I just installed EAW from the original Microprose CD and installed the v1.28 patch immediately aftwards per the instructions in this forum. The install for both the game and the patch went without a hitch.

Upon clicking on the shortcut to run the game, the screen briefly goes black and then returns to the desktop with the following error message:

Error: could not set Joystick X range property.

I get this error message whether the joystick is plugged in or not. The stick is a MSFF2 and works perfectly fine in all other games.

I'm running WinXP Home.

Any suggestions?

Hi,

uninstall EAW and just copy paste the EAW CD to the wanted directory.

EAW dont need registry entrys and we saw many times that a "normal installed" EAW get trouble, while just a copy run.

The joystick X range message is absolut new to me.

Run the EAW1.2 patch before EAW1.28!! EAW1.28 is a update for EAW1.2, not EAW1.0.

Greetings,

Knegel

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

Hi LeemzHQ,

The problem doesn't have anything to do with the game but with the keyboard you use. Are you by any chance using an enhanced keyboard? If so try installing it as a normal 102 keys keyboard or remove or switch off the extra drivers for it's enhancements.
The game thinks your keyboard is a joystick and tries to assign a stick range to a key. A key has no range, only on and off.
The device is probably in your gaming device list and can not be used as a joystick.

VonBeerhofen

I'm using a Saitek Eclipse keyboard and it does show up in my list of game controllers. The only thing "enhanced" about it is that the keys are backlit. Aside from that, it's a normal keyboard.

Hi,

EAW use the 1st game controller in the list, what is the 1st in your list??

Greetings,

Knegel

Another thing to try would be to move the joystick to the top of your controller list. This has worked in the past for some, as EAW only uses one contoller and will select the one at the top of the list if there a more.

The joystick is at the top of the list. But, now I get the 7217 error.

I'm running an nvidia GeForce 7600 GT card. This is probably the problem.

I'll uninstall the game again and try running it on one of my older PC's.

If that doesn't work I'll give up. I'm just looking for a little nostalgia. I don't want to jump through hoops to get an 11 year old game to run when I can play any of my IL2 games or Strike Fighters (or WOE, WOV).

Thanks for the help.

Hello LeemzHQ.

If your getting the 7217 error, you will need Jelly's JIM launcher.

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2575984

I'm getting this issue now... Any known fix in Win 7? I copied over the EAW CD and installed the 4 files listed on Mr. Jelly's page. Please help. I'm using a Corsair K90 keyboard and I have Thrustmaster Cougar and MFDs plugged in. It's the Error: could not set Joystick X range property. message...