Please read through the DirectX section of this document. This section has information that is vital to successfully running Project: Snowblind on your system.
It is recommended that before playing Project: Snowblind that you download and install the latest patch. Please see http://www.projectsnowblind.com for more information.
1.0 Important Notice
The file securom_v7_00.dat will be created, during the installation/Launching of Project: Snowblind, within your `Application Data` folder. It is necessary for this demo to run properly.
The file contains your licences for all products which are SecuROM protected; therefore it will not be deleted automatically. Please do not delete the file because you might lose essential digital rights.
The information contained in securom_v7_00.dat will not be transferred to any other computer without your permission. This security system is connected with a MS Windows Service called "SecuROM User Access Service".
This module is started automatically when launching Project: Snowblind if the user is logged in with Windows administrator rights. In case users do not have administrator rights we recommend to keep it running.
For further support and information please visit www.securom.com
1.1 DirectX
This game is optimised for Microsoft's DirectX 9 In order for you to play the game, you must have DirectX 9 -compliant drivers for your video card and sound card. Please note that although DirectX 9 is installed with the game, your video and sound card drivers will not be upgraded to DirectX 9 drivers.
You will need to obtain the latest DirectX 9 drivers from your card manufacturer or PC supplier. These drivers cannot be supplied by Eidos.
1.2 Memory and Performance
While the game will run fine in 256 MB of RAM, your playing experience will be smoother if you have at least 512 MB.
Regardless of how much memory you have, you can maximize your available memory and increase the overall performance of the game engine by doing the following:
q Closing any open windows
q Shutting down all other programs, including menu-bar programs like ICQ, MSN Messenger etc.
q Defragmenting your hard drive
Eidos recommends that you have no other programs running at all while playing Project: Snowblind. Other programs, including virus checkers, system utilities and screen savers can cause system degradation when playing games software and may conflict with the game for system resources, potentially resulting in instability and crashes.
1.3 Known Issues
q Dual Monitor issue. When using two monitors the performance of Project: Snowblind may suffer when running the game on your secondary monitor. To ensure you receive maximum performance please run the game on your main monitor.
q Firewall support. Project: Snowblind requires access through your firewall to connect to the Online servers. It is possible your firewall may be requesting access in the background whilst you are trying to run the Multiplayer game. The multiplayer game cannot connect if the port is blocked. If it appears the multiplayer is not working check your firewall settings.
Crystal Dynamics, Nixxes Software and Eidos Interactive are committed to providing customer support for our games on a continuing basis. In that spirit, there may be a patch for Project: Snowblind forthcoming; visit the Eidos website for more information.
http://www.eidos.com/
http://www.projectsnowblind.com
Part 2: Technical Issues
2.1 Installation & Set-up
System Requirements
The minimum system requirements are as follows:
OPERATING SYSTEM:
Microsoft Windows 2000/Windows XP (admin rights required)
(Windows® 95/98/ME/NT not supported)
CPU:
Pentium IV 1.5GHz (or AthlonXP equivalent)
RAM:
256 MB System Memory
GRAPHICS:
100% DirectX 9 compatible 64MB Direct3D Card with Pixel Shader 1.1 support (GeForce 3/Radeon 8500+)
(GeForce 4MX not supported)
SOUND:
100% DirectX 9 compatible Sound Card
OPTICAL DRIVE:
DVD-ROM drive
HARD DRIVE:
3GB free disk space
INPUT DEVICES:
Keyboard and Mouse
Note: Laptops & Integrated graphic cards may function but are not supported.
Recommended Spec:
CPU:
Pentium IV 2.4GHz (or AthlonXP/64 equivalent)
RAM:
512MB System Memory
GRAPHICS:
100% DirectX 9 compatible 128MB Direct3D Card with Pixel Shader 2.0 support (GeForce 6 Series/Radeon X series)
INTERNET:
LAN and Broadband Internet play supported.
Game performance is enhanced as system specification increases.
Preparing Your Hard Drive
To ensure that your installation is trouble free, you should check to see that your hard drive and file system are both tuned for optimum performance. Windows comes with two utility programs that find and fix any errors and optimise your hard drive performance. The first of these programs is called scandisk. Scandisk will check your hard drive for problems and can fix any that it finds. You can run scandisk by clicking on the Start button from the Windows Taskbar, followed by Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, and finally scandisk.
Once scandisk has finished running, you should next optimise your hard drive's performance by running a program called Disk Defragmenter... You can run Disk Defragmenter by clicking on the Start button from the Windows desktop, followed by Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, and finally Disk Defragmenter.
Installing Project: Snowblind
Installing Project: Snowblind is easy. Simply insert the DVD into your DVD-ROM drive. After a few seconds, the Setup Panel will appear.
This program will guide you through the remaining process via onscreen prompts. If at any time you are instructed to restart your computer, do so.
