rec.autos.simulators

Hi, all,

What a strange new problem I've got in GPL!
When I start the game, it fires up in software rendering
mode ... I go to the Options page, and change the "3d
accelerator" menu from "None" to "3dfx" ... then I have to
restart the game for this change to take effect .... BUT ...
when I restart, we're back at square one, with the "3d
accelerator" menu set back to "none."

I've checked the app.ini file after quitting the game, and
it does indeed show "Last rasterizer selected =  rast3dfx"
... so I know the menu selection takes effect. But
apparently, upon restarting, the GPL.exe simply ignores the
app.ini and fires up in software mode again.

This occurs even if I change GPL.exe and/or app.ini to "Read
Only." Replacing the GPL.exe with a fresh copy from the CD
brings the same results ... Even a complete re-installation
of the game changes nothing.

This problem began after I installed RealAudio's RealPlayer
G3, which required DX6, so I suspect this is another side
effect [That's not a bug ... it's a FEATURE!] ... however,
the trick of putting Glide2.53 inside the GPL folder doesn't
even get a chance to work, as the 3d rasterizer never gets
loaded.

Should I try to get a newer version of DirectX? Should I try
the new Glide2.56 drivers?

For reference, my system is Pentium Classic 166mhz + Voodoo1
+ 32M ram, running under W95B.

Any help is greatly appreciated,

Smogbike

I had this problem.  Make sure that Anti-Aliasing is turned off before you
select the 3D Fx driver.

ALSO, don't use any of the graph patches released so far...Make sure that
you card is working at all first...

I'd warn you that a Voodoo One wont do the game justice.

Doug

Ehm, many people probably had this one already.

Bingo (I think). I think Glide2.53 etc are meant for Voodoo2 and up.
I had the same problem (reverting back to software rendering) when
trying that Glide2.53 pack until I found out that those drivers are
not meant for Voodoo1. Remove the drivers from your GPL directory and
if applicable reinstall your 3Dfx drivers for Voodoo1.

Ruud van Gaal
MarketGraph / MachTech: http://www.marketgraph.nl
Art: http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery

Woops.... This system has W95a on it, not W95b. I was confusing
it with my other PC.

Smogbike

I had a similar problem with GPL and a Riva 128 card: the OpenGL
rasterizer would not remain selected, the sim would start up in
'software mode' every time I restarted. The solution was to reinstall
the graphics card drivers - something was wrong with the driver
installation earlier, and GPL couldn't find the proper support and
reverted to software mode. Try installing the most recent drivers for
your card. Then, you can still go and copy the old .dll into the GPL
directory once the 3dfx mode is recognized.

--
Wolfgang Preiss   \ E-mail copies of replies to this posting are welcome.

Good morning, Wolfgang,

Your suggestion was right on the mark {or pfenig?]. I acquired the latest reference
drivers from 3dfx.com, removed the GLide2.53 drivers I had kept inside the GPL
folder, and now all is wonderful again. .... or at least as wonderful as things get
on a P-166. Thanks very much for your help.
BTW, Wolfgang, are you by chance related to the New York publisher, also named
Wolfgang Preiss?

Thanks to everyone for your help. Three cheers for R.A.S. !!!
Smogbike