King's Quest VII
Sierra Technical Support provides this documentation as a reference to Sierra customers using Sierra software products. Sierra Technical Support makes reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in this documentation is accurate. However, Sierra makes no warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, effectiveness, or completeness of the information contained in this documentation.
|
|
REQUIRED 386 SX with 8 MB RAM CD ROM drive 1MB hard drive space for small install MS-DOS 5.0 or higher VGA (256 colors) Mouse DOS 5.0+ or Windows 3.1+ Sound Card with DAC |
RECOMMENDED FOR BEST PERFORMANCE 486 DX Double speed CD ROM |
Note: The following examples assume that you are using hard drive C: and CD-ROM drive D:. If not, substitute all references with the appropriate drive letters.
DOS INSTALLATION
Exit Windows completely by closing Program Manager. Place the CD in the drive. Type C: and press <Enter> to make sure that you are logged to the hard drive. Then, type CHKDSK and press <Enter>. If any errors or problems are found, type CHKDSK /F and press <Enter> to correct them. Also, check the "bytes available on disk" line to insure that you have sufficient hard drive space to do the installation. Please note that you should double the hard drive space requirement when installing to drives that are compressed with utilities like DriveSpace or Stacker.
Assuming you have sufficient space, type D: and press <Enter> to switch to the CD ROM drive. Then, type INSTALL and press <Enter> to begin installation. Follow the on-screen prompts, making sure to verify that all hardware selections are correct for your system.
WINDOWS 3.1 INSTALLATION
Exit Windows completely by closing Program Manager. Place the CD in the drive. Type C: and press <Enter> to make sure that you are logged to the hard drive. Then, type CHKDSK and press <Enter>. If any errors or problems are found, type CHKDSK /F and press <Enter> to fix them. Also, check the "bytes available on disk" line to insure that you have sufficient hard drive space to do the installation. Please note that you should double the hard drive space requirement when installing to drives that are compressed with utilities like DriveSpace or Stacker.
Assuming that you have sufficient space to proceed, type WIN and press <Enter> to restart Windows. Then, from Program Manager, select <File> <Run> D:\SETUP and click on "OK". From this point, follow the on-screen prompts.
WINDOWS 95 INSTALLATION
Run SCANDISK from the Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools menu. Allow SCANDISK to correct any errors it finds. Check the "bytes available on disk" line to insure that you have sufficient hard drive space to install the game. Please note that you should double the hard drive space requirement when installing to drives that are compressed with utilities like DriveSpace or Stacker.
Assuming that you have sufficient space to proceed, insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. After a few seconds, a window will automatically appear on your Desktop and ask you if you would like to install King's Quest VII. Choose "Install" and follow the on-screen instructions.
To play King's Quest VII in Windows 95 after installation, insert the CD in your CD-ROM drive and follow the on-screen instructions.
ALL PLATFORMS
Problem: Setup program fails during the hardware test with either a General Protection Fault or Divide by Zero error.
Solution: Some versions of Sierra's hardware test may fail to recognize your CPU, if you have an Intel Pentium II or a non-Intel processor. These versions look for an ID number reported by the chip. AMD, Cyrix and Pentium II chips will return an unrecognizable number and cause the test to fail. To install the program, delete the Sierra.ini file from the Windows directory and run the Sierra Setup program again. When prompted to test the hardware, choose NO. Then choose the option to continue the install. Although the test will fail, the program will install. The hardware test is only a convenience to make sure your system will meet the minimum requirements. It will have no bearing on the program's ability to operate if the minimum requirements are met.
Problem: When installing the game, you receive the message "Error reading drive D". Message will vary depending on what drive you are installing from.
Solution: There are several factors that can cause a "read" error of this type. The most common is a dirty or scratched CD. You should check the CD to make sure that there are no smudges, fingerprints, scratches or cracks on it. If you see any smudges on the CD, clean it off with a soft cloth and try it again. If the disk is scratched, it will need to be replaced.
If cleaning the CD doesn't help, the problem may lie with the CD ROM drivers. You should make sure that you are using a recent version of MSCDEX in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. If you're using DOS 6.2 or higher, use version 2.23 of MSCDEX in your C:\DOS directory. If you're using Windows 95, use version 2.25 of MSCDEX in the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. You should also check with the CD ROM drive manufacturer to make sure that you have the latest version of their CD drivers. Outdated or incompatible CD drivers can cause this type of problem.
If you need to replace your disks or CD, replacement is FREE for the first 90 days of product ownership. After 90 days there is a $10.00 handling fee per program. For the fastest service, simply mail Disk #1 or the CD to us along with a copy of your sales receipt dated within 90 days or the $10.00 handling fee, and a note detailing your computer hardware and the problem that is occurring. Please include your full name, mailing address, and daytime telephone number so we can contact you if necessary. We will then send a complete replacement set of disks to you. The address is: CUC Software Fulfillment, 4100 West 190th Street, Torrance, California 90504.
DOS
Problem: You do not have an INSTALL command on your CD.
