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,

[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,

====================================================
PMs with tech questions are ignored
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BlindNero Forums for online Dark Messiah MM and other games support

[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,

[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.

quote:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct X Level 8 Fix for Dark Messiah Multiplayer:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
this makes it possible to see Player Models as well as most other models (such as flags and props such as crates).
There are some problems such as the DX 8 shader not supporting some DX 9 functions such as any semi-transparent effects go
fully white (magic shield for warriors, etc). But this does work mostly 90% and you can see all the player models and such.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation Instructions:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1)Use Winrar or Winzip to extract the archive straight
into your Dark Messiah Multiplayer directory
(Usually located in C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\your_account_name\dark messiah might and magic multi-player\).
2)Run the game under Direct X 8 mode and enjoy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mana - DMTavern.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I tested it one two Nvidia cards so far I don't know how well it will do other cards but on the Geforce 5xxx series it worked fine for me.

There are some problems such as anything transparent becoming white and boxy, but otherwise it works fine. And remember unlike the whole purpose of these files where they are optimized for a specific DX level here they aren't optimized for DX 8 but still work .

http://www.is1337.net/sg/downloads/10-1168225592-mp_dx_80_fix_102.rar

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

=7=. Multi Player version: You create a server (Internet) but nobody can connect to you.
Check if your ISP allows hosting servers, some don't.

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

=8=. Crash to desktop or a hard reboot at start of first Chapter, not always an error message. Sound stutters, then it's over. Usually at this point only a 1 ~ 2 seconds stutter happens after which the game proceeds. A crash at this point seems to only happen on PC's with onboard soundchip (instead of good soundcard) and /or your PC was not well prepared and/or the wrong resolution set in Options > Video.
First make sure you have prepared your PC well (see [POST 2] "Prepare your System" in this thread):

• 1. Enlarged and fixed your Page File.
  
• 2. Your sounddrivers are updated to the latest.
  
• 3. Disabled the hardware acceleration on your integrated soundchip (don't do this if you have a real soundcard).
  
• 4. Installed the latest version of DirectX9.0c.
  

Also:

• Check if you are not running the game at a 16:10 resolution (f.i. 1680 x 1050). From the readme:
  

  quote:

  - 16/10 Screen Ratio
  That screen ratio is not officially supported in Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.
  

  Which means it may work for some time but likely to raise problems at other spots.
  Options > Video settings. Change resolution to a 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio.
  
• Also, resolution 800 x 600 is not supported by the game. From the readme:

  quote:

  800*600 Resolution
  That resolution is not officially supported in Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.

  Change to 1024x768.

• Tip from theshadowcult is to use the command line
  snd_mixahead
  It should fix the crash (if you experience that at that point in the game) but it changes the behaviour of the PaoKai in Temple of the Spider.
  
  I never have a crash (nowhere in the game), only soundstuttering at this point. I use a Creative X-Fi soundcard, not onboard soundchip. Still i checked this 'fix' and tried:
  snd_mixahead 1.
  It does not solve the stutterings.
  It DOES create a problem with the PaoKai, it behaves like it never did before (played the game 40 times now): it refuses to fly under the portcullis! Even though i lured it, and am waiting at the lever, it clearly isn't planning to go under the portcullis with its head.
  I tried:
  snd_mixahead 0
  but that resulted in very bad distorted sound.
  
  The values:
  snd_mixahead 0.1
  snd_mixahead 0.2
  leave a normal PaoKai in level Temple of the Spider.
  From value
  snd_mixahead 0.3
  and up,
  you get an extra strong PaoKai with the same behaviour as in the Epilogue: extra strong, attacking you with lightning, freezing in mid air, extra aggressive groaning, and refusing to go under the portcullis. So you can't kill it.
  
  The default value is
  snd_mixahead 0.1
  
  I just leave it at default.
  
  >>> But you can try this: Main Menu > Options > button 'Advanced', enable the Console. Click OK, and again OK.
  Hit the ~ key to open the console.
  Type in:
  snd_mixahead 0.2
  then click Submit' or press Enter.
  Close the console by hitting ~ again.
  Hopefully, you'll be able to pass that spot now without crashing.
  
  You could try 0.3 or even 0.4 to pass this sequence in the game, and then reset it back to
  snd_mixahead 0.1
  which is the default value.
  
  (If you have trouble using the console, see [POST 6]: =24=. Console commands don't work; console keeps disappearing.)
  
  
• The most effective solution however is of course to build in a real, fully DX9 compatible soundcard like the Creative Audigy 2 / 2 ZS / X-Fi series.
  

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

=9=. Crash to desktop when you load the First Chapter in Stonehelm. The girl's voice starts skipping, game crashes and engine error: "failed to lock vertex buffer in CMeshDX8:LockVertexBuffer". And you get the "memory could not be referenced..." error.
You most probably have set the wrong resolution:
- 800x600 is not supported by the game. Change to 1024 x 768.
- 1680 x 1050 is not supported by the game. Change aspect ratio to 16:9 or 4:3.
Check that you don't have HDR enabled on a low performance card: disable HDR.

