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Microsoft® Midtown Madness® 2 Readme
September 2000
© 1998-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Welcome to Microsoft Midtown Madness 2
This document contains important information specific to Midtown Madness 2 that is not included in the
jewelcase booklet or online Help.
Other sources of information about Midtown Madness 2:
The Midtown Madness jewelcase booklet describes important game controls and includes maps of the
cities featured in Midtown Madness 2. You can find an electronic (Adobe Acrobat Reader) version of the
jewelcase booklet (booklet.pdf) in the folder where you installed Midtown Madness 2, or on the Midtown
Madness 2 CD. For more information about Adobe Acrobat Reader, see the Adobe World Wide Web site at:
http://www.adobe.com/.
Nordic users can also find translated versions of the jewelcase booklet in the Nordic folder (in the location
where you installed Midtown Madness 2). To open the Nordic folder, insert the Midtown Madness 2 CD,
double-click My Computer, right-click on the Midtown2 item, and then click View Nordic Manuals. The files
are named as follows:
Swedish - Svensk.pdf
Norwegian - Norsk.pdf
Finnish - Suomi.pdf
Danish - Dansk.pdf
The online Help system for Midtown Madness 2 includes information about playing the game and
maximizing your performance. To get Help, click the Question Mark (?) icon in the upper right corner of all
game screens.
For Microsoft Product Support Services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Midtown Madness 2, go
here: http://support.microsoft.com/support/games/midtown/faq/2/default.asp
For the latest information on the game, visit the Midtown Madness 2 World Wide Web site at:
http://www.microsoft.com/games/midtown2/
Contents
1. Installation and Operating System Notes
2. Tips for Improving Graphics
3. Graphics, Display, and 3D Card Troubleshooting
4. Audio Notes and Troubleshooting
5. Game Performance Tips and Troubleshooting
6. Game Controller and Hardware Troubleshooting
7. Multiplayer Notes and Troubleshooting
8. 3D Card Manufacturer Web Sites
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1. Installation and Operating System Notes
1.01 System Requirements
To play Microsoft Midtown Madness 2, you need:
• Pentium II 266 with 32 MB RAM (64 MB is recommended) or Pentium II 233 with 32MB RAM (64 MB is
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recommended) and 8 MB or better Direct 3D compatible video card for hardware acceleration
Windows 95 operating system or higher (including Windows 2000 and Windows Me-Millennium
Edition)
DirectX 7.0a API (included on CD)
Quad-speed or faster CD ROM
Hard drive free disk space – 250 MB for minimum install option and 400 MB for typical install option
Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device
Sound board with speakers or headphones to hear audio
DirectSound compatible 3D sound board to hear 3D audio
28.8 Kbps modem for Internet play (Note: Internet play also requires 64 MB RAM and an existing
Internet connection)
Compatibles:
Supports force-feedback hardware compatible with Microsoft DirectInput® (Windows 95)
Supports MMX™ and AGP technology
Graphics accelerator card compatible with Microsoft Direct3D™ (on Windows 95)
1.01 Windows 95 Gold or OSR2 operating systems – Reinstall DirectX 7.0a
If you are running the Windows 95 Gold or OSR2 operating systems, a message may be displayed when
you start the game for the first time. If you encounter this message, follow the steps in Section 1.02 below to
reinstall DirectX 7.0a.
1.02 Reinstalling DirectX 7.0a
To reinstall DirectX 7.0a, you can insert the Midtown Madness 2 CD, double-click My Computer, right-click
on the Midtown2 item, and then click Install DirectX 7a (Win95_Win98).
1.03 Choppy audio when running on Windows 2000 or Windows Me (Millennium Edition) operating
systems.
If you notice that the audio in Midtown Madness 2 is choppy on a computer running the Windows 2000 or
Windows Me (Millennium Edition) operating systems, upgrading your audio drivers to the latest available
from your sound card’s OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) may solve the problem. See Section 1.04
below for additional information if you are using a Soundblaster AWE 64 audio card.
