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Sonic R - Windows XP FAQ
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By Shakey_Jake33
Released 29th March 2003
Version 0.5
Best Read in Notepad with Wordwrap ENABLED
Sega games seem to have some problems with Windows XP, Sonic games in
particular.  This has meant that some fans of the series have been unable to
enjoy their game because they have a relatively new computer.
Now after extensivly researching and tweaking, I have gotten this game running
on my machine, 100%, with no bugs.  With the FAQ, I hope to help other people
out in getting the game to run.
In case you are wondering which machine I am using to run the game, I am using
an Athlon XP 2100+, 512Meg DDR RAM, GeForce4 Ti4200 64Meg, Soundblaster PCI 128
soundcard, Soltek 75DRV5 KT333 motherboard.  I am using Windows XP Professional
with Service Pack 1, DirectX 9.0a, Windows Media Player 9 and the 43.45
Detonator drivers for the GeForce.  For the Soundcard I am using the drivers
named 'SBPCI_WebDrvsV5_12_01.exe' on the official site.  So if you have a
similar system to be, try installing those drivers.
I have labelled this 0.5 because I intend to update this FAQ if any new
problems and/or fixes arise, so please feel free to email me.
Any site can use my FAQ, tho I'd appriciate being emailed so I can notify of
updates, and generally just so I know... I won't get stroppy if you forget to
:P
After this FAQ, I shall try to get Sonic CD running under XP, so please also
emial me with help there, I've yet to sucessfully do it ;)
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CONTENTS
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1 - When I try to install the game, it say I have not enough HardDrive Space
and to free 90Meg
2 - I get 'The program encountered a problem at address 004801d9 and cannot
continue...
3 - I get no CD Audio music in game
4 - My music runs in slow montion, or keeps stopping.
5 - When I start the game, all the options have a big X over them
6- Contact and Thanks.
On with the questions...
1 - When I try to install the game, it say I have not enough HardDrive Space
and to free 90Meg
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This is a very common problem, I came across it the first time I tried the game
actually (bought it for £0.99 w00t!).
Go to My Computer and open the CD, right-click the file 'setup.exe' and go to
'Properties'.  On here, go to the 'Compatibility' tab, and under 'Compatibility
mode', tick 'Run this prigram in compatibility mode for', and choose 'Windows
98/Windows ME'.  You should now be able to install the game.
2 - I get the error messege 'The program encountered a problem at address
004801d9 and cannot continue, Click on OK to terminate the application' when
trying to run the game.
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Some people get this bug, some people don't.  I have no idea why.  Anyway, the
first thing to do it to go to where you installed the game, and right-click the
file 'sonicr.exe' and go to 'Properties'.  On here, go to the 'Compatibility'
tab, and under 'Compatibility mode', tick 'Run this prigram in compatibility
mode for', and choose 'Windows 98/Windows ME'. Then try to run the game again.
If this does not solve your problem, I found that by trying to run 'sonicr.exe'
over and over, it does actually eventually bother to run.  I found the easiest
way is to just hit 'enter' over the exe over and over until it runs.  Why this
works I do not know, but hey, as long as it works!
3 - I get no CD Audio music in game
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Now I actually do get music, so this information is really just compiling
advice I have read from other people.  First thing to do is, once again, the
compatibility mode trick.  As with the other problems, right-click the file
'sonicr.exe' and go to 'Properties'.  On here, go to the 'Compatibility' tab,
and under 'Compatibility mode', tick 'Run this prigram in compatibility mode
for', and choose 'Windows 98/Windows ME'. Then try to run the game again.  If
this does not help then it's going to be more complex.
Make sure your CD is in the *primary* CD drive.  This is critically important.
Very few games use CD Audio anymore, so your computer might not be set up for
it.  Is your CD drive connected up to your sound card with a redbook cable?
Some computer setups require this.  Mine didn't, but my friends did.  Curiously
I *did* need it for Tomb Raider II.  But anyway. once you have done this,
update to the latest driverrs for your soundcard.  Then go to your volume
control and check the CD Audio volume level.  You could also try installing
Windows Media Player 9, but I doubt that will really help.
My final last ditch attempt is to go to Device Manager (Windows
key+Pause->Hardware->Device Manager), go to CD/DVD Rom Drives, right-click your
drive, go to Properties, then the Properties tab then untick 'Enable digital CD
audio for this device' (Or tick it if it's unticked.  This may work, I'm not
sure.
That's really all I can offer as help on this particular issue, because it
works for me.  There are rumours that the machine needs an older DirectX, and
that there are defective discs flying about, but I doubt both of these
theories.  For the record, I'm using a SoundBlaster PCI 128.
Also be aware the game has issues with CD-RW drives.
4 - My music runs in slow montion, or keeps stopping.
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Apply everything I said in question #3.  Again, I do not get this problem.
5 - When I start the game, all the options have a big X over them
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This happens when you have not inserted the CD, or the computer thinks you
haven't.
Make sure you have the game inserted in the primary CD drive.  Also be aware
the game does not seem to like CD-RW drives.
If the worst comes to the worst, you could crack the game, but I do not condone
priracy, so I shall not tell you where.  Besides, you'd get no music that way.
6- Contact and Thanks
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Ok if you have any other problems, please do email me.  I can then research
into it, and add the fix into a later edition of my FAQ.
If you know of any more fixes, please email me also so I can add the
information.  You will of course get full credit.
If your gonna use extracts of this FAQ, please tell me and give me credit.
Thanks to Tiles44 for being a fellow Sonic-er, the GameFAQ's Sonic R PC people
for posting their problems inspiring me to make this FAQ, GameStation for
selling me this superb game for 99p (!), and my girlfriend Christine 'lily' for
just living (luv ya baby :) ).
Copyright 2003 Shakey_Jake33 (Jake Baldwin)