Solution: The earlier versions (v1.1 and v1.51) of King's Quest VII did not include a DOS version of the game. Based on customer requests for a DOS game, we have included a DOS version with the recent re-release of King's Quest VII. If you do not have an INSTALL command on your CD, you will need to obtain version 2.00b. See the back of the game booklet for our exchange procedure.
Problem: After typing INSTALL, a row of dots goes across the screen and stops. The computer is locked up with this row of dots appearing on the screen. (DOS installation).
Solution: The dots indicate the hardware detection portion of the installation program. You can bypass the hardware detection (and therefore the lockup) by typing INSTALL /F /M.
WINDOWS 3.1
Problem: Your computer fails the Display test under the Windows setup; you get a message saying "Your video display supports 16 colors...", or "King's Quest VII requires a 256 color video driver".
Solution: Sierra's Windows games require that Windows is running in 256 or better color mode. Using more or less colors will cause errors. Even though your monitor and video card may be capable of displaying 256 colors, Windows may not be set up to use this resolution. To check, double-click on Windows Setup in the Main program group. If the Display line reads "VGA" or "16 color," you will need to change to a driver that supports 256 colors. "VGA" is a default Windows video driver that only supports 16 colors and will not work with Sierra's Windows games.
If you've never changed or updated video drivers in Windows, contact the video card manufacturer, refer to the video card manual, or ask a technically inclined friend to walk you through this. To change video drivers, in the Main group in Program Manager, double- click on Windows Setup icon, then pull down the Options menu, then select Change System Settings. Open the Display pulldown box to see the list of video drivers that are currently available. Choose "Other Display". You may be asked to insert your original Windows disks during this process. If you do not see an appropriate 256 color video driver listed, contact your video card manufacturer.
Warning: Be cautious when changing video drivers! If you choose one that is not designed for your particular video card, Windows will not display properly. If this occurs, change to your Windows directory, type SETUP, and choose the "VGA" driver again. You should contact your video card manufacturer for the correct driver. For complete information, consult your video card documentation.
Problem: Your Mitsumi double-speed CD ROM drive does not pass the hardware test.
Solution: Mitsumi double-speed CD ROM drives have two different software drivers available to use with them: a direct memory access (DMA) driver called MTMCDAE.SYS and a non-DMA driver called MTMCDAS.SYS. The MTMCDAE.SYS driver is faster, but can prove to be incompatible with some software. The solution is to load the MTMCDAS.SYS driver when you want to play the game. The simplest way to do this is to make a Windows 3.1 or MS-DOS boot disk for the game and modify the CONFIG.SYS file on it so the MTMCDAS.SYS driver loads. This driver should be in the same directory as MTMCDAE.SYS. If not, you'll need to re-run the installation program for your CD ROM drivers. Instructions can be downloaded from Sierra's document page. The document is called BDWIN31 or MS DOS Bootdisk Instructions.
Problem: "Setup was unable to add an item for King's Quest VII to a program group" message when installing the game. Game icon not created during game installation.
Solution #1: You may have run out of hard drive space. Free up more hard drive space and try again. See Section 1 for hard drive space requirements.
Solution #2: This can be caused by an alternate Windows desktop, like PC Tools, Norton Desktop or Packard Bell Navigator. You must disable your alternate desktop before installing the game. One quick way to do this is to type "WIN PROGMAN" to start Windows to use Program Manager rather than the alternate desktop shell. When you are back in Windows, reinstall the game. The icons will be created in the Sierra group in Program Manager. The next time you go into Windows, the alternate desktop will display. Tip For PC Tools: Once you finish installing the game, click on FILE, then IMPORT. Import the Sierra group so all the game icons will appear in PC Tools. To restart Windows using your normal desktop, exit Windows and reboot the computer. The next time you go into Windows, the alternate desktop will display. PLEASE NOTE: King's Quest VII has not been tested under any alternate desktop environment, therefore Sierra cannot guarantee that the game will function properly under these desktops. If you wish to try, however, here are the game icon properties:
Description: King's Quest VII
Command Line: C:\SIERRA\KQ7\SIERRAW.EXE -o C:\SIERRA\KQ7\RESOURCE.WIN
Working Directory: D:\
Shortcut Key: None
Problem: Your computer fails the Memory test; you get a message stating you do not have enough memory to run King's Quest 7.
Solution: Remember that King's Quest VII requires 8 MB of RAM. If you have only 4 MB, you can take advantage of our refund\exchange policy explained in the back of the game manual version. If you have 8 MB, these steps should help you free up enough memory for the game. First, create a Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 boot disk for King's Quest 7. Instructions can be downloaded from Sierra's document page. The documents are called BDWIN31 and BDWIN95. Reboot the system using the boot disk, then create a clean Windows environment. Make sure that there are no other Windows programs running. Disable all screen savers, virus scans, etc. If you are using an alternate Windows desktop (PC Tools, Dashboard, Packard Bell Navigator, etc.), use plain Program Manager instead. If you have sound-related Windows programs installed (IconHearIt, SoundBits, etc.), make sure they are disabled before starting the game. Also, turn off your Wallpaper in Desktop in Control Panel. Wallpaper can take up a considerable amount of memory. These steps should give you enough memory to run the game.
Problem: Game installation halts and displays a STOP message with a path and filename. The only way out is to reboot the computer.
