I think this has got to be the weirdest bug I have ever encountered in any piece of software!

I bought a version of Myst called Myst Masterpiece a year or two ago. I played it until I got to the second world, which was called Channelworld or something. Then I lost interest.

Now I came back to it today and started playing again from my last savegame in Channelworld. So far so good.

Now I figured out how to direct water through the pipes to make machinery work. I got an elevator to work so I climbed in and had a trip to the second story.

There I found a Myst travel book. Okay, I remember what happens when you open one of these books, you go to another world.

So I saved my game under a new name, opened the book and got zapped to another world. But oh! what a disappointment, it's not a new world at all, I find myself back in the library in the first world you encounter in the game.

Oh well, no worries, I figure I'll restart at my latest savegame and just not open the book, stay in Channelworld instead and have a look around.

So I restore my savegame and guess what? Instead of taking me back to where I saved, it takes me back to a black screen with the Myst travel book in the middle. And there is no way to get out of the screen except to hit the pic in the book, which takes me back to the danged library again.

Hmmm, something seems to have gone wrong with this savegame. No problemo, I'll load up my previous savegame instead. So I load it up and what this? - I'm back in the same black screen with the open Myst book which takes me back to the library again!

So I go back trying ALL my savegames one by one and ALL of them take me back to the same point in the game - the open Myst book which takes me back to the library!

In other words, the game has forced me virtually to start the game all over again and I've lost ALL my progress.

This has got to be the weirdest bug ever. I can understand ONE savegame getting corrupted, but how could they ALL get corrupted - and in the same way???

BTW I thought it might be due to a memory cache or something so I tried restarting my PC, but no, all my savegames are still screwed.

Has anyone encountered this bug before, and are there any fixes or suggestions on what I might do about it? I'm especially worried that I might encounter the bug again and again and keep being forced back to the start of the game.

Thanks in anticipation ppl for your help.

My first thought would be to uninstall Myst Masterpiece and then reinstall it. That will not lose your saved games, but if you are worried, just move the Saved Games folder to another location before you do the uninstall/reinstall, then replace the new empty Saved Games folder with your full one. My guess is that the program itself, or one of the documents that points to your saved game, is corrupted.

Yes, that makes sense, wstrom. I will try that and see what happens.

Thanks very much for your help.

Nope, didn't work

Got any other suggestions?

It just got even weirder.

I have just uninstalled and reinstalled the game twice. The second time, I reinstalled from a completely different copy of the Myst Masterpiece disk that came with a Myst trilogy pack I recently bought - so it's not something wrong with the disk.

After I still found myself getting sent to the same savegame after the second install, I decided I would probably have to start playing the game all over again, right from the start. But before I did this I thought I may as well check and see that my new savegames at least will work.

And they don't! Any game I save, when reloaded, takes me back to the same dumb savegame that I was stuck on before.

In other words, the game is completely unplayable, since I can't save my progress at all!

Okay, after I tried that, I thought I would try installing and playing Riven instead. So I installed it, but during the installation it tries to run an app to search for quicktime apps on your PC and that app crashed.

So, I tried reinstalling, but this time without running that app. Seemed to work fine but when I clicked "Play", and it asked me to insert disk two, Riven blue screened. Great, so neither Riven or Myst can be played!

Then I tried a bunch of other things to run Myst again, which I've forgotten. Finally, I decided the problem must be either Quicktime or DirectX - probably Quicktime. Then I found a post at this site which confirmed that Quicktime causes all sorts of problems with these games. It said to deinstall Quicktime, deinstall the game and then reinstall the game and reinstall Quicktime. It said to reinstall the latest version of Quicktime actually, but I thought, the heck with that, I'll just install the version of Quicktime that comes with the game because that one should work.

Then I had all kinds of problems deinstalling Quicktime32 because it said one of its files was in memory. Finally I figured out the program putting it in memory was either Myst or Riven itself. So I deinstalled both of those and was able to deinstall Quicktime32.

Then I tried to deinstall Quicktime itself but it asked me if I wanted to just deinstall Quicktime ("recommended"), or all the app extensions as well. I said just Quicktime because I wasn't sure what would happen if I deinstalled the extensions.

Next I installed Myst again, and tried to install Quicktime from the disk but it said "a later version of Quicktime is already installed", and quit!

So I had to deinstall the game again and then deinstall Quicktime AND its extensions.

Then reinstalled the game and tried to reinstall Quicktime from the game disk, and this time it worked. At last, fired the game up. Walked around a bit, saved a game, walked around some more, loaded the previous saved game and the **** thing is STILL loading that old broken savegame from before!!!

At this point, having spent all day trying to get this game to run (which used to run fine on the same PC) I have given up. If you or somebody else has any suggestions, I'll be happy to hear them. Right now I've run out of ideas.

jobbles,

Unfortunately for you, I am a Mac user. But maybe I can help indirectly. I have Myst Masterpiece Edition (which runs fine on my Mac), and I am aware that one of the updates for MME was a compatibility update to allow Myst to run on later versions of QuickTime. The MME update was to allow it to run on QT v 4.0 and later, whereas the original Myst broke on versions higher than 3.0. I have QT version 6.0.3 (Mac) on my computer and it runs fine. So I am inclined to think your problem is not a QT problem.

The expert on PCs here is G. Heimdall, who usually hangs out in the Technical Advice section of the Uru and Myst IV forums, but makes it over here occasionally. The first thing he would ask of you (I think) is to run "DX Diag" on your computer and post the readout from that test in this thread. You might have a driver problem, graphics card problem, OS problem, etc. that underlies your symptoms. Hopefully he will drop in and help.

Thanks jobbles, I will post a msg on one of those forums and ask him if he'd like to come over here and help me out.

And thankyou once again for your assistance.

Oops, I mean thanks wstrohm. So confused I'm posting to myself!

Hi there Heimdall, here is the dxdiag file wstrohm suggested I post. I ran the various dxdiag tests as suggested before saving the file. Hope this helps.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 2/3/2005, 15:02:07
Machine name: C8X1J2
Operating System: Windows 98 (4.10, Build 2222) A
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: n/a
Processor: Intel Celeron, ~1.0GHz
Memory: 256MB RAM
Page File: 72MB used, 1720MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 4.09.0000.0904 32bit

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found. DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.
Sound Tab 1: DirectSound test results: All tests were successful.
Music Tab: DirectMusic test results: All tests were successful.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: RADEON 9800 PRO
Manufacturer: ATI Tech. - Enhanced
Chip type: RADEON 9800 (NH) Rev 0
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4E48&SUBSYS_00021002&REV_00\000800
Display Memory: 127.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (16 bit)(85Hz)
Monitor: SyncMaster 703DFX/753DFX
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
Driver Name: ATI2DRAG.DRV
Driver Version: 4.14.0001.9138 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 3/23/2004 16:06:54, 95456 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: *vdd,*vflatd
Mini VDD: ATI2VXAG.VXD
Mini VDD Date: , 0 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-0D08-11CF-5173-0320A1C2C935}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x4E48
SubSys ID: 0x00021002
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {07654321-3046-4FF0-AECC-D58CB5F035FC}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{07654321-3046-4FF0-AECC-D58CB5F035FC}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{07654321-3046-4FF0-AECC-D58CB5F035FC}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{07654321-3046-4FF0-AECC-D58CB5F035FC}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D7 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D8 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D9 Test Result: All tests were successful.

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Windows Sound System Direct Sound Driver
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_3058&SUBSYS_45111106&REV_50\BUS_00&DEV_07&FUNC_05
Manufacturer ID: 250
Product ID: 1
Type: VXD
Driver Name: VIAUDIO.VXD
Driver Version: 4.05.0000.1120 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
Date and Size: 8/31/2001 02:10:00, 144750 bytes
Other Files: viaudio.vxd
Driver Provider: VIA
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0x0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: All tests were successful.

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: VIA Sound System Record (DC00) (emulated)
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
Date and Size:
Cap Flags: 0x0
Format Flags: 0x0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\gm.dls
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
MIDI Mapper, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
VIA FM Synthesis, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
Registry: OK
Test Result: All tests were successful.

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: Yes
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (4.09.0000.0900)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (4.09.0000.0900)
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (4.09.0000.0900)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (4.09.0000.0900)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (4.09.0000.0900)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (4.09.0000.0900)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (4.09.0000.0904)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (4.09.0000.0904)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: NetComm NB1300. -
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: Standard Modem
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: U.S. Robotics 56K FAX EXT
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM2

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------
Age of Wonders II (DX8) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: AoW2.exe (1.20.0000.3100) LauncherFile: AoW2.exe (1.20.0000.3100)
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic (DX8) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: AoWSM.exe (1.00.0000.2445) LauncherFile: AoWSM.exe (1.00.0000.2445)
Baldur's Gate (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: BGMain.exe (<File Missing>
Panzer General 3 (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: PG3.icd (<File Missing>
Age of Empires (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: Empires.Exe (0.09.0012.1215)
SquadLeader (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: SquadLeader.exe ()

------------------
DirectX Components
------------------
ddraw.dll: 4.09.0000.0904 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 04:27:28 373760 bytes
ddraw16.dll: 4.07.0000.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 17:00:00 28496 bytes
ddrawex.dll: 4.87.0000.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 17:00:00 24336 bytes
ddraw.vxd: 4.07.0000.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 17:00:00 30469 bytes
ddhelp.exe: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 32768 bytes
dxapi.sys: 4.87.0000.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 17:00:00 2416 bytes
d3d8.dll: 4.09.0000.0904 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 04:27:28 1214464 bytes
d3dref8.dll: 4.08.0000.0400 English Final Retail 11/7/2000 15:16:46 236544 bytes
d3d9.dll: 4.09.0000.0904 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 04:27:28 1640448 bytes
d3dim.dll: 4.07.0000.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 17:00:00 625936 bytes
d3dim700.dll: 4.09.0000.0902 English Final Retail 5/30/2003 09:00:02 892416 bytes
d3dref.dll: 4.08.0000.0400 English Final Retail 11/7/2000 15:16:46 140800 bytes
d3dramp.dll: 4.07.0000.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 17:00:00 590096 bytes
d3drm.dll: 4.06.0002.0436 English Final Retail 1/9/1999 04:10:00 437008 bytes
d3dxof.dll: 4.06.0002.0436 English Final Retail 1/9/1999 04:10:00 107792 bytes
d3dpmesh.dll: 4.06.0002.0436 English Final Retail 1/9/1999 04:10:00 87312 bytes
dplay.dll: 4.03.0000.1096 English Final Retail 5/11/1998 19:01:00 57344 bytes
dplayx.dll: 4.09.0000.0904 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 04:27:28 241664 bytes
dpmodemx.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 36864 bytes
dpwsock.dll: 4.03.0000.1096 English Final Retail 5/11/1998 19:01:00 40960 bytes
dpwsockx.dll: 4.09.0000.0904 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 04:27:28 69632 bytes
dplaysvr.exe: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 40960 bytes
dpnsvr.exe: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 3/24/2003 09:00:02 28672 bytes
dpnet.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 3/24/2003 09:00:02 376832 bytes
dpnlobby.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 3/24/2003 09:00:02 16384 bytes
dpnaddr.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 16384 bytes
dpvoice.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 208896 bytes
dpvsetup.exe: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 86016 bytes
dpvvox.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 122880 bytes
dpvacm.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 32768 bytes
dpnhpast.dll: 4.09.0000.0901 English Final Retail 3/24/2003 09:00:02 45056 bytes
dpnhupnp.dll: 4.09.0000.0901 English Final Retail 3/24/2003 09:00:02 73728 bytes
dpserial.dll: 4.03.0000.1096 English Final Retail 5/11/1998 19:01:00 49152 bytes
dinput.dll: 4.08.0001.0901 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 172032 bytes
dinput8.dll: 4.08.0001.0901 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 192512 bytes
dinput.vxd: 4.08.0001.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 10874 bytes
dimap.dll: 4.08.0001.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 94208 bytes
diactfrm.dll: 4.08.0001.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 397312 bytes
vjoyd.vxd: 4.08.0001.0881 English Final Retail 8/24/2003 12:59:40 33882 bytes
joyhid.vxd: 4.88.0001.0881 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 13067 bytes
joy.cpl: 4.08.0001.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 442368 bytes
gcdef.dll: 4.08.0001.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 491520 bytes
gchand.dll: 4.08.0001.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 6656 bytes
pid.dll: 4.08.0001.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 40960 bytes
gameenum.sys: 4.07.0000.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 17:00:00 10512 bytes
hidgame.sys: 4.07.0000.0700 English Final Retail 11/27/1999 17:00:02 8880 bytes
msanalog.vxd: 4.08.0001.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 12745 bytes
msjstick.drv: 4.08.0001.0881 English Final Retail 8/24/2003 12:59:40 2352 bytes
dsound.dll: 4.09.0000.0904 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 04:27:28 491008 bytes
dsound3d.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 1331200 bytes
dsound.vxd: 4.09.0000.0904 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 04:27:28 49666 bytes
dswave.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 17920 bytes
dsdmo.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 186880 bytes
dsdmoprp.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 68096 bytes
dmusic.dll: 4.09.0000.0904 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 04:27:28 106496 bytes
dmusic16.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 10992 bytes
dmusic32.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 28672 bytes
dmband.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 26624 bytes
dmcompos.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 57856 bytes
dmime.dll: 4.09.0000.0904 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 04:27:28 180736 bytes
