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Magic: The Gathering for Windows 95 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Last revised: March 26, 1997

System Requirements

IBM PC 100MHz 80486DX/4 compatible or faster Windows 95 16MB RAM Quad-speed CD-ROM drive Hard drive (92MB free) Super VGA graphics for 640 x 480 x 256 colors Mouse Windows 95-compatible sound card

Recommended IBM PC 120MHz Pentium compatible or faster 32MB RAM High Color graphics for 1024 x 768 x 16-bit color (2MB video RAM minimum)

Installation

Q: I have the demo for Magic: The Gathering installed. Will this cause any problems when I install the complete game?

A: We recommend that you either delete the demo directory or rename it before installing the complete game. By default, the complete game uses the same directory name (\MAGIC) that the demo uses.

Q: The manual mentions online registration, but I don't see any option for this in the game.

A: Unfortunately, at the last minute we had to remove this option. Please fill out and send in the registration card that was in your box in order to register the game.

Compatibility

Q: Is Magic: The Gathering compatible with Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11 or Windows NT?

A: Unfortunately, because the program uses Microsoft's DirectX version 3.0a, it does not work properly with any operating system except Windows 95.

Q: While installing the game, I got an error code of "38."

A: This problem is caused by insufficient hard drive space. The game requires a minimum of 92MB free on your hard drive (and perhaps more depending on the total size of your hard drive). Please remember that you will need an additional 20MB to 30MB of hard drive space for the Windows 95 swap file.

Q: While installing the game, I got an error message of "Assertion error, cannot open sprite file." I am using Corel CD-ROM drivers.

A: Unfortunately, the installer is not compatible with Corel CD-ROM drivers. You must load Windows 95 drivers for your CD-ROM drive.

Q: I got an error while uninstalling or reinstalling the game that says there is a file that is write-protected or otherwise cannot be deleted.

A: Just reboot your computer and try again. Sometimes Windows 95 thinks one of the files is write-protected until the computer is rebooted.

Sound

Q: I don't have a Windows 95-compatible sound card, and the game crashes on me.

A: Unfortunately, the game requires a Windows 95-compatible sound card. Without one, the game will crash in certain parts of the game (usually when you try to duel in Shandalar).

Q: I am having problems with the sound in Magic: The Gathering.

A: Please note that the game requires DirectX version 3.0 working in order to hear the sound and music. If you are not hearing any sound, the problem is most likely caused by a problem with DirectX not working with your sound card. Please contact your sound card manufacturer for the latest drivers that are compatible with DirectX version 3.0a.

Q: I am experiencing glitches in the game due to sound repeating.

A: Please try first uninstalling the game and then reinstalling the game using the full custom install. This will sometimes take care of the problem.

Q: I'm having problems with sound in duels.

A: Try renaming the folder "DuelSounds" in the MAGIC\PROGRAM directory to something else. You will no longer hear any sounds in the duel.

Q: I have a Sound Blaster AWE32 card and am having sound problems.

A: Please download the latest drivers from the Creative Labs Web site at www.creaf.com or contact them directly for the latest version of their Windows 95-compliant sound card drivers.

Q: I have an Ensoniq ViVo sound card, and I hear static through my speakers when I play Magic: The Gathering.

A: Please download the latest drivers that should fix this problem from Ensoniq's Web site at www.ensoniq.com or contact them directly for the latest version of their Windows 95- compliant sound card drivers.

Q: I have a Packard Bell computer with an Aztech Sound Galaxy Washington 16 sound card, and I hear static when I play the game.

A: Please download the latest drivers that should fix this problem from Aztech's Web site at www.aztechca.com or contact them directly for the latest version of their Windows 95- compliant sound card drivers.

Graphics

Q: I am having video glitches or seeing graphic anomalies.

A: Please try changing your display resolution to either a lower resolution (such as 640 x 480) or higher resolution (such as 1024 x 768).

If at all possible, we recommend running the game in High Color graphics (16-bit color).

You can also try turning down the graphics acceleration by selecting the System control panel and clicking on the Performance Tab. Then click on the "Graphics" button and slide the bar to the left in order to adjust the degree of hardware acceleration. We recommend lowering the graphics acceleration to "Most accelerator functions." If that doesn't help, try "Basic accelerator functions."

In addition, make sure that you do not have any other programs (such as Norton Crash Protector) running in the background.

Q: Sometimes when I exit Magic; The Gathering, the colors on my Windows desktop are messed up.