Solution: Take careful note of the path and filename. Reboot the computer and change to the directory that the error message specified (for example, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WIN32S). In that directory, type ATTRIB -R *.*, then go back into Windows and reinstall the game.
Problem: During installation you receive a message stating that "WinG has encountered a problem with your video driver".
Solution: This usually means that you need to update your Windows video drivers. You should check with your video card manufacturer to obtain the latest version of their drivers. You can also try running Windows in a different video resolution. For example, if you are running in 1024x768x64k colors, try 800x600x256 colors or 640x480x256 colors.
WINDOWS 95
Problem: Your computer fails the Sound Card test; you cannot hear the voice and/or fanfare in the Wave and MIDI tests.
Solution: Your sound card may be incorrectly configured for DAC (Audio) or your sound card drivers may not be properly installed or configured for Windows 95. Make sure your speakers are turned on and run the Windows mixer program for your sound card so you can increase its volume levels for MIDI (music) and DAC (Audio). You should consult your sound card documentation or the manufacturer for information regarding the correct configuration of your sound card in Windows 95.
Problem: Your computer fails the Display test because you are not running in 256 colors, or your video card does not meet the Pixels-per-second second Speed requirement for the game.
Solution: First make sure you are running Windows in 256 colors. Even though your monitor and video card may be capable of displaying 256 colors, Windows may not be set up to use this resolution. Click on the Start button, select Settings, then Control Panel. Double-click the Display icon. You will see four tabs: Background, Screen Saver, Appearance, and Settings. Click on Settings. In the box under Color Palette, it should say 256 Color. If it does not, click on the down arrow next to the window to view a list of choices, and select the one that says 256 Color. You will also notice a slider bar under Desktop Area for adjusting resolution from 640 by 480 pixels (the lowest setting) upwards. If your video card failed the initial speed test, try adjusting the resolution to 640 by 480 pixels. This will decrease the screen resolution but may improve the speed of your video card.
Problem: Your computer fails the Memory test; you get a message stating you do not have enough memory to run King's Quest VII.
Solution: King's Quest VII requires a computer with a minimum of 8 MB (8192k) of RAM to run in Windows 95. To free up memory in Windows 95, close any and all Windows programs (including screen savers, wallpaper, virus detection programs, shell programs like Norton Desktop or Packard Bell Navigator, etc.) that may be running. On your Taskbar, right-click on the program tab for the program you wish to shut down, and select Close. Then run the Setup test program again. If your system still fails the test, create a Windows 95 boot disk for your system. Instructions can be downloaded from Sierra's document page. The document is called BDWIN95. Then boot up with the boot disk, disable any and all other Windows programs, and start the Setup/Install program again. These steps should give you enough memory to run the program.
PLEASE NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, the following issues occur in both the DOS and Windows versions of King's Quest VII.
Problem: When game starts, it displays a black screen or throws you out to DOS. This can also happen randomly during the game.
Solution: First, make sure you have the latest version of the game. To find out what version of the program you have, type TYPE VERSION in DOS at the CD drive prompt. If you have version 1.1, you need the update. See the IMPORTANT NOTE on the first page of this document for information on obtaining the updated version.
If you have version 1.4, 1.51 or 2.00, the problem you are experiencing is probably caused by a memory conflict. Running the game from the Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 boot disk will usually correct this problem. If you are running in Windows, make sure that you have no other programs (screen savers, virus scans, etc.) running at the same time as the game. If you have version 1.4 or 1.51, you can also disable WinG which frees up 200+ K of memory. To disable WinG, type the following at the C:\SIERRA\KQ7 prompt:
COPY D:\SIERRAW.EXE SIERRAWS.EXE <ENTER>
Note that D:\ represents your CD-ROM drive. If your CD drive is a letter other than D:, substitute that letter.
In addition, the problem may be caused by outdated or incompatible video or sound card drivers. You should check with your video and sound card manufacturers to make sure you have the latest versions of their drivers.
Problem: When you double-click on the KQ7 icon, the game displays the error "The application is not a Windows NT executable". (Windows 3.1)
Solution: This is usually caused by a conflict with a high-resolution bit map being used as Windows wallpaper. Go into Desktop under Control Panel in the Mail program group and set Wallpaper to <none>. This usually stops this error from occurring. If this does not help you and you have version 1.4 or 1.51, then the problem is caused by a memory conflict, usually with WinG. To disable WinG, type the following at the C:\SIERRA\KQ7 prompt:
COPY D:\SIERRAW.EXE SIERRAWS.EXE <ENTER>
Note that D:\ represents your CD-ROM drive. If your CD drive is a letter other than D:, substitute that letter. This will disable WinG and should prevent the error.
Problem: "General Protection Fault caused by GROWSTUB in POINTER.DLL" when game starts. (Windows 3.1)
Solution: This is caused by a Microsoft mouse driver version 9.01 GROWSTUB component. One of these three suggestions should correct the problem.
Problem: When starting the game you get a "DOS Error 21" error message.
