2 problems I need solving

I've been playing this game and it's amazing, well done to the creators but I seem to have a problem or two.

Both arn't in-game (I havn't spotted a bug yet:2thumbsup:)


Firstly, I start up Europa Barboreum (this happens in both modes) and it goes to that screen with the title and something in Latin before the intro. It seems to freeze at this point and I have to ctrl-Alt-delete, switch user then go back on, do Ctrl-alt-delete again then switch to Europa Barboreum. I normally have to wait 15 minutes until I do this process, meaning it takes 20-30 just to start the game.

I doubt this is it.


Also I tried to install the 1.2 patch (to solve the above mentioned problem and it didn't work.

computer specs?

maybe you should try and disable the intro-video? go to your eb-folder, find the eb icon, right click->properties. then, i believe, if you add -nm at the end of the target box you disable the into-video. but i am not sure.

Why disable the intro video? That's not the problem...(at least I don't think it is). I'll try anyway, thanks.


mountaingoat, I have a vista if that helps? The game works impecably once I get it to the intro so it's not like I havn't got the graphic requirements...

Try it. When in doubt disable the intro-video, is an old Finnish saying.

What do you mean by target box?

If it's the ebicon name then I tried that and it didn't work...

In the Rome - total war folder you have installed EB, right-click the EB-icon you would use to play the game(EB). Then press properties. In this menu there is a box called "target". Ofc the name would be something different depending on your windows languages. At the end of the line in the box write -nm.

I dont know if it works, but I guess it might. :sweatdrop:

Didn't work. Thanks anyway.

Hm, then I don't know. It seem to be the only logical reason. What's your RAM? I too have a long start up wait, but not that long. Just long enough to go make some coffee. Are you sure the game freezes? Because I must wait maybe 3min at the page with the Latin and the map in the background, but it never freezes. Try and wait 5min, but I guess you have already done that. :sweatdrop:

I've left it for hours and still it freezes. If I had a weak RAM, the in-game would be poor but in-game it's flawless, no freezes, no CTDs...


:help::help::help:

Quote:

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I've left it for hours and still it freezes. If I had a weak RAM, the in-game would be poor but in-game it's flawless, no freezes, no CTDs...

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Well, look if you have somting running in the backround that might eat up your system resources like Norton AntiVir or something like that. It would help if you can tell the amount of ram you've got in your machine. Defragmentation might also be helping.

It took about three to five minutes to load the game with XP, 1Gb Ram, and an amd 2,2 CPU
( all bought in 2003 ;-) ).


In this stage the game loads all files, the longer starttime of EB, compared to vanilla or other mods, is a direct consequenze of the sheer amount of data that the game has to load, most notable the 10mb big edb.

I remember I've got just under 1 giga...but I've tried 1 hour and still won't work. Can anyone help me about the patch. That might fix it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lovejoy

Try it. When in doubt disable the intro-video, is an old Finnish saying.

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No no, the finnish saying is in fact, "When in doubt kill Russians and drink Vodka!".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by risker

I remember I've got just under 1 giga..

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not that great when running vista! ... what settings do you run the game on ???

if it is taking 15 minutes to switch out and back in , then something is chewing up your RAM or CPU or both ... i do not and will not use vista so i cannot give you any more info on what to play around with .

Indeed, you should have a minimum of 2 GB RAM if running Vista.

What you need to do is play EB on the Alex.exe. There should be instructions in the Unofficial Modding Project section. It made my computer go from taking 15 minutes to start EB to about two. I also cleaned up a lot of crap on my harddrive so try doing that too... :2thumbsup:

Thanks Kevin :2thumbsup:, how do you do that please?

It turns out you guys are right, eventually it gets to the intro...

Quote:

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I remember I've got just under 1 giga...

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I's the ram together with Vista ...

No clue



Does anyone know where the Unofficial Modding Project is that Kevin refered to is?

I run EB on Vista and I haven't had any problems, so I don't think that's the issue. Your RAM shortage is almost certainly contributing to the problem though. It really needs 2 GB to function properly, and if you have a motherboard that can hold the 4 GB maximum that Vista can support I recommend buying more RAM ASAP.

2GB is the minimum recommended. 4GB if you want to stretch it to the limit. Also buy a decent video card.

98% of problems regarding games can be solved with more RAM.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by risker

No clue



Does anyone know where the Unofficial Modding Project is that Kevin refered to is?

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https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=94861

Thanks, mountain goat.


You guys are right, I need more RAM but I might as well buy a new PC my one is soo bad...

Specs? You might have a decent PC that just has really bad RAM.

Ok I think is it (I had to go back to my post history to figure out it was Dxdiag.


------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/27/2009, 23:22:53
Machine name: ******-******-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Basic (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)
Language: French (Regional Setting: French)
System Manufacturer: HP-Pavilion
System Model: RZ576AA-B14 a6020.be
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3800+, ~2.4GHz
Memory: 894MB RAM
Page File: 1299MB used, 1014MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

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

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_03D0&SUBSYS_2A5A103C&REV_A2
Display Memory: 312 MB
Dedicated Memory: 122 MB
Shared Memory: 190 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.8208 (English)
DDI Version: 10
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 2/18/2009 14:44:00, 6082560 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4090-11CF-9C53-510A02C2CA35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x03D0
SubSys ID: 0x2A5A103C
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Video Accel:




My graphics card is an absolute shambles as is my RAM....does anyone know how to get useless RAM of like Kevin says???

I've heard that RAM is perhaps the cheapest thing you can upgrade on your computer. Try Newegg. You can also find some at your local BestBuy or computer store.

As for your graphics card... I'm not one to judge this, but it appears as though you have a dedicated GPU, however low-end it may be. Apparently, it would still be better than a high-end internal graphics card (Intel uses a lot of these).

You need more RAM. Anyone who thinks they can run Vista with less than 2 Gig of Ram deserves a smack around the ears. Your graphics card is old, but it should be fine for EB (Maybe not EBII though), so you may want to replace that in the enar future. However, your primary concern should be RAM, and getting more of it. Remember to check what type of RAM you use, so you don't splash out £30 only to find the damn RAM doesn't fit (Trust me, I've been there >.<)

where abouts do you live ? you can get a decent rig for gaming for fairly cheap ( depends how much cash u have spare ) . you could buy it piece by piece and build it.

I am using XP, a month ago, I am playing EB with 512mb ram. Starting screen is 5 mins or more, ai turn 1min30secs to 2min. after 2 hours of playing, slows down more, can only play on large unit smoothly. battle loading 3-5 mins, playing after few battles slows down to 10mins.

Then I finally got a 2 gigs ram...

It's just felt like you used to drive a ordinary sedan top speed of 100kph, then suddenly you are driving a Ferrari F1 at 300kph top speed.

I am playing EB with the speed like I am just playing RTW vanilla.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Subotan

98% of problems regarding games can be solved with more RAM.

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I whole-heartedly support this sentiment. I loaded up with 8GB of RAM when it was pretty cheap. Along with other pretty decent computer specs it has cut my loading time down to a maximum of about 30 secs. Often its less if I haven't started EB immediately when I start my computer. Also, I run Vista (shittest OS ever) so it alone isn't the cause of the problem.

CTD's still bug me out occasionally.

Thanks all for your advice. I got the same kind of answers on the ETW hardware requirements thread so it's pretty obvious I need more RAM...Is it expensive?

4G is the most you'll ever need. Most computers can't utilise the extra capacity beyond that.
RAM is pretty cheap for computer parts, especially from places like Ebuyer. Remember two things if you're going to get some, 1. that they work best in pairs, e.g. two 2Gig slots. The computer doesn't like 3Gig, or two and a half or whatever, so don't do it. The second thing is that remember to get the type of RAM that will slot into your motherboard, as there are multiple types, and ordering the wrong type is an expensive mistake.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Subotan

4G is the most you'll ever need. Most computers can't utilise the extra capacity beyond that.

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:no:

Maybe i got jipped. Sucks to be me.

well unless u are running x64 O/S then you will not need more than 4GB RAM , but not sure how win7 uses ram.

you want to go in pairs due to the dual channel ... so if your ram is 800mhz speed (dual channel) then if you do not have them in pairs it only will be running at half or something.

as it is best to get the same brand of ram , i would say check the mobo and see what the max speed it can hold , get some new RAM sticks . 4GB(2x2GB) ddr2 800mhz , goes for about 75/80 AUD.