Microsoft Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial Readme File

September 2007
Welcome to Microsoft Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial version! This file contains information to help you install the Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial. It includes late-breaking information not included in the in-game Help.

CONTENTS
A. Installing Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial B. Starting Age of Empires III Trial C. Getting Help D. Shortcut Keys E. DirectX Troubleshooting F. Video Troubleshooting G. Audio Troubleshooting H. Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Information

A. Installing Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial

To install Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial you must have administrator rights on your computer and your computer must be running Microsoft Windows XP. To install Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial Double click the Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial self extracting Setup executable. Click Install, and then follow the on-screen prompts.

B. Starting Age of Empires III Trial

To start Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial On the Start menu, point to Programs, point to Microsoft Games, point to Age of Empires III, and then click Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial.

C. Getting Help
You can find information about Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial in the in-game Help. To display in-game Help Pause your pointer over any button or interface item in the game to view rollover help text. You can also right-click on any unit portrait or improvement icon in the game to view detailed Help.

D. Shortcut Keys
The following keys can be very helpful during gameplay.

Building
Barracks Monastery Dock House or Shrine Fort or Consulate Mill or Rice Paddy Market Trading Post Castle Stable

Build
B C D E F I M P O S

Quick Select
CTRL+B CTRL+C CTRL+D CTRL+E CTRL+F CTRL+I CTRL+M CTRL+P CTRL+O CTRL+S

Wall

SPACE BARCenters camera on unit or building Z+Right ClickAttack Move

E. DirectX Troubleshooting
DirectX 9c or later must be installed on your computer before you can play Age of Empires III : The Asian Dynasties Trial. If you do not have DirectX 9c installed on your computer and you chose not to install DirectX 9c when you installed Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial, you will not be able to play Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial. Install DirectX 9c by re-installing Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial, or download the software from Microsoft Windows Update (<http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com>). If Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Trial installed DirectX 9c but could not update your video drivers to be compatible with DirectX 9c, when you restart your computer you will receive the message "Age of Empires III could not initialize DirectX. Make sure that DirectX 9c or higher is installed and contact your hardware manufacturer for a video driver update." To fix this problem, either get updated video drivers from Microsoft Windows Update (<http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com>), your video adapter manufacturer, or install DirectX in safe mode, which will replace the video drivers. If you experience sound or video problems using DirectX, go to <http://support.microsoft.com/support/directx/> for the latest troubleshooting information. You should also check with your video or sound card manufacturer for the latest DirectX-compatible drivers.

F. Video Troubleshooting
Latest Drivers Make sure that you have the latest drivers from your video card manufacturer or check Windows Update (<http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com>) for the latest drivers. Users of motherboards with non-Intel chipsets should upgrade to the latest miniport drivers available from their motherboard manufacturer. DirectX If you experience video problems using DirectX, connect to the DirectX Web site for the latest troubleshooting information at <http://support.microsoft.com/support/directx>.

G. Audio Troubleshooting
DirectX If you experience audio problems using DirectX, connect to the DirectX Web site for the latest troubleshooting information, as explained in DirectX Troubleshooting. If this occurs, make sure that you have the latest drivers from your sound card manufacturer or check Windows Update (<http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com>) for the latest drivers.

H. Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Information

For more information about Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties, visit our Web site at: http://www.ageofempires3.com/.

 & p 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Age of Empires, DirectX, Ensemble Studios, the Microsoft Game Studios logo, and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Adobe and Reader are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.