Solution: This error is usually caused by a conflict with WinG. Disable WinG by typing the following at the C:\SIERRA\KQ7 prompt (versions 1.4 and 1.51 only):
COPY D:\SIERRAW.EXE SIERRAWS.EXE <ENTER>
Note that D:\ represents your CD-ROM drive. If your CD drive is a letter other than D:, substitute that letter.
This error may also occur when the game is unable to read data from the CD. You should check the CD to make sure that there are no smudges, fingerprints, scratches or cracks on it. If you see any smudges on the CD, clean it off with a soft cloth and try it again.
If this doesn't work, the problem may lie with the CD ROM drivers. You should make sure that you are using the latest version (v2.23) of MSCDEX in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. If you're using DOS 6.2 or higher, use the MSCDEX in your C:\DOS directory, this one is version 2.23. You should also check with the CD ROM drive manufacturer to make sure that you have the latest version of their CD drivers. Outdated or incompatible drivers can also cause this type of problem.
This error can also be caused by a defective CD. The easiest way to get a new CD is to exchange it at the store where you bought the game. If they are unable to exchange it for you, we can do an exchange by mail. Please see the back of the game manual for details.
Problem: Error 105 at the bottom of the well, or graphics distortion in the scorpion's lair.
Solution: These problems only occur in version 2.0A of the game. All defective copies have now been pulled from our warehouse. A CD replacement will solve the problem. Please see the back of the game manual for details on our exchange policy.
Problem: You receive a "DOS 4/GW Professional" error when starting the game, even when using a boot disk. (DOS version)
Solution: This is caused by a memory manager conflict or an incompatible VESA driver or on-card VESA support. First make a MS-DOS bootdisk from the DOS install. If your are using a DOS bootdisk with out the EMM386.EXE line loading in the config.sys and you are still getting this message then it is a conflict with the VESA driver. This is caused by an incompatible VESA driver or on-card VESA support. Download the universal VESA driver (UNIVBE) from our BBS (425-644-7697), an online service or obtain it from your video card manufacturer. Load this driver prior to starting the game to avoid this error.
Problem: "AVI Open Failed" error when trying to play introduction. (Windows 95)
Solution: This problem occurs when a video driver is set up incorrectly, causing it to be unable to play AVI files. Contact your video card manufacturer for assistance in configuring your video to support AVI files.
Problem: "General Protection Fault in Module ... " The module name will vary. (Windows 3.1)
Solution: A General Protection Fault (GPF) in a module other than POINTER.DLL is usually caused by a memory conflict. Make sure that there are no other Windows programs running. Disable all screen savers, virus scans, etc. If you are using an alternate Windows desktop (PC Tools, Dashboard, Packard Bell Navigator, etc.), use plain Program Manager instead. If you have sound-related Windows programs installed (IconHearIt, SoundBits, etc.), make sure they are disabled before starting the game.
Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 boot disks also help with GPFs. GPFs can also be caused by outdated or incompatible sound or video drivers. If the above steps do not solve the GPF for you, contact your video and sound card manufacturers to obtain the latest versions of their Windows drivers.
Problem: While running King's Quest VII in Windows 95, you receive a message saying "This program has performed an Illegal Instruction or an Illegal Operation...".
Solution: An "Illegal Instruction" or an "Illegal Operation" in Windows 95 is similar to a General Protection Fault in Windows 3.1 and occurs for the same reasons. Therefore, the solutions are similar as well. First, make sure that you are not running any Windows programs other than King's Quest 7. Programs like screen savers and virus detection programs should be disabled. If you are using an alternate Windows desktop (PC Tools, Dashboard, Packard Bell Navigator, etc.), use the default Windows 95 desktop instead. If you have sound-related Windows programs installed (IconHearIt, SoundBits, etc.), make sure they are disabled before starting the program.
You should also make sure that you are running Windows in 256 colors. Running in less or more colors can cause errors of this type. To check, double-click on Windows Setup in the Main program group. If the Display line reads "VGA" or "16 color," you will need to change to a driver that supports 256 colors. "VGA" is a default Windows video driver that only supports 16 colors and will not work well with King's Quest 7. You should contact your video and sound card manufacturers to make sure that you have the latest version of their Windows drivers.
Windows 95 allows you to disable some video acceleration. This often helps with Illegal Instruction errors. To do this, click on Start, then Settings, Control Panel. Double-click the System icon, choose Performance, then Graphics. You should see a slider bar labeled Hardware Acceleration. Lower the bar a notch (slide it to the left), then restart Windows when you are prompted and run King's Quest 7 again. Continue doing this until you cannot lower the bar any more or the problem is corrected. If this corrects the problem, you should contact your video card manufacturer to obtain updated video drivers.
You can also free up memory by lowering your CD ROM Supplemental Cache Size. From Control Panel, click on System, then Performance, File System. Click on the tab for CD ROM. Adjust the slider bar for Supplemental Cache Size from "Large" to "Small", then click on OK.
Problem: "EMM386 Error 06 ... " The error number may vary. (Windows 3.1)
Solution: This is caused by a memory conflict. Running the game from the Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 boot disk will usually correct this problem.
