Problems getting SMAC to run on a friends computer.

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Author Topic:   Problems getting SMAC to run on a friends computer.

The Atomic Kid posted 04-06-99 06:14 PM ET
Has anyone had any luck trying to get SMAC working on a Riva 128 based card? (Diamond Viper 330 PCI using reference drivers)
A friend bought the game for both of us, and cant play.
I've enabled the directdraw=0 and ds3d=0,
and it runs, but...
It seems as if the display is coming out at 320x200 and only displaying the upper left hand quadrant of the normal game screen, or else it focuses on the middle. Either way, cant see the menus nor the information bar across the bottom of the display.
Any brave souls out there get any farther than me with this one?
TAK
axe posted 04-07-99 01:50 PM ET
I'm taking a blind leap here..But the video is givin control to DirectX, I believe..Do you know what version is installed? Do other DirectX games work okay? (You know, the same routine) =]
The Atomic Kid posted 04-07-99 04:18 PM ET
I built the computer for him, and just finished upgrading the software from
windowsupdate (I kinda like it, its convenient )
Win98 /DirectX 6.1
Other games work fine. (Magic the Gathering, for example, which, I believe, uses DirectDraw).
TAK
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS posted 04-07-99 08:35 PM ET
By disabling directdraw (which might be necessary with that card), the game won't auto-switch to the game's resolution. I sounds like it's running at the desktop resolution, most likely 640x480. I'd manually set the window desktop resolution to one the game uses, either 800x600x8bit (256 colors) or 1024x768x8bit.
jkm
firaxis games
The Atomic Kid posted 04-08-99 03:38 AM ET
That ones not gonna work. I think his monitor tops out at 640x480
(he aint flush enough to afford a new one right now)
I thought the game would run at 640x480?
If not, its definitely a no go.
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS posted 04-08-99 11:08 AM ET
Unless he bought the monitor like 5 or 6 years ago, a much more likely cause is that he hasn't configured his computer to correctly recognise his monitor. To check, right-click on the my computer icon, select properties, then settings. Click on the advanced or monitor button. If it's set to standard VGA, he just never set it up.
jkm
firaxis games
The Atomic Kid posted 04-08-99 04:30 PM ET
Ok dudes. Read above.
_I built the computer for him_
His monitor is old. It isnt supported under win95/98, so I had to use generic monitor drivers. I tested the modes, it won't go above 640x480.
(Its an old Magnavox, but the picture quality is nice)
TAK
The Atomic Kid posted 04-08-99 04:45 PM ET
Sorry if the above seems a little grouchy.
Just moved into a new house, and life's a little stressful right now.
Good house, but too much to do
TAK
axe posted 04-08-99 05:25 PM ET
Well, I believe you do need 800x600 for it.. And even on that, things are compressed ...
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Author	Topic: Problems getting SMAC to run on a friends computer.
The Atomic Kid	posted 04-06-99 06:14 PM ET Has anyone had any luck trying to get SMAC working on a Riva 128 based card? (Diamond Viper 330 PCI using reference drivers) A friend bought the game for both of us, and cant play. I've enabled the directdraw=0 and ds3d=0, and it runs, but... It seems as if the display is coming out at 320x200 and only displaying the upper left hand quadrant of the normal game screen, or else it focuses on the middle. Either way, cant see the menus nor the information bar across the bottom of the display. Any brave souls out there get any farther than me with this one? TAK
axe	posted 04-07-99 01:50 PM ET I'm taking a blind leap here..But the video is givin control to DirectX, I believe..Do you know what version is installed? Do other DirectX games work okay? (You know, the same routine) =]
The Atomic Kid	posted 04-07-99 04:18 PM ET I built the computer for him, and just finished upgrading the software from windowsupdate (I kinda like it, its convenient ) Win98 /DirectX 6.1 Other games work fine. (Magic the Gathering, for example, which, I believe, uses DirectDraw). TAK
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS	posted 04-07-99 08:35 PM ET By disabling directdraw (which might be necessary with that card), the game won't auto-switch to the game's resolution. I sounds like it's running at the desktop resolution, most likely 640x480. I'd manually set the window desktop resolution to one the game uses, either 800x600x8bit (256 colors) or 1024x768x8bit. jkm firaxis games
The Atomic Kid	posted 04-08-99 03:38 AM ET That ones not gonna work. I think his monitor tops out at 640x480 (he aint flush enough to afford a new one right now) I thought the game would run at 640x480? If not, its definitely a no go.
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS	posted 04-08-99 11:08 AM ET Unless he bought the monitor like 5 or 6 years ago, a much more likely cause is that he hasn't configured his computer to correctly recognise his monitor. To check, right-click on the my computer icon, select properties, then settings. Click on the advanced or monitor button. If it's set to standard VGA, he just never set it up. jkm firaxis games
The Atomic Kid	posted 04-08-99 04:30 PM ET Ok dudes. Read above. _I built the computer for him_ His monitor is old. It isnt supported under win95/98, so I had to use generic monitor drivers. I tested the modes, it won't go above 640x480. (Its an old Magnavox, but the picture quality is nice) TAK
The Atomic Kid	posted 04-08-99 04:45 PM ET Sorry if the above seems a little grouchy. Just moved into a new house, and life's a little stressful right now. Good house, but too much to do TAK
axe	posted 04-08-99 05:25 PM ET Well, I believe you do need 800x600 for it.. And even on that, things are compressed ...