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Total Annihilation - PC
Installation | Boneyards Problems | Installation Problems | Startup Problems | Multiplayer Problems | Sound & Video Problems | Crashes | General Problems | Hints & Tips | Downloads
Minimum System Requirements
Total Annihilation's single player minimum system requirements are:
- An IBM PC or compatible with a 100 megahertz Pentium processor or better
- Windows 95 (Windows NT is not currently Supported)
- 16 megabytes of RAM
- A 4x CD-ROM drive or better
- A VGA display running in 640x480 resolution with 256 colors
- A Microsoft or 100% compatible mouse
- For installation, you must have at least 40 megabytes free on your hard drive.
To run a spawned copy of the game for multiplayer purposes, you will need between 100-200 megabytes of free hard drive space.
DirectX version 5 must be installed, and all hardware must be 100% DirectX version 5 compatible.
For better game performance, we recommend a Pentium 133 with 32 megabytes of RAM or more.
A Sound Card, 28,800 BPS modem, and a 3D surround Sound system are optional, but recommended.
Multiplayer games require more system resources and therefore demand a more powerful system.
- For a 4 player network game, a Pentium 133 with at least 24 megabytes of RAM is required.
- For an 8 player network game, a Pentium 133 with at least 32 megabytes of RAM is required.
- For an Internet game, a Pentium 166 with at least 48 megabytes of RAM is required.
- Insert the Total Annihilation CD#1 into the CD drive of your PC. Wait a moment, and the installation screen should appear. If It does not, you can manually bring up this menu by double-clicking on the "My Computer" icon, then on your CD-ROM drive icon, then on "SETUP.exe".
- If you do not already have DirectX version 5 installed on your system, click on the button labeled "Install DirectX 5". This is a very important step, as the game will not play without DirectX installed.
- During the DirectX installation process, you may receive some messages about your hardware as to whether or not a driver should be replaced. In most cases, you should follow the install program's recommendations.
- When DirectX has finished installing, you must restart your computer, as DirectX will not become active until the system is rebooted.
- Double click on your CD-ROM drive icon again, and wait for the installation menu to come up.
- Click on the button labeled "Install and Play Total Annihilation". You will be prompted for a directory where the files will be installed to. Follow the on screen prompts to complete the installation.
Running the Game
To run Total Annihilation after installation, simply insert the CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. Wait a few seconds, and the Startup menu should appear. If It does not, you can manually bring up this menu by clicking on the Windows 95 "Start" button, then on Programs, then on the "Total Annihilation" folder, then on the "Total Annihilation" icon .
Running a Single Player Game:
- Once the startup menu appears, click on "Play Game".
- When the next menu appears, click on "Single" for a single player game.
- On the next menu, you can choose either "New Campaign" or "Skirmish".
"New Campaign" will start you off on a series of missions that get progressively harder as you go along. "Skirmish" is a simulated multiplayer game where you play against one or more computer opponents in a single, winner takes all battle. You can choose either type of game, but "New Campaign" is a better idea for inexperienced players.
Starting a New Campaign:
- Select "New Campaign" for the single player menu.
- On the next screen, click on either the "Core" symbol or the "Arm" symbol to select a side, and select your difficulty level.
- Now click on "Next" to continue. You will now be briefed on the mission you are about to play.
- When you are done reading, Click "Start" to begin the mission.
Starting a Skirmish:
- Select "Skirmish" from the single player menu.
- On the screen that comes up, select one or more computer players by clicking on the buttons marked "Open".
- Use the other options on the screen to tailor gameplay to your liking, and then click on "Start" to begin the battle.
Starting a Multiplayer Game:
- When the Startup menu appears, click on "Play Multiplayer Game".
- When the next screen appears, click on "Multi". You will now be given several connection options. Click on the type of multiplayer game you wish to play.
Please note that you must have both your hardware and any needed software set up properly in Windows 95 prior to playing a multiplayer game. For example, to play on the Internet, you must be connected to your Internet service provider before selecting this option.
Joining a Game:
Once you have selected the connection type on either a local area network or Internet game, you will come to the select game screen. All games currently available will be listed, along with the preferences set by the host of that game. Pick a game by clicking on the name of the game, and then on "Join" to enter the "Battle Room".
If you wish to observe a game without actually playing, and the host has selected to allow this, click on the "Watch" button. The host may have also set up a password to join the game. You will not be able to join a password protected game without knowing the password.