Problem: "Application Error: C:\SIERRAWS.EXE..." When attempting to run the game. (Windows 3.1)
Solution: If you are using Stacker 4.0, and have Windows 3.11, you may receive this error message when attempting to start the game. This problem is caused by the IFSHLP.SYS driver. To get around this error, simply remove the IFSHLP.SYS driver. The easiest way to do this is to create a King's Quest VII Windows 3.1 boot disk. You can use the automatic boot disk maker (double-click on Boot Disk in the Sierra Group) or create one manually.
Problem: "The instruction at (memory address) referenced memory at (memory address). The memory could not be read from". (Windows 3.1)
Solution: 1) If you have version 1.4 or 1.51 then this message is usually cause by a video driver conflict with WinG. Disable WinG by typing the following at the C:\SIERRA\KQ7 prompt (versions 1.4 and 1.51 only):
COPY D:\SIERRAW.EXE SIERRAWS.EXE <ENTER>
Note that D:\ represents your CD-ROM drive. If your CD drive is a letter other than D:, substitute that letter.
2) This is called a "bad pointer". It usually happens if you don't have the latest SoundBlaster 16 drivers for Windows. Download the file SB16UP.EXE from the Creative Labs BBS at (405) 742-6660. This file is self-extracting. Run "SB16UP" and follow the instructions in the newly created README.TXT file. This file is self-extracting. Run "SB16UP" and follow the instructions in the newly created README.TXT file. Creative Labs may have newer drivers available for your soundcard. If you do not have a SoundBlaster 16 card, or are still receiving the error after updating the drivers, the message probably indicates a memory conflict. Run the game under a Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 boot disk environment.
Problem: You get an "Error reading Drive D" (drive letter will vary depending on your CD drive letter). The error may occur at the beginning of the game or randomly throughout the program. (All platforms)
Solution: The most common reason for a "read error" is a dirty or scratched CD. You should check the CD to make sure that there are no smudges, fingerprints, scratches or cracks on it. If you see any smudges on the CD, clean it off with a soft cloth and try it again.
If this doesn't work, the problem may lie with the CD ROM drivers. You should make sure that you are using the latest version (v2.23) of MSCDEX in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. If you're using DOS 6.2 or higher, use the MSCDEX in your C:\DOS directory, this one is version 2.23. You should also check with the CD ROM drive manufacturer to make sure that you have the latest version of their CD drivers. Outdated or incompatible drivers can also cause this type of problem.
This error can also be caused by a defective CD. The easiest way to get a new CD is to exchange it at the store where you bought the game. If they are unable to exchange it for you, we can do so directly. Please see the back of the game documentation for details.
Problem: Error message "Panic. Error 76 - invalid handle 45" at game's title screen. (Windows 3.1)
Solution: Your MIDI Mapper is probably set up incorrectly for the game. See Section 5, Sound Issues for information on configuring your MIDI Mapper.
Problem: When starting the game, you get "EMM386 Error 6 - No XMS memory". (Windows 3.1)
Solution: Make a boot disk with the Windows 3.1 Boot Disk maker by double-clicking on the Boot Disk icon in the Sierra Group.
Problem: When starting the game, you get an error message "Cannot load Win32 because paging is not enabled". (Windows 3.1 and Windows 95)
Solution: This is caused by a very small or nonexistent swap file. Create a 6 MB permanent swap file. Follow these steps to access and change the Windows swap file.
Windows will restart and take you back to the main Windows desktop. In Windows 95, check the virtual memory setting in Control Panel, System, Performance. Virtual memory should be enabled, and the size of the swap file should be handled by Windows 95.
Problem: Game will not start and displays an error message indicating improper WIN32S installation. (Windows 3.1 and Windows 95)
Solution: First, delete the directory C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WIN32S. Make sure you ONLY delete the WIN32S directory. Do not delete the other directories! Then, at the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM prompt, type REN W32SYS.DLL W32SYS.OLD to rename the WIN32S file. Reinstall the game. This should install WIN32S correctly on your system and prevent the error message from occurring when you restart the game. You should also make sure that the following line is in your SYSTEM.INI file:
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WIN32S\W32S.386
If this does not work, you will need to run the game without loading WinG. Disable WinG by typing the following at the C:\SIERRA\KQ7 prompt:
COPY D:\SIERRAW.EXE SIERRAWS.EXE <ENTER>
Note that D:\ represents your CD-ROM drive. If your CD drive is a letter other than D:, substitute that letter. Then start the game normally. This should prevent the error from ocurring.
Problem: You experience random lockups during the game, or your computer reboots during the middle of game play. Sometimes you receive memory errors or other problems when playing King's Quest VII. (Windows 3.1)
Solution: Update Win32s. King's Quest VII uses WinG, Microsoft's video accelerator, to improve speed performance within the game. Microsoft has recently updated Win32s, a key element of the WinG drivers. Version 1.2 of Win32s may improve game performance and help eliminate random lockups, memory errors, or random reboots of the computer. You can download this latest version from the Microsoft BBS at (425) 936-6735. Download the file called PW1118.EXE from the Articles file area. The file is also available on CompuServe. Download the file WIN32S.ZIP from the PCEForum/Material location.
