Version 1.5

Port Royale International Version 1.4
FAQ Version 15.01.2003

Minimum System Requirements

Recommended System Requirements

General Issues

Are there any patches to download?
No. The international version of Port Royale (any other than the German Version) does not require any patches. The international version has all (German) patches up to 1.40 as well as the Port Royale Mini Add on already implemented.

Where do I find my CD-Code?
The CD-Code can be found on the inside of the CD casing, just above the CD-Rom. This CD-Key only needs to be entered once AFTER the installation. If at any time you de-install the game and reinstall it later, you won’t need to re-enter the CD-Code for Port Royale as it has been added to the Windows registry. Only if you format your hard disk, you will have to re-enter the CD-Code.

Port Royale can’t find my CD, why?
This problem is common to users who have virtual CD-ROM drives, daemon tools or non-standard file systems installed. If you do have such software installed, you should deactivate it and the problem should no longer appear. This problem is also common to users with certain Anti-Virus programs. These programs should also be deactivated if you continue to have this problem.

Why doesn’t Port Royale accept my CD-Code?
The CD key is a part of the technical copy protection and doesn’t influence the game or the multiplayer part of the game in any way, valid key codes are:
- for the German version only:
00DX0-0JHCD-CKCBY-VNBDD-G85F8
- for the French version only:
00DX0-02SCI-3URIQ-8FCCA-FHCH2
- for the Dutch version only:
00DX0-0W83C-09DCV-2PIDC-B9DC2
Remember: "0" = zero, there is no Oh

If for any reason the CD-Key does not get accepted, then the entry would have to be removed from the Windows Registry. To do that, please go to Start/Run.. and start “RegEdit”. You will need to go to the following Registry Key and delete it;
"HKey_Current_User/Software/VOB/ProtectCD"
Please Restart your System, and re-enter a Valid Code.

Why do I get a black screen or system Hang-up after the Introduction Video?
Please make sure that your PC matches the Minimum System Requirements for Port Royale. If the Minimum Requirements are fulfilled, please make sure that you have the latest official (no Betas please!) Video Card and Sound Card drivers installed. Under Windows 98, you should also make sure that you have no other (older) inactive drivers installed, which is a common problem under Windows 98 Users. A few users have reported this problem although apparently correct drivers were installed. In such cases please use the “\nointro” option as described in the readme file or simply rename the file BINKPLAY.EXE in the Port Royale root folder.

Why does the game crash after the first loading screen?
Again this is a problem common to old Video/Sound Card drivers. Once the latest official drivers are installed, the problem should be resolved. If the problem persists, please make sure you have no other programs running in the background, which include Anti-Virus Software, Virtual CD-ROM Drives, I-Secure Software etc.

Why do I get a Walhalla Exception Error Message?
This problem is common for systems that do not match the minimum system requirements, have older drivers installed, insufficient free hard disk space left on the C: partition or no virtual memory allocated.
If you are using a “shared memory” graphic card, please make sure to have a minimum of 16Mb Memory allocated for the graphic chip. For more information on “shared memory”, please consult the technical manual of your computer.

Why does the game Lock-up or Crash while playing?
This happens when other programs interfere with the workings of the game. Anti-Virus software is the most common cause followed by miss-configured drivers. Please make sure that you have no inactive drivers installed and please make sure that all your drivers are up to date.

Why do I get a General Exception Error Message when starting the game?
Programs running in the background, most commonly Norton programs may cause this error. Please make sure that no other software is running unnecessarily in the background. If this problem persists, please defragment your drive and make sure that the latest Windows Updates are installed.

Why do I get a Virus Found Error Message?
This message is caused by the copy protection of the game. Norton Anti Virus sometimes identifies this as a virus. Please deactivate your Anti-Virus software and the problem should be solved.

Performance Issues

Why does the Game run really slow?
This problem occurs when drivers are either not installed properly or when the drivers are out of date. It can also be caused by PCs which do not match the Minimum System Requirements. In order to increase performance, please make sure your PC is up to date and no other software is running unnecessarily in the background, to deactivate them.

Why are the ship outlines not reflected on the water on my PC, as seen on some screenshots?
These reflections can only be displayed on graphic cards with FULL DirectX 8 support, such as GeForce 3 Ti, GeForce 4 Ti or some newer ATI Radeon cards. Graphic cards that only support DirectX 7 or older, for example GeForce2MX or Geforce4 MX are not capable to display these effects.

