Check for
program updates
(your current version number will be displayed below the main menu).
Uninstalling and then re-installing the game may also help.
Make sure you have the latest version of Microsoft DirectX (currently 11).
If CrossCraze fails to start at all, or if you are getting problems that are clearly
related to graphics or sound, try downloading the latest drivers for your video and sound
cards from the
manufacturer's website.
Try running Windows Update. You should also check your PC is free from
viruses and spyware.
Try re-starting your PC immediately before running CrossCraze.
If the problem disappears, it is likely some other program you were running
beforehand was failing to tidy up after itself properly.
Try disabling as many background programs as possible in case they are conflicting
with CrossCraze (eg. wall-paper programs, screen-savers, email checkers).
If the picture disappears off one side of the screen, or if the graphics
appear too dark or too washed out, try adjusting your monitor controls (look
for buttons at the front or back of your monitor).
If you are trying to connect to a particular person, make sure
you are both entering the same password (if any), the same language
and the same connection method (if you connect via different servers,
you won't see each other). Also, make sure that only one of you is
attempting to host the game.
INTERNET GAMES
If there are no games advertised on our servers, try hosting your own game for
others to join (hint: if you use the Main Server, stick to board 1 and avoid the Master AI,
your games will be available to all opponents, not just those with the full version).
You may also want to try the Player Directory,
a free web-based service, where players advertise for opponents.
Check your internet connection is actually working (eg. try visiting www.microsoft.com).
Leaving the connection open while you launch the game may also help.
If you are connecting via one of our servers, they may occasionally get busy,
so try using a different server or try again at a different time of day. If problems
persist, try making a direct PC-to-PC connection instead to avoid our servers altogether.
If you are trying to host a game, try joining one instead, and vice versa.
If you have several PCs sharing a single connection to the internet, try using a direct,
non-shared connection instead.
Firewalls may block your attempts to connect with other players. Try disabling any firewall
software on your PC and ask your opponents to do the same (eg. if you have ZoneAlarm, right-click
on the "ZA" icon on your Windows taskbar, then select "Shutdown" from the pop-up menu). For safety,
you should probably restore the firewall each time you exit the game.
If you are uncomfortable with disabling your firewall entirely, it may be sufficient to simply
lower its security level slightly. Try experimenting to see what works. Alternatively, if you are
very technically proficient, try manually configuring your firewall to allow traffic on
ports 2300-2400, 6073 and 56683. Refer to the documentation that comes with your particular firewall to
see if this is possible.
LOCAL AREA NETWORK GAMES
If you are connecting via a LAN, make sure you have the IPX protocol installed:
Open the Windows Control Panel, then double-click the "Network" icon.
If you are using Windows 98, you should now see your Network Properties.
If you have Windows XP, you'll first have find your "Local Area Connection",
right-click on its icon and select "Properties" from the pop-up menu.
If "IPX/SPX-Compatible Protocol" (or something very similar) is already
included in the list of in-use components, then you don't need to do anything else.
Otherwise: select "Install/Add"; double-click "Protocol"; select "Microsoft" followed by
"IPX/SPX-Compatible Protocol"; click OK; and finally, reboot your PC.
3. Sound Problems
First, check you are still hearing sound from other Windows programs
and also that you haven't turned down the volume on the game's Options Menu.
Then make sure you have followed all our General Advice,
especially making sure you have the latest version of DirectX.
If the problem persists, and you are unable to run the game, you should at
least be able to suppress any error messages by disabling the game's sound with
the -SILENT switch.
4. Slow Or Jerky Animation
Very occasionally, the game may appear to freeze for a second -
this is normal behaviour which occurs when Windows is busy in the
background with general house-keeping tasks. However, if the game
is consistently slow or if the animations speed up and slow down,
it may help if you deselect "Use Shading Effects" or
"Use Animated Board" on the Options Menu.
If that fails, and you've followed all our General Advice,
you could also try experimenting with different frame-rates using the
-FRAMERATE switch.
5. Still Stuck?
If you encounter a problem which isn't answered above,
please email us.
If possible, attach a copy of the file CCLOG.TXT - this is a logfile which
records the program's progress so it may help to pinpoint where things are going wrong.
The logfile is reset each time the game is run, so make sure you take a copy IMMEDIATELY after the problem occurs.
You can find CCLOG.TXT in the game's data folder. If you are using Windows XP or earlier, this will be
the same as where you installed the game - usually:
C:\Program Files\CrossCraze2
In Windows Vista or later, find the folder by typing the following into the address field of Windows Explorer:
