Horrible Black and Yellow Boxes

[Ixion's Wheel]

Hi guys,

I'm clueless as to what to do and really need some advise.
I've had the game since it came out and can rearely play for more than 10-20 minutes before the screen gradually fills with boxes. They sometimes appear when I put an object down and they trail from the edges of the object, boxing it off so that it can't be seen unless your inside the boxed area.

This is obviously bloody frustrating and is worse when I change a large area of the ground. If I create a hole 9/10 the black or yellow areas will appear disrupting the whole screen, making my whole effort pointless.
Hell, I've never even been able to complete the first level and couldn't manage to build 10 rides on Sandbox before it happened last time.

I wasn't sure if it's something to do with my Graphics card as a similar thing is happening with Sid Meier's Pirates! though never with any other game before (typically) I've got the latest drivers, patches etc too.
Here's my DXDIAG if it helps.
Thanks people.


System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 1/23/2005, 21:51:04
Machine name: DEEPTHOUGHT
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Time Computers
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.1GHz
Memory: 480MB RAM
Page File: 312MB used, 814MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: The file nv4_disp.dll is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX Integrated GPU
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce4 MX Integrated GPU
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01F0&SUBSYS_77701462&REV_A3
Display Memory: 32.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6177 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/15/2004 11:42:00, 3740032 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: No
WHQL Date Stamp: None
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 7/15/2004 11:42:00, 2459712 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-42B0-11CF-F36F-7A5702C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x01F0
SubSys ID: 0x77701462
Revision ID: 0x00A3
Revision ID: 0x00A3
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: NFORCE_VAD
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: nvapu.sys
Driver Version: 6.14.0431.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 3/3/2004 13:02:00, 320640 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 200, 100000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 64, 61
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

Description: Modem #0 Line Playback (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID:
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 81
Type: Emulated
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
WHQL Logo'd:
Date and Size:
Other Files:
Driver Provider:
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0x0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: nvapu.sys
Driver Version: 6.14.0431.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 3/3/2004 13:02:00, 320640 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xCC0

Description: Modem #0 Line Record (emulated)
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
Date and Size:
Cap Flags: 0x20
Format Flags: 0x0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version:
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

[Hooch]

I had the same kind of problem – quite awhile ago –On my 64MB Riva TNT 2. It was sorry to say – hope not in your case- a hardware error.
The fan on my GPU seized and the chip gradually overheated to the point of failure.

I only noticed the graphics glitch as you describe in Falcon 4 and other high end 3d games (for that time) – other games would freeze or eventually crash.

I hope this is not the problem in your case as it looks like you have an integrated GPU – (onboard graphics).
But it would be advisable to invest in a new GPU as you only have 32Mb currently – And RTC3 just about sucks that dry when loading the game –never mind playing.
Try sharing more physical memory in your BIOS to your graphics – say 64Mb –you shouldn’t go higher as then you trade system memory which decreases speed again.

But also keep an eye on your PC temperature – this is always overlooked by people with random crashes and graphics glitches – a HOT system is an unstable system.

(and now don’t go sticking your fingers in the system fan to see if it works – it hurts:tonguegre – and an unstable fan can ***** cpu’s if the heat sink vibrates to much)

Good Luck

[Fluxx]

To be honest (and a bit blunt) Im surprised your card can run the game at all. But Im glad it does.....:tup:

It sounds like you are getting artifacts.

Youre using the 61.77 drivers that are really for Geforce 6 series cards (yeah, I know that Nvidia say 'Backwards compatible' :weirdblue )

You could try earlier drivers and see if those help

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp-2k_archive.html

I always found the 44.03 to be stable (on a Ti4200)

Although they may make the problem worse.
Its all a bit trial and error really.


What you really need is a new card (if you have an AGP slot that is)

Sorry I cant be of more help.:frownblue

[Ixion's Wheel]

Thanks for your helps guys, I do have an intergrated Graphics card though it uses 32mb from my system memory already. (The bloody shop told us it was a 128mb inside, but that was another stat for the card not the power of it if you know what I mean.)

I don't know how to modify it further as I've not had a PC for too long. As for checking the temp, is there any other way to check except for feeling it?
I'll try the driver thing though it was a pain getting the one I have, as for AGP does that mean an expansion slot?
If so would they be the extra slots in My Computer under 'Devices with removable storage' ? I've got a few of those.

Cheers.

[Fluxx]

An AGP slot is different to PCI expansion slots......its brown and slightly above the PCI slots your soundcard/modem sit in.

Easiest way to see is to whip the side off and see if youve got one.....:tup:

Just be careful not to touch any interior workings and DONT DO IT WHILE ITS PLUGGEDIN/SWITCHED ON.

Also dont touch the motherboard or the intergrated graphics card to see how hot it is.......:eekblue:

If yopu havnt got an AGP slot youll be stuck with a PCI card (NOT PCI-E)