rec.autos.simulators

> My opinion is the dialup is likely just fine, get the computer to do its
> thing in a timely matter and the data transfer will take care of itself.

> > If the problem only happens online, you can ignore any suggestions you
> > may have read about memory, graphics cards, etc.  Well, try more
> > memory, anyway... but the problem most likely has to do with your
> > modem and/or network settings.

> > I haven't used a modem for a long time, so I dont really have any
> > specific information for that part of the equation other than making
> > sure you aren't using error-checking.  You might fiddle around with
> > various settings for your transmit and receive buffers and see if that
> > makes a difference.  SE has the latest updates to the TCP and DUN
> > software, I think, but you might check that too.  Verify that your
> > modem driver is up to date.  I notice your reply-to address is AOL...
> > if you are playing through them, that *could* be a big problem right
> > there.  Some modems (often called "Win-Modems") use the resources of
> > the operating system to perform communication operations that are
> > normally performed by the modem microchips. This can be especially
> > detrimental to CPU
> > intensive programs.

> > There are some registry settings that impact performance as well. MTU:
> > (maximum transmission unit) windows sets this to 1500 by default,
> > ideally with a V90/56k modem it should be set to 576, IIRC.  RWIN:
> > (receive window) should be set to 8x. You can probably find multiple
> > utilities that will do all this for you, if you dont want to edit the
> > registry directly.

> > Do you have problems with GPL online?  Other games?  If not, maybe all
> > you need *is* more memory.  It's dirt cheap and can't hurt.  Come to
> > think of it, Win98SE eats up about 60MB with nothing else loaded.

> > Ironically, my problem seems to be the reverse.  Online, N4 runs
> > great, but with only a P4-800, it runs like a dog with much more that
> > 20 AI cars in single player.  All them little bug brains is thinking
> > WAY too hard...

> > Lastly, if you don't have any other broadband solutions, ISDN might
> > (or might not) be a viable alternative, depending on where you live.
> > In TN, it is only a little more expensive than DSL or CABLE, is WAY
> > more robust than either, and gives excellent performance for online
> > ***.

> > HTH,
> > Gerald Moore

> > > It runs at 37fps or so offline.  Online, I get stuttering.  The
>  framerate keeps
> > > switching from 33 to 37 to 40 and back.  It's undriveable.  I'm sure
>  this has
> > > been discussed, but of course I didn't pay attention... :(  What's the
>  fix?
> > > I have the patch, but I only have a modem for connection.  Is that the
>  problem,
> > > maybe?  I'd hate to think that I won't be able to race online until I
>  get a
> > > cable modem, because I have *no* idea when that will be.
> > > Specs:
> > > Athlon 1.3G
> > > 128MB ram
> > > Voodoo5
> > > SBLive
> > > win98se

> > > Eldred

> Strange that his problems only occur in MP though.  Any theories you'd
> like to present?

> Gerald

> > My opinion is the dialup is likely just fine, get the computer to do its
> > thing in a timely matter and the data transfer will take care of itself.

> > > If the problem only happens online, you can ignore any suggestions you
> > > may have read about memory, graphics cards, etc.  Well, try more
> > > memory, anyway... but the problem most likely has to do with your
> > > modem and/or network settings.

> > > I haven't used a modem for a long time, so I dont really have any
> > > specific information for that part of the equation other than making
> > > sure you aren't using error-checking.  You might fiddle around with
> > > various settings for your transmit and receive buffers and see if that
> > > makes a difference.  SE has the latest updates to the TCP and DUN
> > > software, I think, but you might check that too.  Verify that your
> > > modem driver is up to date.  I notice your reply-to address is AOL...
> > > if you are playing through them, that *could* be a big problem right
> > > there.  Some modems (often called "Win-Modems") use the resources of
> > > the operating system to perform communication operations that are
> > > normally performed by the modem microchips. This can be especially
> > > detrimental to CPU
> > > intensive programs.

> > > There are some registry settings that impact performance as well. MTU:
> > > (maximum transmission unit) windows sets this to 1500 by default,
> > > ideally with a V90/56k modem it should be set to 576, IIRC.  RWIN:
> > > (receive window) should be set to 8x. You can probably find multiple
> > > utilities that will do all this for you, if you dont want to edit the
> > > registry directly.

