Problem: The controller settings are not saved - especially Deadzone or Saturation settings
Solution: If you create a saved game - e.g. start a championship (it will automatically save) - then this should solve this problem.

Problem: The games occasionally pauses or lags, causing the car to jerk or stutter.
Solution: The problem may be related to your soundcard:

Try the following:

1) Edit your Colin McRae Rally 4 Windows shortcut (found on the desktop and/or the start menu) by right clicking on it and selecting properties.
2) In the target box, add NOEAX after the target entry, so the target looks like this

"C:Program FilesCodemastersColin McRae Rally 04cmr4.exe" NOEAX

Alternatively add NOHARDWARESOUND instead of NOEAX.

Problem: It is not possible to enable EAX in the game.
Solution: Colin McRae Rally 4 uses EAX 4. Currently only the Soundblaster Audigy series of cards (excluding the Audigy 2 LS and NX) running under Windows 2000 or Windows XP support this feature. If you do not have one of these cards, or use Windows 98/ME, you will not be able to turn EAX on.

Problem: How do you set up a controller in Colin McRae Rally 4?
Solution: Firstly make sure that your controller is plugged in and functioning correctly in Windows.

From the game's main menu, select options - controllers - player 1.

a) Highlight the 'Input Device' option and press your right cursor key to change the option from Keyboard
b) If you are using a wheel you should set both 'Steering' and 'Accel/Brake' to Analogue. If you are not using a wheel and you wish to use a button for acceleration and braking you should set these to Digital. Digital steering should only be selected if you do not have an analogue controller.
c) Accept your settings when you are happy with the setup.
d) Now choose the button or axes you wish to use for each function. This is done by highlighting the function, pressing enter and then pressing the appropriate button, pedal or moving your device.
e) Accept your settings when you are happy with the setup.
f) If you have a force feedback controller, you will then go to the screen containing vibation options.
g) The final screen will be viewed if you have an analogue device. Set your preferred dead zone and saturation settings* here. If you have a steering wheel you should set the dead zone to minimum.


I) If you have a wheel and find that your brake pedal is acting as the accelerator and vice versa, you should try setting the 'flip accel/brake' option to Yes.
II) If your pedals are otherwse not behaving correctly, change the axes in Windows - Control Panel - Game controllers (Gaming options). You will normally have the option of choosing between 'combined' or 'separate'. Once you have changed these, be sure to go through step d) after doing so.

*Dead Zone is the amount you can steer the wheel before it has any effect. Saturation is the amount you can steer the wheel before it reaches full lock.

Problem: The game loads to a black screen and either hangs or crashes back to the desktop. Or, the game crashes in Championship mode at the Upgrades screen.
Solution: Try the following:


*1) Edit your Colin McRae Rally 4 Windows shortcut (found on the desktop and/or the start menu) by right clicking on it and selecting properties.


*2) In the target box, add NOVIDEO after the target entry, so the target looks like this

"C:Program FilesCodemastersColin McRae Rally 04cmr4.exe" NOVIDEO