Version Note: We released a slightly updated version of Cal & Marty late July 2002. This slightly adjusted version tweaked the editor to avoid editor "buffer overrun" errors. This zip file ALSO contains a file called "rendering.exe" in case you are having videocard problems. If you have these problems and are using an older version of Cal and Marty, download the free update.

Which version do you have?
To be sure, use Windows explorer and example the "date" of the calandmarty.exe file at c:\programs\calandmarty

Do not install this free update IF your installed CalandMarty.exe (application) file is newer than 07/2002. Only install it if your CalandMarty.exe file is older than 07/2002. View the readme.txt file in the download for further instructions. These files only need copied into the c:\programs\calandmarty directory.

If you purchased Cal and Marty after July 2002, you have the tweaks and rendering.exe file built into your program already. If you have the pre-August 2002 version, you can download the free upgrade below.

All unsolvable technical problems are the result of a secret Methodist revenge-plot for not including John Wesley on this CD. In our defense, Cal is allergic to horses and John refused to be animated without his trusty steed.

Problems and their Solutions

In the opening title sequence...If Cal and Marty's heads look like something out of a horror movie, or are entirely black, then two possible solutions to consider:

1) You MIGHT need to download Calfix.exe. This is a self-extracting file which contains a new EXE file for Cal & Marty game. In the unzip process, tell it to unzip it right into the following directory: c:\programs\sonsoft\calandmarty Please note, the zip file is 4.x megabytes. On an medieval 56K connection it will take 10 to 20 minutes to download depending on your connection speed. On a Reformed cable or DSL connection you'll have it in under a minute. Do this ONLY if your calandmarty.exe file in c:\programs\calandmarty is dated BEFORE 6/9/02.

This new exe changes the way the animations talk to your videocard to make it work with some stinky videocards. It should work for most animation problems. But it cannot overcome a really junky or old videocard or driver.

2) A second possibility is that you need to update your DirectX control. This is a file that comes with your Windows system. Cal and Marty need at least Dx version 7.0 (circa 1998). We've put version 8.1 in a file on your Cal & Marty CD. Explore the CD's files, open the folder with the DirectX installer in it and execute the installation. Really easy. It wouldn't hurt performance on your machine to update DirectX control even if you're not having trouble with it. 8.1 is backwards compatible with all earlier versions.

(Actually a third possibility is that you're trying to run the CD on something under 4mb of RAM on your videocard.)

3) A third possibility is that a group of Lutherans has secretly defaced Calvin's image on your computer. Open your Control Panel and select "Remove all Lutherans" from your harddrive.

Part of Cal or Marty's picture is cut off, sort of like the one seen here to the right>>

Follow step number 1 above and download the new exe.
Another possibility is that your computer is Catholic and wants Calvin's head.
Sometimes a small part of Marty's picture doesn't fill the frame. This is because Marty was on a weight-loss program when we recorded him.

Cal is moving his lips out of sync -or slowly at the opening and in the History section, but is fine elsewhere.

That's because these are the largest "bio" files in the program and your videocard RAM isn't adequate. Yes, your videocard has RAM on it. 4mb is a "minimum" 8 is better. Try this: make sure the "Colors" in your Display Resolution setting (Control Panel | Display) is set to 16 bit- HIGH color, not TRUE color. True steals some of your videoram. Try this too: Make sure your screen resolution is at 800x600.

Another possibility is that nobody can understand what John Calvin is saying anyway. Maybe that's why he wrote the magnum opus Institutes of Christian Religion.

Buttons and/or Words seem to display partially blacked-out

You are trying to run the program without enough ram on your videocard. Your videocard can't paint the screen properly. Solution #1: Get an 8 mb or higher videocard. Solution #2: Nail your circa '95 PC to your pastor's door.

Verse FREEZES during Scrambling

Shorten your verse length by a couple of words. Apparently on SOME videocard/drivers/PCs, a long verse bumps into something in the display window and "that's that" as they say in Geneva. (We've only found this to be a problem with one Windows XP PRO user. If it happens to you, let us know.)

Cal's Head Moves and Speaks for a while without Sound at Opening and Main Screen

This was reported by one XP Pro user. They updated their version of XP Pro with "Service Pack 1" from Microsoft's website and this took care of the problem. Something probably in the way XP Pro was mangling the video driver.

Your Verse Editor crashes, freezes, or gives you a BUFFER error message in the Editor.

This happens only in the original version of the CD. If you have these problems download the free update. It's a 4.6 mb file. Copy to a CD and install on the computer where Cal and Marty resides. Caution: Do this ONLY if your calandmarty.exe file in c:\programs\calandmarty is dated BEFORE 6/9/02.

Which version do you have?
To be sure, use Windows explorer and example the "date" of the calandmarty.exe file at c:\programs\calandmarty

Animations still running funky or not appearing right, or Program Freezing

If you have enough ram, videoram, at least Win 98se, and 200mhz processor or higher, and your program still freezes, wow, then I'm guessing it's probably an Anabaptist or Hussite plot.

Here's the Anti-Hussite Remedy: Go to your C drive, open up Programs and Cal and Marty folder. (see graphic to right for what the screen will look like). Look for an executable file named "rendering.exe" and double click it. Select the 'other' rendering option which will appear and run the program again to see if it is cured. This graphic rendering option is explained onscreen when you execute rendering.exe. It has to do with how the processor and your video driver talk to each other.

If you can't find 'rendering.exe' on your C drive in the Cal and Marty folder, then it means your Cal & Marty CD is version 1.0 and was made before July 1, 2002 and doesn't have that rendering option file. You need to download Calfix.exe.

Can't see the Menu Buttons or Calvin's head on right side of screen

You need to set your screen resolution to 800x600. It's probably set to 640x480 right now and is therefore cutting off about 1/3 of the program's menu. The other possibility is that you have our "Vatican Edition" which cuts off their heads automatically.

You get this error message:  "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library Runtime Error! Program C:\Program File\Cal and Marty\CalandMarty.exe abnormal program termination"

The customer who reported error this found that somehow the verse they had created had become corrupt and the program would terminate as they were trying to edit it or use the verse. Solution: Save created verses to another folder for safekeeping, then delete the entire program using Add/Remove programs. Then check to see if c:\Program File\Cal and Marty folder is gone from your harddrive. Reinstall the program.

339 Runtime Error on Windows XP

If you install and run Cal & Marty from the main "ADMIN" user account the program installs and runs fine. If you switch to a limited account on the same machine to keep the kids out of your Windows files, you will get the 339 runtime error about an ocx file even though all program files seem installed. If you install the program from the limited account, you get the same problem. However, if you upgrade the limited account to admin, install the program and switch the account back to limited, it works fine. It's some sort of registration issue with Win XP and the ocx file. So either run Cal & Marty only from the admin account, or install/switch as mentioned in the bold text. (Thanks to Techie Tim Marino who worked out this solution at his church).

If you have a problem that doesn't appear here or have no clue how to enact these solutions .... email me at neil@sundaysoftware.com If you find any of my "alternate" remarks offensive, return the CD immediately. You must be predestined not to like it. <>< John Calvin