Virtual Railway

PLEASE NOTE: Patches and upgrades are available from the HVR support page.

Q. How can I prevent the blackout at the start of the program or prevent the program from crashing before the 'New/Open' screen

A. This is due to the incorrect version of the video Codec being installed. HVR requires Intel Indeo v5.06.

You can try installing the correct version from the Internet, however an easier solution is to switch off the video:

1. Go to 'Start' > 'Run' > type 'regedit' and then press 'OK'. This will run the registry editing program.
2. Press the '+' sign next to the text line 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - Software - Vega - Hornby Virtual Railway'
3. Select 'Settings'
4. Select 'AviSequence' and set the 'Value Data' to 0 (zero)
5. Click 'OK'.

The next time HVR is started, the introduction video will be bypassed, preventing the initial blackout and any program crashes at the beginning of the program.

Q. How can I print a 3D layout or itemised list?

A. A good way of printing any screen on the HVR, or any other program, is by using Word or Word Perfect:-

1. Open Hornby at the track plan or screen you wish to copy.
2. Open and then minimise Word/Word Perfect.
3. Press 'Prt Sc / Sys Rq' Key (next to F12).
4. Press Ctrl A and then Ctrl C.
5. Restore Word and Paste.
6. The plan can now be printed like a normal document.

Q. How can I stop jerky running on the 3D screen?

A. This could be due to the graphics configuration. If you click the 'screen option', located on the right of 'VP' on the 3D screen, and select the best graphics options for your computer.

Q. How can I stop the program freezing when I install Superscape 3D?

A. This is likely to be a DLL file that Superscape is trying to install but is already in use by the system at the time of installation. When the program freezes:

1. Press CTRL + ALT + DEL
2. A task manager box should appear. Select the 'Wrapper' text line then click on 'End Task'. If another box appears saying 'This Program Is Busy', click on 'End Task'.
3. The program should now continue with the rest of the installation. If it still freezes then go back to the second step - there may be more than one 'Wrapper' to shut down.
4. Once done, go to My Computer > Right click the mouse on the Hornby disc icon > Select 'Explore' > Select 'Goodies' > Select 'Superscape3D Control' > Select 'Setup.exe'
5. If a 'Files Failed to Self Register' error is reported, continue with the installation, reset your computer and then go to 'Start' > 'Settings' > 'Control Panel' > 'Add/Remove Programs' and remove 'Superscape 3D' and all shared files.
6. Reinstall Superscape 3D, restart your computer and then run HVR.

Q. How do I uncouple a locomotive from a train?

A. This process is fairly simple: - click on the 'design' view - drag the engine, coach or wagon away from the rest of the train.

Q. I am unable to drag track onto the table top - what can I do?

A. This is a popular error when HVR users try to drag track from the main track pop-up box. You must choose a piece of track from the box, which will be transferred to the small box on the left. From here, the track piece can then be dragged onto the table.

Q. I can't get any sound on the 3D screen - what am I doing wrong?

A. If you are using Windows XP there is a solution to the problem - run HVR on Windows 98 compatible mode. To do this:

1. Go to 'Start' > 'Programs' > 'Hornby Hobbies' > Right click on 'Hornby Virtual Railway'.
2. Select 'Properties' and choose 'Compatibility Mode'. Change this to Windows 98.

Q. I keep getting 'Error 113' - what does this mean?

A. This may be due to the program trying to copy a file to the hard disk while a read-only copy of the file already exists. This may occur if the user is trying to reinstall the program after a failed attempt or a corruption while installation of HVR is taking place.

The solution is to delete all files in the C:\Program Files\Hornby Hobbies\Hornby Virtual Railway folder, then re-run the install program.

Q. I only get sound when the introduction video runs, but not at any other time. Is this meant to happen?

A. Hornby Virtual Railway needs to be run in Windows 98 version. This problem usually occurs with people using the program under the Windows ME/2000/XP operating system. To change to Windows 98 operation, go to:

1. Start > Programs > Hornby Hobbies
2. Right click on 'Hornby Virtual Railway'
3. Select 'Properties'
4. Under the 'Compatability' tab, check the box next to 'Compatability mode - run this program in compatability mode for:' and select 'Windows 98' from the drop down list.

You will need to restart your computer for these changes to take affect, but you should then receive sound.

Q. I still have a problem running the program on my computer - what can I do next?

A. If you are still having problems with HVR1, email your query and your computer's specification to Hornby Customer Care.

Q. I want the display to fill my screen, but it won't - what can I do?

A. This is due to the screen resolution being more than 800pxls x 600pxls. To rectify this:

1. Go to 'Start' > 'Settings' > 'Control Panel' > 'Display' > 'Settings'
   Alter the 'Screen Area' to 800pxls x 600pxls by sliding the bar to the desired setting (if the bar does not slide, your computer's display driver needs to be changed - contact the computer manufacturer to see if this is possible)
2. Make sure the colour setting is 'High' (16 bit or more)
3. Click 'Apply', and 'OK' to 'Display Properties' box
4. Click 'Yes' to keep the setting changes
5. Restart the HVR program.

Q. The message 'Handler Not Defined #FM Set Modified Flag' keeps appearing, or my computer seizes when trying to lay track - what can I do?

A. We believe this is due to the version of Shockwave Player installed on your computer being incompatible with the HVR program or has not installed correctly:

Reinstall Shockwave

1. Go to 'Start' > 'Settings' > 'Control Panel' > 'Add/Remove Programs'
2. Select 'Shockwave', then click on the Add/Remove icon
3. On the desktop, go to 'My Computer' > Select the Hornby disc icon > Select 'Explore' > Select 'Goodies' > Select 'Shockwave' > Select 'shock32stndaln.exe'
4. Restart your computer and run the HVR program again - this should solve the problem.

If the process above does not solve the problem, try the following:

1. Go to 'Start' > 'Settings' > 'Control Panel' > 'Add/Remove Programs'
2. Remove 'Shockwave', 'Hornby Virtual Railway' and 'Superscape 3D'. When prompted to remove shared files say 'Yes to All'
3. If you do not wish to install the additions, then reinstall HVR on a minimum installation, restart your computer and HVR will work.
4. If you do wish to install the additions, insert the main HVR CD-ROM, choose 'Custom' installation and unselect the Shockwave ActiveX Control. Continue until installation is complete
5. Insert the Additions CD-ROM and follow instructions for installation
6. Insert the main Hornby CD-ROM, go to 'My Computer' > Right click the Hornby disc icon > Select 'Explore' > Select 'Goodies' > Click 'Shockwave' > Select 'shock32stndaln.exe'
7. After installation, restart your computer and run the HVR program.

Q. There is more than one 'filemapping' on my computer when running HVR - what does this mean?

A. This is due to HVR being open more than once at the same time. To solve this restart your computer by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete twice.

Q. What Does 'VGA' Mean?

A. Anything concerning VGA means that the screen resolution is incorrect. To solve this problem you must change the settings by:

1. Go to 'Start' > 'Settings' > 'Control Panel' > 'Display' > 'Settings'
2. Alter the Screen Area to 800 pixels x 600 pixels
3. Make sure the colour setting is 'High Colour' (16 bit) or more
4. Select 'Apply' and Click 'OK' to 'Display Properties' box
5. Answer 'Yes' to 'Keep Settings' question.

Q. Where can I find the 'readme' text?

A. Go to 'My Computer' > 'C' > 'Program Files' > 'Hornby Hobbies' > 'Hornby Virtual Railway'.