If you are having trouble with a game running, or it's performance, here are some basic steps to get it working properly. Anytime you need to contact technical support, you can expect there to be some required steps in determining your problem, let's get them out of the way and hopefully solve your problem! The first thing you will need to check is that all of your drivers are up to date. DirectX is one of the first and should be current if you have WindowsUpdate on. If not, check WindowsUpdate for the latest DirectX.

Here is a list of the most common drivers you may need. If you are unaware of what sort of motherboard, sound or video card you have, a free system information tool like Belarc Advisor can tell you.

• Video drivers are the number one issue. If a game is newer, or has a lot of graphics, the better the chance your problem lies here:
  ATI Technologies (XP\2K)
  ATI Technologies (98\ME)
  Intel
  Nvidia (2K\XP)
  Nvidia (x64 03\XP)
  Nvidia (98\ME)
  

• Motherboard drivers are often overlooked. These drivers help all your computer hardware work together properly:
  ALi
  Intel
  Nvidia Nforce 1, 2 and 3
  Nvidia Nforce 4
  Nvidia Nforce 4 AMD
  SiS
  VIA (Win 95\98)
  VIA (No SATA\Raid\64 bit)
  VIA (With SATA\Raid\64 bit)
  

• Sound card drivers are a less likely culprit, but still possible:
  Cmedia Azalia
  Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 1, 2/ZS & 4
  Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2/Audigy 4 (64 bit)
  Creative Sound Blaster Live! (64 bit)
  Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Series
  nForce Audio
  Realtek AC'97
  VIA Audio Drivers Pack
  

If updating your drivers did not work, please visit the games homepage. Look for support, then a section called FAQ (frequently asked questions) or troubleshooting. These sections list common problems and their resolution. Odds are your problem will be listed there.