Sometimes we tend to experience issues when trying out new games or when updating current games. Usually these experiences tend to annoy us as we are unable to play the game properly. This guide will help reduce problems by enabling users to directly check certain components and ensure they are effectively working or up-to-date.

Common Issues

Problem 1. Game Client will not load
For a client not to load up when called upon, indicates a certain file may be corrupt within its installed folder. A client runs when you double click or open the official .exe file, however if a folder is missing some critical files it will prevent loading the .exe component.

How to fix - Re-install the whole game, with the latest client. If you had just downloaded the game, chances are you failed to download a critical file due to a timed error. Try to re-download the client from another source. In some cases the client may be designed for other operating systems, therefore the client will not open. Please ensure you downloaded the correct operating system client (i.e. Windows 98, Windows XP or Windows VISTA).

Problem 2. Game Client crashes constantly
Clients crashing is a very common issue and is usually fixed easily, depending on the circumstances.

How to fix - If the game client had been updated previously, it may be an issue with the gaming company for releasing a corrupted patch. Although this is uncommon, it does happen from time to time and notices on the official game website will indicate the problem. The major reason behind these crashes is usually your graphics card, either it is not the minimum requirement or out of date. It is a good idea to update your graphics card every month or when updates are released by the company. Click on your graphics card below to visit the official downloads centre to check for updates.

[ NVidia ] [ ATI ] [ Intel ] [ Matrox ] [ S3 ] [ SIS ]

Problem 3. Game freezes
Clients tend to freeze often when your CPU over-heats or reaches a stage where it is over performing. The results tend to freeze applications or game clients and sometimes even restarts your computer without warning (or some operating systems gives you the blue warning screen).

How to fix - To fix this problem, you need to reduce the amount of applications running the background. Most games eat a lot of your systems resources, so trying to run other applications in the background such as your music or videos, can cause unexpected issues with your CPU. If the problem continues, it may even be related to your graphics card drivers - in which case update them as soon as possible.

Problem 4. I cannot connect to the client or server?
Online games require your internet connection to directly establish a connection with another server to ensure you can play successfully. However at times your internet may fail to connect or disconnect constantly during times of the day, week or month.

How to fix - Most of these connection issues is related to your internet speed and connection. Users on dail-up will experience more problems than users on ASDL or Cable. Most online games today have trouble running effectively on a dail-up connection and tend to disconnect users more frequently. The common issue here is generally your ISP/ADSL Modem or Router. In which case you should re-check your modem and router settings to ensure you are not blocking any ports or have any extreme firewall settings in place. Most computers these days ask for permission when connecting to an outer source (or when attempting to establish an outside connection). In which case you will be able to "block" or "approve" the connection. In some cases firewalls may have changed settings resulting in failed attempts.

Problem 5. Why do I lag?
Lag in online games or even offline games is common and is related to your CPU and Internet Connection Speed. Online games is generally based on both your ISP Connection and your CPU RAM. Computers will low RAM tend to be under more pressure than those which have higher RAM. RAM is the major component within your computer which runs internal applications effectively. That is why some computers can run multiple applications, while others can barely run one application.

How to fix - Increase the amount of RAM within your computer and/or accelerate your internet speed. Dail-up connections will cause lag in almost all online games. Today most gaming websites indicate a requirement of ASDL or Cable as a minimum to play their game(s) effectively. Therefore purchasing a new ISP Bundle will be highly recommended, however also expensive at times.

Problem 6. Failed to update client?
Most companies perform weekly updates or inspections to help reduce server capacity, update servers as well as upload new or fixed content. At the end of the inspection it is common for your client to begin updating - however sometimes after updating your client stops half way or wont load when completed?

How to fix - Try to download the manual patch and begin the update sequence once again. If this fails, check the official game website incase they have reported any issues or newer updates to fix the previous error. If this continues you will need to re-download the client again and re-install - due to a corrupt sequence.

Problem 7. I dont understand the language?
If the language in game or the client language is not English!

How to fix - Check to see whether you can change the language settings in game or within options back to ENGLISH. Some games do not contain such options, therefore you probably downloaded the wrong file or update. In any case be sure to download an English update or client and re-install or overrite the exisiting files. Some games online may also be in a BETA Phase, which means not all elements of the game have yet been translated until the final release - check the official website for further information.

Problem 8. RunTime Error? Help!
Run Time error is common and is usually directly related to your graphic drivers or DirectX version.

How to fix - Ensure you have the latest DirectX version installed on your computer - which is directly recommended by the official game company. So long as you have latest DirectX everything is fine - you should NOT reduce the version or down-grade your DirectX version as this may cause some serious internal errors with other pre-set applications. If you receive a run time error please check for driver updates. If this continues, instead switch back to previous driver patches using the control panel system on your graphics card. In other words, sometimes driver updates do not help solve the problem. So before the update your driver version was probably 1.0.15.2 (example only). With the latest update it is now 1.0.15.3. If you still receive run time errors, then you will need to go into your graphic card settings and force it to run older versions, such as 1.0.15.1 or even older (this can be done via your graphic card control panel).

Problem 9. External applications causing issues
Sometimes other applications such as anti-virus, firewalls and Adware software may cause issues with your gaming client. Generally these applications reduce the risk of attacks by outside connections (i.e. online games require external connections to be established - your computer sees this as a possible attack).

How to fix - Disable or reduce your computers security level while playing online games. Norton AntiVirus is a perfect example of blocking gaming clients while trying to connect online. Changing your setting from HIGH to MEDIUM will fix this problem. Windows Security Panel also requests that your UNBLOCK or BLOCK applications which establish externally - be sure to check your client is not on the list as "block".

Problem 10. I changed some files now it wont work?
Changing files or editting files within your game folder can causing serious issues, the majo issue - not being able to run or open your game. It is common for advanced users to edit or change files to modify certain game play features or to even run illegal software such as bots. However doing so is a risky business and can cause problems at a later stage.

How to fix - If you intend on doing such processes, please keep the deleted files or original files in another folder - which can be used to overrite the corrupted files. If you did not keep backups, then you will need to re-install the whole client again or extract the original non-editted files from the official client or patch.

[ If you need more help or still have problems - contact us on our forums today! ]