1.04 Upgrading drivers when running on Windows Me (Millennium Edition) with a Soundblaster
AWE 64 audio card.
If you are running Windows Me (Millennium Edition) with a Soundblaster AWE 64 audio card and the frame
rate is slow when you start the game, overriding the audio drivers for that Windows Me installs for this card
may solve the problem. Follow these steps to upgrade to the correct drivers when running Windows Me:
1. Download the latest drivers for the AWE 64 from http://www.soundblaster.com/.
2. Run the driver utility in the folder where you downloaded the drivers.
3. Right click My Computer.
4. Click Properties.
5. Click the Device Manager tab
6. Scroll down to Sound, Video and Game Controllers.
7. Click the plus symbol next to Sound, Video and Game Controllers.
8. Click the Creative AWE64 16-bit Audio.
9. Click Properties.
10. Click the Driver tab.
11. Click Update Driver.
12. Click Specify the Location of the Driver and click Next.
13. Click Display a List of All the Drivers in a Specific Location and click Next.
14. Click Have Disk
15. Browse to the folder where you downloaded the drivers and click OK.
16. Click OK again.
17. Click OK when the Models box is displayed.
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18. When the update warning is displayed, click Yes.
19. Click Next on the Update Device Driver Wizard.
20. On the Digital Signature Notification, click Advanced
21. Select Warn When Installing Unsigned Devices and click OK.
22. Click Yes and click OK.
23. Click Finish.
1.05 Installing a new video card or video drivers - When running Windows 2000
If you install a new video card or update your video card drivers and are running Windows 2000, follow
these steps: close the game, open the folder where you installed Midtown Madness 2, and run the Redetect
Video utility (located in the folder where you installed Midtown Madness 2). This will redetect the new video
card and launch the game.
1.06 Windows 2000 with a 3dfx Voodoo3 video card – corrupted sky textures and invisible trees
If you are running Windows 2000 and using a 3dFx Voodoo3 video card, you may encounter corrupted sky
textures or invisible trees. If you encounter this problem, update to the latest driver from the 3dfx web site
(http://www.3dfx.com/).
1.07 Windows 2000 and video cards with NVIDIA-based chipsets – Hardware mode unavailable
If you are using the latest driver for a video card using an NVIDIA-based chipset (including the Diamond
Viper V770 video card) on Windows 2000, Hardware mode may not be available as an option in the
Renderer list on the Graphics Options screen. If you encounter this problem, update to the latest driver for
this card from NVIDIA, the chipset manufacturer for these cards (http://www.nvidia.com/).
1.08 Windows 2000 with an Elsa Gladiac GeForce2 – Game hangs
When using the retail drivers for the Elsa Gladiac GeForce2 video card on Windows 2000, you may notice
that the game stops responding. If you encounter this problem, update to the latest driver from NVIDIA, the
chipset manufacturer for this card (http://www.nvidia.com/).
1.09 Video card with the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset when running Windows 2000 – Blue box
obscures the game screens.
If you are using a video card using the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset with the Windows 2000 operating
system, you may notice a blue box that obscures the game screens. If you encounter this problem, update
to the latest driver from NVIDIA (http://www.nvidia.com/).
1.10 Windows 98 with NVIDIA video cards – Fatal exception OE
When using a video card with the NVIDIA (TNT, TNT2 and GeForce) chipset on Windows 98, you may
encounter a fatal exception OE when running multiplayer games. If you encounter this problem, please
update to the latest video driver for your card from the NVIDIA web site (http://www.nvidia.com/).
2. Tips for Improving Graphics
Midtown Madness 2 is designed to deliver great graphics and outstanding racing action whether or not you
have a 3D-accelerated video card. However, because every system is different, you may occasionally
encounter graphics problems. Usually there is a simple solution for getting the graphics to look good. See
Section 3 for issues affecting specific 3D cards.
2.01 Upgrade your 3D card drivers
Most 3D card manufacturers provide updated drivers on their Web sites that fix known issues (see Section
3 for issues affecting Midtown Madness 2).
