MODEM/SERIAL PLAY PROBLEMS    
    
  
DIFFICULTY ESTABLISHING CONNECTION 
 
If the message “Failed to init modem” is 
displayed, verify your modem is turned on, the 
correct COM port and IRQ are selected, you 
have a dial tone, and that your initialization 
string is correct. 
 
Troubleshooting: 
Ensure that the IRQ setting in the Modem 
Setup menu does not conflict with the IRQ 
setting of any other device (i.e. mouse, sound 
card, CD-ROM drive) and corresponds with 
the setting on your serial card. If there is an 
IRQ conflict, consult your serial card 
Owner’s Manual on how to change its IRQ 
setting and then update the IRQ setting in the 
Modem Setup menu to reflect this change. 
 
Try clearing your modem’s memory and reset 
its configuration to the default factory 
settings. Consult your modem’s 
documentation for information on how to 
clear your modem’s non-volatile RAM. 
 
If the message “Failed to connect” is 
displayed, the two modems could not connect 
to each other. Verify that the phone number is 
correct, the line is not busy, and that your 
initialization string is correct and disables 
data compression, error detection and error 
correction. 
 
The message “Aborted connection” is 
displayed when ESC is pressed to cancel the 
attempted connection, or if the other party 
did not respond to the connection request. 
 
If you are unable to connect to another 
modem, try using a communications package. If 
you are unable to connect at 9600 Baud 
without data compression and error detection 
or correction enabled, you will be unable to 
use the Modem Play feature in this product. 
Note: Ensure that your modem and serial card 
are capable of connection and communication 
at 9600 Baud. Serial ports with anything 
slower than a 16550 UART chip set may not 
work correctly with this product. 
 
 
LOSING A CONNECTION 
 
If during game play the message “Line 
unclear.... please wait” is displayed, the 
system has detected noise on the phone line 
or a problem in communications and is 
attempting to correct the transmission. This 
condition may cause the game to slow down or 
appear erratic, and if it persists, you will 
receive the message “Link terminated”.  
Redialing or turning the modem off and then 
on again may correct this problem. 
 
Note: Phone connection delay time impacts  
controller responsiveness, and longer delays  
adversely affect game play. Avoid satellite 
links. While delay time is usually a function of 
physical distance between players, long 
delays may also be caused by incorrect 
initialization strings. Redialing may often 
result in a better connection with a smaller 
delay. Also, ensuring the first user selects 
answer before the other user selects dial  
helps in establishing a better connection. 
 
If you lose a connection while in a gameplay 
menu, you may need to press CTRL+F10 to 
force the modem to hang up and allow you to 
proceed to the next screen. 
 
 
MODEM TYPES AND 
INITIALIZATION STRINGS 
 
If your modem is not listed under the Modem 
type option, trying selecting one of the 
Generic settings for an initialization that may 
work for your modem. 
 
If it appears your initialization string is 
incorrect, please consult your modem 
Owner’s Manual for the correct initialization 
string. You can then enter it directly by 
choosing Custom under the Modem type 
option, and typing it into the Init string 
selection.  
 
 
OTHER PROBLEMS 
 
If you encounter any problems during the   
install process which are not covered in the   
game manual, technical reference card, or in   
the Installation program help files, please   
contact Electronic Arts' Technical Support   
Department(see the Installation program's   
help section titled "Getting Technical   
Support" for details).    
  
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