DARK MESSIAH Installation and Troubleshooting Instructions

To all readers seeking active support: i'm not updating this thread any longer. Just hop over to BlindNero Forum where i continue my online support for Dark Messiah of Might and Magic. And other games of course. See you there!

INTRODUCTION.

Make sure your PC is in optimal condition before you install the game.

The game runs as a knife through warm butter (and no, zero, (0) crash anywhere in the game) on my 3 PC's
low end: Pentium 4 ~2.66 Ghz / Radeon 9700Pro128MB / Audigy 2 / 1 GB PC 2700 DDR RAM. Settings for Video in Options as recommended (auto-applied).
mid end: Pentium 4 -650 ~3.4 Ghz / GF 7800 GT 256 MB / Audigy2 ZS / 2 GB PC 5300 DDR RAM DC. Settings for Video in Options above recommended.
high end: Core2Duo E6600 3.5 Ghz / Radeon X1900XT 512MB / X-Fi Platinum / 4 GB PC 8500 DDR RAM DC. Settings for Video in Options fully maxed out.
high end: Core2Duo E6750 3.6 Ghz / Radeon HD 3870 512MB / X-Fi Platinum / 8 GB PC 8500 DDR RAM DC, XP and Vista {32-bit and 64-bit). Settings for Video in Options fully maxed out.

These instructions i wrote to help everybody get this game running.

THE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR DARK MESSIAH OF MIGHT AND MAGIC (as on the box and in the readme).

Make sure your system meets the requirements in the first place.
From Original readme in white, my comments in red:

quote:

********************************************************************************************
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
ReadMe File
September 19th 2006
********************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************
GETTING STARTED
********************************************************************************************

Supported OS: Windows® XP <-- Windows XP SP2. Without SP2, updating video- audio- and motherboard drivers and directX9.0c to the latest versions may not work correctly.

Windows Vista 32/64 SP1: tested the DVD and Steam versions, ran absolutely fine. Only inconvenience: exiting the game always leaves a "mm.exe has stopped working" message on desktop which can only be closed by TaskManager.

Processor: AMD Athlon™, Pentium® 2.6 GHz (3.2 GHz recommended)<-- self-explanatory.
Lower than recommended: a Celeron 2.6 Ghz might run the game, but it is a stripped Pentium, low on Level 2 cache. This fact alone makes your PC to lowest. The same goes for an AMD Sempron. However below the official system requirements, a Sempron may run this game fine.

Equivalent or better than recommended: any Core2Duo (E4300 and up) is fine enough. Core2Duo 6600 and up are the finest; even at stock speeds they are at least twice as efficient as the fastest Pentium.
RAM: 512 MB (1 GB recommended)<---Take 1 GB as minimum for smooth gameplay. Like any company, they want to sell this game without scaring the users who only have a simple PC. Microsoft says the same about Windows XP: "XP needs 64MB system RAM minimum, 128 MB recommended". But that is only true for XP in 'Spartan' mode: without the bells and whistles (so: in 'classic theme') and without doing anything besides Word and email on it, let alone media applications and gaming. Gaming is the heaviest task for a PC, especially DX9 games. In practice: Windows XP needs 256MB system RAM for itself to run smoothly in its full glory, on top of that you want to run a DX9 game. The more system RAM the better, but generally 1 GB is enough to start with, and certainly enough to run this game in the first place.
Video Card: 128 MB DirectX® 9-compatible video card (see supported list*)<-- the supported list of nVidia cards as printed in the readme is incomplete. See below.
Sound Card: DirectX 9 compatible sound card. <-- if you only use integrated soundchip, you are below this requirement and you must disable hardware acceleration. Integrated (in the chipset) soundchips are a cheap budget solution (only some of the recent motherboards have a onboard dedicated soundblaster processor, these are considerably better). Especially the older soundcard-emulating chips can cause a DirectX9 game to stutter, freeze or completely shutdown with horrible noise. Disabling the hardware acceleration usually is the workaround. These chips are always inferior to a real soundblaster card which processes the multichannel 3D sound completely by itself independantly from and much faster than the CPU. Quality cards: Creative X-Fi, and Audigy series.

DirectX Version: DirectX 9 or higher. <--this means: the latest version of DirectX9.0c. See below.
Dark Messiah is a DirectX9.0c game. DirectX10 plays no role whatsoever with this game. DirectX10 runs only on Windows Vista, with a DX10 videocard, games that are written for DirectX 10.
DirectX 10 is not backwards compatible. Vista incorporates a "DirectX9 L" layer for running non- DirectX10 games, like Dark Messiah.
CD-ROM: 12x CD-ROM – 1 DVD rom
Hard Drive Space: 7 GB free That is for the game alone. But AFTER installing the game, Windows still needs 15% free diskspace for itself to function properly. On top of that, after installing of the game the game needs 2 GB extra free diskspace for the temporary files it creates during gaming, and the savegames. Bottomline: have lots of free diskspace! Which you should have anyway on your PC, regardless of this game.
Peripherals Supported: Windows-compatible mouse and keyboard <---Please don't run a game like this with an old ball-mouse! Comfort on your hands while gaming is everything, so use at least an optical mouse, or do yourself a huge pleasure and buy a wireless laser mouse like the Logitech G7 or equivalent like the Razer. Resolution above 1600 dpi for highest precision with the least required movement of the wrist.
Multiplayer: Internet connection <--multiplayer of this game is only possible through Steam.
Supported Video Cards at Time of Release:
NVIDIA® GeForce™ FX/6 families
ATI® Radeon™ 8500/9000/X families
Matrox Parhelia™
They forgot to mention the nVidia Geforce 7xxx and 8xxx series, the better and best ones, they are of course supported and highly recommendable.
The Geforce FX series are -except the FX5950- all low performance, and you are potentially in 'problem zone'. GF MX, GF 4, GF 3 series are of course not supported.
'Integrated graphics chips' are not supported.

ATI Radeon 8500 up to and including Radeon 9600 (in that order) is very low to low performance, and you are potentially in 'problem-zone'.

High end:
-ATI X1900XT/XTX, X1950XT/XTX and X2900XT 512 MB versions.
-NVidia GF 7900GTX/7950 GX2 512MB and GF 8800 series.
Some folks have a misunderstanding about DirectX10 and their GF8800 series videocard on Vista. Dark Messiah is a DirectX9.0c game. When you run this game on Vista, the DX9 layer will be activated. No DX10 will be used. DX10 is not backwards compatible. That is part of the reason that DX9.0c applications run not as good on Vista (indirectly) as on XP (directly). Yes, a FPS drop!

