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For boardgame questions, see the board game FAQ. For order questions, see the order FAQ.
| Game Operation | |
| Q. How do I learn how to play? | A. Jump in and start a game; EBP will guide you and can give hints upon your request. EBP's AI computer opponents provide tireless practice. Until you can beat these bots regularly, set their skill levels lower in the Game Setup window. Also, be sure to review the rules of Empire Builder. |
| Q. How competent are the AI bots? | A. You can choose the skill level of EBP's computer opponents. At the maximum skill setting, the AI competes like an advanced human player. Only the best human players can beat the max skill AI with some regularity. |
| Q. How fast can the AI bots play? | A. At the max skill setting, EBP's bots usually need less than 1 second per turn. You can also tell the AI to play vs. itself to collect stats; in such operation EBP can complete over 100,000 player-matches per day (2.4 Gz quad core computer). |
| Q. Why won't EBP let me play on an alternate map? | A. You must keep all your alternate maps (.EBM files) in the same folder/subdirectory as the EBP.EXE program. Also, note EBP requires registration before you can play on alternate maps. |
| Q. When I double-click on a saved game, I'd like EBP to start and open that game. | A. You need to create a "file association" in Windows between .EBZ saved game files and the EBP.EXE game. Exactly how to do this varies based on your operating system version. Here's how to in Windows XP. |
| Q. The program crashed (stopped running) while I was using it. What's the problem? |
A. That is rare. Here are assorted things you can try to resolve the problem:
|
| Q. Windows reports that EBP caused an error in module xxx... at yyy... | A. That's Microsoft speak for "EBP revealed that a bug exists" in that software module (probably a component of Windows). You can report the problem to the maker of that module, but don't hold your breath waiting for them to fix it. |
| Q. The program doesn't crash, but does not seem to operate right. |
A. Retrace your steps, and if the problem keeps occurring, send us a list of
the minimum steps that we need to reproduce it here. If we can replicate the
problem, we can almost certainly fix it. If the steps you provide work
properly here, we almost certainly cannot do anything to address it, and it
gets chalked up to some unknown difference from the norm of your computer.
Sometimes it may be useful to send us a saved game to demo the problem you observe. Reload the saved game and retrace your steps. If the problem is repeatable, send us the game and the steps and we'll be happy to look into it. |
| Q. How can I send you a saved game after the program crashed? | A. You can't, unless EBP's AutoSave feature had been enabled. If you experience crashes, restart EBP and enable the "AutoSave before every turn" feature in the Game Options window, then play a game. If the program crashes, the state of the game just before the crash will be preserved in the files in AutoSave location (configured in the Game Options window) under names that resemble ebAS###x.EBZ where ### is the round number and x is a letter A=player 1's turn, B=player 2's turn, etc. Restart EBP, and open the newest autosave game file (i.e. the one that corresponds to the player whose turn it was when the program crashed). Try to resume playing. If the program crashes immediately, you have found a repeatable bug. Send us that .EBZ file with a description of what error messages you received. If we can duplicate the problem here, we can almost certainly fix it. This process, while a bit tedious, is important because without a saved game with which to reproduce the problem here, we almost certainly can't fix it. |
| Q. Is there an Iron Dragon map? | A. Iron Dragon has many unique features not presently supported in EB Pronto. There exists a computer version created by Eden Studios but it appears registrations are no longer being sold. |
| Q. I'd like to suggest a new feature for or improvement to the software. | A. Sure, send it to intersys@insystem.com. Many of EBP's features had their origin in ideas suggested by users. Obviously, we can't guarantee your suggestion will be added, but we'll consider it. Lawyer-speak: Note that suggestions received become the property of Intersystem Concepts, Inc. |
| Q. My favorite house rule is not in the software. Can you add it? | A. Crayon rail games lend themselves to many house rules. EBP supports the most popular variant rules. Programming the AI to handle variant rules well, and in combination with the others, can be complex and hence expensive to implement. If you want a new feature so much as to be willing to fund its development (likely in excess of $5000), feel free to contact us. Serious inquiries only, please. |
| Web Play | |
| Q. How do I play online? |
A. There's no need for a special Web server, instead your copy of EB Pronto communicates
directly via the Internet with a copy running on another computer. Basically, you and
up to 5 of your friends all run EBP and decide which person will be GameMaster. The GM
tells his IP address to the others (via phone, instant message, etc.) and they follow
EBP's prompts to connect for play. For details, see the "Web Play" topic in the game's
on line help.
