for a couple more years.

My next one however will definetly be a desk top, and not Vista. You can call people, and they will come straight to your home and fix, or update a desk top if anything goes wrong. A laptop on the other hand has to be mailed back into the manufacturer, and sometimes they cannot even fix a problem.

You could also try running Vista in the best Performance mode.

Left click Welcome Center.

Left click Show more details.

Left click Change Settings.

Left click Advanced.

Left click Settings...

Left click Adjust for best performance.

Left click Apply and click OK.

This helps with the flickering in Fleet Command, so it might help with Axis & Allies. :cool:

[djcyclone]

I do not have anything that goes under the name welcoming center. Perhaps it has a different name?

[Fleet Command CC]

I do not have anything that goes under the name welcoming center. Perhaps it has a different name?

If you can't find it, just type Wel into Start Search, then click Welcome Center, or another way is has follow.

Left click Start on the Taskbar.

Left click Control Panel.

Left click Classic View.

Left click System.

Left click Change Settings.

Left click Advanced.

Left click Settings...

Left click Adjust for best performance.

Left click Apply and click OK.

[djcyclone]

That figures. I went to search the first time, and typed in Welcome Center, and it said no results, but I just did the wel, and bingo.

I followed all of the steps, so now I will have to go and see if it works. Also, there was two selections for adjust for best performance. The top one had all of the boxes checked, but the bottome one had none of the boxes checked. I chose the top one, so I will just have to try it out.

Let me know if it was supposed to be the bottom one.

[djcyclone]

Nope. Still does the same thing. Maybe it will do better after I restart the computer.

Ultimatley, I am probably going to have to get a new computer. I intended to get one anyway, so I will just have to hold on to the game until then.

Thanks for the help though.

[Fleet Command CC]

That figures. I went to search the first time, and typed in Welcome Center, and it said no results, but I just did the wel, and bingo.

I followed all of the steps, so now I will have to go and see if it works. Also, there was two selections for adjust for best performance. The top one had all of the boxes checked, but the bottome one had none of the boxes checked. I chose the top one, so I will just have to try it out.

Let me know if it was supposed to be the bottom one.

Yep you should have click on the bottom, so none of the boxes are checked, if it doesn't help with the Axis and Allies game, but it will help with the Fleet Command flickering.

[Fleet Command CC]

Nope. Still does the same thing. Maybe it will do better after I restart the computer.

Ultimatley, I am probably going to have to get a new computer. I intended to get one anyway, so I will just have to hold on to the game until then.

Thanks for the help though.

Yep more that likely can I ask do you live in the US or the UK? The reason why I'm asking is because I know a few web site, in the UK that sell reconditioned and refurbished pc's at a low prices. This might save you some money something we all need to do with the financial problems in the world today.

Another thing you could try is getting a new Internal or External HDD and also getting a XP home OEM disc, and then install XP onto the new Hard Disc Drive. Just a idea, but I would only recommend doing this if have a good idea on how to install a new HDD and OS. :)

[Fleet Command CC]

Hey djcyclone

I have just been looking on the net to find a tutorials on how to install XP Home to save me doing one, if I had done one it wouldn't have been has good as this one because being dyslexic. So if you would like to learn how to install XP Home onto a new Hard Disc Drive. Here is a web site that will show you how to do it in nice easy steps. :)

http://www.windowsxphome.windowsreinstall.com/installxpcdnewhdd/indexfullpage.htm

[djcyclone]

I will try the one with no boxes checked. I also just found out that the reason my game took so long to get to me was because there was a fire the day I orderd.

I payed extra for first class shipping, so it should have been here in a week, but instead took 13 days. I wonder if the game was in the fire?

I do not know if heat can damage a game, without leaving any vissible marks, but suppose it is possible.

As for the buying of a new computer. Best Buy has a program where they will build a computer for you, based on what you need. I think I am going to do that, that way I can take the games that I play too them, and they can install the things that I need to handle those games. A good desktop drive system shouldn't cost more than a thousand dollars, but I will just have to see.

If a Computer can handle really complex games like Silent Hunter III, and IV, then it can handle most other games. I might throw a flight sim in there as well.

[Fleet Command CC]

I do not know if heat can damage a game, without leaving any vissible marks, but suppose it is possible.

Yep the heat could have cause some damage to the data on the disc, I left a music CD by a heat source, and it had no visible damage but it would not play in the CD player. I think the highest temperature that a CD can take is 40 °C, so it could be the problem.

[Fleet Command CC]

I have just found this forum for Axis & Allies, the patch on here should make the game work on WinXP, so it also might help with Vista, and if it doesn't you could ask the chaps on this forum for some help. :)

Here the link.

http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=9583.msg308221

[djcyclone]

I just downloaded that patch, but it did not change anything.

I am going to try something else, that I just thought of. My uncle has this game, and I am going to see if I can borrow it from him. If I can download his game, I can then use my CD to play the game.