Laptop versions of these cards are not fully supported. <-- Unless you have one of the very expensive special gaming laptops.
Sounding a bit cryptic: "laptop versions of these cards are not fully supported". It simply means that only the best 'dedicated for gaming' laptops are supported.
Except for these expensive special gaming laptops like the famous Alienware, generally laptops are not designed for gaming. They are designed for mobility on officework, internet, maybe run a movie. Laptops weaknesses by design are (amongst other) bad ventilation and budget graphics components with shared system ram. They use a low energy profile to save battery life, and when components' temperature rise by heavy duty (which gaming is), it will slow down even more, so not fit for DX9 gaming.

********************************************************************************************
HOW TO PLAY ON MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS?
********************************************************************************************

If you are playing on a PC that has the "minimum requirements" configuration:

1. Please close all unnecessary background applications.
2. Please make sure that you have the latest drivers for your video card (see the video cards section below)
3. You will need a minimum of 2 gigabytes of free hard disk space after installation of Dark Messiah.
4. Go to the "Advanced" section of Dark Messiah's video options.
- Set all video settings to LOW
- Turn "Anti aliasing" to OFF
- Set filtering to "Bilinear"

*******************************************************************************

(End quote)

For gaming, consider 1 GB system RAM as minimum, 2 GB recommended (double that on Windows 64-bit):

Loaded Mainpage takes 833MB, peak 837 MB
DM-RAM-usage-highest-1600x1200_01.

Loaded level takes 1.25 GB, peak 1.28 GB
DM-RAM-usage-highest-1600x1200_02.

Flyover cutscene 1.28 GB
DM-RAM-usage-highest-1600x1200_03.

Gaming at same spot 1.30 GB
DM-RAM-usage-highest-1600x1200_04.

Gaming at other location stays between 1.2 and 1.3 GB.
DM-RAM-usage-highest-1600x1200_05.

This is a little higher resource-usage than Half-Life2 (generally just under 1 GB), Episode 1 (950MB ~1.1 GB).

At LOWEST settings the Mainpage takes 600 MB
DM-RAM-usage-lowest-1024x768_01.

Loaded level takes 750 MB
DM-RAM-usage-lowest-1024x768_02.

In flyover cutscene increasing a little to 768 MB
DM-RAM-usage-lowest-1024x768_03.

Gaming at same spot stays at about 750 MB
DM-RAM-usage-lowest-1024x768_04.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BlindNero,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BlindNero Forums for online Dark Messiah MM and other games support

Posts: 3800 | Registered: Tue March 06 2007

BlindNero

Posted

Hide Post

[POST 2]

PREPARE YOUR SYSTEM (normal computer maintenance, also mentioned in the readme):
(Dark Messiah has NO bug whatsoever that prevents the game from running on any well configured and maintained PC that is within the system requirements and hardware-wise can be considered able to run the game normally).

>>> Before installing / updating drivers, disable (or reboot without) your antivirus application!

>>> After downloading drivers, patches, or any file you are going to install, always: right-click on the file > Properties > if you see a security blockade, hit button "unblock".

=1=. Make sure your Windows XP has Service Pack2. If needed, update by using WindowsUpdate. Without SP2 installed, updating drivers may not work correctly.
If you don't pass the validation check because you are using illegal Windows: bad luck for you. Buy legal WindowsXP SP2 and install that.

Windows Vista: install SP1.
At least make sure you have installed the performance and reliability patches (see [POST 22], [POST 26] and [POST 27] on page 2 of this thread); if you have automatic updates enabled you probably already have most of them.
Must have essential fixes:

KB938194
KB938979
KB940105
KB941649

only for users of SLI/Crossfire:
KB936710
KB945149

To see which updates you have/don't have yet: View the history in Windows Update in Control Panel, or go to Installed Updates:
Start button > Control Panel > Programs, under Programs and Features, click "View installed updates".

=2=. Make sure that your harddiskdrive is defragmented and will have at least 15% free diskspace left after installing the game.
Windows together with all the applications you installed, needs 15% free space to function properly in the first place. On top of that, after installing the game, the game needs 2 GB free diskspace for itself, for the temporary files it creates during playing (not to mention the savegames folder: after replaying about 40 times mine has grown 2.5GB large).

Windows needs at least 15% free diskspace to function properly, that is the general rule of thumb. But in practice, things look differently.

Especially when you have your Page File on the same partition as Windows and managed by Windows and also
you have installed DMMoMaM via the default path C:\Program Files.

See image: BADLY_FRAGMENTED1.
You see that even though there is 26% free diskspace and the free space is 6.5 GB, it still is not an ideal situation: 2 very large files broken into 5 fragments, that Diskeeper cannot mend.
-mm_levels_public.gcf, and
-the Page File
See image: BADLY_FRAGMENTED2.
The System files (green) are fragmented by nature, and will never be touched by a defragmentation program and this is not a problem.
But by all this, as you can see, even the free space is 'fragmented'; because it consists of the holes between the fragments.
However this situation will probably function correctly and the game will run without problems, such a harddiskdrive will very soon be fragmented again decreasing the overall system performance.
Also, fragmentation reduces the lifespan of your hdd (because the arm with the read/write head then has to move constantly).

That is why:

it is always better to have much more free disk space than the minimum recommended. And to have at least 2 large harddiskdrives.
it is better to install BIG games on a seperate partition outside the Windows partition.
it is better to have the Page File outside Windows, on a partition of its own on a second harddiskdrive, at a fixed large size (4GB or more), and not managed by Windows.

So the really ideal situation looks like this:
See image:WELL_DEFRAGMENTED.

Defragmented. 100% no fragments,
games on seperate partition
pagefile at a fixed large size on a partition of its own on a second harddiskdrive
plenty of free disk space!

In all cases it is very recommendable to partition your harddiskdrive(s) to group your data. I use Partition Magic for years. It is the most easy, comfortable and efficient method.
The more complicated but free method: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348/en-us

quote:
Options for partitioning and formatting your hard disk
You can use the Microsoft Windows XP Setup program or the Fdisk and Format tools to partition and format System and startup partitions.

But again: in a less than ideal situation, Windows and the game(s) will function too, but you'll have to defragment much ofter.

