The time it takes to transition from one frame to another seems ridiculously slow (usually a few seconds). Is this normal in Myst IV or is there a problem with my comp? The first three Myst games work fine(which are also the DVD versions), I can use zip mode and go through a zillion frames in the time it takes to get through one here. anyways, i am using windows vista, 8 GB ram, 688 GB hard drive, and Im using full installation (if that makes a difference). any help would be appreciated. thanks. sorry if this question has already been answered.

Revelation scene transitions on a system with a separate video card should typically require about a second, or less depending on your system's configuration.

However, transition times can be significantly longer if you have:
-- An integrated/on-board video chipset
-- An old or improperly-installed video driver
-- An old sound driver
-- An old mouse driver
-- Vista with all glitz enabled, especially the 64-bit version and/or running on an older PC
-- Lots of "stuff" running in the background
-- Etc., etc.


In general,
-- Before playing Revelation, always log into Windows with full Administrator privileges, not into a Limited User or Power User account.
-- Reboot immediately before playing Revelation, close all open applications, and do NOT run any other applications before starting the game.
-- Do NOT boot up with Revelation Disc #2 in the drive, or any disc in the drive.
-- When ready to play Revelation, insert Disc #2 into the drive and allow it to spin up to speed. Cancel back to the Desktop if it autostarts.
-- Always use the Desktop icon to start Revelation, not a disc menu item.


Suggestions, which you may need to modify a bit to adapt for Vista. Play Revelation after completing each suggestion (or section of a suggestion) to see if the scene transition problem has disappeared.

1. Update your video driver to the latest from your PC's manufacturer, motherboard manufacturer, or video chipset manufacturer. Even if you think you have the latest version, check anyway! See Myst IV: Installing Video Drivers With Win XP.

2. Update your sound driver to the latest from your PC's manufacturer, motherboard manufacturer, or sound chipset manufacturer. Even if you think you have the latest version, check anyway! See section 1 of Myst IV: Miscellaneous Fixes for Video Problems With Win XP.

3. Update your mouse driver to the latest from your PC's manufacturer or mouse manufacturer. Even if you think you have the latest version, check anyway!

4. Apply the Revelation patches, which are available here. I recommend applying the 1.02 patch and then the 1.03 patch. The 1.02 patch is 41.1 MB, while the 1.03 patch is only 15.4 MB, which may mean there's "good stuff" included in 1.02 that isn't included in 1.03. Apply the patches as follows:
-- a. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges, and close all open applications.
-- b. Click on Start > Run.
-- c. Browse to myst4_v1.00_to_v1.02_pc.exe, and double-click on it to put it in the Open: box.
-- d. Click on OK to start the install process.
-- e. Follow the Wizard's instructions, and accept the install defaults.
-- f. Reboot when installation is complete.
-- g. Close all open applications.
-- h. Click on Start > Run.
-- i. Browse to myst4_v1.0_to_v1.03_pc.exe, and double-click on it to put it in the Open: box.
-- j. Click on OK to start the install process.
-- k. Follow the Wizard's instructions, and accept the install defaults.
-- l. Reboot when installation is complete.

Then, to be certain that you have the latest version of the game, run the Revelation Update Utility. If you accepted the Revelation install defaults, mystupdate.exe is in C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Myst IV - Revelation\bin\updatelauncher.
-- a. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges, and close all open applications. Make certain that you have an active Internet connection.
-- b. Click on Start > Run.
-- c. Browse... to mystupdate.exe, and double-click on the file to put it in the Open: box.
-- d. Click on OK to run the Utility.
-- e. Allow any updating to fully complete, then close the Utility.

5. Some programs run properly on Vista only if you run them with full Administrator privileges and with the Run as administrator option enabled. See How to use User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista.

6. Try what's called out in:
-- How to troubleshoot application compatibility issues in Windows Vista
-- How to troubleshoot issues that may prevent a program from being installed correctly on a Windows Vista-based computer
-- Advanced methods to troubleshoot a program that does not run as expected after it is installed on Windows Vista

7. Try what's called out in sections 2 through 5 of Myst IV: Miscellaneous Fixes for Video Problems With Win XP.

8. If none of the above help, re-install Revelation from a clean boot. If you originally installed Revelation to a drive other than C:, re-install it to your C: drive.
-- a. Uninstall Revelation using the Control Panel Programs utility.
----- 1. Click on Start > Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
----- 2. Click on the "Myst IV - Revelation " entry, then click on Uninstall. Follow the Wizard's prompts.
----- 3. When uninstallation is complete, close back to the Desktop.
-- b. Do step 1 in How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista.
-- c. Re-install Revelation. Accept the install defaults whenever possible.
-- d. Do step 7 in How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista.
-- e. Play Revelation.
----- 1. If Revelation still has long scene transition times, run the game in Compatibility Mode and with the Run as administrator option enabled.