• If you don't know what kind of 3D card you have, in Windows 95 and 98, right-click on My Computer and
click Properties. Click the Device Manager tab. Your 3D card should be listed under Display Adapters.
Right-click on the card name and select Properties to find the manufacturer name. In Windows 2000
and Windows Me (Millennium Edition), right-click on My Computer and click Properties. Click the
Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager. Your 3D card should be listed under Display Adapters.
Right-click on the card name and select Properties to find the manufacturer name.
• For a partial list of card manufacturer Web sites, see the section at the bottom of this document.
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Retail vs. reference drivers. This document includes references to “retail” and “reference” drivers.
Reference drivers are drivers that are released by the manufacturers of specific chipsets used by
specific cards (i.e., NVIDIA releases reference drivers for video cards using the NVIDIA GeForce 256
chipset).
Retail drivers are drivers released by the video and audio card manufacturers who use a specific
chipset in their card (i.e., Creative Labs releases drivers for the Annihilator Pro video card, which uses
the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset).
So, how do you determine whether to update your drivers, and which ones to update them to?
Keeping in mind that drivers are constantly being updated and improved (even as new bugs may
potentially be introduced), it’s usually a good idea to try the most recently released reference driver from
your card’s chipset manufacturer if you are encountering problems using the drivers supplied by the
card’s manufacturer.
Often, the chipset manufacturers “lead the way” with improvements in reference drivers that are later
incorporated by the card manufacturer drivers.
In many cases, in Section 3 of this document, we make specific recommendations about which driver to
update to, but checking your card’s chipset manufacturer’s web-site for the latest updated reference
driver is also often a good idea.
2.02 Common graphics problems and solutions
If you see any of these graphics issues during a game, try the suggested solutions:
• Graphics are too bright or pale and washed out -- With the game closed, right-click on your Windows
desktop, click Properties, and then click the Settings tab. If there is a tab for your 3D card in the Display
Properties dialog box, select it, or click Advanced. Some video cards allow you to change color settings
(the option may be called gamma correction). Adjust the color control to your preferred setting.
• Screen display is off-center -- If you encounter this, there are several possible solutions:
1) Make sure you have selected the correct monitor that is connected to your system. To check your
monitor, right-click on the Windows desktop, click Properties, and then select the Settings tab. Click
Advanced and select Monitor.
2) Adjust the controls available on the front of your monitor.
3) Change your adapter's refresh rate or change your screen resolution. To do this, right-click on the
Windows desktop, click Properties, and then select the Settings tab. Click Advanced and select
Adapter. Under refresh rate, select Adapter Default.
4) Change your screen resolution. To do this, right-click on the Windows desktop, click Properties, and
then select the Settings tab. Under Screen Area, change the setting to 800x600. Click OK to accept the
change and make sure your screen is centered on your monitor. Use your monitor controls to change if
necessary.
2.03 Try running without hardware acceleration
If you've updated your 3D card drivers and still have graphics problems, you can run the game without using
3D hardware acceleration. To do so, click the Options button (in the upper right corner of all game screens),
and then click Graphics. In the Renderer list, choose Software Only (no 3D video card), and then click
Done. You can also run the Midtown2 Safe Mode utility (located in the folder where you installed Midtown
Madness 2) to switch to Software Only mode.
3. Graphics, Display, and 3D Video Card Troubleshooting
3.01 Troubleshooting document opens when restarting Midtown Madness 2 after encountering
problems
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If Midtown Madness 2 crashes or stops responding while you are playing the game, a troubleshooting
document automatically opens when you restart the game. This document includes suggestions on how to
ensure that the game runs correctly on your machine.
3.02 Game crashes after switching Renderer to Software
Depending on the video card you are using, you may notice that the game crashes on the loading screen if
you change your Renderer setting to Software Only (No video card) on the Graphics Options screen. If you
encounter this problem, close and then restart Midtown Madness 2 after changing your Renderer setting.
