View Full Version : Video Problem
Zaevion
03-20-2003, 10:14 PM
Ok...i've had my computer for about a year and a half, and have had the same graphic card in it since the beginning...a GeForce2 MX/MX 400 I want to say it is...and up until about 3 months ago everything was fine, I never had a problem with anything...
About 3 months ago, I bought and installed Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Spearhead, the expansion pack, and during installation...the screen seemed to skip...like the computer couldn't process what was going on. After about 10 secs, it goes away, and everything returns to normal. But about every minute or so, it will do this again...almost like there isn't enough memory and the computer can't process, it's just skipping on screen...the sound always seems to work fine during this, but the video is screwed up.
I've since formatted and reinstalled XP, and have upgraded to the most recent NVidia driver patch for XP...but I still have this problem. Anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing this? My computers specs are as follows:
Pentium 4 1.7 Ghz
512 MB Ram
GeForce2 MX/MX 400 graphic card
Standard Intel Integrated Audio (what came w/ the comp)
Windows XP Home Edition w/o the Service Pack
rio_bugarin
03-21-2003, 01:44 AM
and during installation...the screen seemed to skip
...i dont think video card have something to do with it.
btw
GeForce2 MX/MX 400 graphic card -> how much ram do this have?
Make sure the video card is fully seated, and the monitor's cable is secure.
If that's ok, then try your monitor on another system.
If the same thing happens, then replace the monitor.
If the monitor works ok on another computer, then try a different video card.
If it works, then replace yours.
Zaevion
03-21-2003, 01:15 PM
As for the video card, it is a 64mb card. When I installed MoH, yeah, the screen started to skip...but even after removing it from my system, reformatting, and playing OTHER games, it's still doing it. My buddy has literally the same system specs, except he's running a 1.8 instead of a 1.7, and I can play MoH:AA Spearhead fine on his computer. Along with any other games. Everything on the back of my computer is secure and plugged in tightly. I only experience this problem when I'm playing games...I'm wondering if there is any way that my graphic card could have taken a hit somehow that damaged it...I can't really afford a new graphic card though (whoa is me)...but if I need to, I'll have to find a way to get one.
Do the monitor troubleshooting first.
It will not cost anything.
If it's ok, then see if you can borrow another video card to troubleshoot yours.
Zaevion
03-21-2003, 02:23 PM
I mean, I find it hard to belive that it could be a monitor problem because the only time I have this problem is when i'm playing a game...if i'm surfing the net, sitting around, watching a video, movie, anything, everything works fine. I'm not doubting you, but it jsut seems odd to me.
Zaevion
03-21-2003, 04:16 PM
Ok...as we speak, I am on my roomates computer. He's running:
Pentium 4 1.8 GHz processor
Geforce2 MX/MX 400 64mb graphic card
Santa Cruz sound board
512 MB ram
Windows XP (same)
I plugged up my monitor to it, like you said, and even turned on MoH:AA Spearhead and played through the opening and first mission, and despite all the system requirements it neeeds, my monitor played it fine, no problem at all. So I'm guessing that the problem doesn't lie within' the monitor.
Keep in mind that the only time that i experience this problem is when i'm playing a game. Anything else, from running a video, DVD, anything from a webpage, or when I'm on a webpage, sitting around...everything runs perfectly. I almost like to describe it like all my ram is being used up...if you get me. Like, when you run too many programs or something, on an older computer let's say...the system takes a hit, and everything skips...thats kinda what happens with the graphics when I play a game.
I have seen some cases where, even though there is plenty of RAM, the system will use the swapfile. So it is possible that you are getting a condition where all your RAM is "used up".
Try cutting back a notch or two on the detail levels/resolution/frills in the game. This could be especially important if there is a particular graphics feature that you video card is not supporting in hardware, but has to provide software emulation to use.
There is also the chance that the onboard audio cannot handle the game, try playing with the sound options shut off (in the game setup).
Also, shut down all unnecessary programs running in the background.
And if it happens only when playing MOH:AAS, then you may need a more powerful video card.
Zaevion
03-22-2003, 01:24 AM
Ok...I went out and purchased a new video card, a GeForce4 Ti 4600 w/ 128 Mb/Ram...and am still getting the problem...what the hell is going on, this is getting me pissed! i can't use my computer for anything that I want to use it for...
MJC, you said, and I quote, "I have seen some cases where, even though there is plenty of RAM, the system will use the swapfile. So it is possible that you are getting a condition where all your RAM is "used up"."...is there a fix for this anywhere, so this doesn't happen? the way you describe it is almsot perfect...and if I open the task manager, it shows a huge usage of the cpu, that is real quick, then stops, and everything is fine...what gives???