Don't use the Windows inbuilt defragger, because that takes much too long. Buy a third-party defragger (like Diskeeper, O&O Defrag), or use the following light freeware versions:
On Windows XP, use Diskeeper Lite (freeware) to defragment on a regulary basis, and you also can easily monitor the available used/unused diskspace per partition.
On Windows Vista try Auslogic (freeware).

Now, check how much free diskspace you have left. If it is not enough, you must create it by deleting files in order to.
As soon as you have enough free diskspace left, then proceed with the next step.

=3=. Enlarge and fix your Page File (virtual RAM) to 4096MB min and max.
Lack of virtual memory can make Dark Messiah unstable.
ONLY POSSIBLE IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH FREE DISKSPACE!!! (see above in step 2.)

How to set your virtual memory in Windows XP:
- Right-click "This Computer" > Properties > tab "Advanced" > under "Performance" click button “Settings”.
- In the new window, select the “advanced” tab and click on the “Change” button of the “Virtual Memory” section
- In both the minimum and maximum spaces enter “4096” (without the quotes)
- To validate this modification, click on the “Set” and then on the “OK” button to close the box
- You must reboot your PC for these changes to take effect.

How to set your virtual memory in Windows Vista:
- Right-click "Computer" > Properties. Under 'Tasks' select Advanced system settings > Continue > tab "Advanced" > under Performance, click button "Settings" > tab "Advanced" > Virtual memory > "Change..."
- In both the minimum and maximum spaces enter “4096” (without the quotes)
- To validate this modification, click on the “Set” and then on the “OK” button to close the box
- You must reboot your PC for these changes to take effect.

=4=. Make sure your videodrivers are up to date.
Attention: some pre-configured machines (like f.i. from Toshiba or Dell) may require you use their own versions of uninstall/install drivers software, in that case start at their support site, search for your system.

==============================================================================================================

For all [color=red]ATI Radeon 9500 and up, HD 2xxx and HD 3xxx series cards family[/color] cards on:
-Windows XP Professional/Home Edition
-Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
-Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
-Windows Vista (32 bit)
-Windows Vista (64 bit)
download the latest driver package: ATI Catalyst 8.5
Vista users: make sure after a fresh install of Vista to install Service Pack 1, otherwise DX10 will not be implemented in your ATI drivers.
See the Cat 8.5 Release Notes
(source: Release Notes .PDF on ATI site)

Select Option 1, (that includes Display Driver and Catalyst Control Center) >>> "Catalyst Software Suite".

After downloading, as always, right-click on the downloaded file > Properties > if you see a security blockade, hit button "unblock".
Do not install it yet!

First you must have installed Microsoft .Net Framework: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyi...e04f5&displaylang=en

Then uninstall your old ATI drivers:

Removing Old ATI Software

Click on Start, then Control Panel, then go to Add/Remove Programs.
At the top of the list you should see several ATI entries.
Select the entry entitled ATI Software Uninstall Utility, and click Change/Remove.
ONLY If you don't find any of those entries for instance because your current drivers are very old or you are using Windows XP-generic ATI drivers, use cat.uninst.exe. Download cat-uninstaller.zip, unzip, run the tool.
You will be prompted to restart your system once the uninstall is complete.
During reboot into Windows, CANCEL all Windows messages about 'found new hardware'!!!
Because you are going to install the downloaded drivers package.
Once restarted, check the Add/Remove Programs list again for any remaining ATI software.
If any ATI software is still listed, click Change/Remove on those entries to uninstall each one individually.
Next, please scroll through the list until you find an entry called DAO (see screenshot above).
Select DAO, then Click Change/Remove to uninstall this program.

Then install the Catalyst you just downloaded.

Attention! There was a bug in Catalyst 7.4 (and may still appear in later versions):
After uninstalling Catalyst 7.4 and during installing a newer Catalyst (7.5 and up) don't be surprised when you get at least 6 times the warning message that "there were found remaining files and setup will now close". Do NOT click OK, just watch the installation proceeding anyway. )

>>>> Preferrably, keep the ATI 3D-settings in CCC at "Use application settings", otherwise they could conflict with the ingame settings.

==============================================================================================================
==============================================================================================================

For ATI Radeon 9250 and below:
the last Catalyst version that supports your card is Catalyst 6.11. It can be found at http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/xp/radeon-prer300-xp.html Download this.
Right-click on it > Properties > if you see a security blockade, hit button "unblock".
Do not install yet!

First download and install Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1.
quote:
The CATALYST Control Center requires Microsoft .NET Framework prior to installation. The CATALYST Control Center is an application that allows you to control the configuration of your ATI product. You can verify that you have the .NET Framework by checking in the Add/Remove Programs list in the Control Panel. If the .NET Framework is not listed, please download, and install it before proceeding. Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyI...CF3A3&displaylang=en
Then uninstall the old ATI drivers by using cat.uninst.exe. Download cat-uninstaller.zip Unzip then run the tool to uninstall all ATI related software.
Reboot PC.
During reboot into Windows, CANCEL all Windows messages about 'found new hardware'!!!
Because you are going to install the downloaded drivers package.
Finally, install the downloaded Catalyst 6.11.

>>>> Preferrably, keep the ATI 3D-settings in CCC at "Use application settings", otherwise they could conflict with the ingame settings.

==============================================================================================================

ATI Catalyst™ Mobility Display Driver for Windows XP Professional/Home Edition: ATI Catalyst™ Mobility Software Suite Version 8.3
OR Mobility modder.

==============================================================================================================

Windows XP:

All nVidia GF FX 5xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx, 8xxx and 9xxx family cards on Windows XP / Windows XP Media Center Edition, download and install:
Version: 175.19 WHQL
Release Date: June 23, 2008
from this page: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_175.19_whql.html.
Read the Release Notes
Note the installation hints!

For GeForce GTX 280, GeForce GTX 260, nForce 780a SLI, nForce 750a SLI on Windows XP, Windows XP Media Center Edition, download and install:
GeForce Release 177.41 WHQL
Release Date: June 26, 2008
from this page: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_177.41_whql.html

ATTENTION (from the 162.18 release notes):

quote:
(All GPUs)
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic–light flickers on the weapons and
characters, and the system freezes after a period of gameplay.[ 260689
260335 260315 262958]

Not guaranteed this is fully solved in newer drivers.

Windows XP 64-bit:
All nVidia GF FX 5xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx, 8xxx and 9xxx family cards on Windows XP x64, Server 2003 x64, download and install:
Version: 175.19 WHQL
Release Date: June 23, 2008
from this page: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp64_175.19_whql.html
Note the installation hints!