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

=10=. Having trouble finding the mouse on the screen throughout the game.
The wrong settings for mouse (f.i. speed) can result in disabling mouse. Keep the setting at default.
Also, in Mouse setup in Control Panel > Mouse, check that you have default settings for speed and the mouseclick 1,2 and 3 (scrollwheel) buttons assignments.

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

=11=. Crash to desktop after regaining the backpack. (At start of level 7 the Orcs have taken your backpack so you have no inventory. Shortly further, you will find your backpack and inventory reappears, normally. This is a sudden dynamic moment for your videocard and CPU.)
Check if you are not running the game at resolution 1680 x 1050. Options > Video settings. Change resolution to a 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio model.

From the readme:

quote:

- 16/10 Screen Ratio
That screen ratio is not officially supported in Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.

Which means it may work for some time but likely to raise problems at other spots, especially with such sudden dynamic changes in the graphics 'layers' on the screen.

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

=12=. You have the original DVD but it is read as a backup (or an illegal copy) by Securom copyprotection.
Make sure you do not have software that can be used to circumvent copyprotection, installed on your PC. Alcohol 120%, Deamon Tools, Virtual Drive*, CloneCD...Securom doesn't like that.
But if you haven't, the problem may have another cause:

If this message occurs although you are using the original disc, please check if the correct communication mode is being used with your drive. Please check if the DMA mode is enabled:

1. Go to Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager.
2. Double-click IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers to display the list of controllers and channels.
3. Right-click the icon for the channel to which your CD/DVD drive is connected, select Properties, and then click the Advanced Settings tab.
4. In the Current Transfer Mode drop-down box, select "DMA if Available" if the current setting is "PIO Only." If the drop-down box already shows "DMA if Available" but the current transfer mode is PIO, then you must toggle the settings. That is:
* Change the selection from "DMA if available" to PIO only, and click OK.
* Then repeat the steps above to change the selection to DMA if available.

In case the hint given above didn't solve your problem, please send a SecuROM™ analysis file to support@securom.com (see Support Info section on how to prepare and send an analysis file).

*If the error is caused becuse you have Virtual Drive installed: you don't need to uninstall it but simply turn it off.

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

=13=. External dvd-player. Game won't install/launch.
You try to install/run the Ubisoft version singleplayer while you have the DVD in an external dvd-player or through a network.
Securom copyprotection does not allow that.
To install and launch the game you must have the dvd in an INTERNAL player, in the same PC as it is installed on.

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

=14=. GF 8800GTS/GTX, game runs for a few minutes then crashes to desktop or hard reboot.
Check that:
- you have BOTH powercables connected to your card
- your PSU meets the minimum requirements for your card:

quote:

Power requirements:

Single setup
8800 GTX - 30 amperes 450 W
8800 GTS - 26 amperes 400 W

Source:
http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/8800gtx-gts-INF...K-ftopict206725.html

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

=15=. Your motherboard has a VIA chipset. Game runs fine, but the cinematics will not run at all.
Update your VIA drivers. There was a problem with Hyperion 5.11a:

quote:

Version 5.11A of the Hyperion Pro driver has been released. Issues with audio and/or video playback have been reported and are being investigated.

So, any previous (Via4-in-1) drivers including Hyperion 5.11a, update to
Hyperion Version - 5.18a (release date: 16 June 2008)

VIA HyperionPro Driver(5.x)Installation Guide

quote:

Version 5.18a of the Hyperion Pro drivers includes the following components:

INF V2.90A
AGP V4.60A
V-RAID V5.60A and RAID Tools v5.40
VIA IDE Falcon Storage Device driver v2.10A

VIA Hyperion Pro drivers are suitable for ANY VIA chipset - but they are particularly recommended for KT4## series, P4X4## series and newer, for example:
K7 chipsets: KT400, KT400A, KT600, KT880, KM400, KN400
K8 chipsets: K8T800, K8T800Pro, K8M800, K8M890, K8N800, K8N890, K8T890, K8T890Pro, K8T900
P4 chipsets: P4X400, P4X400A, PT800, PT880, PM800, PN800, PM880, PN880, PT880Pro, PT894, P4M800/Pro/CE, P4M900, PT890
C Series Chipsets: CN700, CN400, CLE266, CX700,CX700M, CN800, CN896
V Series Chipsets: VN800, VX700, VN896

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

=16=. Overclocked your PC and/or videocard. At random points you get graphical artifacts, followed by complete freeze and/or crash to desktop and/or instant shutdown.
The overclock of your videocard combined with the settings for video in the game's Options menu is too high. Reduce the overclock and the settings for Video in the game's Options menu.
The culprit of this problem can also be an insufficient PSU; in that case overclock will always be unstable.

