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F A Q

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First, thank you for playing Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation 2 / Racing Simulation 2

We apologise if you have encountered any technical problems. In this document, you will find tests, known problems with solutions. If you don't find the solution to your problem in this list, please contact us. Then, we will try to help you individually. Each time you submit a problem, you should give us a description of your hardware and software configuration :

• CPU (type and frequency)
• Amount of RAM
• HD size and free space
• Graphic card type
• Sound card type
• Game peripherals connected to your system (joysticks, steering wheels...)
• OS version (Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT with service pack version number)
• Direct X version

You can reach us at :
 

COUNTRY	Telephone number	E-Mail	Internet http
GERMANY	+49-211 / 338 0015 or 338 004423 Fax +49-211 / 338 0020	software@ubisoft.de	http://www.ubisoft.de
UK	+44-181 / 944 9000	techsupport@ubisoft.co.uk	http://www.ubisoft.co.uk
CANADA and USA	1-800-824-7638 or1-800-UBISOFT	tech-support@ubisoft.qc.ca or techsupport@ubisoft.com	http://www.ubisoft.qc.ca or http://www.ubisoft.com
ESPAGNE	+34-90 / 211 7803	ubisoft@mail.intercom.es	http://www.ubisoft.es
FRANCE	Hardware hotline : +33-2 / 99 08 90 77 from mon to fri from 10h30 to 12h30 and from 14h30 to 19h30.  Software hotline : +33-1 / 08.36.68.46.32, 2.23 F/min from mon to fri from 10h to 13h and from 15h to 19h.  Minitel :  3615 UBISOFT, 1.29 F/min.	hotline@ubisoft.fr	http://www.ubisoft.fr
ITALIE	+39-2/ 861 484	ubisoft@ubisoft.it	http://www.ubisoft.it
JAPON	+81-354 / 68 2751		http://www.ubisoft.co.jp

Table of contents

1 - Check your configuration

Detailled hardware and software requirements to run the game.

2.1 - List of typical error messages
2.2 - Error messages when the game crashes

3.1 - During installation
3.2 - Graphic cards
3.3 - Processors troubleshooting
3.4 - Sound troubleshooting
3.5 - Mouse cursor can not reach some regions of the screen
3.6 - Problem while choosing multiplayer
3.7 - Can not play in split screen mode
3.8 - The game runs slowly
3.9 - The game runs jerkily
3.10 - Game Service troubleshooting
3.11 - Force feedback effects do not work

5 - History

5.1 - Patch R1.02
5.2 - Patch R1.03
5.3 - Patch R1.04
5.4 - Patch R1.05
5.5 - Patch R1.06

7 - Erratum / Addendum

1 - Check your configuration

1.1 - Checked graphic cards list

• 3Dfx Card
• Voodoo (Glide 2.46)
• Voodoo2 (Glide 2.53  or later)
• Voodoo Banshee
• D3D-compatible card (D3D 6.0) with 4MB graphic RAM (or more). We tested cards with the following chipsets :
• ATI Rage Pro (examples of ATI Rage Pro based cards : ATI Xpert@Play, ATI Xpert@Work)
• Intel I740
• Rendition V1000
• Rendition V2200
• Permedia 2
• Power VR (examples of Power VR based cards : Matrox M3D, Apocalypse 3D)
• Riva 128 (examples of Riva 128 based cards : STB Velocity 128, Diamond Viper 330)
• Riva TNT
• Matrox G200 (8 Mb)
• Matrox G100 (4 Mb)
• Matrox Mystique (4 Mb)
• S3 Virge GX2
• MPact2


Graphic cards manufacturers links :
 

3DLabs	http://www.3dlabs.com/
ATI	http: //www.atitech.com/
Diamond Multimedia	http: //www.diamondmm.com/
Matrox	http: //www.matrox.com/
nVidia	http: //www.nvidia.com/
Intel	http://www.intel.com/
S3	http://www.s3.com/
STB	http: //www.stb.com/
Rendition	http://www.rendition.com/
Videologic	http: //www.videologic.com/

1.2 - Check your processor type

You need at least :

• Cyrix 6x86 or better. Look at topic :  Cyrix 6x86
• Intel Pentium 133 or better (Pentium MMX, Pentium Pro, Pentium 2)
• AMD K6, K6 3D or better

1.3 - Check DirectX and Direct3D

• MGPRS2 for 3DFX (mgprs_v.exe) needs at least Direct X 3 to run. Game controllers Force FeedBack effects are available with at least Direct X 5.
• MGPRS2 for D3D (mgprs_d.exe) needs at least Direct X 6 to run.

