Hard Light Productions Forums

Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => FS2 Open Coding - The Source Code Project (SCP) => Topic started by: Ghost on September 16, 2006, 04:04:11 pm

Title: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Ghost on September 16, 2006, 04:04:11 pm
My household recently acquired a much better computer than what was used previously. Allow me to list my specs, so you can share in my baffled-ness:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core processor 4200+, at 2.22 ghz, 2 gig of RAM
Video card: nVidia Geforce 7900 GT

Now onto the problem. For installing FS2, what I did was I used the old 3.6.5 installer package to get everything needed for the actual program. Then, I upgraded the launcher, build, and VP files to 5.3 and 3.6.7, respectively. I have a couple other build exes, but... we'll get to that.

Okay, so I opened the launcher, selected the official 3.6.7 exe, fiddled with my options a bit, etc... and hit run. Game starts, start a new pilot, hit 'select,' main hall. Everything's dandy for about half a second. Then... either it locks up(not sure about it, since the music is still playing), or it's just taking a really long time to get to the next frame.

Sometimes it locks up, sometimes it'll get moving at the rate of about .1 frames per second.

Attempting with a more recent build won't start the game at all.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: CP5670 on September 16, 2006, 04:20:47 pm
hmm, I would have expected a newer build to do the trick. 3.6.7 is ancient these days and doesn't contain the dual core fix, but it's in everything after last November or so. This sounds like a dual core problem though, so you could try setting the affinity manually in the task manager and see if that helps.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Ghost on September 16, 2006, 04:31:17 pm
hmm, I would have expected a newer build to do the trick. 3.6.7 is ancient these days and doesn't contain the dual core fix, but it's in everything after last November or so. This sounds like a dual core problem though, so you could try setting the affinity manually in the task manager and see if that helps.

You mean the 3.6.7 build? I've tried a build by Karajorma, I believe, from mid-May. Which won't start the game at all.

If you meant the VPs, I have no idea which ones are latest. There's all this beta and zeta **** that should get cleaned up.

EDIT: Well, the affinity thing fixed it... sort of. It'll now run on the 3.6.7 official build. The other one won't start.

EDIT2: put in the 3.6.8 Zeta VPs from the thread in the upgrade forum. Now 3.6.7 build will start, but crashes with a few errors. Other builds still refuse to start.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: karajorma on September 16, 2006, 05:48:38 pm
Firstly your installation method is a little baffling. There is no good reason for running the 3.6.5 installer. The fact that it's over a year old and has never been updated since should have been a clue to that :)


If you're trying to use 3.6.7 with 3.6.8 VPs you are similarly wasting your time. You should never run with newer VPs than the build you're using. That's simply asking for trouble as there is no way to ensure that a build can be forward compatible with the data that will be used by later builds.

Get yourself 3.6.9 RC 7.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Ghost on September 16, 2006, 06:28:39 pm
Firstly your installation method is a little baffling. There is no good reason for running the 3.6.5 installer. The fact that it's over a year old and has never been updated since should have been a clue to that :)


If you're trying to use 3.6.7 with 3.6.8 VPs you are similarly wasting your time. You should never run with newer VPs than the build you're using. That's simply asking for trouble as there is no way to ensure that a build can be forward compatible with the data that will be used by later builds.

Get yourself 3.6.9 RC 7.

I install that way because it's a good way to build upon for me. Otherwise I always think I forget something.

Also, like I said, new builds refuse to even start.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: karajorma on September 17, 2006, 06:46:13 am
Problem is that I have no idea what you have installed any more.

Follow the instructions here (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/karajorma/FAQ/installingfs2_open.html#upgrade) on how to clean out an old install of FS2_Open.

Then follow this (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42081.msg859921.html#msg859921) guide on how to install 3.6.9 RC 7
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Nuke on September 17, 2006, 10:37:48 am
all builds should be capable of running with vanilla vp files. the ones that originally came with the game. id advise cleaning out the old media vps (not the originals), and try the builds in reverse-order untill one works, then install the appropriate media vps for it.

also you might want to consider running a debug build. then you can give the coders some debugging information and perhaps the problem will be fixed on future builds.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Ghost on September 17, 2006, 11:44:06 am
Karajorma: What I did just now was uninstall FS2, and deleted the folder with everything in it. I then reinstalled FS2, patched it, and followed your instructions to the letter. I appreciate you being patient with someone as impatient as myself.

