Technical Support

WINDOWS COMPATIBILITY
PREVIOUS VERSIONS AND PATCHES
KNOWN ISSUES

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Previous Version Support Status

• Support for Oxford Bridge 5.1 and earlier has now ceased, except for the information provided below.

For full details of our upgrade offers, see our upgrades page.

WINDOWS COMPATIBILITY

Notes:

1.    Installation requires User Account Control (UAC) to be turned on, or to be logged in as an administrator.
2.    Installation requires administrator privilege.
3.    Use requires "power user" privilege - see here.
4.    The program licence code must be entered before the program can be used (i.e. the normal 30 day grace period does not operate).
5.    Licence transfer to floppy, or "key disk" use, is not supported - see here.
6.    A problem with Windows ME freezing on program start-up is fixed in version 5.1.8.
7.    Installation requires a workaround to an installer compatibility issue.
8.    Not supported, but may work on some systems.

PREVIOUS VERSIONS AND PATCHES

You can download previous versions of OXFORD BRIDGE by clicking on the links in the "Download Software" column below.

Some versions of OXFORD BRIDGE have 'patches' available, which include corrections and additions for that version.  The patches are cumulative, meaning that each patch file includes all previous patches for that version.  Patch files are smaller and therefore quicker to download than the original software distribution file.  Check your version / release number on the OXFORD BRIDGE title screen or 'About' dialog box to see whether you need a patch, and if so which file you need.

NOTE:  Software can only be used if you have a valid licence for that version.  Patches will only work with an installed, licenced copy of Oxford Bridge, which MUST have the same version number as the patch.

Patch installation method:

1.    Run the downloaded patch file to install the patch.
2.    There are no patch files for these versions.  Download and run the full software file to install the latest version of the software.  Install into the same folder as your current installation of Oxford Bridge.  This will update the program files while keeping all your existing settings and saved hands, scores and bidding systems.

KNOWN ISSUES

Error "Run-time error '339':  Component 'xxxxxxxx.ocx' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered:  a file is missing or invalid"
Error "Runtime error 76 - Path not found C:\OB\BITMAPS\MEDIUM\BACK.GIF" on running program
No comparison duplicate (or teams) score is available from set 101 onwards (or set 1001 onwards)
Can't access "suggest" function, or "peek" at hands or change bidding options, or any other advanced functions
After upgrading to Win NT / 2000 / XP, Oxford Bridge fails to start, reporting "Code 000048"
Attempting to install Oxford Bridge produces the message "Setup has detected that unInstallShield is is use...  Error 432"
Attempting to de install Oxford Bridge produces the message "Unable to copy IsUn32Ex.exe to temporary location"
Attempting to run Oxford Bridge produces the message "Software Validation Failed...  Code 001005"
"Automation error" or "Run time error", code -2147023067 (80070725) when accessing help information
Program freezes when running for the first time
"invalid call or argument" error on completing duplicate set
"Disk is write protected" when installing / de-installing
Software fails to install with "Drive A: Unable to lock for exclusive access" error
Licence transfer to floppy disk is not supported, or fails with an error message

Oxford Bridge version affected:  7.1.x

Windows version affected:  Windows Vista (all versions)

Symptom:  Error "Run-time error '339':  Component '<name>.ocx' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered:  a file is missing or invalid"

Explanation:  The Microsoft Installer service in Windows Vista can sometimes incorrectly register the system OCX files required by Oxford Bridge.  Once the problem has occurred, de-installation / reinstallation of Oxford Bridge may or may not solve the problem.  The problem is more likely to occur with Oxford Bridge releases 7.1.0 and 7.1.1, and is made considerably worse by turning Vista's User Account Control (UAC) off, either before of after installing Oxford Bridge.

Solution:  Make sure you are running Oxford Bridge version 7.1.2 or later.  If you have 7.1.0 or 7.1.1, de-install completely, download the latest version, and reinstall.  Don't use the OB patch installation file, as this does not contain the necessary installer fixes.  If the problem persists, re-register the OCX files manually as follows:

1.  Open a Command Prompt window running as administrator, by clicking on:

Start -> All Programs -> Accessories - > right-click "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator"

2.  Change to the Windows System directory using the command:

cd  c:\windows\system32     (if you have 32-bit Vista)

or:

cd  c:\windows\syswow64     (if you have 64-bit Vista)

3.  Execute the commands:

regsvr32  picclp32.ocx  /u
regsvr32  picclp32.ocx
regsvr32  comdlg32.ocx  /u
regsvr32  comdlg32.ocx
regsvr32  comctl32.ocx  /u
regsvr32  comctl32.ocx
regsvr32 comct232.ocx  /u
regsvr32 comct232.ocx

Each command should produce a dialog box confirming that the command has succeeded.

4.  Oxford Bridge should now run correctly.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  7.0.1

Windows version affected:  all, when configured with a desktop with "large fonts" setting

Symptom:  Error "Runtime error 76 - Path not found C:\OB\BITMAPS\MEDIUM\BACK.GIF" on running program.

Explanation:  This is a programming fault.

Solution:  Download and install patch version 7.0.2 or later to fix this problem.  See previous versions and patches above.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  all

Windows version affected:  all

Symptom:  No comparison duplicate (or teams) score is available from set 101 onwards (or set 1001 onwards)

Explanation:  When you finish a hand at duplicate (or teams) scoring, Oxford Bridge displays your score together with all the other results of playing the hand.  For sets 1 to 100 (or 1000 in version 7 onwards), there is always at least one comparison score - the result of the computer playing itself.  From set 101 (or 1001) onwards this comparison score is not present.

