Resources

I’ve been playing WOW on a Netgear wnr834bv2 wireless router for a while now but then all of a sudden the game won’t let me log in for more than 20 seconds before it logs me out and then I have to reset my connection. I think I tried to forward the ports. I disabled Vista Firewall and it still didn’t work. My OS is Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Version 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1 Build 6001.

As this is not an uncommon problem, there are quite a few possible solutions. First off, be sure that nobody else has access to your username and password - if someone else tries to log on with your information, you will be automatically disconnected from the game.

Remove WOW Temporary Files

You may have some corrupt cache files from a previous version. Follow these steps to remove your temporary files - they will be reactivated when you log in next. Close the game and try to move your WTF, CACHE and INTERFACE folders out of WOW and onto the desktop. Make sure you are using the shortcut for the game launcher.

Background Apps

Make sure you have all background apps closed when you log on. Teamspeak, Xfile and Port Magic can all cause issues with connectivity.

Router and Drivers

You say that you checked the firewall, but did you check the router? Try to connect your computer directly to the modem and see if you can get a longer connection. If you can, this will indicate that there is a problem with your router. You should also update your drivers for the modem, motherboard, USB PCI card and network card where applicable.

Network Card Properties

You can check your network card properties by going to Start and then Control Panel. Choose System and Hardware. Choose Device Manager and then expand Network Adapters. Find the network card and right click on it, choosing Properties. Choose Advanced. Disable “Checksum Offload” or “Hardware Checksum” or “Rx Checksum”, whichever you see on your system. If you see Media Type, Connection Type or Speed/Duplex, change it to ForceBase 100 File Duplex.

Trace Run

If you are still having problems, you can do a trace run to try to analyze where the problem is coming from. Go to Start. In the Search Field, type in CMD. Right click on cmd.exe and select Run as Administrator. Now type in: tracert us.logon.worldofwarcraft.com >C:tracert.txt and click Enter. It may take a few minutes, but you will get a trace run of your system. I’m not going to list all of the possibilities here, so go to Blizzard Support for analysis of your trace route.

I have used ISC for years, and have no problem with it on my laptop with XP, but it is messed up on my new desktop with Vista 64-bit. I can log in okay after the initial software download, but whenever I try and open it after that, the WordBiz screen briefly appears and then disappears. It does the same thing after I changed the compatibility setting for the download.

What is ISC?

For those who don’t know what ISC is, ISC stands for the Internet Scrabble Club. Users download a small program that allows them to play Scrabble games with other users over the Internet.

ISC Compatibility with Windows Vista 64-bit

Windows Vista 64-bit computer owners often run into trouble finding compatible software for their systems. While many programs will run in a downgraded compatibility mode, others won’t. In researching ISC, it appears that computers running Vista need to install the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine, which is no longer distributed with Windows. While this may not solve any underlying compatibility issues with the 64-bit version of Vista, it is definitely worth a try, so let’s start there.

Installing Microsoft Java Virtual Machine

Microsoft no longer distributes the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine which means newer Microsoft computers do not have this component preinstalled. The Wordbiz software requires this environment, so it’s highly probable that the absence of this component is contributing to your problem running Wordbiz.  While Microsoft no longer distributes the software, developers are granted limited rights to redistribute the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine installer. If you go to the ISC Web site, you will find a download link in the Troubleshooting section.

Unfortunately, the ISC Web site doesn’t provide much information as far as system requirements go, so I was unable to determine if the Wordbiz software is compatible with Windows Vista 64-bit version. If installing the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine doesn’t work, try running Wordbiz in Windows XP compatibility mode.

Running in Compatibility Mode

To change the compatibility mode for any application, simply right click its icon and choose Properties. Select the Compatibility tab and place a check mark in the box for “Run this program in compatibility mode for.” Finally, choose the operating system that the application is designed for, such as Windows XP which is one of the most popular operating systems and your best bet.

I bought a game from AOL games, and when I go to pull it up, I get a fatal error box. Please help me.

This type of AOL gaming error could result from a few different problems. Read through the information listed below and attempt to correct the problem by following the suggestions.

