Aces High Bulletin Board
Help and Support Forums => Technical Support => Topic started by: Warty on October 29, 2016, 11:05:11 AM
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I didn't participate in the AHIII betas at all, and am trying to get back into AH after a long time off. I downloaded the full download package from the web site today. When I try to run it, it crashes (xxx has stopped working) almost immediately. I saw in some posts there should be a temp folder in the AH3 directory in program files, with a log, but it seems to have died before it even created that folder.
I tried both the DX9 and DX11 versions of the exe, but both do the same thing.
It looks like my PC is still vaguely ok for at least minimal experience.
System info from DXDIag:
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Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_ldr.160408-2045)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500K CPU @ 3.30GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.3GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
Card name: AMD Radeon HD 5700 Series
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x68B8)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68B8&SUBSYS_21D71458&REV_00
Display Memory: 2796 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1014 MB
Shared Memory: 1782 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: E421VA
Monitor Id: VIZ0072
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (59.991Hz)
Output Type: HD15
Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1404 (English)
Driver Version: 15.200.1062.1004
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/4/2015 01:28:34, 1445224 bytes
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As you say, vaguely OK. You should be able to install it no matter what. Performance is an entirely different thing.
First thing that I can think of is your antivirus. Several of them have been known to cause issues during the installation process without ever telling you anything. The quarantine of it might reveal if that's the issue. In any case, shutdown your antivirus for the installation process and add c:\Hitech Creations\*.* or whatever your game folder is to the exclusions list of your antivirus.
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That is also a very weak video card.
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So what I'm trying to figure out is... do I need to start over with a new rig, or can I upgrade the RAM to 8 GB, and upgrade the video card, and be ok?
I'm thinking there's some other issue going on with not being able to even open the app. I thought it would at least open it, and run it at a slow FPS.
I check the AV, I'm just using windows security essentials on this PC. Nothing quarantined there. I added the exception for the aces high folder and will retry the installer here in a bit.
Any other suggestions to see if I can get it running?
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So what I'm trying to figure out is... do I need to start over with a new rig, or can I upgrade the RAM to 8 GB, and upgrade the video card, and be ok?
I'm thinking there's some other issue going on with not being able to even open the app. I thought it would at least open it, and run it at a slow FPS.
I check the AV, I'm just using windows security essentials on this PC. Nothing quarantined there. I added the exception for the aces high folder and will retry the installer here in a bit.
Any other suggestions to see if I can get it running?
You should be able to do exactly that. Something is preventing you from getting the entire download.
As far as upgrading the GPU, that depends. Does you PSU have the physical connectivity for the card you would want to install.
For example, in one of my builds I have a Corsair 450 PSU. If I wanted to install an EVGA 970, I could not. It does not have the physical cables to do so.
Coogan
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There was an issue with Chrome corrupting the download of the game. What browser are you using?
How far does the game open? Does the install complete? Does the opening splash screen show and load the notepad? Can you select an arena?
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I did download it with Chrome. Downloading again right now with IE.
It just opens a biggish window, but it's all white, no content. I would say it's open for 1-3 seconds, then the crash dialog comes up. I've never seen it running, so not sure if that's the splash screen or not.
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Download from IE had exactly the same downloaded size as the download from Chrome. Same results after running it. I tried moving it into the C:\aces high folder, and running from there, in case the AV was interfering with it as run from Downloads, but same results.
AHII still runs, but I don't really have any other games on this computer to test against. Is it a video card driver issue? Is it file corruption? Is it something completely different? no idea...
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Download from IE had exactly the same downloaded size as the download from Chrome. Same results after running it. I tried moving it into the C:\aces high folder, and running from there, in case the AV was interfering with it as run from Downloads, but same results.
AHII still runs, but I don't really have any other games on this computer to test against. Is it a video card driver issue? Is it file corruption? Is it something completely different? no idea...
Hi Warty,
What you've laid out seems to me that there's an issue w\ the vid card driver for your Radeon 5700 series vid card running the game in 2D as I believe the game doesn't require any 3D stuff until the game starts loading the terrain so if you're getting a white screen at the outset after you've clicked on the game .exe this should be vid card driver-related.
Ok, I just tested opening AHIII to the splash screen & the game is using 3D to run here showing 635Mb of vid card mem (checked this using MSI Afterburner on my box) used so this will put a greater load on your 5700 series than 2D would but it still should at least open up. Do you get a CTD after this?
What is the AMD driver version you're using currently w\ this 5700 series vid card? The drivers that you're currently using for this card may be too old for this new version of AHIII.....I don't recall the AMD compatibility for any version of newer Crimson drivers going back that far..............
Just checked AMD's web site and there is a Crimson beta driver for your vid card series available here:
http://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/AMD-Radeon-Software-Crimson-Edition-16.2.1-for-Non-GCN-Products-Release-Notes.aspx
This series of AMD vid card is Dx11 capable and so should at least start and run the game unless something physical is going on w\ the vid card's hardware.............. The rest of your box, outside of the 4Gb of system mem (which could be some of your issue), looks OK to me to run AHIII.