When the GM chooses the "Make me GameMaster" option, EBP displays his dot address(es). For play over the Web, the GM should tell opponents his external dot address. For play over a local network (router), the GM should tell opponents his local dot address. If EBP is not displaying the dot address, the GM can use his web browser to obtain it manually by visiting Web sites such as http://checkip.dyndns.org or http://ipdetect.dnspark.com. Both sites show the external dot address of the visitor; the GM should tell that dot address to the players who are attempting to connect to him for a game. |
| Q. Can I play via my home network? How? | A. Most likely you can, even if you haven't set up full networking and instead simply have your home computers connected to the same router. When you start an online game, EBP will show the IP address of that router. You employ that address to connect for a game within your local router/network, with each person using their own computer. |
| Q. Does EBP's Web capability work on my network? | A. It should if your network uses standard IP (Internet protocol) addressing. |
| Q. My friend and I have been unable to connect for a Web match. | A. If you are unable to connect, (such as connection attempts to the GM yielding messages like "Main Error 10060 doing 3: The attempt to connect timed out"), it likely due to firewalls or other connection inhibitors. Try switching roles: let the other person be the GM of the match. Sometimes simply reversing the communication like this allows the computers to connect. If the problem persists, you probably need to tell your firewall or router to allow the connection (see following questions and answers). |
|
Q. We think the connection trouble is due to his router acting as a firewall. Help!
Sample router setup screen |
A. To configure your router to allow incoming connections, you need to
open ports 1103 and 1104 for use by EBP. Note that if you are
playing via your local/home router rather than over the Internet,
this is usually not necessary.
The steps below, kindly provided by Rich Shipley, describe the process for a Linksys router; you may need to adjust them for other brands:
"The user name is left blank and the password is 'admin' unless it has been changed. (If that fails, also try admin as user name and leave the password field blank, or enter admin in both fields.) "To find the web address of the router (this is what you would need to enter in EBP) click the 'Status' tab and find the IP Address in the 'WAN:' section. (Normally you can skip this because EBP shows you your IP Address.) "Unless the user's computer is set up as a DMZ (usually not a good idea), you will also have to configure the Linksys router to forward an IP port to the proper computer in order to accept external connections. To set this up: "Click the 'Advanced' tab and the 'Forwarding' tab. On some router models, you should click the 'Applications & Gaming' tab instead. "You then enter the service port of the EBP application (EBP uses ports 1103 and 1104) on the left and the local IP address of the individual computer on the right. "To find a computer's local IP address you can bring up the command prompt in Windows (Start-Programs-Accessories-Command Prompt) and enter 'ipconfig'. Some OS versions use 'winipcfg' instead. Copy the displayed IP Address into the router's IP Address field. Usually it is similar to that seen in the sample screen shot at left. "If the user has DHCP enabled, the IP addresses of computers may change once in a while and you might have to adjust the local IP address above." |
| Q. Can the connection trouble be due to a software firewall? |
A. If your firewall is enabled, players may receive a timeout error
when attempting to connect to the GM, for example "Main Error 10060
doing 3: The attempt to connect timed out". If this occurs when playing
via your local home network/router, the problem is most likely your
software firewall. In that case, you need to tell your firewall to
allow EBP to connect.
For example, in Windows Vista do the following: go to your Windows Control Panel, look in the Security area, click "Allow a program through Windows Firewall". This opens the Windows Firewall Settings window, Exceptions tab. In the list of programs, look for Empire Builder Pronot, EB Pronto or EBP (if it is not already in the list, use the "Add program" feature). Enable an exception by clicking EBP's check box. |
| Q. Any other "gotchas" to watch out for? |
A. Some routers periodically change the local address, for example
192.168.1.100 the next day becomes 192.168.1.101. This unannounced
change can render useless the local IP address for which you previously
had opened ports. If player have trouble connecting to the GM, the GM
should verify that the local address EBP shows remains the one for which
he had opened router ports.