It still does not work. After putting OpenAL on my computer and running it, now the launcher, for some reason, won't start.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: karajorma on September 17, 2006, 12:52:33 pm
Okay. At least we're getting somewhere now.

Delete your errorlog.txt file. Then attempt to run the debug build of RC 7 from the launcher. Give me the first 10 lines of your errorlog.txt file and the first 20 or so of your fs2.log file (along with the last 10 of the same file).

If you get any error pop up other than the standard windows needs to close this program paste the text in here too.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Ghost on September 17, 2006, 01:37:27 pm
When I run the debug exe, a small window with scrolling text pops up for about half a second, then disappears. No errorlog file is created.

Running the regular exe doesn't work, obviously, and creates an errorlog:

Quote
fs2_open_3_6_9 caused an Access Violation in module ntdll.dll at 001b:7c911f52.
Exception handler called in FreeSpace 2 Main Thread.
Error occurred at 9/17/2006 14:34:34.
J:\Freespace2\fs2_open_3_6_9.exe, run by Unknown.
2 processor(s), type 586.
2048 MBytes physical memory.
Read from location fffffffd caused an access violation.

Where's the fs2.log file located?
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: karajorma on September 17, 2006, 01:44:34 pm
It should be appearing in the same folder as the errorlog.txt (i.e  your main one).

Go into the launcher and post your command line for me (That will be the stuff in the greyed out box on the features tab. You can cut and paste it here).
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Ghost on September 17, 2006, 02:19:48 pm
There's no fs2.log file there.

Also, if you didn't see what I said, the launcher isn't working either anymore.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: karajorma on September 17, 2006, 02:24:42 pm
Delete the launcher6.ini and the flags.lch file and try it again.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Ghost on September 17, 2006, 03:38:36 pm
Will do when I get access to that computer again. I'll edit this post when I try that.

EDIT: Launcher opened, no command line set. First attempt will be the debug build... I hit run, 'debug spew' window popped up for maybe 2 seconds, then disappeared. Game fails to run.

New errorlog:

Quote
fs2_open_3_6_9 caused an Access Violation in module ntdll.dll at 001b:7c911f52.
Exception handler called in FreeSpace 2 Main Thread.
Error occurred at 9/17/2006 14:34:34.
J:\Freespace2\fs2_open_3_6_9.exe, run by Unknown.
2 processor(s), type 586.
2048 MBytes physical memory.
Read from location fffffffd caused an access violation.

Registers:
EAX=001401b0 CS=001b EIP=7c911f52 EFLGS=00010293
EBX=00140000 SS=0023 ESP=0012e2d8 EBP=0012e4f8
ECX=7ffde000 DS=0023 ESI=fffffff8 FS=003b
EDX=00140608 ES=0023 EDI=00000007 GS=0000

There's a boatload more stuff in there, too.

I'm still not seeing an fs2.log file.

EDIT2: Here's my command line: J:\Freespace2\fs2_open_3_6_9_debug.exe -spec -glow -env -jpgtga -mipmap -nomotiondebris -2d_poof -missile_lighting -dualscanlines -targetinfo -orbradar -rearm_timer -ballistic_gauge -ship_choice_3d -3dwarp -warp_flash -snd_preload -fps
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Bobboau on September 17, 2006, 07:50:23 pm
OGL or D3D?

ten bucks on you useing D3D, wich is going to be broken till after the next release.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Polpolion on September 17, 2006, 09:10:52 pm
Quote
Firstly your installation method is a little baffling. There is no good reason for running the 3.6.5 installer. The fact that it's over a year old and has never been updated since should have been a clue to that :)

I remember 3.6.5

I used to try and run that with my old comp, no media VPs, I was like "wTf? These graphics are orgasmic!!!!" and then it froze, and I was like "NOOO!!!!!"

Now with my new comp I'm using 3.6.9 RC6 with all the Zeta VPs, and I'm like "Yeah, I guess these graphics are pretty good."
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Ghost on September 17, 2006, 10:09:06 pm
OGL or D3D?

ten bucks on you useing D3D, wich is going to be broken till after the next release.

Looks like you owe me 10 bucks, then, haha.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: WMCoolmon on September 18, 2006, 12:35:25 am

Looks like you owe me 10 bucks, then, haha.