For modem and serial games, you will skip the select game screen and proceed to the Battle Room.
Once in the Battle room, you will be prompted to select either "Arm" or "Core", and the color of your units and structures. Some options can only be changed by the host. When you have selected your color and side, click on the "Ready" button. When all players are ready, the host will start the game.
Starting a New Game:
Once you have selected the connection type on either a local area network or Internet game, you will come to the select game screen. Click on the "New" button to start a new game. You will now be prompted for the name of the game, your name, and a password. Leave the password blank unless you want only certain people to be able to join. Now click on "Next" to enter the Battle Room.
For modem or serial games, both players will start out in the Battle Room once connected.
Once in the Battle room, You can begin customizing your game. You can adjust the starting metal and energy for all players, which map you wish to play on, etc. You can also choose to be either the "Arm" or the "Core" and which color your units and structures will be. For the description of other options available. Please refer to your game manual.
When all players have clicked the "Ready" button, you can click on "Start" to begin the game.
Unfortunately, the Boneyards gaming service is no longer available. However, you should still be able to play TA through other online gaming services such as Kali.Net, MPlayer, or The Zone.
During the installation of the game, I got the error: (HAPI_READ FROM FILE) DECOMPRESSION ERROR , SQUASH ERROR.
This seems to be a DirectX compatibility issue. Update all of your hardware drivers with DirectX version 5.0 certified drivers. If you cannot locate updated drivers for your system, contact your computer company or hardware manufacturer.
For more information on updating your drivers, please see Document #06013: How to Update Your Drivers.
This can also be related to a dirty or damaged CD. Please take the CD to your sink and run it under warm soapy water then dry it with a cotton cloth, no paper products because they may damage the CD. Once you have done this try the game again.
I inserted the Total Annihilation into the CD-ROM drive, but nothing happened.
The Windows 95 AutoPlay feature may be disabled on your system. Please refer to your Windows 95 manual for help with activating the AutoPlay feature. Sometimes, AutoPlay will work the first time you insert the CD, but refuses to bring up the menu afterwards.
To enable Autorun on your system, follow this procedure.
- Right click on the "My Computer" icon.
- Click on "properties".
- Click on "device manager"
- Double Click on your CD-ROM driver.
- Click on the "Settings" tab
- Click on the box next to "Auto Insert Notification" so that a check appears.
Autorun should now be enabled.
You can also manually bring up this menu by double-clicking on the Windows 95 "Start" button, then on Programs, then on the "Total Annihilation" folder, then on the "Total Annihilation" icon .
I clicked on "Play Game", and the game just quit out, or I saw an error message.
First, be sure that you have installed DirectX version 5 from the CD. Total Annihilation will not work with older versions of DirectX. Also, be sure that you have rebooted your computer after installing DirectX.
Carefully read any messages that you encounter during the installing of DirectX version 5. Many video and sound cards have drivers that are DirectX compliant, but there are many others that don't. If DirectX encounters a driver that it does not recognize, or if it has a newer version of a driver already present on your machine, it will ask you if you want to replace that driver. It is extremely important that you follow the recommendation on your screen. Also, write down the instructions given (if any) for uninstalling DirectX should you have any problems with it.
If you need more information about DirectX, please check out our DirectX frequently Asked Questions Documents.
For more information on updating your drivers, please see Document #06013: How to Update Your Drivers.
I've installed DirectX 5, but the game still won't come up.
Be sure that you have rebooted your system after installing DirectX 5. If this doesn't work, Bring up the Windows 95 task manager by pressing control-alt-delete ONCE. Exit all applications except for Explorer and Systray. Other programs such as virus scanners, video card control panels, etc. can interfere with the operation of the game. Once all unneeded applications are closed, try running the game again.
During the installation of the patch, I get an error: This program has run into an error while attempting to patch your version of Total Annihilation.
We have found that this error will occur on systems that are infected by the w95.cih virus. Please update you virus software and scan your system to clean the virus. If you do not have virus software you can download an evaluation version virus protection that will be able to clean this virus, from http://www.avp.com under the downloads section.
The patch should install correctly once you have cleaned your system.
My start button is not showing on the Total Annihilation splash screen.
This is an issue that we are aware of and are currently working on a patch to resolve it. Check out http://www.totalannihilation.com for more up-to-date information about this subject.
How do I add AI opponents to a Multiplayer Game?
