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first ever post to Tech Forum

Kevin
posted 12-17-2000 04:44 PM
OK... I have been playing DEMISE more lately and am still plagued by the same problems... despite having used every patch available. Here is what happens, so maybe someone here can find a cure... or at least tell me to wait for the next? patch. When I enter large areas like those of the Giant King area on 18-20 or the Graveyard on 29, or the Torture Chamber on 17, my system will lock up. By 'lock up' I mean is simply freezes... no keyboard commands will work, and although the mouse cursor will move, it will not function. Sometimes it will be a delayed crash... which means I get out of the large area, but it will lock up a few rooms later. Mapping helps, but not enough. For instance, I could only handle 2-3 fights in the undead area on 24(NE) before it locked up... but after mapping, shutting down, reloading and continuing, it allows me to actually clear the area sometimes before locking now. Oddly, not all large areas do this. The Swamp on 6-7, the graveyard on 11-13, the Forest on 14, and the Hand room on 24(SW) are examples. I have never crashed in these areas to my recollection. Occassionally I can predict when this will happen. I just get a feel that it will freeze... but usually this in in the middle of a fight that never ends (except when I power down). That is my only solution by the way... since the mouse and keyboard won't work, I have to shut down and reboot... ALWAYS with a disc error after running Scandisc. I have tried running under different settings (sound/no sound; high/low resolution graphics; multi-room on/off, etc.) and nothing changes what happens... it doesn't even seem to extend my running time any. I am running a P3-550Mhz with a Voodoo Banshee. I have 128 megs RAM and plenty of HD space. Windows 98 (not SE however). From all I have read, my system meets or exceeds all recommended (not required, recommended!) stats.... I would like some feedback on what could be causing this and if there is a cure. I am not super proficient at making system setting changes, so if any are suggested, make them simple and detailed.


JP
posted 12-17-2000 07:24 PM
Usually .dll version conflicts from the many other progs installed (including and especially from Demise when used with 98 FE - also a little touch of specific video drivers and board chipsets). Also some of the IE file overwrites dependent on versions. The list is quite large on all the programs (and combinations) that cause issues when tracked. Can happen on all versions of Win 9x and I've also repro them on ME, 2k (servers and pro). It's not worth the time anymore to track. Also be careful of some phone home (spyware) programs that cause problems even if you play SP (and especially while also on-line).

Get a file tracker program. Clean install the FE only and then install Demise and play with only those 2 running. If you get a hang or boot out then extract the files from the W98 CD that Demise changed and see if it's that. If you still got problems then probably a specific video driver and board chipset issue (maybe a board patch would help for the different chip drivers - chipsets, controllers, etc. - usually the MB CD is normally good enough). If still any issues then upgrade to 98SE and see how that works for you. As you have a PIII there are some specific points that FE also has a few quirks about too. Lot's more to add but enough is enough. Have fun!


Morek
posted 12-18-2000 02:23 AM
Are you sure your computer is 550MHz? I ask this because i have a 533MHz P3

On another notes, bios settings may solve this, as well as driver settings (i.e. sound card) Enter the bios settings and copy to paper what are the options and what are the settings and post here or send to me by e-mail and i will see if i find something odd... Probably you will have a lot of sections in the main screen. The first one and the ones about password you donīt need, if there is one about power savings forget it also... BTW what is your full system specs? (mobo, sound card, hd, ...) Perhaps we can solve it, or else we can try



None the Wiser
posted 12-18-2000 05:11 AM
I seem to remember 'dodgy sound card' was the prognosis when this problem cropped up before - are you using a 'Soundblaster Live!' by any chance?


ProfEclipse
posted 12-18-2000 06:54 AM
quote: Originally posted by None the Wiser:
I seem to remember 'dodgy sound card' was the prognosis when this problem cropped up before - are you using a 'Soundblaster Live!' by any chance?
This happens to me occasionally and I have a Soundblaster Live. I wouldn't call it 'dodgy', but... Were you just asking, or do you have a possible tweak for the SBLive?