3.03 If you cannot enable 3D hardware acceleration on your video board…
You can run the Redetect Video utility (located in the folder where you installed Midtown Madness 2). In
some cases, Midtown Madness 2 disables hardware acceleration if you have an outdated video driver (the
game also displays a warning message when it detects the problem).
3.04 Installing a new video card or video drivers - When running Windows 2000
If you install a new video card or update your video card drivers and are running Windows 2000, you will
need to close the game, open the folder where you installed Midtown Madness 2, and run the the Redetect
Video utility (located in the folder where you installed Midtown Madness 2). This will redetect the new video
card and launch the game.
3.05 Vehicles can stick in ground near San Francisco docks
If you drive a vehicle under the archways on the San Francisco docks, you may notice that the ground is
mushy (wet cement!) and your vehicle can stick in the ground. This problem is less likely to occur at high
speeds. There is no known workaround at this time.
3.06 Windows 2000 with a 3dfx Voodoo3 video card – corrupted sky textures and invisible trees
If you are running Windows 2000 and using a 3dFx Voodoo3 video card, you may encounter corrupted sky
textures or invisible trees. If you encounter this problem, update to the latest driver from the 3dfx web site
(http://www.3dfx.com/).
3.07 Asus AGP-V6600 GeForce video card - System hangs after selecting Calibrate at Control
Options screen or when selecting Help from the Crash Course screen
If you are using an Asus AGP-V6600 video card, you may notice that the system hangs if you click Calibrate
on the Control Options screen or if you click Help from the Crash Course screen. If you encounter this
problem, update to the latest reference driver from NVIDIA, the chipset manufacturer for this card
(http://www.nvidia.com/), or to the latest driver from the card manufacturer, Asus (http://www.asus.com/).
3.08 Asus AGP-V6600 GeForce video card – shadows not displaying properly
If you are using an Asus AGP-V6600 GeForce video card, you may notice that you do not have proper
shadows around the vehicles. If you encounter this problem, update to driver version #6.18 from NVIDIA,
the chipset manufacturer for this card (http://www.nvidia.com/ ).
3.09 Asus AGP-V6600 GeForce video card – game hangs before opening video plays
If you are using an Asus AGP-V6600 video card, Midtown Madness may stop responding when you start
the game and before the intro videos are played. If you encounter this problem, update to the latest
reference driver from NVIDIA, the chipset manufacturer for this card (http://www.nvidia.com/), or to the
latest driver from the card manufacturer, Asus (http://www.asus.com/).
3.10 ATI Radeon – Corrupt sky, checkpoints, and HUD
If you are using an ATI Radeon graphics card, you may notice that the sky, checkpoints, and Heads Up
Display (HUD) are corrupted. If you encounter this problem, click Options from any game screen, then click
Graphics. From the Graphics Options screen, change the Renderer setting from Hardware with T & L to
Hardware. Future driver updates may fix this issue; check the ATI web site for updates
(http://www.atitech.com).
3.11 ATI 3D Rage Pro video card – Flashing textures and garbled screen at the start of a race
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If you are using an ATI 3D Rage Pro video card with retail drivers, you may notice flashing textures and a
garbled screen when you start a race. If you encounter this problem, close Midtown Madness 2 and then
restart your computer.
3.12 ATI Rage Fury Pro or ATI XPERT 2000 – Map on the horizon
If you are using an ATI Rage Fury Pro or an ATI XPERT 2000, you may notice that a map is appearing on
the horizon when driving uphill. If you encounter this problem, update to the latest driver from ATI
(http://www.atitech.com/).
3.13 Creative Labs 3D Blaster RIVA TNT video card – Green shadows and changing building
textures
If you are using a Creative Labs 3D Blaster RIVA TNT video card with retail drivers, you may encounter
green shadows or changing building textures. If you encounter these problems, update to the latest driver
from the Creative Labs web-site (http://www.soundblaster.com/), or update to the latest reference driver
from NVIDIA, the chipset manufacturer for this card (http://www.nvidia.com/).
3.14 Creative Labs 3D Blaster Savage4 video card – purple dots appear when running in 1600x1200
display resolution.
