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[Gobalopper]

This section of the forum is where you can go to get help with tech issues. Nyarlathotep and gryphon are the main 'tech gurus' but everyone is free to help.

If you are going to send any text files please attach them to your post instead of putting them into the message field. We recommend using the EASy and DXDiag programs as they provide a lot of important information about your setup.

You can find Nyar's website with common solutions and problems here:

http://www.gameheaven.nl

[GhostHunter]

Ok I got some quick links to some other threads, so check here and see if any of the threads macth your troubles and check'em out...I'll add some more later...

NORTON AND EMPEROR ISSUES

- http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=8463

EMPEROR PROBLEMS

Will Not Start - http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=8710

Emperor Crashes At end of game - http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=8441

Unknown Serial Code At log-in to WOL - http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=8681

Emperor Sound/Video Problems - http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=8466

Quiting To Desktop - http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=8497

ISSUES WITH INSTALLING PROGRAMS

- http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=8615

XP ISSUES

Virtual Memory - http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=8602

LAN MULTIPLAYER SETUP ISSUES

- http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=8029

WINDOWS 98 ISSUES

Clusters On C: Drive - http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=6443

OTHER ISSUES

Phoenix - http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=8984

Did You Know? - http://www.dune2k.com/forum/index.php?topic=7643

How to Build Your Own Computer - http://www.dune2k.com/forum/index.php?topic=10308

IE screen is stuck halfway and you can't see the other half - http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=8957

DUAL DISPLAY

Problems With Connecting Two Moniters - http://www.dune2k.com/forum/?topic=8889

[Nyarlathotep]

As many of you know, I have been having alot of problems with my PC, especially my Nvidia geforce 4 mx 440 agp, graphics card.

I visited a link that Doc Nyar mentioned about modified drivers for Nvidia and ATI graphics cards.

http://www.omegacorner.com

I downloaded the modded drivers for Nvidia 44,30 drivers, but they have them for all versions of the Nvidia drivers,and ATI.

When you install them you get a choice of two versions, a Quality vers and a performance vers.

I choose the quality version, because it mentioned stability problems would be mostly cured.

They were not kidding.

I just played Emp and Generals on full graphic levels, everything on high, shadows on.At 32 Bit.

I have never been able to do that before !

Also my PC instability has disappeared and the speed now is incredible.

I have long suspected that Windows XP is the worst operating system for compatability issues.

I would imagine that many of you will agree ?

I would recommend everyone tries the modded drivers, especially XP users and those with Nvidia cards.

If Doc lived near me, I would be buying him several beers right now. lol ;D

[DukeLeto]

Getting older games to work on XP:

First off, try compatability mode.  You can do this by right-clicking on a shortcut, going to "Properties", and clicking the "Compatability" tab.  Select the mode ytou think will work best, and try it.  Keep playing with modes and setting until A) the program works or B) you run out of things to try.  Seems like common knowledge, but you would be amazed by how much it can fix.

If that fails to work, try something a little more advanced: The Application Compatabilty Toolkit.  It still deals with compatability but shouldn't harm your computer to badly (save a restore point first, though, just in case.)  To learn more, try reading this article.

Next up, try VDMSound.  Pretty self-explanatory: Right-click a link and select "Run with VDMSound".  There are also some other choices under the "advanced" section; try messing with these if it still doesn't work.  You can download VDMSound here.

Edit: If you're the truly adventurous (read: nerdy) type, you can try to set up DOSBox to run your game.  Obviously, this requires some knowledge of DOS.  The readme that comes with DOSBox is immensely helpful here.

Next, you can find some great info on making older games (including the rampant BUILD Engine games) work on XP (and other NT-Based systems as well) in this VOGONS Thread.

Failing that, try seraching VOGONS for answers.  If it's been seen before, they've probably discussed it.  The main site is here.

If ALL OF THAT fails, then ask your question here.  Be sure to attach you DXDiag and post the text of any error messages you encounter.

IF - AND ONLY IF - none of that works and neither we nor VOGONS can help you, try searching for un-official "Ports", such as ZDOOM.  Just go to Google and serch for "(name of game here) Ports".  These ports may work fine for you, and many have added functionality, such as mouselook in ZDOOM, but are often unstable and bug-riddled.  I STRONGLY reccomend trying to get the original game to work first.

Hope that helps you!  Ah, glorious nostalgia.

[Atomic Mitten]

I am sure that I have found the problem of people not being able to play a variety of games !

( I would like to take this opportunity to thank Gryphon,in his help to finding this solution).

Well here it is !

Anyone who has un-installed ANY ! Firewall,will have this problem lurking on their computers,totally unaware as to why games don't work,or LAN games,or WLAN,or wireless connections.

NB: Anyone who has win98,or another operating system,please contact me for the fix zip for their operating system.

Not just that , but even games where people can play online over a dial up connection.

Some of the symtoms are:

1: Unable to connect to the Internet

2: Slow web pages loading

3: Wrong auto detect IP addresses on WLAN,LAN and modems.