For GeForce GTX 280, GeForce GTX 260, nForce 780a SLI, nForce 750a SLI on Windows XP x64, Server 2003 x64, download and install:
GeForce Release 177.41 WHQL
Release Date: June 26, 2008
from this page: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp64_177.41_whql.html

Windows Vista 32-bit:
If non-SP1: do not forget to install the Vista hotfixes!

All nVidia GF 6xxx, 7xxx, 8xxx and 9xxx family cards on Windows Vista 32-bit, download and install:
Version: 175.19 WHQL
Release Date: June 23, 2008
from this page: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x86_175.19_whql.html.
Note the installation hints!

For GeForce GTX 280, GeForce GTX 260, nForce 780a SLI, nForce 750a SLI on Windows Vista 32-bit, download and install:
GeForce Release 177.41 WHQL
Release Date: June 26, 2008
from this page: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x86_177.41_whql.html

Read the Release Notes: http://us.download.nvidia.com/Windows/175.19/175.19_Win...ce_Release_Notes.pdf

Windows Vista 64-bit
If non-SP1: do not forget to install the Vista hotfixes!

All nVidia GF 6xxx, 7xxx, 8xxx and 9xxx family cards on Windows Vista 64-bit, download and install:
Version: 175.19 WHQL
Release Date: June 23, 2008
from this page: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x64_175.19_whql.html.

For GeForce GTX 280, GeForce GTX 260, nForce 780a SLI, nForce 750a SLI on Windows Vista 64-bit, download and install:
GeForce Release 177.41 WHQL
Release Date: June 26, 2008
from this page: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x64_177.41_whql.html

Note the installation hints!

Laptops with nVidia videocards like Go7700:
nVidia does not provide mobile drivers except Go7800/7900.
You should find the latest on your laptop's manufacturer support site. Or better: HERE: http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?s=58d3e97...5e22608&showforum=66. where they make the official nVidia drivers supporting most laptops with any nVidia card.
Quickstart guide how to install: http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=9243.

Note the installation hints!

quote:
Driver Installation Hints

"Download Accelerator" utilities should be disabled when downloading any drivers.
Do not run virus protection software in the background while installing the drivers. This prevents the driver from configuring itself properly.
Before installing new drivers make sure you uninstall all NVIDIA display drivers from the Windows Control Panel. Browse to the Start Menu > Windows Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs and search for "NVIDIA Windows Display Drivers" or "NVIDIA Display Drivers" and select remove.

After uninstalling the drivers and before installing the new drivers, REBOOT the PC.
As always, right-click on the downloaded file > Properties > if you see a security blockade, hit button "unblock".
During reboot into Windows, CANCEL all Windows messages about 'found new hardware'!!!
Because you are going to install the downloaded drivers package.

>>>> Preferrably, keep the 3D-settings in NVIDIA Control Panel at "Let the application decide" or "Use global setting (Application-controlled)", otherwise they could conflict with the ingame settings.

==============================================================================================================

=5=. Update your sound drivers.
If you have a integrated soundchip:

for the latest Realtek AC '97: http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?...peID=3&GetDown=false
High Definition: http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?...peID=3&GetDown=false.
-there is also a readme.
......
for SoundMax / SigmaTel: these drivers are usually obtainable through your PC's or motherboard's manufacturer's support website.
......

CREATIVE SOUNDBLASTER AUDIGY:

Windows XP / Vista, Sound Blaster® Audigy® Value/SE/LS, or Sound Blaster Live!® 24-bit:
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Value/SE/LS and Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit XP and Windows Vista Pack 1.04.0077 (63.39 MB) 9 Jul 07 Note:
This pack is only for the Creative Sound Blaster audio devices listed above.
DO NOT install this pack for Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit External.

Windows XP, Creative Sound Blaster Audigy, Audigy 2 series and Audigy 4 series:
Driver 02.09.0016 (39.37 MB) 9 Oct 06.
This download supports the following audio devices only:
-Creative Sound Blaster Audigy including Platinum and Platinum eX series
-Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 including Platinum, Platinum eX, and Value series
-Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS including Platinum and Platinum Pro series
-Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro and Sound Blaster Audigy 4
-Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA
Do not install this driver for the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy LS or Sound Blaster Audigy SE audio device.

Windows Vista, Creative Sound Blaster Audigy, Audigy 2 series and Audigy 4 series:
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy series Vista Driver 2.12.0002 (38.30 MB) 16 Mar 07
This download supports the following audio devices only:
-Creative Sound Blaster Audigy including Platinum and Platinum eX series
-Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 including Platinum, Platinum eX, and Value series
-Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS including Platinum and Platinum Pro series
-Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro and Sound Blaster Audigy 4
-Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA
DO NOT install this driver for Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit, Sound Blaster Audigy LS, Sound Blaster Audigy SE, or Sound Blaster Audigy Value.

CREATIVE SOUNDBLASTER X-FI:

Windows XP / Vista, Creative Soundblaster X-FI series:
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi series Driver 2.15.0006 (63.05 MB) 14 Mar 08
This download supports the following audio devices only:
- Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series
- Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion Series
- Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic
- Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
- Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum
- Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty®
- Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro
- Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi
Do not install this driver for Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio.

Windows XP, Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio:
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Pack 1.04.0078 (40.71 MB) 4 Oct 07
Windows Vista, Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio:
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Pack 1.04.0078 (40.71 MB) 4 Oct 07
and
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Series Pack 1.03.0001 (28.33 MB) (19 Mar 08)
quote:
Game Fixes:
For BioShock™
Resolves OpenAL issues when you turn on Creative EAX® Audio in the game's Audio Options page.

Or if in doubt about your Creative Soundblaster model, you can use Software Auto Update: Soundblaster Live!, Audigy and X-Fi family on Windows XP/Vista, start here: http://www.soundblaster.com/support/ and click on Software Auto Update, then following the instructions download and install all you need.

Optional. ALchemy to restore EAX or DirectSound®3D on Windows Vista:
Alchemy for Audigy: http://connect.creativelabs.com/alchemy/ALchemy%20for%20Audigy/Home.aspx
Alchemy for X-Fi: http://connect.creativelabs.com/alchemy/ALchemy%20for%20XFi/Home.aspx

=6=. Update your DirectX9.0c to the latest version (currently November 2007). Update via Microsoft Update, or via: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Dir...edistributable.shtml
Right-click on the downloaded file > see if at the bottom of "General" tab there is a security blockade. If so, hit button 'unblock'. Extract the directX9.0c package into a "New folder" you create. Then open that folder and doubleclick the dxsetup.exe.
This also applies to Windows Vista: being a DX9 game DM runs on the DX9 layer, so keep it updated!