If you are using a Creative Labs 3D Blaster Savage4 video card, you may notice purple dots in the
environment when running Midtown Madness 2 in 1600x1200 display resolution. If you encounter this,
running the game in a lower resolution may fix the problem.
3.15 Diamond Monster 3D II – Palm trees and green trees not displaying properly
If you are using a Diamond Monster 3D II video card, you may notice that the trees are not displaying
properly. If you encounter this problem, update to the latest Voodoo2 reference driver from 3dfx
(http://www.3dfx.com/).
3.16 Diamond Stealth III S540 video card – Crashing problems on Vehicle Selection screen when
switching between programs.
If you are using a Diamond Stealth III S540 video card, your game may crash on the Vehicle Selection
screen if you “task switch” (ALT+TAB, minimize, open Help, ALT+ESC). If you encounter this problem,
update to the latest driver from Diamond Multimedia (http://www.diamondmm.com/).
3.17 Diamond Viper II – Map on the horizon
If you are using a Diamond Viper II, you may notice that a map is appearing on the horizon when driving
uphill. If you encounter this problem, update to the latest driver from Diamond Multimedia
(http://www.diamondmm.com/).
3.18 Diamond Viper II - Palm trees are the wrong color
If you are using a Diamond Viper II, you may notice that the palm trees in San Francisco are the wrong
color. There is no known workaround at this time.
3.19 Diamond Stealth III S540 video card – corrupt sidewalk and water surfaces
If you are using a Diamond Stealth III S540 video card with the latest drivers, you may notice texture
problems with sidewalk and water surfaces. This problem does not appear with earlier driver versions for
this card.
Adding a “-nomipmap” switch to the Midtown Madness 2 command line may solve the problem. To do so,
right-click on the Midtown Madness 2 desktop icon, and then click Properties. Next, double-click
Midtown2.exe. In the Target box, type a space and –nomipmap immediately after Midtown2.exe. Click OK
to confirm the change. Note: if there are quotation marks around the Midtown2.ext command line, you need
to type the –nomipmap switch outside of those quotation marks (i.e., “C:\\Program Files\Microsoft
Games\Midtown Madness 2\Midtown2.exe” –nomipmap)
3.20 Windows 2000 with an Elsa Gladiac GeForce2 – Game hangs
When using the retail drivers for the Elsa Gladiac GeForce2 video card on Windows 2000, you may notice
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that the game stops responding. If you encounter this problem, update to the latest driver from NVIDIA, the
chipset manufacturer for this card (http://www.nvidia.com/).
3.21 Guillemot Maxi Gamer Phoenix video card – No progress bar on loading screen
If you are using a Guillemot Maxi Gamer Phoenix video card, you may notice that you do not have a
progress bar on some loading screens. There is no known solution at this time.
3.22 Matrox Millennium G400 Dual Head (32 MB) video card – game crashes after closing Help
If you are using a Matrox Millennium G400 Dual Head (32 MB) video card, you may notice that the game
stops responding after Help closes and before the game maximizes. If you encounter this problem, update
to the latest video driver for you card from the Matrox web site (http://www.matrox.com/).
3.23 Windows 2000 and video cards with NVIDIA-based chipsets – Hardware (3D Video Card) mode
unavailable
If you are using the latest driver for a video card using an NVIDIA-based chipset (including the Diamond
Viper V770 video card) on Windows 2000, Hardware (3D Video Card) mode may not be available as an
option in the Renderer list on the Graphics Options screen. If you encounter this problem, update to the
latest driver for this card from NVIDIA, the chipset manufacturer for these cards (http://www.nvidia.com/).
3.24 Video cards with NVIDIA GeFroce 256 chipsets – truncated shadows under vehicles
If you are using a video card that uses the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipsets with retail drivers, you may notice
that the shadows under vehicles appear truncated. If you encounter this problem, update to the latest driver
for this card from NVIDIA, the chipset manufacturer for these cards (http://www.nvidia.com/), and change
your Renderer setting to Hardware Only. To do so, click the Options button (in the upper right corner of all
game screens), and then click Graphics. In the Renderer list, choose Hardware (3D video card), and then
click Done.