dmloader.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 32768 bytes
dmstyle.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 98304 bytes
dmsynth.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 100352 bytes
dmscript.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 76288 bytes
dx7vb.dll: 4.09.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 602112 bytes
dx8vb.dll: 4.09.0000.0902 English Final Retail 5/30/2003 09:00:02 1189888 bytes
dxdiagn.dll: 4.09.0000.0904 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 04:27:28 1720320 bytes
mfc40.dll: 4.01.0000.6140 English Final Retail 4/23/1999 22:22:00 933888 bytes
mfc42.dll: 6.00.8665.0000 English Beta Retail 10/27/1999 15:35:32 995383 bytes
wsock32.dll: 4.10.0000.1998 English Final Retail 4/23/1999 22:22:00 40960 bytes
amstream.dll: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 65024 bytes
devenum.dll: 6.05.0001.0902 English Final Retail 5/30/2003 09:00:02 55296 bytes
dxmasf.dll: 6.04.0007.1121 English Final Retail 8/20/2004 11:48:58 498448 bytes
mciqtz.drv: 4.00.0096.0729 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 11776 bytes
mciqtz32.dll: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 34304 bytes
mpg2splt.ax: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 135168 bytes
msdmo.dll: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 12800 bytes
encapi.dll: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 18944 bytes
qasf.dll: 9.00.0000.2980 English Final Retail 12/11/2002 17:34:40 241664 bytes
qcap.dll: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 177152 bytes
qdv.dll: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 268800 bytes
qdvd.dll: 6.05.0001.0902 English Final Retail 5/30/2003 09:00:02 445952 bytes
qedit.dll: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 522240 bytes
qedwipes.dll: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 733184 bytes
quartz.dll: 6.05.0001.0902 English Final Retail 5/30/2003 09:00:02 1128960 bytes
quartz.vxd: 4.00.0000.0501 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 5672 bytes
strmdll.dll: 4.01.0000.3925 English Final Retail 8/20/2004 11:48:58 251904 bytes
vidx16.dll: 0.00.0000.0000 English Final Retail 8/20/2004 11:48:58 10240 bytes
iac25_32.ax: 2.00.0005.0052 English Final Retail 5/7/1998 10:56:06 199680 bytes
ir41_32.ax: 4.41.0016.0002 English Final Retail 2/25/1998 11:24:22 848384 bytes
ir41_qc.dll: 4.30.0062.0001 English Final Retail 9/23/2004 15:55:56 120320 bytes
ir41_qcx.dll: 4.30.0064.0001 English Final Retail 9/23/2004 15:55:56 338432 bytes
ivfsrc.ax: 5.04.0002.0040 English Final Retail 2/23/1998 14:11:12 142848 bytes
mswebdvd.dll: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 195072 bytes
ks.sys: 4.90.3010.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 126464 bytes
ksproxy.ax: 4.90.3010.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 117760 bytes
ksuser.dll: 4.90.3010.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 4096 bytes
stream.sys: 4.90.3010.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 46080 bytes
mspclock.sys: 4.90.3010.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 5248 bytes
mskssrv.sys: 4.90.3010.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 7424 bytes
swenum.sys: 4.90.3010.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 4096 bytes
mstee.sys: 4.90.3010.0900 English Final Retail 12/12/2002 00:14:32 5504 bytes
bdaplgin.ax: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:58:08 16896 bytes
bdasup.sys: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:58:10 11392 bytes
msdvbnp.ax: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:58:54 52224 bytes
psisdecd.dll: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:59:22 354816 bytes
psisrndr.ax: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:59:30 30208 bytes
ipsink.ax: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:58:14 14848 bytes
mpeg2data.ax: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:58:40 56832 bytes
ndisip.sys: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:59:14 8448 bytes
mpe.sys: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:58:38 15104 bytes
streamip.sys: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:59:34 14464 bytes
msvidctl.dll: 6.05.0001.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:59:06 481792 bytes
slip.sys: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:59:32 10880 bytes
nabtsfec.sys: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:59:12 83968 bytes
ccdecode.sys: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:58:12 16384 bytes
vbisurf.ax: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:59:36 27648 bytes
msyuv.dll: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:59:10 16896 bytes
kstvtune.ax: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 03:00:24 274432 bytes
ksxbar.ax: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:58:34 39936 bytes
kswdmcap.ax: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 03:00:24 226304 bytes
wstcodec.sys: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:59:40 18688 bytes
wstdecod.dll: 5.03.0000.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:59:42 47104 bytes
msdv.sys: 4.10.2326.0900 English Final Retail 7/9/2004 02:58:52 56832 bytes