You must first download and install the Version 3.1 patch to enable this feature. Then, select "Multiplayer" from the main game menu. Click on "New Game". From the Battle Room screen, click on any PLAYER button until it reads "AI". The AI player name will reflect the name of the player who added the AI opponent. Each player may add only one AI player. There is no AI option in Deathmatch.
I get an error: "No suitable schema type in mission file!" when trying to play Skirmish.
Press the OK button that appears on this error message and you should be taken to the skirmish battle room to setup the game. This error should not affect the game play.
Unfortunately, the Boneyards gaming service is no longer available. However, you should still be able to play TA through other online gaming services such as Kali.Net, MPlayer, or The Zone.
I'm trying to start a multiplayer game, the "Select Connection" box is blank!
You will need to get a DirectPlay update from Microsoft's web page at http://www.microsoft.com/directx/. Follow the instructions for installing the update and try playing a multiplayer game again. Your problem should be fixed. If you do not have Internet access, please contact Microsoft by phone.
I want to play Total Annihilation against a friend on the Internet, but neither one of us knows our IP address.
Windows 95 provides an easy way to determine your IP address once you have connected to the Internet. First, connect to your Internet Service Provider. Now, left click on the Start button, then on Run. In the Run field enter "winipcfg" and then left click on the OK button. This should bring up the IP configuration viewer.
Click on the arrow on the right of the drop-down box and select PPP Adapter if necessary. Your IP should be displayed in the proper box. Write this down and then give it to your friend. Please keep in mind that some Internet Service Providers change your IP address every time you disconnect and reconnect. It is always a good rule of thumb to run the Winipcfg every time just before you play.
My game runs much faster in single player than in multiplayer. Why is that?
The system resources needed for a multiplayer game are far greater than what's needed for a single player game. Therefore, the system requirements for a multiplayer game are higher. Please check the system requirements for the number of players in the game you are trying to start.
There are no games to join on the "select game screen".
In order to join a game, a user on another system that is connected to your LAN or Internet server must first host a game. If there is another game running, and you just can't see it, try pressing the "update" button. If this doesn't work, there may be a problem with your network setup in Windows 95.
If you are trying to play on a local area network, you must have the IPX protocol installed. If you are trying to play an Internet game, you must be connected to the Internet through your Internet Service Provider, and have an active TCP/IP protocol running.
If you cannot get your machine to function on the network, contact your network administrator for help.
I've joined a game, and I can't adjust some of the options like metal, energy, etc.
Only the host of the game can change these options.
I'm trying to play on the Internet, but the game gets so slow that gameplay is next to impossible. What can I do?
Internet latency, or lag, is a fact of life on the Internet. The average modem combined with network traffic cannot send game packets fast enough to compare with a single player game or a local area network game.
If you wish to play Total Annihilation, or any other Internet game often, you may want to consider getting a high speed Internet connection such as ISDN or a cable modem. Check with your phone or cable company to see if these services are available in your area.
During a multiplayer game, some of the invisible units are invisible on my screen, and my guys won't shoot at them, but they can still shoot me!
There is a patch available that will fix this problem.
I can't seem to use some of the units while playing a multiplayer game against someone who chooses a different language.
There is a known bug that effects different languages playing against each other with different versions. QA tests each patch version for its compatibility with foreign languages. The v3.0 patch specifically states that different languages must each have v3.0 to play against each other.
If both players have patched the game to version 1.1, all units in the game will work. However, if only one or neither player has patched to 1.1, and 1 player chooses a language other than English, roughly ten of the units in the game will not work.
I'm having trouble with modem play.
Total Annihilation uses the setup found in the Windows 95 modem control panel, so you want to double check the modem panel to make sure that everything is setup according to the manual for your modem. If you have any further questions regarding the settings of your modem you should check with your modem manufacturer.
I want to know how to setup a modem game.
Launch Total Annihilation, on the main screen click on the multiplayer button. This will take you to the connection selection screen. On this menu you want to select "Modem Connection for DirectPlay". This will take you to the modem setup. On this menu you will enter the number you wish to call and you can also enter the name of the person. Next you want to select either answer or dial depending on who is the host of the game.
I don't have a sound card in my system, and Total Annihilation will not play!
There is a patch available that will allow you to play Total Annihilation without sound.
My game slows down when I use the higher video modes.
This is an unavoidable problem. Higher video modes use more resources than lower modes. If your system becomes unbearably slow at high resolution, try playing in the 640 by 480 resolution. The game will still look great, but you will not see as much of the map at once.