Problem: "Windows title not found" error when starting game, followed by "Cannot find SIERRA.ERR". (Windows 3.1 and Windows 95)
Solution: These error messages are caused by a corrupted or incorrect RESOURCE.WIN file. The RESOURCE.WIN is a small text file that contains information aout your computer. The game program looks at this file to determine where the game is installed and where to look for the game CD. If this file is missing information, you will get the above error messages. To correct this, edit the RESOURCE.WIN file (it's in the game directory!) and check that the first three lines look like this:
[Windows]
title=King's Quest VII
titleBar=TRUE
If these two lines are missing or show different information, add them or change them to match the ones above. Remember, they must be the first three lines in the file. Then, check that the last five lines look like this:
resAud=D:\
resSfx=D:\
patchDir=C:\SIERRA\KQ7
movieDir=D:\AVI
audio=C:\SIERRA\KQ7
These lines assume that King's Quest VII is installed to C: and that your CD ROM drive is D:. If your drive letters are different, make the appropriate substitutions. If these five lines are missing or show different information, add them or change them to match the ones above.
You should also check that the King's Quest VII icon's properties indicate the correct working directory. To do this, click once on the King's Quest VII icon to highlight it. Then press ALT-ENTER (Windows 3.1) or right click (Windows 95) to access the icon's properties. The command line should read:
C:\SIERRA\KQ7\SIERRAWS.EXE C:\SIERRA\KQ7\RESOURCE.WIN (versions 1.4 and 1.51)
C:\SIERRA\KQ7\SIERRAW.EXE -o C:\SIERRA\KQ7\RESOURCE.WIN (version 2.0)
The working directory should be your CD ROM drive, for example, D:\. If your CD ROM drive is another letter, substitute the appropriate letter. Click on OK when the working directory is correct.
Problem: During the game you get "Error 99: Cannot find file10.wav". (File name may vary.) (Windows 3.1 and Windows 95)
Solution: This happens when the game is looking to the wrong drive to find a particular file. Edit your C:\SIERRA\KQ7\RESOURCE.WIN file and check the following lines:
resAud=D:\
resSfx=D:\
patchDir=C:\SIERRA\KQ7
movieDir=D:\AVI
audio=C:\SIERRA\KQ7
Note that D:\ represents your CD-ROM drive. If your CD drive is a letter other than D:, substitute that letter.
Problem: You cannot save your games.
Solution: The original releases (versions 1.1, 1.4 and 1.51) did not have a traditional saved game feature. These versions automatically save upon exiting. Based on customer feedback, Sierra added a traditional save feature to version 2.0. If you're interested in obtaining version 2.0, please contact Sierra Customer Service at 1-800-757-7707.
Problem: King's Quest VII runs slowly on your computer.
Solution: Make a boot disk with the Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 Boot Disk maker by double-clicking on the Boot Disk icon in the Sierra Group. In addition, with Windows 3.11 (Windows for Workgroups), we recommend NOT using 32-bit file access (which can be changed in your Virtual Memory settings dialog box). In Windows 3.1 or Windows 3.11 (Windows for Workgroups) make sure you have a permanent swap file of 6-8 MB. For instructions on changing your swap file, refer to the solution of the previous problem, "When starting the game, you get an error message 'Cannot load Win32 because paging is not enabled'."
If you are using Windows 3.1, you should also try updating Win32s. King's Quest VII uses WinG, Microsoft's video accelerator, to improve speed performance within the game. Microsoft has recently updated Win32s, a key element of the WinG drivers. Version 1.2 of Win32s may improve game performance and help eliminate random lockups, memory errors, or random reboots of the computer. You can download this latest version from the Microsoft BBS at (425) 936-6735. Download the file called PW1118.EXE from the Articles file area. The file is also available on CompuServe. Download the file WIN32S.ZIP from the PCEForum/Material location. If you do not have a modem, contact Microsoft's Customer Service at 1-800-426-9400 for information on obtaining the update.
Problem: "Error 111" in Chapter 1 when clicking the turquoise piece several times on the stone head.
Solution: Don't do that! You only need to click the turquoise there one time. HINT: Make sure the turquoise piece is "complete"!
Problem: "Error 108" in Chapter 3 when using the comb on the statuette.
Solution: Don't do that! This is an action the programmers did not anticipate, so the game gives an error message when you try it. Just take the statue instead of using the comb on it.
Problem: You can't get the shop keeper to take the wooden nickel in Chapter 3. (Windows 3.1 or Windows 95)
Solution: You need the King's Quest VII patch disk, KQ7PAT. The patch can be downloaded from www.sierra.com/support/technical/updates/content.html.
Problem: The game loops or locks up in Chapter 4 when Rosella is trying to get past the werebeast. (Windows 3.1 or Windows 95)
Solution: You need the King's Quest VII patch disk, KQ7PAT. The patch can be downloaded from www.sierra.com/support/technical/updates/content.html.
Problem: "Panic! Error 47 not an object " in Chapter 4. (Versions 1.1 and 1.4 only in Windows 3.1 or Windows 95)
Solution: The floppy disk was not installed. The game program is looking for a file that is copied into the game directory when you install the floppy disk. Exit Windows, put the disk in the drive and change to the floppy drive prompt. Type INSTALL. Restart Windows and go back into the game. This should prevent the error from occurring.