I have a new way of earning HLP money.

*Turns to the less-than-30 posts crowd*

Soo....who here wants to bet that there's gonna be a Freespace 3?
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Trivial Psychic on September 18, 2006, 09:37:39 pm
I'm still not seeing an fs2.log file.
Actually, its called "fs.log", and a debug build should be generating one evey time its fired up.  The best way to find it is to first, run the debug build.  Then, open up your freespace2 folder in Explorer, make sure you have the option to view file extensions enabled, then tell the program to organize them by date modified.  FS.log should be one of the most, if not THE most recently edited file, and should be right at the top (or bottom, depending on whether you've got it set oldest-to-newest, or newest-to-oldest).
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Ghost on September 19, 2006, 06:04:46 am
I'm still not seeing an fs2.log file.
Actually, its called "fs.log", and a debug build should be generating one evey time its fired up.  The best way to find it is to first, run the debug build.  Then, open up your freespace2 folder in Explorer, make sure you have the option to view file extensions enabled, then tell the program to organize them by date modified.  FS.log should be one of the most, if not THE most recently edited file, and should be right at the top (or bottom, depending on whether you've got it set oldest-to-newest, or newest-to-oldest).

Okay, thanks. I've got to get to school at the moment; I'll look for it again when I get home.

EDIT: Found 'fs.log'

Quote
==========================================================================
DEBUG SPEW: No debug_filter.cfg found, so only general, error, and warning
categories can be shown and no debug_filter.cfg info will be saved.
==========================================================================
Passed cmdline options:
  -2d_poof
  -env
  -jpgtga
  -mipmap
  -missile_lighting
  -glow
  -nomotiondebris
  -spec
  -3dwarp
  -ship_choice_3d
  -warp_flash
  -snd_preload
  -mod mediavp
Building file index...
Searching root 'J:\freespace2\mediavp\'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\mediavp\mp-710_adveffects.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\mediavp\mp-710_effects.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\mediavp\mp-710_models.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\mediavp\mv_core.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\mediavp\mv_effects.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\mediavp\mv_models.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\mediavp\mv_music.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\mediavp\mv_textures.vp'
Searching root 'J:\freespace2\'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\mv_core.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\root_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\smarty_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\sparky_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\sparky_hi_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\stu_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\tango1_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\tango2_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\tango3_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'J:\freespace2\warble_fs2.vp'
Searching root 'f:\'
Found 21 roots and 11882 files.
AutoLang: Language auto-detection successful...
Setting language to English
Initializing OpenAL...
  Using 'Generic Software' as OpenAL sound device...

EDIT2: I should also tell you that I repeatedly have to delete my launcher's ini file as well as the flags file to get the launcher to work. Meaning every time I close the launcher, I have to do that whole thing each time to get it to work.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: taylor on September 19, 2006, 11:26:55 pm
There is something wrong with your OpenAL install.  Check c:\windows\system32 for either of these two files, and if you find them, delete them: ct_oal.dll, nvopenal.dll.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Col. Fishguts on September 20, 2006, 08:39:12 am
Wasn't there a problem with FS_open on dual core CPUs ? That might have been fixed by now, but you seem to use older builds.

Try setting FS_open to only use one core. Right-click on the exe and you should be able to select on which core you want it to run.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: karajorma on September 20, 2006, 09:22:39 am
There was a problem but Ghost says he followed the installation proceedure I gave him a few posts later which should mean he's now running 3.6.9 RC 7
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Ghost on September 20, 2006, 06:14:17 pm
THANK YOU ALL VERY VERY MUCH. I am forever in your debt; you guys stuck with an extremely irritating problem and weren't like "screw this" and moved on. It worked.

The problem? nvopenal.dll was in \system32. I don't know why that screwed it up, but killing that fixed it. Fixed all of it, apparently, 'cause the launcher started up with no trouble.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: EAD_Agamemnon on September 20, 2006, 11:50:45 pm
I seem to be having a similar problem, but I dont have those 2 files to remove.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Ghost on September 21, 2006, 06:07:32 am
Well, I don't know what they read in it, but if you post your errorlog and fs.log, they might be able to help you.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Mr_Blastman on December 10, 2006, 11:15:51 pm
I'm still having problems on my X2 4400+, 2 gigs ram and 7900 GTX.  I can run it fine, but I get massive slowdowns in game.  I just upgraded to 3.6.9 RC 7 and I'm still having problems - the slowdowns don't make any sense.

