A simple man with simple pleasures - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

15 May 2005 at 03:24 - 1

I may be wrong, but when I went to buy this game the recommended specs, and I did have my glasses ON, read like this; windows 98 to windows xp, 256 to 512 mb ram,ATI 8500 or 9000 series,16 bit sound card internet connect, and last but not least a mouse & keyboard.Well i thought I'll give this ago. What has me confused is the first time out of the box I played for a couple of hours than my comp shut down black screen.NOW since than I started reading up on the boards and I see there is some problems. I get with tech support and they said send us a dxdiag. We'll to make a long story short

After half dozen emails, 3 or 4 downloaded programs to get my comp in gear.Let's see what was I talking about

OH yah, a, Idon't understand why the random amount of time varies when you play before it crashes? One time 1 1/2 hours, once 2hrs, once15min

On a side note this game looks great, everything about the play is fun and exciting. Just wish i'd went to I T TECH. to be able to get it to run....Oh I do happen to play other games no problem. Here is a thought put it on the new xbox comming and presto. Just my 2 cents.thanks

Kitar

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

15 May 2005 at 04:27 - 2

Have you updated drivers? Made sure to check for spyware/viri/malware/etc?

Oddball crashes can by due to all sorts of things.

Do you ever get error messages?

SOT

Banned

Join Date: May 2005

East Texas

15 May 2005 at 06:04 - 3

This exact issue has happened to me. Twice. But it has not repeated. Each time it did in fact occur, I was able to get to my desktop and noticed I had forgot to disable my background virus scanner.

This may help you. I don't know though.

SSE4

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2005

15 May 2005 at 07:25 - 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by old timer

Here is a thought put it on the new xbox comming and presto.

There are architectural and software-level reason that this cannot simply happen. Not to mention outside of the simple technological points. It is likely it may be a simple fault that will get a fix in future patches.

Principa Discordia

Site Contributor

Join Date: Apr 2005

England.

15 May 2005 at 10:27 - 5

The minimum requirements for this game (and all games) are whack.

Lestat Delag

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: May 2005

15 May 2005 at 10:49 - 6

when I bought this game I had the same problem, I could play call of duty no probs but GW uses so many resourses that the times varied for the crash.

well my problem was simple the heatsink and the fan on the CPU was caked with so much dust I couldn't even see the heatsink through the fan so I cleaned it and now GW all night long.

Just an Idea.

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

15 May 2005 at 17:15 - 7

Thanks for the reply; Yes I've blown all the whistles and rang all the bells.Yesterday I played for a couple hours , stopped had some things to do came back and lasted about10 min and crashed. I never get an error . just crash or restart ,anyway thanks.

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

16 May 2005 at 15:03 - 8

Yes back again , is there a forum with people who have been helped by GW tech's,and is playing the game? I really need to read something that will give us hope . After several emails to tech I to am at a standstill. What IS the common thread for people who are having no problems ? Ok Fred king me now its your move.

EnDinG

Keyboard + Mouse > Pen

Join Date: Apr 2005

Mo/W

16 May 2005 at 15:14 - 9

Hello old timer.

Can you post up your system specs for us to take a look at?

Possible system restarts can be caused by heat problems. Windows has a built in auto function that will restart the system if it starts to heat up a little too much. Running a certain number of fans to keep the system cool is a good start. Make sure theres no dust on the system, a can of air from a local Walmart of Best Buy can wipe it clean for you.

To see what kind of error the system gives you, do the following and let me know what appears:

From the desktop right click on My Computer.
Click the Properties option.
In the System Properties window click the Advanced tab.
In Advanced click the Settings button under Startup and Recovery.
In the Startup and Recovery window uncheck the Automatically restart check box.
Click Ok.

Now if the computer generates and error it should not automatically restart and enable you to display any errors your computer may be experiencing.

A good start.

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

17 May 2005 at 05:23 - 10

So you want numbers.Well I got a couple numbers here somewhere,oh and that box you wanted me to uncheck, it was.

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

17 May 2005 at 05:26 - 11

Well lookie there I guess I did that wrong.

EnDinG

Keyboard + Mouse > Pen

Join Date: Apr 2005

Mo/W

17 May 2005 at 12:55 - 12

I'm kind of baffled here.

Your computer specs look fine to me.

I'm wondering as to how dusty it is in there? While running the game next time keep the cover off of the computer and run a temp check to see how its handling heat.

With the box unchecked it should give you a blue screen of death when it shuts down / reboots with a reason. Weird.

Only other thing I can come up with, is that since its an older computer, the power supply might be wearing out. I've heard this game really pushes the puters for energy and if it of course drains too much, the system just turns off.

