| 1.
What should I do if get a "Source is
not selected" error while installing
Half-Life 2? |
| |
This
is a known issue with Half-Life 2 Standard
Edition, however, is does not affect the Collector's
or European DVD editions.
During the initial installation process, the
option to install "Counter-Strike: Source"
is NOT selected by default, and it can be
easily overlooked.
If the installation continues without checking
this option, an error may occur.
The follwing is the error displayed: cabinet
file error, fatal disk error.
NOTE: The error message may have slight variations.
To solve this problem, all you need to do
is:
- Cancel the current installation process.
- Start the installation process again, starting
with Disc #1.
To avoid repeating the issue, make certain
to select the option to install both Half-Life
2 and Counter-Strike: Source.
If you prefer not to retain the Counter-Strike:
Source program on your system, you can remove
it later using the following procedure:
1. Complete the Half-Life 2 installation.
2. Open the Steam client.
3. Select the Play Games list.
4. Right click on Counter-Strike: Source.
5. Select the 'Properties' option.
6. Select "Delete Local Content." |
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| 2.
What should I do if my Half-Life 2 installation
has a Product Authentication Delay? |
| |
You may
experience a delay in authenticating Half-Life
2 during the installation process. The cause
of this delay is the high volume of consumers
who have purchased Half-Life 2 and are installing
the game, causing high traffic on the Steam
authentication servers. If you encounter this
situation, please keep trying, as this is
a temporary delay. |
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| 3.
How can I remove the W32.Sasser.Worgm, W32.Sasser.B.Worm,
or W32.Sasser.C.Worm? |
| |
Symantec
has developed a removal tool that helps you
get rid of these worms. This tool will terminate
the viral processes, delete their files and
delete the registry values that the worms
add. Please follow these steps to remove the
worms:
1. Click here to download Symantec¡¯s Removal
Tool called Fxsasser.exe
2. Close all running programs, and unplug
your Internet connection.
3. Disable the System Restore, please do
not skip this step or the fix may not work
properly. Click here to learn how to disable
System Restore.
4. Double click the Fxsasser.exe file to
start the removal tool. Then, click ¡°Start¡±
to begin the process and let it run.
5. Once it is done, please restart the
computer and run the removal tool again,
just to ensure that the system is clean.
6. Re-enable System Restore.
7. Install the Windows XP Security Update
for the Sasser Worm. Click here to download
it.
If you had any problems downloading the
file, click here to visit the Microsoft's
download page for this Security Update.
8. Install any antivirus software, update
it and do a full scan of your system for
other viruses.
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| 4.
What are the minimum system requirements to
play DOOM3? |
| |
The Minimum
system requirements to play DOOM3 according
to Activision are:
* English version of Windows 2000/XP. Please
note that this game does not support Windows
95/98/ME or NT.
? Pentium? 4 1.5 GHz or Athlon(tm) XP 1500+
processor.
? 384MB RAM.
? 8x Speed CD-ROM drive (1200KB/sec sustained
transfer rate) and latest validated drivers.
? 2.2GB of uncompressed free hard disk space
(plus 400MB for Windows swap file).
? 100% DirectX 9.0b compatible 16-bit sound
card and latest validated drivers.
? 100% Windows 2000/XP compatible mouse, keyboard
and latest validated drivers.
? DirectX 9.0b (included).
? 3D hardware Accelerator Card Required -
100% DirectX 9.0b compatible 64MB Hardware
Accelerated video card and the latest validated
driver.
Besides that, keep in mind that the video
card should use any of the following supported
chipsets:
- ATI Radeon 8500
- ATI Radeon 9000
- ATI Radeon 9200
- ATI Radeon 9500
- ATI Radeon 9600
- ATI Radeon 9700
- ATI Radeon 9800
- All Nvidia GeForce 3/Ti series
- All Nvidia GeForce 4MX series
- All Nvidia GeForce 4/Ti series
- All Nvidia GeForce FX series
- Nvidia GeForce 6800 series |
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| 5.
What can I do if my computer repeatedly restarts
after I installed Windows XP Service Pack
2? |
| |
If your
computer repeatedly restarts after you installed
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and you do not get
error messages, you might be experiencing
a problem that Microsoft has already identified.
Please review Microsoft¡¯s Knowledge Base
article #878474 - Your computer repeatedly
restarts after you install Windows XP Service
Pack 2 |
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| 6.
What do I do if my computer stops responding
when it restarts to complete the installation
of Windows XP Service Pack 2? |
| |
This
issue occurs on a limited number of systems
that use Intel Pentium 4 processors based
on the Prescott C-0 stepping (478 pin), and
the motherboard BIOS version installed does
not support them properly.
