Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some of the most common technical issues and questions players raise. If you don't find an answer to your question or issue here, please post on the Technical Support board at SSForum (guest viewing and posting are allowed on that board).

Answers

General Tips

Make sure your Internet connection is working properly. Being able to view previously visited webpages in an Internet browser window is not a guarantee that your Internet connection is working properly, as your browser may merely be operating in offline mode and displaying stored (previously retrieved) data. Make sure any firewalls or security programs you have are disabled prior to running Continuum. Make sure you have the most recent version of the game installed. The most recent version of the game is Continuum 0.40b. If you have previous versions of the game installed, your safest bet is to first uninstall and completely remove said previous versions from your computer, then download and install Continuum 0.40b.

Installing Continuum

How do I install Continuum on Linux?

Visit the Get Continuum-wine site for more information.

How do I install Continuum on Mac OS X?

  1. Download Continuum for Mac OS X.
  2. Extract Zip file
  3. Place Continuum app in /applications
  4. If you encounter difficulties during this installation process, simply watch this video tutorial for Mac OS X.

How do I install Continuum on Windows?

  1. Download the Continuum installer.
  2. Run said Continuum installer.
  3. Carefully follow all instructions in the installer.
  4. If you encounter difficulties during this installation process, simply watch this video tutorial for Windows XP, NT, 7, and 8.

Running Continuum

When I attempt to run Continuum, it doesn't show up; nothing happens. How do I fix this?

The reason Continuum doesn't show up is because there are one or more other programs installed and/or running on your computer that has been labeled a "suspicious" program by Continuum's built-in security mechanisms. Continuum's built-in security mechanisms will not allow Continuum to run if one or more "suspicious" programs are active.

Your best bet is to try closing, disabling, and/or (as a last resort) uninstalling the "suspicious" programs. Programs known to be "suspicious" include:

  • Anti-spyware programs (AdWatcher, SpySweeper, Spyware Doctor, ...)
    • Adding Continuum to the ignore list of these programs might not help! You might have to completely remove these programs or make them not run at all when the computer starts up. Disabling them when already running might not help.
  • Anti-virus programs (Norton AV 005, Panda AntiVirus, ...)
    • One known problem is the "Protect against unknown threats" option in Panda AntiVirus and other similar products.
    • Disabling any "heuristic" or "detect unknown viruses" options in anti-virus programs might help.
    • Adding Continuum to the ignore list of these programs might not help! You might have to completely remove these programs or make them not run at all when the computer starts up. Disabling them when already running might not help.
  • Any auto-scanning programs
    • Adding Continuum to the ignore list of these programs might not help! You might have to completely remove these programs or make them not run at all when the computer starts up. Disabling them when already running might not help.
  • Any other security programs
    • Adding Continuum to the ignore list of these programs might not help! You might have to completely remove these programs or make them not run at all when the computer starts up. Disabling them when already running might not help.
  • Any "system fixer" tools (TuneUp Utilities...)
  • Data execution prevention (in Control Panel/System/Advanced/Performance Settings/DEP)
    • (Windows XP) Right-click My Computer and follow Properties -> Advanced -> Performance Settings -> Data Execution Prevention. Once you have opened DEP, see if you have 'Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only'. If so, check 'Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select'. Next, add Continuum.exe to the list, and click "Apply". Then you can go back to 'Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only' if you'd like. Now, run Continuum normally. (Windows Vista) Go to Start -> Computer -> System Properties (button under the link bar) -> Advanced System Settings (on the left navigation menu) -> Performance (click settings). Move over to the one that says "Data Execution Program", and add Continuum to the list. Now, run Continuum normally.
  • Firewalls
    • Adding Continuum to the ignore list of these programs might not help! You might have to completely remove these programs or make them not run at all when the computer starts up. Disabling them when already running might not help.
  • Norton programs
    • Adding Continuum to the ignore list of these programs might not help! You might have to completely remove these programs or make them not run at all when the computer starts up. Disabling them when already running might not help.
  • NVIDIA card

    • Go to Control Panel -> Display -> Advanced -> Gforce6900 (or your card name) -> Additional Direct3D Settings

      There you will find "Max Frames to Render Ahead". That option should be set to "0".
  • Programming tools (debuggers...)
  • Spyware programs
    • Since you can't get rid of spyware programs without using anti-spyware programs, do the following to ensure best compatibility: 1) Install anti-spyware program(s) 2) Run the program(s) and clean your computer 3) Uninstall said anti-spyware program(s)

If Continuum still does not run after all "suspicious" programs (see above) have been removed, use a registry cleaner program to clean your computer's registry (parts of the programs you uninstalled could still be there).

