I am running the original version of myst on a windows XP computer. I installed it and ran it under win95 compatability mode and the game works fine at first. But whenever I try and move the levers in the clocktower (the 2,2,1 puzzle) the game freezes. I tried uninstalling Quicktime and installing the old version of quicktime that came on the CD and nothing changed, same problem. I've tried this on my laptop and my desktop, same problem. Anyone know how to fix this?

Suggestions:

1. Check to be certain that you have QuickTime 2.03 installed, and only version 2.03.
-- a. Open QuickTime and click on Help > About QuickTime Player, look for the version number.
-- b. Close QuickTime back to the Desktop.
-- c. Click on Start > Control Panel, then double-click Add or Remove Programs.
-- d. In the Currently installed programs box, look for a QuickTime entry. There should be only one entry.
-- e. Close Control Panel back to the Desktop.

2. Check to be certain that Windows Media Player is not set to play QuickTime movies.
-- a. Click on Start > Programs > Accessories > Entertainment, and open Windows Media Player.
-- b. On the top menu bar, click on Tools > Options > File Types. If there's a "Quick Time Files" entry or something similar, its box should not be checked.

3. Before starting Myst:
-- a. Set your monitor to 640x480 screen resolution and High Color (16 bit), or 640x480 screen resolution and 256 Colors.
----- 1. Right-click on an open area of the Desktop.
----- 2. Click on Properties > Settings tab.
----- 3. Change Colors and Screen area as appropriate.
-- b. Use Windows Task Manager to close everything except for Explorer.exe, Ctfmon.exe, and whatever your hardware needs:
----- 2. Close your Internet connection.
----- 3. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del once, and then click on Task Manager.
----- 4. Click on the Applications tab.
----- 5. Click on the desired application to highlight it.
----- 6. Click on End Task.
----- 7. Repeat this procedure until all unnecessary background applications are closed, including your anti-virus/spyware/adware/pop-up programs and software firewall.
----- 8. Click on the Processes tab.
----- 9. Click on the desired process to highlight it.
---- 10. Click on End Process.
---- 11. Repeat this procedure until all unnecessary background processes are closed. If you aren't sure which processes can be safely closed, check out the AnswersThatWork Task List Programs index. The most common tasks are described, and which ones are essential and which can be safely closed are noted.
---- 12. WITHOUT rebooting, play Myst.

4. Try running Myst in Win 98/Me or Win 2000 compatibility mode, and in each mode try various combinations of options - 256 colors, 640x480 screen resolution, disable visual themes. See
How to use the Program Compatibility Wizard in Windows XP and How to Use Windows Application Compatibility Mode for details.

5. Correctly install the proper driver for your video chipset and Myst. See Myst Masterpiece Edition and realMyst: Installing Video Drivers With Win XP.

See also:
-- Game Crashing in clocktower for first Myst
-- Clock tower in myst problem?