Answers to Support Questions

Smart Games

4863 Capistrano Ave
San Jose CA 95129
(408)985-1236
fotland@smart-games.com




  • I bought version 12 but it asks for a registration key.

    You need to email your full name and computer ID to fotland@smart-games.com. I'll reply with your key. If you key doesn't work, check that the name you typed is the same as the one used to generate the key.

  • What happens to my key if I buy a new computer?

    You will need a new key is you buy a new computer ot reinstall your operating system. Just e-mail fotland@smart-games.com with your ID and full name andyuo will get a new key.

  • Can I upgrade to get bugs fixed?

    The advantage of a downloaded version is that you can download Version 12 minor upgrades. Use the Internet menu to check for the availability of minor upgrades. Version 12 minor upgrades are free. Download version 12 again, use control panel to uninstall your old version, and install the new one. It remembers your key so you won't have to enter it again. If you find a bug, please send email to fotland@smart-games.com.

  • How can I run version 12 on Linux or Mac OS?

    It runs under Wine, or other windows simulators. It also runs on Linux using a virutal machine and the Windows operating system. As of late 2008, Wine has a bug that causes black squares under the stones. To install and run it using Wine on Ubuntu Linux:
    1. Put the msi file in ~/.wine/drive_c/
    2. cd ~/.wine/drive_c/
    3. msiexec /i mfgo12.msi


    After it has installed, to run it:
    cd "~/.wine/drive_c/Program Files/Many Faces of Go 12"
    wine mfgo.exe

    On most versions of Wine shipping in late 2008 there is a Wine bug that causes black squares under the stones. A Wine bug report exists for this problem, and a patch to fix is it avaiable.
    Wine patch and description. If you know how to use the Wine source, apply a patch, and rebuild Wine, this might help. Please don't ask me how to do this, since I don't use Linux myself.

  • Version 12 registration fails on user accounts without administration rights.

    Registration saves the key in the registry, but restricted user accounts can't write to the registry. If you want to set up Many Faces on a restricted user account, give the account admin rights, then register, then remove the admin rights.

  • Version 11 Vista installation fails.

    There are many causes of Version 11 installation failures here, but installation failures are actually quite rare.  Version 12 uses a different installer that is much more reliable. This can be casued by User Account Control. Turn off User Account Control (Start, Control Panel, Security Center, User Account Control - Off), then install Many Faces of Go, then turn User Account Control back on.

  • Version 11 Vista asks for permission to write a file after every move.

    Many Faces writes a file called trickle.go in the program's installation folder after every move, as a backup in case your power fails. If you don't have permission to write this folder you will get a message after every move. Typically this happens if yuo installed the program to your desktop. If your user account does not have administrator privilege, it may happen if you install to the default folder in Program Files.

    Possible solutions are: run Many Faces from an administrator account. Change the Many Faces shortcut to include "run as administrator". Turn off User Account Control in control panel. Uninstall Many Faces and reinstall it in a folder you have permission to change, for example c:\mfgo.

  • Version 11 Vista won't display the Tutorial or Manual.

    Microsoft chose not to ship the Windows Help System with Vista. It is available for download from MIcrosoft at Microsoft WinHlp32.exe download . Follow the instrauctions here to download and install the windows help viewer.

  • Version 11 Installation fails with the message: "16 bit Windows Subsystem" "C:\WIndows\System32\Autoexec.nt. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows Applications."

    This is caused by a bad autoexec.nt file on your computer which is preventing InstallShield from running. You need to reinstall your autoexec.nt file. Microsoft has instructions to fix the problem by re-installing your autoexec.nt file from your operating system CD at http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767

  • Version 11 Installation fails with a message X:\SETUP.EXE the specified path does not exist (where X is your CD-ROM or DVD drive).

    This has only appeared on certain Dell machines, including the M65 and D820. It is caused by the Embassy Trust Suite by Wave systems, that is preloaded on these machines, and prevents any installations using InstallShield version 5. You can install by clicking Start, then Run, and typing "command" (not "cmd"). When the DOS Window appears, type X:\setup.exe (where X is the drive that has the MFGO CD-ROM), and the installer should run correctly.

    You can also fix this by uninstalling the Embassy Trust Suite as described at http://www.wave.com/support/CSC/CustomerService/Documents/DM-010.htm

  • Version 11 Installation Silently Fails.

    This can be caused by antispyware software such as SpywareGuard or SpywareBlaster. Try disabling any such softwware, rebooting and installing again.

    This can be caused by a damaged DOS subssystem. Try clicking Start, then Run, then type "cmd" (without the quotes). At the command prompt, type "D:\setup" (without the quotes, and substitute the D with the drive letter of yuor CD drive.

    On Windows-XP there might be a driver conflict for the DOS Driver for the CD drive. Try rebooting into Safe Mode, install, the reboot back to the regular OS.

  • Version 11 Download version has copy protection

    The downloaded version of Many Faces 11.0 has 3rd party copy protection that peridocally checks over the internet to see if the license is still valid. This can cause problems if your computer is not conencted to the internet for along period of time. On Vista, you must configure to run as Administrator or the copy protection will fail.

  • If you still have a problem, please send e-mail to: fotland@smart-games.com
    Changes last made on: November 30, 2008