Command Conquer Generals Zero Hour: Are you defeated from the start of the game?

Do you experience that all your buildings explode and blow up from 20-30 seconds from the beginning of the game?

Then the solution might be putting the game on Windows 2000 Compatability Mode instead of XP SP3 that fixed my problem.

The way you do this is:
1. To click the right mouse button on the icon of the game and choose 'Properties' in the menu.

2. Then click on the tap 'Equipment Compatibility'

3. From here you click the little square under 'Equipment Compatibility Mode'
4. Then you click the Scroo-Down Menu and choose to run the game in 'Windows 2000'


And then the problom should be solved :D

Source:
http://www.commandandconquer.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-778.html

Do you also get the message: 'Invalid Serial Number - try another' at Command Conquer Generals Zero Hour online Multiplayer game?

Do you (also) want to play Command Conquer Generals Zero Hour online Multiplayer game but get the message: 'Invalid Serial Number - try another one'?

Then you have come to the right place.

Here is a small quick guide on how to deal with it.

(Unfortunately this is not the official EA Games method of way but it works... I have tried to deal with EA Games Support but no solution was found.)




OVERVIEW OF WHAT TO DO:
1. First you need a Serial Key that works
2. Then you have to change the Serial Key of your installation
3. And then you are ready to play online!
- It's that easy! And it works! Isn't it amazing!?



STEP-by-STEP GUIDE
1. The way I found a Serial Key that works was by Google searching with the following key words: "Serial Key Command Conquer Generals Zero Hours". (I will tell you later on how to find out if the Serial Key works in the next step.)

It gives a lot of search results with a lot of pages with many Serial Keys that don't work! But then suddenly I found a Serial Key that worked. For me it was that from this side:

Link:
http://www.serials.ws/all/?l=c&pn=9

Here I found the Serial Key by clicking on the link: "Commander & Conquer Generals: Zero: Hour :: 2006-12-04 :: 79"  
(you must wait some seconds before a pop-up window opens with the Serial Key in a white window!)
For me the Serial Key that worked is the following:
6JWE-H659-R47L-PL9F-K8LF


You can try if this Serial Key also works for you. Otherwise you can try the many other Serial Keys you can find on Google.

So this was how you find the Serial Key. Now we need to know how to replace this new Serial Key with the old one. Let's look at next step...



STEP TWO!

2. Once you have the new serial go into the 'registry' at your computer:
1. Press 'Windows Key' + R to open the run command and type in "regedit"
2. Then follow these folders exactly ==> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
==> SOFTWARE
==> Wow6432Node
==> Electronic Arts
==> EA Games
==> Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour
==> ergc

Then run 'regedit' by clicking at it, delete the old Serial Key and replace it with the new one you found in step one.


3. And then you are ready to play Multiplayer Online!

Just enter the game normally...




Sources:

Serial Key got from:
http://www.serials.ws/all/?l=c&pn=9

Guide to replace old Serial Key with new one:
http://www.cheatsguru.com/pc/cc_generals_zero_hour/questions/1981951/ 

How to optimize your computer

Here is a few steps how to optimize which means to make your computer faster without any programs other than XP itself.


Here's how I optimized my computer to work faster:


1. Uninstall all unnecessary programs:
Go to the Start Menu > Control Panel > and Add or Remove Programs

2. Tidy up your computer by deleting all unnecessary files on your Desktop and Local Disk C in the simple way by left-clicking on your mouse at the files you want to remove

3. Error-check your whole computer and fix the problems:
Go to My Computer > Click on Local Disk C by left mouse button > choose the tab 'Tools' > and click the button 'Check Now..' at the top of the window under the section 'Error-checking'

4. Defragmentate your whole computer which means tidy up your whole system:
Go to My Computer > Click on Local Disk C by left mouse button > choose the tab 'Tools' > and then click the button 'Defragment Now...' under the section 'Defragmentation' in the middle of the window


And now your computer should work faster.

Remember to Update Windows (by Windows Update) and to have a Virus Program as the free ones like AVG or Avast which works perfect.

