Red Storm Entertainment TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON README

September, 2001
This document contains information specific to TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON
that is not included in the manual.
Table of Contents
1.General Notes and Troubleshooting
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8

Installation Notes
TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON and Laptop Computers
Multi-Tasking (Alt-Tab)
Miscellaneous Tips for Making the Game Run Faster
DirectX Help
Updating Drivers
Windows 2000 and XP Notes
General Gameplay Notes

2.Multiplayer Notes and Troubleshooting

2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5

Supported Network Protocols

Miscellaneous Tips for the Best Multiplayer Gaming Experience
MOD Issues
Setting Up a Dedicated Server on the ubi.com Game Service
Setting Up a Private Dedicated Server

3.Video Card Notes and Troubleshooting

3.1
3.2

General Video Card Troubleshooting

List of Video Cards with Known Issues

4.Audio Notes and Troubleshooting

4.1
4.2
4.3

General Sound Card Troubleshooting

If You Have More than One Sound Card Installed on Your
Computer
List of Sound Cards with Known Issues

5.Ghost Recon Game Editor

6.Ubi Soft Technical Support Information
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Important Information

Companies, products, persons, personalities and/or names mentioned in

this product are intended to be purely fictional and in no way deemed
to represent real individuals, companies, products or events. Any
trademarks that appear herein are owned by their respective owners and
are used solely for literary, creative and first amendment purposes in
this fictional work of authorship.

General Notes and Troubleshooting

1.1 Installation Notes

If you choose not to install TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON to the default
location (C:\Program Files\Red Storm Entertainment\Ghost Recon), you must
install it into a valid folder. You can not install the game to a C:\ or
D:\ drive without first creating a folder or directory to install the
game into. You must create a folder (i.e. C:\Ghost Recon or D:\Red Storm
Entertainment instead of installing directly to C:\ or D:\ without a
folder)
1.2 TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON and Laptop Computers
TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON was neither developed nor tested for laptop
computers. The reason for this is that most video and sound card
companies sacrifice DirectX compliance for miniaturization and
portability. As such, these manufacturers do not offer drivers that are
optimized for Direct3D gaming, which means that, ultimately, you may have
limited success in running the game properly. Ubi Soft Technical Support
cannot provide support or optimization help with running TOM CLANCY'S
GHOST RECON on laptop systems.
If you own a laptop computer that meets all minimum requirements for this
game, please make sure that all of your system components - video card,
sound card, cd-rom drive, display, etc - are using the most recent
drivers. If a company other than your laptop manufacturer makes your
sound and video cards, be sure to download the latest drivers from the
card's manufacturer for best results. Once your system is updated, use
the game's options screen to lower all settings in the sound and video
options. Refer to the manual for more information on which settings to
turn down or off. If you continue to experience problems, refer to the
Troubleshooting Document for more help.
1.3 Multi-Tasking (Alt-Tab)
TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON does not support multitasking (pressing
ALT+TAB). This should not be an issue, as there should not be any open
programs running in the background while playing TOM CLANCY'S GHOST
RECON. For best results, please make sure all open programs are closed
before starting TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON -- this includes any programs
running in the System Tray beside the clock on the task bar.
If you need to return to Windows while in the game, we recommend that you
exit by pressing the ESC key, then selecting Quit from the menu to get
back to Windows quickly.
1.4 Miscellaneous Tips for Making the Game Run Faster
There are certain options you can adjust in the game to allow for faster
game play. From the main menu, click on the Options menu. From there
you can manipulate the Sound and Graphics options in a trial and error
fashion to customize the game s detail and graphics levels for best
performance on your machine.
For Example, a Pentium II 450 just meets the minimum requirements to run
the game. With this setup, start the game and go into the options screen
immediately.

Turn the detail levels down to low

Uncheck the Show Dead Bodies and Character Smoothing options
Set the screen resolution to 640x480x16
Set the Z-Buffer Depth to 16 Bit

1.5 DirectX Help

If you are having trouble installing and/or playing TOM CLANCY'S GHOST
RECON make sure you have DirectX version 8 or higher installed on your
computer. You can install DirectX 8 from the TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON CD
by going to the DirectX folder and running DXsetup. The directory path
for DX setup is D:\Directx\dxsetup.exe (assuming your CD-Rom drive is D).
You can also get the latest version from Microsoft
(www.microsoft.com/directx). These webpages can also provide support
with common DirectX problems.
1.6 Updating Drivers
IMPORTANT:
The first step in troubleshooting ANY problem you are experiencing with
TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON is to update all drivers for all components in
your PC. Most issues reported with Red Storm Entertainment games are
related to outdated or incorrectly loaded drivers. If you are not sure
which components are in your system, please read through the "Know Your
System" section of the Troubleshooting Document.
Please visit your sound, video, and 3D card manufacturer's websites for
the most recently available drivers. Once you have downloaded and
installed these drivers according to the manufacturer's suggestions,
download and install DirectX from http://www.microsoft.com/directx.
1.7 Windows 2000 and XP Notes
Pressing the Left Shift key five times rapidly in succession in the
Windows 2000 and XP operating systems allows the user to access a
Windows system utility. If this is done while TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON
is running, the game will be minimized to the task bar and the system
utility menu will appear on the screen.
1.8 General Gameplay Notes

If you assign soldiers to your teams in the Platoon Setup screen

and then open the Options menu, all team assignments will be lost
when you close the Options menu and return to Platoon Setup.