Solution:  This behaviour is by design.  However, you can generate the comparison scores for other sets as follows:

1. Start Oxford Bridge.

2. On the game dialog box click the start-up file "Demo.ini".  This sets up four computer players, and sets the playing speed to maximum.

3. Click OK.

4. On the duplicate set selection dialog box, enter set number 101 (or 1001 for version 7).

5. Click OK.

6. Optionally, minimise the program to the taskbar so you don't see the hands as they are played.

7. Leave the program playing for as long as you like.  Depending on the speed of your computer, results will be generated at a rate of approx. 50-200 sets per hour.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  all

Windows version affected:  all

Symptom:  Can't access "suggest" function, or "peek" at hands or change bidding options, or any other advanced functions.

Explanation:  You are playing in "full" game mode.  In this mode all the rules of bridge are enforced, so none of the above options are available until the bidding and play of the hand are over.

Solution:  This behaviour is by design.  Alternatively, start a game in "practice" play or "single hands" modes; you can then access any function at any time.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  6.0, 5.1, 5.0 and 4.5

Windows version affected:  upgrading from Win 95 / 98 / SE / ME to Win NT / 2000 / XP

Symptom:  After upgrading to Win NT / 2000 / XP, Oxford Bridge fails to start, reporting "Code 000048".

Explanation:  The copy protection system in these versions of Oxford Bridge cannot cope with an "in situ" upgrade of the operating system from Win 9x to Win NT, 2000 or XP.

Solution:  Delete the Oxford Bridge installation folder (usually C:\OB) and reinstall Oxford Bridge.  For versions 6.0 and 5.1, email us at oxfordbridge@btinternet.com with a short explanation of the problem, and quoting the new install number on the Oxford Bridge start-up screen.  In response, you will be emailed the new licence code you need to use the software.  Version 5.0 and 4.5 users will need to upgrade.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  6.0

Windows version affected:  Win NT / 2000 / XP

Symptom:  Attempting to install Oxford Bridge produces the message "Setup has detected that unInstallShield is is use...  Error 432".

Explanation:  Installation requires administrator privilege.  Without it, the installer fails.  The error message is admittedly unhelpful, but the installer was not written by Thinking Games, so we can't change it.

Solution:  Log in with administrator privilege, or get your administrator to install the software.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  6.0

Windows version affected:  Win NT / 2000 / XP

Symptom:  Attempting to deinstall Oxford Bridge produces the message "Unable to copy IsUn32Ex.exe to temporary location".

Explanation:  Deinstallation requires administrator privilege.  Without it, the deinstaller fails.  The error message is admittedly unhelpful, but the deinstaller was not written by Thinking Games, so we can't change it.

Solution:  Log in with administrator privilege, or get your administrator to deinstall the software.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  6.0

Windows version affected:  Win XP

Symptom:  Attempting to run Oxford Bridge produces the message "Software Validation Failed...  Code 001005".

Explanation:  Running Oxford Bridge requires write access to the Windows folder (usually C:\Windows).  Normal users don't have this.

Solution:  In order of preference, either:

1. Make Oxford Bridge users members of the "power users" group, or

2. Give normal users write access to the Windows folder, or

3. Run Oxford Bridge from the administrator account.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  6.0.8

Windows version affected:  Win 95 / 98

Symptom:  "Automation error" or "Run time error", code -2147023067 (80070725) when accessing help information.

Explanation:  When Windows software is installed, some of the Windows system files may be updated as part of the process.  There is an incompatibility between this specific release of OB and some versions of one of the Windows system files.

Solution:  Replace the original Win 98 version system file using the procedure described below.

1. Select Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Information

2. From the System Information menu bar, select Tools / System File Checker

3. From the dialog box that appears, select "Extract one file from installation disk", type OLEAUT32.DLL in the space provided, and click OK.

4. Insert your Microsoft Windows 95/98 installation disk, verify the default locations of Windows directory and CD drive are correct, and click OK.

5. The file will be replaced, and you will be prompted to restart the PC.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  6.0.1 - 6.0.4 and 5.1.0 - 5.1.7

Windows version affected:  Win ME

Symptom:  Program freezes when running for the first time.

Explanation:  There is an incompatibility between these versions and Windows ME.

Solution:  Users will need to upgrade, or change their version of Windows.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  6.0.1 - 6.0.2

Windows version affected:  all

Symptom:  "invalid call or argument" error on completing duplicate set.

Explanation:  This a programming fault.

Solution:  Obtain the latest (free) update to Oxford Bridge from our previous versions and patches above.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  5.0 and earlier floppy disk versions

Windows version affected:  Win 98

Symptom:  "Disk is write protected" when installing / de-installing.

Explanation:  Win 98 includes updated 32-bit floppy disk drivers that are not compatible with the method of copy protection used on earlier Oxford Bridge floppy disks.

Solution:  Users will need to upgrade.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  5.0 and earlier floppy disk versions

Windows version affected:  Win NT / 2000 / XP

Symptom:  Software fails to install with "Drive A:  Unable to lock for exclusive access" error.

Explanation:  Win NT / 2000 / XP is not compatible with the method of copy protection used on earlier Oxford Bridge floppy disks.

Solution:  Users will need to upgrade.

Oxford Bridge version affected:  6.0 and 5.1

Windows version affected:  Win NT / 2000 / XP

Symptom:  Licence transfer to floppy disk is not supported, or fails with an error message.

Explanation:  Win NT / 2000 / XP is not compatible with licence storage on floppy disks.

Solution:  Transfer your licence to another PC using the following alternative procedure:

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