================================================== CivNet for Windows FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Last revised: March 18, 1997 ================================================== System Requirements =================== IBM 80486 PC compatible or faster Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 8MB RAM Hard drive (18MB free) Super VGA graphics for 640 x 480 x 256 colors CD-ROM drive with MSCDEX version 2.2 or higher Windows-compatible sound card Microsoft-compatible mouse Recommended ----------- IBM PC 66MHz 80486 compatible or faster 100% Hayes-compatible 14.4K baud modem (for 2-player mode) Required for Multiplayer Option 100% Hayes-compatible 9600 baud modem (for 2 players) TCP/IP (Winsock) (for Internet play) Novell NetWare IPX or NetBIOS (for 2 to 7 players) General ======= Q: I have installed CivNet on my system, but when I try to start it, I get a General Protection Fault at "0018:" A: CivNet makes use of non-True Type fonts for the game interface and display. Many systems default the font option in your Control Panel to "Show True Type Only in Applications." You must make sure this option is not checked under your fonts setup in the Windows Control Panel. Q: I get a General Protection Fault in the file WING.DLL. What is wrong? A: We have discovered an incompatibility with programs that "double memory" such as RAM Doubler. You will need to disable such software before starting the game. Q: The game locks up during "Upkeep." It does not make my computer crash since the music still plays, but several game functions will not work. What can I do? A: You can fix this by going to View and then Reports. What is happening is that the Report window is closed before it is done; bringing up the window and closing it normally will allow you to continue. Sound ===== Q: I get no music from CivNet during the introduction or during the game. What is the problem? A: CivNet uses your CD Audio drivers to play the game’s music. All the music is stored on the CD-ROM. Even under a full install, the music is still on the CD-ROM. Therefore, you must fulfill several requirements in order to get the CD Audio music: 1) Your CD must be in the CD-ROM drive 2) You must have a CD audio cable connecting your CD-ROM drive to your sound card 3) You must have installed the [MCI] CD Audio drivers for your sound card. To check this under Windows 3.1, go to Multimedia under Control Panel and make sure you have a line which says, "[MCI] CD-AUDIO." Under Windows 95, go to Control Panel, then to Multimedia, then click on Advanced. Check to make sure that you have a CD Audio device installed under Media Control Devices. If you do not have these drivers installed, you will need to contact your sound card manufacturer for directions on how to install them. Multiplayer Gameplay ==================== Q: In Hotseat play, I can see the whole world. What is the point? A: Our patch will also solve this problem. CIVNTPLA.ZIP can be found on America Online, CompuServe, our Web page at www.microprose.com and our BBS at 510-522-8909. Or you can get the patch file on disk from our Customer Support department by calling us at 510-522-1164. Q: Where can I find games to join? Are there any permanent sites set up for CivNet? A: There are no permanent sites set up for the game to the best of our knowledge, although someone may have their system hosting a continual game. To find players, we recommend posting a message online. Multiplayer Troubleshooting =========================== Q: I am trying to play an Internet game over TCP/IP, and the game crashes too often. What could be causing this? A: Crashes under Internet play are usually caused by a substandard or old WINSOCK.DLL provided by your Internet service provider. Check with your provider to make sure you have the very latest WINSOCK.DLL they provide. Also, since the Internet is a high-latency network, try to avoid playing during hours of peak usage which is when your provider’s access can slow significantly. CivNet was tested extensively with a number of service providers, and we have found that the majority of the difficulties with playing a game over the Internet can be avoided by following the suggestions found here. Q: Where can I find my IP address? A: You need to consult your ISP (Internet service provider) to find out how they dynamically assign your IP address. This is not the address of the machine you are connected to but instead the actual port address your system is assigned upon login. Windows 95 Multiplayer ====================== Q: I am trying to play CivNet over a network between two Windows 95 machines using Microsoft’s network utilities, but the game cannot connect. A: You need to get a copy of the CivNet patch file from us in order for it to work. The file is called CIVNTPLA.ZIP and can be found on America Online, CompuServe, our Web page at www.microprose.com and our BBS at 510-522-8909. Or you can get the patch file on disk from our Customer Support department by calling us at 510-522-1164. Q: I cannot connect two Windows machines using a null-modem connection. Is there something I can do to correct this? A: CivNet uses the default Windows communication protocols for null-modem connections. First, we need to check and see if your system can recognize any null-modem connections. In Windows 3.1: Go to Terminal and choose the COM port your cable is connected to. You need to do this on both machines. Once both terminals are set up, anything you type in one terminal window should show up on the other system. If it doesn’t, then your system is not set up properly for a null-modem serial connection. In Windows 95: Go to Hyperterminal and choose the COM port your cable is connected to. Again, you need to do this on both machines. Once both terminals are set up, anything you type in one terminal window should show up on the other system. If it doesn’t, then your system is not set up properly for a null-modem serial connection. Two things to note: 1) Just because a null-modem serial connection works in DOS does not mean it will work in Windows. 2) Make sure you are using a true null-modem serial cable, not just a simple serial cable. Q: How do I set up a network game of CivNet on Windows 95 systems? A: This setup assumes you already have your Microsoft IPX/SPX drivers loaded and running properly. Please refer to Microsoft’s online support if you do not. Adding the TCP/IP protocol to Windows 95 will allow you to play multiplayer CivNet using the TCP/IP option from the multiplayer menu. To set up Windows 95 to use TCP/IP network protocol, please follow these steps and make sure that you have your Windows 95 disks or CD-ROM as it may be needed: 1) Select "Settings" from the Start menu and choose Control Panel. 2) Double-click on the Network icon. 3) Press the "Add" button. 4) Select "Protocol" and then choose "Microsoft." 5) Scroll down the list to "TCP/IP" and select it. 6) If you are prompted for information about your network card, please select the defaults. This will add the TCP/IP protocol to your protocol list. You now need to define the properties of the TCP/IP protocol. 7) Double-click on "TCP/IP" in the Network window under Configuration (which will open the properties for the TCP/IP protocol). 8) Select "Specify IP Address." 9) Enter "100.100.100.1" in the field. 10) Enter the Subnet Mask Address. 11) Enter "255.255.255.0" in the field. 12) Click OK to close the open windows and you are set (Windows 95 will restart your machine at this time). Each machine that will be playing CivNet on your network needs to be set up in the same manner. Note: the last number of the IP Address needs to be incremented for each machine (that is, the address for machine #1 is 100.100.100.1, machine #2 is 100.100.100.2, machine #3 is 100.100.100.3, etc.). Each machine’s IP Address must be unique. It is very important that the Subnet Mask Address stay the same on all machines. Do not increment the Subnet Mask Address or else the computers will not be able to see each other. Finally, it is recommended that you set up the game on machine #1 (the machine with the lowest IP Address in the series).