------------------------------------
Inactive Display Entries in Registry
------------------------------------
Card name: RADEON 9800 PRO Secondary
Driver: ATI2DRAG.DRV

----------------------------------
Inactive Sound Entries in Registry
----------------------------------
None

------------------
DirectShow Filters
------------------

DirectShow Filters:
WMAudio Decoder DMO,0x00800800,1,1,,
WMSpeech Decoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
Mpeg4 Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
WMV Screen decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
Mpeg4s Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
Mpeg43 Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
WMVideo Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
Indeo(R) audio software,0x00500000,1,1,IAC25_32.AX,2.00.0005.0052
PN Wrap filter,0x00400000,0,2,PNWRAP.DLL,3.00.0000.2700
Indeo® video 5.11 Decompression Filter,0x00640000,1,1,,
Indeo® video 5.11 Compression Filter,0x00200000,1,1,,
Indeo® audio software,0x00500000,1,1,IAC25_32.AX,2.00.0005.0052
IVF source filter,0x00600000,0,1,IVFSRC.AX,5.04.0002.0040
Cutlist File Source,0x00200000,0,1,QCUT.DLL,6.01.0005.0217
Lyric Parser,0x00400000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
ACELP.net Sipro Lab Audio Decoder,0x00800001,1,1,ACELPDEC.AX,1.04.0000.0000
ClearVideo® Decompression Filter,0x00800000,1,1,CLRAMD.AX,2.00.0000.0001
TrueMotion 2.0 Decompressor,0x00600001,1,1,TM20DEC.AX,2.00.0006.0003
VIVO Audio Decoder Filter,0x00800002,1,1,VVAUDFLT.AX,3.00.0000.0001
VIVO Video Decoder Filter,0x00600001,1,1,VVVIDFLT.AX,3.00.0000.0000
Internal LMRT Renderer,0x00800001,1,0,LMRTREND.DLL,6.01.0005.0124
URL StreamRenderer,0x00600000,1,0,LMRTREND.DLL,6.01.0005.0124
Windows Media Audio Voice v9 Decoder,0x00800001,1,1,WMAVDS32.AX,9.00.0000.3224
Windows Media source filter,0x00600000,0,2,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
ASF DIB Handler,0x00600000,1,1,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
ASF ACM Handler,0x00600000,1,1,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
ASF ICM Handler,0x00600000,1,1,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
ASF URL Handler,0x00600000,1,1,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
ASF JPEG Handler,0x00600000,1,1,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
ASF DJPEG Handler,0x00600000,1,1,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
ASF embedded stuff Handler,0x00600000,1,1,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
ASX file Parser,0x00600000,1,1,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
ASX v.2 file Parser,0x00600000,1,0,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
XML Playlist,0x00400000,1,0,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
.RAM file Parser,0x00600000,1,0,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
NSC file Parser,0x00600000,1,1,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
Windows Media Multiplexer,0x00600000,1,1,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
File Source (Netshow URL),0x00400000,0,1,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
Windows Media Update Filter,0x00400000,1,0,WMPASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
Microsoft Screen Video Decompressor,0x00800000,1,1,MSSCDS32.AX,7.01.0000.3055
Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Decompressor,0x00800000,1,1,MPG4DS32.AX,7.01.0000.3055
Windows Media Video Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,WMVDS32.AX,7.01.0000.3055
Windows Media Video Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,WMV8DS32.AX,8.00.0000.0371
Windows Media Audio Decoder,0x00800001,1,1,MSADDS32.AX,7.00.0000.1954
AVI Mux,0x00200000,1,0,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
File writer,0x00200000,1,0,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Infinite Pin Tee Filter,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Smart Tee,0x00200000,1,2,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
DV Video Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,QDV.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
DV Muxer,0x00400000,0,0,QDV.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
DV Splitter,0x00600000,1,2,QDV.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Overlay Mixer,0x00200000,0,0,QDVD.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Overlay Mixer2,0x00400000,1,1,QDVD.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Line 21 Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,QDVD.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
DVD Navigator,0x00200000,0,2,QDVD.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
SampleGrabber,0x00200000,1,1,QEDIT.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Null Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,QEDIT.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
AVI/WAV File Source,0x00400000,0,2,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
AVI Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
AVI Draw,0x00600064,9,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Color Space Converter,0x00400001,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
VGA 16 Color Ditherer,0x00400000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Full Screen Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Video Renderer,0x00800000,1,0,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Video Mixing Renderer 9,0x00200000,1,0,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
MPEG Audio Decoder,0x03680001,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
MPEG Video Decoder,0x40000001,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
MPEG-I Stream Splitter,0x00600000,1,2,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
File Source (Async.),0x00400000,0,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
QuickTime Movie Parser,0x00600000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
QT Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
AVI Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Wave Parser,0x00400000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
ACM Wrapper,0x00600000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
MIDI Parser,0x00400000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
SAMI (CC) Parser,0x00400000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Internal Script Command Renderer,0x00800001,1,0,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Multi-file Parser,0x00400000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
File stream renderer,0x00400000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
File Source (URL),0x00400000,0,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
MJPEG Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Line 21 Decoder 2,0x00600002,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
MPEG Layer-3 Decoder,0x00810000,1,1,L3CODECX.AX,1.05.0000.0050
BDA MPEG2 Transport Information Filter,0x00200000,1,0,PSISRNDR.AX,6.05.0001.0900
VBI Surface Allocator,0x00600000,1,1,VBISURF.AX,5.03.0000.0900
MPEG-2 Demultiplexer,0x00600000,1,1,MPG2SPLT.AX,6.05.0001.0900
MPEG-2 Splitter,0x005fffff,1,0,MPG2SPLT.AX,6.05.0001.0900
AC3 Parser Filter,0x00600000,1,1,MPG2SPLT.AX,6.05.0001.0900
MPEG-2 Sections and Tables,0x005fffff,1,0,MPEG2DATA.AX,6.05.0001.0900
WST Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,WSTDECOD.DLL,5.03.0000.0900
WM ASF Reader,0x00400000,0,0,QASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
WM ASF Writer,0x00400000,0,0,QASF.DLL,9.00.0000.2980
XviD MPEG-4 Video Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,XVID.AX,
Indeo® video 4.4 Decompression Filter,0x00640000,1,1,IR41_32.AX,4.41.0016.0002
Indeo® video 4.4 Compression Filter,0x00200000,1,1,IR41_32.AX,4.41.0016.0002
Voxware MetaSound Audio Decoder,0x00999999,1,1,VOXMSDEC.AX,1.00.0000.0012
Voxware MetaVoice Audio Decoder,0x00999998,1,1,VOXMVDEC.AX,1.00.0000.0011