Troubleshooting AOL Gaming Error: System Requirements

One of the first steps that you should take when purchasing a game for the computer is to check the system requirements. If your system does not meet the requirements specified by the AOL game, a fatal error can occur. The only way around this situation, would be to upgrade your system to meet the requirements.

Troubleshooting AOL Gaming Error: Download versus Installation

Make sure that you have installed the game onto the computer and not just downloaded it. To install the game, you need to double click on the icon for the game. The installation occurs automatically. Follow the prompts to complete the process.

Troubleshooting AOL Gaming Error: Faulty Installation

If your computer has the minimum requirements needed for the game, then it is possible that the installation of the game is faulty. Typically, this type of error can be fixed by uninstalling and reinstalling the game. Before uninstalling the game, make sure that you have the activation code handy so that you can use it to reinstall the game.

Troubleshooting AOL Gaming Error: Memory

Try running the game after a fresh boot up while all of the computer’s resources are still fresh. It is possible that you have too many programs open at one time when you attempt to pull up the game. Make sure that every other application is closed and see if this resolves the problem for you. Gaming errors sometimes occur when memory resources are limited.

Troubleshooting AOL Gaming Error: Graphics Card

Computer games require the use of a specific type of graphics card depending on the game. Check the documentation for the game and make sure that you have the proper type of graphics card installed on the computer.

Troubleshooting AOL Gaming Error: Properties

Instead of opening the game, right click on the game icon and select “Properties.” Select the “Compatibility” tab so that you can change the settings for the game. Although this might not be the optimal fix, it is possible that this strategy will work. Once the dialog box opens for the “Compatibility” tab, look at the various facets that are listed and change one setting at a time. After each change, close the dialog box and attempt to run the game. Continue down the list until you have tried every possible scenario.

I have an HP Pavilion a6750t. I want to upgrade the video card so I can play video games on it. I have a 300watt power supply, dual core processor, 6 gigs of RAM, Vista Premium, 2.6ghz processor speed. What video card would compatible with this computer? Thank you.

Graphics Cards

Graphics cards are the heart of any good gaming experience. The average computer screen can display over a million pixels that make up all of the images that you see. You need a good graphics card to take the binary data from the CPU and turn it into an image that you can see on your computer.

The graphics card is made up of four components: a mother board in order to get data from the power supply, a processor that will tell each individual pixel on the screen, the memory that will hold the pixel information and the completed image in temporary storage and a monitor connection so that you can see the image on the screen.

Pricing

Graphics cards for gaming can run anywhere from $100 to $500. You need to look at what games you want to play and how much money you want to spend to get there. If you have certain games that you want to play regularly, look at their specs on the web to see what you need at a minimum. Two of the big players in the graphics card industry that are specifically for gaming are NVidia and GeForce.

Power Supply Issues

Your biggest issue with your setup is going to be the power supply - 300watts just isn’t that powerful these days and will severely limit the power of the graphics card that you can use. A good one to look at using this much power is the ATI Radeon HD 2400 - click on the link for the specs. You can pick one up for about $100 in many places both on the web and in stores.

If you really want good gaming, you are probably going to have to look into upgrading your power supply at the same time you upgrade your video card. It is difficult to recommend a card without knowing your needs and budget, but my recommendation is to find the card that is in your price range and see how much power you are going to need. Look on message boards for the games that you frequent or do an Internet search for graphics cards for the games that you play.

When I try to play AOL free games, it knocks me off.

Various reasons can lead to problems playing AOL free games online, so you’ll have to do a bit of troubleshooting to get to the solution. Typically, it only takes one or two of the following strategies to work. I have offered detailed instructions for the most likely solutions and then some follow up suggestions in case they don’t fix the problem for you. Follow the suggestions one at a time until you resolve the issue.

