Sid Meier's CivNET Frequently Asked Questions File
by Spectrum HoloByte-MicroProse On-Line Services
Last Update 12/14/95
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1. I have installed CivNET on my system, but when I go to start it,
I get a General Protection Fault at "0018:". What is the problem?
CivNET makes use of non-True Type fonts for the game interface
and display. Many systems default the font options in your
Control Panel to "Show True Type Only in Applications". You must
make sure this option is NOT checked under your fonts setup in
the Windows Control Panel.
2. I get no music from CivNET during the introduction or during the
game. What is the problem?
CivNET utilizes your CD-AUDIO drivers to play the music, all of
which is stored on the CD. Even under a full-install, the music
is still on the CD. Therefore, you must fulfill several
requirements in order to get the CD-AUDIO music:
a. Your CD must be in the CD-ROM drive.
b. You must have a CD-AUDIO cable connecting your drive to
your sound card.
c. You must have installed the [MCI] CD-AUDIO drivers for
your sound card; to check this under Windows 3.1, go to
Multimedia under Control Panel, and make sure you have a
line which says [MCI] CD-AUDIO. Under Windows 95, go to
Control Panel, the Multimedia, and then ADVANCED. Check to
make sure that you have a CD AUDIO device installed under
Media Control Devices.
If you do not have these drivers installed, you will need to
contact your sound card manufacturer for directions on how to
install them.
3. I am trying to play CivNET over a network between two Windows 95
machines using Microsoft's network utilities, but the games
cannot connect. What do I do?
You need to download civntp1a.zip
4. In hotseat play, I can see the whole world! What is the point
here?
You need to download civntp1a.zip
5. I am trying to play an Internet game over TCP/IP, the game
crashes far too often. What is happening to cause this?
Crashes under Internet play are usually caused by a substandard
or old WINSOCK.DLL provided by your Internet Service Provider.
Check with your ISP to make sure you have the very latest
WINSOCK.DLL they provide.
Also, since the Internet is a high-latency network, try to avoid
playing during hours of peak usage, when your provider's access
can slow significantly.
CivNET was tested extensively with a number of service providers,
and we have found that majority of the difficulties with playing
a game over the Internet can be avoided by following these simple
rules.
We also recommend that you consider using the complimentary
account that was included with the PsiNET software. This allows
you seven days of access to iron out any problems with your
WINSOCK and system configuration at no charge.
6. Where can I find games to join into? Are there are any permanent
sites set up for CivNET?
There are no permanent sites set up for the game to the best of
our knowledge although someone may have their system hosting a
continual game. To find players, we recommend you visit the
official CivNET players directory at
http://www.microprose.com/civnet, where you can also register.
This page affords you e-mail links to other players around the
world.
7. Where can I find my IP address?
You need to consult your Internet Service Provider to find out
how they dynamically assign your IP address. This is not the
address of the machine you are connected to, but the actual port
address your system is assigned upon login.
8. I am having problems with the video display. What can I do?
CivNET is a Windows program, and therefore uses the Windows
drivers for your video board. You need to make sure your system
supports 256 colors, and that you have the very latest Windows
drivers available.
9. I get a GPF in the file WING.DLL. What is wrong?
We have discovered an incompatibility with programs that "double
memory" such as RAM DOUBLER. You will need to disable it before
starting the game.
10. The game locks up during "Upkeep". It does not make my computer
crash, since the music still plays, but several game functions
will not work.
You fix this by going to VIEW,then REPORTS. What is happening is
that the report windows is closed before it is done; bringing up
the window and closing it normally will allow you to continue.
11. I cannot connect two Windows machines using null-modem
connection.
CivNET uses the default Windows communication protocols for
null-modem connection, so first we need to check and see if your
system can recognize any null-modem connection.
In Windows 3.1: Go to TERMINAL, and choose the com port your
cable is connected to in order to establish a connection. You
need to do this on both machines. Once both terminals are set up,
anything you type in one terminal Window should show up on the
other system. If it doesn't, then your system is not set up
properly for null-modem connection.
In Windows95: Go to HYPERTERMINAL, and choose the com port your
cable is connected to in order to establish a connection. You
need to do this on both machines. Once both terminals are set up,
anything you type in one terminal Window should show up on the
other system. If it doesn't, then your system is not set up
properly for null-modem connection.
Several things to note:
1. Just because a null-modem connection works in DOS does
not mean it will work in Windows.
2. Make sure you are using a true NULL-MODEM cable, and not
just a simple serial cable.
