News from KM / February

[km]

Due to the 6 days spent in Vegas last week, I'm going to delay the newsletter and HTR2 upgrade until Tuesday Feb 8 so it isn't rushed.

There will be articles on the Jan championship tournaments in depth, as well as details on the new CLASS rating that has been added to HTR2, including large sample test results and a spot play example. The software update has the new Class rating and its associated symbolism, along with additions to the robot and export (HX4).

Win a free $500 entry at the Orleans (or cash)
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Our HTR on-line Winter tournament takes place Feb 11-21. Great opportunity for busy people and serious players alike to compete in a contest that really eliminates the luck factor. The tracks in play will be AQU, GP, MNR, TAM, SA and OP. This gives us the opportunity to locate selections 7 days a week and all hours. Rick will post complete rules and entry information in a special forum on this board asap. $25 donation per entry to Rick is appreciated as the contest is a full time job to administer.

[km]

Lots of goodies coming tomorrow. Be sure to read the newsletter regarding the class rating and the updates to the Program Screen, HTR-Consensus, Robot and Export (HX4).

Downloading and overwriting the previous HTR2.exe can be a problem with Microsoft security updates, especially service pack-2. Here is some troubleshooting, from easiest to hardest if you experience problems with getting the updated file...

1) re-boot the computer before downloading the update. If HTR2 was running prior to the overwrite - a crash message will happen when you try to run the new one as Windows senses a conflict or security risk.

2) re-boot, and then delete the old HTR2.exe before getting the update. This extra step of deleting the old HTR2 file seems to solve 95% of the problems.

3) UNINSTALL HTR2 from the Control Panel / ADD-REMOVE PROGRAMS. Re-boot. Download the DEMO. Then take step (2) above. This is effective with all remaining trouble.

Security features with Microsoft and Norton and other protectors are highly suspicious of new .exe files and overwriting working software. These steps above will do the trick to go in the back door. I never replaced the existing DEMO and SETUP because the current version is nearly infallible with all operating systems and computers. I have a new version of Install Shield for XP but have not updated the DEMO (Setup.exe) because there seems to be problems with some OS versions when I try the new one on various computers, it even thrashed MikeDee's computer (!) on a beta-test, so I'm cautious for awhile on changing it.

[zimal2]

Can we just rename old HTR2 instead of deleting in step 2?

[km]

That will work too Zim - rename it something like HTR0104.exe (jan 04), before you download the new one. But always re-boot before the download to clear the cache and the RAM.

[Rick]

HTR Monthly Report for Feb 2005 is up at members' site.

The 8 Feb 05 upgrade for HTR2.exe is on the download page.

New HX4.txt file is on the download page.

HTR Monthly Report for Jan 2005 will be posted later this afternoon to the library.

[Rick]

The Jan 05 HTR Monthly Report is now in the library.