1.4 - Check RAM

If you only have 24MBytes, you should check how much is allocated to Win95 since memory is sometimes reserved by the system-bios. Look at Windows > Control Panel > System and Properties (by clicking on the right mouse button) to see how much RAM Windows recognises. If you have less than 24 MB, the UbiSetup may not start.

1.5 - Check Hard Drive space

After installing MGPRS2, you'll need enough memory on your hard drive for :

• the virtual memory management of Win95 : you should have 30 MBytes free after installation.
• the files generated by the game in the game installation path (for default options, replays, ghosts, telemetery...)

1.6 - Close all other tasks

To avoid memory or compatibility errors, you should close ALL other programs other than EXPLORER and SYSTRAY.

1.7 - Check the CD-ROM

1. If problems occur during installation (e.g. some files cannot be copied), check if your CD-ROM runs in compatibility-modes (System > Device Manager), which only allows file names with 8+3 characters.
2. If UbiSetup is not launch automatically : select the option in the Windows operating system, which will allow automatic launching from your CD-ROM. To activate it, go to Start Menu > Settings > Control Panel > System > Device Manager > CD-ROM Properties > Settings. Then check the "Auto Insert Notification" box.

2 - Error messages

2.1 - List of typical error messages

 

Error message	What should i do ...
Can not run without CD ROM	You must insert MGPRS 2 CD ROM before launching the game
GCD init error	Check that your game controlers are well connected. Check all your peripherals to ensure that they are correctly installed (Start Menu > Settings > Control Panel > System > Device Manager). Make sure that there is at least 100 MBytes on your hard drive when the install is finished. Set Virtual Memory to be managed by Windows. (Start Menu > Settings > Control Panel > System > Performance > Virtual Memory). Manual settings may be incompatible.
No D3D present in Direct Draw Enumerate	This indicates that MGPRS2 does not recognize the D3D capabilities of your video card. You may not have a D3D card. If you're not sure, check with the manufacturer of your PC, or the supplier of the card. Many popular cards (such as the S3 Trio and the Millenium1) are not D3D compatible. If your PC has a D3D compatible card, then the error indicates that you don't have the most recent drivers for your card. Go to the web site of your 3D card's manufacturer to download the most recent drivers. If you don't have an Internet connection, phone the technical support hot line of your card's manufacturer. The Internet URL for the most common 3D card's manufacturers :  Graphic cards manufacturers links
Can not copy customsnd.exe (while installing)	Look at topic : Testing the CD-ROM
You have to run Windows in High Color mode (16 bits)	The D3D version only works with Windows display 16-bit mode.  Go into Settings > Control panel > Display > Settings to make this change.
Error message ir41_32.dll	These problems are related to the Indeo drivers, which are used to view the videos sequence. Reinstall the drivers from the Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation 2 CD-ROM.
HWCEXT Not Implemented

2.2 - Error messages when the game crashes

Usually , when the game crashes, if you work under Windows 95 or 98, the OS send you a message box.
 



1 - Press Details button => the dialog box now appears like this :
 


2 - Select all the information text describing the crash with your mouse.
3 - Copy the selection and then paste it in a text editor (notepad for example).
4 - Save the text as a file
5 - Send us the file

If you failed to save this text, send us the error.log file generated in the game directory. This file is available if you have version R1.02 or later of the game.

3 - Troubleshooting

3.1 - During installation

During installation, there might be a copy error. Check that your CD-ROM drive is running under Windows and not under DOS or there may be a problem with the CD-ROM's default. Look at  Testing the CD-ROM

3.2 - Graphic cards

If you have a 3Dfx card :

You don't have the most recent drivers. They can be found on the MGPRS CD-ROM. You need to install Glide version 2.46 for a Voodoo1 card or Glide version 2.53 or later for a Voodoo2 card.
 

