rec.autos.simulators

I'm running a Dell Dimension XPS PPro200 with a #9 332 and can't get GP2
running fast without turning off all the options. With the options on, it
feels like I'm racing in slow motion. With the options off, the game moves
okay, but the graphics are nothing like ICR2 or Need for Speed, which run
fine with everything on.

I'm running it in Win95. Do I really need to run in DOS to make it work
right? I'm a recently converted Mac Weenie, so right now I can't even get
my CD-ROM to work in DOS. If I do need DOS, is there a web site or
something that tells me how to set up autoexec.bat files, etc.? Also, I
have fastvid, but every setting that I run it at seems to give me the same
numbers with vidspeed. Do I still need this with a recent (~1 month old)
Pentium Pro?

Thanks!
Ashok Rodrigues

Could it be the fact that Pentium Pro's are optimized for 32bit
programs and GP2 is a 16bit program?
I've read this kind of thing before and have heard that P166's are
better than PPro200's when it comes to 16bit software.
It's the other way around though when it comes to 32bit software such
as Windows NT or OS/2.

Tony

Perhaps, but it was my understanding that many DOS games have been 32-bit
for some time.  That's why many need some form of DOS extender like
DOS/4GW.  I recall Rick Genter (formerly of Papyrus as the Lead Technical
Director for IndyCarII) discussing this very issue when the PPros were
first released.

--

Emory University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
Nascar Setups Page: http://userwww.service.emory.edu/~ebusch/

There was a thread here recently that (I thought) clearly explained that
most of GP2 was true 32-bit code.

I suspect that the problem is that the Pentium Pro disable (by default)
several 'fast video' modes that were enabled (by default) on the the Pentium
chip.

There is a utility program called FASTVID that is supposed to be able to
correct this and enable the 'fast video' modes on the PPro.
Maybe this will help?

12:07 am

When I boot up GP2, it says DOS/4GW as the game loads in, so from what I
understand, it is 32-bit and should really fly on this PPro200. Actually,
I messed around with Fastvid some more, and I think I have it configured
wrong. Vidspeed actually slows _way_ down when I enable the last setting
(using the memory location it provides). I think this mem location is
wrong - how do I find out what it is for a #9 332?
And does anyone know if I truly need to run this from DOS? If so, any
ideas on web sites or books that tell you how to configure a CD-ROM, T2,
etc.?

Tony

: >running fast without turning off all the options. With the options on, it
: >feels like I'm racing in slow motion. With the options off, the game moves

: Could it be the fact that Pentium Pro's are optimized for 32bit
: programs and GP2 is a 16bit program?

GP2 is a 32bit program.

: Tony
-carlos

success,

Jo

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The most civilized civilizations are as close to barba-
rism as polished iron is to rust.

                                 Rivarol
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GP2 does you a Dos Extender

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Park Group,
Southend, Essex. UK
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writes

My machine is at the other extreme of the spectrum (DX2-66 16meg running
W95) and it doesn't make all that much difference wether I launch from
W95 or boot to dos first. BENCH W95 42.1, Dos 43.2 SVGABNCH W95 12.9 Dos
13.4. No discernable difference running the game. If you think your
machine is slow, you should try mine:)

--
Trevor Farrell

Is that a Pentium Pro trying to run a 16-bit program?

   I don't know anything about your video card, I have the Millennium
4 Meg.  But the rest of the system should be fine, if it has the Natoma,
or the debugged Orion (B step) support chips.  

   I am assuming the computer is recent, and Dell doesn't have some
particular problem.  

   My P6 was dog slow until I got fstvid.  Once things are tuned, I
believe every P6 owner is happy.  

   I have an older B step Orion PPro/200.  No interleaving on the
ram.  This is as slow as they get, I run full detail, but no detail
in mirrors.  Just the cars floating in a field of blue.  

   This has an estimated average frame rate of 23.2.  I follow the
convention and run at the next lower setting, 21.3.  I hopped in the  
***pit of the last computer car which has to draw lots of cars in
front, and watched the processor occupancy for a lap around Suzoka.  
It spiked to 300% for a fraction of a second at that first right
hander.  After that the occupancy hovered at about 90 - 100%, maxing
at 125% and bottoming out at about 75%.  

   To me, this looks like TV coverage, in terms of frame rate.  

   Fastvid can be found at:
         http://www.racesimcentral.net/

   Read the instructions.  Post here if you need help.  

   As far as 16 bit code crippling the P6, I think that's BS.  But
there have been hundreds of posts, it's Saturday night, I'm going
racing.  

   Good luck.  

                                                               Larry

===========================================================================
Larry Lindstrom.                       Consultant - Unix - X Window - Comms