Lost Sound and Joystick: Reformat the answer?

[xtyger]

Hi, all. Some of you may have noticed I haven't been playing for some time. It's because my computer went weird on me. That, coupled with my stupid attempt at fixing it has left me unable to play.

First of all, I lost sound. I didn't do anything to the computer. I just noticed no sound one day.

So I googled up a repair for No Sound and got some repair program that would supposedly update all drivers. I know, big mistake as I saw when using it that it did something to my game controller drivers. After that, the game wouldn't recognize my joystick and I'm stuck.

I had a nephew who is pretty adept at computers try and fix it but he failed. I'm thinking now I have two choices: take it into the local computer shop, which is a pain with a big Alienware tower or, much simpler, reformat the hard drive. I'm thinking a reformat should put everything back where it's supposed to be. Make sense? Any suggestions are welcome but what do you think of a reformat?

[TequilaChaser]

from what you have described above, xtyger, I would most definitely do a reformat and do a clean install, save any files you can, but with saying that, scan them with at least an online Virus scanner from ESET or equivalent to make sure you are not transferring any corrupted or infected files

hope this helps

TC

[xtyger]

Thanx. Yeah, I think I'm gonna give reformat a try, assuming I have a Windows XP disc around the house. Hopefully, I'll back up everything I need before I get started.It seems you always forget to save something you need when you reformat.

[TequilaChaser]

Thanx. Yeah, I think I'm gonna give reformat a try, assuming I have a Windows XP disc around the house. Hopefully, I'll back up everything I need before I get started.It seems you always forget to save something you need when you reformat.

Before you reformat, post a DX report ( copy and paste the top 1/3rd of it here ) to see exactly what you are working with

with you saying you are running WindowsXP, makes me wonder if you might have limiting factors possibly, running AH3

edit: how to get a copy of the DXDIAG report:
1. Go to "Start" from the Windows desktop
2. Select "Run" from the pop up menu
3. In the Run dialog box, type DXDIAG and press <ENTER>
4. After a few seconds the DXDIAG utility will be ready (the progress indicator in the lower left corner will disappear).
5. Run the video and sound diagnostics (Select the Display and Sound tabs to do this).
6. Press the "Save All Information" button
7. This will save the DXDIAG data to a .txt file, save to your desktop, open it up with notepad and copy from the top of it down to the sound driver information, then past here

hope this helps

TC

[100Coogn]

Reformatting, before attempting other repairs is a little premature.
You have other avenues to venture here.
Try uninstalling the drivers for you controllers, then plug them back in.  Same with your audio driver.
Windows should install the necessary drivers for you.

Coogan

[xtyger]

with you saying you are running WindowsXP, makes me wonder if you might have limiting factors possibly, running AH3

When I noticed the sound was missing I hadn't played AH for an hour or two. I did something that would normally cause the computer to beep, but it didn't. Then, of course, I made things worse trying to fix it.

Yeah, I'll do that Dx Diagnostic.

[xtyger]

Not sure if this is the top third or top half, but here's what I got:

Time of this report: 11/25/2016, 12:55:19
       Machine name: OWNER-19D991E3A
   Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_qfe.130704-0421)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Alienware                     
       System Model: Alienware                     
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 06/24/04 15:45:11 Ver: 08.00.10
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.40GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 1022MB RAM
          Page File: 645MB used, 1817MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: The file ati2dvag.dll is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL).  You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
        Sound Tab 1: DirectSound test results: Failure at step 3 (DirectSoundCreate): HRESULT = 0x8878000a (The request failed because DirectSound resources, such as the priority level, were already in use by another caller.)
          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: AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series
     Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
        Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x6739)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6739&SUBSYS_31171682&REV_00
   Display Memory: 1024.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.7279 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 12/23/2013 00:26:22, 306176 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: No
  WHQL Date Stamp: None

[Skuzzy]

Other issues aside.

1GB of system RAM is not going to allow Aces High III to play very well, regardless of the video card, especially with Windows XP.

[xtyger]

Thanks, skuzzy, and here I thought I had a pretty hot system.

[Bizman]

Thanks, skuzzy, and here I thought I had a pretty hot system.

You had, back in 2006. Not the best money could buy but nevertheless a serious gamer.

We don't grow old, but our children and as you've proved our equipment do. 

[TequilaChaser]

Thanks, skuzzy, and here I thought I had a pretty hot system.

Good morning xtyger, my apologies for not getting back to you, yesterday, I had to go to another big family dinner...

Even though you have an older system, with an increase to at least 4GB (preferably 8GB) of system memory ....4 GB for windows XP , 8 GB if you upgrade to Windows 7 home premium or Pro 64 bit

Upgrading to Windows 7 and 8 GB of Ram, will go a long way in seeing major improvement in game play on that system you have

How many DIMM slots does the motherboard have? What is the brand and model number of the motherboard?

TC

[Skuzzy]

Even with 4GB of system RAM, Windows XP has been struggling to run the game.  DirectX in Windows XP takes twice the resources it does in later operating systems.

Combine that with trying to shoehorn it all into the 4GB memory size limitation of a 32 bit OS, and it makes it difficult to run AH3 well.  It is tough.  Make sure the video card does not have more than 1GB of video RAM and turn off a lot of the graphic details and you can squeeze the game into the limits.

You'll want to update the video card driver as well.