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

17 May 2005 at 16:01 - 13

I guess I just got my last reply from GW tech.After all the E-mails and reports.Sounds to me that they are admitting it could be heat related,well good people

that was the very first thing i did was clean the dust bunnies out.put a fan blowing on the external parts, the whole ball of wax.Well to take a quote from the walls of the throne room.Here I sit broken hearted paid 50 bucks and only

EnDinG

Keyboard + Mouse > Pen

Join Date: Apr 2005

Mo/W

17 May 2005 at 19:44 - 14

I'd hate to see anyone buy a good game and not beable to play it.

What is the power supply of your PSU?

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

18 May 2005 at 04:54 - 15

Just got another reply from gw.

they said my AGP aperture size is to little

,or to low at 64mb for the card I have at 128 mb.Well I sure don'''t know anythin about that,

bios and apertures or how to adjust it .Any help would be welcome

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

18 May 2005 at 04:57 - 16

It's just regular old electric, comes right out from the wall there..

Spartan2

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2005

The Intarweb

Wrath of Nature [WoN]

E/Mo

18 May 2005 at 05:11 - 17

Depending on what type of Motherboard you have, you need to hold down a cetain key to get into Bios while the computer is booting up. This enables you to configure certain settings such as telling your motherboard how big your video card is or if you are using a RAID harddrive or not. On my old Windows 98, the key to get to Bios was holding my F2. Currently, it is my Delete key and on some, it is F10 or F12. If you get into without knowing what you are doing, you will trash your computer, possibly destroying it. So, if you get into it by yourself, search around until you find something along the lines of "AGP Appature Size" and change the Setting from "64" to "128". Then save and exit your Bios and your computer will restart; if it works, no problems anymore. If you do not trust yourself because you are unfamiliar with Bios and/or do not want to damage your computer, get on the phone with an IT guy and have him walk you step by step through it after you give him your main system specs.

If anyone can clarify this or extend off of this post, feel free.

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

18 May 2005 at 05:18 - 18

CPU Type AMD Athlon XP, 1666 MHz (12.5 x 133) 2000+
Motherboard Name FIC AM35 (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DIMM, Audio, Video)
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8375 ProSavageDDR KM266

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

18 May 2005 at 05:20 - 19

Hey that beats the heck out of all that typing now don't it

NArrow

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: May 2005

18 May 2005 at 05:21 - 20

old timer, try uninstalling the CAT 5.4 drivers and install the CAT 5.2 drivers. It seems they work much better and I haven't had the vid card overheat or lock up. I do believe updating to the new CAT 5.4 drivers makes GW and the vid card very unstable.

MAYBE GW needs to do some investigation with the new CAT 5.4 driver set for compatibility.

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

18 May 2005 at 05:29 - 21

And that cat driver is what exactley?

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

18 May 2005 at 07:02 - 22

I made it to the bios screen ,its scary in there,

I didn't see any reference to agp or 64mb I went to each tab scrolled up and down .Nutin there says anything about aperture size.Somebody pullin my leg?

s

MaglorD

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

18 May 2005 at 09:17 - 23

Quote:

Originally Posted by NArrow

old timer, try uninstalling the CAT 5.4 drivers and install the CAT 5.2 drivers. It seems they work much better and I haven't had the vid card overheat or lock up. I do believe updating to the new CAT 5.4 drivers makes GW and the vid card very unstable.

MAYBE GW needs to do some investigation with the new CAT 5.4 driver set for compatibility.

I am running Guild Wars with the 5.4 CCC and it is absolutely stable.

ZennZero

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

R/

18 May 2005 at 12:00 - 24

Quote:

Originally Posted by old timer

I made it to the bios screen ,its scary in there,

I didn't see any reference to agp or 64mb I went to each tab scrolled up and down .Nutin there says anything about aperture size.Somebody pullin my leg?

It would be listed under another option, such as Advanced Chipset Options, etc. Look around a bit. It is possible that your BIOS doesn't support changing the aperture size, but it is unlikely.

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

18 May 2005 at 15:57 - 25

Well I just spent 40 bucks for some squeeky voice person FROM INDIA,IN INDIA to make some adjustments that I made already

Ihave to keep an eye on my blood presure

This game has cost me close to 100 bucks and still I can't PLAY!

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

18 May 2005 at 16:11 - 26

the only options in my bios is, under the advanced tab is reset config-onboard video mem,which is at 32mb,there is only options for 8,16,32.and the third is primary video options there is pci/agp onboard
i tried both. ain't gona doit kids

Serafita Kayin

Exclusive Reclusive

Join Date: May 2005

Tuscaloosa, AL

Seraph's Pinion (wing)

R/Me

18 May 2005 at 16:17 - 27

the FIC boards have very limited adjustments. I think on that you're screwed.