A: Unfortunately, running Magic: The Gathering in only 256 colors will sometimes cause this problem with the color palette. If at all possible, please switch to High Color graphics (16-bit color).

Q: I am running the game in a higher resolution than 1024 x 768 (such as 1124 x 864), and the game window is not full screen. Instead it only takes up the upper left corner of the screen.

A: Magic: The Gathering is full screen in three different resolutions: 640 x 480, 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768. If you run the game at a higher resolution than 1024 x 768, it will not run in full screen.

Q: I am having problems with the game returning to Windows unexpectedly.

A: This problem may be caused by graphics hardware acceleration. Please try reducing the graphics acceleration hardware by selecting the System control panel. Then click on the Performance tab and click the "Graphics" button. Slide the bar to the left to lower the graphics acceleration. We recommend lowering the graphics acceleration to "Most accelerator functions." If that doesn't help, try "Basic accelerator functions."

Q: I have an ATI Mach 64 video card and am experiencing problems.

A: Please download the latest video drivers from the ATI Web site at www.ati.com or contact ATI directly for the latest version of their Windows 95-compliant drivers.

Q: I have a Diamond Stealth 3D video card and am experiencing problems.

A: Please download the latest video drivers from the Diamond Web site at www.diamondmm.com or contact Diamond directly for the latest version of their Windows 95-compliant drivers.

Q: I have a Chips and Technology video card and am experiencing problems.

A: Please download the latest video drivers from the Chips and Technology Web site at www.chips.com or contact Chips and Technology directly for the latest version of their Windows 95-compliant drivers.

Q: I have a Matrox Millenium video card and am experiencing problems.

A: Please download the latest BIOS update from the Matrox Web site at www.matrox.com or contact Matrox directly for the latest version of their Windows 95-compliant drivers. This BIOS update fixes many DirectX-related issues.

Troubleshooting

Q: I am experiencing DLL errors, assert errors or lockups.

A: Please make sure that you do not have any other programs (such as Norton Crash Protector) running in the background. The only programs that should be loaded are Magic: The Gathering and absolutely necessary Windows 95 programs.

Q: The game is locking up when I try to load a saved game, or I am experiencing "Page fault" errors.

A: Magic: The Gathering requires at least 15MB to 20MB of virtual memory. Please check your virtual memory by selecting the System control panel. Then click on the Performance tab and click the "Virtual Memory" button.

Q: I am receiving an error message of "Error vids:iv41 decompression."

A: This error is caused by the Indeo video drivers. Please run the SETINDEO.EXE program by inserting your Magic CD-ROM, changing to your CD-ROM drive and typing "\autoplay\setindeo" [Enter] at the DOS prompt. You need to restart your computer for this change to take effect. If you continue to experience this error message, please download the latest version of Video for Windows from Intel's Web site at www.intel.com.

Q: I am having problems with "Assertion failed" or "Add card" error messages while playing in the Shandalar part of the game.

A: If your graphics resolution is set to something higher than 1024 x 768, please try lowering it to 1024 x 768. If that doesn't work, please try lowering it to 800 x 600.

Q: When I bring up the Duel, the program isn't listing any decks in the opening dialog box.

A: When you install the game, the directory name must be no longer than eight (8) characters. Exit the game and rename the directory in Windows 95 to fix this problem.

Q: Sometimes the game quits back to Windows unexpectedly.

A: Applications running in the background may cause the game to close without notice. Please shut down all other applications before running Magic: The Gathering.

Gameplay

Q: Do you plan to release expansion sets for Magic: The Gathering (like the Legends expansion)?

A: Yes. Our goal is to mirror the paper card game completely by producing expansion sets as add-ons to the initial Magic program. We plan to release the first of these expansions by the end of this year.

Q: The computer AI is making strange or seemingly stupid decisions in how it plays its cards.

A: The computer deliberately makes some mistakes at the easier levels of the game in order to give beginning Magic players a fighting chance. If you feel these AI decisions are annoying, please try increasing the difficulty level.

Duel Interface

Q: The game isn't stopping at my upkeep phase. Therefore, I can't do optional upkeep effects such as paying to untap my Brass Man or paying to untap my Paralyzed creature.

A: You must put a Stop marker on your upkeep phase for the program to stop there. Otherwise, the game will only stop at your upkeep phase for mandatory effects (such as a creature getting a counter for Unstable Mutation or taking damage for Cursed Land). To put a Stop marker on any phase, right-click on the Phase Bar at the phase that you want the game to stop at and select "Mark this phase to always stop" from the pop-up menu. This will mark the Phase Bar with a red dot which means that the program will stop there if you have a valid action. Please refer to pages 116-118 of the manual for more information.

