Clipboard flip stay partially open - obstructing views..

[Sincraft]

I recently downloaded the game and hires pack to see how it ran on my system, still haven't resubscribed due to comcast issues which will be non issues in june when fios is in town.

However - as I might come back just for some fun until then - I am wondering how do I fix this issue:

Problem:
When I load the game in any resolution including native 1920x1200 - when the little clipboard flies to the screen and 'flips' pages...the pages stay half open. As in the page blocks my view over everything and the map, hangar selections etc are grayed out (although they do still function) instead of that tinge of yellow hue you see when it's active.

Updated graphics drivers and rolled back one release, 8800gts g92 core (512megs or joy).
Windows XP Pro SP2 with all the updates excluding IE7.
Latest Java Runtime

***I should also add...VERY Annoyingly it also just decides to SPIN from time to time through pages***

[Skuzzy]

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,199451.0.html should take care of it.

[Sincraft]

Took a little longer to happen this time, usually happens after a minute or so, this time in a few minutes..

I did all those optimization methods already.  Did them again to make sure. 

[Skuzzy]

You sure you installed this patch?
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_13118,00.html

[Sincraft]

I installed the patch listed in the help file you sent me to.
When you posted this last link, I downloaded the AMD Dual-Core Optimizer (about the 3? link down) and it seemed like a different install than the previous.

I was in and piddling around flying around fine after that weird thing occured so I thought maybe it was just a clipboard issue...then:

1st crash - I saw the moon, the stars...and it looked like someone was moving my hat around like crazy - and it was suddenly NIGHT- then it heard CRASH and saw on the screen 'dont move your...' while in the hangar.
2nd crash- flying along suddenly, no terrain nothing just the sky and movements.  Couldn't minimize, ctrl-alt-del or anything although when I would it would cease the sound..clicking the mouse would bring it back.
3rd - 5th crashes - MANY crazy things occur then finally some error then the app quickly disappeared.

So then I read your post, installed what I said above and got back in...strangely - it took like 30 secs to load CTLS or terrains or whatever????
I'm only using 74 megs of my 512 graphics and 647 megs of my 2 gigs of system ram.  I also would 'freeze' for about 2 secs after making a drone explode.????

Not sure how I could get ALL the game loaded into my system.  I should mention I am running at the hidden resolution (show all resolutions) of 1920x1200. 

I don't have time to test it further, getting fed up with my system (was never a big fan of AMD) but I don't plan on upgrading the system until fall 2008 so hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to play carefree and can rejoin with little worries.  I'll let you know.  If this is all related to the dual core issue then that sucks.  I play several other games and wonder how it has been affecting those too or, some of the strange graphics I get at times.

I was thinking it was this 24" monitor..it's a 245bw (24") samsung which I've heard mixed reviews about too.

Thanks for your help btw - very responsive...gotta love it!

[Sincraft]

Ok well I tested it again.
Flying around...went to switch hat view and BAM - suddenly dusk and everything freezes with nothing around.

This time I had everything loaded into memory.  Mems fine, did a rigorous system stress test last night over night - almost 7 hours no issues (other than a higher electric bill)

 

[Skuzzy]

Could be video card driver related at this point.  Have you tried running the game in "Windows 98/ME" compatibility mode?  This forces the operating system to keep the game on one CPU, which by-passes the bug in the AMD dual-core CPU's we happen to hit.

Would be helpd to get a DXDIAG output as well.

[Sincraft]

As requested...
http://208.109.175.254/DxDiag.txt

Thanks I will try that now before I work...

[Skuzzy]

The only other thing I can think of is power supply related.  This would go towards the lockups.  The spinning clipboard is the AMD CPU bug which should have been fixed with the AMD patch.

Video card drivers are always suspect as NVidia has been making a mess out of thier drivers lately.

[Sincraft]

I'm thinking about wiping.

I ran again without issue but didn't give it long.. Up and down 5 minutes or so.  I'll try longer later tonight.

No more spinning since that one patch although the lockups create night or just blank sky.

I hate AMD , I really do.  Went against my better judgment and picked it up to save a few bucks.

The PS is pretty solid.  650 watter, new. 11.9 volts on the 12 v solid at 11.9 volts.  I don't like seeing it there but it's a 1 % variance which is pretty solid.  Very efficient ps too. 

Ill be doing more testing tonight.

[lengro]

Sincraft,

I have the same CPU as you and a 8800 GT graphics card - and I also had lots of problems with spinning clipboard and lock-ups.
I also went through the complete process of installing AMD CPU drivers/patches, and still had the problem.
I didn't like the idea of running in compatibility mode which only would use 1 of my 2 cores so I experiemented a lot to find a solution.

For me this combination works acceptable:
1) in AH: video settings -> max framerate -> unlimited (if I select 45 or 60 fps I almost immediately gets the spinning clipboard)
2) in nvidia settings: force VSYNC on

I can still get lock-ups, but they are rare now - once or twice a week if I'm online every day.

[Sincraft]

I did a load test and never reached 99% with 1 core.  Game doesn't take much to run. 

I too would like however to ensure that during those peaks I was able to load balance and actually use the core that I paid for.

I am going to try to run in compat. mode and if that resolves the problem I am going to redo this machine...

[Sincraft]

Yea I ran in compat mode for win98 and it ran just fine with extensive testing.  I even tried to crash it by minimizing and burning another cd WHILE flying...cd burned fine - and I landed the plane.

SOOOOOOOOOO

I have to ask.  With the amd optimization in place - what's up with this game (or should I say...this junk amd chip?)

Maybe there are some driver's overlapping, not taking effect etc but I followed that tut to the letter and installed 'both' the amd optimizer listed in the tutorial and the one listed in this thread...

???

[Skuzzy]

I have seen this happen on rare occasion with a few systems.  I chalk it up to the version of Windows XP installed.  At last count there was some 23 different versions available.

As the patches are supposed to work around a specific hardware bug/limitation in the AMD dual-core CPU it is a wonder it works at all.  The game just happens to hit the bug.

[Sincraft]

Well, that makes sense.  I AM running a version of windows that I received for free.  It's an open license corporate package.  It is supposed to be fully functioning but I can imagine they left out SOMETHING to save.  When I validate, it fails until I validate again. 

I'm perfectly fine running on 1 core until I get the will to reinstall.  I have SO many things installed though, it takes me weeks to put everything in as I need them.  Used to be not a big deal but you know how long it takes to install somethings (even HP's LIMITED corporate drivers/basic) 

I was thinking of upgrading to vista to enjoy some of the DX10 features.  I'm hoping to see the differences in action first on another machine before I bite the bullet.

Anyway - thanks for the help...much appreciated.