HOYLE® CLASSIC GAMES TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS
Thank you for purchasing one of the Hoyle® Classic Game (Hoyle®)
products. In order for you to receive the best possible performance
with this product, Sierra has included technical tips and
information. The following supplemental information should
be considered the documentation in this CD.
IMPORTANT
Sierra highly recommends not running other Windows
applications at the same time as Hoyle® Classic Games.
ATTENTION BRIDGE PLAYERS
Sierra is always interested in your input in how we can
improve our games. We are providing a `save hand' feature in
Hoyle® Classic Games Bridge that will facilitate you
providing Sierra with beneficial information on
`interesting' situations you may encounter while playing.
When you find a `bid' or `play' you would like to comment
on, you may save your hand using the SAVE HAND feature
within the OPTIONS menu. Please send this file along with
your comments (include bidding sequence and card play) to
the following email address:
Sierra BBS: 206-644-0112 "hoyle" Library
ftp: bbs.sierra.com "hoyle" Library
telnet: bbs.sierra.com.
Or you can mail your save file to:
Sierra On-Line
Attn: Hoyle Development Team
3380 - 146th Place SE.
Bellevue, WA 98007.
Thank you in advance for your valuable input and keep an eye
out for a new release of Hoyle® Bridge in the near future.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
* "General Protection Fault caused by GROWSTUB in
POINTER.DLL" dialog box.
* Hoyle® Classic Games plays too slow.
* Insufficient memory to play Hoyle® Classic Games .
* Hoyle® Classic Games play-screen is too small.
* Other Common Troubleshooting Steps.
__________________________________________
Problem: "General Protection Fault caused by GROWSTUB in
POINTER.DLL" when game starts.
Explanation: This is caused by a Microsoft mouse driver
version 9.01 GROWSTUB component.
Solution: One of the three suggestions should correct the
problem.
1. Remove POINTER.EXE from the load= line in the file
WIN.INI and then restart Windows.
2. Download the file HD1061.EXE from the Microsoft BBS at
(206) 936-6735. This file is self-extracting. Run "HD1061"
and follow the instructions in the newly created README.TXT
file.
3. Upgrade to the Microsoft Mouse IntelliPoint software
version 1.0. For information about obtaining this upgrade,
call the Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-
9400. There is a charge for this upgrade.
Problem: Insufficient memory in Windows to play Hoyle®
Classic Games.
Explanation: Hoyle® Classic Games was not able to find
enough free memory on your computer to run the game
properly. Even though your computer might meet the system
requirements to run the game, it may not have the memory set
up correctly to run Hoyle® Classic Games.
Solution: Try the following suggestions:
1: Make a boot disk if you are using Windows 3.1 or 3.11.
NOTE - the boot disk will not work for Windows `95 users.
2: Experiment with the VIRTUAL MEMORY setting. You might
want to increase the size of your SWAP file. To do this, go
into Program Manager, and double-click on the Main Program
Group. From this window, double-click on your Control Panel
icon. Within the Control Panel Window, double-click on the
386 Enhanced icon, and click on the Virtual Memory button.
Please consult your Windows documentation for information
about configuring your SWAP file.
Problem: Hoyle® Classic Games play-screen is too small.
Explanation: Hoyle® Classic Games was designed to play in a
full screen with a 640X480 256 color Windows video driver.
If you have configured Windows to operate in a higher
resolution (such as with an 800X600 256 color or 1024X768
256 color driver), the game play area will appear smaller
and will be surrounded by a black background.
Solution: In order to view the game in the full dimensions
of your computer screen, you will need to load a 640X480 256
color video driver that is created for your specific brand
of video card. For more information about configuring
Windows or obtaining this driver, please contact your video
card manufacturer.
Question: I have looked at all the tips listed above, yet I
still do not see a specific tip that helps my particular
problem. What should I do?
Answer: Try the following Troubleshooting Tips guide. It
should help you solve your problem running Hoyle® Classic
Games.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
SECTION 1 - INSTALLATION PROCEDURES
SECTION 2 - COMMON INSTALLATION PROBLEMS
SECTION 3 - MEMORY TROUBLESHOOTING
SECTION 4 - COMMON PROBLEMS
SECTION 5 - SOUND ISSUES
SECTION 6 - HOYLE® CLASSIC GAMES BOOT DISK INSTRUCTIONS -
WINDOWS 3.1 and 3.11 ONLY
SECTION 7 - TECHNICAL SUPPORT INFORMATION
SECTION 1 - INSTALLATION PROCEDURES
Insert the CD into the appropriate drive. From Program
Manager, click on File, then Run. In the Command Line field,
type the letter of the drive followed by \SETUP. Ex:
D:\SETUP.
