The best way how to report a problem is to send as an email: support@minerwars.com
Your emails are never going to be ignored, whereas posts on forums may get missed.

Write a synopsis of what you were doing while the error happened.

Attach the log file: MinerWars.log. This file will reset itself after the game is run, so IF you had an error it is CRUCIAL that you get THAT log file to go with the error/crash.

Keep in mind taking a screenshot of the bug or video may also help - but it's not mandatory.

To get to the log folder, look up on your computer for: MinerWarsUserFolderOpener.exe. After executing, it will show folder where Miner Wars stores its local data - together with MinerWars.log

Other way how to find the log file is this path:
C:\Users\(name of your Windows user)\AppData\Roaming\MinerWars\minerwars.log

What if you can't find the AppData Folder? While in the (name of your Windows user) press Alt to bring up the 'File' interface and got to the 'Tools' Menu, under it you will see your Folder Options. Then go to the View tab and click the option that says "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" so you are able to see hidden folders, then you should be able to see it.

The release we made on 30th August 2011 required a new installation. The game is not able update itself. Therefore you need to uninstall any Miner Wars from your computer and then manually remove all its files (there may be left files such as MinerWarsLauncher_01_000_051.exe in your Miner Wars folder).

And then download and install Miner Wars again from here:
http://www.MinerWars.com/Downloads.aspx

Problem: I can't run the installer on my PC - Windows do not support the version of the program. I have tried running it in compatibility mode and nothing seems to work.

Solution: Your installer file has been corrupted during the download process, please try to download it again. You can also try different mirrors or download it via torrent if this problem persists.

Problem: I can't login to the game (although login credentials for the website work fine). I get an error message saying "server is returning unknown response"

Solution: It may be caused by corrupted or wrong version of your .NET framework. Try repairing (re-installing) your .NET framework. You can download it from Microsoft directly or from some mirror sites, just google for ".net framework 4" and use trustworthy download source (ie. Microsoft website).

IMPORTANT: Remember that password is case-sensitive. This is the most common cause why people can't log in.

If you forgot your password, go here:
http://www.minerwars.com/ForgottenPassword.aspx

If you forgot your password for the Test Build, go here:
http://www.test.minerwars.com/ForgottenPassword.aspx

Some operations under Windows 7, including instalation of a new software and updates, require approval of administrator (ie. user with admin rights) on your computer. When you try to install Miner Wars or when the game finds out about a new version and tries to auto-update itself, admin approval is required. If you are logged in as admin (ie. you have admin rights), everything should be OK. Also if you run the installer/updater as a basic user, a window requiring admin approval should appear - that is OK as well. However, if you have set "Never Notify" as to the changes to your computer, you would not know about the application requiring approval and so the game would NOT be able to update.  

Solution: Run "Change User Account Control Settings" (type this into the windows search bar) and move the ladder from Never notify to any of the above levels. When the notification as to installation/update appears, just approve it (or let admin approve it).

"I cannot control the ship, I can press F1 and get the help menu, I can press ESC and get the settings menu but I cannot fly the ship. Instead the ship automatically spins around, zooms in and starts blasting everything its got in every direction."

We found out that XNA 4.0 and Win 64bit is misbehaving with each other and these problems with controls are caused be this issue.

Solution A: Turn off User Account Control in Windows.
You can find these settings easily via searchbar where you start typing: user account con... - open it and drive slider to very bottom (never notify state) and hit OK button (you need to be administrator to do this and you may need to restart also).

Solution B - Run as Administrator: You may also be able to simply right click on the program and click on "Run as Administrator". I'm not sure, but I have found this to be an optional solution for other such issues. If it does work, you can open the application's properties click on "Advanced" and then tick the "Run as Administrator" box so you don't have to do it every time.

Please see this page: Products
Ensure you have the latest Windows service pack and all updates: Windows Update

Sometimes Miner Wars crashes even before the actual game starts. Most common reason is wrong/damaged Microsoft .NET installation.
Solution:

• Uninstall all .NET frameworks from your computer by entering Control Panel - Uninstall a program and removing all versions of .NET Framework
• Then install .NET again from these URL: .NET 4.0
  

If it didn't help, you may try a more advanced method: http://cybernetnews.com/remove-or-reinstall-net-framework/

You may also try "manual setup" from here:
http://www.minerwars.com/Downloads.aspx

If you experience troubles launching Miner Wars and error messages suggest it's a video / graphics / DirectX problem, try reinstalling Microsoft XNA. Solution:

• Uninstall all XNA 4.0 from your computer by entering Control Panel - Uninstall a program and removing XNA 4.0 Framework
• Then install XNA 4.0 again from URL: XNA 4.0
• You may also install DirectX 9.0 from here
• If problems persist, install SlimDX SDK from here
  

You may also try "manual setup" from here: http://www.minerwars.com/Downloads.aspx

If you can't connect to the Miner Wars server and you are sure your internet connection is working, the reason may be in restrictive firewall settings or restrictive settings at your internet service provider / proxy / NAT. In order to play Miner Wars and be able to connect to the server, the following ports need to be open for UDP protocol: 4112, 14112, 5223, 15223, 7445, 17445. Plus ports for TCP:  Test Build 14122, Public Build 4122.

(1) The Test Build and the Public Build both run on a different server and with different user names, but with the same customer account.

(2) All new features go to the Test Build first – and once all the newly implemented features become stable and polished (which may take up to 1-2 weeks), they make their way into the Public Build.

(3) Every paying customer has access to the Test Build, however, the installer has to be downloaded separately. Look into your profile for the correct credentials for the Test Build: http://www.MinerWars.com/Profile.aspx

(4) The Test Build offers some extra developmental features – for example, we have a lot of keys under F1...F12. All of them are available in the Test Build, but will never be available in the Public Build. F11 and F12 are especially interesting, you can play with various developer settings, see hidden buffers, enable / disable lights, see game statistics etc.

Step 1.: If you used only the Public Build before, you have to download a separate Test Build game installer.

Step 2.: Once the Test Build is downloaded and updated, run the game and use your Test Build credentials (login, password). The login may differ from the original one, so see your profile for details. The password is the same for the Test Build and the Public Build unless you personally changed it.