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

=17=. Overclocked your PC and/or videocard. NO graphical errors but at random points you get complete freeze and/or crash to desktop and/or instant shutdown. Happens with highest graphical settings as well as with lowest. In XP followed by the "Send Error report to Microsoft" message, and Runtime error logs. In Vista followed by the message "mm.exe has stopped working".
The overclock of your CPU and/or videocard are very tight, to the maximum. Not every game triggers this failure so you are convinced this can't be the problem. But it is. Reduce the overclock with a few notches, to keep headroom.

When environmental temperatures rise (during summer), a once successfull maximum overclock may become unstable because the CPU reaches its max allowed core temp earlier which (worst case) unrepairably damages the CPU or (on good motherboards with protection) causes immediate shutdown. The nVidia and ATI videocard protection also never fails.

The culprit of a failing overclock can also be an insufficient PSU; in that case overclock will always be unstable.


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

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

[POST 6]

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


=18=. When installing you get the message that "Demoshield Player has encountered a problem and needs to close."
You have any programs like Alcohol 120%, Deamon Tools, etcetera installed that can be (mis) used to circumvent copyprotection? Uninstall them and remove all traces before you try to install the game.
The fact that you get that error before you can actually install indicates your InstallShield is corrupted (make sure you have the latest patches and updates from Windows Update), or that you still have remains of programs that copyprotection software doesn't like. An old version of Nero and Roxio software seem to also trigger that.
Also make sure your antivirus is disabled or reboot without it.

Also, Empty your Temp folders:
C:\Documents and Settings\*your name*\Local Settings\Temp
and
C:\WINDOWS\Temp

Also, defragment using Diskeeper.

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

=19=.
Multiplayer (Steam): can't load the game
Try: delete the clientregistry.blob file located in your Steam directory. Then launch up Steam again and see if it works now.

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

=20=. Multiplayer (Steam). Your Steam interface language is not English but your native language. Game fails to load.
And you get Engine Error message:


When you clicked on OK, followed by Windows Error message:



Solution: set Steam to English (File > Settings > Language).

If you experiment with this (like i did ) and Steam fails to restart, so you exit and restart Steam manually, the next problem can happen:



In the list, you find your own language twice, and English is gone.
Solution:
Select any other language you at least vaguely can navigate through.
Hit button to restart Steam.
Then again find and select English in the list.
Hit button to restart Steam.

Update July 7.
LOL!



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

=21=. The first gem is not accepted in Spider statue receptacle to open door.

This seems a random bug.

It was thought, that this can happen if you play the game for the first time,
Quote from this post:

quote:

Originally posted by SirKid1955:
Ok I ran into the same problem. I fixed it by loading up a save game that was before I got the gem. Then I went and read the note at the base of the spider statue before getting the gem and everything worked fine. The firt time I got stuck I had gotten the gem before I read the note. Must be a bug.

...and when you replay the game this never happens again, you don't need to read the plaques anymore.

But i replayed the game on a new computer that never saw the game before. Didn't read ANY plaque, and particulary tested if this bug would happen. It did NOT happen. So the conclusion must be that it is a random bug.

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

=22=. Chapter 8. In the Spider Pit. Giant spider does not appear.

You have thrown objects (barrels, boxes, etc.) from above into the pit, before you took the route down to the pit. You couldn't know, but you should not have done that.
Reload a savegame before you threw the objects. This time the giant spider will appear. Tested.

(kicking/throwing bodies is allowed, they have no effect)

Q.: But i did not make a savegame.
A.: Of course you have a save from before you threw the objects!
Press Esc > Load Game. Then browse through the AUTOSAVES. There is one just before you came at the location where you saw Leanna being thrown into the pit.

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

=23=. Chapter 8. In the Spider Pit. Invincible giant spider.

You killed the soldier charged with pushing Leanna into the pit before he did so, so Leanna keeps standing on the ledge above the pit. But her falling screams and the monstruous spider groans are also clearly heard.
After you fought your way up killing everybody, Leanna is still standing lonely on the ledge above the pit (relaxed whistling).
Down in the pit you find another Leanna, caught in the web. 2 Leanna's, hmmm. Running passing Giant Spider it blows its poison to you, but when you reach Leanna's corner the spider will not move anymore from its spot in the centre and is stuck in a loop animation. Approaching it, it starts blowing its poison. Shooting at it from Leanna's corner does not kill it. Freeing Leanna makes no difference, and she does nothing but bend in fear and warn you to look out for the spider.
Going your way back up using the elevator, you find that throwing Leanna no.1 into the pit or killing her is impossible (she's invincible too! ). Back down again (this all without saving once), the giant spider appearing animation starts all over, and it keeping spot in the middle of the pit happens again and Leanna no.2 is in the web as if you hadn't freed her before you went up and returned.
Solution: load an earlier savegame, and remember to not kill the guard who's in charge to throw Leanna into the pit, before he has done so. Then everything will be normal.

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

=24=. Console commands don't work; console keeps disappearing.

