Help for Games and Puzzles

Source: AARP.org | May 22, 2003

You can access AARP's online games and puzzles in two places:

• Games
• AARP The Magazine*

From time to time, each of these areas may feature the same set or a different set of games and puzzles. Check them all to find the games you enjoy most!

Q: What do I need to do to my computer to play games and puzzles?
A: Before playing the games and puzzles, you should do the following:

• Meet the minimum software and hardware requirements to play the games.
• Check for or downloaded the Shockwave and Flash plug-ins needed for the games.
• Enable JavaScript in your Web browser.
• Set your Web browser to accept cookies .

To ensure that you always play a new game or puzzle every time you visit the web site, please don't add the individual games and puzzles Web pages to your Bookmarks or Favorites lists. You should only set Bookmarks and Favorites lists to the main games and puzzle pages listed above.

Q: What are the minimum computer system (software and hardware) requirements for playing the interactive games and puzzles?
A: The answer depends on what type of operating system your computer uses. The requirements for the most common operating systems are listed below:

For Windows-based PCs:

Operating System: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, or 2000
Processor: Pentium-compatible processor running at 233Mhz or faster
Memory: a minimum of 32 Mb of RAM
Browser: Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, Netscape Navigator 5.0 or later, or America Online 6.0 or later

For Macintosh:

Operating System: Mac OS 8.1 or later
Processor: PowerPC Processor running at 233Mhz or faster
Memory: a minimum of 32 Mb of RAM
Browser: Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, Netscape Navigator 5.0 or later, or America Online 6.0 or later

Q: What plug-ins do I need to play the games?
A: Plug-ins are small add-on computer programs that work with larger, more complex software applications and programs, such as the Web browsers Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

To play the games and puzzles here, you need the Flash and Shockwave plug-ins. You can download these for free from the Macromedia web site. By visiting the links below, the Web site will automatically identify the correct version of the plug-ins your computer system and Web browser need:

• Download the Shockwave plug-in
• Download the Flash plug-in

Q: How do I check to see if I have JavaScript (or JScript) enabled?
A: JavaScript is a scripting language, developed by Netscape, to run "inside" Web pages, meaning Web browsers will process the script's instructions. When you install a Web browser on your computer, many times Web browsers are set to process JavaScript instructions automatically. But some versions of the different Web browsers in cyberspace give you the option to turn on or turn off the browser's ability to process JavaScript.

To check if your browser will process JavaScript or whether that option is turned off or on, you'll need to do a little research. Use the browser's Help feature located on the browser's Menu bar, and search for keywords such as JavaScript or JScript. Follow the instructions to read information about the JavaScript.

Q: Do I need to allow cookies on my computer to play the games and puzzles?
A: Yes. In order to play games on any area, you must set your browser to accept cookies. Read the story "Cookies" and "Understanding Cookies" in the Computers and Technology section to learn more about cookies.

Q: Does AARP create the games and puzzles?
A: No. A company called uClick (http://content.uclick.com) creates all the games and puzzles for AARP. If you are experiencing a problem that is not addressed here, you can e-mail uClick at support@upuzzles.com for the fastest, most direct response.

Q: How often are the games and puzzles updated?
A: A new Crossword Puzzle, Universal Jigsaw puzzle, Rootonym Puzzle, and Interactive Trivia game appear every day. These games and puzzles are updated at 1:00 a.m. ET.

Q: Is there an archive of previous games and puzzles?
A: Yes, you can play the previous two weeks' worth of puzzles. To get to these puzzles, visit any puzzle main page (remember the links above), look for the Select Other Puzzles option on the menu that is at the left side of your computer screen. Use the menu to click directly to the past puzzles.

Q: Can I print a completed jigsaw or crossword puzzle?
A: No. The interactive games and puzzles do not permit users to print a completed jigsaw or crossword puzzle. If you want a copy of an image used in a puzzle, e-mail uClick at support@upuzzles.com to see if the image is available from the original source material.

Q: Why can't I get today's new puzzle to work?
A: If it is after 1:00 a.m. ET, the new puzzle should appear. If you access any of the interactive games and puzzles by using your Web browser's Bookmarks or Favorites listings, you might be re-loading the puzzle that you played the last time you visited the site. Try visiting the main games and puzzles page, then selecting the puzzle you would like to play.