=7=. If you use any integrated AC '97 soundchip (like the Realtek) on Windows XP, disable the hardware acceleration on your soundchip:
Click Start > Run... type in
dxdiag
click OK
On the "Sound" tab, move the slider to the left for 'no hardware acceleration'.
Don't do this if you have a integrated soundblaster (Audigy or X-Fi) chip or when you have a real (quality) PCI Soundblaster soundcard.
In Windows Vista this is done automatically (chipsets as well as soundcards alltogether), so just skip this.

=8=. Leave ALL the 3D-settings in ATI Catalyst Control Center or NVIDIA Control Panel at their defaults (so they are set at "Use application settings", or "Let the application decide")! Otherwise you get conflicts with the ingame settings. The option to manage AA (anti-alias) and AF (anisotropic filtering) in the driver's control panel is only meant to force it on (older) games that do not have those options in their settings. All modern (DX9) games have the options in their settings panel and that is where they should be managed ONLY.
One exception: GF8800 series, see nVidia's suggestion in error =26=. in the errors section [POST 5] below.

=9=. Keep the programs running on the background to a minimum.
And shut down any chat program, like mIRC

Many programs don't need to start up with Windows (especially not when gaming), some can even block games to run at all.

>>> Click Start > Run... type in:
msconfig
click OK. On the start up items tab, untick unnecessary programs, like:
-antivirusscanner
-printer
-Office
-MSN
-P2P programs
-webcam
-WindowsBlinds
-disable instant-messaging programs, so quit Skype
-program checking for new e-mail every minute
-peerguardian (can block multiplayer completely)

Reboot PC for the changes to take effect.

Take a look at MY msconfig/startup items list:

That is all.

=10=. If you use Virtual drive, turn it off.
Otherwise, Securom copy-protection will prevent the game from running at all.

=11=. Make sure your chipset drivers are updated. Outdated chipsetdrivers may cause the strangest problems.

Intel chipsets start here: http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Support_Intel.aspx#
nVidia nForce chipsets start here: http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
ATI chipsets start here: http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html
VIA chipsets: update to Hyperion Version - 5.18a
SiS chipsets start here: http://www.sis.com/download/.
...As well as your Ethernet/LAN (Network) device drivers. Important for the MultiPlayer game.
For instance:
quote:
The most recent drivers for SiS191 100/10 Ethernet Device from here: http://www.sis.com/download/download_step1.php.
SiS191 Gigabit LAN & SiS190 LAN Driver
File Name: sgl201a.zip
Version: v2.01a
Release Date: 2007-02-13

[includes drivers for SiS191 100/10 Ethernet Device]
Dell Support Homepage: http://support.dell.com/support/index.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

=12=. Windows Vista: install Microsoft Windows Vista hotfix 940105.
This hotfix resolves abnormal application behavior such as crashes and extremely low frame rates when running some 3D applications at very high graphics settings. This issue is not limited to, but has been most commonly noticed on high-end graphics cards and the following applications: Battlefield 2, Battlefield 2142, Civilization IV, Company of Heroes, Half-Life 2, Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth II, Supreme Commander, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas.
(Also see [POST 22], [POST 26] and [POST 27] on page 2 of this thread)

If you succeeded at all above points, your PC is prepared and ready.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BlindNero,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BlindNero Forums for online Dark Messiah MM and other games support

Posts: 3800 | Registered: Tue March 06 2007

Ignored post by BlindNero posted

Show Post

BlindNero

Posted

Hide Post

[POST 3]

THE GAME. Installing, and the settings.

Before installing / running DM:
disable (or reboot without) your antivirus- / system protection application
shut down chatsoftware (mIRC)
unplug joystick or gamepad

unplug Wacom (or the likes, any brand) mouse + tablet; just leave your standard mouse ONLY, + keyboard.

1. THE DVD (UBISOFT) VERSION SINGLEPLAYER GAME.

Preferrably install the Singleplayer game from the DVD, and apply the patches downloaded from ubi.com.
When you registered your multiplayer game in Steam, you may also see the singleplayer version appear in the My Games list. But don't use it. Or just remove it from the list. Do not update the DVD version singleplayer through Steam. Otherwise, it becomes a Steam game. And that is the source for a few possible errors. Nevertheless, for each situation is a fix. read further.
If you have the downloaded from ubisoft.com version, treat it the same as the DVD version.
If you already installed it then updated it through Steam, it became a Steam game. The DVD version will then no longer work, because Steam moved most of the files into the Steam directory. Only advantage of the Steam version: you do not need a disc in the player.
Launch the game through the Steam shortcut, or from the Steam > 'My Games' list.
You can also uninstall the SP game from Steam, and redo the installation outside Steam, see below.

Installing the game from the DVD.

=1=. Install the game from the DVD. Make sure your antivirus application is disabled before installing.
Attention with the downloaded from ubisoft.com version or from Direct2drive: after downloading, right-click on the file > Properties and check if at the bottom there is a Windows security blockade, if so click button "Unblock". Then install the game.
> In the "Which games you want to install" window, untick "multiplayer".
> In the "Features you want to install" window, tick off DirectX9.0c (because you are supposed to have a newer version installed already).

=2=. Download the patches 1.01 and 1.02 from ubi.com: http://www.ubi.com/US/Downloads/Info.aspx?dlId=1939
Right-click on each file > Properties. Check if at the bottom there is a Windows security blockade, if so click button "Unblock". Install 1.01 and 1.02 (in that order).

=3=. Empty your Temp folders:
C:\Documents and Settings\*your name*\Local Settings\Temp
and
C:\WINDOWS\Temp
and of course always make sure your Recycle Bin is emptied.

=4=. Now that you have installed the game and cleared the Temp folders, launch Diskeeper, and check that you have enough free diskspace left: at least 15% for Windows, and at least 2 GB extra for the game's temporary files it creates during gaming (not to mention the savegames folder: after replaying about 40 times mine is 2.5GB large).
Then defragment.

=5=. Start the game by double-clicking the shortcut on desktop (while the DVD still is in the player):
..........................

=6=. Pass the gamma calibration.

You can adjust now, or anytime later in the Videosettings.