1. Open the console.
2. Type:
n
hit Enter.
3. console disappears.
4. Open console again, type
o
5. console will show:
nò
..which is nothing, but the good part is: console stays open now.
6. Use the Backspace button to delete "nò" and type in:
sv_cheats 1
Hit Enter.
7. You see: console stays open.
8. Now type in the command of your choice, for instance any 'give' command etcetera.
A command like for instance:
give weapon_lockpick

Always, you first have to enable the cheats command:
sv_cheats 1
then you can proceed with any command. Each time you open the console, sv_cheats 1 stays enabled during this session of the running game; you don't have to type it again.
But if you die and the game reloads, you DO have to enable cheats again by sv_cheats 1.


Of course, this game is most exciting without cheating!

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

=25=. Keyboard layout keeps changing.
Make sure you have "US (International)" keyboard layout before you launch the game. For changing the layout, there is a shortcut (Ctrl+Shift). Without knowing, while gaming you are constantly using the shortcut to change between options.
You can enable/disable the shortcut: Control Panel > Regional Settings. Either remove the other keyboard layout options or untick the shortcut for changing it. See the picture.



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

=26=. Patches 1.01 and 1.02 refuse to install or give errors.

You probably downloaded them from Gamespot? Those are faulty. 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).


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

=27=. GF8800 series cards. Bad performance on XP. Even worse on Windows Vista.

Update: this seems to have been fixed for the most part, in both XP and Vista drivers (provided you also installed the Vista hotfixes.

History (old text, put in italics):
From the 162.22 nVidia Vista drivers release notes:

quote:

F o r c e W a r e G r a p h i c s D r i v e r s , R e l e a s e 1 5 8 V e r s i o n 1 6 2
Antialiasing Problems With Certain Applications
Antialiasing in the NVIDIA Direct3D driver requires each new frame to be
rendered from scratch. This requirement adversely affects applications that
render only that portion of the content that has changed since the last frame. A
common symptom of this problem is geometric structures that incorrectly
disappear and re"appear as the scene shifts.

quote:

F o r c e W a r e G r a p h i c s D r i v e r s , R e l e a s e 1 5 8 V e r s i o n 1 6 2
Application Issues
"¢ General Antialiasing Problem with Top Games
We have found that some games running under Windows Vista enable 16x coverage sampling antialiasing (CSAA) when 4xAA is selected in the game menu, resulting in deflated performance on GeForce 8800 cards.
The problem occurs with NVIDIA Vista drivers 100.54 and later.
The same effect will occur in future Release 100 Windows XP drivers.
Affected applications found to date include:
"¢ Battlefield 2
"¢ Battlefield 2142
"¢ Sin Episodes
"¢ Half-Life 2
"¢ Half-Life 2 Lost Coast
To set standard 4xAA in these applications, please set 4xAA in the game, and also enable "Enhance the application" antialiasing mode with a 4x antialiasing setting in the NVIDIA graphics driver control panel.
We are working with developers to implement better in"game CSAA support. You can see CSAA menu selections in Half-Life 2: Episode One and Supreme Commander.

From TheInquirer.net:

quote:

Nvidia still working on 8800 texture slowdowns

G80 running out out memory, driver fix under construction


By Theo Valich: Tuesday 31 July 2007, 07:19

IT SEEMS THAT Nvidia's Geforce 8800 series of graphics cards suffers random slowdowns, and this can be particularly problematic for owners of the Geforce 8800GTS 320MB, the cheapest 8800 out there.
The problem lies in fact that the G80 GPU has some trouble with texture memory management. In many unrelated cases, this bug starts leaving textures in video memory and system memory, causing the board to run out of texture memory. Once you run out of memory for textures on your graphics card and system, you will experience a lot of swapping with textures on a hard drive, and that is recipe for disaster, at least as far as framerates are concerned.

Some games are more affected than others, it all depends on how the game engine is handling textures. We learned about the situation a while ago, but it has been two weeks and fix is still not out. We heard from Nvidia that testing is well under way, with both Windows XP and Vista - combining these operating systems with different GPUs.

For now, if you experience slowdowns in games and you own GeForce 8800 series card, you can do the alt+tab trick, also known as "switch windows to force texture reload" fix. µ

From TheInquirer.net:

quote:

8800 slowdown is "Problem of complex nature"

By Theo Valich: Tuesday 31 July 2007, 15:28

AFTER OUR ORIGINAL story, we managed to get an update from an Nvidia rep regarding the actual timeframe of the driver release that will fix the 8800 slowdown issue.
As it stands right now, fix for this highly annoying bug is planned for a release between the end of August and middle of September. My personal assumption would be that the latter date is a more realistic one. Nvidia stated that this problem is "of complex nature," and it seems to us that fixing one card leads to issues with another.

We wonder whether something went wrong in the whole 320-bit/384-bit memory controller combination, or whether the problem is caused by the fact that game developers were creating games with 256/512/1024 MB boards in mind, and Nvidia showed up with 320/640/768MB ones?

Just in case, if you play Battlefield and are one of numerous gamers plagued by the slowdown problem, Alt+Tab is not the answer you might need. Pascal, one of our readers came back to us and told us that Nvidia encourages you to use special button in the main page of the menu - this button opens a browser outside the game, and then you can swap back into the game without having the game screen destroyed.

