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Having game operation problems in fire node (expert with graphic controls needed).

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 12:45 pm
by Galuf the Dwarf
I can bet this is a common problem, but I really need the help of someone who is an expert on the graphic controls, and identifing what needs to be done to fix this.

I'm in the fire node, after beating the 3 other nodes. For some reason, the game constantly either stops responding or crashes when I battle the node boss. My computer does exceed the requirements for the game to run, so there's hardly a problem with that. Any ideas?

Side note: Fighting the boss isn't as bad as a problem, since I've been slowly figuring out what to do.

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 2:14 pm
by kellinjar
Post your system specs, the actual minimum requirements listed on the box are not really what you need to play the game.
(much like the min requirements for simcity 4 were way to low)

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:30 pm
by Galuf the Dwarf
Originally posted by kellinjar
Post your system specs, the actual minimum requirements listed on the box are not really what you need to play the game.
(much like the min requirements for simcity 4 were way to low)


Sorry if it's been a while. Been tied down with classes, homework, and chores. Okay, I have...

Windows XP 2002
Pentium 4 2.6 GHz
512 MB RAM

I have downloaded DirectX version 9 (I think it was 9.0, but I could be mistaken; been so long). That's what it took to get this game running in the first place.

Everything sound okay.

Note: I think my play CD is scratched, which may be a factor into this, but I'd like to see some other possible points, since this seems to be a common crash point for many players.

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:43 pm
by kellinjar
What kind of video card?

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 9:14 am
by DraySkullan
I've found that the system specs don't matter so much. My PC exceeds in some, meets in others, and I think even is a little too low in one area (not sure), and I ran the game fine for the most part.

The fire node is a pain, but it can be done. Go slowly. Don't take your mouse too far ahead of your party. You kinda have to inch your way along. Baby steps.

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 9:19 am
by kellinjar
ACtually they do, and so do the drivers you have for your hardware. I was having a horrible time in the nodes and noticed I had forgotten to update my video card drivers, I did so and it reduced the lagging in the nodes by 95%.

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:21 am
by Galuf the Dwarf
Originally posted by DraySkullan
I've found that the system specs don't matter so much. My PC exceeds in some, meets in others, and I think even is a little too low in one area (not sure), and I ran the game fine for the most part.

The fire node is a pain, but it can be done. Go slowly. Don't take your mouse too far ahead of your party. You kinda have to inch your way along. Baby steps.


I have done that, and it STILL stops responding at times. :(

The crashing mainly happens when I fight the Balor.

I had NO problems at all in the other nodes (and therefore beat the bosses of all the other ones), but this one almost makes me want to scream at times. Trust me, beating all 4 nodes is in my agenda.

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:57 am
by DraySkullan
ACtually they do, and so do the drivers you have for your hardware


Well, what I mean by that is I know of people with really nice PC's, way above all the minimums that have found the game virtually unplayable, while my barely meets specs system ran it pretty well.

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:04 am
by kellinjar
This is more then likely a driver problem (in the case of a better PC running the game poorly as opposed to your lower end PC running it fine)
Just because a PC has good hardware doesn't mean its using it right.
You have to make sure the drivers are updated, your system is mainted, etc
Otherwise the actuall system specs don't mean jack.

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 7:47 am
by calinpearce
I am having exactly the same problem and have tried updating my drivers and downloading any patches I can find. Nothing has worked so far. I have a NVIDIA GeForce FX5200 graphics card. Do you have the same one? Perhaps its something to do with the Video card in general?!

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:03 am
by kellinjar
Well something you should be aware of is the fact that the fx5200 was kind of a bum card. While it had new technology it suffered in performance issues, getting worse scores on alot of games compared with the Geforce4 mx 440 8x AGP 64 mb card.
You may want to try turning everything down, or think about upgrading your card. You can get a Sapphire Radeon 9600 128 mb card for about $90-$100 US. A worthwhile upgrade. (mine is being delivered as we speak)

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:27 am
by calinpearce
I didn't know that - though it does explain a few things. I think an upgrade is in order - not something I thought I would have to do for a while!! I have heard goo things about the Radeon 9600 and the Fx5900. My credit card company are going to love me!!

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:42 am
by kellinjar
check this out before you purchase a card:
http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/over2003/
benchmarks like 80 video cards.