Updating Drivers

Starcraft uses Microsoft's Direct X technology for sound and graphics. This means that your video and sound card drivers must be 100% Direct X compatible. Most new computers come out of the box with Direct X support installed. Try starting the game before installing Direct X to see if your computer is already setup with Direct X compatible drivers. If not, you can install Direct X 5 from the Starcraft CD, or download the latest Direct X version at www.microsoft.com/directx/download.

Most sound and video cards will work fine with the drivers included with Direct X, however, if you experience problems you will want to contact your sound or video card manufacturer and obtain the latest Direct X compatible drivers for your hardware.

Signs indicating you need an updated driver

• You receive any Direct Draw or Direct Sound errors
• Game crashes or hangs
• Sound cuts out during the game
• Windows desktop is distorted or corrupted.
  • Note: Try setting your display to 640x480, 256 colors before starting Starcraft
    • Click on "Start"
    • Click on "Settings"
    • Click on "Control Panel"
    • Click on "Display"
    • Click on the "Settings" tab
      • Set the "Display area" to 640x480
      • Set the "Color Palette" to 256 colors

For links to manufacturers web sites click here.

• If you don't see your sound/video card manufacturer listed here or you don't have Internet access, contact your sound or video card manufacturer to obtain the latest Direct X compatible drivers for your hardware.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing their drivers.

Sound Problems (after updating the drivers):

• Make sure you have the Windows Updates.
• Check your CD-ROM drive.
• Sound is streamed from the CD, if the CD-ROM drive is not working right this can cause problems like skipping sound.