It seems that the race for the most interesting/annoying bug of 2007 is now officially open. µ

Update 8 August 2007:

quote:

An update is available that improves the compatibility and reliability of Windows Vista.

Download: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=938194

quote:

INTRODUCTION
This update resolves some compatibility issues and reliability issues in Windows Vista. By applying this update, you can achieve better reliability and hardware compatibility in various scenarios.

This update resolves the following issues:

The screen may go blank when you try to upgrade the video driver. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
932539 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932539/) The screen may go blank when you try to upgrade the video driver on a Windows Vista-based computer

The computer stops responding, and you receive a "Display driver stopped responding and has recovered" error message. You can restart the computer only by pressing the computer's power button.

The computer stops responding or restarts unexpectedly when you play video games or perform desktop operations.

The Diagnostic Policy Service (DPS) stops responding when the computer is under heavy load or when very little memory is available. This problem prevents diagnostics from working.

The screen goes blank after an external display device that is connected to the computer is turned off. For example, this problem may occur when a projector is turned off during a presentation.

A computer that has NVIDIA G80 series graphic drivers installed stops responding.

Visual appearance issues occur when you play graphics-intensive games.

You experience poor playback quality when you play HD DVD disks or Blu-ray disks on a large monitor.

Applications that load the Netcfgx.dll component exit unexpectedly.

Windows Calendar exits unexpectedly after you create a new appointment, create a new task, and then restart the computer.

Internet Connection Sharing stops responding after you upgrade a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP to Windows Vista and then restart the computer.

The Printer Spooler service stops unexpectedly.

You receive a "Stop 0x0000009F" error when you put the computer to sleep while a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connection is active. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
931671 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931671/) Error message when you put a Windows Vista-based computer to sleep while a PPP connection is active: "STOP 0x0000009F"

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

=28=. Steam version singleplayer. Game simply doesn't start.

1. This may be a variation on the binkw32.dll error, only without the error message.
Try this:
Download and unzip binkw32.zip, then
copy&paste this binkw32.dll file into your STEAM\SteamApps\*your account*\dark messiah might and magic single player\bin
folder.

2. Check that the game was updated 100%. You can only run the game if it is 100% updated.

3. Check that firewall is not awaiting your input in a "Should I allow This" window on the background or blocking Steam from accessing internet.

4. Try to launch the game in offline mode.
How to: Launch Steam, make sure you are logged in.
Exit from Steam, do NOT use the "Exit and logout" option.
Then when you launch Steam while not connected to the Internet, Steam will ask you if you want to use "offline mode".
Of course, in order to play a game in offline mode, its content must be fully downloaded (at "100%") first.

Update July 7.
LOL!



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

=29=. Installing fails, error message:

• "Component: mm_sp_release
  File: D:\disk1\data3.cab
  Error: data error (cyclic redundancy check)"

1. CRC error.
the cause:
- a corrupted file by a bad download. Solution: redownload.

- on a DVD: scratches / stains / fingerprints. Solution: check the disc. If it is too badly damaged let it be polished in a shop or buy a new copy.

2. A CRC error may also appear in the following case:

• 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'.
  
  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, you try to reinstall the game from the DVD. 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 move (or 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. Possibly, error =2=. will happen to you. See there for the fix.
  

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

=30=. Geforce 8800 GTS/GTX series. Game doesn't launch anymore while it did before.

In the game's Options > Advanced settings > Video, you probably upped the settings because you expected your card should be able to handle that. But strangely enough, GF 8800 series has a problem with high anti alias in DM. Keep the anti alias at 2x max (or disable it completely).
If you can't launch the game to make the changes, see [POST 8] article =7= (I need to change my settings but the game does not load at all so i cannot even reach the Options menu).

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

=32=. Steam. Wrong info displayed about the game's used diskspace.
Bug. Well spotted by eliteace14 and Outnack! http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8821027804/m/3331038275
Apparently, Steam gives reversed multiplayer and singleplayer properties.



Before download&installing, Steam also usually gives wrong "available diskspace" information:



The menu-title says it's downloading single player, and the menu itself says you are downloading multiplayer (which you are, as you selected):...



A few times i re-did the 'Steam hardware enquiry' and it would always say i have no primary videocard installed, but mentioned Radeon X1900XT as secondary videocard...

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

=33=. Steam version singleplayer. NOT the original readme's.

Indeed: Steam version lacks them. Very annoying, so you missed crucial information (mentioned in this thread). Via the singleplayer "Update news", Steam gives Changes/Additions for multiplayer, then changes / additions / bug fixes for singleplayer. But no word about the not supported resolutions, the virtual memory fix...



But see below, [POST 9] where all 3 readme's are pasted.

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

=34=. Windows Vista, game crashes and performance issues.

