Older versions available?

[Spitter]

Note to mods: This may be better in the hardware/software forum. I wasn't sure.
I haven't been around in a long time. Ok, a really long time.

I would like to get some stick time in offline for a bit before jumping in for the full AH experience. One reason I'm waiting is that I still have a pretty old machine, and the latest version of AH2 won't even run. 

Can I download an old version (maybe even AH1?) to practice offline and just do some flying around again until I can get an upgraded machine that will run AH2 (and hopefully support multiple monitors...)? 

I don't expect any real support, although if there are still some map options around in the archives that would be nice.

Thanks.

[tunnelrat]

Are you getting an error when you try to launch AH2?

What's your operating system?

As long as it's Win2k/XP or higher, I can't imagine why it wouldn't run at all with some messing with it.

[Skuzzy]

How about a DXDIAG output?  If the video card has less than 128MB of video RAM, it might have a problem running the current version.

A DXDIAG output might show something preventing the computer from running any version.  It could also show which older version it might run.

[Spitter]

Thanks for the quick replies (sorry about the wrong forum, Skuzzy...I took a wild guess). 

I'll get the system specs when I get home. I think the Vid card is 128 Mb, but the rest of the system is ~8 years old or a bit more.

I loaded AH2, and it just sits there trying to load terrain, and doesn't ever seem to get past it. It is a WinXP, SP3 system, but it's not even dual core, if I remember correctly.

[olds442]

Thanks for the quick replies (sorry about the wrong forum, Skuzzy...I took a wild guess). 

I'll get the system specs when I get home. I think the Vid card is 128 Mb, but the rest of the system is ~8 years old or a bit more.

I loaded AH2, and it just sits there trying to load terrain, and doesn't ever seem to get past it. It is a WinXP, SP3 system, but it's not even dual core, if I remember correctly.

XP can run on a pent 1? i586 core?

[tunnelrat]

XP can run on a pent 1? i586 core?

Dual core processors didn't come out until well after single core Pentium IVs.  Pentium 1s are like 1993/1994 ish time frame.

[Spitter]

Computer specs: (remember, I warned you this was an old machine...)
AMD Athlon 64 2.1 GHz
1 GB RAM

Video Card: NVidia GForce 6600 GT (this was one of the best when I got the machine!) Don't remember how much vid RAM is there, but I think it was 512 MB. Not sure how to tell. It's been a long time since I've had to go poking around in these settings.

Probably won't run the latest version of AH. I had this machine when AH went to AH2, and even the early versions kinda bogged this system down.  I just want something I goof around on offline until I can get a new machine to handle the game.

Thanks.

[Skuzzy]

Actually, that machine should run the latest version of the game with some caveats.

1)  You need to turn down all the graphic settings. 

2) Options->Graphic Detail->Advanced should only have "Detailed Water" checked and nothing else. 

3) Then check everything with the word "Disable" in Options->Graphic Detail. 

4) Set the "Maximum Texture Size" in the "Video Settings" to 256.

Your computer will need to be really clean from background processes as well.

[Bizman]

Another GB of RAM wouldn't hurt if you can find it cheap enough - or even free from an abandoned computer! For what I've experienced today's trend is to dump the XP machines, so it might pay to ask around.

[Skuzzy]

Yes, another GB of system RAM would go a long way.

[Spitter]

I'll look around and see what I can find WRT extra RAM.

I know my work was literally throwing a bunch of old hardware away last week, they might let me pirate some RAM from them.

[Shamus]

I have 2 1gb sticks of Corsair ballistix pc2-6400 cl5 1.8v , if they will work pm me your address and I will send them out

shamus