Avernum 5 Updates and Tech Support

A number of people have purchased Geneforge Saga and Avernum 4-6 from Steam and found that they crashed on launch. This problem seems more common (or exclusive to) on 64-bit versions of Windows.

It is not a universal problem. It doesn't happen on all Windows PCs, even those using the 64-bit version of the operating system. However, we are determined to make sure everyone who pays for these games gets a working copy of them.

If you purchased one of our games on Steam and it doesn't work, write us at support@spiderwebsoftware.com. Be SURE to tell us the games that aren't working. We will provide a download link to a version that should work correctly for you.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and we are also talking to Steam. Hopefully we can come up with a fix for the problem.

If, in Avernum 5 v1.0 for Windows, you kill the last two copies of Lysstak the Beast at exactly the same time, his death will not be recorded properly and you will not be able to complete the quest. Should this happen to you, do this to fix it:

1. Load the saved game.
2. Type Shift-D.
3. Enter the following:

sdf 8 1 1

4. Press return.

You will then be able to speak with the mayor of Harkin's Landing and complete the quest.

A small number of people using Snow Leopard have found that, when they try to install the full game from the CD, the installer quits with the error "This installer requires admin privileges to run." This happens even when they have admin privileges. This problem has inflicted a large number of installers and, alas, some of Spiderweb Software's games are affected.

There are two workarounds for this problem. One of them is to install the demo and request a new registration code here:
http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/support/newkey.html
Getting registration keys is always free.

There is a second, more involved workaround. Insert the game CD and carry out the following steps:

1. Open the Install file. A window will open with the game art and an installer with the game icon. It will have a name like "Install Avernum 6 (Full)". Drag this installer onto your desktop.
   
2. Hold down the Control key and click on the installer. A menu will come up. Select "Show Package Contents."
   
3. Open the Contents folder. Open the Resources folder.
   
4. Open the file "installscript" If it asks you what program to open it with, choose TextEdit.
   
5. Scroll down until you find these lines:
   
   <key>Require Admin</key>
   <string>TRUE</string>
   
   and change them to
   
   <key>Require Admin </key>
   <string>FALSE</string>
   
   
6. Save and quit TextEdit. The installer should now work.

This is an ugly situation and an ugly workaround, and we apologize for it. We wish this hasn't happened, we will do our best to make sure CDs printed in the future don't have the problem, and we desperately hope that Apple fixes this problem in an upcoming operating system update. The installers are written in a format provided by Apple, and their refusing to run even on an account with proper privileges is a serious problem.

Please let us know if you have any problems, and we will do our best to get you up and running.

If, in Avernum 5 v1.0.3 and earlier for Macintosh, you kill the last two copies of Lysstak the Beast at exactly the same time, his death will not be recorded properly and you will not be able to complete the quest. Should this happen to you, do this to fix it:

1. Load the saved game.
2. Type Shift-D.
3. Enter the following:

sdf 8 1 1

4. Press return.

You will then be able to speak with the mayor of Harkin's Landing and complete the quest.

Early versions of Avernum 5 had script problems that could cause the Prime Sentinel encounter to be excessively difficult. The golems that could normally be made to fight their master would immediately switch back to attacking you. Upgrade to Avernum 5 v1.0.3 to fix this problem.

There is a faulty script in Highground in Avernum 5 v1.0.2 or earlier. If you destroy the barrier behind Incantor Temple's tower and then report to him that you have destroyed the shade downstairs, the conversations in the town will no longer function. To work around this, either don't destroy that barrier or, after the conversations stop working, use the teleport pylon to teleport away and back. This will restore the dialogue.

If you get the error "Unable to open sound channels" when you launch the game, carry out these steps to fix the problem:

i. Open the Applications folder.
ii. Open the Utilities folder.
iii. In this folder, run "Audio MIDI Setup"
iv. Under Audio Output, change the Format to 44100.0 Hz.

This should correct the problem.

Users of Quicken Scheduler for the Macintosh have had problems with this game not recognizing the keyboard on some Macintoshes running OS X. Alas, Quicken Scheduler takes full control of the keyboard it is running and doesn't return control when a new program (like Avernum 5) tries to run. This program causes problems with the keyboard in a number of applications. Alas, our games number among them.

As the bug is in a different program's software, there is little we can do to remedy the problem. If you rely on the keyboard when playing, we recommend disabling Quicken Scheduler during your play sessions.

Occasionally, when playing Avernum 5 on an Intel Macintosh running OS X Leopard, the icons in the dock will look strange after quitting the game. The problems appears to be harmless, and the icons generally return to their proper appearance quickly. We have spent some time trying to track down this problem, and it appears to be part of a number of strange graphics bugs in the operating system. We hope that Apple releases an OS update that addresses some of these problem soon.

Should you try to kill Shafrir for the Anama in Avernum 5 v1.0, his death curse will not be properly removed after he dies. Fortunately, one of the cheat codes will solve the problem. After killing Shafrir, press Shift-D, enter "owmybrains", and press Return. This will cure the death curse and any lingering mental effects.