Kevin
posted 12-18-2000 11:23 AM
Well, I was wrong about the 550... it's 450 Here are some specifics I got by running dxdiag:
System Information
Time of this report: 12/18/2000, 14:25:58
Machine name: OEMComputer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 98 (4.10, Build 1998)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
Processor: Intel Pentium III, 450MHz
Memory: 128MB RAM
Page File: 81MB used, 1839MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 7.0 (4.07.00.0716)
DX Setup Parameters: None
DxDiag Version: 4.07.00.0700
Display Devices
Card name: 3Dfx Voodoo Banshee AGP
Manufacturer: 3Dfx Interactive, Inc.
Chip type:
DAC type:
Device ID: Enum\PCI\VEN_121A&DEV_0003&SUBSYS_00011274&REV_03\000800
Display Memory: 15.5 MB
Current Mode: 800 x 600 (32 bit) (optimal refresh rate)
Monitor: Gateway VX900
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: 3dfx16vb.drv
Driver Version: 4.10.01.0232 (English)
DDI Version: 5
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 11/18/1997 19:08:48, 278064 bytes
Driver Certified: Yes
VDD: *vdd
Mini VDD: 3dfxvb.vxd
Registry: OK
DDraw Test Result:
D3D Test Result:
Sound Devices
Description: Creative SBPCI Direct Sound Driver
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1274&DEV_1371&SUBSYS_8054107B&REV_04\BUS_00&DEV_0C&FUNC_00
Manufacturer ID: 125
Product ID: 81
Type: VXD
Driver Name: ES1371.VXD
Driver Version: 4.05.00.1139 (English)
Driver Attributes: Beta Retail
Driver Certified: No
Date and Size: 1/20/1999 11:24:54, 436883 bytes
Other Files: es1371.vxd
Driver Provider: Creative
HW Accel Level: Full
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result:
DirectMusic
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\gm.dls
Version: 1.00.16.0002
Ports:
Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
MIDI Mapper, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB AudioPCI 64D MIDI Synth, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB AudioPCI 64D MIDI Out, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
SB AudioPCI 64D MIDI In, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
Registry: OK
Music Test Result:
Input Devices
Registry: OK
Input Drivers
Registry Key: msjstick.drv<0002>
Active: Yes
DeviceID: VIRTUAL\*PNPB02F\PCI&VEN_1274&DEV_1371&SUBSYS_8054107B&REV_04&BUS_00&DEV_0C&FUNC_00
Matching DevID: VIRTUAL\*PNPB02F
16-bit Driver: msjstick.drv
32-bit Driver: vjoyd.vxd
DirectPlay Service Providers
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (4.07.00.0700)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (4.07.00.0700)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (4.07.00.0700)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (4.07.00.0700)
DirectPlay Test Result:
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
Age of Empires - Registry: OK, File: Empires.Exe (0.08.68.0917)
Stratego - Registry: OK, File: Stratego.exe (1.00.00.0001)
Inactive Display Entries in Registry
Card name:
Driver:
Inactive Sound Entries in Registry
None
I hope this makes some sense to someone... I shortened it by deleting some of the info I didn't think was necessary... if you think it is, let me know and I will include it too. So far I have done nothing new... and don't plan to for the time being. The one thing I won't do though is a format of my HD or even a reinstall of Windows. I would rather deal with DEMISE the way it is than deal with the headache I'd get from doing a reinstall. Thanks for the help all...


Morek
posted 12-19-2000 03:05 AM
Humm.... Well, i really donīt remember the numbers but it seems to me that you didnīt installed the DirectX 7.1... You might leapfrog and try DX8... One other thing... Try using 16 bit color mode... Donīt know but it seems like a worthy test to me

About the sound, sorry, i dont have a SB Live, so no luck here. But, in my SB 16 PCI, i have somewhere an option of setting the size of the sound fonts (2 mb, 4mb and 8mb) perhaps you could look for it and tweak it... One other thing, you tought your pc was 550... Arenīt you overclocking it? Check the bios ("Press del key on startup")

Hope some of this helps... Letīs kill all the bugs!!!


TheDuke
posted 12-19-2000 03:12 AM
Big areas.. much loading, heavy for computer... I'd say too much is too much maybe? Do you have this with other ('graphical-heavy') games? Ever tried touching the VooDoo (they get hot quickly) right after a crash? Maybe it is a heating problem... *far-fetched I know* l8r


TheDuke
posted 12-19-2000 03:15 AM
Oh btw... did you ever check your IRQ list? I had ISDN card and SCSI drivers on same IRQ, no conflict but internet always locked up and when I removed the SCSI drivers... problem gone! Took me WWWWWEEEEKKKKKSSSS to find that out... tried changing every setting I could, reinstalling windows, update driver, test, update driver, test etc... (pretty annoying to do


Santa
posted 12-19-2000 04:39 AM
I'm one of the (few) lucky beings that have never had any big problems with Demise - still I found out that being connected to a LAN while playing Demise made the system crash a whole lot more. So from now on whenever I play the game I always disable the netcard used to connect me to the LAN, it makes the game oh so much more playable


Karelzarath
posted 12-19-2000 09:33 AM
Locking up the internet due to your SCSI drivers, eh? That explains the long load times I was getting on web sites.


GTWS
posted 12-21-2000 09:08 AM
Start with easy stuff before you get into too much updating drivers and stuff. Go to start\run and enter msconfig and click ok. Click on the startup tab. Look and see what is loading when windows boots up. You can uncheck all programs and then reboot. Test Demise- If performance is better, then you know you have a software conflict and you can go back to msconfig and start rechecking boxes one at a time. If there is no change, then try downloading updates and doing them one at a time. I know that if my scanner driver is loaded and my cd-writer driver is loaded, I get seriuos crashes and lags. I also pause my task scheduler because I have noticed performance problems with it running. Demise appears to be a computer hog and wants to be the only running. A way to check on system resources is to right click on my computer and chose properties. Click on the performance tab. When nothing is loading during startup, your resources will be at 96%-99% available. I have used msconfig on a few hundred computers (when I was tech support) and I would say I could resolve conflicts 65% of the time with just this trick. Good Luck !


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