rec.autos.simulators

Ok, this is my last attempt on this system.  I'm trying to configure another
server.  Win2K, NTFS, TNT2 video card.  I originally started by copying an
install from one of my other servers.  No good, so I installed over that one.
No good, so I deleted everything and started over.  No good.  I had the 1201
patch, tried D3D and OGL - no good.  Tried allowing indexing, disabling it - no
good.  It's a 900Mhz system, so I don't need the CPU patch.  The only constant
is what it does - splash screen, then dump to desktop.  The killer of it is I
have two more of the EXACT same machine(down to CPU, ram, and video card), one
with Win2K, one with XP Pro, and both of those work fine.  The XP Pro didn't
work on the first try, but worked with a re-install.  I've gone through about
4-5 installs with this latest one.  WTF?!?

Eldred
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NTFS? Allow indexing on the gpl folder. In folder properties, click the
advanced button & you'll see a tick box to allow indexing. You don't
actually have to enable the indexing service.
I realise you mention this in your post, so this is really just to confirm
the procedure.

You also need Dx7.0 or higher. iirc win2k has 6.0 as standard, but run
dxdiag to check the version.

Finally, install the CPU patch anyway imo, it has the noCD & disco fixes
built in so it's one less patch to apply ;-)

Malc.

I even turned it off and then back on - no good...

DX8.1...

I don't think it's gonna work on this system for whatever reason... :(

Eldred
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No I shouldn't think the CPU patch will either make gpl work or be required
on that system, it just makes installing gpl that little bit quicker. otoh
if you're at a loss, give it a go anyway ;-)

tbh you're probably a way better IT type bod than I'll ever be, but I'll
list some other stuff that may be the cause, I'm sure you'll have tried most
of this already but hopefully I might mention something that helps ;-)

Make sure an IRQ is assigned to the graphics card in the bios.

Try gpl in software mode.

Try another d3d or OpenGL game to see whether it's gpl or the PC at fault.

Check that none of the files in the gpl folder are read only.

Check that the registry is not at the limit of it's allowable size.

Try a different graphics card to see if it's faulty. I assume it's a fairly
old one.

Ditto for the memory if it's used too.

Try disabling sound if the PC has it.

Check that the swapfile is large enough or dynamic (dependant on your
ReplayMemoryOverride value in the core.ini)

Check that the security setting for the gpl folder is allowing appropriate
access (system, administrator & the current user at the least, 'everyone' at
the most)

These are all just things to check really. I must say from the symptoms the
indexing flag is the usual suspect.

If all this PC will be used for is a gpl server, you could reformat with
fat32 & reinstall as a last resort, but I can't think of much else if none
of this works, gpl is pretty trouble free to set up usually :-(

Malc.

Eldred,

I just went throught the same problem.  I still don't know the root cause but
I fixed it by using the OpenGL driver from papy.com.  I know there's a better
OGL driver at racesimcentral.  I'll go get it later.

Try Malc's suggestion to put yourself into software mode.  In case you're not
sure how to get there, look in the app.ini file.

You'll see something like this:

[ Graphics ]
lastRasterizerDLL = rastd3d7.dll                ; Last rasterizer DLL selected

Delete "rastd3dd7"

Or, I probably should suggest -- delete any reference to any rasterizer other
than "softdll.dll".

Restart GPL.  If that works, then you have the same problem I saw -- something
boinked with D3D.

Like I said, I don't know the root cause, only that I was able to make it work
by using OGL.

Rgds,
leef

Given that the problem only arises when the video card is being aroused
(splash screen etc.) I suspect it is one of two broad possibilities
(1) Driver issues (gpl mebbe asks the card something to do that its
instructions dont understand) or IRQ type sharing conflict
(2) Hardware instability due to either the RAM, powersupply, video card,  or
simply overheating of any number of components

cheers
Ashley

I'm willing to bet any amount of money that if I re-format the damn thing to
win98, it'll work fine...
And win2K is supposed to be superior???  Grrr...

Eldred
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I've tried setting it to OGL, D3D, software, etc.  No joy.  I find it hard to
believe it's an IRQ conflict as someone else suggested.  The same exact model
machine with the same OS works fine on my other desk.  I'll check that,
though...

Eldred
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IRQ's were the same, as was DX version.  Would you believe...hardware
acceleration?  I thought to check that setting.  On the system that works, the
slider is 2 clicks from the right.  I tried it on the new system - voila!
Works now.
F'king computers... :-(

Eldred
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