Aces High Bulletin Board
Help and Support Forums => Technical Support => Topic started by: gldnbb on August 08, 2010, 01:51:10 PM
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Hi there,
In the past had been flying fine, then had to reinstall AH and downloaded the whole thing from the website.
Now the game takes forever to display airplane skins, (about 1 minute), maps (anywhere between 1 to 2 minutes), and sometimes water and ground terrain (where they appear black for more than 2 minutes). The maps are the real urgency because I refer to them often, and have to more 'memorize the maps' on pertinent targets now.
Skins include
Aircraft default skins or custom skins. THey all start out white.
Arming Hangar skins include: Oil drums, bombs, guns. All those skins start out white.
Bases objects appear white initially when flying over them, or the strat targets white out.
Anyone can help optimize AH? It was perfect up until 1 month ago and newest updates are not fixing this.
Thanks,
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Dxdiag sir, system, graphics and sound sections only.
Since you did a fresh install, what graphics settings are you using?
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I'm wondering if you're having hard drive issues... does your computer seem to be taking longer than usual to boot? Any programs seem to take longer than usual to load? Try copying a large file... does it take an excessive amount of time?
A few years back I had a hard drive going out on me. It actually passed all of the testing.. didn't lose any information but was just creeping along... reminded me of an old 10MB IBM hard drive from way back in the day. Luckily I was able to clone it and then get the hard drive replaced under warranty.
Anyways, Aces High was doing very similar kinds of things on me when that was happening...
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Not noticing any slowness on my PC, it boots up the same but I'll keep an eye on it, thanks...
Here's the funny thing: It worked fine until just bit before a month ago i was going through the add/remove programs to clean house. Initially noticed 2 Aces high so began uninstalling one, it uninstalled both. I had to download from the site and install. After that, all textures slow to load. So, old game = fine, new game = not fine, all within the same day.
After that I left it as it was for all those AH sound/miles updates.. Today, decided to do a full uninstall, defrag drive which took forever because highly fragmented, did a fresh install but that did not resolve issues. Was hoping maybe fragmented PC was the issue.
Also, I changed AGP in setupmode (F2) to 256, 128, 64, and none seem to help. I"m going to put it back to defaults 128.
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Dxdiag sir, system, graphics and sound sections only.
Since you did a fresh install, what graphics settings are you using?
Graphics mode? Not sure what you mean. I did lower texture size to 512 instead of 1024, but that also did not help.
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It is going to be a resource issue. Whether it is directly related to RAM, video card, or CPU, it will be one or the sum of any of them causing it. A DXDIAG output is needed.
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I know when I first load up after logging in I load ok but if I dare alt tab out it can take some time to re-laod all my textures. Assuming it to be my old computersaurus.
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While you may be trying to optimize AH performance, you will want to focus on optimizing your computer performance too. Some suggestions:
1. Run a disk defragment. (I usually do it once per week, although it is not entirely necessary)
2. Perform a disk cleanup. (You can browse to it by going to Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools)
3. If you have never heard of CCleaner, I recommend checking it out. I run this program every day. It gets rid of junk files that slow down computer speed. http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
If you are trying to optimize AH performance, remember that the more files you have saved in your AH directory, the more data your computer has to process while running it. In this case, if you have every single skin DLed in game, you may want to get rid of some of those skins you dont use. Fewer skins can help with performance. Are you running a custom sound pack? Filter out sounds you dont use by deleting those files.
There are many things you can do to optimize performance. I have named but a few. A DXDIAG output would be helpful in figuring out what might be the problem.
You can always do a clean reinstall of the game and see if that will help.
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DONE (but did not help): 1. Run a disk defragment. (I usually do it once per week, although it is not entirely necessary)
Not Yet Done: 2. Perform a disk cleanup. (You can browse to it by going to Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools)
DONE (but did not help): 3. If you have never heard of CCleaner, I recommend checking it out. I run this program every day. It gets rid of junk files that slow down computer speed. http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
.... if you have every single skin DLed in game, you may want to get rid of some of those skins you dont use. Fewer skins can help with performance. Are you running a custom sound pack? Filter out sounds you dont use by deleting those files.