If it is my computer that is causing the problems, then I will know, because nothing will change, but if it is the CD, I might get lucky and with his download be able to play using my CD only.

Even if I cannot do that, I will at least know what the problem is, and I can just buy another one. It was only 12 bucks with first class shipping and handling. Or if it is the Computer, then I will still know what the problem is, and I can just buy another computer when I get the money.

[Fleet Command CC]

I just downloaded that patch, but it did not change anything.

I am going to try something else, that I just thought of. My uncle has this game, and I am going to see if I can borrow it from him. If I can download his game, I can then use my CD to play the game.

That sound like a good idea. :)


If it is my computer that is causing the problems, then I will know, because nothing will change, but if it is the CD, I might get lucky and with his download be able to play using my CD only.

It's most likely Vista I have read a few posts on other forums about Axis & Allies 1998, not running on Vista very well. :(


Even if I cannot do that, I will at least know what the problem is, and I can just buy another one. It was only 12 bucks with first class shipping and handling. Or if it is the Computer, then I will still know what the problem is, and I can just buy another computer when I get the money.

I wish you the best of luck in trying to get the game to work, I'm sorry I couldn't help you more with this, but that's the problem with old games running on new Operating Systems. Have you tried emailing Microsoft for some help with getting the game to work on Vista, ;)

[djcyclone]

I wish you the best of luck in trying to get the game to work, I'm sorry I couldn't help you more with this, but that's the problem with old games running on new Operating Systems. Have you tried emailing Microsoft for some help with getting the game to work on Vista, ;)

Well I borrowed the game from my Uncle, and sure enough it did the same thing. So at least I know that it is the Computer. No I have not emailed Microsoft, I did not even know you could do that.

Worth a try though. Unfortunately the game does play, so it does not kick me out. If it kicked me out on a regular basis, I could just let the computer do it (Windows is trying to determine the problem) scheme, and then eventually Microsoft would send me an update that fix the problem, but since the game runs, the computer never figures anything is wrong.

Oh well, I wanted to buy a new computer for my Games anyway. Just need to start planning for it, and eventually I will do it. Now all I need to do is figure out how I can still be lazy and lay on my bed, while playing a game on a Desk Top?

I like how a Laptop is right there, and can lay on my chest while I scheme how to destroy the world. hahahahahahahaha (evil doctor laugh):D

[Fleet Command CC]

Well I borrowed the game from my Uncle, and sure enough it did the same thing. So at least I know that it is the Computer. No I have not emailed Microsoft, I did not even know you could do that.

Hey djcyclone

Has far as I know you can ask them for help, because its a problem with their OS not the game. I ask them about Star Trek Armada II not working on Vista went the OS first came out and they said they would look into and now it seem to work fine. Ask them on the http://support.microsoft.com/ you never know they may have a fix for this problem.


Worth a try though. Unfortunately the game does play, so it does not kick me out. If it kicked me out on a regular basis, I could just let the computer do it (Windows is trying to determine the problem) scheme, and then eventually Microsoft would send me an update that fix the problem, but since the game runs, the computer never figures anything is wrong.

Oh well, I wanted to buy a new computer for my Games anyway. Just need to start planning for it, and eventually I will do it. Now all I need to do is figure out how I can still be lazy and lay on my bed, while playing a game on a Desk Top?

I like how a Laptop is right there, and can lay on my chest while I scheme how to destroy the world. hahahahahahahaha (evil doctor laugh):D

The best answer to this problem in my opinion, is get a big screen monitor or HDTV like me and use a Wireless Keyboard and Mouse.

It works great for me, so it might do for as well. :)

[djcyclone]

Hey djcyclone

Has far as I know you can ask them for help, because its a problem with their OS not the game. I ask them about Star Trek Armada II not working on Vista went the OS first came out and they said they would look into and now it seem to work fine. Ask them on the http://support.microsoft.com/ you never know they may have a fix for this problem.



The best answer to this problem in my opinion, is get a big screen monitor or HDTV like me and use a Wireless Keyboard and Mouse.

It works great for me, so it might do for as well. :)

I have thought of doing that with the Big Screen TV. I also considered trying to special order some form of desk that can have a swinging arm. That way I could place the desk next to my bed, and then have the monitor on the swinging arm. Then just swing the arm over my chest when I am ready to play.

Probably easier to just do the TV idea and the wireless Keyboard. I already have a wirless mouse so that is no big deal for me.

I will figure something out eventually. Thanks for the advice though.

As for getting help from Microsoft, well it is not necesary. I recently found away to put Silent Hunter III on this computer. I had to register the game, and they told me what the CD Key is. The game plays, but when you are looking at the horizon in free view, the game hopps. That is one of the most irritating things in my book.

I also have Silent Hunter Wolfes of the Pacific, but when I load it, I can start a mission in the conning room of the Sub. As soon as I click on anything to go to a different station, it kicks me out. I just think this computer has reached its limits. I will still use it for school work, and some games with easier graphics, but the other computer will deal with the rest.