SECTION 2 - COMMON INSTALLATION PROBLEMS
Problem: Your computer fails the Display test; you get a
message saying "Your video display supports 16 colors...".
Solution: Sierra's Windows games require that Windows is
running in 256 color mode. Even though your monitor and
video card may be capable of displaying 256 colors, Windows
may not be set up to use this resolution. To check, double-
click on Windows Setup in the Main program group. If the
Display line reads "VGA" or "16 color," you will need to
change to a driver that supports 256 colors. ("VGA" is a
default Windows video driver that only supports 16 colors
and will not work with Sierra's Windows games.) To change
video drivers, select Options, then Change System Settings.
Open the Display box to see the list of video drivers that
are currently available. You should check your video card
documentation for information on what 256 color driver to
select.
Warning: Be careful when changing video drivers! If you
choose one that is not designed for your particular video
card, Windows will not display properly. If this occurs,
change to your Windows directory, type: SETUP, and choose
the "VGA" driver again. You should contact your video card
manufacturer for the correct driver.
Problem: Your computer fails the Memory test; you get a
message stating you do not have enough memory to run Hoyle®
Classic Games.
Solution: Make sure that there are no other Windows
programs running. Disable all screen savers, virus scans,
etc. If you are using an alternate Windows desktop (PC
Tools, Dashboard, Packard Bell Navigator, etc.), use plain
Program Manager instead. If you have sound-related Windows
programs installed (IconHearIt, SoundBits, etc.), make sure
they are disabled before starting the game. Also, turn off
your Wallpaper in Desktop in Control Panel. Wallpaper can
sometimes take up a considerable amount of memory. These
steps should give you enough memory to run the game. If they
do not, please refer to Section 3, Memory Troubleshooting.
Problem: Hoyle® Classic Games icon not created during game
installation. Hoyle® group and other icons are created fine.
Solution: This is usually caused by an alternate Windows
desktop, like Norton Desktop or PCTools. You must disable
these desktops before installing the game. The easiest way
to do this is to type PATH=C:\WINDOWS at the DOS prompt,
then start Windows. This should start Windows with Program
Manager as the desktop. When you are back in Windows,
reinstall the game. The icons will be created normally. To
restart Windows using your normal desktop, exit Windows and
reboot the computer. The next time you go into Windows, the
alternate desktop will display. PLEASE NOTE: Hoyle® Classic
Games has not been tested under any alternate desktop
environment, therefore Sierra cannot guarantee that the game
will function properly under these desktops.
SECTION 3 - MEMORY TROUBLESHOOTING
Some game players have experienced difficulty getting
enough memory to run Hoyle® Classic Games . This usually
occurs on computer systems with 8 Megabytes of RAM, but can
happen on machines with more memory. If you are having
trouble starting the game because of memory problems or are
receiving memory-related errors during the game (such as an
"Out of Hunk" or "Out of Memory" message), here is a list of
troubleshooting steps to try.
NOTE - THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL ONLY WORK FOR WINDOWS 3.1
AND 3.11 USERS. IF YOU ARE USING WINDOWS `95, THE FOLLOWING
BOOT DISK INSTRUCTIONS WILL NOT WORK.
Check the Swap File: Establish a permanent swap file at
about 8 MEGS. This will help free up memory. Do not set the
swap file too high, 6-8 MEGS permanent should be enough.
Follow these steps to access and change the Windows swap
file:
1. Close all Windows applications.
2. Open the "Main" folder on your Windows desktop.
3. Double-click on the "Control Panel" icon.
4. Double-click on the "386 Enhanced" icon.
5. Click on the "Virtual Memory . . ." button.
6. Click on the "Change>>" button.
7. Type "6000" in the "New Size" selection box, under the
"New Settings".
8. Select "Permanent" from the "Type" pull down
combination box, if it is available. If "Permanent" is not
available, select "Temporary."
9. If "32-bit File Access" is checked, un-check it. This
should remain turned off. If you have a "32-bit Disk Access"
option, leave it checked.
10. Click the "OK" button.
11. Click the "Restart Now" button.
Windows will restart and take you back to the main
Windows desktop.
Create a Clean Windows Environment: Make sure that there
are no other Windows programs running. Disable all screen
savers, virus scans, etc. If you are using an alternate
Windows desktop (PC Tools, Dashboard, Packard Bell
Navigator, etc.), use plain Program Manager instead. If you
have sound-related Windows programs installed (IconHearIt,
SoundBits, etc.), make sure they are disabled before
starting the game. Also, turn off your Wallpaper in Desktop
in Control Panel. Wallpaper can sometimes take up a
considerable amount of memory.