Another gotcha is that some router configuration screens require your browser's Javascript to be enabled while you are changing their settings. If Javascript is disabled, it may look like the router accepted your port opening settings, but in reality it hasn't. |
| Q. I want to play one friend via the Web, but we want a 3-player match. | A. On the computer of the GM for the Web-based match, simply choose one of EBP's AI computer players to fill additional player slot(s). |
| Q. Can I test the Web play features during my free trial period? | A. Yes, those features are operational during the trial period before you register. |
| Q. Is dialup fast enough for Web play? | A. Yes. During Web play EBP communicates the game info among the participants by sending very small packets of data. A high speed connection is not required. |
| Q. I get no response when I choose an item from the Web pull-down menu. | A. This is most likely due to missing or old Windows internet drivers on your computer. Update your drivers as described in install FAQ below. |
| Q. I get error 75 or 76 and a message about REMOTEGM.EBZ when I try to play an Internet game. What's wrong? | A. Your temporary file path is set wrong. One way to fix it is to go to EBP's File, Program Settings window and change the "AutoSave and temp file location" setting to the root directory of any drive. |
| Windows Vista and Windows 7 | |
| Q. I'm having trouble with setup or entering my passcode, such as getting Error 75. I'm using Windows Vista. |
A. If Vista or 7 are giving you trouble, here are some tips:
|
| Q. The game's help system is not working right in Windows Vista. |
A. Vista breaks with several long-standing traditions in Microsoft operating systems.
|
| Q. EBP asks me if my operating system is Windows Vista and then exits. What gives? | A. That's what happens if EBP is not run as Adminstrator. Try right-clicking EBP's desktop icon and choosing Run as Administrator. |
| Registration / New Computers | |
| Q. How do I register? | A. Most people register by copying and pasting an order form into email. You can also send an order via conventional mail, fax or phone (see the order form). |
| Q. What do I get by registering? | A. If you request your registration to be sent via email, we will send you a passcode that allows use of the program past the free, initial 30-day trial period, and a link to download a copy of the EB7 USA/Canada/Mexico game map. If you pay for shipping, your passcode and EB7 map (on CD) will be sent via conventional mail. Registration also grants you discounts on other maps purchased at the same time, technical support via email, and discounted shareware upgrades. |
| Q. I replaced my old computer equipment with new and installed EBP on it, but the program doesn't recognize my prior registration or my old passcode. | A. Run the program on the new computer, choose the Help, Registration Numbers pull-down menu, and send us the pre-registration number shown. We'll reply with your new passcode. Beginning 30 days after that registration, users of a given version of the program are entitled to one free replacement passcode per 12 months. If those time periods have not elapsed, or if the version of the program is different than the one you last paid to register, you can get a new passcode for a small fee: order a secondary copy, and send us the pre-registration number from the new computer. |
| Q. I'd like to run EBP on my second computer or hard drive partition, but the passcode doesn't work. | A. Each needs its own registration. To loyal customers we offer additional registrations at a discount. Order a secondary copy. |
| Q. I downloaded EBP from a site other than yours. Is that OK? | A. Be careful: some sites add malware, spyware or even viruses to such downloads. Even if not, they might have supplied an older version. You can always get the latest and greatest by downloading from our site. |
| Q. My system crashed and I had to reinstall Windows. The process took my EBP registration with it. | A. You should be able to reactivate your registration on the same computer by using the passcode we had sent before. If not, or if you lost your passcode, you can get a replacement as described above for replacing old computer equipment. |
| Q. I lost my registration yet again! How can I preserve it? | A. Back up the directory in which EBP is installed. If you don't have a proper backup, and if you've consumed your free passcode within the past 12 months, order a recovery copy. |
| Q. Can I upgrade my version of Windows without losing my EBP registration? | A. It should be possible, but might fail. Microsoft doesn't worry much about being careful to not clobber non-Microsoft applications. Some people have upgraded without losing their EBP registration, others have not. If you lose your registration in this manner, you can get another as described above for replacing old computer equipment. |
| Q. I frequently wipe clean and rebuild my hard disk contents from scratch... | A. You might be able to reactivate your registration on the same computer by using the passcode we had sent before, but we cannot guarantee that. |
| Q. I'm having trouble installing the emailed add ons. | A. You can order a copy on CD. |
| Q. Can I get a copy on diskette? | A. No, EBP and EBPEdit are available via download and on CD only. |
| Upgrades | |
| Q. What's new in the software? | A. See the version history page. |
| Q. How do I upgrade to the newest/current version? |
A. Most people use the automated upgrade: in the program choose the File,
Download Update pull-down menu. If you experience any trouble, upgrade
manually: download from the main EBP page
and install a new copy to replace the old.
