Guest hankhank Posted July 30, 2001 Posted July 30, 2001 I believe my problem is the Geforce 2 pro. I get lockups all the time;however, very randomly. When using my laptop, inpiron 5000e with ati rage 128 mobility, I've never had a lockup. Similarly, with an intel i740, i don't get any lockups. My desktop system:633 celeron o/c to 950mhz256 cas2 ramabit be6 motherboard13.6gib ibm 7200 rpm harddriveleadtek geforce 2 pro with 5ns 32meg DDRusing nvidia 12.41 official driverswin2k with sp2My laptop:dell inspiron 5000e700 PIIIwin2k with sp25gb harddriveati rage 128 mobility M3 16megusing latest ati mobility drivers
number6 Posted July 30, 2001 Posted July 30, 2001 Duke_Leeeto, Why do you keep insisting that the code is poorly written, when most people do not have the freezing problem? The world does not revolve around you. You are one person, who gets upset too easily in my opinion. Every time someone suggests something to you, you come back saying this system is your fathers and you can't do this or that. Sounds to me like you need to get your own computer. If you are unwilling to do what it takes to try everything that tech support and people here suggest, then you have no right to complain. The video card you have, I am sorry to say it, is a piece of crap and is known to have all kinds of problems. It's not enough to say that all the games on your system runs fine. Does that mean you have all the games ever made for the PC? I don't think so. If none of the drivers from ATI fix the problem, it may not be your video card causing the problem, but it does not eliminate the video card as the problem either. You need to update your BIOS on your motherboard and it's not Westwood's responsibility to tell you where to get that. I feel sorry for the tech support people that have to deal with you, because you are so close minded and quick to make judgements. The game isn't perfect, none are, the point is that all PC games have problems like this. Most people don't ever notice these problems because the majority of people use their PC's to surf the net and do more productive things which don't require 3D acceleration. Your system sounds like it's in need of a tune up, but you are unable and unwilling to do what is required. You are so quick to attack that which you have no real understanding, that's what really burns me up. Sell or give the game to someone else and stop complaining. The game is fine, your system is not.
Guest Duke_Leeeto Posted July 30, 2001 Posted July 30, 2001 Number6, how can you say that when I have tried EVERY single driver available and NONE of them worked? Trust me, I have donated more then enough of my time doing this. I can't access my BIOS, so what? Most ppl wouldn't even dare touch that for a game! And if I had enough money to get a new comp, I would, but because I am a poor student and young ppl are treated like so much **** in the job market nowadays, I'm not left with much options. . .I can't afford anymore then 1200 dollars for a comp. If you can name me a comp at that price, that would work well with Emperor and many other games, that has a good graphics and sound card, then go ahead. . . Right now I can't afford a latest update for a comp as it is simply out of my budget being a poor student with student loans and all. . .
number6 Posted July 30, 2001 Posted July 30, 2001 Duke_Leeeto, Guess what, I don't have a state of the art system either. You can easily pick up a decent system for $1000 if you look around online. Here is a company in Ohio that I have dealt with in the past that have very good deals and allow you to configure everything :www.micropro.comThat's where I got the system I have now. Here's an example of what you can get:Pre-configured AMD Thunderbird/Duron Computer System ATX Mid Tower Case with 250 Watt Power Supply Elite K7VZA Motherboard with sound 1 4X AGP - 5 PCI Slots - Ultra33/66/100 Heavy Duty Heat Sink and Fan Assembly 1.44 MB Floppy Drive 104 Keyboard, Mouse Millennium Gold Service Plan on any system we assemble! Processor Thunderbird 1 GHz CPU Memory 256MB PC133 133MHz DIMM Hard Drive 5400 RPM 30 GB Ultra/100 CD ROM 56X CD-ROM drive EIDE (ATAPI) Video Card GeForce3 64MB AGP with TV Out Upgrade Sound Sound Blaster Live! Value (OEM) Modem 56K V.90 Voice Monitor KDS VS-7i - 17 Inch - 0.27mm 1280x1024 NI Operating System Windows Millennium installed and on CD You can pick up speakers cheap at a store, all of the above for : $1085.00 With shipping and handling that would bring you to $1200. Not bad in my opinion. This system would be more than adequete for E:B4D. Go to that website and look for yourself.Your right most people will not upgrade their BIOS, but the majority of PC users don't play these games. Most people buy consoles to play games.[This message has been edited by number6 (edited 07-30-2001).]
