This page contains commonly asked support questions about the Independence War demo. Please read this page if you're having problems running the demo.

If you're still having problems then email our support address:

support@particle-systems.com

Please give all relevant information (e.g. video card, processor, etc) and a complete summary of the problem when sending support email.

Questions

1. The demo crashes back to windows when I run it, why?
2. I can't get my joystick to work with the demo, how can I fix this problem?
3. Why is the cursor flickery and difficult to see?

Q. The demo quits back to windows when I run it, why?

This could be for one of several reasons:

1) You're selecting the wrong video mode when running the demo. e.g. 3Dfx Voodoo when you don't have a 3Dfx card.

Solution: Select the correct video mode.

2) You don't have DirectX 5 installed, or don't have DirectX 5 certified drivers.

Solution: Install DirectX 5 or DirectX 5 certified drivers.

3) You don't have Glide version 2.43 or 2.5 installed. (3Dfx version)

Solution: Install Glide version 2.43 or 2.5

4) You may have a file called BRender.ini in your windows or windows\system directory. This overrides the Independence War graphics settings and can cause the demo to exit on startup.

Solution: Use windows search to find the file BRender.ini and rename or delete it. Warning: Some other games may use the BRender.ini file so keep a backup if you delete it.

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Q. I can't get my joystick to work with the demo, how can I fix this problem?

A. The demo relies on the Windows 95 joystick setup - the demo itself doesn't have any joystick configuration features. It uses the joystick that Windows 95 tells it is there, and relies on the joystick being set up correctly using the Windows 95 Game devices control panel.

If your joystick came with a Windows 95 driver disk, then follow the instructions you got with the stick to install the driver software.

If the stick didn't come with a driver disk, or if the driver disk doesn't seem to work you should be able to configure it as a custom joystick using the Windows 95 Game Controllers control panel.

1. Go to the Start menu and select Settings, then select Control Panel. Double click on the Game Controllers Icon.
2. You might see your joystick listed in the game devices window If so click on it and then click on the Remove button. If there's no joystick there then you need to add one.
3. To add a joystick click on the Add button and select [custom...] from the top of the window.
4. You'll see a new control panel. Select the number of axes (2 for a normal stick, 3 for one with a throttle)
5. Select the number of buttons (normally 4)
6. Click on the Special Characteristics box, and select 'is a flight yoke/stick.' If your joystick has a 'hat' switch. click on 'has a point of view control'.
7. Enter a name for the stick in the box at the bottom of the window and click on the OK button.
8. You should then see the joystick listed in the joystick window with Ok next to it. Click on the Properties button, and then click on the Calibrate button and follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate the stick.

This should (hopefully) set up your Joystick to work with Independence War.

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Q. Software version: Why is the cursor flickery and difficult to see?

A. This problem occurs sometimes with some video cards when Microsoft Plus is installed, and custom mouse pointers are selected. Open the Mouse control panel, and select the Pointers TAB. Click on the Precision Select cursor and then click on the Use Default button. This will fix the problem.

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