Petz Help

[Ratqueen]

Here you will find Petz-related information and answers to questions you may have about the game.

Where to Install Petz?

Because the games were created a long time ago, for older Operating Systems, you may encounter difficulties installing and running them on a modern OS. To avoid this, you must install the game into a different folder than the one suggested during installation, meaning elsewhere than C:\Program Files. For instance, you could install the game in C:\Games\Petz\

Problem Running Petz?

If the game is indeed installed in a different foldr than C:\Program Files (see above), try launching the game with admin privileges on your computer: Right-click the game's shortcut or .exe file and select "Run as Administrator".

If you're still having issues, try setting the game to run in compatibility mode as well:

1. Right-click the game's shortcut icon and select Properties.

2. Click the "Compatibility" tab.

3. Check the box "Run this program in Compatibility mode for:" and select Windows XP mode.

4. Click OK to save this setting.

Also, make sure that your computer's date and time are set properly, as that can also cause issues.

Can Petz Run on a Mac?

Petz was programmed to run on Windows. However, you can run Petz 4 using software called a "virtual machine". See instructions on Unique Petz' website, here: How to get Petz 4 running on a modern Mac?

Petz Look Distorted, Like Origami?

Try lowering the screen resolution on your computer.

Tools, Original Breedz and Toyz Fixes, Backups...

If you're looking for Petz resources such as tools, fixed and improved original breedz (OBs) & toyz, backups and more, please see our Masterlist here.

Fixing Sleepy Petz

Some petz have what we call Sleepy Sickness or Sleepy Syndrome, where the pet just falls asleep when we pick them up. This can easily be fixed with Sherlock Software's LNZPro. After installing this program (it can be installed anywhere on your computer):

1. Open LNZPro and either drag and drop a pet file onto its window, or click the "Open" button and then browse your hard disk to find and select the desired .pet file.

2. Click on "Genome" on the left side.

3. Petz afflicted with the Sleepy Sickness will have a value of 100 under "Sleepiness". All you have to do is change this value to anything else than 100, for instance 90.

4. Make sure to click the "Save" button to save your change.

Fixing Mute Petz

Due to a bug in Petz 5, some bred petz can be born mute. They can easily be unmuted with Speedwagon's UnMute Utility. After you've unzipped and installed the program:

1. Launch the UnMute Utility and browse for the folder where the pet(z) you want to unmute are located on your hard disk (for instance C:\Games\Petz 4\Adopted Petz )

2. Click the "Go" button.

All the petz in the selected folder will be checked for muteness, and fixed if needed. Petz that are not mute will be unaffected.

Reducing Petz File Size

Are you Petz files getting huge? You can trim your Petz family trees safely using a free tool called PetzA (which offers many other in-game features and fixes -- it's a must-have!), from Sherlock Software!

Petz Color Chart

The Petz games use a fixed 256-color palette. When hexing, in-game colors are identified by the numbers listed in the chart. Only colors between #10 and #149 can be textured. You can view the color chart here on RKC: Petz Color Chart.

Petz Web Sites

The Petz Site Directory, run by Xoops, provides a searcheable, up-to-date list of exisiting Petz web sites and forums.