Re: Simulator problems in XP

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

Peter Bowers wrote:
Hi Jimmy S
Thanks for the reply. I have printed out your instructions for future reference. I found a patch for the Microsoft train simulator and installed it, but there was nothing for the Trainz Ultimate collection.
I also reinstalled Direct X.
I already had the latest Catalist driver for the Radeon 9250 card.
I have tested all the drivers via DXDIAG and all is OK, no problems.
So we shall try again, many thanks
"Jimmy S." <nosp@xxxxx> wrote in message news:uHedciruFHA.2792@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Peter,

"Peter Bowers" <peterbowers@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:ubaLGyquFHA.2312@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
| Hello,
| I have obtained two train simulators, for my grandson,one is Microsoft train
| simulator and the other is trainz railway simulator. My OP is XP home SP2.
| The graphics card is Radeon 9250. When played the computer keeps rebooting
| itself to lower resolution or it freezes and I have to reset it,sometimes
| the screen becomes a coloured mess. Can someone advise please. Thank you.
|
|

Updating video card drivers can solve most gaming issues. Here's some
simple abc's to always keep in mind. a. Shut off download accelerators,
firewalls and antivirus programs when downloading or installing updates;
b. Check for game patches: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
c. Make sure you meet the game's minimum video and system requirements;
d. Check for known issues with your video card at the game's web site. :-)

1.  Before you update your drivers, I recommend you re-install DirectX
  from: www.microsoft.com/directx

Please look over the ATI articles about their latest driver on the download page.
They list Installation Tips, Fixes, and Release Notes with important information.

2. Download the latest Catalyst driver for ATI Radeon or All in Wonder Card:

Win XP/2000: http://ati.com/support/drivers/winxp/radeonwdm-xp.html
Win 98/Me: http://ati.com/support/drivers/winme/radeonwdm-me.html

3. Save the .exe driver in My Documents\My Drivers\ATI

4. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
  about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.

5. Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware
  Device Manager / expand +Display Adapters / right click on
  the adapter, pick "Uninstall", and click No if asked to reboot.

6. Use Control Panel / Add-Remove programs to uninstall the
  previous driver (exe)software which may have been installed.

7. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
  about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.

8. If Windows prompts you to install the adapter, click "Cancel".

9.  Double click the ATI driver we saved to My Documents\ My
   Drivers\ATI folder in step 3 to install.it.  If it complains about
   Windows Logo Certification just click "Continue".  This is normal.

10.  After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
  choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

Test your drivers using DXDiag:  Click Start / Run / type: DXDIAG
Click the "Test" buttons in the Display, Sound, Music & Network Tabs;
If any of the Display options are Disabled and you cannot Enable them,
your most likely solution would be to update your Chipset Drivers as per
my website: http://www3.sympatico.ca/nibblesnbits/Video.html#v11

Your program might not support dual monitors, or "dual head" video cards
You can disable the extra video output in your display properties control
panel. Click Start>Settings>Control Panel>Display>Settings>Advanced.

Along with your Video card, Sound Cards, Motherboard Chipsets,
and Video Monitors may also require updated drivers.  Even your
motherboard's  BIOS may need to be updated for compatibility with
your Video card.  These steps are listed at: http://NibblesNbitsVideo.tk

Perhaps the old ATI drivers did not completely uninstall. If that's the
case, use these utility to completely uninstall the drivers and go to step 7:
http://www.driverheaven.net/cleaner/ (works for all cards including nvidia)

The latest video drivers sometime don't work with a particular game.
(Check the Video suggestions in the readme.txt file in your game folder/CD)
If there's no suggestions, try an older (WHQL) driver, and/or if you still
experience problems try a Beta driver, or even an Omega driver instead:

      BETA Drivers:  http://download.guru3d.com/
      OMEGA Drivers: http://www.omegacorner.com/

There you have it, if you have any questions feel free to post them! :-)

--
Cheers,                                 Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S.                               http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

Also make sure your system isn't overheating. Make sure the fan on the power supply is operating and ALL case vents are unobstructed. Don't operate a computer inside an enclosure unless there is clearance to allow ventalation into and out of the computer case AND the enclosure is WELL ventelated. If are comfortable with opening your computer case, make sure the inside of the computer is free of dust accumulations and all fans inside the case are operating. Fans are often installed on the main processor/CPU and the seperate video accerlerator chip. Obtain software to check the CPU and video accelerator chip tempretures while the simulations are running. Tempreture monitoring software MAY be available on your system's motherboard and/or video accelerator software instalation CDs. You can also monitor the tempretures with an application like the free Lavalys Everest Home Edition http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=1&lang=en&pageid=1
.

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