Q: When I double-click a card to cast it, it's tapping some lands that I don't want to tap.

A: You can instead single-click on a card in your hand to cast it. If you single-click, you'll be prompted to click on your mana sources manually. Or you can right-click the lands that you don't want to be automatically tapped and choose "Don't auto tap this card" from the mini-menu.

Q: I clicked on the title bar of the Combat Window, and it disappeared. How can I get it back?

A: Just click on the sword icon that's between the two phase bars to make the Combat Window reappear (see page 126 of the manual).

Q: I have more than four creatures in combat, but I can't see beyond the first four in the Combat Window.

A: To scroll the Combat Window, just click on the little white mouse (that's between your creatures and your opponent's). Drag the mouse icon to scroll the Combat Windows so you can see the creatures on the right-hand side.

Shandalar

Q: I am just starting in Shandalar and am getting beaten up on a regular basis by all those creatures that keep attacking me. What can I do?

A: One of your first steps should be to run to the nearest village or city as fast as possible so you can edit your starting deck. You want to edit your deck to the best cards possible while remembering the minimum deck size depending on your difficulty level (30 cards for Apprentice, 35 for Magician, 40 for both Sorcerer and Wizard). If at all possible, reduce the number of colors in your deck to two or at the most three.

Next, pick your battles wisely. As the manual says on page 41, the weakest creatures are those that walk. The next hardest are those that are mounted, and the toughest are those look like dragons or other flying creatures.

Try to run away from the more powerful creatures until you build up a stronger deck. You can run away by moving to a terrain type that the creature can't follow you onto. Each creature sticks to the terrain type corresponding to its color (for example, red creatures stay near mountains). Of course, some creatures are multicolored and can survive on two different terrain types. Once you cross a terrain boundary, the creature will be unable to follow you.

Stay on the roads if at all possible. You will move much faster if you walk on roads and can many times outrun the other creatures.

Don't forget that you can bribe many creatures. Discretion is sometimes the better part of valor, and if you can afford the gold, it's probably better than losing a card from your deck in ante.

As your deck becomes stronger and you beat more creatures, you'll notice that the weaker ones will start running away from you!

Q: When I defeat one of the creatures, I see an animation of the five major wizards. What do all those things represent?

A: As noted on page 32 of the manual, each skull represents a victory by you against one of that wizard's creatures. The wizards' staffs represent their total life points. Each red dot represents one fewer life point for that wizard. (You can only knock them down by 10 points, though, to a minimum of 20 life.) The tiny floating spheres represent mana taps (see page 46 of the manual). You will lose the battle to save Shandalar if any one wizard accumulates enough mana taps and is able to cast the Spell of Dominion.

Q: Everytime I receive a notice that a wizard is attacking a particular town, I don't arrive in time to save it.

A: If a wizard gains control of a city, it will be converted into a mana dome. You can still battle the wizard there to free it. You will not regain your mana link, however, if you had one there before.

The best defense, though, is to get to the city in time to defend it before it is turned into a mana dome. The Sword of Resistance, one of the World Magics, is perfect for this since it magically teleports you to that city at the cost of a white mana stone.

Q: I'm building a deck in Shandalar but there seem to be limits on how many duplicates of one card I can put into my deck.

A: As noted on page 139 of the manual, the number of duplicate cards allowed in your Shandalar deck depends on the total size of your deck and whether you have the Tome of Enlightenment (one of the World Magics). If you don't have the Tome of Enlightenment, you can only have one card if your deck has 19 or fewer cards, 2 duplicate cards if your deck has 20 to 39 cards, 3 duplicates if your deck has 40 to 59 cards, or 4 duplicates if your deck is over 60 cards.

Q: Even though I've edited my deck and know exactly which cards are in it, I keep getting random land.

A: As the manual says on page 138, if your deck does not have the minimum number of cards in it, random basic lands will be temporarily added to your library (after the ante but before the shuffle). Your deck must have 30 cards at Apprentice level, 35 at Magician level, or 40 at both Sorcerer and Wizard level.

Q: Everytime I try to look at my deck or edit my deck in Shandalar, the game crashes.

A: Unfortunately, if you have more than 500 cards in your deck in Shandalar, the game will crash. The workaround is to duel some creatures, concede the game and thereby lose your ante card. Continue to do this until your deck size is below 500 cards. Then you can sell some cards once you're in town.



©1997 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. & MicroProse, Inc.

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