How To fix Black Mirror Windows XP

 I've tried so many times to run "Black Mirror" after I started using XP but everytime I got this black screen at the start up. I've bought the original version with Bulgarian subtitles and it wasn't until half an year until I found what was the problem. You must download a patch from NVIDIA and put it into your game directory. Afterwards, install it and enjoy the game.


Here's the link to the NVIDIA patch:(click)


NOTE : This patch is for the Bulgarian version so I am not sure if it will help any other versions but you can try it anyways. Also, I have only tested it on an NVIDIA graphic card. The Bulgarian version only has Bulgarian subtitles and English audio, so if you can't run your current version, you can try finding the Bulgarian one and play it instead. You can register with Zamunda and download it from HERE. Enjoy! 
 

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How To: Play Anno 1602 AD on Windows XP

 Everyone loves a good strategy game. Remember the good old Anno 1602 (1602 A.D.) created by Max Design. Now we try to install it under Windows XP but the game would crash a lot and this would destroy our gaming experience. How to fix that so the game doesn't quit?
 The main problem with this game is the music and if you want it run on Windows XP then you should switch it off. You should go into the "OPTIONS" after you start a game (the blue discette) and turn off the music from the menu. Just to make sure, right click on "1602.exe" and go to "Compatibility" and set it for Windows 98/ME (that can work for some of you too). That's about it :) 

 Now, the game won't crash and you can finally build your inland empire! Enjoy!


Here's a great Anno 1602 tribute video:

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How To: Play Corsairs Gold on XP

 A classic never gets old. Yeah, it's true, but how do we fix it to run on XP? Here are some tips how:




I PART - IF YOU HAVE CORSAIRS GOLD CD then:

1. Try copying the files on your PC instead of installing it. 

2. Go to CORSAIRS\data\CRK

3. There are two files "BK_DES00.INI" and BK_TRP00.INI"

4. Open the first one and scroll to [PALETTES]

5. Make every line in the [PALETTES] section after the ";" a new line

!!! *EXAMPLE* !!!

BEFORE:

PALT_FOR0 = Desert\for0 ;- foret type pur

AFTER:

PALT_FOR0 = Desert\for0
;- foret type pur

6. Do the same on BK_TRP00.INI" everywhere you see ";"

7. On "Corsairs.EXE" right click then "PROPERTIES" go to COMPATIBILITY and set : Windows 98/ME

That should do it and you shouldn't get problems for starting the game. However if this doesn't help...


II - CORSAIRS GOLD + CLASS RIP MASH-UP

This one is more sophisticated. But you will have no problem to do it if you follow the tips:

1. Get "Corsairs GOLD" + "Corsairs Class RIP". They both have files we need to make it run on XP. (you can find the CLASS RIP in torrent trackers) 

2. Now, mount or put in your Corsairs cd and COPY the folder "CORSAIRS" to your HDD (must be in C:\)

3. Go again in the cd and COPY folders "PRM" and "intro" into your CORSAIRS folder on your HDD

4. Now install the CLASS RIP (not in the same folder). We only need the "Corsairs.exe" to make the game run. After you install that, then go to the CLASS version, COPY "Corsairs.exe" and PASTE it into CORSAIRS folder (overwrite the old one, just like how CRACKS work)

5. Now perform the things as shown in "PART I" on the *INI files.

6. Now open the file "Corsairs.INI" and modify [PATHS] to your game address:

**EXAMPLE**

If Corsairs is in C:\Games then it should look like that:

[PATHS]
PATHROOT= c:\Games\CORSAIRS\
PATHDATA= c:\Games\CORSAIRS\DATA\
PATHSAVE= c:\Games\CORSAIRS\BOOK\
PATHCDROM=.\
PATHBOOK= c:\Games\CORSAIRS\BOOK\
PATHSOUND= c:\Games\CORSAIRS\SOUND\

7. On "Corsairs.EXE" right click then "PROPERTIES" go to COMPATIBILITY and set : Windows 98/ME 

8. Create a shorcut and start Corsairs! Enjoy


III - IF NONE OF THE ABOVE HELP THEN USE THESE TIPS:



1. If the game crushes while you get into battle - then simply play on EASY and let computers do the battles for you.

2. If the game crushes in a battle, try avoiding doing battles with your main charachter on the ship (some guys solved it like that)

3. Try finding another "Corsairs.EXE" and replace the old one. (dl only the *exe from torrent trackers and experiment)

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How To: Check for RAM errors?

Everybody (even the most inexperienced with computers) have heard about the RAM. Not so many however know what exactly it is doing. Our computers use it to speed up the processes (games, programs, etc.) by storing and accessing data in any order (randomly) which speeds up things greatly. Generally, the more RAM you have - the better. 
Sometimes however, our RAM is not flawless in the tasks it performs (there are so many types of RAM modules for example, which are incompatible with each other, plus there's always a chance for a defect somewhere) and all kinds of errors appear in the middle of our work. That's the time when we got to check if our RAM is working flawlessly or not. 
If, for example you are a dedicated gamer and you get a lot of errors and crashes during a game, then you should consider one of the options to be a RAM error (the other one is Video Card issue but we'll talk about errors like that in another article)
I have recently tried to find a good software to perform tests and determine if my RAM had any errors/conflicts and found me a very good sofware - "Memtest-86". (click to visit official site)


Now let's follow the steps on how to check for RAM errors:


1) Go to the site of Memtest-86
2) Click "Free Download" and select your download
3) Burn the image on CD/RW or start-up disk
4) Restart PC
5) Press F8 to enter the start-up screen and choose to boot from CD/Floppy
6) Perform the test


After the test is finished you would now know if you have any errors and if you need to buy new RAM.
Enjoy.

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How To: Play Left 4 Dead on Windows XP or Windows Vista

01. REVIEWING ERRORS REGARDING:

- DirectX + Graphic problems
- shaderapidx9.dll errors
- l4d.exe errrors
- Windows Vista & Windows 7 crash. 

 - Try removing your Windows Firewall and restart l4d
 - Download your latest graphic, sound and motherboard drivers
 - You must have either Directx 9.0c or Directx 10 (or reinstall them)  
 - If you use Steam version - update game, if not then update is not an option (it will crash the game completely)
 - If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7 try this: right click open l4d.exe and use it "Windows XP compatibility" 
 - shaderapidx9.dll fix :  

1) go to start menu "Run"  
2) type "cmd"  
3) in the command prompt window type the following:  


net localgroup administrators NetorkService /ADD


  - low/bad performance for AMD processors : CLICK

- black screen and other graphic problems : CLICK

  - The following has solved this problem for some Vista users: 
1) Exit Steam.
2) Click Start > All Programs > Accessories 
Launch the Command Prompt by right clicking on it and choosing "Run As Administrator"
3) Type in the following command and press enter:


net localgroup Administrators /add Local Service


4) Close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer.Then, launch the game
 

- ENABLE console: Options -> Keyboard -> Advanced -> Enable Developer Console 

2. GARENA

 - Go to http://garena.com and register if you don't have an account
 - Update to the last version and login with your details. 
 - On the left find Left 4 Dead icon and join by double clicking. Choose a room.
 - Now go to "Settings" and write:
  1) Executable settings : the path to your l4d.exe
  2) Game bootstrap parameters :  -console sv_lan 0 sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0 net_star

 Now you can play via lan and have no problems with Garena. 

 I wish that is sufficient and helps, if not then write to me and I'll look for more solutions for you out there. I hope this was helpful and the game runs smoothly now. Meanwhile, cheer up with this funny l4d clip:

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