Freezes and Restarts plus low frame rates...

[SpinDoc1]

Hello,

I have a lot of problems with AH either freezing, crashing, or restarting my entire computer.  When checking the frame rates, I only get around 12-13 when near the ground, but I get about 40 up high.  I am afraid to fly any perk rides (such as the F4U C model I lost when computer screen went dead today) due to the wary nature of the game.  I've been playing AH for about 4 years now, and I am only recently playing on a new computer, what could cause these problems?  Also, I can't see GV's until I'm within about D1000-D800, is this a change in the game, or is this a different problem?  Makes it almost impossible to bomb them!  Here is the basic spec list:

AMD Athlon XP 1700+
ATI Radeon 9500 Pro
1024 MB DDR Ram
ASUS Motherboard

Thanks in advance for the help!

[StarOfAfrica2]

Could be alot of things causing what you describe.  Barring bad hardware, try running Direct X Diagnostic and either post the first third or so of it here or send it to Skuzzy via email.  That will narrow it down by ruling out driver issues or might point out some potential incompatibility issues.

[SpinDoc1]

Good advice, I'm not sure how to run Diagnostics though, could you point me in the right direction?  Thanks!

[StarOfAfrica2]

Start menu --> Run --> type "dxdiag" and hit

Go through the various tabs looking for any errors, run the video and sound tests.  Assuming everything passes the tests and doesnt give you a culprit right off, go to the final tab and click the button that says "save results".  

It will be a .txt file.  About the first 1/3 is what you would want to post here, or you can copy/paste it into an email and send it to skuzzy at

support@hitechcreations.com

[SpinDoc1]

Sweet!  I did it, I'm going to post it below as well as email it to Skuzzy.  Thanks Star!

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/3/2005, 23:05:57
       Machine name: JASONSPINDLER
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
       System Model: n/a
               BIOS: Award Medallion BIOS v6.0
          Processor: AMD Athlon(TM) XP 1700+,  MMX,  3DNow, ~1.5GHz
             Memory: 1024MB RAM
          Page File: 224MB used, 2236MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: RADEON 9500 PRO / 9700
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: RADEON 9500 AGP Pro (0x4E45)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4E45&SUBSYS_00021002&REV_00
   Display Memory: 128.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Dell M781p/M781mm
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6396 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 9/30/2003 20:29:58, 374784 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 9/30/2003 20:29:38, 618496 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-0D05-11CF-4E6B-0820A1C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x1002
        Device ID: 0x4E45
        SubSys ID: 0x00021002
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Video Accel:
 Deinterlace Caps: n/a
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: NFORCE_VAD
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: nvapu.sys
         Driver Version: 6.14.0431.0000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 3/3/2004 12:02:00, 320640 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
         HW Accel Level: Full
              Cap Flags: 0xF5F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 200, 100000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 256, 252
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 64, 64
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: nvapu.sys
         Driver Version: 6.14.0431.0000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 3/3/2004 12:02:00, 320640 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x41
           Format Flags: 0xCC0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
        DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
     DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
    Acceleration: Enabled
           Ports: NVIDIA(R) Kernel Synthesizer, Hardware (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
                  MPU-401, Hardware (Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
                  MPU-401, Hardware (Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
                  NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  NVIDIA(R) DLS Synthesizer [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  MPU-401 [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
                  Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  MPU-401 [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
                  Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
        Registry: OK
     Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
      Device Name: Mouse
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Keyboard
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x001B
        FF Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\swpdflt2.dll
   FF Driver Date: 8/17/2001 22:36:32
FF Driver Version: 4.05.2600.0000
   FF Driver Size: 10240 bytes

      Device Name: Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse® 1.0A
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x008C
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse® 1.0A
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x008C
        FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
         Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x10DE, 0x01C2
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/3/2004 22:08:42, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/23/2001 04:00:00, 4736 bytes
|
+-+ Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2
| | Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x001B
| | Location: SideWinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick
| | Matching Device ID: usb\vid_045e&pid_001b
| | Lower Filters: SWUSBFLT
| | Service: HidUsb
| | OEMData: 03 00 08 10 08 00 00 00
| | Driver: hidclass.sys, 8/3/2004 22:08:19, 36224 bytes
| | Driver: hidparse.sys, 8/3/2004 22:08:16, 24960 bytes
| | Driver: hid.dll, 8/3/2004 23:56:42, 20992 bytes
| | Driver: swpdflt2.dll, 8/17/2001 22:36:32, 10240 bytes
| | Driver: SWUSBFLT.SYS, 8/17/2001 14:02:56, 3968 bytes
| | Driver: hidusb.sys, 8/17/2001 13:02:20, 9600 bytes
| |
| +-+ Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2
| | | Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x001B
| | | Matching Device ID: hid\vid_045e&pid_001b
| | | Service: GcKernel
| | | OEMData: 03 00 08 10 08 00 00 00
| | |
| | +-+ Microsoft SideWinder Virtual Keyboard
| | | | Matching Device ID: swvbenum\sidewindervirtualkeyboard
| | | | Service: HIDSwvd
| | | | Driver: HIDSwvd.sys, 8/17/2001 14:02:50, 2688 bytes
| | | |
| | | +-+ HID Keyboard Device
| | | | | Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| | | | | Service: kbdhid
| | | | | Driver: kbdhid.sys, 8/3/2004 22:58:34, 14848 bytes
| | | | | Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:32, 24576 bytes
| |
+-+ USB Human Interface Device
| | Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x008C
| | Location: Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse® 1.0A
| | Matching Device ID: usb\class_03&subclass_01
| | Service: HidUsb
| | Driver: hidclass.sys, 8/3/2004 22:08:19, 36224 bytes
| | Driver: hidparse.sys, 8/3/2004 22:08:16, 24960 bytes
| | Driver: hid.dll, 8/3/2004 23:56:42, 20992 bytes
| | Driver: hidusb.sys, 8/17/2001 13:02:20, 9600 bytes
| |
| +-+ HID-compliant consumer control device
| | | Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x008C
| | | Matching Device ID: hid_device_up:000c_u:0001
| | | Driver: hidserv.dll, 8/3/2004 23:56:42, 21504 bytes
| | |
| +-+ HID-compliant consumer control device
| | | Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x008C
| | | Matching Device ID: hid_device_up:000c_u:0001
| | | Driver: hidserv.dll, 8/3/2004 23:56:42, 21504 bytes
| | |
| +-+ Microsoft USB Wireless Mouse (IntelliPoint)
| | | Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x008C
| | | Matching Device ID: hid\vid_045e&pid_008c&col01
| | | Upper Filters: Point32
| | | Service: mouhid
| | | Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/17/2001 12:48:00, 12160 bytes
| | | Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:32, 23040 bytes
| | | Driver: point32.sys, 5/15/2003 15:41:16, 19072 bytes
| | | Driver: ipcoin2.dll, 5/15/2003 15:41:16, 94208 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/3/2004 22:14:36, 52736 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:32, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 00:01:07, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:32, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 00:01:07, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:32, 23040 bytes