If you have another 3D card :

1. The D3D version must be installed (mgprs_d.exe).
2. The 3D card must have 4 MB of RAM.
3. Although the game may run with other cards, we successfully tested the game with :  see Tested graphic cards list. You can test the compatibility of your graphics card and your soundcard with DirectX 6.0.
4. Visit the manufacturer's web site and download the most recent version of the driver. Make sure you have the most recent driver for your card. Go to 3D card manufacturer's web site and download the most recent version of the driver. If you don't have an Internet connection, telephone the technical support line of the card's manufacturer Graphic cards manufacturers links. If you don't have an Internet connection, we can send you the correct 3D drivers.

3.2.1 - TNT

3.2.1.1 Graphic problems

1. The player should update with latest generic drivers from N-Vidia.
2. Then, with Direct3D default settings, problems are appearing. The player should unactivate :
1. auto-mipmap option
2. hardware anti-alias option
The option is not easy to find.
It's in Start menu > Parameters > Advanced > Riva TNT > Additional Properties > Direct 3D menu.

3.2.1.2 Problem of lag while playing

1. Try to set TrippleBuffer option toYES in windows\ubisoft\ubi.ini and relaunch the game.
2. Do not choose the highest resolutions : if there is not enought memory to use three frame buffers, the game will run automatically in Double Buffering even if TrippleBuffering option is validated in the ubi.ini file.

3.2.2 - Voodoo 2

3.2.2.1 Colors problems : many track textures are blue

• Update your glide drivers to version 2.53 or later.
or
• Install MGPRS2 R1.02 patch or later.

3.2.3 - Voodoo Rush / Voodoo Banshee

3.2.3.1 Game crashes when switching to Windows

The game crashes when it goes back to Windows (while pressing Alt-Tab or going back to Game Service client for example).
1. The Direct X version work fine : install direct X version.
2. With the patch R1.05 or later, this crash has been corrected.

3.2.4 - Combination Matrox / Monster cards

1. Switch off all Matrox acceleration functions
2. Place the Monster in Slot 1 and the Matrox in Slot 4

3.2.5 - Creative Graphics Blaster 3D

It seems that the drivers (for Windows 95) provided with the Creative Graphics Blaster 3D are not able to start the DirectX Hardware acceleration on board. This prevents the execution of some games as MGPRS2. To solve this problem, it is necessary to remove the Creative drivers and to install the original drivers provided by Cirrus Logic for the Laguna Chipset (CL-5465); these drivers can be downloaded from the Cirrus web site.

3.3 - Processors troubleshooting

3.3.1 - Cyrix 6x86

1. MGPRS2 R1.00 does not work with first generation of Cyrix 6x86 => you should download patch R1.02 or later that works fine with this type of processor.
2. If you have installed a patch that transforms your Cyrix into a Pentium, then the game will not function properly. To make the game work, you will need to unactivate this patch.

3.4 - Sound troubleshooting

3.4.1 - 3D soundcards

MGPRS R1.05 contains a new version of the dll for the management of 3D sounds (Wavd3BVR.dll).
If you still have problems, you can change in the Snd_cpa.ini file the line Unconditionnal=None into Unconditionnal=WAVX2 or Unconditionnal=WAVPW.

3.4.2 - Game crashes

If you have sound problems after patch R1.03 (or later) installation, you can add the following line in the ubi.ini file into RS2 section:
SoundOptim=0

3.5 - Mouse cursor can not reach some regions of the screen

1. Change the Windows resolution before starting the game (e.g. 800x600). Go to Settings > Control panels > Display / Settings.
2. If you have a 3DFX card, try to start the Direct3D version of the game.

3.6 - Problem while choosing Multiplayer

See if the original WSOCK32.DLL is installed in Windows/System. If not, you need to install it from your Windows 95 CD-ROM.