While playing the game, I hear the sound of a unit arriving over and over again. How can I make it stop?
Sometimes units get stuck trying to get where they were going. They will continually try to get there until the obstacle blocking them is moved, or you tell them to go elsewhere. Some units may still do this after they are moved. If this is bothering you, press the "F2" key, then click on "Preferences". Now click on "Sounds". Move the slider bar labeled "Unit Speech" to the left to reduce the amount of unit chatter. Turning this control all the way down will keep the unit from repeating its arrival sound over and over.
My video or sound is completely screwed up, or, when I start the game, the
screen simply turns black with or without a large mouse cursor... what's wrong?
This game uses DirectX, which is responsible for all sound and video in the game. If anything is wrong with either your sound or video, it means that either you did not properly install DirectX 5 from the CD, or your hardware is not 100% compatible with DirectX.
Try re-installing DirectX 5 from the CD, paying careful attention to any of the message boxes that come up. If the DirectX installation program recommends that you replace a driver, do it. If it recommends that you keep your existing driver, do that as well.
If you have already done this, and still cannot get your video or sound to work properly, please contact Microsoft for help, or try and locate updated drivers for your hardware.
For more information on updating your drivers, please see our How to Update Your Drivers FAQ.
There are Frequently Asked Questions documents available that can help you troubleshoot and correct DirectX related problems.
I sometimes get an error message during gameplay that reads: ERROR: "HAPI ENVIRONMENT INITIALAZTION FAILURE (CHECK YER SCREEN DEPTH)".
First try switching your video card to 256 colors. If you continue to have problems update your video card drivers with DirectX version 5.0 certified drivers from the video card manufacturer.
For more information on updating your drivers, please see our How to Update Your Drivers FAQ.
During gameplay, an error reading ERROR: "HAPI: BAD CHECKSUM ERROR". Pops up.
This error is thought to be sound related. Update your sound card drivers with DirectX version 5.0 certified drivers from the sound card manufacturer.
For more information on updating your drivers, please see our How to Update Your Drivers FAQ.
This can also be related to a dirty or damaged CD. Please take the CD to your sink and run it under warm soapy water then dry it with a cotton cloth, no paper products because they may damage the CD. Once you have done this try the game again.
All of a sudden, while playing the game, the game quits and I'm looking at the Windows95 Desktop.
This is a problem that can be remedied by making sure that your sound and video card drivers are DirectX version 5 compatible and up to date. Also the patch, available at http://www.totalannihilation.com, can help to solve some issues not resolved by compatible drivers.
For more information on updating your drivers, please see our How to Update Your Drivers FAQ.
I can't get the game to run after installation.
First, download and install the patch. Then, try running Total Annihilation with the command line switch -s to disable the sound in the game. To do this, right click on the Total Annihilation icon, select Properties, then add "-S" to the C:\CAVEDOG\TOTALA\totala.exe line under Target. This will start the game without sound.
If this gets the game to start for you, but you'd really rather play with sound, try playing with a "-w" instead of the "-s". This will limit the number if channels used during game play.
I sometimes get an error message during gameplay that reads: ERROR: "HAPI ENVIRONMENT INITIALAZTION FAILURE (CHECK SCREEN DEPTH)".
First try switching your video card to 256 colors. If you continue to have problems update your video card drivers with DirectX version 5.0 certified drivers from the video card manufacturer.
For more information on updating your drivers, please see our How to Update Your Drivers FAQ.
During gameplay, an error reading ERROR: "HAPI: BAD CHECKSUM ERROR". Pops up.
This error is though to be sound related. Update your sound card drivers with DirectX 5 certified drivers from the sound card manufacturer.
For more information on updating your drivers, please see our How to Update Your Drivers FAQ.
This can also be related to a dirty or damaged CD. Please take the CD to your sink and run it under warm soapy water then dry it with a cotton cloth, no paper products because they may damage the CD. Once you have done this try the game again.
My system meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for the game, but Total Annihilation is still running too slowly, especially when there are a lot of units on the screen.
Total Annihilation is very demanding when it comes to graphics. The more units you have, the more the computer has to display. If the game gets too slow, try turning down the screen resolution to 640x480, and turning off some of the graphics options such as shading or aliasing.
To do this, press the "TAB" or "F2" key at any time during the game, and then click on "Preferences". Now click on "Visuals". Turn off each of the three preferences. This should make the game run a bit faster.
Also, please note that excessive use of the "Patrol" command will slow down the game tremendously.
