Terri,

Actually, that MAY BE the problem. I had no problem when my resolution was set to 1024 X 768. It was when I got set to 800 X 600 by the Mahjongg game that I had the problem. When I reset my resolution, the problem went away. Even if you don't keep the resolution, that way, I would try it and if it works, let BFG know about it.

Diane

No I never got it to play and they gave me a credit. My computer is always set to 800 X 600 so that can't be it.

Terri,

Did you ever get Prism to work for you? I ask because I had a strange thing happen the other day that affected Prism. I somehow got Mahjongg Towers Eternity hung and when I got out of it, the resolution of my computer was changed from 1024 X 768 to 800 X 600. When in that mode, Prism did as your described - got stuck on the falling stars!

I used control panel to get the resolution fixed and that did solve the Prism situation. I had to reboot to get Mahjongg Towers Eternith back. It kept bombing out with a script error!

You might try changing your screen resolution just to see if that fixes it. You can change it back (either way) but it might be nice to know if that's your problem.

Diane

Terri,

If you still have the download from Avira (or get a new copy), you can turn OFF the internet and then uninstall what you have and install Avira 9. If there is something wrong, the new one would block it. It's blocked now so it should not be in effect. There are some sites that allow a full scan from the internet if you're not sure if your system is clear. You might do that first to clear it off and then change what you have.

The only squawks I've gotten in years have turned out to be false positives (one with an Alawar game).

I was furious this morning because it started a scan without my initiating it and froze my computer again. I didn't think I had it set to automatically scan but apparently I did (I've since turned it off). I was just about to uninstall it when just now I got a message that ar.atwola.com was trying to launch and the a-v program blocked it. Was this a legitimate threat? I'm so confused now I don't know whether to take it off or not.

I have noticed that everything is much slower, I guess because it's checking everything before it opens. I'll probably have to take it off my computer for that reason alone.

Since it's a free product, even having to get a new code wouldn't be a problem, I would think. However, the code should work. It's not much different than an update and the codes usually work then.

I was using the free Avira one before this but since a-squared was a full version, I thought it would be better. Maybe not. Sometimes less is more. Does anyone know - if I uninstall a-squared, can I reinstall it at a later date if I want to with the same code?

Terri,

If these games worked fine before but not now, it probably is your new anti-virus. I've not heard of that one. It may be a setting in the new program that is causing the problem AND the lack of a full scan.

When I decided that AVG was hogging too many resources, I searched and found a list of free products and how they were rated against each other. I chose Avira - http://www.free-av.com/ and I've been very happy. The oddest part is there was one game (KaserGames - Greek Squares) that kept turning off the win-music because it wouldn't respond fast enough. After I removed AVG, I have not had that problem since.

I'm not saying that your product is bad. It just may not be the product for your needs but only you can make that determination. I'm just offering my experiences and what I'm using.

Good Luck,

Diane

It's a-squared. I just downloaded it last week.

Terri,

What AV do you have? I've seen several posts in the Avira forum on this kind of behavior. Maybe you should try another AV (uninstall what yo have and install another to try). It does sound like your AV may be a problem.

I think the problem may be coming FROM the anti-virus software. It doesn't seem to like any of my games. I have still not been able to run a full scan. It seems to freeze at the same spot every time.

Terri,

If games you used to play satisfactorily but now won't, may indicate a virus rather than a driver problem. I would do a FULL scan of your system with our anti-virus to check for that. Also a spyware checker (like Spybot0.

I updated the DirectX but I'm having trouble with the video driver update so maybe I'll try the Dr. Felix. All this for one game - my other BFG games seem to run OK. I have been having problems with almost all of the Gamehouse games for the last few days. Today's won't play at all for me.

Terri,

First - Dr. Felix is ok. They had me do that, too. I downloaded it but before I ran it, I had Avira check it out and it was clean. It's a bit of a pain that it puts the zip it created on the Desktop so the first thing I did (before I even looked at it or passed it on) was move it! It contains several files and is basically just what is running on your machine and what levels of different software. It's totally benign.

It does NOT control your computer. It just reports on what you have and what levels.

As far as Window's Update, I'm not sure how it knows that RealTek or NVIDIA have updates. It may be the way that HP set things up. I just know it does. The first update I did for NVIDIA was right after I got my machine. I had to uninstall the existing driver and then install the new version. HP's Tech Support walked me through that. Since then, I haven't had to do the uninstall bit manually.

Your Update may already be doing it. Check the history of updates and see if there are any for your graphics driver. I never let the update program even download, much less install the update, without first telling me and asking my permissions.

Diane

Dragon:

You said "Check your driver's site and follow their directions. I let Windows Update handle that for me. It checks my sound and graphics drivers for me. ;)"

What do I click on in Windows Update?