I have all the dual core hotfixes and other odds nad ends on my system too - every other game runs flawless.  Any ideas?
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Mr_Blastman on December 11, 2006, 06:33:38 pm
I tried setting CPU affinity to CPU 0 for the executables etc. - and still no fix.

The ONE strange thing that is happening that I can describe - is for instance - when flak guns are going off...

I can HEAR them... But I can not see them... And it slows down a good bit during this time.  Ideas?

I know my cpu is fast enough to run it - I was able to run with adveffects on my XP 1900 and Ti4600 - so this machine should definately be able to handle it.

The other odd thing is I can hear the intro  - but not see it - until I press escape - and then I can see the frame I escaped from..  Anyone have any ideas?  I need my FS 2 fix :)
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Mr_Blastman on December 11, 2006, 06:47:36 pm
To further help, here is how I'm starting the game within the launcher:

C:\Freespace2\fs2_open_r-20061115.exe -mod mediavps -spec -glow -env -jpgtga -mipmap -missile_lighting -dualscanlines -targetinfo -rearm_timer -ballistic_gauge -3dwarp -warp_flash -snd_preload -oldfire -alpha_env  -ambient_factor 75 -spec_exp 11

If I turn environment maps off it makes no difference - framerate is the same with them on or off - but with them on... WOW!    But still - flak is not showing up.  I'm using the same install that I had on my XP 1900 - so it should work - it is the Shivan torrent full install.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Mr_Blastman on December 11, 2006, 06:56:44 pm
I also just tried removing the adveffects - still no solution - same slowdown in spots.  Someone else has to have had this problem...
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: taylor on December 11, 2006, 07:02:32 pm
Create an empty file named "debug_filter.cfg" in the data directory.  Run the debug build of 7dot9x and play through any mission that you like until you have experienced your slowdown problem for a couple of minutes, then exit the game.  Put the data/fs2_open.log file up where I can take a look at it (DO NOT copy&paste here!!).
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Mr_Blastman on December 11, 2006, 07:44:44 pm
Well, it won't let me load up the debug build - I keep getting stopped by a spelling error screen - inital should be spelled as initial.  Line 66.

Odd..  The executable I'm running is fs2_open_d-20061115

Is there a newer one?

I found out I was running in direct 3d - switched to open gl and still no luck - in this version.

I went back to version fs2_open_r-20060125.exe - 3.6.8 and everything worked great - except movies - they still don't work - even in open gl.  The slowdowns went away.

Problem with 3.6.9 is - I'm addicted to it -  the reflection maps on the starships is just sooooo fascinating to watch.  I even added the fixed media vp's in the mediavp folder - the mp-710 files - I assume there is nothing more to installing them than placing them there.  Any ideas?  I'd love to host up a log but I can't get past spelling errors in ANY debug build I've tried...
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Mr_Blastman on December 11, 2006, 08:07:16 pm
Well - I downloaded fs2_open_r-20061130.exe - it has been a while since I've tinkered with FS 2 - but found the site finally to get them - the sourceforge one is way out of date.

Anyways  - that fixed the slowdowns AND the flak - all of that is peachy now :)  With max detail on as well - no slowdowns :)  I take it not all ships reflect the stars - the ones that do look incredible.

I still can not watch the cutscenes/intro/movies - I can play them fine in media player classic - just not in game... Any ideas?
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Mr_Blastman on December 11, 2006, 09:42:09 pm
Perhaps I should clarify further - I can HEAR the cutscenes playing - I just can not see them within  FS 2...
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Turey on December 11, 2006, 09:47:20 pm
Perhaps I should clarify further - I can HEAR the cutscenes playing - I just can not see them within  FS 2...


you need the .MVE cutscenes, not the .avi ones.
Title: Re: Why is this happening on a new computer?
Post by: Mr_Blastman on December 11, 2006, 10:01:25 pm
Yep, that did it - downloaded the .mve files, and removed the avi's and problems fixed!  Thanks!

Now if I could get all the ships to reflect the stars - this game keeps getting better and better - thanks for all the developers and coders hard work!