In the event the Launch Panel does not appear when you insert the DVD:
Double-click on the My Computer icon, then double-click on the DVD-ROM icon, and lastly double-click on the autorun.exe file to bring up the Launch Panel OR:
q Click on the Start button.
q Choose Run from the pop-up menu.
q Type d:\autorun.exe in the box provided (where d: designates your DVD-ROM drive letter).
q Click on the OK button to begin the install program.
You will be prompted to select the path and directory to which you wish to install the game on your hard drive. The default is
C:\Program Files\Project: Snowblind
You may change this if you wish to.
At some point, the Microsoft DirectX 9 install prompt will appear if you do not have it on your system already. Please read the on-screen information before selecting an option. You may either choose to install or not install at this time. If the Project: Snowblind installer detects an active version of DirectX 9 on your system, we encourage you to not reinstall DirectX. If the installer does not detect DirectX 9, you must install it before you are able to play Project: Snowblind (please refer to the next section of this guide before proceeding).
Starting/Loading The Game
Once the install has finished and you have opted to run the game, the Project: Snowblind setup program will appear on the screen. A list box allows you to choose which graphics card will be used by DirectX to run Project: Snowblind. The option you choose will stay selected every time you run the game.
Once you are happy with your choices, simply click on the OK button to start the game.
You may also:
q Click on the Uninstall button to uninstall the game.
q Click on the View Readme button to view the readme file.
q Click on OK to play the game.
q Click on the Cancel button to exit the Launch Panel.
If you are going to play the game at a later time insert the DVD into the DVD-ROM drive. After a few seconds, the Project: Snowblind setup program should appear on the screen via the AutoPlay feature. Now click on the OK button to start the game. There is also a button present to Exit.
In the event the AutoPlay feature does not work, you may click on the My Computer icon and then click on the DVD-ROM icon to bring up the setup program.
OR
q Click on the Start button.
q Choose Programs from the pop-up menu.
q Choose Eidos from the pop-up menu.
q Drag your mouse to the right and click on Project: Snowblind from the list.
q Click on Project: Snowblind from the ensuing pop-up menu.
Uninstalling Project: Snowblind
If you need to UNINSTALL Project: Snowblind, you may do any of the following three things:
Insert the Project: Snowblind DVD into the DVD-ROM drive to activate the AutoPlay feature. This will bring up the Setup Program. Click on the Uninstall button, and then click on the Yes button from the ensuing pop-up panel to uninstall the program
OR
q Click on the Start button.
q Choose Programs from the pop-up menu.
q Choose Eidos from the pop-up menu.
q Drag your mouse to the right and click on Project: Snowblind from the list.
q Click on Uninstall from the ensuing pop-up menu and follow the onscreen instructions.
OR
Go to the Control Panel and choose Add/Remove Programs. Click on Project: Snowblind from the pop-up panel to follow, select the Add/Remove button, and follow the onscreen prompts.
2.2 DVD-ROM Problems
Project: Snowblind requires a DVD-ROM drive with 32-bit Windows 98 drivers.
I receive a "xxxxxx.xxx not found" error message when installing or running Project: Snowblind
This error message is usually the result of your computer using MS-DOS (16 bit) drivers instead of Windows (32 bit) drivers for your DVD-ROM drive. You can easily check to see if this is causing problems by opening the Control Panel (either click on the My Computer icon or click on the Start button followed by Settings, then Control Panel).
In the Control Panel window, double-click on the System icon then click on the Performance tab. You should now see a summary of the performance status of your computer. One of the lines should say “File System: 32-bit” and the last line should say "Your system is configured for optimal performance." If you see a message saying "Drive X is using MS-DOS compatibility mode," then you will need to contact your system vendor to obtain and install 32-bit drivers for your DVD-ROM drive.
AutoPlay Issues
Why doesn't the AutoPlay feature come up when I insert the Project: Snowblind DVD into the DVD-ROM drive?
This is usually a configuration issue. There are many different ways to enable the AutoPlay functions of Windows. The standard method is described below:
1) Enter the Control Panel from the desktop by clicking on the Start button, followed by Settings, and then Control Panel.
2) Double-click the icon labelled System, usually located alphabetically towards the bottom of the Control Panel window, to bring up the System Properties panel.
3) Click on the tab at the top labelled Device Manager and when the new panel appears, locate the section labelled DVD-ROM and click the Plus (+) sign in front of it. (If there is a minus sign in front, don't click it.)
4) Now double-click the DVD-ROM drive revealed and the DVD-ROM Properties panel will appear.
5) Click on the Settings tab at the top.
6) Towards the middle of the panel, you should see a few checkboxes within the Options section. At the bottom of that section, you should see a checkbox labelled Auto insert notification.
7) Make sure there is a check mark in the box provided and click on the OK button to complete the process.
If the game Auto Plays multiple times:
Some DVD ROM drives cause Project: Snowblind to AutoPlay multiple times, which also may result in lack of control within the game. To remedy this problem click on the DVD-ROM properties in the System Properties panel and under settings turn off Auto Notification.
2.3 Crashes and Lock-Ups
When I start Project: Snowblind my mouse cursor disappears and my computer locks-up.
