IE5.5 won't open when game .EXE calls IT ?

Hello:

On the Introductory Screen of the game DEMO "Beachhead 2000 ",
when I hit the PLAY button, Internet Explorer should open a
page with buttons: BUY NOW / START PLAYING / RENEW LICENSE.

Instead, Internet Explorer does NOT open, SCREEN resolution
changes to a 640x480x16(hi color) blank screen with
"Beachhead 2000" listed in the taskbar.

DESKTOP resolution remains at 800x600x16(hi color) and after
3 seconds, the screen changes to the "Blue Screen of Death "
with this error message . . .

"A FATAL EXCEPTION 0E occurred at 0157:BFF85D82 "


OTHER ERROR MESSAGES (since 12-24-2002):

(Win98) Fatal Exception 0E occurred at 015F:BFF87EDC
(Win95) Fatal Exception 0E occurred at 0157:BFF85D61
(Win95) Cannot set 640x480x16 video mode.
(Win95) Invalid Page Fault in Kernel32.dll at 0000:34343434
(Win95) Invalid Page Fault in Kernel32.dll at 0137:BFF787D6
(when trying to run demo in SAFE MODE).

NOTE:
(Win98) Test Machine = 200MHz; 64MB RAM; NO sound card;
CirrusLogic video card; HP Vectra computer.

NOTE:
The game-files worked on Windows ME; eTowers eMachine 667ir;
Intel Celeron; 667MHz; 192MB RAM; 4MB Video RAM; Intel 82810
GMCHO Onboard Graphics Controller; AC'97 Integrated Digital
Audio Controller; DirectX 8.0; IE5.50.4134.0100; QuickTime
Player 6.0.2



Using "CTRL ALT DEL" on the Windows ME 4.90.3000 computer,
I saw these programs running (at each stage):

[INTRODUCTORY SCREEN]
Cool Windows Program
Beachhead 2000
about:blank - Microsoft Internet Explorer
Explorer
Systray

[INTERNET EXPLORER PAGE]
Beachhead - Microsoft Internet Explorer
Beachhead16.exe
Beachhead 2000
about:blank - Microsoft Internet Explorer
Explorer
Systray

[START PLAYING]
Beachhead
Beachhead 2000
about:blank - Microsoft Internet Explorer
Explorer
Systray

[GAME ENDS; IE PAGE; BUY NOW / EXIT]
Beachhead - Microsoft Internet Explorer
Beachhead
Beachhead 2000
about:blank - Microsoft Internet Explorer
Explorer
Systray

[AFTER EXITING GAME]
Cool Windows Program
Beachhead 2000
about:blank - Microsoft Internet Explorer
Explorer
Systray

[AFTER GAME DEMO CLOSES]
about:blank - Microsoft Internet Explorer
Explorer
Systray



HERE'S SOME FACTS:

1) this 0E error occurs only with this demo.
2) running programs closed - except Explorer and Systray.
3) my memory modules are from 3-different manufacturers.
4) bank 0 = 32MB SDRAM DIMM 66MHz ( "Mostel Vitek ").
5) bank 1 = 128MB SDRAM DIMM 66/100MHz ( "PNY ").
6) bank 2 = 128MB SDRAM DIMM 100MHz ( "Kingston ").
7) all fans are working; plus, open case; extra 6" fan.
8) display using VMM32.VXD (vdd.vxd, vflatd.vxd).
9) changed MULTPLIER from 4x to 4.5x to get 300MHz speed
(because repair shop installed Processor at 266MHz).



I ALREADY TRIED THESE:

1) remove each memory module and tried demo again.
2) changed memory module slots and tried demo again.
3) video drivers 4.11.2548 and 4.11.2560 (latest).
4) "PNP Monitor" and "Smile Monitor" monitor setups.
5) changed monitor refresh rates - 60Hz & 75Hz.
6) Virtual Memory: "Let Windows manage memory. "
7) Virtual Memory: (fixed, min/max) 128, 224, 250.
8) Virtual Memory: min=250 / max=850.
9) Virtual Memory: min=96 / max=all available.

10) [VCACHE] (min/max) sizes: 8192 thru 65536.
11) AGP aperture sizes of: 8, 16, 64, 128, 256.
12) disabled the "external cache" in BIOS.
13) Emm386.exe x=bff8-5d82 (got: invalid parameter).
14) Emm386.exe noems d=64 x=a000-afff i=b000-b7ff
x=b800-cbff i=cc00-efff

15) NO config.sys or autoexec.bat entries.
16) System.ini [386Enh] ;device=DVA.386
17) Win.ini [DrawDib] ;DVA=0
18) downloaded / installed demo 3 times from 3 sites.
19) set 640x480x16 Desktop/Screen before starting demo.
20) opened Internet Explorer before starting demo.
21) all 4-Hardware Acceleration settings in Device Mgr.
22) disabled all DirectX 8.0a Acceleration settings.

