Games: Stops Responding and Black Screen Appears with Blue Title Bar (308523)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Links 2003 Championship Edtn EN
  • Microsoft Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings 2.0
  • Microsoft Age of Empires II Expansion: The Conquerors
  • Microsoft Age of Empires II Gold Edition
  • Microsoft Crimson Skies
  • Microsoft Links LS 2000
  • Microsoft Links 2001
  • Microsoft Links 2003
  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries
  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Vengeance
  • Microsoft Links 2003 Championship Edition
This article was previously published under Q308523

SYMPTOMS

When you try to start any of the games that are listed in the "Applies to" section of this article, the computer may stop responding ("hang") 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 "Applies to" 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:
  1. Right-click the MechWarrior Vengeance icon on your desktop, and then click Properties.
  2. Click the Shortcut tab.
  3. 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.
  4. Click Apply or click OK.
  5. Start the game.

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.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/7/2006
Keywords:kbHardware kbConfig kbprb KB308523
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