None of my games will play

I installed both Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 and Scrabble and when I launch it
the opening game screen shows with sound for a split second, then an warning
message pops up so quickly you can't read it and then the whole thing just
goes back to my desktop. The icon for the game is still sitting in the
toolbar, but regardless of how many times I open it up, it won't play.
Please HELP!!!

Hi Kristen,

"kristen" <kristen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:AAC4B653-8E97-4518-80A0-6AE0A5359156@microsoft.com...
|I installed both Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 and Scrabble and when I launch it
| the opening game screen shows with sound for a split second, then an warning
| message pops up so quickly you can't read it and then the whole thing just
| goes back to my desktop. The icon for the game is still sitting in the
| toolbar, but regardless of how many times I open it up, it won't play.
| Please HELP!!!

Updating video card drivers can solve most gaming issues. Here's some
simple abc's to always keep in mind. a. Shut off download accelerators,
firewalls and antivirus programs when downloading or installing updates;
b. Check for game patches: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
c. Make sure you meet the game's minimum video and system requirements.

Before you update your drivers, I recommend that you update DirectX
from: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx

Here are the steps I recommend you use to update your driver:

1. To identify the make and model of your card, right click your
Desktop, choose Properties / Settings / Advanced / Adapter.

2. Download the latest video driver for your card online, using
http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers
to find the website to download from. I also have advanced
video driver and direct X troubleshooting steps on that page.

3. Save the .exe driver (or extract the zip file) to a folder
in My Documents named after the driver version number.

4. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.

5. Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware
Device Manager / expand +Display Adapters / right click on
the adapter, pick "Uninstall", and click No if asked to reboot.

6. Use Control Panel / Add-Remove programs to uninstall the
previous driver (exe)software which may have been installed.

7. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.

8. If the driver is NOT a (.exe)program file, GO TO step 11.

9. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
"Cancel" and Double click the driver program to begin installation.
* Even if not prompted, doubleclick the driver and install it.

10. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
That's it! Scroll down to the Troubleshooter if you have problems.

11. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
"Install from a list or specific location", click the "Browse" button,
browse to the My documents folder where you saved the driver,
and finally click on one of the driver files to begin installation.

** If you are not prompted, or if the driver was updated automatically:
Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware Device Manager
expand +Display Adapters / right click on the adapter, pick "Update Driver"
to start the Update Wizard, choose the "Install from a list..." option:
Browse to My Documents\ folder with the driver in it
Click OK and click Next to begin the update.

12. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
That's it! Try the advice in the Troubleshooter if you have problems.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

Test your drivers using DXDiag: Click Start / Run / type: DXDIAG
Click the "Test" buttons in the Display, Sound, Music & Network Tabs;
If any of the Display options are Disabled and you cannot Enable them,
your most likely solution would be to update your Chipset Drivers as per
my website: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#v11

Your program might not support dual monitors, or "dual head" video cards
You can disable the extra video output in your display properties control
panel. Click Start>Settings>Control Panel>Display>Settings>Advanced.

Along with your Video card, Sound Cards, Motherboard Chipsets,
and Video Monitors may also require updated drivers. Even your
motherboard's BIOS may need to be updated for compatibility with
your Video card. These steps are listed at: http://NibblesNbitsVideo.tk

Perhaps the old Video drivers did not completely uninstall. If that's the
case, use these utility to completely uninstall the drivers and go to step
7:
nvidia: http://content.guru3d.com/index.php?...atorrip&menu=0
or for all cards including nvidia use: http://www.driverheaven.net/cleaner/

The latest video drivers sometime don't work with a particular game.
(Check the Video suggestions in the readme.txt file in your game folder/CD)
If there's no suggestions, try an older (WHQL) driver, and/or if you still
experience problems try a Beta driver, or even an Omega driver instead:

BETA Drivers: http://download.guru3d.com/
OMEGA Drivers: http://www.omegacorner.com/

There you have it, if you have any questions feel free to post them! :-)

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call /
Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default...d=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
__________________________________________________ _______

Thank you SOOOO much! I went through your steps and it worked. And it turned
out at the end that the resolution my screen was on was too high and I
lowered it to 800x600 and then the game magically played (after completing
all of the other steps as well). So thank you. I would've never figured all
of that stuff out on my own. I really appreciate it.