Problem: "955.snd not found" error message. (Windows 3.1)
Solution: You have version 1.1 of King's Quest VII and need to get the latest version. See the IMPORTANT NOTE at the beginning of this document for information on obtaining the new version.
Problem: When Valanice takes the bone from the mummy in Chapter 5, the crown cursor appears and the game locks up. (Windows 3.1)
Solution:, it is caused by an incorrect MIDI Mapper configuration. See Section 5, Sound Card Issues and Sound Card Settings, for information on correctly configuring the MIDI Mapper.
Problem: You can't hear the dragonets sing in Etheria in Chapter 5. (Windows 3.1)
Solution: This is caused by an incorrect MIDI Mapper setup. See Section 5, Sound Card Issues and Sound Card Settings, for information on correctly configuring the MIDI Mapper.
Problem: "Error 105: Attempt to load wrong type" or "Error 99: Error loading resource 10005". Error numbers may vary.
Solution: This type of error is usually caused by corrupted program files or a bad installation of the game. To correct this, delete the game and run CHKDSK /F or SCANDISK to detect and correct any hard drive errors. Then, boot up with a Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 boot disk for King's Quest 7 and reinstall the game.
These errors can also occur when the King's Quest VII program is unable to read files off the CD. The most common reason for this is a dirty or scratched CD. You should check the CD to make sure that there are no smudges, fingerprints, scratches or cracks on it. If you see any smudges on the CD, clean it off with a soft cloth and try it again. If this doesn't work, the problem may lie with the CD ROM drivers. You should make sure that you are using the latest version (v2.23) of MSCDEX in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. If you're using DOS 6.2 or higher, use the MSCDEX in your C:\DOS directory, this one is version 2.23. You should also check with the CD ROM drive manufacturer to make sure that you have the latest version of their CD drivers. Outdated or incompatible drivers can also cause this type of problem.
This error can also be caused by a defective CD. The easiest way to get a new CD is to exchange it at the store where you bought the game. If they are unable to exchange it for you, we can exchange it directly. Please see the back of your game documentation for details.
If you don't see your question listed in this document: Most difficulties with King's Quest 7, including lockups and Fatal or Panic errors can be resolved by simply running the game with a boot disk and in a clean Windows environment (if you're running in Windows). Incompatible or outdated sound card and video drivers can also cause lockups and errors. You should make sure that you are using the latest versions of your sound card and video drivers. Contact your sound and video card manufacturers to obtain the latest drivers.
DOS
In DOS, the best sound card settings for a SoundBlaster compatible card are I/O 220, DMA 1 and IRQ 5 or 7. If you're using a ProAudio card, the best settings are I/O 220, DMA 3 and IRQ 5 for the ProAudio portion of the card, set the SoundBlaster portion of the card to DMA 1 and IRQ 7. Make sure that the Soundblaster and ProAudio portions do not share the same DMA! Settings outside these parameters can cause lockups and/or choppy, repeating or garbled speech. Most sound cards have test utilities that will tell you what settings you are using. Check your sound card documentation for more information.
WINDOWS 3.1
The SoundBlaster 16, Pro Audio Spectrum 16, and compatibles support "Extended FM" in Windows. SoundBlaster Pro, SoundBlaster 2.0 and compatibles, use "Base FM" in Windows. The Extended and Base FM settings are defined in the MIDI Mapper. If your MIDI Mapper is configured incorrectly, you may hear just music and no voice, or vice versa. The following MIDI Mapper instructions cover the most common types of sound card setups. If you are using a sound card that is not listed here, please consult your sound card documentation for the correct MIDI Mapper setup.
SoundBlaster 16, ProAudio Spectrum 16 and compatibles: Click on Main, then Control Panel and then on MIDI Mapper. If you have an option called Extended FM or something similar, choose it. Close MIDI Mapper and run King's Quest VII. If you don't have this option, you will need to make a new MIDI Mapper setup. From the MIDI Mapper screen, click on New. Enter a name such as "Extended FM" and then hit OK. You will be at a screen with four columns and 16 rows. Click on the word None in the 3rd column and the 1st row. Now click on the small arrow that appears on the right of this box. Choose the FM choice or Synthesizer choice. Do this for ports 1 through 9. Then, make sure that the SRC Channel values match the Dest Channel values (i.e. if the SRC Channel is 10, the Dest Channel should be 10). If they are different, change the Dest Channel to match the SRC Channel by clicking in the Dest Channel box and changing its value. Click on OK and close out the MIDI Mapper. The music and voices should now play correctly in King's Quest VII. For further information on the correct MIDI Mapper configuration for your sound card, please contact your sound card manufacturer.
SoundBlaster Pro and compatibles: Click on Main, then Control Panel and then on MIDI Mapper. If you have an option called Basic FM or something similar, choose it. Close MIDI Mapper and run King's Quest VII. If you don't have a Basic FM option you will need to make a new setup. From the MIDI Mapper screen, click on New. Enter a name such as "Basic FM" and then hit OK. You will be at a screen with four columns and 16 rows. Click on the word None in the 3rd column and the 13th row. Now click on the small arrow that appears on the right of this box. Choose the FM choice or Synthesizer choice. Do this for ports 13, 14 , 15, and 16. Click on OK and close out the MIDI Mapper. The music and voices should now play correctly in King's Quest VII. For further information on the correct MIDI Mapper configuration for your sound card, please contact your sound card manufacturer.
