MechWarrior 4: Computer Stops Responding When You Start the Game for the First Time (329560)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Black Knight
  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Vengeance
  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries
This article was previously published under Q329560

SYMPTOMS

When you try to start MechWarrior 4: Black Knight, or MechWarrior 4: Vengeance on your Microsoft Windows XP-based computer for the first time, your computer may stop responding (hang).

CAUSE

This behavior may occur when the required command-line parameters are missing from the Target box of the MechWarrior 4 Properties dialog box.

RESOLUTION

Step 1: Start Autoconfig Utility

  1. Quit MechWarrior 4.
  2. To open the Autoconfig utility, click Start, point to Programs or All Programs, point to Microsoft Games, point to the MechWarrior title that you have installed, and then click Autoconfig.
  3. Click Continue.
  4. Start MechWarrior as usual.

    If restarting Autoconfig utility does not resolve the issue, continue to step 2.

Step 2: Disable the Autoconfig Utility from Starting Up

To disable the Autoconfig utility, add a parameter to the game shortcut. To manually add a parameter to the game shortcut, follow these steps:
  1. Insert the game CD in the CD-ROM drive.

    Press and hold the SHIFT key as you insert the CD-ROM to prevent the program from starting automatically.
  2. Right-click Start, and then click Open or Open All Users.
  3. Double-click the Programs folder.
  4. Double-click the Microsoft Games folder.
  5. Double-click the Game folder.
  6. Right-click the game shortcut icon, and then click Properties.
  7. On the Shortcut tab, in the Target box, press END, press SPACEBAR, and then type the parameter for your version of the game (where drive is the drive letter of the hard disk on which MechWarrior 4 is installed):
    • MechWarrior 4: Vengeance: drive:\program files\microsoft games\mechwarrior vengeance\autoconfig.exe -noautoconfig
    • MechWarrior 4: Black Knight: drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\MechWarrior Vengeance\Mw4.exe -noautoconfigx
    • MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries: drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Mechwarrior Mercenaries\Mw4mercs.exe - noautoconfig
  8. Click Apply, and then click OK.
  9. Start MechWarrior 4 as usual.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about MechWarrior shortcut parameters, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

309135 Games: Using GOS Switches for Troubleshooting

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/7/2006
Keywords:kbConfig kbenv kbprb kbui KB329560
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