Thanks.

Has anybody downloaded BFG's Dr. Felix which is supposed to let them look at your computer to diagnose your problems? Is it safe? It makes me very nervous to give them "control" of my computer just to play a game.

BK,

I did it! I figured out level 49!

Use both "T"s for yellow, both at the level of the yellow guys. The bulboid and prism go as far as you can low so the blue light is right on the blue guy.

The mirrors have the yellow UP into the Ts. One mirror also reflects the red as needed. The third mirror reflects the yellow up so it can be used to turn into red using the cycle color changer.

The cycle changer has to be either the red or yellow on the right because it points to the right.

That's it. It's easier to see than to explain. I didn't want to give it ALL away.

The key is those color changers will change other than white light. Last night I just couldn't see it but it came easily this morning. I guess I just had to sleep on it.

Good Luck!

Diane

BK,

You're right - 49 is a bear! If/when I figure that out, I'll let you know - same thing if you figure it out.

I got an answer from Big Fish. We're stuck with the music option bug for now. They admit that it is the game and not my setup. All we can do is remember to reset the music level if in other than Puzzle mode and hope they issue a fix and give existing "owners" a free upgrade.

They say I'm a bit out of date on Flashplayer so I'll address that issue but that doesn't affect this game.

Dragon.....Yes they are.....let me know if you get 49. Please send help! lol
BK

BK,

The hints disappear when you get to the 6th group of puzzles (Level 41). After your post, I watched for it. They are getting more difficult.

Dragon...Yes, I'm seeing that too now that I'm farther in the game.

In Puzzle mode you could get a hint if you got stuck but those hints ended somewhere after level 35. I didn't notice till I needed it in level 49....now I'm stuck there till I figure it out. I hate it when they do that.

Terri,

You should check what level of DirectX that Prism requires and check what version you have. I got that same comment on Spirits of Metropolis. They wanted 8 and I have 10 so that was NOT my problem there.

The graphics driver can be a bit tricky to update. Check your driver's site and follow their directions. I let Windows Update handle that for me. It checks my sound and graphics drivers for me. ;)

This is the answer I got from BFG:

"This might be related to your current drivers and graphics card configurations in your computer. By updating Microsoft's Direct X, and your video card drivers you'll be up to date and able to play all the games on our site. Primarily, you should update Direct X and your video card drivers. Direct X is a Microsoft application used to run all our games. Additionally, all graphical processes on your computer are controlled by your video card."

Does anybody see any problems with doing that?

Thanks, as always.

Thanks for your dilligence (or a better word would be tenacity) in trying to sort these problems out Dragonlair.

Much respect from

Whiterabbit.

BK,

I noticed something else. They don't remember the settings (except for Puzzle Mode) from execution to execution of the game. You have to reset the volume every time you play!

I finally heard from Big Fish. First they said to re-download. I did not. I know I'm not the only one with the problem and it's too specific to be a corrupted download.

It's obviously a programming error. The other modes are not recognizing the global option settings and only recognize the local settings for that one session. It should be an easy fix/re-compile!

I ran their "Dr. Felix" program and sent them the results. Now I'm back to waiting on them. I gave them the above explanation (in more detail). Let's see if they believe me!

Diane

Diane....Yeh, I forgot to mention that part.....sowwy! :)
BK

BK,

You're right but there's a twist. You are right that each mode has it's own volume setting. The odd part is when you're in a mode that has the sound and you've previously turned it off, it shows as minimum. You have to turn it UP and then DOWN to get it to take.

That's really strange.

Thanks! I think I have all the music off. Once I started turning it off, it was ON in the game selection mode. I think I have THAT off as well, now.

BTW - if you want to see creative use of loading time - move your mouse left and right while the stars are falling. It's cute!

As far as the toolbar, I have it but it's disabled. If I need it, I'll enable it just long enough to do what I need and then disable it. Just like the Big Fish Game manager. I keep it just to download but don't use it at all. I always "fix" my shortcuts to avoid it.

Diane

Guys....to turn off music in the other modes you have to start that mode then click on the menu icon (looks sort of like an open book in the bottom right) then you can turn down/off the music for that mode.

I wouldn't take the toolbar from BF or anyone, even if they offered free games, they're nothing but trouble. Of course it's up to you but don't say you weren't warned :)

Terri....when you see the black screen w/falling stars you should see the word "Loading" in the bottom right corner, after about 10-15 seconds it changes to "Click to skip" click it to skip the rest of the intro and go to the menu screen. (At least that's what happens for me running Vista 32 bit)

Thanks for this heads up jenany, this game is really cool.

BK

Thanks again!