Players running in 1600x1200 resolution may find the in-game Command

Map is difficult to read due to its small size.

In multiplayer games, if the number of players joining the game is

greater than the number of player slots activated by the game server,
the "extra" players will be put into observer mode. For example, if
the server sets up a game with only two platoons activated (with nine
slots on each platoon), and 36 people join the game, 18 of them will
enter combat as observers.

Assigning the Toggle Command Map function to a key other than the
default (Control) will result in a loss of the ability to toggle the
Command Map off. If you are experiencing this problem, you can
restore the normal behavior by re-assigning the Toggle Command Map
function to the Control key.

Multiplayer Notes and Troubleshooting

2.1 Supported Network Protocols

TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON supports network play over a properly configured
TCP/IP network ONLY. Please refer to the Troubleshooting Document for
help with setting up such a network. To actually start a Multiplayer
game, please refer to the Multiplayer section of the manual.
2.2 Miscellaneous Tips for the Best Multiplayer Gaming Experience

Make sure the host is the fastest computer participating in the

game. If the server is bogged down, it will distinctly affect the
gameplay for all players.

More memory improves performance. More than 128MB of RAM in the

server improves Multiplayer performance and stability for all
players.

The more players in the game, the more bandwidth is required.

In multiplayer games, if the number of players joining the game is

greater than the number of player slots activated by the game server,
the "extra" players will be put into observer mode. For example, if
the server is configured with only two active platoons (with nine
slots on each platoon), and 36 people join the game, 18 of them will
enter combat as observers.

2.3 MOD Issues

NOTE: Red Storm Entertainment can only provide support for the software
we create. For this reason, we will not be able to provide support for
third-party modifications. Please do not contact Technical Support for
issues relating to these modifications.
The first step with troubleshooting MOD related problems is to ensure you
have installed the MOD correctly. Check the site where you downloaded the
MOD for proper installation instructions. You may need to remove the MOD
and ensure TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON runs correctly without the mod. If
you continue to experience problems with TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON after
removing the MOD, try uninstalling the game completely and reinstalling
TOM CLANCY'S ROGUE GHOST RECON without adding the MOD.
A few notes on using MODS:

To fully return the Mods settings to the default state after joining
a server, you need to return to the main menu. If you do not return
to the main menu, you will enter a new game with the previous MOD
settings.

2.4 Setting Up a Dedicated Server on the ubi.com Game Service

If you would like to run a stand-alone multiplayer game server, you can
launch a dedicated server through the ubi.com game service by clicking
the "Launch Dedicated Server on ubi.com" icon located in the Ghost Recon
Start Menu folder. (NOTE: This shortcut will exist only if you opted to

install ubi.com during the Ghost Recon installation.) This will bring up
the dedicated server menu, from which you can edit and launch your
dedicated server. Additionally, this will list your dedicated server on
the ubi.com game service, allowing other ubi.com users to join your server.
2.5 Setting Up a Private Dedicated Server
If you would like to create a private dedicated server that is not listed
on the ubi.com game service (for example, to play against other users on
a LAN), follow these steps:
1.

After the game has been installed, create a shortcut to

ghostrecon.exe on your desktop and rename the shortcut "Launch
Private Dedicated Server."

2.

Right-click on the shortcut and select Properties from the

contextual menu.

3.

The Target text field of the shortcut's properties will list the
path to ghostrecon.exe (for example
"C:\Program Files\Red Storm Entertainment\Ghost Recon\GhostRecon.exe").
After the last quotation mark, add [ -autoserve] without the
brackets. Make sure there is a space between the end of the path
and -autoserve.

4.

Click Okay to close the Properties window.

5.

Double-click the shortcut to launch your private dedicated server.

A few notes on dedicated servers:

The dedicated server is counted in the total number of players in a

multiplayer game, so the max number of human players on a dedicated
server will be 35 rather than 36.

Enabling the "Allow Remote Access" setting in the multiplayer options

screen will allow users playing on a dedicated server to edit the
dedicated server settings. If you choose to allow remote access, be
sure to set a password under "Remote Access Password" so that only
users with the password can edit the server settings.

If your computer is running a dedicated server, you will not be able

to play TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON simultaneously on that same computer.

Video Card Notes and Troubleshooting

3.1 General Video Card Troubleshooting

TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON only supports video cards that have certified
DirectX 8 or higher drivers.
If you experience problems while you are playing TOM CLANCY'S GHOST
RECON, contact your video card's hardware manufacturer for the latest
certified DirectX 8 or higher drivers for your video card. Many
manufacturers maintain World Wide Web sites that offer updated drivers
and troubleshooting advice for their products. Visit the video card
manufacturer's web sites for updated drivers.