The following are Stepping C-0 processors.
? 3.40E GHz, 800 MHz FSB 90 nm
? 3.20E GHz, 800 MHz FSB 90 nm
? 3.0E GHz, 800 MHz FSB 90 nm
? 2.80E GHz, 800 MHz FSB 90 nm
? 2.80A GHz, 533 MHz FSB 90 nm
? 2.40A GHz, 533 MHz FSB 90 nm
If you experience this problem please contact
Alienware Technical Support to receive assistance
to update the computer's BIOS a version
that supports Prescott Stepping C-0 processors.
Do not update your computer's BIOS unless
you are following the instructions of a
technical support agent.
Microsoft Knowledge base article 885626
provides in-depth information about this
issue.
Alienware is responsible for all support
issues pertaining to Microsoft products
on Alienware systems. If the article you
have been directed to does not fully answer
your question, please contact Alienware
Technical Support for further assistance. |
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| 7.
What can I do if Windows XP (Service Pack
2) freezes or crashes during automatic updates? |
| |
If Windows
installer freezes during the installation
of Windows XP updates, do the following:
1. Follow this link to the Microsoft Download
Center:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=36dd19df-bc5e-44b7-a339-6794d97994a2&DisplayLang=en
2. Click on the 'Download' button on the
right side of the screen.
3. Save the file to your desktop.
4. Run the file.
The update will check your system, and
determine if Service Pack is installed.
If your systems does not have Service Pack
2 this update will notify you that you need
to install Service Pack 2 first.
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| 8.
What is the procedure for getting a part replaced? |
| |
After
troubleshooting, Alienware Technical Support
may determine that one or more parts will
need to be replaced. If your system is still
under warranty, these will be the steps for
the replacement process:
1. The Customer Service / Technical Support
Agent will create the part replacement order
in accordance with the procedure established
for that particular component, choosing
the best option depending on the circumstance.
Please keep in mind, that credit card pre-authorization
may be required in certain cases.
2. Once the order has been created, the
Agent will provide an RMA (Return Merchandise
Authorization) number for future reference,
along with an estimated time of arrival
for that order and any other shipping instructions
that may be needed.
3. When you receive the replacement component
and if the procedure requires it, the package
may include a FedEx return label so that
the defective part can be sent back to Alienware.
If this is the case, then please use the
same box in which the new component arrived
to ship the defective one back. However,
make sure to include all materials that
originally came with the part and that they
are properly packed. If manuals, disks,
cables, etc., are found to be missing or
damaged due to improper packaging, it may
result in an incomplete refund or credit.
Besides that, make sure that you write down
and keep the tracking number of the package,
just in case of any future claims. |
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| 9.
Where can I get support and download patches
for Interplay games? |
| |
As the
Interplay web-site is not accessible anymore,
support for the following games will be found
on independent websites such as www.vugames.com,
www.gamespot.com, www.bioware.com, or simply
by entering the game title in any web search
engine such as www.google.com. |
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| 10.
How do I request for my system to be repaired
at the Service Center? |
| |
Your
Warranty with Alienware? includes the option
to send your system to be repaired at our
Service Center if required.
The first step would be for you to contact
our regular Technical Support line. Our
agents are well trained to diagnose a problem
over the telephone. They will troubleshoot
your system and determine if it can be fixed
right there, or if the system needs to be
shipped back to our Service Center to be
repaired.
If this is the case, M.E. will provide
a pre-paid shipping label. Please remember
that you are responsible for the packaging
and you should use the original shipping
material. |
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| 11.
How do I contact Technical Support? |
| |
If you
have browsed the M.E. Support Area, Knowledge
Base, and Customer Forums, but still cannot
find a solution to your problem, feel free
to contact M.E. either by phone or online.
North America's Information:
North America's Toll-Free Support and Service:
(800) 287-8899
Technical Support Hours: Open mon-sat. 9am
¨C 5:30 pm.
Customer Service Hours: Monday - Friday, 10:00am
- 7:00pm (PCT) |
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| 12.
What are the features and benefits of Windows
XP Service Pack 2? |
| |
Internet
Explorer Pop-up Blocker
Makes browsing the Internet more enjoyable
by enabling you to reduce unwanted ads and
content.
Internet Explorer download monitoring
Warns you about potentially harmful downloads
and gives you the option to block files
that could be malicious.
Internet Explorer Information Bar
Provides better information about events
that are happening as your browse the Web,
so it is easier to know what is going on
and address potential security issues.
Internet Explorer Add-on Manager
Enhances security and reduces the potential
for crashes by allowing you to easily manage
Internet Explorer add-ons (programs which
have been added to the Web browser).
