rec.autos.simulators

FWIW I used to have a P233MMX which I ran at 225Mhz, and GPL is fine
on that system. That is with either a Rendition or a 3dFX card.

If you don't have a 3D card then you may have a problem, but second
hand ones are cheap enough.

Cheers!
John

Answers to those points:
1) Minimum requirements for the demo:
Windows 95, a Pentium 166MHz processor or better with 32MB of RAM
and DirectX 5 are required to run this demo.  You should also have the
latest drivers for your video card installed.
The recommended machine for the GPL demo is a Pentium 200MHz with
64MB of RAM and a Rendition or 3Dfx Voodoo card.
-- If you don't have a 3dfx card, or Rendition card (Stealth II is $90 i
think), then you will experience VERY poor frame rates.. Before I got my
Stealth, I was playing at about 12-15 frames/sec (est), and I found it very
difficult, but a wonderful experience anyhow. I have heard of people running
it ok with as low as 20MB RAM.. but really, the minimum today is 32MB, and
most new systems ship with 64MB..

2) the GPL demo DOES work with Windows 98 ... it's just you have to do a
couple of little fixes before you can get it working. It is MOST DEFINITELY
worth the 5 minute procedure. (If you don't do the fix, GPL will either not
run at all, or else will run with distorted sound and extrememly fast
framerate (unplayable)). I have complete instructions on my website
 http://webhome.idirect.com/~drbryan/gpl ) for installation help of the
demo. Furthermore if you have any additional problems, please email me and
I'll try and help you problem solve..
Bottom line is that it DOES work, it just takes a little tweaking..
And PLEASE NOTE: The final release of Grand Prix Legends WILL work on
Windows 98 .. it is just the demo that is not compatible.. it was made
before Win98 was released)

3) If you have heard that GPL is too hard to drive, this may be for a couple
of reasons:
    - poor framerate - obviously, if you are only getting 10-15 frames /sec
on "software-only" mode, then you are missing out on 10-20 frames/sec of
information. With a graphics accelerator card (3Dfx or Rendition), smooth
framerates are possible on even a P-166. And of course, 16 MB of RAM just
doesn't cut it any more.
    - the fact that the car handles "realistically". It took me 2 days
before I completed one lap without a spin (in "software" mode). Just take
things nice and slow.. Use the GP3 car to start off (You wouldn't do well if
you hopped in a real F1 car, either!). Don't try to fastlap.. just get a
feel for the car first. Drive fast on the straight sections, and brake EARLY
for the corners.. Tip-toe around the corners. Then, gradually move your
braking points later.. Before you know it, you'll be pulling off 1:15-1:20's
at the Glen (not up there with the record holders, but a damn lot better
than 1:45's).
    - the demo setup is FAR FROM OPTIMAL - the beta testers found that there
was over 1 degree of postive camber on the wheels - it shoudl be something
like -0.5. This means the car does NOT handle all that well. (But even so,
people are still doing times just as fast as the Beta team has managed WITH
a good setup!).
    - lack of determination/ DISCIPLINE (see above... don't press too
hard)/time (it takes a while to get good!)

GPL SHOULD be shipping by September 30th (confirmed everywhere EXCEPT Sierra
N. America!! - they are slow to update there website- it even says "Spring,
1998" on one page!)

So if you want a headstart (to get a feel for the tracks (Watkins Glen and
Monza are available), start practicing now. The final release will feel very
different, as  the car setups will have been improved, the tyre modelling
physics will have been implemented, and the whole thing tweaked or redone..

Anyhow.. that's all for now..
doktorB
http://webhome.idirect.com/~drbryan/gpl
For the GPL track files, FAQ (I've got it!), installation help, release date
updates, and more!
----

I never said you HAD to.. just suggested you DO IT.. (If you don't I'll come
over to your house and give you the beats.. so watch out!!)

doktorB  ...  (I DID put my life on hold for GPL!!)
http://webhome.idirect.com/~drbryan/gpl
For the GPL track files, FAQ (I've got it!), installation help, release date
updates, and more!
----

Dan, I would guess from what I know on the NROS that many of the people
actually don't care about GPL just because they are more of a stock-car
drivers...

If we take per example the NROS, many of those "rednecks" (heh) actually do
not race tracks like Darlington or Nazareth just because they find them too
difficult.

Or course, remember that its not everybody with a wheel in front of a PC
that has the racing abilities or experience to be good, but if they can't
master an easy oval track on the NROS, I doubt they will have fun with GPL.

Well, maybe having fun crashing ;-)

- Fran?ois Mnard <ymenard> Good race at the Brickyard!
- Official Mentally retarded guy of r.a.s.
- Excuse me for my English (I'm French speaking)
- Sponsored by http://www.awpss.com/ on the NROS
- "People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realise
how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world."--

Don't worry, Mr. Kennewell, the Bunny will be back.. very shortly.. (he was
your friend too, right?)

Yeah, you know what I'm talking about.. he's been practicing at Mosport.. my
scanner is working now.. pics to usual place in the next week.. pass the
word on to Phil !!

doktorB
http://webhome.idirect.com/~drbryan/gpl
For the GPL track files, FAQ (I've got it!), release date updates, and more!
-----

BUT... damn Winblows98 won't allow me to run it, I've tried the "Win98 fix"
which didn't work for me :P

And yes I need to run Win98, my i740 AGP video card wouldn't work with
Win95 OSR1 OSR2 or OSR2.1

I did get a bunch of running time on the Watkins Glenn track before
upgrading Windoze so I'm eagerly awaiting the release of GPL (which will
be Win98 friendly from what I hear)

Also there's lots of us out here that are both realistic sim fans and arcadish
racing game fans (NFS etc).

Seeyas in my crosshairs.

--John  Quake2:  Kl_LavaBoy_AGQ2

doktorB

Thanks a lot, I will be trying out Monza next yahoo!

Seeyas in my crosshairs.

--John  Quake2:  Kl_LavaBoy_AGQ2
                 Kludger_LavaBoy    

If you follow my instructions STEP-by-STEP GPLwill work with Windows 98!!
(Now, if you have the Monza ** CD ** that's another story! Just email me and
I'll help you out.. I've got that one fixed up too!)

doktorB

doktorB  .... (I put my life on hold for GPL!!)
http://www.racesimcentral.net/~drbryan/gpl
For the GPL track files, FAQ (I've got it!), installation help, release date
updates, and more!
-----

In Canada, where? :) That reminds me what happened to "Le Chicken" (or
whatever) who seemed to be r.a.s's "spokeschicken" for a while! :)  I
know, I read this group *WAY* too much!

Later,
John

Why did you under clock the 233 ;-)

Mark