How to Update Your Drivers FAQ

Error Messages That May Indicate a Need for Updated Drivers

These errors most frequently occur when Windows encounters a conflict with a driver in use in your system. Click on the "Details" button for more information about the error message. If the error is an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll or module GAMENAME.exe (like DTMain1.exe), it is indicative of a driver that is not functioning correctly. Generally, the driver in question will be either the one used by the video or sound card. Since hardware manufacturers update their drivers frequently, the problem is resolved by visiting the manufacturer's website, then downloading and installing the updated drivers.

Before you upgrade drivers, you can check your DirectX and Direct Sound settings (click HERE and HERE), and your Windows Accelerator settings (click HERE) to see if you can resolve the problems quickly with just these.

Please note: If you have a name-brand system, that company's website is the best source for drivers. If your system has been upgraded over time, and several of the components have been replaced, it may be necessary to visit the individual manufacturers instead to update these drivers.

To do this, it is necessary to know what the hardware in your computer actually is. Here's an easy way to do it:

1. Click the Windows Start button
2. Select Settings, then Control Panel.
3. Double-click the System icon
4. Click the Device Manager tab. This will show you a list of devices attached to your computer.
5. Click on the Plus Sign (+) next to the categories labeled "Display Adapter" and "Sound, video and game controllers". This will show you the type of hardware in your particular computer.

Double-clicking the indented line will give you more information about the hardware, such as the manufacturer's name. Write this information down, as manufacturer and model numbers may vary even within the same model of computer.

See below for most of the more common computer manufacturers' Website addresses, and a short list of some leading computer hardware companies. If your manufacturer is not listed there, consult your owner's manual for the company's specific contact information.

The problem may also be the result of a conflict between the game and some other program that you have running on your computer. The best solution is to shut down any other applications that you may have running before you play the game. For detailed instructions on shutting down all of your other applications, please see our Windows '95 General Troubleshooting FAQ. 

Many times, DirectX is automatically installed to your computer when you install other games. If for any reason your computer does not have DirectX then you will need to manually install DirectX now.

The most current version of Direct-X is available free from Microsoft via their WEB page, at this address:

http://www.microsoft.com/directx/homeuser/downloads/default.asp

Installing DirectX manually:
  Click on the "Home User Support" option under "DirectX Support" on this Microsoft page:
  http://www.microsoft.com/directx/

If you are absolutely sure that DirectX of the correct version is already installed on your computer, then you may need to update your video hardware drivers (and possibly re-install DirectX) in order for the game to work.

DirectX has not been properly installed, or you need to update your sound card drivers. See the section above on installing DirectX manually.

If this doesn't help, check with your computer or sound card manufacturer to see how you can get the latest DirectX compatible drivers for your card.

See below for most of the more common computer manufacturers' Website addresses, and a short list of some leading computer hardware companies. If your manufacturer is not listed there, consult your owner's manual for the company's specific contact information.

General Problems That May Indicate a Need for Updated Drivers:

First, check that your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for the game. If it does not meet or exceed these requirements, the program will run poorly, or not at all.

Another good way to improve speed is to obtain the latest drivers for your video card. Video card manufacturers are constantly improving the software drivers that run their video cards to fix problems and improve performance. If you have not updated your drivers recently, a newer, faster driver is probably available. Additional information on game speed issues can be found in these FAQs: Windows Video FAQ.

Under somewhat extreme cases the use of SCANDISK and DEFRAG, at their maximum settings, can have surprisingly good results. It's worth a try.

See below for most of the more common computer manufacturers' Website addresses, and a short list of some leading computer hardware companies. If your manufacturer is not listed there, consult your owner's manual for the company's specific contact information.

There are several methods that you can try to fix this problem:


1. Use the "Purge Cache" command in the "Configure Game" tool (click HERE).
   
2. Shut down any other applications that you may have running on your system such as screen-savers, virus scanners, etc.
   
3. If you are using a machine such as a Pentium 233 or faster, you may need to turn down video hardware acceleration.
   
4. Try resetting your computer's video resolution to 800x600 with 65,535 colors.
   
   Note: Please see the Windows95 General Troubleshooting FAQ for details on how to perform any of the above procedures.
   
5. Update your video card drivers.
   
See below for most of the more common computer manufacturers' Website addresses, and a short list of some leading computer hardware companies. If your manufacturer is not listed there, consult your owner's manual for the company's specific contact information.

Computer Hardware Manufacturers

Computers

Sound Cards

If your computer was configured with a sound card when you purchased it, you should try to obtain the appropriate drivers from the computer manufacturer. Many of the following companies supply sound chipsets which are often customized by computer manufactures. If you purchased a separate sound card or cannot obtain the appropriate drivers through the computer manufacturer you may be able to obtain updated drivers from the following companies:

Video Cards

If your computer was configured with a video card when you purchased it, you should try to obtain the appropriate drivers from the computer manufacturer. Many of the following companies supply video chipsets which are often customized by computer manufactures. If you purchased a separate video card or cannot obtain the appropriate drivers through the computer manufacturer you may be able to obtain updated drivers from the following companies:

Other Hardware Manufacturers

Mice, Trackballs, and Joysticks:

CD-ROM Drives:

Processors:

Please note:

All of the above contact information is subject to change without notice. We will periodically attempt to assure this information is current.

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