Patch 3: defaults to simple terrain

[Anaxogoras]

My blurry instruments are fixed, but now when I load the game it disables the advanced terrain features by default, so I have to reselect them every time.

[Brooke]

This happens to me sometimes, too.

I think the latest patch does that if frame rate is low at the start of the program.  But framerate might be low because it loads all the textures at the beginning.  So, once it is done loading textures, framerate goes back up, and I turn back on detailed terrain.

[Soulyss]

Happened to me as well, I although I also installed the hi-res pack shortly after installing the latest patch without loading up the game between.

Before patch 3 I wasn't experiencing any issues. Running WinXP pro (service pack 2 I believe). I'm never sure how much/what of the dxdiag that you guys need to help solve the issue so I just copied the system info and display info.  I'm running the latest Nvidia driver 190.38 and all the setting in the control panel are set to "application setting". 

========================================
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/1/2009, 10:46:30
       Machine name: FLIMFLAMERY
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 01/30/07 15:09:48 Ver: 08.00.12
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU          6400  @ 2.13GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 2048MB RAM
          Page File: 684MB used, 3255MB 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: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0612&SUBSYS_0A7619F1&REV_A2
   Display Memory: 512.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: LG L1960TR(Digital)
  Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
      Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0011.9038 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 7/14/2009 11:54:00, 5842816 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: n/a
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 7/14/2009 11:54:00, 7741664 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4552-11CF-0F59-7D2A03C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x10DE
        Device ID: 0x0612
        SubSys ID: 0x0A7619F1
      Revision ID: 0x00A2
      Revision ID: 0x00A2
      Video Accel:
 Deinterlace Caps: n/a
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Disabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run
===================================

I'm also seeing a strange graphical error on the water, it's tough to explain and I'm having trouble reproducing it, it seems to happen off and on when I enter an arena at random.  When I first saw it I thought I had dust or smudge on the monitor when I was looking at the water, the only other way I can think of describing it is that the detailed drawing of the water at closer ranges has a rash.  I tried filming but it doesn't re-appear when I view the film.  Next time I see it I'll get a screen shot.

[Denholm]

Have you guys checked to make sure your settings files aren't set to, "read-only?" Most of the times these problems arise from not being able to write to the setting configuration file.

[Anaxogoras]

Have you guys checked to make sure your settings files aren't set to, "read-only?" Most of the times these problems arise from not being able to write to the setting configuration file.

Good idea, but I checked and they are not "read-only."

[Blooz]

This is by design.

It's a change they made in Patch 3 to have the details automatically deselect if your system runs too slow.

[Anaxogoras]

I can run 50-60 fps with detailed terrain, water, reflections, and max vis and object detail, but self-shadows off, in 1280x1024 res.

[Soulyss]

What's interesting is it happened to me last night (Friday) when I logged in after work.  It happened to me this morning when I logged in right after turning my computer on for the day, but since then I've logged in and out of AH several times (shutting down the app then launching it again) and it has saved my settings so far.  I'm curious to see what happens tomorrow morning when I log on for the first time when I cycle the computer power.

[Motherland]

Check the readme

Version 2.14 Patch 3 Changes
======================

Made some optimizations and fixes that could cause some stutters on some machines.

Fixed an issue where plane skins and instument textures would appear fuzzy.

Gunsights now load immediately when you start flight.

Fixed another texture preloading bug.

Detailed graphics options will deselect if a system runs at an extremely low frame-rate for more than 10 seconds.  A message will display if this occurs.

Fixed a bug that caused the fuel gauge tank selector to not change color when you switch to manual.

[Soulyss]

Based on the description in the readme I wouldn't say that applies to the performance level I'm getting in the game, I have most the eye candy turned on and haven't noticed a drop in frame rates to the point where it affects gameplay, while I have the OSD on usually the it's running in the 35-38 in the tower, around the field to the 50's once I get out over open terrain.

[Anaxogoras]

Detailed graphics options will deselect if a system runs at an extremely low frame-rate for more than 10 seconds.  A message will display if this occurs.

I'm in the tower for less than one second when the game disables detailed terrain.

[Ratpack1]

Mine also does this right when i first hit the tower in the arenas. My comp handles the new version just fine. When I set everything back to fancy shmancy it still looks a little toned down. Could just be me.

[Kermit de frog]

<snip>...I'm also seeing a strange graphical error on the water, it's tough to explain and I'm having trouble reproducing it, it seems to happen off and on when I enter an arena at random.  When I first saw it I thought I had dust or smudge on the monitor when I was looking at the water, the only other way I can think of describing it is that the detailed drawing of the water at closer ranges has a rash.  I tried filming but it doesn't re-appear when I view the film.  Next time I see it I'll get a screen shot.

I had this too just now.  I was fighting over the water, when it started to look "noisy" in some areas.  I flew in the scenario without seeing this effect, but while in the MA, I then saw it.

7950GTOC 512MB
E6400 OC @ 2.6GHz
2GB DDR2 800MHz memory
Win XP Pro 32bit
All details maxxed out, all options enabled except "smooth shadows"

[The Fugitive]

Based on the description in the readme I wouldn't say that applies to the performance level I'm getting in the game, I have most the eye candy turned on and haven't noticed a drop in frame rates to the point where it affects gameplay, while I have the OSD on usually the it's running in the 35-38 in the tower, around the field to the 50's once I get out over open terrain.

What it means is with your low amount of ram it takes longer than 10 seconds to load. So it switches to the lower graphics. However when you play the game then shut it down, it always loads faster....much like when you jump from arena to arena... so it will "pass" the 10 second test.