Knowledge Base

Game stops responding or quits unexpectedly with multiple devices on Microsoft Windows

Article ID: 187916

Article Last Modified on 1/23/2007


APPLIES TO


This article was previously published under Q187916

SYMPTOMS

When you try to start one of the programs listed in the "Applies to" section, the game may stop responding (hang) or quit unexpectedly.

CAUSE

On Microsoft Windows 98 and Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition-based computers, if the computer initializes multiple versions of a single CD drive; display adapter; or sound, video, or game controller when you start Microsoft Windows, you may receive an error message.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, remove any duplicate CD drives, display adapters, or sound, video, and game controllers. Note This is not necessary on Microsoft Windows XP. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click System.
  3. On the Device Manager tab, click View Devices By Type.
  4. Double-click the CDROM branch to expand it.
  5. Note the properties for each device that is listed in the branch. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Click a device, and then click Properties.
    2. Click each tab in the device properties dialog box, and then record the device information and settings.
    3. Click OK.
  6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to record the properties of all devices listed under the following branches in Device Manager:
    • Display Adapters
    • Sound, Video And Game Controllers
  7. Click OK, and then close Control Panel.
  8. Restart Windows in Safe mode. To do this, follow the appropriate steps for your version of Microsoft Windows.

    Windows 98 and Windows Millennium Edition

    Restart your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key when your computer completes the Power On Self Test (POST), and then select Safe Mode on the Startup menu.
  9. When Windows starts in Safe mode, click OK.
  10. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  11. Double-click System.
  12. On the Device Manager tab, click View Devices By Type.
  13. Double-click the CDROM branch to expand it.
  14. Verify that there are no changes in the list of devices in the branch. If you see a device that is not in the list of devices you noted in step 5, click the new device, and then click Remove. Repeat this step for each device in the branch that is not in the list of devices you noted in step 5.

    Note If you see new copies of a device that is in the list of devices you noted in step 5, check the properties of each copy of the device. If the properties for the device match the properties you recorded, keep the device. If the properties for the device do not match the properties you recorded, remove the device.
  15. Repeat steps 13 through 14 for all devices listed under the following branches:
    • Display Adapters
    • Sound, Video And Game Controllers
  16. Click OK.
  17. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click OK.

Additional query words: 1.00 msgame ghost ghosted old legacy aoe ror performance speed

Keywords: kbconfig kbenv kbfaq kbprb KB187916