WINDOWS 95
To make sure that your sound card is configured correctly in Windows 95, check the Audio and MIDI settings in the Multimedia section of Control Panel. The Audio setting defines what driver will be used to produce digitized sound (DAC). Speech and sound effects in a game are usually DAC sounds. The MIDI setting indicates what driver is being used for music playback. The following examples are for the SoundBlaster 16:
AUDIO: SB16 Wave Out
MIDI: MIDI for Internal OPL2/OPL3 FM Synthesis
The names of the Audio and MIDI drivers will vary, depending on your sound card. However, they should be similar to these SoundBlaster 16 drivers. For complete information (including driver names and installation instructions) on Windows 95 drivers for your sound card, contact your sound card manufacturer.
Problem: You hear no sound during the game in Windows 95.
Solution: This usually occurs when your sound card's Windows 95 drivers are not installed correctly. Click on Start, then Settings, Control Panel. Double-click the System icon and choose Device Manager. Then double click on the sound, video and game controllers line. If this line is not present or after clicking on it there is no soundcard driver listed, then the soundcard is not set up correctly for Windows 95. Contact your soundcard manufacturer for the latest Windows 95 drivers and for the correct soundcard set up. See the above paragraphs for further information on checking your Windows 95 sound card drivers.
Problem: The speech breaks up or hesitates in King's Quest VII. (Windows 3.1 or Windows 95)
Solution: Each speech sample or recording needs to be loaded into memory before it can be played. By reducing the buffer size, you will cause the CD to actually play the speech segments faster, because it does not have to fill a large buffer area. The buffer size is set in the C:\SIERRA\KQ7\RESOURCE.WIN text file. Edit this file and change the dacSize" line to dacSize =15360.
Problem: Starting the game gives you a "Waveout Open" or "Waveout Prepare Header" error message. (Windows 3.1)
Solution: The Windows error message you are receiving indicates that your sound card is in use by another program. This is occasionally caused by another sound program taking control in Windows and not sharing the sound card properly. Programs like Icon Hear It, Wired for Sound or Packard Bell Navigator can cause this type of problem. Some screen savers like After Dark will also access the sound card directly instead of using Windows to produce sounds. You should disable all programs of this type before playing the game.
Problem: The last note played before a screen change is "stuck". (Windows 3.1)
Solution: This is a result of incorrect MIDI Mapper configuration. See the above information on configuring your MIDI Mapper. Be very careful that the SRC and Dest Channels in your MIDI Mapper match.
Problem: You can't hear the dragonets sing in Etheria in Chapter 5. (Windows 3.1)
Solution: This is caused by an incorrect MIDI Mapper setup. See the above information on configuring your MIDI Mapper. Be very careful that the SRC and Dest Channels in your MIDI Mapper match.
Problem: Using a Pro Audio Spectrum 16, the speech and other digitized sounds are full of static. (Windows 3.1)
Solution: This is caused by using the DMA 3 (the 8-bit DMA) for the Pro Audio portion of the sound card. Change to DMA 5 or 7 (16-bit DMAs) and the static should go away.
If you are still experiencing sound problems, you may need to update your sound drivers. If you do not have the current Windows drivers for your sound device, you may need to contact the manufacturer of your sound device or your local hardware supplier for an updated set of sound drivers. Check your Windows documentation or your sound device documentation for full instructions on updating your sound drivers.
Note to Gravis UltraSound owners: If you have a Gravis UltraSound, and are playing King's Quest VII (version 1.4 or 1.51) in Windows 3.1, you will need to run King's Quest VII without loading WinG. Disable WinG by typing the following at the C:\SIERRA\KQ7 prompt:
COPY D:\SIERRAW.EXE SIERRAWS.EXE <ENTER> (version 1.4 or 1.51 ONLY)
Then, you must have the game re-initialize the sound card. To do this, click on the Sierra Setup icon and run the hardware test for sound, then run the game. This will load the MIDI patches for you and you should get full sound within the game.
Note to Mozart sound card owners: If you have a Mozart sound card and are running the game in Windows 3.1, you will need to run King's Quest VII without loading WinG. Disable WinG by typing the following at the C:\SIERRA\KQ7 prompt:
COPY D:\SIERRAW.EXE SIERRAWS.EXE <ENTER> (version 1.4 and 1.51 ONLY)
Then, you must change your MIDI Mapper to use Mozart FM Synth. To do this, click on Main, then Control Panel and then on MIDI Mapper. The MIDI Mapper name will probably be set to Mozart MIDI Out, change it to Mozart FM Synth. If you do not have this FM Synth option, please contact your sound card manufacturer for help in setting up the correct MIDI Mapper.
There is one patch available for King's Quest VII, KQ7PAT. This patch corrects possible lockups or looping situations in versions 1.4 and 1.51 of King's Quest VII (this patch will NOT work with versions 2.x of King's Quest VII). The patch can be downloaded from the updates page.