Troubleshooting AOL Free Games Online: Clearing the AOL Browser Cache

Perhaps the first step to take is to clear your computer of the footprints you have made using the AOL software. Follow these steps:

• Open your AOL Browser.
• In the toolbar, select the option for “Settings.”
• Select “Internet (Web) Options”
• Click on the option for “Clear my footprints.”
• Click on the option for “Select footprints to clear.”
• Mark off the boxes next to each of the items that you wish to clear including these: browsing history, cookies, browser cache, clear search history, and blocked pop-up list.
• Click on the option for “Clear selected footprints.”
• Click on the option for “Close.”
• Click on the option for “Save.”

Please note that these steps will not disrupt your personalized features.

Troubleshooting AOL Free Games Online: Clearing the Java Cache

Since a corrupted Java cache can interrupt game play, you should also clear this out using these directions:

• Open your control panel on the computer either by navigating to the “Start” tab and then “Control Panel” if you have Windows XP or Vista or by navigating to the “Start” tab and then “Settings” and “Control Panel.” Make sure that it has been set to “Classic View.”
• Select the “Java” icon.
• Select “General” and then “Delete Files.”
• In the window that appears for “Delete Temporary Files,” you need to click off all of the boxes, marking them with a check mark.
• Select “ok.”
• Close the “Java Control Panel” window by selecting the “ok.”

Troubleshooting AOL Free Games Online: Clearing Internet Explorer Cache

If you are using Internet Explorer as your browser, then you need to clear the temporary cache, history, and cookies that have been stored. Follow these steps:

• Navigate to “Start,” select “All Programs,” and select “Internet Explorer.”
• Select “Tools” and “Internet Options.”
• Select “General,” “Browsing History,” and “Delete.”
• Navigate to “Temporary Internet Files,” select “Delete,” and select “Yes.”
• Navigate to “History,” select “Delete History,” and “Yes.”
• Close the dialog box.

Troubleshooting AOL Free Games Online: Additional Help

If you are continuing to experience gaming errors, use the following tips to troubleshoot problems.

• If you are trying to play free Pogo games offered through AOL when this happens, visit the Pogo website and access their POGO TOOLBOX.
• Check your Java installation by taking the Java Plug-in Test.
• Update your browser.
• Try playing during off times when there is less likely to be a lot of traffic online.
• If you are using dial up service, upgrade your Internet.

I removed my CPU fan and heat-shield to give them a clean as they were caked in dust. When I built back up again, the system turned itself off during boot-up. I removed the case to make sure all connections were OK. I rebooted the PC with case off and it worked for 10 minutes then switched off again. I left it turned off for an hour, then booted up and checked bios menu. I noticed that the CPU temperature was running at 89 degrees centigrade for a theo temp of 65. All fans in unit are working okay and at correct speeds.

Ouch! A computer that hot is good for cooking eggs, but not for running properly. A CPU temperature of 89 degrees is one in need of some quick cooling. I’m guessing that you were having problems with heat already and that is what prompted you to clean it out in the first place. Taking the cover off and cleaning it out with canned air is a good first step toward troubleshooting your problem, but in your case, it may not be enough.

Troubleshooting Cooling Issues

I want to make sure that you have adequate airflow around your unit. Is it sitting on a soft surface like a carpet or bedding? Make sure that it is either on a hard surface or elevated just a little off the floor. Make sure the vents aren’t blocked by anything and that air can intake and exhaust from the unit.

Heatsinks

You say at the end of your question that all “fans” are running - how many are you using? You may need more than one to cool the PC, depending on the demands you are putting on it. Are you using heatsinks as well? This may be what you are referring to when you talk about a heat shield. An active heatsink is a device that attaches to the processor and attracts and dissipates heat from the unit into the air with a fan. A passive heatsink does not have a fan attached to it. Any kind of heatsink device needs to have some sort of thermal compound on it that creates a seal between the heatsink that the thing that it is cooling. Some new heatsinks come with a rubber thermal compound pad already attached and some require that you use a thin layer of paste. If you remove the heatsink, you need to put more thermal compound on it, even if it came with a pad. Apply only a thin layer - too much or none at all will compromise the ability of the heatsink to work properly.

You’re going to have to try a few different things - fans, airflow issues and heat dissipating devices in order to cool your PC down to a safe temperature.