=7=. Main menu > Options > settings for Video.
Traditional monitors select 4:3 Aspect Ratio, 1024x768 and up. Do NOT select resolution 800x600, the game does not support that (says the game's readme).
Widescreen monitors: Select 16:9 Aspect Ratio. Do NOT select any 16:10 Aspect Ratio resolution (like 1280 x 960 and 1600x1050), says the game's readme.

The 16:10 aspect ratio should have been deleted from the options but it is still there. Don't use it. Also, do not use resolution 800x600.
I have V-sync disabled, you do what works best for you.

At first, leave the "Advanced" options for audio and video at *recommended for your sytem* and try if the game runs OK. If it does, you can tweak the settings to higher if you want that.
>>> Windows Vista, Creative X-Fi or Audigy soundcard. Dark Messiah Main Menu > Options > Audio. Since Vista has removed HAL from Windows, the Creative Audigy and X-Fi drivers for Vista are not fully functional like in XP. So, in Options > Audio, select 2 Speakers.
>>> Windows Vista: before running a game, disable the Sidebar, as it can cause interference.

=8=. Play the game, and enjoy!

==============================================================================================================

If you installed the DVD version SinglePlayer, then update through Steam, Steam will move most of the game's data from Program File\Ubisoft\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic into the Steam directory and Dark messiah will thus have become a Steam game. From then on, you must remove the Ubisoft-created SinglePlayer shortcut from the desktop.

If you have the DVD version, the most preferrable situation however, is to NOT update the SP through Steam at all but: install the DVD version SP outside Steam, and update manually with the patches 1.01 and 1.02 (in that order) downloaded from ubi.com.

If you bought the Collector's Edition DVD and update it through Steam, you will lose the extra CE items and get the 'normal' version. It's not that important, you'll miss the "Disciple weapons" but you can do without.

The MultiPlayer version can only be run through Steam.
It is completely normal to have the SP version installed outside Steam (as standalone game), and the MP version in Steam (as a Steam game).

HOW TO UNINSTALL THE SINGLEPLAYER GAME FROM STEAM (BEFORE YOU RE-INSTALL THE UBISOFT VERSION):
=1=.
-Launch Steam. Open the My Games list.
-Right-click on dark messiah might and magic single player > select 'Delete local content'. This will remove the game from the list, but the files will still remain (because Steam does a bad job: the full game is still there...)
-Reboot the PC.
=2=.
Navigate to your Steam\SteamApps\*your account* folder and delete (hold Shift+Del) the folder named
dark messiah might and magic singleplayer
including its contents.
=3=.
Remove the singleplayer game from the Source entry in Registry:
Click Start > Run... type in:
regedit
click OK.
Navigate to the key
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Source\mm]
which you see in the picture below, and highlight it.
Delete the key (press "Del" key on your keyboard).
ONLY delete THIS key, and not the other ones you may find.

Later, you may notice that the key is recreated automatically, that's fine.
=4=.
Look in your Start > All Programs > if you have a Ubisoft > Dark Messiah of Might and Magic entry.
If so, select > Modify Dark Messiah of Might and Magic Installation, it launches a menu, select 'Remove'.
The process will prompt you to restart the PC, do that.
=5=.
Now look if you still have a folder on C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic. If so, delete it.
=6=.
Put the DVD in the player. Install the game.
> In the "Which games you want to install" window, untick "multiplayer".
> In the "Features you want to install" window, tick off DirectX9.0c (because you are supposed to have a newer version installed already).
=7=.
After you installed the game, download the patches 1.01 and 1.02 from ubi.com: http://www.ubi.com/US/Downloads/Info.aspx?dlId=1939
Right-click on each file > Properties. Check if at the bottom there is a Windows security blockade, if so click button "Unblock".
Install 1.01 and 1.02 (in that order).
=8=.
Defragment your hdd!
But first, empty your Temp folders:
C:\Documents and Settings\*your name*\Local Settings\Temp
and
C:\WINDOWS\Temp
and of course always make sure your Recycle Bin is emptied.
=9=.
Start the game by double-clicking the shortcut on desktop (while the DVD still is in the player):

_____________________

(If after uninstalling the game from Steam you still have a DMMM-Singleplayer-Steam shortcut:
_____________________
.......remove that.)
=10=.
If you have done everything well, you should get the gamma-calibration screen again (see picture above).
If the game does not launch or you get a "binkw32.dll" error and/or "mm.exe error" and/or the "white Z on black background" error:
see the fixes as described in [POST 4], Error =1=. and =2=.

========================================================================================================
RE-INSTALLING THE DVD VERSION THAT WAS MANUALLY PATCHED WITH 1.01 and 1.02

1. Click Start > All Programs > Ubisoft > Dark Messiah of Might and Magic > Modify Dark Messiah of Might and Magic Installation. In the upcoming menu, select 'Remove'.
Of course you can use the 'Repair' option as well. The next steps stay the same.

2. After uninstalling the game, the process will prompt you to restart the PC, do that.

3. While you have the DVD in the player, start the installation process.
> In the "Which games you want to install" window, untick "multiplayer".
> In the "Features you want to install" window, tick off DirectX9.0c (because you are supposed to have a newer version installed already).
> A CRC error may appear, click 'Ignore', and several CRC errors follow, keep clicking "Ignore".

4. Re-apply the patches.

5. Find the file binkw32.dll in your
C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic\bin
folder, and copy and paste it into the main directory:
C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.

6. When you're finished, defragment your hdd's.

7. If the game does not launch or you get a "mm.exe error" and/or the "white Z on black background" error:
see the fixes as described in [POST 4], Error =1=. and =2=.

=============================================================================================================

2. THE STEAM VERSION SINGLEPLAYER GAME.

The 100% Steam version, bought and downloaded through Steam.

Make sure your version of Steam is not too old, or you may encounter terrible fps drop and slowdowns. See [POST 4] Error =3= for details).
Steam version of Dark Messiah is automatically updated (unless you disabled that). So, do not even try to apply any patches.
in the My Games’ list, right-click on DMMM > Properties > tab Local files > Verify integrity of game cache... and
Defragment cache files.

"Disk usage 182 Mb"... is incorrect info displayed by Steam. The might and magic single player folder in the \SteamApps\*my account* directory is 945+ MB, as long as it has only a few savegames. Will easily become 1.2 GB if you save more often.
On the tab "Updates" check that it is set to "Always keep the game up to date".
Before gaming make sure the "Steam Update News" menu (flickering on the taskbar) is closed
Pass the gamma calibration.

