XP64 / XP32 Nvidia Unrecoverable crash

[mangy]

Hi guys,
I have no idea why but since the update before last I haven't been able to play, here's what happens.

When I load AH I get the Clipboard box of death, and it ALWAYS crashes, the screen goes as if it were night,
or simply wont load. At this time, I cannot alt tab, I can not quit, and I'm forced to hit my reset button.

I'm running 2 x NVIDIA 8600 GT's and it happens for me now on both XP64 and 32 bit OS. Its driving me nuts,
I've been turning everything off, lowering the GFX (Which I shouldn't have to cause it worked a while ago)
But now is all gone retarded so if anyone can please help it would be greatly appreciated.
I have tried new drivers and old, all with no success...
Please help.

Regards,
mangy

[NOT]

isnt there an option to enable and disable SLI, in the Nvidia control panel?? maybe you disabled it by accident. i am just guessing. a DXDIAG report would probably help out on diagnosing the problem.




NOT

[mangy]

Dear AKNOT,
Thank you for the reply.

I have tried enabling and disabling it. I've tried turning off all anti-aliasing and turning it on, application controlled you name it. Up until the most recent AH update it worked fine on my 32 bit OS, now for some reason it is doing the same thing as it did on 64 bit. I didn't see any errors pop up in DXDIAG. Could it be a conflict between the 32bit OS drivers and the 64Bit OS drivers even though they are installed on separate drives on the one machine?
Thanks for your help.
Mangy

[drdeathx]

Try deleting your video8 file. The game will rebuild it to default. It is found in c drive/program files/ HTC/Aces high/settings. Drag it to your desktop with game not loaded. Then refire game up and you can delete the video8 file. Just a shot in the dark. I had video problems with game loading and skuzzy suggested it. the file will rebuild.

[Skuzzy]

Delete the 'cache' folder, set the "Maximum Texture Size" in the "Video Settings" to 512, let the cache rebuild, then it will probably work.

If you were running the high resolution texture pack and did not update it for 2.13, the game could crash.

[mangy]

No dice guys, any more ideas?

:\>format c: ?   

[NOT]

completely uninstall nvidia drivers, then run a program called "driver cleaner" to be sure all is removed. then reinstall the drivers fresh. be sure to use the drivers you know worked in the past. sometimes newer drivers are not always better.

link for driver cleaner:
http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=745




NOT

[drdeathx]

are you running multiple monitors??? It doesn't seem you are. There is no need for 2 video cards. 1 is useless. Maybe there is some kinda irq conflict. Pull the video card that is not used out.

[NOT]

he is running them SLI, they have that ability. However, for troubleshooting purposes thats a good idea. Pull one card at time, and make sure you dont have a bad card.




NOT

[mangy]

Sorry for the delay gents, turns out I had this crazy virus that littery there was nothing I could do about.

Check this out...
It somehow wrote its own SMBus driver to install a drive with windows bootup. The instant the computer booted windows, from that drive it copies a bunch of files to windows temp directors and other stuff in the windows Dir.
From there, it spreads its crap all over the windows dir and avast has fit trying to keep up with it.
If you try to repair, delete or move the file, or eject the "Disk", disable the drive in windows control panel then go hunting, whatever files its infected with its BS just brings it straight back and the corruption begins. I have a feeling it at some point managed to get into both OS's and cause serious problems.

I've since re-installed windows, i'm just getting set up here then I'll try n get on again.
Keep you posted.

[mangy]

Nope this is rediculous.
running 64 bit xp only right now after formatting...

Still getting the clipboard box of death, colour is all messed up, card diagnositics seem fine. What the hell.
Going to try some much older drivers.

[mangy]

Ok I still can't get this to run, I've done everything humanly possible. I've formatted my drive, fresh clean installs...box of death again!

What I did find, is when i turn off "Hardware Vertex Processing" It runs ok, turning the optimisations off is not enough, I must de-check the Hardware Vertex off for the game not to give me the box of death.
The game was fine until the last update...

[mangy]

Looks like i might have solved the problem, so here it goes for future reference.

Install 3dGuru Drivers. (Thanks Gixer)
Disable SLI
Force Verticle Sync "on"
Set GPU to single Display mode. (Not Nvidia default)
Install Aces high into a directory other then /program files (X86) /
Run.

Woot. It seems to not be performing as well as it should, but it IS working.
Cheers for your help guys.

[NOT]

have you tried removing a card, and using one at a time?? there may be a problem with one of your cards.




NOT

[mangy]

No i haven't yet,
I'm not sure if both should allow me to plug my monitor in and work...
I did try running the monitor off the second card and it didn't work on a reboot the other day,
perhaps thats a very bad sign...

Its not working again now... %$()%$!!!!