Video Compressors:
MSScreen encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
WMVideo Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
WMVideo8 Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
MSScreen 9 encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
WMVideo9 Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
DV Video Encoder,0x00200000,0,0,QDV.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Indeo® video 5.04 Compression Filter,0x00100000,1,1,,
MJPEG Compressor,0x00200000,0,0,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Indeo® video 5.06 Compression Filter,0x00100000,1,1,,
Indeo® video 5.11 Compression Filter,0x00100000,1,1,,
Cinepak Codec by Radius,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Intel Indeo(R) Video R3.2,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Microsoft Video 1,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Microsoft RLE,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Microsoft H.263 Video Codec,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Microsoft H.261 Video Codec,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
VDOnet VDOWave,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
MPEG-4 Video High Speed Compressor (MT),0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Vivo H.263 Video Codec,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
TrueMotion® RT 2.0 by Duck,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
ClearVideo,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Intel Indeo(R) Video Interactive,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Intel Indeo® Video Raw R1.2,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
Microsoft Windows Media Video 9,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900
XviD MPEG-4 Codec,0x00200000,1,1,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900

Audio Capture Sources:
VIA Sound System Record (DC00),0x00200000,0,0,QCAP.DLL,6.05.0001.0900

Audio Compressors:
WMAudio Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
WM Speech Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
Indeo® audio software,0x00500000,1,1,IAC25_32.AX,2.00.0005.0052
PCM,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
CCITT A-Law,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
CCITT u-Law,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Lernout & Hauspie CELP 4.8kbit/s,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Lernout & Hauspie SBC 8kbit/s,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Lernout & Hauspie SBC 12kbit/s,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Lernout & Hauspie SBC 16kbit/s,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Microsoft G.723.1,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
MPEG Layer-3,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
VivoActive G.723.1,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
VivoActive Siren,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
IAC2,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
IMA ADPCM,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Microsoft ADPCM,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
GSM 6.10,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
DSP Group TrueSpeech(TM),0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Windows Media Audio V1,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Windows Media Audio V2,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
ACELP.net,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Voxware MetaSound,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Voxware MetaVoice,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Voxware v1.1.6/1.1.8 File-Mode Codecs,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Voxware v1.1.6 Bitstream-Mode Codecs,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Voxware Netscape Compatible Codecs,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Voxware v1.1.8 Bitstream-Mode Codecs,0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Ogg Vorbis (mode1),0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Ogg Vorbis (mode2),0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Ogg Vorbis (mode3),0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Ogg Vorbis (mode1+),0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Ogg Vorbis (mode2+),0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Ogg Vorbis (mode3+),0x00200000,1,1,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902