I had the same amount of skins and sounds from the get go and had no performance issues, however to test your theory I moved out all the sounds and aircraft skins folder and the problem does not go away.
There are many things you can do to optimize performance. I have named but a few. A DXDIAG output would be helpful in figuring out what might be the problem.
Will post some items in next reply
You can always do a clean reinstall of the game and see if that will help.
Previously did this when I started this thread.
As for my system, after performing every known thing, it is healthier than ever and healthier than before my problems began but the problem still persists.
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DXDIAG Results:
DirectX Files - No Problems found
Display - No Problems found
DirectDraw, Direct3D7,8,9 = All tests were successful
Sound - No problems found, tested directSound
Music - All tests successful
Input - No Problems found
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DXDIAG Results:
DirectX Files - No Problems found
Display - No Problems found
DirectDraw, Direct3D7,8,9 = All tests were successful
Sound - No problems found, tested directSound
Music - All tests successful
Input - No Problems found
That's not the dxdiag output we're looking for gldnbb. If you ever see problems in those areas, either directx is corrupted or the hardware failed. As stated previously, the information from the sections: system information, display devices, sound devices.
The information from sections "system information":
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/7/2010, 12:04:52
Machine name: XXX
Operating System: Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.100226-1909)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: XFX68L
System Model: XFX Nforce 680i LT
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 4094MB RAM
Page File: 729MB used, 5410MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 64bit Unicode
Display devices:
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTS 250
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0615&SUBSYS_26001682&REV_A2
Display Memory: 2286 MB
Dedicated Memory: 495 MB
Shared Memory: 1791 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: X193HQL (Analog)
Monitor Model: V223W
Monitor Id: ACR001B
Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.954Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0011.9745 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.11.9745
DDI Version: 10
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/3/2010 22:55:32, 11906664 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4555-11CF-2353-0B061CC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0615
SubSys ID: 0x26001682
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Driver Strong Name: oem2.inf:NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6 .1:Section003:8.17.11.9745:pci\ven_10de&dev_0615
Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
D3D9 Overlay: Supported
DXVA-HD: Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
Sound devices:
-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0885&SUBSYS_10ECE601&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6151 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
Date and Size: 8/7/2010 11:45:30, 2419176 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0x0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0885&SUBSYS_10ECE601&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6151 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
Date and Size: 8/7/2010 11:45:30, 2419176 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0x0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
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Are you running FRAPS?
Also, check the Windows Task Manager, under the processes tab, and note the CPU usage (look at it for a minute or two). It should be at 0, 99% of the time with occasional bounces to 1%.
Water has no texture. It is drawn by the video card. Your video card may be overheating, which would slow it down. NVidia does throttle back when they get too hot.
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Are you running FRAPS?
Also, check the Windows Task Manager, under the processes tab, and note the CPU usage (look at it for a minute or two). It should be at 0, 99% of the time with occasional bounces to 1%.
Water has no texture. It is drawn by the video card. Your video card may be overheating, which would slow it down. NVidia does throttle back when they get too hot.
Not running FRAPS, as for the CPU usage, as I'm typing this with only my antivirus running on the menu bar and the A52 throttle and rudder sitting there, cpu usage goes from 2% to 15%, when i move my windows around, it goes up to around 20%, when I shake the windows task manager window quickly it goes up to 49% cpu and settles back down to about 8%.
AS for gfx card overheats, that may be true but still does not explain why in a 4 hour period, the game goes from running just fine, to being uninstalled & reinstalled. and thusly then loading textures slowly.