You can adjust now, or anytime later in the Videosettings.
Main menu > Options > settings for Video:
Traditional monitors select 4:3 Aspect Ratio.
Do NOT select resolution 800x600, the game does not support that (see game's readme).
Widescreen monitors: Select 16:9 Aspect Ratio. Do not select any 16:10 Aspect Ratio resolution, says the game's readme.

The 16:10 aspect ratio should have been deleted from the options but it is still there. Don't use it. Also, do not use resolution 800x600.
I have V-sync disabled, you do what works best for you.
At first, leave the "Advanced" options for audio and video at *recommended for your sytem* and try if the game runs OK. If it does, you can tweak the settings to higher if you want that.
Windows Vista: before running a game, disable the Sidebar, as it can cause interference.
On some PC's there might be performance difference between the Steam version and the Ubisoft version (not on any of my 3 PC's; tested Ubisoft DVD version, 'Ubisoft DVD updated through Steam' version and 100% Steam version, no difference).
Solution: hurry to the shop and buy the DVD version!

3. THE MULTIPLAYER GAME.

Your videocard must support DirectX9.0c. Otherwise, try the DirectX8 fix in [POST 5] item =6= below.

If you don't have Steam installed already, install it from the DVD. Tick OFF singleplayer, DirectX9.0c. Steam will be installed, you will be asked to activate the game by putting the serial (it's on the manual with your DVD), Steam will download the game.
Steam is crazy, but don't let that confuse you: the menu-title says it's downloading single player, and the menu itself says you are downloading multiplayer (which you are, as you selected)...

Wait till it's finished...
Make sure your Steam interface language is set to English! (File > Settings > Language).
The MP version of DM only works through Steam and is automatically updated (unless you disabled that). So, do not apply any patches!
You play multiplayer at lower settings than you may be used to in singleplayer.
Main menu > Options > settings for Video.
Traditional monitors select 4:3 Aspect Ratio, 1024x768. On a widescreen monitor you can select the same, or use an equivalent 16:9 Aspect Ratio.
You can also use this method:
Right-click on the Steam-created DMoMM-multiplayer shortcut on desktop > Properties. In the "Target" box, after the last letter, hit spacebar once, then add the parameter:
-dxlevel 90
>>>>>Mind the spaces!!!So that it reads:
...Steam.exe -applaunch 2130 -dxlevel 90
<<<<< exactly as in the picture.

Click Apply, OK.

Launch the game. Go to Options, see that this resulted in about the following settings (example is Radeon 9700Pro):

Just leave these settings as they are, they are ideal for multiplayer.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BlindNero,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BlindNero Forums for online Dark Messiah MM and other games support

Posts: 3800 | Registered: Tue March 06 2007

Ignored post by BlindNero posted

Show Post

BlindNero

Posted

Hide Post

[POST 4]

POSSIBLE ERRORS:

=1=. A mm.exe error, binkw32.dll error, white videos and then crash (sometimes in combination with: "[Bink]Error opening file: not a Bink file.. Skipping video", "Can't find background image materials\console\background01.Vtf ") or even no message at all.

The clue to this problem is that by the mixed situation Steam/Ubisoft versions, the game has started to expect binkw32.dll on the wrong place (thus also thinking it is missing an ímage). Solution is to copy the dll to that 'wrong place'.

THE USER WHO uninstalled the game from Steam, then re-installed (or repaired) from the DVD OUTSIDE STEAM, then manually applied the patches 1.01 and 1.02 (from ubi.com) and gets above error:

1. find the file binkw32.dll in your
C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic\bin
folder, and copy & paste it into the main directory:
C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.

(If you can't find it, you can also copy it from your own DVD: DMOMMGC\Disk1\Support\arch\bin\binkw32.dll, or download and unzip binkw32.zip, it's the same file.)
2. Also, remove the following key from Registry.
Click Start > Run... type in:
regedit
click OK.
Navigate to the key
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Source\mm]
which you see in the picture below, and highlight it.
Delete the key.
Restart the PC.
Then you're done.

THE USER WHO has installed the game from the DVD, then updated through Steam (so it has become a Steam game), and user launches the game from Steam > 'My Games' list or from the Steam-Dark Messiah shortcut on desktop and gets above error:

1. copy&paste it into your STEAM\SteamApps\*your account*\dark messiah might and magic single player\bin
folder.
2. Restart the PC.
Then you're done.

==============================================================================================================

=2=. White Z on a black background in stead of the intro movies and FMV's while you do hear the sound.
OR
nothing of these, but after the commercial intro movies simply spontaneous reboot of system.
OR
Game keeps stuck halfway loading bar
OR
Game does not launch at all (while it did before)

Solution (only for DX9 supporting videocards):

Ubisoft version Dark Messiah singleplayer: right-click on the Ubisoft-created DMoMM singleplayer shortcut on desktop > Properties. In the "Target" box, after the last quotation mark, hit spacebar once, then add the parameter
-dxlevel 90
>>>>>Mind the spaces!!!So that it reads:
...Ubisoft\Program Files\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic\mm.exe" -dxlevel 90
<<<<<
...so it looks exactly as in the picture.

Click Apply, OK.
Read further below.
Steam version Dark Messiah singleplayer: right-click on the Steam-created DMoMM-singleplayer shortcut on desktop > Properties. In the "Target" box, after the last letter, hit spacebar once, then add the parameter:
-dxlevel 90
>>>>>Mind the spaces!!!So that it reads:
...Steam.exe -applaunch 2100 -dxlevel 90
<<<<< exactly as in the picture.

Click Apply, OK.
Read further below.
Multiplayer Dark Messiah (is always Steam): Right-click on the Steam-created DMoMM-multiplayer shortcut on desktop > Properties. In the "Target" box, after the last letter, hit spacebar once, then add the parameter:
-dxlevel 90
>>>>>Mind the spaces!!!So that it reads:
...Steam.exe -applaunch 2130 -dxlevel 90
<<<<< exactly as in the picture.

