rec.autos.simulators

I think it would be beneficial to all of us to post specific info about the
hardware and software that we're using. It may help us identify a common
factor and might assist Papy in correcting it. As they are posted I will
save the messages to my PC for safe keeping(incase the post disappear from
the NG). I'm no software guru, but I do know its easier to solve a problem
if you can get what ya know in one place. If you're having FPS trouble with
the patch, please post it.

From what I've read so far there are two problems that we're currently
facing(relating to FPS anyway). 1) A drop in FPS to around 25 during
offline(online too?) racing. 2) A random drop in FPS while racing online,
sometimes followed by a drastic increase in FPS to around 50. Please use the
numbers. If your problem is related to FPS but not listed then use number 3
and provide a *brief* description.

Hardware:

CPU: PIII 450 (not o'cd)
MB: Abit BX6r2
MEM: 128mb
Video: Voodoo3 3K(not o'cd)
Modem or con type: USR 56k (not the winmodem)
Sound: MX300
Game Port: MX300
FF: No    Disabled: Yes

Software:

OS: Win98
DirectX Ver: 6.1

GPL:

Core.ini: core.ini.sample (renamed)
GPL Install: 1.1 over v1 install w/o any patches, not clean
Graphics options: max
Detail Bias: 75%
Resolution: 800x600
Number of AI:  n/a
Problem: 2
Tracks where it was noticed: Zandy, Spa, Rouen
FPS Before: solid 36
FPS After: 18 to 50+

There maybe some additional info that would be helpful, but this is all I
could think of for now.

On the lighter side of this... Tonight while testing the 1.1 patch for a
league race a couple of things related to this FPS thing struck me as funny.

The first was at Spa, I was heading into the "kink" (a.k.a. "the big ***")
and I totally missed the entrance to this terrible chicane. Suddenly, GPL
slows down to like 18 fps(ouch) as if to say, "I'm going to let you see your
crash real time, in slow-mo just so you can how bad you screwed up". <G>

The second was at Rouen and was the opposite of the slow down, it was the
mach 2 super FPS GPL:) I was heading down that short chute leading into the
hairpin when out of nowhere GPL blast up to 55 fps. I was braking hard so
imagine my surprise when I found myself hurling toward the tires at what had
to be at least mach 2. When GPL settled down, I was stopped like 10 feet
from the corner! lol. Wow, what a rush:)

Scottie

Does going back to the 1.0 default of "clock_adj_delay = 12" and
"synch_method = 0" have any affect at all on problem #2?

Eric

I'll try it Eric and let you know. Would you explain what these settings do
and why this could be causing the trouble?

Thanks,

Scottie

Basically they control how clients attempt to stay in sync with the
server they are racing on.

Eric

OK... Experience so far -> would qualify as problem 1.
Original GPL - Framerate solid 36 most of the time - 25-26 at race start
with full grid - soon back to 36.
GPL 1.1 - fresh install - 24-25 fps, 15-16 at race start with full grid
initially - no network connection.
  edited core.ini clock setting - it sped up.  On subsequent try was right
back to 25-26.  Rebooted - started GPL - 25-26.  Signed onto internet -
restarted GPL - 35-36 fps.  Drove for a bit - it suddenly dropped back to
25.  Exited GPL - checked DUN log - slow down in GPL occurred when ISP
disconnected.  restarted GPL - 25.  exit - connect to internet - restart
GPL - 36.  No change with framerates related to FF, screen resolution, or
detail level noticed.

Appears to be related to presence or absence of a network connection.  Never
seen a program suffer for lack of a connection before (except for those
which required one).  Hope they aren't distributing this patch on disk to
users w/o an internet connection - they'll be very disappointed.  Guess the
trick now is to keep my ISP connection from disconnecting when not in use.

System specs - AMD k6-2-400, 256MB RAM, 1MB cache (DFI P5VB+r2b), V3 3000,
TSW2F-P or WMFF wheel, AWE64 (sound and gameport).  Zoom 56k modem (pci).
FF - virtually same results enabled or disabled (1-2 fps hit for FF with
this setup when multiple forces are active - such as when sliding backwards
against the hay bales at Monaco.  lol). - nothing overclocked -

Michael

   It did for me.  (C300A, Thriller, 64 meg, serial v.90 modem at
28.8K).

"But in a way, fear is a big part of racing, because if there was
nothing to be frightened of, and no limit, any fool could get into
a motor car and racing would not exist as a sport." -- Jim Clark

OK, I'll repeat what I've said in my previous posts:

With GPL 1.0 I got 36 fps. In the same places with 1.1 I get 25 fps.
But it's not just the game running slower.

The game appears to be limiting itself to 25fps, as it does at 36fps
normally. Also, if I start a qualifying session, and watch the timer, the
seconds tick by slowly. 10 GPL seconds now actually take 14 REAL seconds to
pass. This MUST be connected.

First I tried patching my old GPL install - 25fps.
Next I re-installed and patched the fresh install - 25fps.
I then went into the core.ini and set "clock_adj_delay = 16" and
"synch_method = 0" (2 common solutions) - 25fps
Turned FF on / off to check - 25fps
I replaced the new 3dfx rasteriser with the old one - 25fps
Put Glide 2.56 in GPL dir - 25fps
Tried standard joystick instead of MSFF wheel - 25fps
Even tried software mode - 10secs still took 14secs to pass.

Copied old GPL.exe and core.ini back - GPL 1.0 still runs at 37fps

The one factor that stayed the same is that time slowed down - 10 seconds
took 14 real seconds to pass.
The ratio 25:36 fps = 1.44
Ratio 10sec:14sec = 1.4

That MUST be a connection!!!!

If I'm connected to the internet I do get 33-35 fps, (no matter whether I'm
in an online game - it's just the connection that counts!) but if I hit any
walls etc, bringing in the FF, it drops back to 24-30 fps.

This isn't a cure though. I started a session, and started my watch. I then
drove around for 2 mins hitting walls all the time on purpose to bring in
the FF. The 2 minutes on track took 2 minutes and 3 real seconds to pass.
This would still
be unacceptable for multi-player games.

Also, offline it still stays at 25 fps.

WTF is causing this? It happens in all game modes (even training). Can it be
fixed? I want FF!

My system:
AMD K6-2 450,
Asus P5-A mobo - bios 1007,
128mb PC100 ram,

SBLive Vakue,
Diamond Supra-Express 56k modem.

Mike West
3DNow! UK: www.3dnow.freeserve.co.uk

My V1.1 runs at constant 37-38 fps offline, making time run faster in the

installed.
Haven't tried online yet.

Bye,
Leo

Well, this may not help much, but it's short and sweet.  I've experienced no
discernable difference since applying the patch.

P2/400, 128 megs, SLI/V2s, Logitech FF wheel

Jerry Morelock

<snip>

I go from 36 frames to 4, game freeze, then back to 36 for a lap

Celeron300A at 464mhz
128Meg RAM
Voodoo2
Logitech FF wheel
ADSL
Graphics settings set to VROC 1.1FAQ

1.1 Results:
36-37FPS no slowdowns

Also hosted a few 15 driver online races on VROC with great results
using Alison Hine's core.ini from
http://gpl.gamestats.com/download/ali-core.ini

So far the 1.1 patch is a great add-on for me, loving that FF.

Seeyas on the track.

--John (Joao) Silva

John,
  What happens if you disable the ADSL connection before starting GPL 1.1?