Install the essential Vista fixes. (August 28, 2007)

1. Virtual address space usage in Windows game development
Source and download: hotfix 940105.

2. An update is available that improves the compatibility and reliability of Windows Vista.
If you have Automatic Windows Updates enabled you probably already have it installed, if not then download: hotfix 938194

quote:

INTRODUCTION
This update resolves some compatibility issues and reliability issues in Windows Vista. By applying this update, you can achieve better reliability and hardware compatibility in various scenarios.

This update resolves the following issues:

The screen may go blank when you try to upgrade the video driver. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
932539 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932539/) The screen may go blank when you try to upgrade the video driver on a Windows Vista-based computer

The computer stops responding, and you receive a "Display driver stopped responding and has recovered" error message. You can restart the computer only by pressing the computer's power button.

The computer stops responding or restarts unexpectedly when you play video games or perform desktop operations.

The Diagnostic Policy Service (DPS) stops responding when the computer is under heavy load or when very little memory is available. This problem prevents diagnostics from working.

The screen goes blank after an external display device that is connected to the computer is turned off. For example, this problem may occur when a projector is turned off during a presentation.

A computer that has NVIDIA G80 series graphic drivers installed stops responding.

Visual appearance issues occur when you play graphics-intensive games.

You experience poor playback quality when you play HD DVD disks or Blu-ray disks on a large monitor.

Applications that load the Netcfgx.dll component exit unexpectedly.

Windows Calendar exits unexpectedly after you create a new appointment, create a new task, and then restart the computer.

Internet Connection Sharing stops responding after you upgrade a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP to Windows Vista and then restart the computer.

The Printer Spooler service stops unexpectedly.

You receive a "Stop 0x0000009F" error when you put the computer to sleep while a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connection is active. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
931671 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931671/) Error message when you put a Windows Vista-based computer to sleep while a PPP connection is active: "STOP 0x0000009F"

3. An update is available that improves the performance and reliability of Windows Vista
If you have Automatic Windows Updates enabled you probably already have it installed, if not then download:: hotfix 938979

quote:

INTRODUCTION
This update resolves issues that may affect some Windows Vista-based computers. These issues have been reported by customers who are using the Error Reporting service or Microsoft Customer Support Services.

By applying this update, you can achieve better performance and responsiveness in various scenarios. This update also improves the reliability of Windows Vista.

This update resolves the following issues on a Windows Vista-based computer:

You experience a long delay when you try to exit the Photos screen saver.

A memory leak occurs when you use the Windows Energy screen saver.

If User Account Control is disabled on the computer, you cannot install a network printer successfully. This problem occurs if the network printer is hosted by a Windows XP-based or a Windows Server 2003-based computer.

When you write data to an AVI file by using the AVIStreamWrite function, the file header of the AVI file is corrupted.

When you copy or move a large file, the "estimated time remaining" takes a long time to be calculated and displayed.

After you resume the computer from hibernation, it takes a long time to display the logon screen.

When you synchronize an offline file to a server, the offline file is corrupted.

If you edit an image file that uses the RAW image format, data loss occurs in the image file. This problem occurs if the RAW image is from any of the following digital SLR camera models:"¢ Canon EOS 1D

Canon EOS 1DS
For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
932988 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932988/) Files from a Canon EOD 1D or 1DS camera may be corrupted after you use Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Live Photo Gallery, or Windows Explorer to edit the file metadata in Windows Vista or in Windows XP Service Pack 2

After you resume the computer from hibernation, the computer loses its default gateway address.

Poor memory management performance occurs.

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

=35=.You have the application "RefreshForce" installed. The game does not launch at all.

In the program, hit the button to "Restore Default values". More details here: http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8821027804/m/3681006285
thanks to Joshiii-kun.

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

=36=.You have an AMD Dual-Core Processor and gameplay is slow and choppy.
Download the AMD Dual-Core Optimizer Utility. It can be found at the following links:

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/...182_871_9706,00.html

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/...82_871_14098,00.html

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/...82_871_13118,00.html


If you are still having a problem after running the Optimizer Utility, try installing the latest AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor Drivers available for Windows XP. You can download these drivers from the following link:

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/...82_871_13118,00.html

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

=37=.Windows Vista, shaderapidx9.dll related crashes.

See this thread for a solution: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6476883&postcount=5

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

=38=. Steam version singleplayer/multiplayer. Game freezes.
Like the DVD version, also the Steam version is copyprotected. Make sure you don't have programs installed that could be used to circumvent copyprotection.

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

=39=. Spyware, Adware, and Viruses Interfering with Steam.
Spyware, adware, viruses, trojans, and worms may directly impact your ability to access Steam - if you have exhausted other troubleshooting steps, or if you have noticed unexpected behavior and decreased performance on your machine, please download and install a spyware and adware scanner and a virus scanning utility.

Download and install both programs:
Ad-Aware (freeware).
First check for updates. Then let it scan your complete PC. Delete all malware it finds. Keep it updated, run it on a regulary basis.
Spybot Search & Destroy (freeware).
First check for updates. Then let it scan your complete PC. Delete all malware it finds. Keep it updated, run it on a regulary basis.