Outlook Express privacy update
Helps reduce unwanted e-mail by limiting
the possibility of your e-mail address being
validated by potential spammers.
Attachment Manager
Monitors and disables potentially unsafe
attachments, which could contain viruses
that might spread through Internet Explorer,
Outlook Express, and Windows Messenger.
Windows Security Center
Allows you to easily view your security
status and manage key security settings
in one convenient place.
Windows Firewall update
Automatically turned on by default, this
improved firewall helps protect Windows
XP from viruses, worms, and other security
threats that can spread over the Internet.
Windows Firewall simple compatibility setup
Lets you set up Windows Firewall to co-exist
with your favorite Internet applications
and home network.
Windows Firewall startup and shutdown support
Extends Windows Firewall protection to Windows
startup and shutdown time, ensuring enhanced
protection from the moment you turn your
PC on to the moment you turn it off.
Automatic Updates enhancements
Helps you automatically stay up-to-date
with the latest updates for Windows XP.
Also includes new technology to help dial-up
customers download updates more efficiently.
Improved wireless support
Dramatically improves and simplifies the
process of discovering and connecting to
wireless networks.
Bluetooth technologies
Enables you to easily connect to the latest
Bluetooth-enabled hardware devices such
as keyboards, cell phones, and PDAs.
Windows Media Player 9 Series
Makes it easy to enjoy music, video, and
broadband content with enhanced security.
DirectX update
Helps you enjoy advanced graphics and gaming
with the latest DirectX technology from
Microsoft. |
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| 13.
Where can I get support and download patches
for Konami games? |
| |
For
help on any game published by Konami, please
view the links below:
Main
Support Area
This is a list of their games:
Apocalyptica
Bomberman Collection
Casino Inc.
Dance Dance Revolution
Frogger's Adv.: The Rescue
Frogger Beyond
Frogger: The Great Quest
KCS: Castlevania & Contra
Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance
Shadow of Destiny
Silent Hill 2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Whiteout
Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos - Yugi |
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| 14.
Where can I get support and download patches
for Adventure Company games? |
| |
If
you need help on any game published by the
Adventure Company, please visit the following
sites:
http://www.adventurecompanygames.com/tac/
http://www.adventurecompanygames.com/tac/support/index.html
The following is a list of their games:
Amerzone
Ancient Conquest
Arabian Nights
Arthurs Knights: Tales of Chivalry
Arthurs Knights: 2 The Secret of Merlin
Atlantis The Lost Tales
Auryn Quest
Beyond Atlantis
Beyond Atlantis 2
Beyond Time
Black Mirror
Broken Sword The Sleeping Dragon
The Cameron Files: Secret at Loch Ness
The Cameron Files 2: The Pharaohs Curse
The Crystal Key
Curse of Atlantis
Dark Fall
Dracula Resurrection
Dracula The Last Sanctuary
Egypt: The Tomb of the Pharaoh
Egypt 2: The Heliopolis Prophecy
The Forgotten
Frank Herberts Dune
In Cold Blood
Jekyll & Hyde
Jewels of the Oracle
Jewels 2: The Ultimate Challenge
The Legend of Lotus Spring
The Legend of the Prophet and the Assassin
Lightbringer
The Messenger
Mysterious Journey-Schizm (SCHIZM)
Mysterious Journey II
The Mystery of the Nautilus
Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted Mansion
Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill
Nancy Drew: Stay Tuned for Danger
Nancy Drew: The Final Scene
Nancy Drew: Treasue in the Royal Tower
Necronomicon
The New Adventures of the Time Machine
Nightlong Union City Conspiracy
Odyssey The Search for Ulysses
The Omega Stone
Post Mortem
The Quest for Karma
Riddle of the Sphinx
The Sacred Amulet
Safecracker
Salammbo
SCHIZM- Mysterious Journey
Seven Games of the Soul
Sherlock Holmes Mystery of the Mummy
Syberia
Timescape Journey to Pompeii
Traitors Gate
Traitors Gate 2 |
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| 15.