Minor updates (for example, version 1.3.0 to 1.3.1) are free, others (such as version 1.2.x to 1.3.x) are available for a small fee. After installing a fee-based upgrade, use an order form and be sure to send us your new pre-registration number obtained from the Help, Registration Numbers pull-down menu of the new version. We need that to determine and reply with your new passcode. Pre-registration numbers begin with the digit 1. With an upgrade order, include information so we can find your prior registration in our database. For example, if your email address and/or zip codes have changed, include mention of the old ones under which you had registered in the past. |
| Q. How can I distinguish a minor (free) update from a more significant (fee) one? | A. Minor updates change the last of the 3 version digit groups. So, for example, if you have registered version 1.3.0, then all the 1.3.x updates are free for you, but there will be a fee to upgrade to 1.4.x. |
| Q. Are the upgrades discounted? |
A. Users of a prior EBP version can upgrade their registered copies to the newest
version at the lower "upgrade" pricing shown on an order form (currently $15).
This discount pricing applies only the first time you place an upgrade order for
a given new version.
People with registrations for their multiple computers should order upgrades simultaneously for all registrations for which they wish to maintain registration benefits. For example, if someone who has registered 3 copies of prior versions orders upgrades for just 2 of those 3, all registration benefits for the third copy will be lost. |
| Q. Where can I find out which version I already have? | A. Use the Help, About pull-down menu. The version number is displayed at the top of the window that opens. |
| Q. I'm reluctant to upgrade because of bad experiences with other software packages. |
A. We know what you mean, sometimes we prefer an older version! Here's what
to do: 1) rename your existing EBP.EXE game program something else, such as EBPold.EXE,
2) download the latest version, 3) install it. After you try
it, if you don't like it, simply delete the new EBP.EXE, and rename the old one back.
If you use the automated upgrade, this renaming (i.e. preservation) of the old version is done for you automatically. |
| Q. Will I be able to try out a new version for which there is an upgrade fee? | A. Minor updates for which there are no fee can be installed and played immediately. More significant updates for which there is a fee let registered users of prior versions give them a try before paying: they limit the number of players or rounds. |
| Q. I upgraded today but when I try to play EBP tells me my trial period has ended. | A. For the upgrade trial to work, install the new version into the same directory as the prior. |
| Q. Do I also need to upgrade alternate maps I purchased in the past? | A. EB Player maps are upwardly compatible with the new version. You do not need to buy them again or pay extra to use them in the new version of EBP. The newest maps are described on the EBP Maps page. |
| Q. Can my old saved games be loaded into the new version? | A. Yes, saved games from EB Player are upwardly compatible. |
| Q. I'd like to buy some new maps when I pay to upgrade EBP. Can I get them at the discounted price? | A. Yes. Example: upgrade EBP ($15) + new Eurorails map ($12) totals $27. printable order form, emailable order form |
| Q. How do I get the newly available, board-game-style load icon sets for maps I purchased previously. | A. When you register an EBP 1.3 upgrade, we'll tell you how to get those icons at no additional charge. |
| Install / Hardware Issues | |
| Q. I'm getting the messages "A required .DLL file, MSVBVM60.DLL was not found." and "Cannot find file 'C:\EBP\EBPEDIT.EXE' (or one of its components)." or "Cannot find file 'C:\EBP\EBP.EXE' (or one of its components)." |
A. You need to download and install some files EBP needs to operate. Most computers
already have these files. Do this:
|
|
Q. I get "Run-time error '372' Failed to load control 'Inet' from msinet.ocx. Your version of
Msinet.ocx may be outdated. Make sure you are using the version of the control that was provided