If Continuum still does not run after your computer's registry has been cleaned (see above), try the following: (Windows XP) Right-click Continuum and select Properties. Go to the "Compatibility" tab and check "Disable visual themes". Click "OK" and run Continuum normally. (Windows) Create a new Windows user without administrator rights to play Continuum with. (Windows) Install Continuum under a user with administrator rights. DON'T RUN IT AFTER INSTALLATION! Share the installation directory with "change rights for people in network" (it will apply to other users in the computer too). Log in with a limited rights user account and run Continuum normally.

Adding/Updating Zones

How do I add/update zones?

Follow the following steps:

  1. Click on the "Zones" button.
  2. Click on the "Download" button.
  3. Zone entries that are bolded and colored in green are zones that are currently selected. To unselect a currently selected zone, double click its entry so that it becomes unbolded and colored in gray.
  4. To select a currently unselected zone, double click its entry so that it becomes bolded and colored in green.
  5. To add a custom zone that is not listed in the zone list, click on the "Add Custom..." button, then in the appropriate fields in the box that pops up, enter the name, IP address, and port of the custom zone you wish to add.
  6. Repeat Steps 3 - 5, above, as necessary.
  7. When you are finished making changes, click on the "OK" button to save the changes.

What do I do if the zone list doesn't download successfully after I click the "Download" button?

Follow the following steps:

  1. Make sure that your Internet connection is functioning properly.
  2. Click on the "Zones" button.
  3. Clear the "Directory Server Address List:" box.
  4. Copy and paste the following into the "Directory Server Address List:" box: auto.subdir.net auto.subdir.org sscentral.sscuservers.net sscentral.trenchwars.org ssdir.playsubspace.com warpath.hlrse.net sharvil.nanavati.net dir.cz.sshq.net
  5. Click on the "OK" button to save the changes.
  6. Click on the "Zones" button.
  7. Click on the "Download" button.

Logging In

How do I get started playing Continuum?

Read this guide to get started playing Continuum quickly.

How do I resolve an "Unable to create zones" error when I attempt to enter a zone?

  • (Windows Vista) Right-click Continuum folder (not Continuum.exe!) and select Properties. Go to the "Security" tab and click "Edit". When the UAC box comes up, click "Continue". If your username is not in the box, click "ADD", type in your username, then click "Enter". Select your username, then make sure the box next to "Full Control" under the "Allow" column is checked. Click "OK" out of all boxes. Run Continuum normally.

Why do I get an "Invalid password" error when I attempt to enter a zone?

If you are a new user:

  • You have probably selected a username that is already being used by someone else. Try some other usernames.
  • If you're sure that the username is not used (try some gibberish to be sure) then you might have entered it into the wrong box. The profile dialog can be a bit confusing. You have to enter it into the player name box.
  • If even the gibberish does not work, you might have invalid characters in the name. You should only have English letters and/or numbers in your username.

If you are not a new user, you have probably forgotten your password:

  • If you originally registered with a valid email address that you can still access today when you created the username, log in using another username and type ?lostpassword put_old_(lost)_username_here to have a new password sent to the email address you registered the username in question with.

If you are a returning user who hasn't played Continuum in a long time, your username was probably reset due to inactivity, and someone else took it.

Playing Continuum

How do I get up to speed playing Continuum after I've entered a zone?

Read the Continuum Guide to get up to speed quickly.

How should I go about reducing my lag? I keep lagging out/getting specced!

