Q1 : What is the minimum configuration necessary to make WinStars 2 work?

Q2 : Is my graphics card compatible with WinStars 2 ?

Q3 : On startup, the program indicates that .dll files are missing, then shuts down.

Q4 : When starting the program, nothing appears...

Q5 : The textures don’t appear to be applied correctly to the 3D objects.

Q6 : How do I improve the graphical performance of the program?

Q7 : I have installed the Microsoft DirectX 9.0 library, but the program doesn’t want to start.

Q8 : WinStars’ calculations seem wrong: there are several tens of degrees of difference between the calculated and the real positions.

Q9 : What should I do if I encounter a bug or a display problem on my computer?

Q10 : The update function doesn't work correctly !

Q11 : Why do I keep getting this error message
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Autoexec.nt The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications?

Q12 : The help file is in french ! How correct this ?

Q13 : Contrary to version 1, the new version is offered as shareware. Why?

A1 : What is the minimum configuration necessary to make WinStars 2 work?
You should have a computer equipped with a minimum of a 1000 MHz Pentium and a graphics card optimized for 3D performance.

A2 : Is my graphics card compatible with WinStars 2?
All recent 3D cards are compatible with version 2. There may be problems or considerable slowing down if your card is more than 3 years old or is not compatible with vertex processing.

A3 : On startup, the program indicates that .dll files are missing, then shuts down.
To use WinStars 2, you must have the DirectX 9.0c library from Microsoft installed on your computer.

Version 9.0c is available for free from the following URL:
DirectX 9.0c (pour Windows 98/Me/2000/XP)

A4 : When starting the program, nothing appears. . . .
It appears that you will have to set the properties of your graphics card.

A5 : The textures don’t appear to be applied correctly to the 3D objects.
Same answer as above.

A6 : How do I improve the graphical performance of the program?
Same answer as above.

A7 : I have installed the Microsoft DirectX 9.0 library, but the program doesn’t want to start.
You absolutely must install version 9.0c or higher on your computer. Earlier versions (for example 9.0b) will not work with WinStars.

A8 : WinStars’ calculations seem wrong: there are several tens of degrees of difference between the calculated and the real positions.
The time zone shown in the Observation Parameters dialog box is definitely wrong. To solve these calculation problems, you need only correct this value.

In France, the time zone is equal to +1 when standard time is used and +2 when daylight saving time is in use.

If you are using WinStars in another country, click on the “Time zone configuration” button to let the program choose the correct time zone (this function may not work if the time zone in Windows is set incorrectly).

A9 : What should I do if I encounter a bug or a display problem on my computer?
Send me an email at support[at]winstars.net describing as completely as possible the problem you encountered. Also send me the contents of the System Diagnostics window (this function is found in the Options menu of the program).

A10 : The update function doesn't work correctly !
First, download the patch : maj.exe

Run the patch. You must indicate the main folder of WinStars (you can use the browse button). Click on the UnZip Button.

Replace the unzip32.exe file by this one too : UnZip32.zip

Restart WinStars. Use the update function till obtaining the following message: "You have the last version of WinStars".

A11 : Why do I keep getting this error message
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Autoexec.nt The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications ?
1. Click Start, click Run, type c:\windows\repair, and then click OK.
2. Right-click autoexec.nt, and then click Copy.
3. Click Start, click Run, type c:\windows\system32, and then click OK.
4. Right-click anywhere in that folder, and then click Paste.
5. Right-click the Autoexect.nt file that you just copied, and then click Properties.
6. Click to select Read-Only, and then click OK.

A12 : The help file is in french ! How correct this ?
Please replace the file called winstars2.hlp by this another one.

A13 : Contrary to version 1, the new version is offered as shareware. Why?
The development of WinStars 2 demanded thousands of hours of work and the purchase of a hosting site (a dedicated server) That is expensive. . . .

However, it is quite possible to use version 2 without registering. Only some secondary functions are disabled (high resolution textures, the Tycho 2 catalogue) until you purchase a user’s licence. Version 1 remains available as freeware.

You would like to have the complete version but you find that 7 Euros is really too expensive? Well, send me a short, sympathetic message (with the subject 'free access code') and you will receive your access code for free ;-)