23) demo website (Infogrames) = NO SUPPORT FOR DEMOS.
24) ran Scandisk (THOROUGH) = NO BAD SECTORS.
25) disabled Virtual Memory; SafeMode Defrag; enabled VM.
26) put Win386.swp file in C: drive; then, in D: drive.
27) Memory Test Utility (DocMemory) = NO BAD MEMORY.
28) deleted WIN386.SWP; rebooted; let it rebuild itself.

29) reinstalled Internet Explorer 5.50.4800.2300 SP2.
30) used "REPAIR" option for Internet Explorer.
31) ran (HouseCall) Online Virus Scan.
32) ran scan for "Trojans and Worms. "
33) start game directly from BEACHHEAD16.EXE file.


BEACHHEAD 2000 "DEMO" - SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
(after researching 30 websites . . .)

Win95/98 (there's another demo for MAC computer)
Pentium II, 133-233MHz (one site: 400MHz)
DirectX 7.0 compatible Video Card (one site: 3D Video)
DirectX 7.0 compatible Sound Card (Soundblaster compatible)
32 MB RAM minimum (64MB recommended)
4MB Video Memory (one site: SVGA 8MB).
3D Hardware Acceleration: supported, not required.
Joystick: supported, not required
Keyboard: required
Mouse: required



MY MACHINE:

Computer was custom-built on May 12, 1998:

Microsoft Windows 95-C 4.03.1214 OEM (OSR2.5 Genuine CD)
Intel Pentium II, MMX, 300 MHz Processor (w/Cooling Fan)
ENPC EP-KL21 v1.3 (4-PCI 3-ISA 1-AGP) 12/1997 Mainboard
Award BIOS v4.51PG 02/20/98-i440LX-SMC67X-2A69JECBC-00
Front Bus Speed (FBS)=66MHz
Deep Electronic Co. ATX-725b (250 Watt) 3.3V Power Supply
Quantum Bigfoot TX 12GB HD; UDMA/33 DMA=ON; MASTER; C: D:
Samsung 3.5" (1.44 MB/2.88 MB) Internal Floppy Drive; A:
Yamaha CRW3200EZ (40X) DMA=ON; Internal CD-RW; MASTER; E:
Hitachi CDR-8330 (24X) DMA=ON; Internal CD-ROM; SLAVE; F:

Rockwell 56K-Flex 56000 BPS PnP Internal Fax/Voice/Modem
ATI RagePro AGP2X; 4MB(28MB AGP) SGRAM; Macxw4.drv=4.11.2560
VGA / MPEG / 95 / OSR2 Video Chip
Display Resolution: 800x600xHigh Color (16-bit)
DCS S727 PCI (Ensoniq clone) Sound Card; Eapci.vxd=4.05.1053
Standard Universal PCI to USB Host Controller
USB Root Hub

Smile CB6738SL (PnP) 17" Digital Color Monitor 0.26dp
Hewlett-Packard SK-2501K Keyboard (w/13 Hotkeys)
Microsoft IntelliMouse Trackball v4.0 Mouse
Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro v3.02 Joystick
Lexmark 7200-V Color Inkjet Printer
QuickTime Player v5.0.2 (game's .WAV files play OK)

IE 5.50.4800.2300 SP2 128-bit (Home Page = about:blank)
IE 5.50.4800.2300 SP2 MSN TEMP (manual setup; Dial-Up)
MSN Explorer 7.02.0011.2700 (MSN Email; Dial-Up)
AOL 7.0 (AOL Email; Dial-Up)

DIRECTX 8.0a DISPLAY TAB:
Uncertified Driver = Eapci.vxd (video)
Hardware Acceleration = OK
DirectDraw Acceleration = OK
Direct3D Acceleration = OK
AGP Texture Acceleration = OK

DIRECTX 8.0a SOUND TAB:
Uncertified Driver = Macxw4.drv (sound)
Hardware Acceleration = OK
DirectSound = OK



SYSTEM RAM:
288 MB SDRAM DIMM 168-Pin (3)-Memory Modules
230 MB Free RAM Memory (all running programs CLOSED)

SYSTEM.INI:[VCACHE]
MinFileCache=8192
MaxFileCache=16384
Chunksize=512
NameCache=2048
DirectoryCache=48

VIRTUAL MEMORY SETTINGS:
Minimum: 96
Maximum: all available
Page Drive = D:
Page File = D:\Win386.swp
Page File = 0 MB Used, 1760 MB Available



NOTE: (If it helps with solution) I used a HEX EDITOR
on the file "BH2000.EXE" and saw the following words:

This program cannot be run in DOS mode.
RICH
text
..rdata
@.data
.rsrc
HTP@ P @ @
3D
YEPEPE
RUNTIME ERROR
TLOSS ERROR
SING ERROR
DOMAIN ERROR
R6028 unable to initialize heap
R6027 not enough space for LowIO initialization
R6026 not enough space for StdIO initialization
R6025 pure virtual function call
R6024 not enough space for Onexit / Atexit table
R6019 unable to open console device
R6018 unexpected heap error
R6017 unexpected multithread lock error
R6016 not enough space for the read data
R6016 abnormal program termination
R6009 not enough space for environment
R6008 not enough space for arguments
R6002 floating point not loaded
Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
RUNTIME ERROR
program: (program name unknown)
GetLastActivePopup
GetActiveWindow
MessageBoxA
USER32.DLL
CreateProcessA
GetExitCodeProcess
Sleep
ExitProcess
KERNEL32.DLL
MessageBoxA
ChangeDisplaySettingsA
TranslateMessageA
PeekMessageA
ShowCursor
CreateWindowExA
GetSystemMetrics
RegisterClassA
LoadCursorA
LoadIconA
SystemParametersInfoA
PostQuitMessage
PostMessageA
DefWindowProcA
USER32.DLL
GetStockObject
GDI32.DLL
RtlUnwind & GetModuleHandleA
GetStartupInfoA
GetCommandLineA
GetVersion
TerminateProcess
GetCurrentProcess
UnhandledExceptionFilter
GetModuleFileNameA
FreeEnvironmentStringsA
FreeEnvironmentStringsW
WideCharToMultiByte
GetEnvironmentStringsA
GetEnvironmentStringsW
SetHandleCount
GetStdHandle
GetFilterType
HeapDestroy
HeapCreate
VirtualFree
HeapFree
WriteFile
GetCPInfo
GetOEMCP
HeapAlloc
VirtualAlloc
HeapReAlloc
GetProcAddress
LoadLibraryA
MultiByteToWideChar
LCMapStringA
LCMapStringW
GetStringTypeA
GetStringTypeW
can't execute menu BH.EXE intro
can't execute game
BEACHHEAD\BEACHHEAD16.EXE
BEACHHEAD\BEACHHEAD15.EXE
BEACHHEAD
can't get menu status
can't get game status
ERROR
This program requires a Pentium Processor or higher
ERROR in Processor type
BEACHHEAD 2000 LAUNCHER



QUESTIONS:
Can anyone see why this game demo won't startup ?
Does my system meet this demo's requirements ?
Did I overclock my Processor by changing Multiplier ?

THANK YOU for any help.

 

man, u must really like this game.
my advice is don't wast your time with just a demo.
A demo program is not tested like a full program so it's normal that this demo doesn't work with many types of configurations/setups.
if u like this game so mutch, by the full version or go teste it in a video store.

 

Hi ODLINK:

Nah, I don't think this game is anything special - only 3 levels in the demo.

Most replies tell me to just "Chuck" this demo.

What is bothering me is that my system "meets" the demo's requirements and the game files work on WinME machine.

So doesn't that mean that there is "something" WRONG with my machine ???

I've become OBSESSED with at least finding out WHY this demo won't run . . . video driver, sound driver, CPU, missing .DLL, etc.

I will be so happy to discard this demo afterwards (my wife is going to kill me soon - if you know what I mean).

There must be a REASON it doesn't open the IE page . . . why does the requirements say Win95, etc. if it doesn't work with those requirements.

Oh, how I hate to "give up" on anything - I prefer a sense of satisfaction rather than disappointment.

THANK YOU for replying and "common sense" advice. :>)

(Staten Island, New York)

 

Test Machine

Obviously your 200 pc is TOO old! Same as mine, it won't play lots of games. Also a sound card needs to be detected in many games to allow them to install to play! I have a p 200mmx, W95, many game discs state, your system is too old or slow. Luckily for me I'm too old, these were my grandkids games!!
I'd say to you: "Use the newer pc, & enjoy your life "!! George

 

Thanks for reply and advice, GRUSS:

You may be right in one sense, my Quantum Hard Drive is "THE" slowest hard drive on the market (4000rpm) compared to the newer (7200rpm) hard drives.

So maybe this error message has to do with the Hard Drive ????

Well, I am down to my LAST attempt to solve this problem (if it is NOT a hard drive speed problem).

It could be that my last installation of Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 was corrupted in some way, so in order to "manually" uninstall it and attempt a "clean" reinstall, I have to (get this !!!) . . . .

uninstall 7 programs that are connected with IE5.5;
copy my Windows 95 CD (Win95 folder) to a folder on C: drive;
create a .BAT file with 97 entries to rename 97 files to *.OLD;
uninstall Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5;
remove entries from the Registry;
run the .BAT file;
run the Windows 95 setup;
download and install IE5.5 again;
DEFRAG;
reinstall all those uninstalled programs.

This is MSKB (article Q263470) from www.microsoft.com !!!!

THEN, of course, this demo still won't work - but I'll know (at least) my IE5.5 is setup OK.

And if no one else has any helpful ideas - I'll just have to END this research (finally) and get back to my life, if it's still there. :>)

Probably take all day to do this correctly.

THANK YOU all for your replies.