Microsoft KB Archive/308523

= Games: Stops Responding and Black Screen Appears with Blue Title Bar =

Article ID: 308523

Article Last Modified on 1/31/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Links 2003 Championship Edition
 * Microsoft Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
 * Microsoft Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion
 * Microsoft Age of Empires II Gold Edition
 * Microsoft Crimson Skies
 * Microsoft Links LS 2000
 * Microsoft Links 2001 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Links 2003
 * Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries
 * Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Vengeance
 * Microsoft Links 2003 Championship Edition

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This article was previously published under Q308523



SYMPTOMS
When you try to start any of the games that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section of this article, the computer may stop responding (&quot;hang&quot;) with a black screen and a blue title bar.

If you put your pointer in the black window with a blue title bar, the pointer may become an hour glass but nothing happens.



CAUSE
This issue may occur if any of the following scenarios exist:
 * The International Business Machines (IBM) Mouse Suite or IBM Scoll Point 3 utility software are installed. Some versions of this software are incompatible with the products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section of this article.
 * If you have Popup blocker installed on the computer.



RESOLUTION
If you are using IBM mouse, to resolve this issue you must remove the IBM Mouse Suite or IBM Scoll Point 3 utility software. Removal instructions should be included with your mouse documentation.

For information about how to contact IBM, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

If you are using a Popup blocker software, remove the software. Contact the software manufacturer for documentation about how to remove it.

Add MechWarrior Vengeance Parameter
To manually add parameters to the command line in the MechWarrior Vengeance shortcut:  Right-click the MechWarrior Vengeance icon on your desktop, and then click Properties. Click the Shortcut tab. In the Target box, press END, press the SPACEBAR, and then type the -noautoconfig parameter.

As an example, the following sample command line includes parameter:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\MechWarrior Vengeance\Mw4.exe -noautoconfig

Note Parameters are not case-sensitive. Click Apply or click OK. Start the game.

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MORE INFORMATION
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Additional query words: msgame mech4 links2000 links2001 crimson skies empires performance

Keywords: kbhardware kbprb kbconfig KB308523

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