Click Apply, OK.
Read further:

Launch the game. Go to Options, see that this resulted in the following settings:
IMPORTANT!!!
1. After you made your changes and checked that the game runs fine now, it is important that you first quit the game and remove the parameter you applied to the shortcut, otherwise next time you double-click on it your settings will be overwritten again.
(By adding the parameter, your recommended settings for Video are overwritten and may have become wrong for your card. On low performance cards this could decrease the performance (stutterings and lags) of the game.)
On cards that don't support it, disable HDR.
If in doubt, safest is to apply the settings *recommended for your card*.
On higher and highest end systems with videocards that have hardware support for HDR you can use the

-dxlevel 95

parameter. Then tweak the settings a little to find the optimal balance (even though they're above *recommended*), for best looking while at the same time smoothest gameplay. Settings on my P 650@ 3.4 Ghz / 2GB PC2 5300 RAM / Audigy 2 ZS / GF7800GT/256:

Settings on my C2D E6600 @ 3.4 Ghz / 2GB PC2 8500 RAM / X-Fi Platinum / X1900XT/512:
Again, after you made your changes and checked that the game runs fine now, it is important that you first quit the game and remove the parameter you applied to the shortcut, otherwise next time you double-click on it your settings will be overwritten again.

==============================================================================================================

=3=. Steam version Singleplayer game. Dramatic framerate drop after playing a few minutes.

Many people already had Steam installed for a longer time before they bought and installed Dark Messiah. Something in the older version seems to be the cause for this issue.
A complete uninstall/registry clean/re-install of Steam seems to fix it, thanks to luwak for finding this out, and the.Mtn.Man to confirm.
See this thread:
Game Slows down after a few min - HOW I FIXED MINE....

Many users with GF8800/8600 series, 7900GS, 7800GS, 6800 and 6600GT card reported they suffered this. But i didn't, with my GF 7800GT, no matter which drivers they all did fine... but my Steam was probably just 3 months old.
I uninstalled the 'DVD/updated through Steam' version, downloaded the 100% Steam version, to test out if i get the same "nVidia/Steam problem"

Tested for an hour, NO slowdowns or fps drops. Just excellent performance, same as the DVD version, so it couldn't be the nVidia drivers nor the game files, but some Steam file or registry value in older versions of Steam. And so it seems to be...

So, do this:

-backup your game(s) using the Steam backup function
-uninstall Steam and manually delete remaining files and folders
-defragment your hdd(s)
-clean your registry from Steam
-Use CCleaner to get rid of the last crumbs you may have missed
-reinstall the current version of Steam (redownload from Valve: http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=getsteamnow) <-- if you get an Error page, just click on "GET STEAM NOW" at the top.
-restore your game(s).

==============================================================================================================

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BlindNero,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BlindNero Forums for online Dark Messiah MM and other games support

Posts: 3800 | Registered: Tue March 06 2007

Ignored post by BlindNero posted

Show Post

BlindNero

Posted

Hide Post

[POST 5]

==============================================================================================================
Errors (continued).
==============================================================================================================

=4=. Bug with the rope you jump onto in first Chapter in Stonehelm.
Save your game just after you climbed up the ladder! An auto-save is created before climbing up anyway.

You see a ghoul just attacked someone on the rope and they both fall.
While keeping holding W + left Shift, run towards the rope, swiftly hit Space to jump/grab onto the rope and immediately quickly hit Space again to jump from rope onto next floor. So: run / hit space / hit space (while always holding W + LShift).
Otherwise, you may end up hanging from the rope unable to go anywhere and finally you'll fall and die. But luckily you have a savegame before this, just reload and retry.

A variation on this 'rope physics bug' can happen throughout the game (especially using the Rope Bow), with the rope swinging in and out the textures (in narrow spaces like corridors). Generally: it's safest to wait a second for the rope to hang still before jumping/climbing onto it.

==============================================================================================================

=5=. Singleplayer / Multiplayer: "The instruction at '0x241e3b99" referenced memory at "0x0dde65c8". The memory could not be read".
OR
no message, but huge slowdown
OR
unresponsive keyboard
OR
game crashes when you touch the keyboard.

1. For multiplayer DM, you must have a DirectX9.0c supporting videocard in the first place.
Still, something may have gone wrong detecting your card. Fix the hardware support for Dx9, by applying -dxlevel 90 to the MP shortcut.
How to:

Right-click on the Steam-created DMoMM-multiplayer shortcut on desktop > Properties. In the "Target" box, after the last letter, hit spacebar once, then add the parameter:
-dxlevel 90
>>>>>Mind the spaces!!!So that it reads:
...Steam.exe -applaunch 2130 -dxlevel 90
<<<<< exactly as in the picture.

Click Apply, OK.
Launch the game. Go to Options, see that this resulted in the following settings:

Just leave these settings as they are, they are ideal for multiplayer.
2. Make sure your Steam interface language is set to English. File > Settings > Language. As described in Error =20=, scroll down in this thread.
3. Singleplayer / multiplayer: make sure you have enlarged and fixed the Paging file to 4096MB min and max. See [POST 2] item =3=.
4. Make sure your Ethernet/LAN (Network) device drivers are up to date.
5. Make sure that your (software) firewall is configured to allow mm.exe both ways. Or disable firewall entirely.
Btw: if you have installed a 3d-party firewall, make sure you have disabled Windows Firewall (2 software firewalls active is not good). Most routers have a hardware firewall built in, so then you won't need any software firewall.
6. If you have a router: it sometimes happens that the cache is 'stuffed' (especially after down- and uploading many huge files) which is rarely but sometimes the cause for MP failure. Clean it by taking it off the power for about an hour, then reconnect.
7. Also check that you:
quote:
Originally posted by BlindNero:
Keep the programs running on the background to a minimum.
And shut down any chat program, like mIRC

Many programs don't need to start up with Windows (especially not when gaming), some can even block games to run at all.

>>> Click Start > Run... type in:
msconfig
click OK. On the start up items tab, untick unnecessary programs, like:
-antivirusscanner
-printer
-Office
-MSN
-P2P programs
-webcam
-WindowsBlinds
-disable instant-messaging programs, so quit Skype
-program checking for new e-mail every minute
-peerguardian (can block multiplayer completely)

Reboot PC for the changes to take effect.

Take a look at MY msconfig/startup items list:

That is all.

==============================================================================================================

=6=. Multi Player version: you see peoples names but can't see them.
Probably your videocard does not have hardware support for DirectX9.0c. Solution: change to a new, decent, DX9.0c supporting videocard. Or, try the fix to run the game under DirectX 8 mode below.
Also, your internet connection must be cabled broadband, not wi-fi.

The 'DirectX8' fix:

quote:
Originally posted by Mana_SG:
This is a fix for invisible player, prop, weapon, etc models.