Download AVG free:
http://free.avg.com/ww-en/download-free-antivirus

Download Avast for free:
http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html?part=dl-85737&subj=dl&tag=button

How to install Red Alert on XP

Here's a mini guide how to install Red Alert 95 on XP by using a very few programs and settings. Don't worry. This is not nearly as complicated as it sounds.
　

--- OVERVIEW ---


1. Download the necessary files

2. Install a RAR extracting program (if you don't have one) and unpack the Red Alert .rar file using the RAR extractor

3. Install MagicISO

4. Mount the Red Alert ISO file

5. Install Red Alert

6. Install the XP patch and make some minor tweaks

7. Play the game!


Okay let's start off with getting all our goodies. Here's where to...

--- OVERVIEW FINISH ---

HOW THE GUIDE WORKS

1. Download the necessary files

Download complete Red Alert Allied game files here:
http://www.fileshack.com/file.x/12826/Command+&+Conquer:+Red+Alert+-+Allied+Disc

Download complete Red Alert Soviet game files here:
http://www.fileshack.com/file.x/12827/Command+&+Conquer:+Red+Alert+-+Soviet+Disc

Download the trial version of WinRAR here:
http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm

The WinRAR program will allow you to unpack the Red Alert game files. Download WinRAR 3.80 (Trial version).


Download MagicISO here:
http://www.magiciso.com/download.htm

MagicISO will allow you to run Red Alert directly from the Red Alert ISO file on your computer instead of having to burn the game to a CD and then using the CD to run the game.
　
Okay now that you've got all your goodies, let's get on with how to...
　


　
2. Install WinRAR and unpack Red Alert game files

1. Install WinRAR by double clicking on your downloaded wrar380.exe installation file (go with all the default settings).

2. After installing WinRAR, use Windows to browse to where you saved your downloaded Red Alert game files. We'll use the Allied disc in this tutorial. Double click on ra95_allied.rar to open it in WinRAR.

3. In the WinRAR program, drag-and-drop the ra95_allied.iso file to your desktop.

4. Close WinRAR.
　
　
　
　
3. Install MagicISO and mount the Red Alert .ISO file

Don't worry. This is not nearly as complicated as it sounds.

Here's how to proceed...

1. Install MagicISO by double clicking on your downloaded setup_magicdisc.exe file (go with all the default settings). This will automatically create a virtual DVD/CD drive on your computer with its own drive letter (the letter assigned to your virtual drive will depend on how many hard drives, partitions and DVD drives you have). You'll also have a little MagicISO icon in your system tray:

2. Right click on the MagicISO icon in your system tray and click on Virtual CD/DVD >> [DRIVE LETTER]: No Media >> Mount...

3. Use the "Mount CD/DVD image" dialog to browse to your extracted ra95_allied.iso file, click to select it and then click OPEN.

4. The Command & Conquer: Red Alert menu will appear...
DO NOT DO ANYTHING IN THIS MENU. Do NOT click Proceed, do not pass Go, do not collect $200, etc, nada, bumpkiss. Instead simply click Exit to close this menu immediately.
　
Now, having done all of the above, here's how to...
　
　
4. Install Red Alert

1. Go to your desktop, double click on My Computer, right click on your new virtual drive with the label CD1 (J:) and click on Open.

2. Right click on setup.exe, click on Properties >> Compatibility and then click to CHECK "Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 95" should be selected by default. Leave it as such.)

3. Click OK

4. Now double click on setup.exe to install Red Alert. During the installation process, when you get to the screen prompting you to install DirectX 3 audio and video drivers, click to CLEAR the box beside DirectX audio and video drivers. You don't need these drivers.

5. A few steps later in the installation process, you'll be prompted to install Westwood Chat. If you wish to play Red Alert multiplayer online, install Westwood Chat. If not, click Cancel to skip installing Westwood Chat.