Audio Renderers:
VIA Sound System Play (DC00),0x00200000,1,0,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Default WaveOut Device,0x00200000,1,0,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
DirectSound: Windows Sound System Direct Sound Driver,0x00200000,1,0,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Default DirectSound Device,0x00800000,1,0,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902

Midi Renderers:
VIA FM Synthesis,0x00200000,1,0,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902
Default MidiOut Device,0x00800000,1,0,QUARTZ.DLL,6.05.0001.0902

BDA Receiver Component:
BDA MPE Filter,0x00600000,1,1,,4.90.3010.0900
BDA Slip De-Framer,0x00600000,1,1,,4.90.3010.0900

BDA Rendering Filters:
BDA IP Sink,0x00200000,1,1,,4.90.3010.0900

WDM Streaming VBI Codecs:
CC Decoder,0x00200000,2,1,,4.90.3010.0900
NABTS/FEC VBI Codec,0x00200000,2,1,,4.90.3010.0900
WST Codec,0x00200000,1,1,,4.90.3010.0900

WDM Streaming Communication Transforms:
Tee/Sink-to-Sink Converter,0x00200000,1,1,,4.90.3010.0900

WDM Streaming Tee/Splitter Devices:
Tee/Sink-to-Sink Converter,0x00200000,1,1,,4.90.3010.0900

BDA Network Providers:
Microsoft ATSC Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSDVBNP.AX,6.05.0001.0900
Microsoft DVBS Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSDVBNP.AX,6.05.0001.0900
Microsoft DVBT Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSDVBNP.AX,6.05.0001.0900
Microsoft DVBC Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSDVBNP.AX,6.05.0001.0900

BDA Transport Information Renderers:
BDA MPEG2 Transport Information Filter,0x00600000,1,0,PSISRNDR.AX,6.05.0001.0900
MPEG-2 Sections and Tables,0x00600000,1,0,MPEG2DATA.AX,6.05.0001.0900

jobbles,

I can't guarantee that the following steps will solve your game restore problem, but they certainly can't hurt and are worth doing in any event.

First, a hard disk and system tune-up:

1. Use your anti-virus software to do a complete scan of your hard disk(s). This is the 'start it and let it run' type of scan, not the bootup quickie!

2. Do a spyware and an adware scan of your hard disk(s). I use and recommend:
-- Spybot - Search & Destroy
-- Ad-aware SE

Both have free versions! (Be advised that Spybot and Ad-aware DO NOT protect against viruses!)

3. Check your hard disk(s) for errors. Refer to Description of ScanDisk for Windows (Scandskw.exe) in Windows 98/Me.
-- a. Click on Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > ScanDisk.
-- b. Click on the hard disk you want to defragment to highlight it.
-- c. Click on the Type of test - Standard radio button, if it isn't already active.
-- d. Click on the Automatically fix errors box to check it.
-- c. Click on StartOK.

Norton SystemWorks 2005's Disk Doctor is another option for hard-disk error checking and repair.

4. Defragment your hard disk(s). Refer to Description of the Disk Defragmenter Tool in Windows 98/Me for details.
-- a. Click on Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.
-- b. Click on the drive you want to defragment to highlight it.
-- c. Click on OK, and then click on Yes.

Executive Software's Diskeeper 9.0 is another option.

5. Check your Registry for errors. See Description of the Windows Registry Checker Tool (Scanreg.exe) for details.
-- a. Click on Start > Run.
-- b. Type scanreg /fix in the Open box.
-- c. Click on OK.

Some registry diagnosis and repair tool options are:
-- Symantec's Norton SystemWorks 2005 WinDoctor.
-- Rose City Software's Registry First Aid 3.4.
-- VCOM's Fix-It Utilities 5 SystemRegistry-RegistryFixer utility.

6. Clear your Internet Explorer caches.
-- a. Close all open programs.
-- b. Open a single Internet Explorer session.
-- c. Click on Tools > Internet Options.
-- d. Click on Delete Cookies > OK.
-- e. Click on Delete Files (check the 'Delete all offline content' box) > OK.
-- f. Click on Clear History > Yes.
-- g. Click on OK to exit.

7. Use Windows Explorer to search all hard disks for \temp, \tmp, and \temporary folders, and delete any files in these folders that aren't currently in use.
-- a. Click on Tools > Find > Files or Folders.
-- b. Type temp or tmp or temporary in the Named: box.
-- c. Click on the arrow at the right end of the Look in: box and then click on the disk drive to be searched.
-- d. Click on Find Now to start the search.
-- e. Click on the temp (or tmp or temporary) folders found to open them.
-- f. Delete any files in these folders that aren't currently in use.