Shut down all unnecessary programs running in the background, empty the Temp and Temporary Internet Files folders, do a ScanDisk and a defragment, do a virus search, open Explorer and delete/uninstall any suspicious looking folders, and d/l Ad-aware and eliminate all spyware.
Zaevion
03-22-2003, 11:59 AM
I have already shut down any unnecessary files running in the background...and i've used "msconfig" to set up the comp so when I start it up, nothing starts up with it, thats just how i've always liked my computer to be. And even since I've had this problem, I have deleted all my temp and temp internet files, and run defrag and lots of other things. I'm confused by what you said here though, "and d/l Ad-aware and eliminate all spyware"...what do you mean by that?
Zaevion
03-22-2003, 12:02 PM
Oh...sorry I didn't put this up in the last post...I don't have a scandisk option...is there one in XP? I can run DiskCleanup and DiskDefrag, they are both there, but not ScanDisk...is it in another folder or section of the computer?
Spyware are cookies that are unknowingly installed on your HD when you browse the Internet, and they monitor your browsing habits.
However, they can also cause system problems.
Ad-aware 6 is a free program that eliminates spyware from your system:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/
ScanDisk is included with Win 98, 98SE, and ME, but it may not be in XP.
Budfred
03-22-2003, 03:52 PM
Actually Spyware is often much more than a cookie, it can be a program with several components which is why it can make such a mess on your system. I view spyware as one step removed from virus and trojan programs.....
Zaevion
03-23-2003, 03:18 AM
Ok...I've downloaded and installed Ad-aware. I've run ad-aware. It removed 14 whatevers from my computer...and i'm still getting graphic problems...it's showing a sharp increas in my cpu usage in task manager if i switch from game to task manager very quickly...but I can't figure out why the comp would be using so much ram up...any other ideas? Oh, and everyone, thanks for your help so far.
Check for a virus, uninstall kazaa(if applicable), reinstall the game.
If no luck, then reinstall XP.
jabarnutcase
03-23-2003, 11:25 AM
Just to answer an earlier question....I don't have a scandisk option...is there one in XP?
It's actually called "error checking" now. You can find it (among other ways), by opening "My Computer"/right click on the Drive you want to check/Select properties/Tools tab, then "Error Checking".
It will run on your next boot, rather than from within Windows like previous versions.
(Edit) Also, not sure this would help, but before doing a complete reinstall of XP I would run the repair option. I'm not talking about the repair console but rather boot from your CD and start an installation...It will tell you that it has detected a previous version of XP and would you like to attempt to repair it...Say yes. (If it comes to that)
If it is a sudden spike in the CPU usage when you are playing the game, then try cutting back on some of the options, disable the audio, etc.
Also does it do it at any easily identifiable points, like changing scenes, levels, etc?
Does the game have to run from the CD?
If it does then check the CD drive properties to see if DMA is enabled. Also check the other CD options, like caching. Check the hard drive for that matter...it may not be set to use DMA.
jabarnutcase
03-23-2003, 05:03 PM
mjc brings up an excellent point about DMA- In two of three computers I've installed XP on, the installation chose to disable DMA for some reason.
PIO mode on your hard drive will slow all kinds of stuff down. And yes, not to be repeating mjc's advice, but rather to agree with it, definitely check to see if your CR-R(s) are running with DMA enabled and not "PIO only" too.
(You can check these settings in device manager for both IDE Channels under "Controllers").
Zaevion
03-23-2003, 06:12 PM
Bare with me, it'll take me a few posts to get through all of this...as for what you just bround up jabarnutcase, both my primary and secondary ide channels were set to the option "DMA if available"...is that correct?
Zaevion
03-23-2003, 06:15 PM
posted twice...sorry...
mjc, no, it isn't at any identifiable point in the game, it'll just happen, and in the case of MoH, i've turned all of the audio and video options to the lowest they can go, and it'll still do it.
jabarnutcase
03-23-2003, 06:24 PM
Hi Zaevion
- Yes, that's correct...Providing it tells you underneath that the "current transfer mode" is in fact operating in some form of DMA.
As far as your video problem, I'm afraid after all the suggestions I'm a bit puzzled too.
Fruss Tray Ted
03-23-2003, 07:42 PM
Hi Zaevion,
The difference I seem to notice is your friend has a soundcard and you do not. Maybe you could borrow it to try?
The only other ideas are some sort of conflict like in device manager and/or (but I doubt it) if your CD-ROM is on the same IDE cable as your hard-drive. This would only be a problem if the CD needs to be in the ROM to play the game.