Guest Duke_Leeeto Posted July 30, 2001 Posted July 30, 2001 Only one problem, I live in Canada so 1200 bucks American is like 1800 Canadian. That has been the main problem for me, my income is in Canadian dollars and seeing that most computers are made in the US and imported to Canada, they are quite expensive here. The best deal I found in my area was a PIII 750MHZ, with Geforce2, amplified sound, 5 slot motherboard, 2 speakers, 56K modem, and NO monitor and that was around 1000 bucks. Add on the monitor (which is the most expensive thing for a comp it seems) and the terrible tax rate we have of 15% in my area and it costs around 1500 bucks. So out here, in the cheapest store around, it costs about 1500 bucks for a lousy PIII 750MHZ.
Nyarlathotep Posted July 30, 2001 Author Posted July 30, 2001 Let me stress one thing: EBFD works great on a GeForce 3, no matter what someone tells me. As said before, I have an GeForce 3 and I have no problems with EBDF.2nd, no matter what someone says, I refuse to blame all the probs on poor programming. I will adit that support could be better, but for me as well for many others, the game worked right out of the box. Sure, there will always be users with problems, Duke, even games that worked straight away for you, might caused other users problems => that's life. This thread has been started to help users with Lockup issues, and I would say we've done a great job so far (Alley_cat's and Jemromeku's working now). If anyone feels, that he/she's been treated the wrong way by WW (or me for that matter), please create a new thread and post it there. The intention is to use this thread for suggestions only.(btw, thanks for everyone's involvement !) And Duke, we'll solve your problem, but you have to be a bit positive about it :)Thanks !Nyar...[This message has been edited by Nyarlathotep (edited 07-30-2001).]
Nyarlathotep Posted July 30, 2001 Author Posted July 30, 2001 hankhank, are you using Nvidia drivers, instead of the Leadtek ones ? If so, go to the Leadtek site and download their latest driver (I think it should be 12.60).Why => I've noticed that every GeForce user with problems, is using Nvidia drivers, instead of the drivers from their manufacturer. I'm using a GeForce and I'm useing Asus drivers (cause my cards from Asus). Besides that, all users with problems (as seen so far) are using driver version 12.41...Nyar...
Guest hankhank Posted July 30, 2001 Posted July 30, 2001 I might try that out... thanks. Too bad if it works ;(. I'm selling the game on ebay.http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1259013238
Nyarlathotep Posted July 30, 2001 Author Posted July 30, 2001 Too bad you're selling the game, it's great. If you had a chance to try it, let us know if it worked !Nyar...
number6 Posted July 30, 2001 Posted July 30, 2001 duke_leeeto, You could get a cheaper video card like a geforce 2 (that would knock off over $200) and that would bring it closer to your price range. I think you just like complaining. Be greatful that you have $1200 Canadian for an upgrade. That's more than I can afford. I usually buy my system in pieces here and there.[This message has been edited by number6 (edited 07-30-2001).][This message has been edited by number6 (edited 07-30-2001).]
Guest Duke_Leeeto Posted July 30, 2001 Posted July 30, 2001 Ok, I think I have sufficient proof that the Emperor CDs are DEFECTIVE! Why you ask?I just downloaded a program called Nero CD speed, which is supposed to test/read your CD and increase it's spinning speed, causing games to stop freezing as well as increase their performance. . . Well guess what? I ran the test on the Emperor CD and it failed! It said, "Read error at 00:15:50 (code 031100)" At first I thought it's because it was junky software, it is freeware after all, then I tried it on my other CDs and the test worked! The CDs were able to run no problem and the speed was much better! My guess is the Emperor CDs are defective somehow and this could greatly effect some ppl's systems while not others, and this is a programming error if that is the case. I find it weird how a software problem can't even read the Emperor CD but can read many others, something tells me the CDs for Emperor are defective. . . Is there anyway I can debug the CD to make sure?
