[Moonsword]

I'm getting an annoying crash problem with FS@_Open, using the most recent build from the forum.  Essentially whenever a capship tries to fire it's beams, the game will lock up.  No questions asked, it just sits there and freezes while playing the beam discharge sound.

I'm running a 2.3GHz Pentium something or other with 512 MB of RAM and an Intel controller, using the DirectX options rather than the OpenGL set.

[Flaser]

Writting the exact number of the build, as well as referencing to the thread where it was posted may help.

There are a number of things that could go wrong, just to make sure, did you:

-Install Direct X 9? (In theory Direct X 8 should work too)
-Use the launcher made for FS_Open? (the latest version)
-Use a release build? (Debug builds are a lot more "picky")
-Use data made for the build?

[Moonsword]

Thanks, next question:
Where do I find data specifically made for a build?

[karajorma]

Originally posted by Moonsword
Thanks, next question:
Where do I find data specifically made for a build?

What he means is that you're not doing something like using tables made for bobs env mapping/decal version with a standard FS2_Open build.  

As Flaser said we need to know the exact name of the build you're using (You'll be amazed at the number of people who turn out to be using 3.5.5 thinking it's the most recent build).

If you've downloaded any extras tell us what.

Check out the instructions I gave in my installing FS2_open guide below. See if you did anything differently.

[Moonsword]

I have the media pack (the most recent version) and I grabbed 3.5.5 to try that instead of the build I was using (May 3rd, I think).

I'll look through the installation guide.

[kasperl]

sorry, what was the exact filename?
Guys, did we release a May third build or a March fifth build?

And even if it is really May third, there should be something more recent going 'round.....

[kasperl]

Ok, I think you meant this thread:
http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,23384.0.html

Yeah, that seems to be the latest build, never mind my ignorance, I've been out of the loop for a week, and am having trouble connecting to HLP, so I'm just outdated.

What flags do you have set in the launcher?

[Moonsword]

Okay, I've managed to get it working... kind of.

I'm using the -nohtl flag with the May 3rd build.  It seems to work as I've been in the middle of a couple of really heavy beam battles without anything crashing.

New problem: noticed with both Inferno and Depths of Hell, I play a few missions then the game randomly freezes and locks up in the middle of a mission.  Ideas?

[ChronoReverse]

-nothtl?

What kind of video card do you have?  Integrated?

[mrduckman]

Where there any other flag you were using?

nohtl is being doing that for a long time. I'm using with this new build these flags only and the game seems to run smoothly:
-spec -pcx32 -jpgtga

[Moonsword]

@ChronoReverse: Integrated video card, yeah.  Directly on the motherboard.

@mrduckman: With Inferno, the mod flag to load the mod.  With Depths of Hell, nope, just put the missions in the data directory directly.  nohtl is the only way I could the program to handle beam discharges.  I'll try your flags, see if they work.

To anyone out there: is there a master list of flags, and if not, could one be compiled so we poor, pitiful newbies can find out what the flags are?

[Moonsword]

Mrduckman, does the word 'no' mean anything to you?  As in, 'no that setting does not work'.  Anyone else got any ideas?

[ChronoReverse]

The reason why I asked if you had integrated ties into that.

HTL is feature that's been available on video cards for a few years now.  However, integrated video tends to be very low.  Since you have an Intel cpu it's likely you have integrated intel video.  That means you don't have HTL available.

HTL is supposed to work even on cards that don't support it according to Bobboau.  But it doesn't work generally in FS2_open.

Which is why you had to use the -nohtl tag to make it work.



Now, my next question for you to answer is how much video ram does your integrated video include?

[Moonsword]

Not quite sure, but I did find out one thing.  Mrduckyman, your reccomended settings in combination with the -nohtl tag have proven more stable than before.  Sorry about that earlier, I was just trying to be funny, that wasn't intended as irritable as it probably sounds.

@Chronoreverse: Not quite sure, but I believe it's 4 MB of RAM.

[mrduckman]

No problem. It's easy to get frustrated with this the first time. Trust me, I know.

The Wiki site has what you need.
http://dynamic4.gamespy.com/~freespace/fsdoc/

Anyway, is quite odd that you have those problems.
I've a Duron of 600Mhz and a Geforce4 MX-440 and doesn't hang up the way you do.
I'd be grateful to know what are your system specifications.

And if I recall correctly, Inferno runs better on the retail version rather than the SCP. I don't know if they release an SCP versiion, though.

[ChronoReverse]

@Moonsword

Hmm, you know, I have sneaking suspicion that your pc was one of the packaged retail ones now.


In any case, see if you can grab updated drivers for your integrated graphics, but I wouldn't hold my breath for the problems to go away.  In any case, a cheap low-end modern video card would play FS2_open better than the integrated graphics.

[WMCoolmon]

Originally posted by Moonsword
New problem: noticed with both Inferno and Depths of Hell, I play a few missions then the game randomly freezes and locks up in the middle of a mission.  Ideas?

Did you play Inferno with an Inferno build? There's one on Phreak's site.

[kasperl]

http://dynamic4.gamespy.com/~freespace/fsdoc/index.php/Command-Line%20Quick%20Reference

here, the master list you requested. It is in the Wiki, and you ought to have been able to find it simply by checking the documentation, but what the heck.

[Trivial Psychic]

For playing Inferno under SCP, I would reccomend downloading the unofficial R1 patch I put together.  Its being hosted by FilePlanet (thanks to Woo) and you can find the link in the like-named thread in the Inferno forum.

Later!

[Moonsword]

@ChronoReverse: Yes, it is.  This is the most real trouble I've had out of software, but primarily to run this, I've been considering buying a low-end video card.  Well, this and Xenocide.

@Kasperl: I was just asking, really.  I hadn't noticed one, and I've been through the Wiki a couple of times, though not looking for that.  Thanks, though.  I appreciate it.

@Trivial Psychic: I'll do that.

To all:  Thanks guys.  I appreciate it.