Zaevion
03-24-2003, 12:58 AM
Ok Jabarnutcase...my primary IDE channel properties are like this:
Device 0:
Device Type: Auto Detection
Transfer Mode: DMA if available
Current Transfer Mode: Ultra DMA Mode 5
Device 1:
Device Type: Auto Detection
Transfer Mode: DMA if available
Current Transfer Mode: Not Applicable
and my seondary IDE channel is set up like this:
Device 0:
Device Type: Auto Detection
Transfer Mode: DMA if available
Current Transfer Mode: Ultra DMA Mode 3
Device 1:
Device Type: Auto Detection
Transfer Mode: DMA if available
Current Transfer Mode: Multi-Word DMA Mode 2
Don't know if this will mean anything to you or not...but just letting you know.
What is device 0 on the Secondary IDE device?
If it is a CD burner or a DVD, and the game needs to be in the drive to play, have you tried playing in that drive?
jabarnutcase
03-24-2003, 01:23 AM
Hi Zaevion
Funny- You caught me just as I was about to shut this thing down- (For the first time in a week!)
Anyway...Things look fine to me.
Your "device 0" on your primary IDE is running in DMA Mode 5 (I assume this is your Hard drive.)
My guess is you have 2 optical drives (CD-R/CD-RW or DVD) on your secondary channel right?
At any rate, DMA is enabled on all drives so I think your problem lies elsewhere. (If you were running in PIO mode, it may have been a problem.)
Other than that, I'm afraid I can't be of much more help right now. I would go through all of the suggestions so far again...More will most likely come.
It's been asked a couple of times...Are you playing these games directly off the CD? (Sorry, I'm not much of a gamer) Does this happen with ALL your games or just the latest graphic intensive games?
Again, check various settings within the game itself. (Lowering resolution, effects etc. and see if that cures it momentarily as suggested earlier)
I'll have to think about it some more, but right now I'm falling asleep at my keyboard!
Try not to get too frustrated...There's always a solution eventually!
(Edit) Amazing mjc...Snuck in there again! ;) And yep..I'll bet the "Mode 3" would work better...I'll also bet he's tried both.
Night all
(Edit#2) Why do I drive myself nuts??? Anyway, got to thinking...Depending on the drive, and if the game is being played off the cd, I wonder if the drive itself is going south? Not "up to speed" so to speak?
That's it...I'm going to sleep for sure now! :D
Whyzman
03-24-2003, 02:51 AM
-Try adjusting HARDWARE ACCELERATION for your video card by going to MY COMPUTER, CONTROL PANEL, SYSTEM, PERFORMANCE, FILE SYSTEM then select VIDEO from the list. Try setting the tab one notch back, and repeat until it works.
-Try adjusting the SOUND in MOHAA, as strange as it may seem, having the sound quality set too high can cause slowdown, which may be interpreted as a video problem.
If not already discussed, you'd not want to push beyond 800X600.
Did you turn off Anti-Virus software before installing?
My suggestion would be to check for MOH forums. It has been my experience that many of the problems and solutions are hot topics of discussion, or are in their archives.
Also, make sure all of the acceleration modes for the video card are enabled in DirectX Diagnostic Tool/Display.
And you definitely do not want to be required to access the MOH CD during gameplay, as this will slow down the action even if DMA is enabled for the CD-ROM drive.
The solution is to do a Full installation of the game so that all files are installed on the hard drive(unless it does not have sufficient space for a Full install).
Next, make sure the full 512MB of memory is recognized in Windows.
If not, then one of the memory modules may be bad.
This can cause the Virtual Memory to activate when playing a game, which will cause the studdering problem.
Check the hard drive LED when the studdering occurs during gameplay. If it lights up, then the VM is activating.
If VM is activating, then open System Monitor, select 'Available Bytes' for the Memory, '% Usage' for the Paging File(Virtual Memory), and '% Processor Time' for the CPU, and minimize SM to the taskbar.
Then, play MOH(and other games), quit the game, and check the values for the above parameters.
If 'Availabe Bytes' drops precipitously and '% Usage' shows a positive value, then do a clean boot to find the cause:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310353
If 'Available Bytes' shows a lot of free memory and '% Usage' is zero during gameplay, but '% Processor Time' is high even when not playing a game, then something is running in the background which is eating up the CPU's bandwidth.
If Task Mgr. shows nothing is amiss, then you can also do a clean boot to find the cause.
However, sometimes it faster and easier to just do a fresh format and reinstall everything.
Zaevion
03-24-2003, 03:24 PM
wow...um...ok, i'll get back to you guys with all of this once I try some stuff out...but don't be surprised if i'm back before hand asking question...i'm not quite sure what everything you guys said menas, but i'll try my best
':D'
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