Guest Odysseus Posted July 30, 2001 Posted July 30, 2001 so, Dev is convicted of murder. The Olsen Twin gholas are dead. The ....oops, wrong thread ;)
Guest Duke_Leeeto Posted July 30, 2001 Posted July 30, 2001 Well I just tested the theory, "it might be my soundcard", but that isn't obviously the case. I disabled the sound card and yet still, the game froze on me. Seems like memory leaks to me, as the game runs fine with good speed and all, then suddenly, it locks up. I know a memory leak when I see one, and that's what it seems to be. . . And don't start saying I am a minority, that is what ww claims, which is totally false. MANY ppl are having these lockup problems, just that ww is in pure denial! The reason why it doesn't seem like many are having this problem is because they gave up and returned the game already! And please don't tell me to be patient with WW, I gave them 2 whole god **** mother****ing months to come up with a solution to my problem, yet they have done absolute wank. . . BTW Number, why should I get a new comp when mine is already better then many in which the game works? Doesn't seem really fair to me, as I bought a game in which my system easily meets the minimum requirements and does not work. . .
Guest alley_cat Posted July 30, 2001 Posted July 30, 2001 Duke, where did you get that program from? I want to try it myself...
number6 Posted July 30, 2001 Posted July 30, 2001 duke_leeeto, "Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny." - Yoda, Star Wars.The more you try to prove you know what you are talking about, the more you make yourself look a fool. I am not going to respond to any more of your pointless posts. It seems to me that you like playing this endless game of finger pointing.
Guest hankhank Posted July 31, 2001 Posted July 31, 2001 Nyarlathotep,I've tried nearly every single driver that my video card will take. nvidia beta's: 12.60, 12.90, 14.20... and all the official drivers before 12.41 (to some extent). I tried leadtek's driver which is just nvdia 6.66. I also asked Leadtek to update their drivers. The never crashes on my laptop... but it's soooo slooooow. What's that driver output thing?
Guest jrauls Posted July 31, 2001 Posted July 31, 2001 Duke_Leeto-You said:"Based on my experiences, Emperor seems to be very picky on system configurations. Just today I checked Dune2K.com and 1 out of every 10 messages on the "suggestions to improve Emperor" section, someone mentions a freezing problem. . . Even the webmaster who runs the site is having a freezing problem and hasn't given up on the game in 3 plus months!"I'm at that message board all the time and I've never seen any of the stuff you made reference to. I just check the board in fact, and not only is there no "suggestions to improve emperor" topic, but the webmaster has several posts concerning playing the game and of the about 6 "technical difficulties" statements on their message board only one a a problem that even resembled yours. In fact, that's what I like so much about that board: it lacks a certain "computer illiterate" segment of society. And even on this board, there are hardly any more complaints on this board than there were on the Red Alert 2 board when that game first came out. In fact, there's currently an entire topic completely slamming Red Alert 2 and its movies in the Yuri's Revenge group. What I'm getting at is that Emperor is fine, those bashing WW are wasting everyone's time.
Nyarlathotep Posted July 31, 2001 Author Posted July 31, 2001 Good to know, I guess the whole driver issue didn't fix things fo him :(Nyar...
Guest Duke_Leeeto Posted July 31, 2001 Posted July 31, 2001 Well, I think my freezing problem is fixed, but as a hefty price. Today I bought a new motherboard and video card (Prophet 3D 64MB) and installed them on the computer myself and my computer, aswell as the game, worked fine. My processor is still weak, and that might be of concern, I'll have to test this further. . . This cost me about 250 dollars. Now, for those telling me I can't install drivers and that is the problem, then explain how I can install and entire new motherboard and video card no problem on my computer system? Trust me, I did everything I could with my current hardware to make it work, ww wouldn't admit there was no solution so they kept on giving me the SAME suggestions OVER and OVER I already thought of and did.So now my freezing problem is over, I think, but I still have my doubts about this CD that runs Emperor. On my 3D 64MB Prophet, it runs fine, but sometimes it becomes very jerky in a game for about a min then returns to normal. Could be memory leaks, or just lag, or god knows what it is, but many programs I got that are meant to scan CDs seem to not be able to read the Emperor CD. Maybe this is top notch security, I dunno. . . Could a ww tech person tell me how to disable (somehow) the security features, so I can trully test if there is a bug?
Guest alley_cat Posted July 31, 2001 Posted July 31, 2001 "Number6, if that was the case when it comes to CD speed, then why does it work on other CDs? I'm sure Dune2000 and both Homeworld games also have copyright protection"You know, technologies do change over time (especially in the computers industry), And you can be quite certain that the CD protection that was built up on Homeworld by Sierra is really diffrent than the one on Emperor. I'm pretty sure Westwood used a new CD protection system here that the program can't read. I thought also that you had a CD problem, but if you say you bought another copy of the game than the problm is somewhere else.