It's possible that the power supply's wattage isn't enough to handle the game, or that it's old and dying. If it's a vintage 2000+, and I'm guessing it is by the make/model of the board, it may be time for a new power supply. Enermax, Antec, and Ultra are my choices. Any one of those, even a 350W, would be perfectly serviceable and a lot more stable.

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

18 May 2005 at 16:29 - 28

I don't understand this extra power supply, Is it an extra cord,a battery, jumper cables,two outlets in the wall,do you plug into the comp ,the wall, what?

Serafita Kayin

Exclusive Reclusive

Join Date: May 2005

Tuscaloosa, AL

Seraph's Pinion (wing)

R/Me

18 May 2005 at 16:36 - 29

the cord that goes from the wall goes into a socket on the back of your computer. In there, it's changed from 110 AC to multiple voltages of DC to run your components. If there is a weak rail on any of those voltages, funny things happen. If you look back there at it, there are four screws around that area, and a fan. Basically, it's a box that you can unscrew and replace, just in case it ever does go out. You can google for power supply replacement, or you can take it to a CompUSA or Best Buy and have it done, if you're not wanting to open the case and muck about with wiring.

ZennZero

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

R/

18 May 2005 at 20:00 - 30

I would hate to think you buy a power supply and it doesn't solve your problem. You could try buying one somewhere with a liberal return policy I guess.

ZennZero

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

R/

18 May 2005 at 20:18 - 31

This is interesting. I downloaded the manual for your motherboard from FIC's site (b/c Im such a nice guy) and found a section on the AGP Aperture.

ftp://ftp.fica.com/mirror/fict/mothe...m35_a0_eng.zip

Its in section 3-9. According to that its under "AGP & P2P Bridge Control" in the "Advanced Chipset Features". See if you can access that. In my experience, that probably wouldn't be causing you these problems, especially with a 128mb video card, but its worth a shot if that's what GW's tech support reccomended.

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

19 May 2005 at 05:25 - 32

that is interesting,wish I had all those options in my bios.we're talking when you restart your putr and hit f10 to access the bios config screen?My options are; reset config+onboard video mem(8,16,32mb)its at 32,+primary video(pci or agp/onboard)

ZennZero

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

R/

19 May 2005 at 11:31 - 33

I really hate to suggest this, but a BIOS flash might get you the "full" version that is used in the manual. It is a bit of a risky proceedure if you don't know what you are doing though...

The BIOS file and a link to the flashing proceedure can be found on this page:

http://www.fic.com.tw/support/mother...px?model_id=44

EnDinG

Keyboard + Mouse > Pen

Join Date: Apr 2005

Mo/W

19 May 2005 at 13:13 - 34

Personally, I'd rather try a new power supply before running the chance of screwing my comptuer up BIOS wise.

See if you have a friend or if you have another computer around the house that you could use to try and hook up another before buying one.

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

21 May 2005 at 10:55 - 35

Just had another go round with GW.There suggestion was download new ATI drivers.Did that, have 9.0c...GUESS WHAT? Now i get,unable to initialize 3D output.I can't even get to the sign on screen now...This is really a joke..I've had more problems trying to get this game to run than any other game i've got ..It really has taken the fun out of it .I don't need this much aggravation.Those of you that have the game running,ENJOY!HAVE FUN.I'm going to find Fred and play some checkers till GW or somebody finds a common thread to these problems.Thank you

EnDinG

Keyboard + Mouse > Pen

Join Date: Apr 2005

Mo/W

21 May 2005 at 13:26 - 36

=\ Sorry to hear about that.

aeroclown

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Louisiana

E/Mo

21 May 2005 at 19:41 - 37

Quote:

DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
Card name: RADEON 9500 PRO / 9700
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: RADEON 9500 PRO AGP (0x4E45)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4E45&SUBSYS_00021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB

Something isn't adding up here, why would you be configuring onbard video memory in the bios that is limited to 32mb if you have an external Card that holds 128mbs of ram. Unless im miss understanding something here.

Do you have an onboard video card or a pci/agp one ? or both and if both is the onboard one disabled ?

old timer

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

ohio

21 May 2005 at 21:07 - 38

Like the sign says, "a simple man with simple plasures" anyway rolled back the video driver, signed on and have been playing for almost 1 1/2 hours

HAH! Got me sonny..In the game opening maps,inv,screens.running all around.. You tell me what I goofed up.
i'm confused at this point.