Author Topic: My tale of woe... (Read 226 times)

Irwink! · « **on:** June 04, 2006, 01:40:17 PM »

Well I decided to plug a new video card into my box today after the events of the past couple of days. Thought I might get some performance boost. I was using a Geoforce FX5200 128mb and was able to fly despite a frame rate in the 40's - sometimes a little better, sometimes a little worse. My box has a 250W power supply so my options were limited. If I could have put a 7800 in there I would have. Anyway, the replacement is a Geoforce FX 5500 256mb. First I used the supplied drivers - disabling my Norton anti-virus which itself disables Windows Firewall anyway. AH errored out immediately and Windows asked me if I wanted to let Bill Gates know about the problem. Whatever... Next...

I uninstalled AH, removed all files, downloaded and reinstalled - same immediate error.

I then let Windows search for and install their most recent drivers - same error.

Sowhere in here I started uninstalling and reinstalling AH between every step.

I got on the forum here and searched for the recommended drivers for
the 5XXX series - 61.77 - found them at Nvidia's site, downloaded them and installed. (virus protection disabled per directions) Made fresh install of AH - same immediate error (Bill hasn't responded to the error report so far). The helpful event log is not helpful - application error, it doesn't really know why. At least it recorded the times correctly!

I have created an exception for AH in the anti-virus software, the firewall is always off. The really unfortunate thing for YOU is that I will no longer be able to provide you with target practice until I resolve this little issue. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks - Oh, here's my latest DXDIAG -

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/4/2006, 14:06:53
Machine name: KENTSPC
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: DQ177A-ABA a450n
BIOS: BIOS Date: 02/04/04 20:46:00 Ver: 08.00.09
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 261MB used, 2203MB 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: The file nv4_disp.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. DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.
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 FX 5500
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5500
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0326&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6177 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/15/2004 11:42:00, 3740032 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: No
WHQL Date Stamp: None
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 7/15/2004 11:42:00, 2459712 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4066-11CF-917B-0A2000C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0326
SubSys ID: 0x00000000
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFilteri ng
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFilteri ng
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFilteri ng
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFilteri ng
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
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.

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_80951043&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5730 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 10/1/2004 11:24:02, 2279424 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 33, 32
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 33, 32
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 04, 2006, 02:36:36 PM »

Judging from your comments I know you probably already realize this, but a 250W power supply is really not sufficient for gaming. Especially the stock junkers that HP puts in their computers. Video cards require stable power and I seriously doubt yours is getting it.

Besides that though, you can check your processes running at startup. Make sure nothing is running but Aces High if possible.

In your Aces High video setup make sure you are not preloading anything to video, system memory only. Make sure you arent using high rez textures.

In your video card setup, set your Antialiasing to application control, set Anisotropic Filtering to application control.

In your Direct X control panel set your hardware acceleration for your Sound to no more than 3/4.

Now see if it works.

Irwink! · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2006, 04:00:19 PM »

Thanks for the input. I've acquired my taste for "intense gaming" only since I bought this machine, so the power supply was of little concern then. However I've since run a few "intense" games with no problem, with the old card. Far Cry was the only one that required me to kill some running processes for optimum performance - then it was fine. AH II never needed to be tweaked.

Since my first post I've reinstalled the old card and done all the machinations with drivers and fresh installs and now AH won't run with that either. It crashes to desktop as soon as it tries to start just like with the new card. Meanwhile, my old standby box with a 64mb Geoforce Ti 200 is now running AH, albeit at a little lower performance than I'd prefer. However that is only a very short term solution.

Irwink! · « **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2006, 09:20:38 AM »

As of a few minutes ago - problem solved. I really can't explain it other than relating the final steps. Last night, after trying many different drivers, I went to the Nvidia site and downloaded what is supposedly the latest driver - 8.4.2.1. I installed it. The recommended 61.77 never worked. The AH package would always install after download and then immediatedy crash when I tried to run it. This morning, just for grins, I downloaded AH again, this time using the right click "save target as" option. I then ran the installer as per normal. That always seemed to work anyway. I then right clicked the shortcut freshly place on my desktop and found that it was set to run in Windows 95 compatibility mode for some reason. I unchecked that, started the program and it ran, completed the setup and everything. I tried it out online and everything works again. Can't explain it, that's just what happened. The only problem now is that I'm not gonna have allot of time to fly until NEXT weekend!:D

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 05, 2006, 12:16:52 PM »

It was probably the compatibility mode that was causing problems. I'm betting you'll still have some problems down the line with that new driver on that card, but maybe I'm wrong.

If so just go back to those 61.77 drivers. Without the compatibility mode problem, they should work fine.