In the end a vid card upgrade as well as some more system mem may be needed to get you going again but I would try to wipe and reload the vid card drivers 1st..................
Hope this helps you out..................
:salute
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Thanks Pudgie.
I tried that link, and although the driver seems to have installed no problem, I am getting the same behavior. Just a big blank white window for a few seconds, then crash.
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Thanks Pudgie.
I tried that link, and although the driver seems to have installed no problem, I am getting the same behavior. Just a big blank white window for a few seconds, then crash.
Hi Warty,
By chance, what is the native res of the monitor that you're using and is the vid card set to use it?
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@Pudgie, it says 1920x1080 for both native and current mode in his DxDiag clip.
@Warty, as has been said in several answers, upgrading your GPU should do the trick. And as Coogan said, check if your power supply has the needed connectors. Memory is optional, but it's so inexpensive that 8 GB is recommended. Your specs make me think that the video card is from an older build than the rest of your rig - which by the way is actually better than mine!
As for the blank screens, did you temporarily disable your anti-virus during the installation as I suggested? Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, Norton... Most anti-virus programs tend to treat "lesser known" programs as viruses until specifically told not to. This behaviour goes on and off with the updates, so you never can tell.
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Would be helpful to see the rest of the DXDIAG.
Just to make sure the sound devices are properly installed.
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Skuzzy: I attached the entire report. I re-ran it, too, so it should reflect the newer driver install.
Bizman: I've started looking around the boards here for recommendations and mentions of GPUs for reasonable $. I did build this PC all at once, but I did get a lesser graphics card at the time, because the PC was built for AHII, and AHII hardly used the graphics card really. I haven't looked into graphics cards at all in the intervening years, so I'm studying up now. If I can get this PC even working with AHIII, that is. So far, RX 470 and GTX1050 Ti seem like reasonable candidates, but I have to confirm if my PSU has the right connectors for them. More research to do...
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If your needs are modest, the 1050Ti might be a good budget choice. Depending on the manufacturer a 6 pin connector may be needed but the basic architecture is very PSU friendly, only 300W needed.
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@Pudgie, it says 1920x1080 for both native and current mode in his DxDiag clip.
@Warty, as has been said in several answers, upgrading your GPU should do the trick. And as Coogan said, check if your power supply has the needed connectors. Memory is optional, but it's so inexpensive that 8 GB is recommended. Your specs make me think that the video card is from an older build than the rest of your rig - which by the way is actually better than mine!
As for the blank screens, did you temporarily disable your anti-virus during the installation as I suggested? Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, Norton... Most anti-virus programs tend to treat "lesser known" programs as viruses until specifically told not to. This behaviour goes on and off with the updates, so you never can tell.
Duh...........
Thanks for pointing that out, Biz!
:old:
Warty,
I looked at your dxdiag again and if I'm right your using a VGA connect to your monitor (output type = HD15), yes?
Does your monitor have the capability to use the more modern connections (DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort)? If not then I would suggest that you consider this as well if your going to look into getting a more modern graphics card as I'm not sure that any of them are putting an analog converter (VGA) onboard these graphics cards anymore.
Skuzzy,
Could this be his issue?
Is anybody running AHIII thru a vid card thru VGA connection to verify this is capable?
:salute
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Hi Pudgie,
I do use the VGA, it's true. From memory there was at least HDMI and DVI. I prefer the VGA with this monitor because the other two produced very "hard" lines. I can't describe it, but the VGA looks better to me. Kind of a pain, because VGA has signal strength issues after a certain length of cable. I am resigned to having to go to HDMI or display port if I upgrade the card though. Not sure the TV has display port, but has lots of HDMI of course.
I dug up the PSU specs, am I right in thinking I'll be ok here as far as PSU? (with those 2 cards I mentioned, or something similarish?):
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Corsair CMPSU-650TX
TX Series
Details
Type
ATX12V / EPS12V
Maximum Power
650W
Fans
1
PFC
Active
Main Connector
20+4Pin
+12V Rails
Single
PCI-Express Connector
2 x 6+2-Pin
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My motherboard is only PCI-E v2, not v3, but it seems like that should be ok for me, although not totally ideal. ?
Bizman: I pretty much would just be using this for AHIII, maybe a racing game at some point if I find a ton of extra time (Hey! I can dream). The problem is, I don't know how power hungry AHIII is, compared to all the games I see in the benchmark tests.
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Your psu is capable for most of the cards on the market. Built by Channel Well which means it's not the best nor the worst. Decent quality for a good price. Anyhow, no need to upgrade it as long as it works flawlessly. CMPSU-650TXV2 is built by Seasonic who have an even better reputation.