Turn Off 32-Bit File Accessing: Windows for Workgroups and
Windows 3.11 include a setting for 32-bit File Access in the
Virtual Memory settings. This should be turned off. If you
are using Windows 3.1, you will see 32-bit Disk Access
instead. Leave this on.
SECTION 4 - COMMON GAME PROBLEMS
Problem: When game starts, it displays a black screen or
throws you out to DOS.
Solution: Try creating a clean Windows environment. Please
see "Create a Clean Windows Environment" under Section 3,
Memory Troubleshooting. In addition, the problem may be
caused by outdated or incompatible video or sound card
drivers. You should check with your video and sound card
manufacturers to make sure you have the latest versions of
their drivers.
Problem: "General Protection Fault in Module ... " The
module name will vary.
Solution: A General Protection Fault (GPF) in a module
other than POINTER.DLL is usually caused by a memory
conflict. Make sure that there are no other Windows programs
running. Disable all screen savers, virus scans, etc. If you
are using an alternate Windows desktop (PC Tools, Dashboard,
Packard Bell Navigator, etc.), use plain Program Manager
instead. If you have sound-related Windows programs
installed (IconHearIt, SoundBits, etc.), make sure they are
disabled before starting the game.
Problem: "The instruction at (memory address) referenced
memory at (memory address). The memory could not be read
from."
Solution: This is called a "bad pointer." It happens if you
don't have the latest SoundBlaster 16 drivers for Windows.
Download the file SB16UP.EXE from the Creative Labs BBS at
(405) 742-6660. This file is self-extracting. Run "SB16UP"
and follow the instructions in the newly created README.TXT
file. If you do not have a modem, you can contact Creative
Labs at (405) 742-6622 and request the latest SoundBlaster
16 Windows drivers. If you do not have a SoundBlaster 16
card, the message probably indicates a memory conflict. See
Section 3, Memory Troubleshooting for information on
resolving memory conflicts.
If you don't see your question listed in this document:
Most difficulties, including Fatal or Panic errors can be
resolved by simply running the game with a clean Windows
environment. Please see "Create a Clean Windows Environment"
under Section 3, Memory Troubleshooting.
SECTION 5 - SOUND CARD CONFIGURATION AND SOUND ISSUES
Problem: Starting the game gives you a "Waveout Open" or
"Waveout Prepare Header" error message.
Solution: The Windows error message you are receiving
indicates that your sound card is in use by another program.
This is occasionally caused by another sound program taking
control in Windows and not sharing the sound card properly.
Programs like Icon Hear It, Wired for Sound or Packard Bell
Navigator can cause this type of problem. Some screen savers
like After Dark will also access the sound card directly
instead of using Windows to produce sounds. You should
disable all programs of this type before playing the game.
If you are still experiencing sound problems, you may
need to update your sound drivers. If you do not have the
current Windows drivers for your sound device, you may need
to contact the manufacturer of your sound device or your
local hardware supplier for an updated set of sound drivers.
Check your Windows documentation or your sound device
documentation for full instructions on updating your sound
drivers.
SECTION 7 - Technical Support Information
U.S. Technical Support
Sierra On-Line
Main: (206) 644-
4343
Technical Support
Fax: (206) 644-
7697
P.O. Box 85006
8:15 a.m. - 4:45
p.m. PST,
Bellevue, WA 98015-
8506
Monday-Friday
U.K. Technical Support
Sierra On-Line Limited Main: (44) 1-734-303-
171 (Monday through Friday, 9:00AM-5:00PM)
4 Brewery Court Fax: (44) 1-734-
303-362
The Old Brewery,
Theale, Reading, Berkshire
RG7 5AJ United Kingdom
France Technical Support
Parc Tertiaire de Meudon Main: (33) 1-46-01-4650
(7 jours sur 7 de 9h … 21h)
Immeuble "Le Newton" Fax: (33) 1-46-31-
7172
25 rue Jeanne Braconnier
92366 Meudon La Forˆt Cedex
France
German Technical Support
Sierra Coktel Vision Deutschland Main: (49) 6-103-
99-4040
Robert Bosch Str. 32 Fax: (49)
6-103-99-4035
D-63303 Dreieich Mailbox
(49) 6-103-99-4041
Germany
Modem Support
Sierra
BBS:
U.S. (206) 644-0112
U.K. (44) 1-734-30-4227
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