Basic Games Troubleshooting

This problem you may be experiencing with computer games.
Here are some reasons :
Unknown problem with a computer game.
Get Error with the performance or stability of a game.
Unable to install the game
Error during install
Game does not load or has an error when it attempts to load
Game crashes while being played
Problems with video
Problems with sound
Problems connecting to an online game server
In-game help, hints, walkthroughs, and/or advice
Other game issues
Unable to install the game

Verify the diskettes or CD are readable by reading the files from the drive. If the CD attempts to AutoPlay, you may need to right-click the drive and click Explore to browse the drive.

If the CD reads fine with no errors, verify your computer meets the minimum requirements of the game. If your computer does not have enough disk drive space or does not meet the requirements, the game may not install.

Make sure the game you are installing is compatible with the version of operating system you have on your computer. Many older games developed for MS-DOS or Windows 95 may not work or are incompatible with the later versions of Windows.

If you are using the AutoPlay menu to install the game, try executing the setup.exe or install.exe directly from the CD/DVD instead of the AutoPlay setup menu.

If you are getting stopped at the CD-KEY or Serial Number verification, verify you are entering your correct number. If you lost your number or key or it does not work, you will need to contact the developer of the game.

Other programs running in the background can cause issues with the program install. Make sure all programs and TSRs are closed. If you still continue to run into issues try installing the program from Safe Mode.

Error during install

Verify your computer meets the requirements of the game. if your computer runs out of disk space during the installation, this would cause an error during the installation.

Verify the CD is clean and contains no significant scratches.
How to Clean CD/DVD ?

Game does not load or has an error when it attempts to load

If the game is a CD game, make sure the correct CD is in the computer when attempting to play the game. In some cases it may be necessary to have the first or last CD in the computer when attempting to play the game.

Verify the game documentation makes no mention of the error you are experiencing. Many times the error and explanation to how to resolve the error are already documented.

Verify no patches or updates are available from the developer of the game. Many times the game developer will list the available drivers. If you are not sure who the developer of a game is, use a popular search engine and search for drivers for your game. In most cases a game will start out as version 1.0.

If the game utilizes Microsoft DirectX it is possible you may have an issue with DirectX that was caused during the installation of another game or program. Make sure you have the latest version of DirectX installed on the computer.

Some games may require other programs such as OpenGL or QuickTime to be installed in order to play them. If you did not install all the programs during the installation, try running the install again.

Make sure all other programs are closed when you attempt to run the game.

Make sure the computer has been rebooted at least once after the game has been installed. In some cases the game may install files that are not initialized until the computer has been rebooted.

If computer is overclocked try reducing the speed back to the computer's correct settings to ensure that the overclocked settings are not causing the issue.

If the above recommendations do not resolve your issues, attempt to install the game again.

Game crashes while being played

Other programs running in the background while playing a game can cause issues.

Make sure you have the latest updates for your video and sound card. Verify you have the latest sound drivers for your sound card.

Problems with video
Verify you have the latest video drivers for your video card.

Make sure you have the latest version of DirectX installed on the computer.

Problems with sound
Verify you have the latest sound drivers for your sound card.

Problems connecting to an online game server
Some games require additional software to be installed before they can connect to online servers. Many games require GameSpy. If your game requires these programs, verify they are installed on your computer.
Wait an hour or so and try connecting to the server again. Many times a server may crash because of a problem and/or go down for an update. Of course, when this occurs it is more than likely you will not be able to connect or view servers.

In-game help, hints, walkthroughs, and/or advice

Try searching web pages for additional help, hints, walkthroughs, and/or advice on a game.

How to clean a CD/DVD-Drive?

If your CD drive creating problem to read CD disc, taking time to read and showing message there is no disc in the drive. These are the symptoms of dirty or weak CD-drive lens, because dirty lens can create errors in reading or writing and soon will not work at all.

Follow the given steps to care and clean a CD-Drive.

> First make sure your discs are clean, unscratched and you are loaded it properly.

> Always use laser lens cleaner to clean drive lens.

> Insert the laser lens cleaner disc and play it for 2 to 3 min.

Using CD drive cleaner properly clean the CD-ROM laser from dust.If your drive still creating problem then open it and clean the lens with a cotton swab.

------------------------------------------------
Please Post Your Comments!!

Related : Cd/Dvd Cleaner
Related : CD/DVD Cleaning Tips

General Tips and Tools for Cleaning Computer

If you keep your computer clean you can save your computer maintenance cost if you clean your computer on the regular basis. This will improve the cooling and performance of the computer components,if you do not keep it clean on periodically basis it may damage your Computer because of dust and it mainly cause to heat up your system and heat ends up to hardware failure...So Please Take Care of Your System...

Here are some Tools and Tips....

> Never place your computer on the ground/floor, always use computer table or shelf for this purpose.

> To clean your computer case first unplugs your system power from the electric power and Remove all cables and connectors from the back side of your computer.

> Now blow the air around all the hardware components and keeping away your blower nozzle 4 to 5 inches away from main board components. You can use vacuum cleaner also for this purpose but compressed air is the better solution to clean a system.

> At the end using lightly dampened cloth or spray any cleaning fluids on the computer case and use paper towel to dry it.

> Never clean inside computer components or other circuit board with damp or wet cloth.

> Always be careful to eat or drink around the computer.Water can damage System Components inside...

Computer Cleaning Tools

Cloth - For computer cleaning use the lightly dampened cloth on the computer case and use paper towel to dry it. But avoid to cleaning inside computer components or other circuit board with damp or wet cloth.

Cleaning fluids - spray any cleaning fluids on the computer case and use paper towel to dry it.

Compressed air - use the compressed air and start clean from back to front of your computer case, specially casing and power supply fan.

Lens cleaning kit - Always use lens cleaning kit to clean drive lens that specially designed to clean the reading/writing devices.

Now you can Take Care of Your computer and other Electronic Devices..
------------------------------------------------
Please Post Your Valuable Comments..
------------------------------------------------