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Hi Pudgie,
I do use the VGA, it's true. From memory there was at least HDMI and DVI. I prefer the VGA with this monitor because the other two produced very "hard" lines. I can't describe it, but the VGA looks better to me. Kind of a pain, because VGA has signal strength issues after a certain length of cable. I am resigned to having to go to HDMI or display port if I upgrade the card though. Not sure the TV has display port, but has lots of HDMI of course.
I dug up the PSU specs, am I right in thinking I'll be ok here as far as PSU? (with those 2 cards I mentioned, or something similarish?):
---
Corsair CMPSU-650TX
TX Series
Details
Type
ATX12V / EPS12V
Maximum Power
650W
Fans
1
PFC
Active
Main Connector
20+4Pin
+12V Rails
Single
PCI-Express Connector
2 x 6+2-Pin
---
My motherboard is only PCI-E v2, not v3, but it seems like that should be ok for me, although not totally ideal. ?
Bizman: I pretty much would just be using this for AHIII, maybe a racing game at some point if I find a ton of extra time (Hey! I can dream). The problem is, I don't know how power hungry AHIII is, compared to all the games I see in the benchmark tests.
Warty,
That PSU should be plenty.
Using a PCI-E 3.0 x16 slot spec graphics card in a mobo PCI-E 2.0 x16 slot is not a concern at this time....no noticeable performance hit.
If you have a HDMI cable you might try it to see if AHIII at least will start up w\o creating a white screen and CTD............ If you don't get a white screen by switching to HDMI then this will indicate that the VGA DAC in your 5700 series vid card is going on the fritz.......
As for HDMI up until now all Nvidia graphics cards since the Fermi series have used HDMI 2.0 spec and AMD have used the older HDMI 1.2-1.4 spec. They both do work but from my experience the Nvidia graphics cards have demonstrated better HDMI connectivity w\ fewer issues than the AMD cards have. Since AMD has come out w\ Polaris they have also upgraded the HDMI specs to the latest so this may be a moot point between the 2 going forward.
Hope this helps you out.
:salute
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I switched the monitor connection to HDMI, and disconnected the DVI->VGA set up I had going there (card provided a DVI to VGA dongle adapter). Still get the same thing, blank window, crash to desktop.
I have new memory and Vcard on order, but I'm starting to wonder if that will even make a difference. As in, maybe something is wrong with my system install.
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Got it working. So basic, should have thought about it before. When you first run the game, it asks if you want to convert your AH2 settings to AH3. I said yes. I forgot about that. I remember tonight, and reinstalled, and said no. Game starts right up. Now I just have to remap about 160 keys, buttons, and axes (axises? what idiot made this language?!)...
Thanks everyone for help!
err... if any from HTC wants debug info about my settings or anything for future purposes, I still have them...
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What is the exact model number of the video card? I also noted you are running very old audio drivers for your RealTek chip (circa 2010). Might want to update those.
Regardless. The game should not be crashing before the splash screen shows. That usually indicates a resource issue.
It could be a combination of things. Your pagefile usage seems high to me. With 4GB of system RAM, you need to make sure you are running as clean as possible in terms of background processes.
Then there is the old RealTek driver. Make sure your speaker configuration in Windows matches what it really is.
Then the video card. Has enough dedicated video RAM, but not sure of the model. I assume it is not being overclocked?
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Got it working. So basic, should have thought about it before. When you first run the game, it asks if you want to convert your AH2 settings to AH3. I said yes. I forgot about that. I remember tonight, and reinstalled, and said no. Game starts right up. Now I just have to remap about 160 keys, buttons, and axes (axises? what idiot made this language?!)...
Thanks everyone for help!
err... if any from HTC wants debug info about my settings or anything for future purposes, I still have them...
Glad you got it sorted out, Warty!
I never would have thought of that 1 either....................
Gonna put that 1 in the bag of tricks to remember.
:aok
:salute
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If you could zip up that old folder and post it here as an attachment, it would be helpful.
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Hi Warty,
Just curious, how's that AMD 5750, 5770 vid card doing now w\ AHIII since you got it to work?
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Skuzzy: I am attaching my AH2 settings folder. I had another thought: I was using custom sounds in AH2... honestly no idea at all if that would make a difference, but thought I'd mention it.
Pudgie: It's not working great: I flew quite a bit last night, and what my testing revealed is that my plane is always lower, slower, and less agile than everyone else's plane (and yes, I tried all the different planes, sheesh). Plus my bullets are affected, and don't hit anything. I'm like 99% sure that's the graphics card.
Other than that, I'm getting 20-30 FPS in the main arena, with the default graphic settings. Using the DX9 version. I did have to set max texture size to 1024. Everything but gauges was black before I set that. (full story if it matters: ran fine in DX9, so tried DX11, it started fine, but then more and more things go black. After that, even DX9 version was all black. Setting max texture size to 1024 fixed DX9 version. Didn't try DX11 since then). I'm pleasantly surprised. It may not be great, but it's playable. I think that's a nice testament to the balance the guys at HTC achieved. Good choices were made.