3.25 Video cards with NVIDIA GeForce 256 or TNT chipsets – Patches of road missing until you
drive over them
If you are using a video card that uses either NVIDIA GeForce 256 or TNT chipsets, you may notice large
patches of the road missing until you drive over them. There is no known workaround for this at this time.
3.26 Video cards with the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset when running Windows 2000 – Blue box
obscures the game screens.
If you are using a video card using the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset with the Windows 2000 operating
system, you may notice a blue box that obscures the game screens. If you encounter this problem, update
to the latest driver from the NVIDIA web site (http://www.nvidia.com/).
3.27 Video cards with the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset – Crash when using ALT+TAB during
multiplayer gaming
Players using a video card using the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset may encounter a crash when using
ALT+TAB to switch between programs during multiplayer gaming. If you encounter this problem, update to
the most recent driver for your video card from the NVIDIA web site (http://www.nvidia.com/).
3.28 Video cards with the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset – Shadows not displaying properly, back
end of vehicles not displaying properly
If you are using a video card using the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset, you may notice that shadows are not
appearing correctly and that the back-end of vehicles are not appearing correctly If you encounter this
problem, please update to the latest video driver for your card from the NVIDIA web site
(http://www.nvidia.com/).
3.29 Video cards with the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset and a specific driver when running Windows
95 and 98– Internet-based multiplayer connection problems
If you are using a video card using the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset and are also using the Detonator 3
drivers from NVIDIA (driver version #6.18) when running on Windows 95 or 98, you may encounter
problems when attempting to run Internet-based multiplayer games. Previous driver versions for this card
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do not display this behavior. Switching to Software Only mode may also solve the problem. To do so, click
the Options button (in the upper right corner of all game screens), and then click Graphics. In the Renderer
list, choose Software Only (no 3D video card), and then click Done.
3.30 Windows 98 with NVIDIA graphics cards – Fatal exception OE
When using a video card with the NVIDIA (TNT, TNT2 and GeForce) chipset on Windows 98, you may
encounter a fatal exception OE when running multiplayer games. If you encounter this problem, please
update to the latest video driver for your card from the NVIDIA web site (http://www.nvidia.com/).
3.31 Problems running game with Multimon settings when using cards with GeForce2 and Savage4
chipsets
If you have two video cards installed on your computer, one using the NVIDIA GeForce2 chipset and the
other using the Savage4 chipset, and are using the Windows Multimon feature, you may be unable to start
Midtown Madness 2. There is no known workaround for this at this time.
3.32 Video card with the SiS 620 chipset – Game stops responding when you start a race or cruise
If you are using a video card using the SiS 620 chipset (manufactured by Silicon Integrated Systems, Inc.),
Midtown Madness 2 may stop responding when you start a race or cruise session. If you encounter this
problem, update to the latest retail drivers from your video card manufacturer’s web-site.
4. Audio Notes and Troubleshooting
4.01 Microsoft SideWinder Game Voice Share software available on Midtown CD
Included on the Midtown Madness 2 CD is Game Voice Share, a free, chat-only version of the Microsoft
SideWinder Game Voice software.
SideWinder Game Voice is a communications suite that comes with hardware (including a headset and
microphone) and offers a more robust feature set than Game Voice Share. It features a headset with
microphone to maximize your online gaming experience, a control pad for placing contacts into
easy-to-manage teams, and voice command capabilities within your games.
When you host a chat with Game Voice Share, you can invite up to three other people who have Game
Voice Share to be in your chat. If you want to invite more players, you need to invite someone using the full
version of SideWinder Game Voice. For every three players running Game Voice Share, you need one
person using the full version of SideWinder Game Voice.
For more information on Game Voice, see http://www.gamevoice.com/
Windows 95 and 98 installation instructions:
To install Game Voice Share, open the Goodies folder on the Midtown Madness 2 CD, and then
double-click the GVS_ENG.exe and Gvupdate.exe utilities.