"Jimmy S." wrote:

> Hi Kristen,
>
> "kristen" <kristen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:AAC4B653-8E97-4518-80A0-6AE0A5359156@microsoft.com...
> |I installed both Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 and Scrabble and when I launch it
> | the opening game screen shows with sound for a split second, then an warning
> | message pops up so quickly you can't read it and then the whole thing just
> | goes back to my desktop. The icon for the game is still sitting in the
> | toolbar, but regardless of how many times I open it up, it won't play.
> | Please HELP!!!
>
> Updating video card drivers can solve most gaming issues. Here's some
> simple abc's to always keep in mind. a. Shut off download accelerators,
> firewalls and antivirus programs when downloading or installing updates;
> b. Check for game patches: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
> c. Make sure you meet the game's minimum video and system requirements.
>
> Before you update your drivers, I recommend that you update DirectX
> from: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx
>
> Here are the steps I recommend you use to update your driver:
>
> 1. To identify the make and model of your card, right click your
> Desktop, choose Properties / Settings / Advanced / Adapter.
>
> 2. Download the latest video driver for your card online, using
> http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers
> to find the website to download from. I also have advanced
> video driver and direct X troubleshooting steps on that page.
>
> 3. Save the .exe driver (or extract the zip file) to a folder
> in My Documents named after the driver version number.
>
> 4. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
> about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.
>
> 5. Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware
> Device Manager / expand +Display Adapters / right click on
> the adapter, pick "Uninstall", and click No if asked to reboot.
>
> 6. Use Control Panel / Add-Remove programs to uninstall the
> previous driver (exe)software which may have been installed.
>
> 7. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
> about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.
>
> 8. If the driver is NOT a (.exe)program file, GO TO step 11.
>
> 9. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
> "Cancel" and Double click the driver program to begin installation.
> * Even if not prompted, doubleclick the driver and install it.
>
> 10. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
> choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
> That's it! Scroll down to the Troubleshooter if you have problems.
>
> 11. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
> "Install from a list or specific location", click the "Browse" button,
> browse to the My documents folder where you saved the driver,
> and finally click on one of the driver files to begin installation.
>
> ** If you are not prompted, or if the driver was updated automatically:
> Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware Device Manager
> expand +Display Adapters / right click on the adapter, pick "Update Driver"
> to start the Update Wizard, choose the "Install from a list..." option:
> Browse to My Documents\ folder with the driver in it
> Click OK and click Next to begin the update.
>
> 12. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
> choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
> That's it! Try the advice in the Troubleshooter if you have problems.
>
> TROUBLESHOOTING:
>
> Test your drivers using DXDiag: Click Start / Run / type: DXDIAG
> Click the "Test" buttons in the Display, Sound, Music & Network Tabs;
> If any of the Display options are Disabled and you cannot Enable them,
> your most likely solution would be to update your Chipset Drivers as per
> my website: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#v11
>
> Your program might not support dual monitors, or "dual head" video cards
> You can disable the extra video output in your display properties control
> panel. Click Start>Settings>Control Panel>Display>Settings>Advanced.
>
> Along with your Video card, Sound Cards, Motherboard Chipsets,
> and Video Monitors may also require updated drivers. Even your
> motherboard's BIOS may need to be updated for compatibility with
> your Video card. These steps are listed at: http://NibblesNbitsVideo.tk
>
> Perhaps the old Video drivers did not completely uninstall. If that's the
> case, use these utility to completely uninstall the drivers and go to step
> 7:
> nvidia: http://content.guru3d.com/index.php?...atorrip&menu=0
> or for all cards including nvidia use: http://www.driverheaven.net/cleaner/
>
> The latest video drivers sometime don't work with a particular game.
> (Check the Video suggestions in the readme.txt file in your game folder/CD)
> If there's no suggestions, try an older (WHQL) driver, and/or if you still
> experience problems try a Beta driver, or even an Omega driver instead:
>
> BETA Drivers: http://download.guru3d.com/
> OMEGA Drivers: http://www.omegacorner.com/
>
> There you have it, if you have any questions feel free to post them! :-)
>
> --
> Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
> Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>
> Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
> Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call /
> Contact
> MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default...d=sz;en-us;top
> My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
> __________________________________________________ _______
>
>
>

My pleasure Kristen. :-) Enjoy those games now!