• To install WSOCK32.DLL on your computer, install a Windows network functionnality (TCP-IP or IPX for example) with your original Windows CD ROM.
• If you have installed non-Microsoft Internet software on your system, this may have automatically replaced the Windows 95 WSOCK32.dll file with its own version (this is most common with Demon Internet's Turnpike software).

3.7 - Can not play in split screen mode

If you don't have at least one game controler (joystick, pad or steering wheel), split screen option will be unactivated. This is due to the fact that many keyboards do not manage correctly many simultaneous keypresses. In split mode, with the two players on keyboard, this would often be a problem.

3.8 - The game runs slowly

• This is usually due to processor speed. If your processor is slower than a Pentium 166 :
• Go to the Graphics Option menu in the game and lower the optimum configuration to a minimum configuration. The graphics may be set to consume less processing power by :
• Simplifying various graphical elements (more pop-up, rear-mirrors deactivated, no TV)
• Simplifying the look of the cars
• Turning off Replays. The required calculations are very memory intensive : unactivating it will improve the speed of the game.
• You should decrease the number of computer opponents in Options > Race menus page. This is really important in particular if you have a Cyrix processor (Cyrix processors are less efficient in mathematical calculations than the Pentium and these caculations are largely used by the cars behaviour).
• The type of installation you chose (minimum, average and maximum) will also affect the speed of the game. Make sure and choose the best installation for your system:
• In minimum installation videos and loading bitmaps remain on CD. If your CD-ROM driver speed is too slow, videos playing and track loading speed will be affected.
• Average installation is the same as minimum install plus the loading bitmaps : it increases tracks loading phase.
• Maximum installation is the same as average installation plus all videos.Maximum installation will produce the most fluid gameplay.
• Your 3D card is not powerful enough.
• You have mistakenly installed the Direct3D althought you have a 3Dfx card

3.9 - The game runs jerkily

1. Try to unactivate Lens flare / TV screens option in graphic configuration menus.
2. For D3D version : if you have got a powerfull graphic card that supports Triple Buffering, try to activate it : Problem of lag while playing

3.10 - Game Service troubleshooting

3.10.1 - Connection fails

You can not see the other players while connecting in MGPRS 2. List box in network menus page remains empty and the other players can not see you.
Check that UDP protocol messages are allowed on your network (usually this happens with firewalls).

3.10.2 - Cars position are not strictly identical

This is normal. This is due to the method we use to keep a playable game even when network latency is very bad. The final results are based upon exact racing time and will not be influenced by these position approximations.

3.10.3 - Game Service client returns an error message

If you have the patch R1.03, you should launch MGPRS2 first : click Multiplayerbutton in MGPRS2 menus first page, choose Game Service option in multiplayer page and validate. The Game Service client is launched automatically.  For the patchs R1.04 or later, if you still have this message, make sure that the game has not been launched individually after the Game Service Client.

3.11 - Force feedback effects do not work

If you use Immersion Corporation drivers, you should try to install the last version. You can download it from the Web site :  http://www.forcefeedback.com/

4 - Tips

• To know which version is your game, enter VER code at the keyboard while racing. By this way version references are displayed.
• To know which is the current latency while playing game service, enter NETLG code while racing. This activate the display function of the current network latency.

5 - History

5.1 - Patch R1.02

• New features :
• Rear view key while racing (X key)
• Return to your own car (0 key)
• When the game crashes it generates a text file named error.log. By this way, the player just has to send it to describe his problem.

• Hardware configuration compatibility bugs fixed :
• The game is functionnal on old Cyrix processors
• Graphism with Voodoo 2 graphic board are ok even with old glide drivers (solving of blue colors bug)
• Glide version is able to support higher resolutions on Voodoo SLI graphic cards (1024x768 with two Voodoo 2 SLI - 800x600 with two Voodoo 1 SLI).
• Correction for G200 graphic cards with last drivers.
• Corrections for some game controlers
• Correction of crash problem in the pits with Per4Mer game controler

• Game bugs fixed :
• Sound editor is in english (except for the french version). It can now load some sounds it did not recognize before.
• Corrections have been made on games saving / loading. Be careful : games saved during race before patching, can not be loaded by versions R 1.02 and later.
• Team proposal in career mode (between two seasons) has been modified.
• Correction of textures problems in the replays you access at the end of the game after a victory.
• Corrections in menus in multiplayer network mode.
• Corrections in replays.