8. Install Internet Explorer version 6.0 Service Pack 1, available here. This SP will install IE6 or update it, if already installed. Reboot after installation.

-- If you've had trouble logging onto Web sites or completing Internet transactions, or if you're seeing the message "HTTP 500 internal server error" when trying to visit secure Web sites, also install the Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1, available here. Reboot after installation.

9. Run Windows Update - Internet Explorer, Tools > Windows Update - and download and install the recommended updates, *EXCEPT FOR* for a new video driver. (For video driver, see below.) Reboot after installation completes.

Now, install the latest video driver for your Radeon 9800 Pro video card.

You currently have ATI's Catalyst 4.7 video driver installed. Install "CATALYST 4.10 for RADEON 7000 through RADEON 9800 Series", available here. This will be wme-8-03-98-2-041020a-018705e.exe, 19.4MB, 10/28/04.
-- a. Re-install DirectX 9.0c, available here, and reboot.
-- b. Uninstall Catalyst 4.7 using Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs, and reboot.
-- c. If prompted, cancel the installation of the display adapter during bootup. If given a choice of default drivers to install, select 'Standard PCI Graphics Adapter (VGA)', and reboot.
-- d. Close all applications and processes running in the background using Ctrl-Alt-Del, *EXCEPT FOR* Explorer and Systray.
----- 1. While holding down the Ctrl and Alt keys, press the Del key ONCE (twice reboots) to bring up the Close Program list.
----- 2. One at a time, click on an entry to highlight it, then click on End Task. Wait for the confirmation pop-up, and confirm that you want to close the process. (This may take about 10 seconds.) If the pop-up doesn't appear, the process may have been closed directly.
----- 3. Do Ctrl-Alt-Del, etc., as many times as it takes to close all of the processes except for Explorer and Systray.
-- e. Click on Start > Run.
-- f. Browse to where you saved wme-8-03-98-2-041020a-018705e.exe, and double-click on it to put it in the Open box.
-- g. Click on OK to start the install process.
-- h. Follow the instructions to complete the installation, rebooting when prompted.

If you still have the game restore problem after doing the above, post back and we'll go from there.

Wow, that's quite a to-do list! It's going to take me some time to get all that done.

I know my hard drive needs to be checked for errors and defragmented because I haven't done either for a while. I think I'll do a thorough rather than standard check on scandisk though because my hard drive does unfortunately pick up the odd bad sector from time to time. I just don't like to do it often because it takes such a looooooong time - about ten hours from memory.

I did try to defragment my hard drive several times a couple of weeks ago after I deinstalled a bunch of old games I no longer play. Unfortunately, it keeps restarting every few seconds with the message that some program wrote to the disk. I tried going through all the startup programs and shutting them down, but I still got the message. But somehow I forgot to use the old Ctrl-Alt-Del to get a list of all the active programs to shut them down. Thanks for reminding me.

It does occur to me that if I'm still getting the same problem after shutting down all the programs, that indicates I may have a virus which is constantly writing to the disk. I don't actually have any virus software, I've managed to avoid viruses for a long time without one but I may have picked a virus up from an internet link I clicked that someone informed me later may have contained a trojan. So I guess the first thing to do is buy an up-to-date virus program!

Anyhow, many thanks for your very comprehensive reply. I'll get onto the job right away. I've already learned things I didn't know, such as that scanreg has a "/fix" parameter (who'da thunk?) and that MS has some info about their programs at their website.

It's probably going to take a couple of days to do all the stuff you recommend, I'll let you know how it went as soon as I've done it all.

Once again, many thanks for your help - much appreciated. - Steven.

Hard disks generally don't pick up bad sectors unless they've got some sort of formatting problem and/or are getting ready to die.

I'd recommend that you do the thorough Scandisk check, and reformat your hard disk as well. If the disk then continues to pick up bad sectors, replace it! Also, at least until you reformat, etc., you really should regularly back up any critical data from your hard disk to other media.

jobbles - if you are going out to buy some software I suggest you go get one of Nortons products. Look at Norton System Works. That includes a lot of services and the virus stuff too.

Once upon a time I used MS Scandisk thing but it was always so slow and did just what you said it is doing to you. Stopping and restarting over and over. Hours would go by and nothing done so I would often just stop MS stuff.

Norton can get done with the same or more and do it in short order. Mine will take an hour or so for a 60GB drive. Plus there are utilities for the Register, clearing Temps, clearing or flushing Cookies, and other goodies too.

Good luck with your clean up.

Um, just so you're aware, Myst loads all of its savegames that way. It's intended (though very annoying) behavior. No amount of uninstalling and re-installing is going to fix it.