4: Crashing online and hanging connections !

The cause : WINSOCK !

The cure: Please see attachment ,download it and run it ! takes about 2 minutes to fix, a multitude of problems ![attachment archived by Gobalopper]

[Dunenewt]

Any problems with FH's Dune, read this:

[tt]1: Why will this game not work with the following Video Cards: 3dfx (Voodoo), Kyro II (Hercules 3D Prophet) and Intel Graphics Chipsets?

A1: For 3dfx chipsets the game requires a video card that supports 512 x 512 Texturing. Voodoo cards can only support up to a maximum of 256 x 256. Also the latest drivers for the Voodoo cards are not 100% Direct X 8.0 compatible and do not support all Direct X 8.0 features.

For Kyro II chipsets the game's engine is not compatible with these Video cards due to the absence of a Z buffer that the card does not have.

For Intel Graphics chipsets these on-board graphic controllers normally do not meet the 16MB minimum video requirement as listed in the packaging for the game.

Gameplay

1: When launching the game I receive an error stating, 'Renderer Initialisation Failed'

A1: The Video card on the system cannot support the current Video settings for the game. Using the Video Mode configurator, (Found by clicking on START then PROGRAMS then DUNE then VIDEO MODE) lower the settings for Video resolution, colors and Zbuffer.

2: During the scene where Paul is being chased by the Sandworm, can the camera angles be changed?

A2: No. This is how the game was designed. Keep running towards the camera avoiding the dark areas of spice that can slow you down.

3: Within the Menu in the game, when I turn the setting for CAMERA ADJUSTMENT to ON or OFF, the reverse seems to happen within the game.

A3: This is a random bug that sometimes occurs. Simply choose the opposite setting of what you would like. If you would like to use the mouse to adjust the camera angle while playing, choose OFF.

4: During gameplay the sound will skip or cut out at times.

A4: Reducing the Audio Acceleration will assist in correcting the problem:

Step 1) From the Windows desktop, double-click on the 'My Computer' icon, then double-click on the 'Control Panel' icon.

Step 2) When the Control Panel window appears:

For Win 98 - double-click on the 'Multimedia' icon.

For Win ME - double-click on the 'Sounds and Multimedia' icon.

For Win XP - double-click on the 'Sounds and Audio Devices' icon.

Step 3) Click on the 'Audio' tab, and then click on the 'Advanced Properties' button within the 'Playback' section.

Step 4) Within that window, you will see the 'Hardware Acceleration' slider for Audio Playback. If you do not, click on the 'Performance' tab.

Step 5) Set the slider one notch to the left and click 'APPLY' when done. Launch the game to see if the problem persists.

Step 6) Repeat steps 1 to 5 above, moving the slider down another notch, if the problem persists.

5: Where can I adjust the video options to correct problems such as blurry screens, choppy video or freezing?

A5: Firstly, ensure your video card is listed on the bottom of the Dune box as being a supported chipset. If your system has a 3dfx, Kyro II or Intel Graphics Chipset, refer to General Question #1 at the top of the page.

For improved video graphics, use the Video Mode Configurator included with Dune. After installation, click on START -> Programs -> Dune -> Video Mode. This program will allow you to adjust the screen resolution, color depth and ZBuffer configuration. Should the game freeze, Use the Video Mode to adjust the options to the lowest possible settings.

6: Can I change the keyboard/mouse controls or use a gamepad?

A6: No. The game's engine does not allow for this. It is suggested that you play the Tutorial, perhaps even several times. This will help master the controls and make gameplay easier.

7: How can I save my game?

A7: The game has an automatic save system. Your game will be saved every time a mission is completed. You can not save during a mission.

8: During gameplay, the camera will spin around continuously.

A8: This problem only occurs with the Cryo release version of the game. To prevent this problem from occurring, do not launch the game using the desktop icon. Instead, use the Start Menu shortcut or CD to launch the game.

9: Objects and Characters within the game will be missing pieces (textures) or the colors within the game will not display properly. How can I correct this?

A9: Ensure the drivers for your video card are updated to the latest version. Some video card manufacturers will also provide alternate drivers (ATI is known for this) and using the alternate drivers will correct the problem. Should problems persist, the drivers are most likely not fully compatible with the latest version of Direct X. Contact the manufacturer of your video card to check when updated drivers will be available. [/tt]

[DukeLeto]

As more and more people switch to notebooks PCs, you may be lost in a world of conflicting information and a deluge of numbers.  So relax, and check the FAQ! 

Enough shilling.  I'll continue updating it from time to time, and it's a fine source of information about laptops (and even some desktop stuff).

[Mahdi]

Well, no posts for 5 years, links to fixes for Window's 98, and Nyar listed as the main go to guy.  If anyone wants to redo this thread to make it a little more... modern, be my guest and I will sticky the new one.

Click here for an explanation on why threads are being unstickied.