5.2 - Patch R1.03

• New features :
• Game Service (first evaluation version)
• A cheat code NETLG to activate/unactivate display of current network latency in game service mode
• Players name display while racing in network mode (P key)

• Game bugs fixed :
• Qualifying time in pits garage fixed (computer competitors were faster when simulated in garage menus)
• Ghost restart bug (doing a restart does not reset the ever recorded ghost)
• Career mode team proposal has been enhanced
• Sound clip level buttons (sound configuration) are functionnal
• Split mode bug fixed : default tires are now also applied to second local player
• Correction on tires definitions

• Game enhancements :
• Force Feed Back modifications :
• Curbs effects activated
• Better tuning of the effects (sand and grass effects for example)
• Default settings in snd_cpa.ini / SDX_DIST_SAT is now 8 (sounds better)
• Better tuning of weather probabilites

5.3 - Patch R1.04

• Game bugs fixed :
• Split mode bug fixed : correction of wheels graphic rotation for player 1 car
• Retro mode starting fires in cockpit view mode are activated
• Game enhancements :
• Control of the game options from the Game Service Client (when creating the session).
• Connections and disconnections enhancement for the players.
• Better management of the track exit for the computer opponents cars and the distant players cars.
• Direct launch of a session from the Game Service Client. You do not have to launch previously the game anymore.

5.4 - Patch R1.05

• Hardware configuration compatibility bugs fixed :
• Alt-Tab management for the Voodoo Banshee and Voodoo Rush graphic boards.
• Modification of the dll for the 3D soundcards.
•  Game Service bugs fixed :
• Track exit enhancements (when exiting on the curbs).
• Better management of players disconnection in the game (no more sound messages) and menus.
• Retro mode disconnection in the menu.
• Pit entering management for a distant player.
• Game Service enhancement :
• Simulation of the distant players with large network lags.

5.5 - Patch R1.06

• Game bugs fixed :
• Loading and saving of the car settings with the "identical cars" option (in single and multiplayer).
• Ground perspective with the director camera.
• Box exit for the player car with slow computer.
• Multiplayer modes enhancement :
• Possibility to set the starting grid with an optional file NetRace.ini.
• Possibility to set the weather (in reany or overcast) with the file NetRace.ini.
• New optional collision mode for GS (in NetRace.ini file).
• New message in cockpit view LCD to display the correct laptime for network cars.
•  Multiplayer bugs fixed :
• Player ejection from the master during the beginning of connection phase (GS).
• Disconnection of a player in the menu before main page (GS).
• Several connection problems resolved (GS).
• Crash when a player pushes OK button before master reaches the main page (GS).
• New feature :
• 4 new scenarios.

6 - The file NetRace.ini

• This file must be set in the principal installation directory on the same level as the game executable (mgprs_v.exe or mgprs_d.exe).
• It contains three optional sections :
• The section [WEATHER] :
• RainyIndice key (values from 50 to 100) : determine the rain intensity during the race (only in rainy mode).
• OvercastIndice key (values from 0 to 20) : determine the weather variation during race (only in overcast mode).

Note : Remove or comment those keys to have a random value.
• The section [STARTING GRID] :
• You can list here the nicknames of  players in the order of the starting grid.
• The section [NETWORK] :
• NetGhostMode key (values 1 or 0) : switch on/off the ghost car collision mode. This mode only works when car collision option is active. In this mode network cars are changed into ghost when lag is too high.
• Example of this file :
 
[WEATHER]
RainyIndice=70
OvercastIndice=0

[STARTING GRID]
Obi1
Arkham
Mikie

[NETWORK]
NetGhostMode=1
 

• Another example of those sections can be found in NetRace.txt .

7 - Erratum / addendum

• With identical cars option, only the cars engine performances are identical : everybody have an engine similar to the master's one. Each player keep his own garage mecanical settings.