I just bought a brand new computer system that meets all of the system requirements to run Heroes 5, except that it's running Windows Vista (instead of the recommended 2000/XP). Does anyone know of any compatibility issues of this game and Vista? If so, any solutions?

I've been able to run the game quite a bit, although the computer has been freezing and crashing a lot, sometimes during the game, but just as often doing something completely unrelated. I just got this computer a week ago, and haven't installed much other software besides this game.

Any help that anyone can offer would be much appreciated!

Courtney

Install DirectX9.0c(February 2007) into the HoMM5's Main folder(directory).

It's to convert your loading of the game into DX9.0c instead of DX10.

No uninstall of DX10 necessary.

You could also try uninstalling the game and only patching it up to 1.3 .. 1.4 could be the cause of your crashes. It wouldnt hurt testing it, now would it ? It helped for me, i also had lots of crashes, but after doing the above, no more crashes ever since ..

If you haven't patched your game yet, nevermind then.

The_Hag,

Are you running Windows Vista? Do you know anything about possible conflicts with Vista and patch 1.4, or has that just been your experience?

Thanks, everyone!

The crashing outside of the game may be related to faulty hardware or bad drivers for vista.

Try running a test like 3dmark 05 or something and if it crashes go back to the store you got it from and show them your problem.

quote:

Originally posted by cacao38:
The_Hag,

Are you running Windows Vista? Do you know anything about possible conflicts with Vista and patch 1.4, or has that just been your experience?

Thanks, everyone!

im not running Vista. So its just a wild guess, but you never know. I would go for Unreal AZ's advises though. I just read your startng post again, and if its really true your brand new cumputer is freezing, even when not playing heroes, i'd go and talk to your computer dealer aswell if i were you.

quote:

DirectX9.0c(February 2007)

I also have this Vista problem.How exactly would I go about installing DirectX 9 into the Heroes 5 folder? When I install DirectX it chooses the destination folder for itself.

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Patenaudeluc:
Install DirectX9.0c(February 2007) into the HoMM5's Main folder(directory).It's to convert your loading of the game into DX9.0c instead of DX10.

That post was 11 months ago, and the writer had a dubious reputation as a tech adviser.

You will note that the real Tech Wizard (unreal_az), one day later, ignored that suggestion.

The problem is that DIRECT X is a very essential Microsoft Windows « collection of application programming interfaces for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video » (Wikipedia).

It is not a program that could be controlled by an individual user. You can execute the DX installer, but the process will then deposit the essential DX files where Microsoft experts have designed they should go. The individual user has no say in that : he cannot even uninstall DX !

Take note that your Vista's DX 10 includes this : « Direct3D 9: emulates Direct3D 9 behavior as it was on Windows XP » (Wikipedia).

I do not have Vista, so I cannot show you how to use its "compatibility mode" with DX 9. I read that it does have one, so try to launch HM&M 5 in that "compatibility mode".

What that guy wrote, on 12 March 2007, appears to me as weird hoodoo, but maybe he knows something I don't.

If you have Vista, it is extremely important that your videocard's drivers are the most recent : because the videocard chipset designers (mostly nVidia & ATI -- which officially are the only supported chipset-families for HM&M 5) have had to play catch-up to optimize their drivers for Vista/DX10 gaming.

If you have an nVidia or ATI type of videocard (even if it was manufactured by another company), go to their website and find the most recent drivers for your card & your Vista : download, then uninstall the previous drivers, follow the instructions (reboot if necessary), find & launch the drivers installer -- with your antivirus inactive!

Thanks for your advice on the matter Sorceresss.I downloaded the new drivers(dated 13 Feb 08), uninstalled my old drivers and reinstalled the new ones. Except that they are not installed!My ATI tool bar icon dissapeared(for the catalyst control center)so I cant change any settings on my card, I cant even watch any films or series I have on my laptop with any Media player. My DXDIAG went from this, "Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ATI Radeon Xpress 1200
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x791F)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_791F&SUBSYS_C1081631&REV_00
Display Memory: 1343 MB
Dedicated Memory: 255 MB
Shared Memory: 1087 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Monitor PnP genérico
Driver Name: atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.dat,atitmmxx.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.0503 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 5/24/2007 14:41:04, 2860544 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-3A5F-11CF-7674-02E1A1C2CA35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x791F
SubSys ID: 0xC1081631
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{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
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
DDraw Status: Enabled"
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

To this, "Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Tarjeta gráfica VGA estándar
Manufacturer: (Tipos de pantalla estándar)
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x791F)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_791F&SUBSYS_C1081631&REV_00
Display Memory: 256 MB
Dedicated Memory: n/a
Shared Memory: n/a
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (1Hz)
Monitor:
Driver Name: atiumdag,atiumdva,atitmmxx
Driver Version: ()
DDI Version: unknown
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: , 0 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: No
WHQL Date Stamp: None
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-3A5F-11CF-8335-78F6AFC2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x791F
SubSys ID: 0xC1081631
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
DDraw Status: Not Available
D3D Status: Not Available
AGP Status: Not Available"

Anything there that helps you? I just want to play heroes...

Thanks

Are you sure you downloaded the correct version?
your laptop appears to be using the standard Windows VGA default driver.
Did you install just the display driver? as that would explain why your Catalyst Control Centre is missing, as that was removed when you uninstalled the old driver.
You don't say whether your Vista is 32 bit or 64 bit, so here's a link to both versions, just remember to install the Catalyst Software Suite.
Vista 32bit Catalyst
Vista 64bit Catalyst