These program have to be run BOTH, they complete each other. Both are throrough but dominate a slightly different area.

Use these programs next to your regular anti-virus application and firewall.

Oh and again: if you use a software firewall make sure that Windows firewall is disabled. Having 2 software firewalls active is not good. If you have a router with inbuilt hardware firewall, you don't need any software firewall.

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

=40=. Multiplayer. Game runs but with severe slowdown and you see "server-stop" icon in bottom right corner.


Check if your videocard supports DirectX9.0c. If your card doesn't, upgrade to a decent DX9.0c supporting card, and make sure that your video drivers and DirectX are updated (see [POST 2] in this thread).

Also, see error =5= in [POST 5] (scroll up).

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

=41=. Ubisoft Solution Center.

Ubisoft Solution Center / Dark Messiah Might and Magic.

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

=42=. Half Life 2 & Source Engine Tweak Guide


Half Life 2 & Source Engine Tweak Guide
[Page 8] Advanced Tweaking (Pt.2)


Source_Cvarlist.zip (50KB).

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

=43=. Trying to install the game, but the DVD isn't read at all


If you have Nero installed with all related software with it, try uninstalling all and delete any remains of Ahead software from the Registry. Nero shouldn't give any problem, i have (part of) the suite installed myself, but maybe 'drive-check' and Roxio software is the culprit here. Anyway, you could try this. The suggestion comes from this thread on the Heroes V forum:
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4611096804/m/4661052716

Also, a Quicktime plugin in Nero might be a cause for problems with the game, and uninstalling that plugin should fix it. (Bink player and Quicktime are related).

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

=44=. STEAM and "Paged Pool Memory" error

Are you getting this error, and running mIRC? Shut down mIRC before trying to load a game.

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


=45=. Lower performance videocards: reduce game stuttering.

Open Dark Messiah/mm/cfg in Notepad, find following lines:

sv_forcepreload "0"
cl_forcepreload "0"

change setting to "1". So the game is forced to load all textures before the scene starts, which should prevent several stutters.

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

=46[color=black]=[/color]. You use Stardock ObjectDock to organize your desktop. Game won't run/load, black screen and all kinds of errors.

Try to find a way (in the application's settings) to disable ObjectDock. Otherwise, uninstall ObjectDock.
Thanks to dAFr3sH for reporting! :thumbup:

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

=47[color=black]=[/color]. Fixing "OS Memory Pool Low".

Open the registry editor:
Click Start > Run, type in
regedit

then hit Enter.
In the Registry, navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management

Double click on "PagedPoolSize". Change the (hexadecimal) Value Data to one of these below:
192Mb: 0c000000
256Mb: 10000000
384Mb: 18000000
In most cases, 256MB will be enough.
No need to go over 384 Mb reserved to the Paged Pool.

Reboot the PC.
==============================================================================================================

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

[POST 7]

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


APPENDIX


Miscellaneous troubleshooting facts from the readme's:


On the box, in the Manual, and in the readme:

quote:

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

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

Supported OS: Windows® XP

On Ubisoft's Buy Dark Messiah of Might and Magic page:

quote:

Dark Messiah of Might and Magic System Requirements

Supported OS: Windows XP (only)

On the DM download page from Steam:

quote:

System Requirements
Minimum: AMD Athlon™, Pentium® 2.4 GHz, 512MB RAM, 128MB video card, 7GB HDD Space, Windows XP, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection


Recommended: AMD Athlon™, Pentium® 3.0 GHz, 256mb dx9 video card, 7GB HDD Space, Windows XP, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection

From the readme:

• Supported Video Cards:
  NVIDIA® GeForce™ FX/6/7/8 families
  ATI® Radeon™ 8500/9000/X families
  Matrox Parhelia™
  Laptop versions of these cards are not fully supported.
  
  
• ALT+TAB
  Using the ALT+TAB key combination to switch between applications may cause problems. We do not support the use of the ALT+TAB function.
  
  
  
• US Keyboard binding
  In the Multiplayer game, your keyboard will sometimes be detected as a US keyboard. If you have an international keyboard, like the French keyboard, reassigning your keys will give you the US equivalent. For exemple binding "W" to crouch will read "Z" in the keyboard options' menu.
  
  
  
• 800*600 Resolution
  That resolution is not officially supported in Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.
  
  
  
• 16/10 Screen Ratio
  That screen ratio is not officially supported in Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.
  
  
• Special fix for language problems:
  
  *******************************************************************************************
  
  If you don't have the language you selected during the installation of Dark Messiah, please follow
  these instructions:
  
  - In the following folder you'll find files named ".reg" :
  C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic\Support
  
  - Double click on the .reg file of the language you wish to use.
  (Note: This won't CHANGE the language, only repair it).
  
  - Click 'Yes' then 'OK'.
  
  - Your Steam register key has been updated to your chosen language. Your game is now
  correctly set.
  

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

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

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

[POST 8]

FAQ


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

=1=. I run the Steam version, and can't seem to find a game's manual?