The game crashes in the middle of a game, with or without an error message.
Bring up the Windows 95 task manager by pressing control-alt-delete ONCE. Exit all applications except for Explorer and Systray. Other programs such as virus scanners, video card control panels, etc. can interfere with the operation of the game. Once all unneeded applications are closed, try running the game again.
If this doesn't work, try re-installing the game and DirectX 5. You should also run Scandisk to check your hard drive for errors, and Defragment your hard drive if needed.
If nothing works, your system may not be 100% DirectX version 5 compatible. Try to find the latest video and sound drivers available for your hardware. These are usually available from the manufacturer of the system or the cards themselves and found on the world wide web.
For more information on updating your drivers, please see our How to Update Your Drivers FAQ.
I am receiving an error: "No suitable schema type in mission file!" when trying to play Skirmish
Press the OK button that appears on the error and you should be taken to the
skirmish battle room to setup the game. This error should not affect the game play.
I just can't get past this mission!
Please check out the sections below labeled "TA Walkthrough" and "Strategy Guide"
Are you going to be supporting 3D cards?
No. A 3D Accelerated version was created, but did nothing to speed up or enhance game play, so it will not be released.
Is TA supported by major on-line gaming services?
Yes! TA is supported by Dwango, heat.net, kali, wireplay, mplayer and ten.
If I have a slower Pentium, but extra RAM, will I be able to play?
Extra RAM is always a welcome addition, but if you want a great game experience you should play on a P100 or better.
Will TA run on NT 4.0 and up or Windows 98?
We are not currently supporting NT or Windows 98, but don't expect it to stay this way. Since Windows 98 was just released there may be updated drivers available for your sound and/or video card that may take care of any problems you have running Total Annihilation on Windows 98. Please check your manufacturers web site for further information.
For more information on updating your drivers, please see our How to Update Your Drivers FAQ.
Will TA take advantage of MMX Technology?
We no longer plan to optimize Total Annihilation for the MMX chipset.
How many people will be able to play TA at once?
We currently have a limit of 10 people over a Local Area Network or 4 on the Internet with a minimum 28.8 modem.
During a skirmish, the enemy commander simply rushes into my base, destroying everything.
The Total Annihilation patch will change the commander's AI a bit making him less likely to rush your base. He will still attack if provoked. You can download the patch here.
I do not have a sound card, can I still play Total Annihilation?
Yes, first you will need to download the 1.21 beta patch. After applying the patch there are 2 ways to play the game without sound.
- Along with the patch download the file Totala.ini, saving the file inside your Total Annihilation directory. If you installed using the default installation options, this directory is C:\Cavedog\Totala.
- Edit the totala.ini file to read: NoDirectSound = 1;
-or-
- Edit your shortcut to Total Annihilation to read 'c:\cavedog\totala\totala.exe -s', this is assuming you have installed the game to the default directory.
When I save my game at the end of a mission it starts me off at the beginning of the previous mission, what do I do?
This issue is corrected with the version 3.1 patch. You can download this patch here.
I loaded the 3.0 patch, and now I can see the new units in the build menu, but they are grayed out and cannot be built. How do I build them?
Those units are available only in the Core Contingency add -on pack, but their build menu information is contained in the patch file. To be able to build those new units you must purchase Total Annihilation: The Core Contingency.
My save games from the original Total Annihilation, version 2.0 beta 1, or Version 3.0 no longer work.
Due to significant engine enhancements in version 3.1, old saved games will no longer work.
My save games from the original Total Annihilation or version 2.0 beta 1 no longer work.
Due to significant engine enhancements in version 3.0, old saved games will no longer work.
My windows mouse cursors are appearing along with the Total Annihilation cursors in the game. What do I do?
This appears to be a problem with the latest drivers for the STB Velocity 128 video card. We suggest installing the drivers that originally came with your video card. These drivers do not seem to exhibit this problem.
I am receiving an error "Out of Memory" when I try to install or play a mission.
First make sure you meet the minimum RAM requirements of the game. Also check the amount of hard drive space you have on your c: drive (or which drive you have virtual memory setup on) and make sure you have enough free space for a swap file to be created. We usually suggest you free up around 150+ mb of space, but the more space that can freed up the better. If you still encounter problems please shut down all 3rd party programs that are running in the background by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del and choosing End task on all items, except for Systray and Explorer. Once you have done so try the game again.
Click the Email Support button below to contact us if the above FAQ has not answered your question.
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