I have just succesfully installed Myst V and when I click on the shortcut and I go to play the game and before it can start up, First I get a box that says it cannot athenticate the disk and then I get a Access Violation Error. I have a Windows Vista 64 bit operating system and a 32 bit color screen. The lowest i can go is either a 32 bit or a 16 bit, I don't have a 24 bit. Can you please help me so I can play this game? Any suggestions?

In general:
-- a. Start Myst V: End of Ages (EoA) from a fresh boot.
----- 1. Reboot, log into Vista with full Administrator privileges, and close all open applications.
----- 2. Disable all tasks running in the background, especially anti-virus/spyware/adware/pop-up programs, task schedulers, remote system control programs (such as Microsoft NetMeeting) or other programs shown on the Windows task bar. If you have only a software firewall, do NOT disable it!
----- 3. Do NOT run any other programs before starting EoA.
-- b. Do NOT boot up with the EoA disc in the drive, or with a disc in any drive.
-- c. If the EoA disc autostarts when you insert it into the drive, cancel back to the Desktop.
-- d. Start the game using the EoA icon on the Desktop, NOT the menu item on the disc.


Suggestions:

1. Assuming that you haven't had problems reading any other DVD's, you may have a disc-read problem with the EoA disc. This can be due to:
-- A disc that needs cleaning.
-- Disc drive laser lenses that need cleaning.
-- A disc that has scratches. If your EoA DVD has many and/or deep scratches, remove the scratches (especially those deep enough to catch a fingernail) using one of the repair kits available from a local computer store or from an Internet supplier.

Your EoA DVD could have developed a haze coating if you:
-- Live in a dusty area.
-- Have a smoker in the house or where you use the PC.
-- Do *not* have a hood over your kitchen stove or cooktop that vents outside the house.
-- Use burning-candle or plugin (oil-dispersing) room deodorizers anywhere in the house.
-- Have subjected your DVD to temperatures above 85-90 degrees F.

This haze can be invisible to the naked eye, but it's not invisible to your disc drive and could be what's interfering with disc reads. (This is especially true if a drive is more than about 3 years old, since read lasers tend to weaken with time. That by itself can lead to disc read problems - even without a haze. The only fix for a weak read laser is a new drive, BTW.)

The first thing to do is try to get rid of any haze on the DVD. Clean the shiny side of the disc using a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with either:
-- Water-clear rubbing alcohol - additive-free, no witch hazel or whatever, no green or blue color.
-- A warm mild dishwashing (*NOT* dishwasher) detergent solution.

Clean with either alcohol or detergent solution using a center-outward motion, NOT circular around the disc. Instead of allowing the disc to air-dry, manually dry it with a soft, lint-free cloth. Dry with a center-outward motion, NOT circular around the disc.

There've been posts saying that disc cleaning sometimes requires multiple applications of alcohol and/or dishwashing detergent solution, along with a good bit of "elbow grease" or "scrubbing" while applying the solution. You might also try that sort of thing, being careful to use clean, soft cloths for both application of cleaning solution and drying the disc between solution applications. (Don't let the disc air-dry!)

2. Disc read problems can also be due to a disc drive's laser lenses developing a film/haze coating over time (with or without the contribution of weakening read lasers). Again, the haze can be from your living in a dusty area, having a smoker in the house or where you use the PC, etc.

The fix is using a laser lens cleaning disc. This is essentially a disc with tiny brushes on it that take the haze off of the lenses. The best ones (especially for smokers, non-hooders, and candle burners/oilers) come with a cleaning solution used to wet the brushes, but this isn't a strict requirement. The first time you use the disc, run the cleaning cycle at least 3 times in succession.

I use the 3M Scotch Laser Lens Cleaner, but several brands are available. Some are for both CD and DVD drives, some for CD only or DVD only. There are various suppliers, both online and local computer stores. From Amazon, for example:
-- Scotch Laser Lens Cleaner for CD and DVD Players/CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Drives
-- Memorex CD/DVD-Player Laser-Lens Cleaner
-- Memorex Laser Lens Cleaner For DVD Only
-- RCA Discwasher 6-Brush Dry CD/DVD Laser Lens Cleaner
-- GE Laser Lens Cleaner Wet/Dry System

3. Run EoA as an Administrator.
-- a. Click on Start, then type Myst V End of Ages in the Start Search box.
-- b. In the Programs list, right-click on the EoA listing, and click on Run as administrator.
-- c. If you're asked for a password or for confirmation, type in the password or click on Continue.
-- d. Close back to the Desktop and play EoA.

4. With "run as administrator" enabled for EoA, disable the Desktop Window Manager (Aero Glass) when you play EoA.
-- a. Click on Start, then type Myst V End of Ages in the Start Search box.
-- b. In the Programs list, right-click on the EoA listing, and click on Properties.
-- c. On the Compatibility tab, click on the Disable desktop composition check box to select it.
-- d. Close back to the Desktop and play EoA.

This disables Aero Glass only when you play EoA, and Aero Glass is re-enabled when you close EoA.

5. With "run as administrator" enabled for EoA and the Desktop Window Manager disabled as above, run EoA in Compatibility Mode.
-- a. Click on Start, then type Myst V End of Ages in the Start Search box.
-- b. In the Programs list, right-click on the EoA listing, and click on Properties.
-- c. On the Compatibility tab, click on the Run this program in compatibility mode for check box to select it.
-- d. Select an operating system, and click on OK.
-- e. Close back to the Desktop and play EoA.

You may need to try all of the listed operating systems to find a setting that helps. Compatibility Mode stays active for EoA until you unselect the Run this program in compatibility mode for check box.