What kind of hardware and software do I need to play the Java games?
You need a Java-capable computer and browser to play. You don't need
to download or install any software. Just visit the website and click on a game to launch the game, and
you can play immediately. Depending on the speed of your connection, each game may take a minute or two
to load.
We recommend that you use Internet Explorer 4.0 or above or Netscape Navigator 4.0 or above. Mac users
can play our games, but we recommend that you use the latest version of Internet Explorer for optimum
performance. To make sure that your version of Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer is
Java-Enabled, or to enable Java or JavaScript in your browser, follow these steps:
- In Navigator and Communicator 4.0 browsers and higher, select "Edit" from the pull-down
menu at the top of your screen, then select "Preferences" and click on "Advanced ." Make sure
both "Enable Java" and "Enable JavaScript" are checked. After you have exited "Preferences,"
close all Netscape browsers and then re-open Netscape with your new settings.
"Options" and click on "Security" and set it to "Medium" or "Low." Alternatively, you can manually turn on
JavaScript by choosing the "View" menu, then "Options," "Advanced" and then "Java Settings" and make sure
"JIT compiler" is checked. After you have exited "Internet Options," close all Internet Explorer browsers
and then re-open Internet Explorer with your new settings.
- In Internet Explorer 5.0, select "Tools" from the pull-down menu at the top of your screen, then select
"Internet Options" and click on "Security" and set it to "Medium" or "Low." Alternatively, you can manually
turn on JavaScript by choosing the "Tools" menu, then "Internet Options," "Advanced" and then
"Java Settings" and make sure "JIT compiler" is checked. After you have exited
"Internet Options," close all Internet Explorer browsers and then re-open Internet Explorer
with your new settings.
To download or upgrade to the latest version of each browser, click on the following links:
PC Users
Internet Explorer - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/
Netscape Navigator - http://www.netscape.com/computing/download/
Mac Users
Internet Explorer - http://www.microsoft.com/mac/download/en/default.asp
Netscape Navigator - http://www.netscape.com/computing/download/
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I clicked on a game and nothing happened. What's wrong?
The Java games can take a little time to load. If you are using a 28.8K modem, the games should load in about 1 to 2 minutes.
If you get a screen which says "You need a Java-compatible browser to play this game",
then you may not have the proper software or hardware. Please refer to the answer above
to download the latest browser version.
If you have the correct browser version, your Java Support may be turned off. To make
sure you have not disabled Java and to enable it, do the following:
a. Click on START.
b. Click on SETTINGS and select CONTROL PANEL.
c. Double-click on INTERNET or INTERNET OPTIONS.
d. Click on the ADVANCED tab.
e. Press the "J" key. (This will get you to the Java VM choices.)
f. Scroll down a bit and make sure that there are checks in all the
JAVA choices. (There are three JAVA choices.)
g. If any of the JAVA boxes are missing checks, click on it with the
mouse to get a check there.
h. Once all the checks are made, click APPLY and then OK.
i. Restart Windows.
If the game screen comes up but none of the game-functions work, try to
reload the games: Hold down the left shift key and at the same time click on
reload. This should re-start the games. If that doesn't work, you should reboot
your computer.
If the games still won't work, you will need to clear your cache and re-start your
browser. Do the following, then completely shut down all your browser windows,
(including email), restart, then reconnect:
- Netscape version 4: Click Edit...Preferences. Advanced...Cache. There are two buttons :
'Clear Memory Cache' and 'Clear Disk Cache'. Click both.
- Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4: Click View...Internet Options ... General ... Temporary
Internet Files: Click the Delete Files button.
- Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5: Click Tools...Internet Options ... General ... Temporary
Internet Files: Click the Delete Files button.
If the games play but then freeze up, you should reboot your computer.
[Yes, you can. You may experience some problems
if you are using the default AOL 3.0 browser. The AOL 3.0 browser is a stripped-down
version of Internet Explorer, which does not support Javascript. Due to America Online
using a stripped down version it is recommended that if you have another standalone brower
installed, ie, Netscape or IE 4.x
PLEASE use it instead. This will correct any viewing problems you may have.
Make sure you are using AOL 4.0 or higher. You can check this by going to the HELP section
and then clicking on MY AOL. This section will tell you what version you are currently running.
Alternatively, to achieve optimum performance, you should download and install either of the latest FREE full version of
Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator, by clicking the appropriate link.
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