Chances are your installed audio card drivers are not compatible with DirectX. The only solution is to get a DirectX 9-compatible driver from your audio card manufacturer.
When I start Project: Snowblind, I receive the following error message:
"The application Project: Snowblind.exe referenced memory at address xxxx:xxxx that can't be read from."
Chances are your installed video card drivers are not compatible with DirectX. The only solution is to get a DirectX 9-compatible driver from your video card manufacturer.
The Installer keeps stopping when a certain percentage is complete.
There are three likely causes:
q You may have run out of free space on your hard drive. Please remove unwanted programs to free up additional space for the game, and then reinstall Project: Snowblind.
q Files are possibly being copied to a corrupted area of your hard drive. If this is so, you'll need to run the scandisk program and make sure to use the Thorough option (see previous). After scandisk has finished running and has informed you that your drive is free of errors, try to re-install.
q There may be dirt or fingerprints on the DVD-ROM disc itself. Examine the bottom of the disc; if you see any fingerprints or dirt, carefully clean the disc using a clean, soft, lint-free cloth by wiping from the centre of the disc (near the hole) towards the outer edge in a straight line.
Project: Snowblind is crashing to the desktop with no error messages.
This problem can be caused by several different things. Here's a list of the most common culprits associated with these crashes:
q Make sure the DVD-ROM is clean (check for both scratches and smudges on the reading surface of the DVD).
q Make sure the game has been installed properly.
q Make sure DirectX 9 has been installed properly.
q Make sure you have the latest drivers for your video card and that they are DirectX 9-compatible.
q Make sure Virtual Memory is enabled on your system.
q Run Scandisk.
q Run Disk Defragmenter.
q Clean out old temp (.TMP) files from the C:\WINDOWS\TEMP or C:\WINx\TEMP directory on your hard drive (from Windows Explorer).
q Make sure you do not have any Anti-Virus utilities (like Norton's AntiVirus) running resident prior to playing Project: Snowblind.
q Make sure you do not have any third-party Windows memory management utilities (like QuarterDeck's QEMM) running resident prior to playing Project: Snowblind.
q Make sure you do not have any 3rd party Windows disk caching utilities running resident prior to playing Project: Snowblind.
q Make sure you do not have Norton's Crash Protector running resident prior to playing Project: Snowblind.
q Try uninstalling and then reinstalling the game.
q Try exiting the game, rebooting your machine, and re-entering the game.
Note: That if your system crashes to the desktop while playing Project: Snowblind, you should probably reboot your computer before starting a new play session. Otherwise, DirectDraw or DirectSound may be in a locked state, and the game will be unable to use your sound or video hardware.
2.4 DirectX-Related Questions
DirectX has become the new standard in Windows application development. Nearly all high-performance software will be geared around this technology, so we do not normally recommend that customers attempt to alter its installation on their system
Can I Run Without DirectX?
I cannot use DirectX on my computer! Is there any other way to run Project: Snowblind?
If you do not have DirectX installed on your computer, you will not be able to run Project: Snowblind.
2.5 Technical Support
If you need further technical assistance after reading the Readme file please do not hesitate to contact us using any of the methods listed below.
When contacting us, please be sure to provide us with as much information as possible. Make sure to note the exact type of hardware that you are using in your system, including: your sound card, DVD-ROM drive, amount of RAM present, speed and manufacturer of your processor. Also, make sure to include the title and version of the game, and a detailed description of the problem.
It will also help if you prepare by creating a “DXDiag” diagnostic file in Windows before you call us. Simply follow these instructions:
q Click on Start
q Click on Run
q Type dxdiag
q Click on OK
q Click on the Save Information button and save the file to your computer.
When you call our Technical Support line either have this file open or have a printed copy. If you send an e-mail query you may attach the file to the e-mail.
Technical Support Contact Details (United Kingdom)
Address Wimbledon Bridge House
1 Hartfield Road
Wimbledon
SW19 3RU
E-Mail www.eidos.co.uk/support/index.html
Phone 0870 9000222
Web www.eidos.co.uk/support/index.html
Technical Support Contact Details (United States of America)
Address Eidos Customer Services
651 Brannan Street
San Francisco
CA 94107
E-Mail www.eidos.com/support.html
Phone 415 615-6220
Fax 415 547-1201
Web www.eidos.com/support.html
Note: Hints and tips will not be given out over the Technical Support lines.
Alternatively, you may find help with hardware problems on one of the websites maintained by the supplier, some of which are listed below:
3D labs: www.3dlabs.com
ATI Technologies: www.ati.com
Creative Labs: www.creative.com/worldwide.asp
Matrox: www.matrox.com
nVIDIA: www.nvidia.com
Intel support.intel.com
Terratec: www.terratec.net
Eidos Interactive maintains a web page with links to all major video and audio card manufacturers, which is a good first stop if you are looking to upgrade your drivers. You can reach this page at:
UK: www.eidos.co.uk/support/index.html
US: www.eidos.com/support.html
Further technical information and drivers for Windows-based PCs can also be found at http://www.windrivers.com/
Informatika és tudomány
