crashing fox

[emmet]

I have the Desert Fox MC, v5.3 on title page, v5.0 on menu. The game is crashing after the selection screen process is done and the game should be loading. I was able to play the 1st scenario and the crash came when loading the 2nd. Now it crashes if I try to get into my 1st scn. save. I have an xp1800 with plenty of ram and video, W98 2nd ed. Help

[Supervisor]

Update SPWAW to 7.1. Click here for the proper updates, install them in order restarting the computer after each update.
SPWAW 5.2/5.3-6.1 update patch
SPWAW 6.1-7.0 update patch and the 7.0-7.1 update patch can be found on the MatrixGames download page. Also update Desert Fox from the MatrixGames download page. It is normal for the SPWAW menu version to differ from the MegaCampaign menu. Delete the following files C:\MatrixGames\Steel Panthers World at War\save steel.prf and holder.txt. Try running the game directly from C:\MatrixGames\Steel Panthers World at War\mech.exe file, this will bypass the autorun menu which causes some problems on some systems. Ensure all your video and sound card drivers are up to date. Don't run any other programs in the background with SPWAW it's is a processor hog and doesn't play well with others.

[chief]

Gmenfan: He also might need the latest OOBs since he's updating, doncha think ?:D

[Supervisor]

True but it shouldn't cause these problems, besides the SPWAW patches also include OOB updates as the program changes. Then once he's up to speed we can point him to some very good aftermarket revised OOB's

[chief]

Awwwe Ok:)

[emmet]

O.K. I've done all the patching. However, when I looked in C:...\save, there was no "steel.prf" file. There were holder, dat., cmt., and rec. files.

[Supervisor]

Thats not a problem (not having a steel.prf file) this file is what saves your preferences during gameplay, if you haven't altered anything in the preference screen this file has yet to be created. I requested deletion because this file once created can get corrupted causing all sorts of unexplained problems, but when the game is restarted and you alter any preference the file gets recreated so it's easy to repair. When you start SPWAW you sould see 7.1 on the bottom of the screen if the patches applied themselves correctly. Don't worry what is displayed at the bottom of the MegaCampaign menu screen. Let me know how things are going.

[emmet]

I've got the upgrades to v7.0 and the MC is running although it did skip a battle- forfeit to me!. Is there a 7.0>7.1 upgrade patch or am I wanting the 7.1 patch there on the download page?

[Supervisor]

Yes there is a 7.0> 7.1 patch you can get it here. SPWAW update patch to 7.1 During the installation, when it asks for path installation verification you need to remove the space between Matrix Games (MatrixGames) or the patch won't be installed properly, a last minute production error. After installation the next time you start SPWAW it should display 7.1 at the bottom of the screen.

[emmet]

Well, I thought I had it. My game was upgraded to 7.1 (7.0 for MC). I was running the game (MC) o.k. and browsed the encylclopedia. Upon exiting the encylclopedia the game crashed. After installing the 7.1 upgrade I have 2 Matrix Game folders, 1 without the space between words and one with. The former runs the game. The latter has few folders (pic, shp, &snd+).

[Supervisor]

You can delete the folder that has the space between Matrix Games this is patch install that didn't work, you have those same folders under the MatrixGames Folder.

[emmet]

Well, I think I've got it... Many thanks for the quick help... Out.