The second set of instructions deals specifically with the dual core AMD CPU and should be easier to handle for most people.

MAKING THE MOST OF A DUAL CORE CPU

Warning: If you chose to follow the next set of instructions, it should be known you do so at your own volition. These are very high risk operations you are about to perform. Any error or problems resulting from the use of these instructions are not the responsibility of HiTech Creations, Inc. These instructions are being provided on an "as is" basis.

In order to make use of these instructions at all, your computer must be running:
- Windows XP (Home, Pro, MCE) with Service Pack 2 (even when using Apple Bootcamp, NOT Virtual PC) or
- Any system (desktop or notebook... even Apple's MacBook's) with multi-cores, multi-processors, multi-logical processors (Hyper-Threading) or
- Intel: Pentium 4 w/ HT, Pentium D, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo, Dual Core Xeons or
- AMD: Athlon 64 X2, Turion X2, Dual Core Opterons

Before proceeding, if you are running a computer which relies on battery power, then following instructions can have an impact on how long the computer will run on the battery. Please pay attention as you go through the instructions.

1) (for Intel CPUs) Check to see if the mandatory Windows XP Hotfix Patch: KB896256 (NOT automatically downloaded with Windows Update) is installed. You do this by going to the "Add/Remove Programs" ICON in the Control Panel and review the list of installed software.
If the patch is not listed as being installed, then download KB896256 XP patch and install it.

1) (for AMD CPUs) Check to see if the mandatory Windows XP Hotfix Patch: KB896256 (NOT automatically downloaded with Windows Update) and the AMD CPU drivers are installed. You do this by going to the "Add/Remove Programs" ICON in the Control Panel and review the list of installed software.
If the patches are not listed as being installed, then download KB896256 XP patch , AMD CPU Drivers and install them. (for AMD Dual Core Optimizer info read Note 2)

Note 1: Only install the AMD Driver if you have an AMD CPU.
Note 2: The AMD Dual-Core Optimizer was AMD's answer to Microsoft's Multi-Core fix. AMD released their Optimizer to give the public (with AMD dual core CPUs) a way to properly utilize both cores. If you install the AMD Optimizer and it works without problems, then you would NOT have to install the the WinXP hotfix.
On BSOD's (Blue Screens of Death).... If you own a Clevo D900K (A.K.A. Sager 9750, Alienware Aurora m7700, etc) notebook, DO NOT install the AMD Dual Core Optimizer as it is incompatible. So if you experience BSODs (on any computer) after the AMD Optimizer is installed, then go into Safe Mode and uninstall it. You will still have optimized dual core as long as you do the rest of the guide.

2) From the Windows desktop go to Start->Run. Type REGEDIT and press <ENTER>. The registry location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Con
trol\Session Manager should have a key named Throttle there, if not make it by right clicking, point at New->Key... name it Throttle.

3) (Still in registry) Inside Throttle key: should be a DWORD called PerfEnablePackageIdle with the value of 1. If it is not there, right click, point to New->DWORD... name it PerfEnablePackageIdle.
[/i]*** Note: You should type 1 in the Value data box to enable the performance state policy behavior (increases performance) at the expense of some battery life, if you are running a battery powered computer.[/i]

4) Quit Registry.

5) Now let's review your boot.ini to make sure that the command /usepmtimer is there. Using your mouse, right-click on My Computer go to Properties, click on the ADVANCE tab, then under Startup and Recovery click on Settings, then click on EDIT....make sure your boot.ini has the /usepmtimer in there (located in the last line), if NOT then just copy and paste /usepmtimer in there.

Note: If you have an AMD dual core and installed the AMD drivers, the /usepmtimer would be inserted into your boot.ini for you.
Note: The /usepmtimer in the BOOT.ini is a "switch" that forces the system to use a steady clock in place of the CPU frequency... for certain timing functions. Thats as basic as you can explain it.

6)Go to File and then Save (to save the changes to your BOOT.ini).

Restart your computer.

AMD DUAL CORE CPU's and the AMD OPTIMIZER PATCH

******NOTE: If you opted to follow the preceeding instructions, then you DO NOT need to do the following.******

There is a problem with dual core AMD CPU's in Windows XP Home and Professional which causes several problems in the game.
These issues do not appear to be a problem with Windows 2000. Only Windows XP and Vista.

To work around the problem, do this.

1. Right-click on the Aces High II startup ICON.
2. Select "Properties" from the popup menu.
3. Select the "Compatibility" tab.
4. Check the check box to run the game in Windows 98/ME compatibility mode.

Or, you can download a patch from AMD which addresses this, and several other issues related to dual core CPU's. Follow this link to obtain the patch.

Please note, Windows Vista and laptop users will need to put the game into Windows 98/ME compatiibility mode as there are no patches currently available to correct the dual-core issues.

To switch the game to compatibility mode. Right-click on the Aces High II start-up ICON and select "Properties" from the menu. Then select the "Compatibility" tab. Check the option to enable the compatilibity mode and select Windows 98/ME.

The game should run after this.