> > > Do you have problems with GPL online?  Other games?  If not, maybe all
> > > you need *is* more memory.  It's dirt cheap and can't hurt.  Come to
> > > think of it, Win98SE eats up about 60MB with nothing else loaded.

> > > Ironically, my problem seems to be the reverse.  Online, N4 runs
> > > great, but with only a P4-800, it runs like a dog with much more that
> > > 20 AI cars in single player.  All them little bug brains is thinking
> > > WAY too hard...

> > > Lastly, if you don't have any other broadband solutions, ISDN might
> > > (or might not) be a viable alternative, depending on where you live.
> > > In TN, it is only a little more expensive than DSL or CABLE, is WAY
> > > more robust than either, and gives excellent performance for online
> > > ***.

> > > HTH,
> > > Gerald Moore

> > > > It runs at 37fps or so offline.  Online, I get stuttering.  The
> >  framerate keeps
> > > > switching from 33 to 37 to 40 and back.  It's undriveable.  I'm sure
> >  this has
> > > > been discussed, but of course I didn't pay attention... :(  What's
the
> >  fix?
> > > > I have the patch, but I only have a modem for connection.  Is that
the
> >  problem,
> > > > maybe?  I'd hate to think that I won't be able to race online until
I
> >  get a
> > > > cable modem, because I have *no* idea when that will be.
> > > > Specs:
> > > > Athlon 1.3G
> > > > 128MB ram
> > > > Voodoo5
> > > > SBLive
> > > > win98se

> > > > Eldred

> >As for resolution, I don't think it matters that much, I have just found
> >that N4 likes to be run in the same res and depth as your desktop. My
> >desktop was 1152X856X32 and we all know N4 is a heavy resource hog in 16
> >bit, so I set my desktop to 16 bit, run the video config in N4 and chose
> >idential settings to my desktop and voila, nary a problem since. The only
> >caveat is that I *think* that N4 will run in 800X600 regardless of desktop
> >settings. If N4 is your primary "game" I would set your desktop to
> >1024X768X16 bit and run the game in the same setup. *Or* Set your desktop
> >that way and run N4 in 800X600. Just be sure that you only try N4 in 16bit,
> >I know it is capable of 32 bit, but that is going to require 128MB video
> >cards I think. The 64 MB cards can't do FSAA yet without a huge hit, I'd
> >hate to see one try 32 bit with any kind of options enabled...(I'll be
> >called a liar on that one, but I know of what I speak)

> Well, I dropped another 128MB in it.  The stuttering lessened a 'bit', but not
> much, and the framerate stayed the same.  I tried to set it to 2 FSAA instead
> of 4, and I didn't see a change.  So, I deleted the N4 directory, re-installed
> at the default 800x600.  The framerate online was close to 70(!).  There was
> still some slight stuttering, but I was able to run a 30-lap race at Michigan.
> I don't remember what resolution I was running before, but I still think I
> should be able to run at 1024x768. right?  That's what my desktop is already
> set to, if that matters.  It's late, so I'll have to try N4 at 1024x768
> tomorrow...
> Btw, HOW long does it take for the ratings to change..?  It still had zeroes in
> all the fields after my race... :(

> Eldred
> --
> Dale Earnhardt, Sr. R.I.P. 1951-2001
> Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett
> F1 hcp. +16.36...Monster +366.59...

> Never argue with an idiot.  He brings you down to his level, then beats you
> with experience...
> Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

>http://www.papy.com/html/n4_ratings.htm

>Good luck Eldred,

>Gary

> >As far as your rating goes, here is the web address that explains it all.  It
> >is
> >too lengthy to get into it here.  Once you cross a threshold, your ratings
> >update
> >immediately.

> >http://www.papy.com/html/n4_ratings.htm

> >Good luck Eldred,

> >Gary

> Ok, thanks.  It took me about 20 minutes yesterday to find a track that:
> - wasn't Daytona or Talladega
> - I actually felt I could get around without knocking down the walls(that lets
> out Watkins Glen)
> - didn't have a password(most do)
> - wasn't full
> - didn't have a 'maximum latency' limit(I was always about 50 over)
> - wasn't already racing
> - didn't have more than 20 minutes of practice left
> - didn't have a skill level set(I'm new in N4, remember?)

> Sigh.  That's ridiculous...  I see what some of you guys mean now about it's
> hard to get into races...

> > Gerald
>   I'd like to present the Big Bang Theory.  Or Charlize Theron...can't
> remember which is which...
> dave henrie