King's Quest FAQ

NOTE: If you are having trouble running the game or are having hardware or software problems with the game,
click here and contact Sierra's technical support department for help. Thanks.

General Assistance

I've heard that the King's Quest series has been re-released to run correctly on modern Windows operating systems. Where can I get it?
You can order the King's Quest Collection here.

The re-release of the King's Quest games is long overdue. But how can I get King's Quest V and VI will to run on my Windows XP or Vista computer until my order arrives?
You can try emulating an old MS-DOS prompt. Download, install, and run the latest version of Dos Box. Insert the game CD, and at the Dos Box prompt, enter the following commands:

Install the full version of the game, selecting the AdLib and Soundblaster audio options. When returned to the Dos Box prompt, you should be in the "C:\SIERRA" directory. Enter one of the following commands depending on which game you are attempting to run:
Enter "sierra" and the game should run with full audio and video.

King's Quest V

When I try to push the boat, I am prompted to enter a magic spell to charge up Crispin's wand so that Graham can push the boat. What do I do?
Due to copyright laws, I cannot provide the symbols required to pass this portion of the game. The manual to the game, which is included in the King's Quest Collection, contains the required information.

When I throw the cheese into Mordack's machine, an error comes up saying, "OUT OF HEAP SPACE." Why is this?
This is Sierra's way of informing you that your computer is out of memory. Make sure that KQ5 is the only application that you are running. If this doesn't work, try running the game in DOS rather than Windows. If neither of these solutions work, your computer simply does not have enough memory to run the game. Upgrade your RAM. If none of these works, or if you simply don't want to try them, click here to download a saved game right after the point where this error occurs. Make sure you put the game in the Saved Game directory for the KQ5 game.

King's Quest VI

What are the answers to the puzzles on the Cliffs of Logic and/or the strange floor in the Catacombs?
Due to copyright laws, I cannot provide the symbols necessary to complete these portions of the game. They are contained in the game manual, which is included in the King's Quest Collection. However, you may click here to view my own personal instructions for solving these problems.

I can't get the bookworm to talk to me. All he does is tell me to stop touching the books. What's up with that?
If you encounter this problem, you've missed a step somewhere in the game. As I said previously, make sure you've done absolutely every step in the game up to this point, and the bookworm will tell you to find something interesting.

I can't find the strange creature on the Isle of the Beast. Where is it?
The creature on the Isle of the Beast is VERY visible if it is there. It will be hanging from a tree on the beach. If it is not there, then you likely have not talked to the bookworm (see previous question) or you have missed some other step. Again, make sure you have done every step of the game up to this point.

I've played the flute for the flowers, but I still can't grab the Hole-in-the-Wall. What am I doing wrong?
This only happens if you've already tried to get the Hole-in-the-Wall before. If you aren't trying to grab it for the first time after you play the flute, you'll never be able to get it. You MUST grab it for the first time AFTER you've played the flute for the flowers.

I can't find a strand of hair in Beauty's clothes. What's up with that?
Open the inventory screen and click on the clothes with the hand mouse pointer icon. This will make Alex search the clothes and find a strand of hair. If you've already burned the clothes on the Isle of Mists, you can also find a strand of hair in the ribbon sent to Alex by Cassima via the nightengale.

When I put the Hole-in-the-Wall on the wall in the tapestry room, it just runs away. Why does it do that?
You've put the Hole-in-the-Wall on the wrong wall. The tapestry room is room 3 on the map. The Hole-in-the-Wall goes on the right wall in room 2, which is directly to the left of room 3. Refer to the map in the walkthrough.

Which lamp is the one that looks like the genie's lamp?
You should have seen the real genie's lamp earlier in the game. If you were not paying attention, the lamp is a tall, skinny, blue lamp.

Where is the door with the password?
The door with the password is the only door on the left side of the hallway that you entered the castle on. It is directly across from the dungeon cells.

I have heard that there is another way to beat the game by entering the castle wearing Beauty's clothes. Could you tell me how to do that?
Thanks to a fellow King's Quest fan, this alternate solution can now be found here.

I STILL can't figure this out. HELP!
If these FAQ have not helped you solve your problem, try visiting the Sierra King's Quest Forum to discuss the game with other players.