3.2 List of Video Cards with Known Issues

If you are using any of the video cards listed below, you may experience
problems with TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON. Known workarounds, when available,
are included below.
Video cards with known issues when running TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON:

Voodoo 5
A small number of hallways and walls in the game will have a hazy
translucent appearance.
Smoke from a destroyed tank will be purple in color.

Voodoo 3
While night vision is turned on, textures will not be visible.
In-game cinematics (including intro movie) are not viewable.
User interface may appear blurred.

GeForce 2 MX 400
If all graphics options are set to their highest settings and screen
resolution is set to max size with 32-bit color, the game may crash to
desktop.

Audio Notes and Troubleshooting

4.1 General Sound Card Troubleshooting

If you experience sound-related problems while you are playing TOM
CLANCY'S GHOST RECON, contact your sound card's hardware manufacturer
for the latest DirectX 8 or higher certified drivers for your sound card.
Many manufacturers maintain web sites that offer updated drivers and
troubleshooting advice for their products.
4.2 List of Sound Cards with Known Issues
If you are using any of the sound cards listed below, you may experience
problems with TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON. Known workarounds, when
available, are included below.
Sound cards with known issues when running TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON:

Yamaha XG
The sound of gunfire will not be audible. All other sounds can be
heard.

Creative Labs Sound Blaster

Users running the Creative Launcher background application may find
that the Creative Launcher menu appears at the top of the screen when
the mouse is moved to the top of the screen during gameplay. To
avoid this, exit the Creative Launcher application prior to launching
TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON.

Creative Labs Sound Blaster PCI512

In the Options menu, under the Sound tab, check the "Use Alternate
Cache" option to avoid sound anomalies during gameplay. The game must

be exited and restarted for the option to take effect.

Santa Cruz
The sound of enemy gunfire drops off considerably when you are 20-30
yards from the enemy.

Ghost Recon Game Editor

The Ghost Recon Game Editor (igor.exe) is an *unsupported* tool. There is

no official technical support available. The user community is the best
place to seek further help.
The Ghost Recon Game Editor is the program the Red Storm development team
used to make all the single and multiplayer missions in the game. We are
providing it to you so that you can create new single and multiplayer
missions for the game as well as modify the current missions.

6.

Ubi Soft Technical Support Information

Before contacting Ubi Soft Entertainment's Technical Support Department,

we recommend that you first read the Troubleshooting Document, the
manual, as well as this readme file for answers to most common problems.
For the most recent answers, browse through our FAQ listings, or search
our support database at http://www.ubisoft.com/support. Here you will
find the most recently updated information since the game's release. If
you still need to contact Red Storm Technical Support, see the following
ways of contacting us below:
Please make sure that your computer meets the minimum system
requirements, as our support representatives will be unable to assist
customers whose computers do not meet these criteria. Whenever you
contact the Technical Support Department, please include the following
information:

Complete Product Title (including version number)

Exact error message reported (if any) and a brief description of
the problem you're encountering
Processor speed and manufacturer
Amount of RAM
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
Sound Card
Video and/or 3D accelerator card
Operating system

Contact us over the Internet:

Our website contains the most up-to-date Technical Support information
available including patches that can be downloaded free-of-charge. We
update the Support pages on a daily basis so please check here first for
solutions to your problems.
http://www.ubisoft.com/support/
Contact us by E-Mail:

For fastest response via email, please visit our website at:
http://www.ubisoft.com/support/
From this site, you will be able to enter the Ubi Soft Solution Center
where you can browse through our listings of Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ), search our database of known problems and solutions, or, for
fastest email response, you can send in a request for personal
assistance from a Technical Support Representative.
If you don't have access to the World Wide Web, you can contact our
Support Department by e-mailing them directly at support@ubisoft.com.
Please ensure that you include all of the bulleted information above for
your computer when sending email to this email address.
Contact us by Phone:
You can also contact us by phone by calling (919) 460-9778. Note that
this number is for technical assistance only. No hints and tips will be
given out over the Technical Support line. When calling our Technical
Support line, please make sure you are in front of your computer and have
all the necessary information as listed above at hand.
Be advised that our Support representatives are available to help you
Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time).
Ubi Soft Entertainment's Tips Line
All the hints, tricks and cheats you'll ever need! If you're under 18
years of age, please have your parents' permission before calling. Note
that only touch-tone phones may access this service.
(900) 288-2583 (CLUE). $.95 per minute
Contact us by Standard Mail:
If all else fails, you can write us at:
Red Storm Entertainment
2000 Aerial Center
Suite 110
Morrisville, NC 27560
Attn: Customer Support
Please do not send any game returns directly to Red Storm or Ubi Soft as
it is our policy that game returns must be dealt with by the retailer or
online site where you purchased the product.
------------------------------------------------------------------------(C)2001 Red Storm Entertainment, Inc. Red Storm, Red Storm Entertainment
and the Red Storm Entertainment logo are trademarks of Red Storm
Entertainment, Inc. Red Storm Entertainment, Inc. is a Ubi Soft
Entertainment company. Ghost Recon and the Ghost Recon logo are trademarks
of Red Storm Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.