6. When the installation finishes, you'll be prompted to restart your computer. Do this.
　
If you try playing Red Alert now, you'll probably get an error message reading "The procedure entry point SMapLS_IP_EBP_12 could not be located in the dynamic link library KERNEL32.DLL".
　
To avoid getting this error message, you'll have to...
　
　
5. Install the Windows XP Patch

1. After installing Red Alert and restarting your computer, click here (http://majorslack.com/classic-pc-games/how-to-install-red-alert-1/) to download the XP patch and save the XP patch (RA108USP.EXE) to your Red Alert installation folder. (By default, this is C:\WESTWOOD\REDALERT).

2. Then double click on the RA108USP.EXE file to open the patch. This will create 3 files in your Red Alert folder named Patch.exe, Patch.rtp and Patch.txt.

3. Double-click on Patch.exe to apply the patch.
　
Now if you try to play Red Alert, you'll probably get a black screen of nothingness and/or a strange error message saying "A privileged instruction was executed at address" blah etc. To avoid getting this error, you'll have to...
　
　
6. Set the RA95.EXE Compatibility Mode

1. Go to your Red Alert installation folder (typically C:\WESTWOOD\REDALERT)

2. Right click on RA95.EXE and click on Properties >> Compatibility

3. Click to CHECK "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" (Windows 95 should be selected by default. Leave it as such.)

4. Click OK to apply the setting.



ALL DONE. :o)

Now you can play Red Alert. (Woohoo!...)

To do this:

1. Right click on the MagicISO icon in your system tray and click on Virtual CD/DVD >> [DRIVE LETTER]: No Media >> Mount...

2. Use the "Mount CD/DVD image" dialog to browse to your extracted ra95_allied.iso file, click to select it and then click OPEN.
　
　
7. Play the Game

After mounting the ra95_allied.iso file (as per above), you can play the game by simply clicking on Start >> Programs >> Westwood >> Red Alert >> Red Alert Windows 95 Edition. (You can drag-and-drop this start menu button to your desktop to make a handy shortcut.)

The installation process above will permit you to play all the Allied missions, the first Soviet Mission and Skirmish. To play the rest of the Soviet missions, you'll have to extract the Soviet disc ISO file and mount it using MagicISO (see above).
　
Internet source (all copyed freely from): http://majorslack.com/classic-pc-games/how-to-install-red-alert-1/
　
　
　
IN MY OWN WORDS:

1. Install Red Alert 95 normally
2. Install WinRar and MagicISO
3. Mount the Red Alert ISO file
4. Install the XP Patch
5. And play the game using MagicISO

WarRock loading problems

If you have loading problems with WarRock where it may stop loading at 76% and just freeze, then the problem can probably be AVG AntiVirus which blocks the game to run.

Install AVAST AntiVirus for free instead and WarRock works just fine.

Download AVAST AntiVirus for free:
http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html?part=dl-85737&subj=dl&tag=button


Greatings,
- an old returned WarRock-player

How to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system

Having trouble determining the bit version of your Windows operating system? For example by installing Virtual PC 2007 for XP?

Here is a simple guide to determine the bit version of your Windows XP operating system. This (method 2) worked succesful for me.


"Method 2: View System Information window
loadTOCNode(4, 'moreinformation');

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type winmsd.exe, and then click OK.
3. When System Summary is selected in the navigation pane, locate Processor under Item in the details pane. Note the value.

- If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with x86, the computer is running a 32-bit version of Windows.
- If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with ia64 or AMD64, the computer is running a 64-bit version of Windows."


Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827218

Link for downloading Virtual PC 2007: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=28C97D22-6EB8-4A09-A7F7-F6C7A1F000B5&displaylang=en

Problems with Ulead Video Studio Unable to Load the Library? Here is how to fix the problem in an easy way

Here is how to fix the problem in an easy way - Iit's very simple when you first get to know :D

"It’s very simple. Ulead video studio is “unable to load the library” because one of the transition effect clips is corrupted. So meaning to say, it is the “transition effect” clips that makes the trouble. For those who encountered this kind of problem, try to playback the transition effect clips one by one and watch if there is any distorted or briefly played “effect” and after you found that removed it. It will immediately solve your problem.

If you find my advice useful, and as a token to me please leave a comment here. So much so it will help other people. Thank you."

Source: http://mysecretchambers.blogspot.com/2008/12/ulead-video-studio-unable-to-load.html