Windows 2000 and Windows Me (Millennium Edition) installation instructions:
To install Game Voice Share, open the Goodies folder on the Midtown Madness 2 CD, and then
double-click the GVS_ENG.exe utility.
4.02 Windows 98 with a Creative Sound Blaster PCI sound card – correct audio device is not listed
in Audio Options by default.
If you are running Windows 98 and are using a Creative Sound Blaster PCI sound card, you may notice that
the audio device listed in Audio Options is not the Creative SBPCI. If this occurs, select the correct audio
device from the Device drop-down list on the Audio Options screen.
4.03 Diamond Monster MX300 and Turtle Beach Montego II PCI audio cards when running Windows
2000 – Audio Distorted
If you are using either of the above listed cards and you are running Windows 2000, you may notice that
some sound effects are distorted when you are playing the game. If you encounter this problem, turning
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down your audio playback hardware acceleration setting may help. To do so: Click the Start button, point to
Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click Sounds and Multimedia. Click the Audio tab, and then,
under Sound Playback, click the Advanced button. Click the Performance tab, and then drag the Hardware
Acceleration slider to the left by two settings. Click OK to confirm and close the dialog box.
5. Game Performance Tips and Troubleshooting
If your computer hardware meets the system requirements for running Midtown Madness 2 and
performance is poor, try the following:
•
•
•
•
Update your 3D video and audio card drivers. See Sections 2 and 3 of this document for details.
Close all other applications before starting Midtown Madness 2.
Defragment your hard disk drive (a good thing to do before installing new software, and on a regular
basis). Use the Disk Defragmenter tool (Click Start, point to Programs, Accessories, and then Systems
Tools. Double-click Disk Defragmenter.
Make changes to your Graphics Options settings (click Options in the upper right corner of any game
screen, and then click Graphics. Click Done to confirm your changes). Specifically, try the following:
o Turn off the Textured Sky, Vehicle Reflections, and Show Pedestrians checkboxes.
o Confirm that your 3D video card is selected in the Renderer list (it should be listed as
Hardware).
o Choose a lower setting from the Resolution dropdown list.
o Choose a lower setting on the Visibility and Lighting Quality sliders.
o In the Texture Quality, Object Detail and Cloud Shadows dropdown lists, choose Low or
None.
6. Game Controller and Hardware Troubleshooting
6.01 List of available controls inaccurate after installing Microsoft SideWinder Game Pad Pro
If you install a Microsoft SideWinder Game Pad Pro on your computer after you have already installed
Midtown Madness 2, the list of available controllers in the Controllers list on the Controls Options screen
may be inaccurate (listing joystick and steering wheel even though they may not be installed). If you
encounter this problem, do not choose a controller that you do not have installed on your computer.
6.02 Multiple controllers connected to your computer
If you have more than one game controller plugged into your computer (one plugged into a gameport and
the other to a USB port), Midtown Madness 2 will only recognize the gameport controller. In order for
Midtown Madness 2 to recognize the USB controller, you must disconnect the other controller from the
gameport, delete it from the list of devices in the Game Controllers applet (Control Panel), and then assign
the USB controller Controller ID #1.
6.03 Unable to map throttle control to Z-Axis on the Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro joystick.
If you are using a Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro joystick and attempt to map the throttle control to the
Z-Axis, the game will assign the throttle control to the R-Axis. There is no known workaround at this time.
6.04 Problems with acceleration when using a Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback steering
wheel and a preconfigured profile from Microsoft SideWinder 4.0 software.
If you have installed the Microsoft SideWinder 4.0 software and are using a preconfigured Midtown
Madness profile and the Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback steering wheel, you may notice that your
throttle controls are switched (i.e., when you release the gas pedal, your car accelerates in reverse). If you
encounter this problem, changing the axis properties of the wheel in the profile may help. To change the
axis properties, click Start, point to Settings, click Game Controllers. Click the SideWinder steering wheel.