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
__________________________________________________ _______

"kristen" <kristen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:ACA2E87D-84B2-4A48-8D3F-99E7F347F285@microsoft.com...
| Thank you SOOOO much! I went through your steps and it worked. And it turned
| out at the end that the resolution my screen was on was too high and I
| lowered it to 800x600 and then the game magically played (after completing
| all of the other steps as well). So thank you. I would've never figured all
| of that stuff out on my own. I really appreciate it.
|
| "Jimmy S." wrote:
|
| > Hi Kristen,
| >
| > "kristen" <kristen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:AAC4B653-8E97-4518-80A0-6AE0A5359156@microsoft.com...
| > |I installed both Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 and Scrabble and when I launch it
| > | the opening game screen shows with sound for a split second, then an warning
| > | message pops up so quickly you can't read it and then the whole thing just
| > | goes back to my desktop. The icon for the game is still sitting in the
| > | toolbar, but regardless of how many times I open it up, it won't play.
| > | Please HELP!!!
| >
| > Updating video card drivers can solve most gaming issues. Here's some
| > simple abc's to always keep in mind. a. Shut off download accelerators,
| > firewalls and antivirus programs when downloading or installing updates;
| > b. Check for game patches: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
| > c. Make sure you meet the game's minimum video and system requirements.
| >
| > Before you update your drivers, I recommend that you update DirectX
| > from: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx
| >
| > Here are the steps I recommend you use to update your driver:
| >
| > 1. To identify the make and model of your card, right click your
| > Desktop, choose Properties / Settings / Advanced / Adapter.
| >
| > 2. Download the latest video driver for your card online, using
| > http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers
| > to find the website to download from. I also have advanced
| > video driver and direct X troubleshooting steps on that page.
| >
| > 3. Save the .exe driver (or extract the zip file) to a folder
| > in My Documents named after the driver version number.
| >
| > 4. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
| > about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.
| >
| > 5. Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware
| > Device Manager / expand +Display Adapters / right click on
| > the adapter, pick "Uninstall", and click No if asked to reboot.
| >
| > 6. Use Control Panel / Add-Remove programs to uninstall the
| > previous driver (exe)software which may have been installed.
| >
| > 7. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
| > about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.
| >
| > 8. If the driver is NOT a (.exe)program file, GO TO step 11.
| >
| > 9. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
| > "Cancel" and Double click the driver program to begin installation.
| > * Even if not prompted, doubleclick the driver and install it.
| >
| > 10. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
| > choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
| > That's it! Scroll down to the Troubleshooter if you have problems.
| >
| > 11. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
| > "Install from a list or specific location", click the "Browse" button,
| > browse to the My documents folder where you saved the driver,
| > and finally click on one of the driver files to begin installation.
| >
| > ** If you are not prompted, or if the driver was updated automatically:
| > Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware Device Manager
| > expand +Display Adapters / right click on the adapter, pick "Update Driver"
| > to start the Update Wizard, choose the "Install from a list..." option:
| > Browse to My Documents\ folder with the driver in it
| > Click OK and click Next to begin the update.
| >
| > 12. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
| > choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
| > That's it! Try the advice in the Troubleshooter if you have problems.
| >
| > TROUBLESHOOTING:
| >
| > Test your drivers using DXDiag: Click Start / Run / type: DXDIAG
| > Click the "Test" buttons in the Display, Sound, Music & Network Tabs;
| > If any of the Display options are Disabled and you cannot Enable them,
| > your most likely solution would be to update your Chipset Drivers as per
| > my website: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#v11
| >
| > Your program might not support dual monitors, or "dual head" video cards
| > You can disable the extra video output in your display properties control
| > panel. Click Start>Settings>Control Panel>Display>Settings>Advanced.
| >
| > Along with your Video card, Sound Cards, Motherboard Chipsets,
| > and Video Monitors may also require updated drivers. Even your
| > motherboard's BIOS may need to be updated for compatibility with
| > your Video card. These steps are listed at: http://NibblesNbitsVideo.tk
| >
| > Perhaps the old Video drivers did not completely uninstall. If that's the
| > case, use these utility to completely uninstall the drivers and go to step
| > 7:
| > nvidia: http://content.guru3d.com/index.php?...atorrip&menu=0
| > or for all cards including nvidia use: http://www.driverheaven.net/cleaner/
| >
| > The latest video drivers sometime don't work with a particular game.
| > (Check the Video suggestions in the readme.txt file in your game folder/CD)
| > If there's no suggestions, try an older (WHQL) driver, and/or if you still
| > experience problems try a Beta driver, or even an Omega driver instead:
| >
| > BETA Drivers: http://download.guru3d.com/
| > OMEGA Drivers: http://www.omegacorner.com/
| >
| > There you have it, if you have any questions feel free to post them! :-)
| >
| > --
| > Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
| > Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
| >
| > Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
| > Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call /
| > Contact
| > MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default...d=sz;en-us;top
| > My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
| > __________________________________________________ _______
| >
| >
| >