[StarOfAfrica2]

Def. need updated video drivers.  Those are from 2003..........I believe there are updated nForce drivers for your sound at the Nvidia website as well.  You can try ATI for the drivers, I'm not sure how the newest versions are working (5.2 catalyst was the last one out, 5.3 should be out anyday now if its not out yet).  If those dont do it for you, try here

http://www.omegadrivers.net

and follow the links to the ATI section.

I also noticed in the video section it says "AGP status not available."

[Siaf__csf]

1152 x 864 (32 bit) (60Hz)

You might also want to fix your refresh rate. 60hz will cause you headache on a crt.

Set it to 85hz minimum unless you use an lcd screen.

Have you run the nvidia drivers for the motherboard? You might not have the gart drivers loaded or your hardware has a problem.

[SpinDoc1]

Thanks for the help everyone.  The new drivers and refresh rate did the trick .  No problems earlier and a MUCH better frame rate now near the ground!

[fuzeman]

As far as not seeing GVs until right on top of them, remember to use the Shift F4 comand for Ground Vis Range. It may need to be keymapped and may also put a small dent in the frame rate.

[jdpete75]

Originally posted by fuze
As far as not seeing GVs until right on top of them, remember to use the Shift F4 comand for Ground Vis Range. It may need to be keymapped and may also put a small dent in the frame rate.

Definantly true.  I couldnt see Gvs either until I mapped the vis ranges on my stick.  Ground vis cuts about 10fps but it is manageable if you switch back after the bomb drop.

[SpinDoc1]

Well, it looks like I spoke too soon.  I'm still have random restarts and random system hangups (where screen goes black, monitor light goes orange, but comp is still running; no way to come out of this!).  I got a Windows Error Report and it said that a device driver is the culprit, but I still can't nail it down.  Does anyone see anything else in the DxDiag report above that would indicate the problem?  Could it be the joystick?  Also, this Asus motherboard has an on-board video card that I simply overrode with the new ATI board, could this be the problem?  Thanks!

[StarOfAfrica2]

Which driver are you using currently for the video card?  If its the newest one, it could be a bug in the newer drivers.  You can try here

http://www.omegadrivers.net/

Go to the "archives" section and get the Catalyst 4.12 driver (it should be the first one listed).  I know that one works and is stable.  Also try turning the hardware acceleration on your soundcard down to 3/4 instead of full.  On some systems it makes a difference, especially if you are using the onboard sound.  

Make sure when installing a new driver for the video card you COMPLETELY uninstall the old drivers first.  This is VERY important.  Bits and pieces of old drivers, one file here or there, could really mess things up.  Also, after you install new drivers for the video, try reinstalling Direct X if you are still getting fits.  Sometimes when uninstalling and installing new drivers Direct X files can get corrupted too.

[SpinDoc1]

I did the full un-install and reinstall of the Omega 4.12 drivers, still no luck though.  I talked in the MA with some folks, and some were having the same exact problems, so it might have something to do with the new patch, although I'm not ruling out my system.  Thanks for the all the help guys (especially StarOfAfrica!).  I hope this problem will correct itself in the near future with a new patch!

[StarOfAfrica2]

One more question, and then I'm out of ideas.  Is the video card you put in by any chance a 256MB card?

[Schutt]

I have 0 freezes or crashes, loosing connection sometimes yes but 0 crashes.
I can assure you that ah2 is more stable than any game i saw as of now.

You say you have on board video, make sure it is switched off in bios. I think it should do that automatically with a video board installed, nevertheless forcing it off cant hurt.

See if you have the newest driver for your onboard sound. With on board sound i had sound stutter and sometimes the sound totally messed up. With soundcard better framerate and much better sound quality.

I have no idea why they sell the top of the line motherboards with sound chip, IMO they would be better off without it.

Maybe defrag your hard drive, check if you have sufficiant memory free on System drive, swap file and ah installed partition.

I would be intrested if you run ah and windows from NTFS partitions. I doubt it makes a diffrence, but you say other people in ma have the same problem maybe its because they have something diffrent to the people running solid.

Can you run other graphics intense games without problems?

Which texture size do you run at? If its more than 256 try using that and see if the error persists.

Do you have any application in background, this might be virus checker(or remains of it), personal firewall, vpn software, email client, messanger, ICQ, Skype, Monitoring tool,office quick start?

Did you check your comp for spyware adware etc.