Savegame Issues

Why can’t I load/find my Savegame?
This usually happens when the Savegame is corrupt. To avoid this kind of difficulty, defragmentation of the hard drive should be regularly run. A way to solve this problem is to make sure that you do not have too many Save files at once. Keeping them between 3-5 files usually stops this problem from happening.

Why does the Game Crash after loading a Savegame?
This happens when a Savegame is corrupt or fragmented. Unfortunately there is no solution to this problem and the Savegame would have to deleted.

Graphical Issues

Why is the main Option menu unreadable?
This Problem happens to Kyro and ATI Graphic Cards. Please update your Drivers, and the problem should no longer persist.

Why is the Sea black? Why can’t I see the Sea?
Older ATI Drivers have this problem. Please upgrade your drivers.

Why are the Graphics broken and why do I have green Fragments all over the Screen?
This happens when the Copy Protection finds a problem. This can be caused by certain Video Drivers, Virtual CD-ROM Drives or certain Anti-Virus Software. It is advisable to make sure you are running the game without a No-CD Patch, Virtual CD-ROMs or, if you have none of these, to deactivate your Anti-Virus Software.

Why do the Face Animation of the Characters disappear after 3 seconds?
Please upgrade your Drivers and make sure that your Driver is correctly installed. This problem occurs when you have a wrong driver, a partially installed driver or an older driver installed.

Sound Issues

Why is the Sound Broken or distorted?
Your Sound Card Driver is too old and should be upgraded. The problem should no longer persist.

Mouse Issues

Why doesn’t my mouse cursor appear, or continuously flash in-game?
Please upgrade your Mouse and Graphic Driver.
Additionally you can open the “Game.ini” file, found in the Root Directory of Port Royale and change the “DefaultCursor = 0” to “DefaultCursor = 1” which changes the Mouse to the Windows Standard mouse.

Why do I have a black Box as a mouse?
Mouse driver is not correctly installed and should be reinstalled. The problem should no longer appear.

Multiplayer/Internet Issues

Ascman Internet Client
(Note: The Ascman Internet Client is a small Program which enables Players to find each other over the Internet to play Port Royale online together. If you have problems connecting to a server, please make sure that the ports which are needed for the Ascman and Port Royale are open.)

Why can’t I connect to the Ascman Provider?
This Problem is common to Players who are behind a firewall. The Following Ports are used:
For communications over TCP/IP Port Royale uses Port 18592.
To find and connect to a server via UDP Port Royale uses Port 18595.
The Ascman uses Port 5400.

Additional Issues

Known Error Messages

Error message:
"Could not create device" when starting the game
Solution:
Update the DirectX Version to DirectX 8.1, if it’s already installed the installation may be a corrupt, reinstall DirectX8.1

Error message:
"Nullcontainer..." -message after a crash back to the Windows desktop
Solution:
Check the system configuration; it has to be compatible to DirectX 8.1
Note: This message will be generated by Port Royale’s game engine (Walhalla), if the application (Port Royale) was unexpected terminated before. This message doesn’t give any information about the error at all.

Known Walhalla Exceptions Dialogs

Error message:
RESRC_NOT_FOUND
Solution:
Corrupt game installation, De- and reinstall the Port Royale completely

Error message:
D3DERR_DRIVERINTERNALERROR
Solution:
Compatibility problem.. Update the graphic card drivers, they have to be DirectX8.1 compatible

Error message:
D3DERR_INVALIDCALL
Solution:
Direct 3D-Acceleration is not activated or initialized, activate it through the options on the Display tab of the DirectX Diagnostic tool (DxDiag).

How do I create a DXDiag?
Go to the Windows START Menu and select Run. A new Window appears which requires you to enter a Program name. Please enter “DXDiag” and press Ok. DirectX Diagnostics starts. In order to save the information to a text file, please select the button “Save Information…”

How do I create a System Diagnostics file?
Go to the Windows START Menu and select Run. A new Window appears which requires you to enter a Program name. Please enter “msinfo32” and press Ok. DirectX Diagnostics starts. In order to save the information to a file, choose Menu/Save As.. and save the file as a System Information File (NFO File).

Where can I get Additional Help?
If none of these Questions help you, please feel free to contact our Support under:

Service_PR@Ascaron.com

It is recommended to have either a DXDiag file or System Diagnostics file ready, so the support can be accelerated for your Convenience.

We are also available through Telephone under:

Germany (+49) 05241-96690
Mondays – Fridays 14:00 to 17:00 CET (Central European Time)