SID & BONGO'S TECH PAGE !

READ THIS>> We have released four versions of Bongo: 1.0, 1.1, 1.11, and 1.2.  The first two updates had minor technical tweaks. The latest version 1.2 includes several improvements in the game, as well as all the technical tweaks found in previous updates.

Therefore...it is important to establish WHICH VERSION of Bongo you own. Look at the CD's label. Version 1.0 has NO version number on the CD's label. Subsequent versions 1.1, 1.11 and 1.2 are clearly marked on the label.

Version 1.2 is the current version of Bongo released Summer 2006. It has many improvements over the original versions. If you have version 1.1 or 1.11, you can update to Bongo 1.2 for free by downloading it here.**

**However, if you have Bongo 1.0, then the 1.2 download will not work for you. If you still only have version 1.0 which has no version mark on the CD's face you need to purchase version 1.2.

SOLUTIONS to Reported Bongo Problems....

Problem: You receive a "dinput8.dll is missing" error message.

Or, during startup you receive a "missing export DDRAW.DLL:Direct Draw CreateEx" error message.

Solution: It means your operating system DirectX files are out of date. These files come from Microsoft. You can download an updated copy at www.microsoft.com/directx.  A copy has also been provided ON the Bongo CD in a folder.

Solution: 1) Open up the OPTIONS menu in the Bongo game and select FULL next time you go to play a game. It will always remember that option. Or, if you want to print one without playing the game again, open the DOCUMENTS folder and open up the correct certificate and print it. We placed copies in there for you.

The certificates NEVER print with the player name on them. Entering the player name at the end of a game only places the name on the High Score page. We didn't write it on the certificate because we figured you might want to hand-print the player's ENTIRE name on the certificate and our scoring page only allows for 6 letter.

Read our Game Guide for tips on avoiding/beating the plants. Slingshot bananas at them! 3 should make them wither. If they keep eating you again and again do this: when you left click on the verse message to get rid of it, start JUMPING using your CTRL key and use your arrow keys to move away at the same time.

There are a few places where the plants can trap Bongo in an endless cycle of being eaten. Don't mess with the plants. In version 1.1 or 1.11 when you click the verse box to make it disappear immediately start jumping (ctrl key) away from the plants.

Problem: I get the key and go to the Treasure Chest, but it just shoots out gems and confetti, what should I do?  
Solution: Collect all the gems and bananas. After about 20 seconds of bonus point rackin-up the game will end and take you to the scoreboard.

Problem:

If that doesn't work, completely quit the game and Restart it from the startup icon. Sometimes the game engine gets out of whack if another program on your computer has popped open a window (like an anti-virus scan or email program running in the background).

If the poor "textures" persist, it probably means your graphiccard/videocard isn't capable of rendering smooth textures and needs to be updated. First, if you have Windows 98 you need to install the copy of DirectX 8.1 that's in a folder on the Bongo CD. This will update crucial graphic system files.  If that doesn't help try updating your videodriver. Read this article about updating your driver. If you need a more modern videocard, go to tigerdirect.com and buy an inexpensive ($30) Radeon graphic card.

Due to the various capabilities of videocards to render "lighting effects," and due to the different monitor technologies (such as black mask vs grille -which affects the "darkness" of grayshades), we have included a GAMMA-Brightness control in the game. Just press the G key on your keyboard.

You can also go into your Windows Display Properties, advanced features, and adjust the "gamma" brightness slider for your videocard.

Other "slow" possibilities:
Your processor is too slow or you don't have enough ram. Minimum is 400mhz, 64 mb of RAM, and 8 mb videoram. The more mhz, ram or videoram you have, the faster Bongo will play. Make sure you have all other programs turned OFF, such as antivirus software. Do a ctrl-alt-del to see what other applications are running 'in the background' and sneaking ram away from Bongo. Make sure you're DISPLAY SETTINGS are set at 16bit high color, not 32bit true color which steals extra ram to produce colors the human eye really can't see anyway!  Read this article about updating your video driver. If you need a more modern videocard, go to tigerdirect.com and buy an inexpensive ($30) Radeon graphic card.

Solution: We tricked you. It's Revelation, not Revelations. Jump on the correct one.

Problem: I can't Jump well on Faith/Hope/Love in the Cave game.

Solution: Sid has made jumping kind of difficult. Make sure you are in "easy" mode. Then practice practice practice. Check your version number too. We made jumping in the easy mode a little easier in version 1.11 and and a lot easier in 1.2

The longer you hold the CTRL key, the further Bongo will jump.

Problem:

Solution: That Sid, he's a wild boy. Sling bananas right at his belly if he has you trapped in a rock corner. He keeps following your movements so use your arrow keys to move left and right and jump at the same time to sneak past him. Unfortunately, Bongo knows of two places in the landscape where its all but impossible to get away from Sid. They were built by the gremlins which made the game engine.

Solution: This only happens if your PC came with "XP version SP1 Home Edition" installed -and you have not updated to SP2 (Service Pack 2). Microsoft left out the popular 'Indeo Codec' from its Service Pack 1. Oddly enough, the original edition of XP has the codec! You need it to run the 3 video files in the Cave "Needs" game. To correct this Microsoft mishap, you need open up the Indeo Folder on the Bongo CD and execute the installation.

1) Go to http://www.sundaysoftware.com/bongo/Indeo.zip and download the free Indeo Video Codec 5.0 (in a 1.8 mb zip file). Take it to your offending computer and install it.

Warning: if you go to the ligos/indeo website mentioned in the error message they will only SELL you the indeo code.

Problem:  You get the message "Can’t run windowed – set desktop to high or true color."
OR, you upgraded from version 1.11 to version 1.2 and the display is muffed.

Solution:  Open up your Display properties in the Control Panel and reset to 16 or 32 bit color.

Problem: The "Cave" game (Bongo NEEDS the Bible) crashes when you try to start it.
Solution: This only occurs in version 1.0 on XP machines using the very first 'run' of CDs shipped in March/April 2003.

Temporary workaround: When you play Bongo, press the ALT-ENTER keys on the keyboard at Bongo's Main Menu to 'run Bongo in a window.' Now click to start the Needs/Cave game. You can now press ALT-ENTER again to run Bongo in fullscreen. This seems to solve the problem on many XP machines. Permanent Workaround: Buy version 1.2.

Problem: I have a S3 Graphics Prosavage DDR videochip/card and Bongo won't start.
Solution:  That's a known nasty budget chip that doesn't like some 3d games. Either try to get the driver updated at S3graphics.com or get a better videocard.

Problem: The Bongo 1.2 Update installation has the error message:  "Cannot ____ thumbs.db" 
Solution: Delete thumb.db from the c:\bongo directory and initiate the 1.2 Update process again.

Problem:  I have a S3 Graphics ProSavageDDR graphics chip in my budget computer and Bongo won't display correctly.
Solution: That chip is junk and has problems with many 3d games. Go buy an inexpensive graphics card from www.tigerdirect.com.

Problem:  How can you tell how much Videoram you have?

How can I tell if my Video Driver is out of date?

How can I tell what brand my Video/Graphic chip I have?

Solution: Read about it at www.sundaysoftware.com/videocard.htm

View the Bongo Loves the Bible CD description page.