You can also try clearing your browser's cache and temporary Internet files on a regular basis so that your browser gets the freshest versions of the Web pages you visit. If you require additional technical assistance, you can also contact uClick at support@upuzzles.com.

Q: What can I do if two puzzles appear on my computer screen at the same time?
A: First, make sure you did not use your browser's Bookmarks or Favorites listing to get to the games or puzzle you want to play. (To ensure that you play a new puzzle every day, always visit the games and puzzle home page, then click on the game or puzzle of your choice.)

Second, make sure your JavaScript (or Jscript) is enabled, and your browser is set to allow cookies. (See "What do I need to do to my computer to play games and puzzles?" above.)

If the problem persists, make sure that your ActiveX controls are not disabled. (See "How do I check my ActiveX controls?" below.) If you require additional technical assistance, you can also contact uClick at support@upuzzles.com.

Q: How do I check my ActiveX controls?
A: To see if your ActiveX controls are enabled or disabled, follow these steps:

• On the Internet Explorer's Menu bar, click Tools.
• Drag your cursor to Internet Options and select.
• Click the Security tab.
• Click the Custom Level button.
• In the Security Settings window, scroll down until you see a section labeled "ActiveX controls and plug-ins."
• If anything in this section is marked Disabled, change it to Enabled. (Do this only for controls containing the word ActiveX in the description.)
• Click OK on the Security Settings window, and then click OK on the Internet Options window.

If you require additional technical assistance, contact uClick at support@upuzzles.com.

Q: Why do I see a gray, blank box where the Crossword puzzle usually appears?
A: This problem occurs from time to time with frequent puzzle players. Simply, clear the cache in your Web browser, and then reboot your computer. You should follow this procedure even if you set your browser to clear cache files automatically. If you need more technical assistance, you can also contact uClick at support@upuzzles.com.

Q: Why do I see a gray, blank box where the Jigsaw puzzle usually appears?
A: To play the Jigsaw puzzle, you will need the Shockwave plug-in. You may need to update your version of Shockwave. Download the Shockwave plug-in free from the plug-in maker Macromedia. When downloading the plug-in, the web site will automatically identify the correct version of the plug-in that is best for your computer and Web browser. If you require additional technical assistance, you can also contact uClick at support@upuzzles.com.

Q: Why does the Shockwave plug-in lock up when it's time to cut up the puzzle into pieces?
A: To play the Jigsaw puzzle, you will need the latest version of the Shockwave plug-in. You may need to update your version of Shockwave. Download the Shockwave plug-in free from the plug-in maker Macromedia. When downloading the plug-in, the web site will automatically identify the correct version of the plug-in that is best for your computer and browser. If you require additional technical assistance, you can contact uClick at support@upuzzles.com.

Q: Why are pieces of the Crossword or Jigsaw puzzle missing?
A: Usually, puzzles that do not load correctly are a temporary technical problem at the web site. And they do not require any special fixes or changes to your Web browser settings. Simply click the Refresh or Reload button on your browser. You may also need to close your Web browser completely, and then re-open it to make sure that you are requesting a fresh version of the puzzle page. If the problem persists, check your ActiveX controls. (See the "How do I check my ActiveX controls?" above.) If you require additional technical assistance, you can contact uClick at support@upuzzles.com.

Q: Why am I getting a "memory error" message?
A: Usually, puzzles that give you "memory error" messages indicate a temporary technical problem at the web site. And they do not require any special fixes or changes to your browser's settings. Simply click the Refresh or Reload button on your Web browsers.

You may also need to close your Web browser completely, and then re-open it to make sure that you are requesting a fresh version of the puzzle page. If the problem persists, check your ActiveX controls. (See the "How do I check my ActiveX controls?" above.) If you require additional technical assistance, you can contact uClick at support@upuzzles.com.

If you are experiencing a problem that is not addressed in these questions and answers, you can e-mail uClick directly at support@upuzzles.com for the fastest, most direct response.

Additional Related Links: 

*Links still needed for: AARP The Magazine; Shockwave; Flash; "Cookies"; "Understanding Cookies"; Computers and Technology; Macromedia, and more. (see original article at www.aarp.org/faq/a2003-05-22-gamesfaq)