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DXDIAG:
System Information:
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/9/2010, 19:02:53
Machine name: XXXXXXXXXX
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.100216-1441)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension XPS
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A02
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
Memory: 3326MB RAM
Page File: 351MB used, 3586MB 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
Display Devices:
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: 128 DDR ATI Radeon 9800
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: Radeon 9800AGP
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4E48&SUBSYS_30021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0001.6297 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 2/21/2003 00:09:28, 268416 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 2/21/2003 00:09:04, 570112 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-0D08-11CF-2B6B-0310A1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x4E48
SubSys ID: 0x30021002
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_D ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{0E85CB93-3046-4FF0-AECC-D58CB5F035FD}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{0E85CB93-3046-4FF0-AECC-D58CB5F035FD}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{0E85CB93-3046-4FF0-AECC-D58CB5F035FD}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{0E85CB93-3046-4FF0-AECC-D58CB5F035FD}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,0x31434d49) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
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{0E85CB93-3046-4FF0-AECC-D58CB5F035FD}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,0x31434d49) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
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{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,0x32434d49) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{0E85CB93-3046-4FF0-AECC-D58CB5F035FD}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,0x32434d49) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
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{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,0x33434d49) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
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{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,0x34434d49) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
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{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,0x30343353) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,0x30343353) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
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{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,0x32343353) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
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Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D7 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D8 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D9 Test Result: All tests were successful.
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Sound devices
-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SB Audigy 2 Audio [CF00]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_10031102&REV_04
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.1196 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 8/11/2006 15:45:38, 499584 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Creative
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 4000, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 64, 62
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 64, 62
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: Yes
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: The tests were cancelled before completing.
---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: SB Audigy 2 Audio [CF00]
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.1196 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 8/11/2006 15:45:38, 499584 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xFFF
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GLD...open task manager and let your mouse SIT,and dont touch it for a minute or 2...then post where is goes to % wise..
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GLD...open task manager and let your mouse SIT,and dont touch it for a minute or 2...then post where is goes to % wise..
With no open windows other than task manager, no wallpaper, only Avast running in background as it always had, a 2 minute observation of CPU usage is:
Lowest CPU 2%
Average CPU 3%, because every few moments it goes to 5% or 7%
Highest CPU spiked 4 times in 2 minutes to 16% cpu and back down again.
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not good...
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Nope, not good at all. First off, your video card is not up to running with "Detailed Terrain" enabled. It is too slow. The older CPU is also a handicap.
You cannot afford to have the CPU being used up like that. The percent the CPU should be busy should be a 0, 99% of the time, when you are not doing anything. You need to find the errant background process(es) causing that level of CPU activity and kill it.
It is, most likely, malware/spyware/viral related as there are very few legitimate Windows applications which would be using the CPU like that, when the system is supposed to be idle.
You would also do well to disable "Detailed Terrain" (if it is enabled, Options->Graphic Detail->Advanced) and set the "Maximum Texture Size" to 256 (Video Settings).
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Don't forget to turn off the avast shields, before you open AH. Having any anti-virus running while playing AH is just asking for trouble.
Your sound card driver is 3 years old and your video card driver is 7 years old!!! :O Those might work with WBs but, definitely not AH. See if you can find some from late 09 or early 10. Anything newer like June-Aug 10 might cause more problems.
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Well the texture size fixed it, at least in purple main arena... Perhaps in my previous AH install it was set to 256. All textures. skins, maps load speedy fast there. In the orange arena it does load much faster, but still doing testing to see if it runs super fast as I remember it.
For the sound driver, the last time I tried updating it the system became unstable and crashed and had to revert to default settings but not before I had partially deleted 'creative labs audigy' and could never find the CD nor online to get it back to control the equalizer from desktop. THe sound has been fine ever since.
For the Video driver, well, I am the person that believes 'If it aint broke, don't fix it', because I learned my lesson from trying to update the sound driver based on it's recommendation. I'd really hate to screw up my system if it runs without hiccups. Unless you have a specific recommendation?
As for malware, I run both Unhackme and Avast and they've never interferred before playing the game. Unhackme is an anti-root kit which a year ago found some 'unknown processes that were identified as suspicious. Since then it boots from DOS, does the checks, and doesn't find anything.
But as I said before the 256 texture size works great.
A super thanks to all those trudging through this with me <S>