with your application." or "Run-time error 339, Component 'MSINET.OCX' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid." |
A. This is known to occur with versions of Windows internet drivers dated before June 1998,
and in Windows Vista. You must update the drivers EBP needs to operate. Do this:
|
|
Q. I get "Run-time error '372' Failed to load control 'Winsock' from mswinsck.ocx. Your version of
Mswinsck.ocx may be outdated. Make sure you are using the version of the control that was provided
with your application." or "Run-time error 339, Component 'MSWINSCK.OCX' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid." |
A. This is known to occur with versions of Windows internet drivers dated before June 1998 and
in Windows Vista. You must update the drivers EBP needs to operate. Do this:
|
| Q. Can I run EBP on a Mac or under Linux? | A. Many people have reported success running EBP via Windows emulation software for those operating systems such as Parallels. Going further and attempting to use EBP's Web features on such platforms is stretching your luck. If it works, great, but obviously we can't guarantee it always will. |
| Q. I tried to GM a Web game on my Mac with Virtual PC, but received "Error 76". Can that be fixed? |
A. This problem was discovered by Chuck Weinstock, who also found a
solution when using direct network connections. He writes:
"After much trial and error and with a little help from others, I discovered that you need to do the following to get it to work.
1. Turn off 'Shared IP' in the Virtual PC preferences. |
| Q. Will you create a version of EBP specifically for the Mac or another operating system? | A. We have no plans at the present time to do so. The installed base of those platforms is too small to justify the effort. Or, said another way, to recoup our costs, we'd have to charge far more for an EBP registration than most people would be willing to pay. |
| Display Issues | |
| Q. That colorful map background is hard on my eyes. Can I get rid of it? | A. You can disable the "map bgnd image" via EBP's Display Settings window. Note also that some maps have multiple background images available; a list will be displayed in the settings window. |
| Q. The animated map background zoom is slow, or makes me dizzy. Can I turn it off? | A. Yes, use the File, Display Settings pull down menu and disable the Zoom: Animated checkbox. |
| Q. The colors in the map background look very strange on one computer, but not on another. Why? | A. Many of the video drivers used by Windows have bugs that prevent the proper display of the map background when you are running in 256-color (8-bit) mode. Exit the game, reconfigure your copy of Windows to employ more than 256-colors, and then retry. If that fails, contact your computer's manufacturer to obtain a display driver update, which may contain bug fixes. Or, turn off the "map bgnd image" entirely via EBP's Display Settings window. Some maps come with an alternate background image that works better in 256-color mode. You can choose an alternate background via the Display Settings window. |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Q. Has EBP been rated by the ESRB? | A. No, it has not. We consider EBP to be a family game: both it and all game maps created by ICI (that's us) are suitable for play by all ages. However please note that maps created by others may contain content unsuitable for younger players, for example, drug references. Also, EBP allows for online Web play, and participants in such an online match can send text messages to each other. If you have concerns, use only maps designed by ICI and avoid use of EBP's online Web play feature. |
| Q. Does Mayfair know of the EB Pronto computer version? | A. Yes, the Empire Builder Pronto software is authorized by Mayfair Games, and Mayfair's Empire Builder® trademarks are used under license. We believe Mayfair is interested to see what new maps people invent with help from our EBPEdit map editor. Perhaps the best will be published in the future in board game form. |
Empire Builder is a registered trademark of Mayfair Games, and used here under license. Empire Builder Pronto is a trademark of Intersystem Concepts, Inc. EB Pronto and the alternate maps are not products of Mayfair Games.