There are various things you can do to try to reduce your lag. Here are some suggestions:

  • Make sure Continuum is the only program running on your computer. Close or disable all other programs (especially any file sharing programs, any instant messaging programs (such as AIM, Google Talk, ICQ, meebo, Pidgin, Skype, Trillian, Windows Live Messenger, or Yahoo! Messenger), any Internet browser windows, any IRC clients, any other games, any automatic update/download utilities, and any Microsoft Office programs) prior to playing Continuum. Do not download or upload any files (this includes music!) from/to the Internet while playing Continuum.
  • Make sure no one else is using the same Internet connection you are using when you are playing Continuum. (If this isn't possible, at least make sure those other people aren't downloading/uploading any files (this includes music!) or using any file sharing programs while you are playing Continuum.)
  • If you have a wireless router, make sure your wireless connection is secured with a (hard-to-guess) password to prevent unauthorized usage of your Internet connection by other people.
  • If you are playing over wireless Internet or using a router or switch, try connecting directly (without going through a router or switch) to the Internet with a cable.
  • Play in a zone that has a lower ping.
  • Try playing during times other than local peak Internet usage times (typically mid-late afternoon and early-mid evening hours). Try playing late at night or early in the morning.
  • Switch to a better computer. Continuum is a very demanding program in terms of computer resources.
  • Switch to a better (faster) ISP (internet service provider), especially if you are using a dial-up (56K) connection.

I can't select any resolutions; when I click on the "Resolution" tab, no resolution choices appear. What can I do?

Follow the following steps:

  1. Click on the "Profile" button.
  2. For all of your profiles, set both "Resolution:" and "Window" to default.
  3. Click on the "OK" button.
  4. Click on the "View" tab.
  5. Click on the "Advanced Options..." entry.
  6. If the "Show Default Resolutions" box is checked, uncheck it.
  7. Click on the "OK" button.
  8. Quit and restart Continuum.
  9. If the problem still exists, click on the "View" tab, then click on the "Advanced Options..." entry, then check the "Show Default Resolutions" box.
  10. If the problem still exists, quit and restart Continuum.
  11. If the problem still exists, proceed to Steps 12 - 18, below.
  12. Click on the "View" tab.
  13. Click on the "Options..." entry.
  14. Click on the "Chat" tab.
  15. Set "Chat Window:" to Always Show.
  16. Click on the "Graphics" tab.
  17. Uncheck the "Show Stars", "Detailed Explosions", and "Rolling Ship" boxes.
  18. Click on the "OK" button.

I see crazy/really strange colors/graphics after I enter a zone. How do I fix this problem?

Follow the following steps:

  1. Click on the "View" tab.
  2. Click on the "Advanced Options..." entry.
  3. Check the "Software Emulation" box.
  4. Click on the "OK" button.

What does my ?lag readout mean? How does lag work?

Lag has two sides: ping time and packetloss.

Understanding ping times is easy. A ping time is the amount of time it takes for data to go from your computer to the server and then back to your computer. It is measured in milliseconds (ms). One second is 1000 milliseconds. Obviously, a smaller ping time is better. Ping times of over 300 ms noticeably affect gameplay; ping times of over 500 ms make any real gameplay impossible.

Data on the Internet is sent in units called packets. In this game, one packet is up to 520 bytes long. Because connections are not perfect (due to bad physical media, connection overloads, ...), some packets never make it through to the other end. Continuum handles this by making sure that all important packets go through and re-sending them until they go though if they should fail. Packetloss is the amount of packets that do not reach the destination and have to be sent again.

In Continuum, packetloss is measured in 3 ways:

  • S2C (Server to Client) is the amount of packets that never reach your computer from the server. This will cause others to seem to jump around on your screen.
  • C2S (Client to Server) is the amount of packets that never reach the server from your computers. This will cause you to jump around on other players' screens.
  • S2C (Server to Client) Weapons is the amount of items/weapons (bombs, bullets, repels, decoys, ...) that never reach your computer. Weapons are never re-sent, so this is a great (and unfair) advantage to you. The amount of this can only be viewed by game moderators.

Packetloss is measured as a percentage. 0% packetloss is best, which means that no packets get lost. It is also possible to have negative packetloss, which means that some packets get sent multiple times. This is not harmful, but can overload weaker connections (56k).

You can check your own ping times by typing ?ping. This is a client command, which means that you will always get a reponse to this. You can check your own packetloss by typing ?packetloss. This is a server command, which means that you will not get a response if not connected to the server. You can check both by typing ?lag. This is also a server command.

Why are there walls in space?!

Because this isn't space as you know it, this is Continuum!