Where can I get support and download patches
for Electronic Arts (EA) Games? |
| |
Troubleshooting
for Windows XP
This is a list of their games:
1503 A.D. The New World
688i
Alien Crossfire
Alpha Centauri
American McGee's Alice
Battlefield 1942
Battlefield 1942: Road to Rome
Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII
Black & White
Black & White: Creature Isle
Black & White: Deluxe
Championship Bass
Civil War Collection
Clive Barker's Undying
Command & Conquer
Deer Hunt Challenge
Dungeon Keeper 2
EA.com Free Games
Earth and Beyond Emperor: Battle for Dune
F/A-18
F-1 (Formula One)
F-15
FIFA
Fighters Anthology
Final Fantasy VIII
Fleet Command
Freedom Fighters
Freedom Force
Gettysburg
Global Operations
Harry Potter
Israeli Air Force
James Bond 007: Nightfire
LEGO Games
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Madden NFL
Medal of Honor
Motor City Online
Motoracer MVP Baseball
NASCAR
NBA Live
Need For Speed
NHL
NOX
Rugby
Shogun: Total War
Sid Meier's Sim Golf
Sim City
Sim Coaster
Sim Theme Park
Sub Command
Superbike World Championship
The Sims and Expansions
The Sims Online
Tiger Woods
Triple Play
Ultima
Ultima: Online
USAF |
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| 16.
Does the M-Audio Delta 44 audio adapter support
S/PDIF? |
| |
No,
the Delta 44 card does not support S/PDIF
digital input or output. |
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| 17.
What are the different power saving modes
available? |
| |
-
What is the ¡®Stand by Mode?¡¯
It is a power-saving mode that is activated
in order to conserve the battery. For example,
depending on user settings, the hard disk
may be turned off, the display may be turned
down or off and the CPU may be throttled
down to a lower-power mode. Nothing in memory
is saved to the disk, and restoring full
operation is faster than turning the computer
off or going into hibernation mode.
- What is ¡®Hibernation mode?¡¯
It is a power-saving mode that conserves
battery, but allows for a quicker resumption
of operation than by fully turning the computer
off and then back on. When hibernation mode
is activated, all current applications running
in memory are saved to disk and the computer
is turned off. When resuming full operation,
by pressing a button or clicking the mouse,
the applications are read from the disk
and appear in the same state as before. |
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| 18.
When will Microsoft release new updates for
Windows XP? |
| |
Microsoft
releases one or more updates for its Windows
and Office software each month. However,
if a major problem is detected and a security
or critical update is required, it will
usually be developed and released as soon
as possible.
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| 19.
What can I do if my DVD-RW drive will not
write DVDs? |
| |
If
you are experiencing problems writing or
formatting DVD recordable or rewritable
media, keep in mind, that there might be
several factors causing this problem, so
please follow these recommendations:
? Ensure that you are using the proper media
type (DVD+R, DVD-R, etc) for your specific
DVD-RW drive, and that it is in good condition.
? Download the latest version, patches or
updates for your burning software.
? Make sure that the burning software you
have installed supports the current DVD-RW
drive that you are using.
? Test your drive by burning a CD-R, in
order to isolate the problem.
? Make sure that 'CD recording' is disabled
for that drive. The DVD format supports
writing to regular CD-R or CD-RW media,
so this option might interfere with the
drive's capabilities. To check, please follow
the procedure below:
1. Open 'My Computer.'
2. Right-click on the 'DVD-RW' drive.
3. Click on the 'Recording' tab.
4. On the 'Desktop CD recording' subwindow,
make sure that the checkbox that reads 'Enable
CD recording on this drive' is unchecked.
? Verify that you have installed the latest
validated firmware for your drive, if available.
If you keep experiencing problems with
your DVD-RW drive, please contact our Technical
Support Department at 800-619-8899 for further
instructions. |
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| 20.
How do I replace the CMOS battery of my computer? |
| |
If
you are attempting to replace a CMOS battery
for an M.E. mobile system, please contact
our Technical Support Department for further
instructions. The procedure on this article
applies only to desktop systems.
All M.E. full-tower desktop computers use
the CR-2032 battery. This is a 3 volt lithium
battery also used on wrist watches and other
small electronic devices. The flat side
of the battery is always positive.
The CR-2032 designation refers to the size,
shape and voltage of the battery rather
than the manufacturer, so you can find equivalent
batteries from several manufacturers. Always
replace the battery with a brand-new CR-2032
battery.
The CMOS battery keeps the time and date
even if the computer is off and unplugged.
A CMOS battery usually lasts two to three
years.
Note: Always make sure you are properly
grounded before attempting to work with
internal components.
There are two ways to replace the CMOS
battery, which depends on the way it is
positioned on the motherboard:
Method 1
1. Open the computer case.
2. On most motherboards, the battery holder
lays flat on the board itself and has a
small metal tab. Push this tab away from
the center of the battery so it can pop
up.
3. To install the battery, press it on
the battery holder keeping the positive
(flat) side facing you.
Method 2
1. Open the computer case.
2. Some motherboards may have an angle-mounted
battery holder, in order to save space on
the motherboard's surface. In this case,
you will need to hold the tab and pull the
battery out and away from the motherboard.
3. To install the battery, place it in
the battery holder with the positive (flat)
side facing up. |
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