Nyarlathotep Posted July 31, 2001 Author Posted July 31, 2001 hankhank, what I meant was the extraction from the EAsy_EA.txt reoprt, under primary display:Main Driver : nvdisp.drv Version : 4.13.01.1260 Provider : ASUSAs you can see, mine says "Provider: Asus".Also in the beginning of the report, mine says:----EASy System Summary-------------------------------------- Video Card : ASUS V8200 Series v12.60 Video Driver : nvdisp.drv Driver Version : 4.13.01.1260It reports the cardsmanufacturers name, in stead of "Nvidia GeForce". I do not know if it means anything, but so far, all GeForece users with problems, are having a Nvidia driver, in stead of their card manufacturers driver (just go through the several reports posted here).That's what I'm trying to find out, if there's a difference between the Nvidia and card manufacturers drivers. Hence the post where I asked for GeForce users who are running the game fine, to post their driver details here. The only comparison I have now, is my own system and number6's system (which basicly helped Alley_cat to solve his problem).Nyar...
Nyarlathotep Posted July 31, 2001 Author Posted July 31, 2001 *starts to wonder where -x-ray is...*Let's hope he didn't get into too much trouble. ON the other hand, might be he's installing windows ME....Nyar...
number6 Posted July 31, 2001 Posted July 31, 2001 Well I am starting to loose my patience with Westwood tech support. They say that the K6-III processor is not supported and my multiplayer lock-up problem is because of the processor. I have sent an email to AMD to ask for their opinion on this matter.
Guest MrShadow Posted July 31, 2001 Posted July 31, 2001 Ive been having the freezing problem also. Im pretty sure I have all the latest drivers. I upgraded my motherboard bios and got the VIA 4in1 drivers and reformated. I also tried removing my SBlive card to see if something was conflicting with it. Ive tried running with no shadows, and turning off that graphics option in directx (forget what it was called).----EASy System Summary-------------------------------------- Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS/GeForce2 Pro Video Driver : nvdisp.drv Driver Version : 4.13.01.1241 Sound Card : VIA PCI Audio Controller (WDM) Sound Driver : viaudio.SYS Driver Version : DirectX : DirectX 8 Operating System Windows 98 A 4.10.2222----EASy System Output--------------------------------------- Computer Name : A2J1G0BIOS Info Name : Award Version : Ver 1.64 PNP : Manufacturer : (Standard system devices)CPU Info CPU Count : 1 CPU Type : 799 MHz GenuineIntel 6 8 3 RAM : 127 MB Total 55 MB Free Virtual RAM : 1920 MB Total 1920 MB Free Operating System : Windows 98 A 4.10.2222 Default Browser : Internet Explorer Version : 5.0.2614.3500 Temp Directory : C:WINDOWSTEMP Size : 838 KB----------------------------------------------------------------Display Info-------------------------------------------- Number of Displays : 1 Current Mode (Primary) : 1024x768 16 Refresh Rate (Primary) : Optimal refresh ratePrimary display device Description : NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS/GeForce2 Pro Manufacturer : NVIDIA Video Memory : 32 MB Main Driver : nvdisp.drv Version : 4.13.01.1241 Provider : NVIDIASupported Display Modes | 16 | 256 | 16 bits| 24 bits| 32 bits --------------------------------------------------- 640 x 480| * | * | * | | * 800 x 600| | * | * | | * 1024x 768| | * | * | | * 1152x 864| | * | * | | * 1280x1024| | * | * | | * 1600x1200| | * | * | | * ----------------------------------------------------------------Sound, Video and Game Controllers----------------------- Description : VIA PCI Audio Controller (WDM) Manufacturer : VIA Technologies, Inc. Main Driver : viaudio.SYS Version : Provider : VIA Technologies, Inc. Description : Creative SB Live! Manufacturer : Creative Main Driver : emu10k1.vxd Version : 4.11.01.0711 Provider : Creative Description : Wave Device for Voice Modem Manufacturer : Conexant Systems Main Driver : serwave.vxd Version : 4.10.00.2222 Provider : Conexant Description : Microsoft Kernel System Renderer Manufacturer : Microsoft Main Driver : Version : Provider : Microsoft----------------------------------------------------------------Direct X------------------------------------------------DirectX Info Version : DirectX 8DirectDraw Info Version : 4.08.01.0579 Certified : Not certifiedDirectSound Info Version : 4.08.00.0400 Certified : Not certifiedDirectPlay Info Version : 4.03.00.1096DirectInput Info Version : 4.08.01.0579----------------------------------------------------------------Drive Information-------------------------------------------CDRom Info---------------------------------------------- Cache size : 1238 KB Access Pattern : Quad-speed or higherDrive Letter A Volume Name : Type : Floppy File System : Total Space : 0.00 KB Free Space : 0.00 KBDrive Letter C Volume Name : Type : Fixed File System : FAT32 Total Space : 19.07 GB Free Space : 15.02 GBDrive Letter D Volume Name : Type : CDRom File System : Total Space : 0.00 KB Free Space : 0.00 KB Sec/MB : Test not performed Detected Speed : Test not performedDrive Letter E Volume Name : Type : CDRom File System : Total Space : 0.00 KB Free Space : 0.00 KB Sec/MB : Test not performed Detected Speed : Test not performed----------------------------------------------------------------Monitor Information-------------------------------------Primary monitor Description : ViewSonic A90-2 Manufacturer : ViewSonic Corporation Max. Resolution : 1600x1200----------------------------------------------------------------Network Information------------------------------------- Description : Dial-Up Adapter Manufacturer : Microsoft Driver : pppmac.vxd Provider : Microsoft Bound Protocols PGPnet Virtual Private Networking Protocol driver. Description : PGPnet Virtual Private Networking driver Manufacturer : Network Associates Inc. Driver : PGPnet.vxd Provider : Bound Protocols TCP/IP IP Address: Obtained from provider IP Mask: Obtained from provider----------------------------------------------------------------Input Device Information--------------------------------Mouse Information Description : PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port Type : PS2Keyboard Information Description : IBM enhanced (101- or 102-key)----------------------------------------------------------------Modem Information--------------------------------------- Description : Conexant HCF V90-56 PCI Modem Driver : Conexant HCF V90-56 PCI Modem Provider : 3-25-1999----------------------------------------------------------------Glide/OpenGL Information--------------------------------Glide Info Glide2 Version : Glide3 Version : OpenGL Info Version : 4.0----------------------------------------------------------------Task List-----------------------------------------------msgsrv32.exemprexe.exemmtask.tskExplorerSystraypoint32.exewmiexe.exernaapp.exetapisrv.exepstores.exeddhelp.exeiexplore.exedarkspacefull.exeez.exe----------------------------------------------------------------Autoexec.bat--------------------------------------------C:PROGRA~1NETWOR~1MCAFEE~1SCAN.EXE C:@IF ERRORLEVEL 1 PAUSESET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6SET CTSYN=C:WINDOWSC:PROGRA~1CREATIVESBLIVEDOSDRVSBEINIT.COMSET PATH=%PATH%;C:PROGRA~1MCAFEEPGPSET PATH=%PATH%;C:PROGRA~1MCAFEEMCAFEE~1----------------------------------------------------------------Config.sys----------------------------------------------DEVICE=C:WINDOWSHIMEM.SYSDEVICE=C:WINDOWSEMM386.EXE------------------------------------------------------------X_CASE_STARTX_CASE_DESCRIPTION: X_CONTACT_FIRST_NAME: X_CONTACT_LAST_NAME: X_GAME: X_SERIAL_KEY: X_OPERATING_SYSTEM: Windows 98 A , Version 4.10, Build 2222X_PROCESSOR: X_SPEED: 799 MHzX_MMX: NoX_RAM: 127 MBX_MANUFACTURER: X_PRODUCT_ID: X_VIDEO_CARD: NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS/GeForce2 ProX_DISPLAY_DRIVER: 4.13.01.1241X_DISPLAY_DIRECTX: Not Certified, Hardware SupportX_DISPLAY_MEMORY: 7 MBX_AUDIO_CERTIFIED: Not CertifiedX_AUDIO_DRIVERS: viaudio.SYS X_MODEM: Conexant HCF V90-56 PCI ModemX_V_MANUFACTURER: NVIDIAX_A_MANUFACTURER: VIA Technologies, Inc.X_CASE_END
Guest flamethrower in here Posted July 31, 2001 Posted July 31, 2001 BUMP... i don't know why i'm bumping this...
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