Choose the Midtown Madness 2 profile, and then change the Axis assignment to Combined. Click OK to
confirm your changes.
6.05 Problems with acceleration when using a Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback steering
wheel when running Windows 2000 or Windows Me (Millennium Edition) operating systems.
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If you are using a Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback steering wheel when running Windows 2000 or
Windows Me (Millennium Edition), you may notice that your car accelerates in reverse without you touching
the pedals. If you encounter this problem, assigning the brake control to a button may help. To customize
your control assignments, click the Options button (in the upper right corner of all game screens), and then
click Graphics. Click Customize Controls, and then click Brakes in the list. Press the button on your
controller that you want to assign the brake to, and then click Done.
7. Multiplayer Notes and Troubleshooting
7.01 Playing Midtown Madness 2 on the MSN Gaming Zone.
You can use the Midtown Madness 2 game lobbies on the MSN Gaming Zone web site to find opponents for
multiplayer races.
Go to http: //www.zone.com/midtown2 to find the lobbies for Midtown Madness 2.
7.02 Some participants sent to Multiplayer Sessions screen when host launches race during
Zone-based games
If you are using the MSN Gaming Zone to meet and race against other human opponents, some
participants may be sent to the Multiplayer Sessions screen when the host starts the race. There is no
known workaround at this time, but it is possible that DirectX 8.0 may solve the problem when it is released.
7.03 Notes on using the Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) feature.
You can use the Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) feature to host and join Midtown Madness 2
Multiplayer games on the MSN Gaming Zone under the following conditions:
• All computers connected to the home Local Area Network must be running the Windows Me
(Millennium Edition) operating system and DirectX 8.
7.04 Video cards with the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset and a specific driver – Internet-based
multiplayer connection problems
If you are using a video card using the NVIDIA GeForce 256 chipset and are also using the Detonator 3
drivers from NVIDIA (driver version #6.18), you may encounter problems when attempting to run
Internet-based multiplayer games. Previous driver versions for this card do not display this behavior.
Switching to Software Only mode may also solve the problem. To do so, click the Options button (in the
upper right corner of all game screens), and then click Graphics. In the Renderer list, choose Software Only
(no 3D video card), and then click Done.
7.05 A maximum of 10 multiplayer sessions can be hosted on a single LAN (Local Area Network).
A maximum of 10 multiplayer sessions can be hosted on a single LAN. If you attempt to host an 11th
session, an error message may be displayed. To avoid the problem, limit the total number of multiplayer
sessions on your LAN to no more than 10.
7.06 Hangs in multiplayer cruise mode
If you are participating in a multiplayer cruise, the game may hang. If you experience this problem, having
the host turn down pedestrian density all the way may solve the problem.
8. 3D Card Manufacturer Web Sites
You may be able to obtain updated drivers from your 3D card manufacturer's Web site.
ASUS http://www.asus.com/
ATI http://www.atitech.com/
Creative Labs http://www.soundblaster.com/
Diamond Multimedia (includes S3) http://www.diamondmm.com/
Guillemot (includes Hercules) http://www.guillemot.com/
Intense3D http://www.intense3D.com/
Matrox http://www.matrox.com/
NEC PowerVR http://www.videologic.com/
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Number Nine http://www.nine.com/
NVIDIA http://www.nvidia.com/
Rendition http://www.rendition.com/
3DFX (includes STB) http://www.3dfx.com/
3DLabs http://www.3dlabs.com/
Trident Microsystems http://www.tridentmicro.com/
VideoLogic http://www.videologic.com/
Computer Manufacturer Web Sites
If your video card was pre-installed when you purchased your computer, you may need to check with the
computer manufacturer for new drivers. Here is a list of popular computer manufacturer Web sites.
Acer http://www.acer.com/
Compaq http://www.compaq.com/
Dell http://www.dell.com/
Gateway http://www.gateway.com/
Hewlett-Packard http://www.hp.com/
IBM http://www.ibm.com/
Packard Bell http://www.packardbell.com/
Sony http://www.sony.com/
Toshiba http://www.toshiba.com/
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