Download DarkMessiahGameManual.zip (1.75MB .pdf file).

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

=2=. How to install the game onto another location than the default?

You have a "GAMES" folder on another partition, for instance on E:\. If you did that, you are supposed to already know what to do next. Nevertheless, some folks get confused.
At start of the game's installation, you browse to the alternative path, or you fill it in.
The installation process creates the game's folder ("Dark Messiah of Might and Magic") and adds that to the path.
That means:
You browse to (or fill in):
E:\GAMES\
(don't forget the last slash!)
and click Next.
You'll see that the process has completed the path to:
E:\GAMES\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic

If you want the game in your own folder you create it in advance (you named it f.i. "DMoMaM"), then browse to (or fill in):
E:\GAMES\DMoMaM\
click Next
and the process will complete the path to:
E:\GAMES\DMoMaM\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic

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

=3=. How to take screenshots?

Hit the "Home" button on your keyboard. After you made your first screenshot, a screenshots folder should be created automatically. If not, create it manually. Name it:
screenshots

In the Steam version it belongs in:
?\Steam\SteamApps\*your account*\dark messiah might and magic\mm
(where "?" is by default: C:\Program Files)
In the Ubisoft version:
?\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic\mm
(where "?" is by default: C:\Program Files\Ubisoft)

If you want to assign it to another key, for instance F5, you can. By editing the .cfg file. It is located in
Steam version:
\dark messiah of might and magic single player\mm\cfg
Ubisoft version:
\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic\mm\cfg
Open the .cfg file with Notepad.
Find the line
bind "HOME" "screenshot"
and replace "HOME" with the key of your choice. Of course be very carefull you don't select a key that is already assigned, F5 would be fine.

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

=4=. I cannot find DM DVD version in a shop. Can i purchase it via download from Steam or Ubisoft?

Yes, from Steam: http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=game&AppId=2100&cc=NL. You get singleplayer, and multiplayer. If you bought it through Steam, you have an active account at Steam and you don't need a serial for the game. Login to your account and play.

Or from Ubisoft: http://www.ubi.com/US/Downloads/Info.aspx?dlId=1939. You get singleplayer, and multiplayer-license. For multiplayer you have to install Steam (setup.exe is included in the download) and download the game through Steam. Then activate the game with the serial you received with Ubisoft singleplayer purchase.

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

=5=. How does DM Multiplayer work?

Quoted from this thread http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/808101043/m/5601068165

quote:

Originally posted by misteerius:
Although there are RPG elements, it is still an FPS at heart.

When you kill someone, you gain exp. When you gain exp, you gain levels. When you gain levels, you gain skill points. With these skill points, you can get a new skill ie. flame arrow.

The skill tree is hierarchical, as such, the level 1 skills need to be selected before reaching the higher level skills, so you need to accumulate enough skill points to get the best skills.

Your skills will not be saved overnight. If you were to disconnect and reconnect soon after, often your skills will remain. Skills also remain over how ever many rounds you play (Some server mightn't be this way). It's not an MMO, so don't be suprised when you have to start at 1.

After you learn the game, you will be able to get to level 6 - 9 in one map, which makes the game alot easier to get into. Don't get scared off at the start, it gets easier.

If you play say, a Mage to level 5, then switch to Assasin, your Assasin will start at level 1. Should you want to go back to Mage, you will pickup where you left off, at level 5.

The maximum level is 10, and I think thats 8181 exp.

TK's subtract exp, and if you are not careful you'll find it difficult to get to the higher levels.

Easiest to join the game and start playing, is probably the Archer. You will be able to get kills from a distance, and stick with your teammates. Try all the classes though, it will take a bit of time to learn them all, but you will become a better player in doing so.

BTW, Red name = enemy, Blue name = Team, lol, funny how many times I've been attacked by newbie teammates.

Hopefully that gives you a general idea, any queries, fire away

Thanks very much, misteerius!

Also you might want to check this out: MP: The way things work: damages, durations, myths etc by libertyre666.

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

=6=. If i uninstall the game from Steam, will my saved files be erased?

Yes.
So: copy and paste the folder:
?:\....\SteamApps\*your account*\dark messiah might and magic single player\mm\save
into an Archive folder outside Steam. Anywhere, for instance on desktop, or My Documents or wherever.

Then install the DVD version.
Launch the game and play a few steps then save game to make it create a SAVE folder. (the path will be:
?:\....\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic\mm\SAVE)
Then copy and paste the contents of your archived "save" folder into it.

Of course you can also after installing, navigate to
?:\....\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic\mm
and just create a SAVE folder and paste the contents of your archived "save" folder into it.
>>>But make sure the name is right! In the Steam installation the savegame folder is called:
save
In the Ubisoft version, it is called
SAVE


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

=7=. Can i use the savegames from my previous Steam version in my new Ubisoft installation and play further from the point i was?
Yes.
Before you uninstall the game from Steam and reinstall (or repair) the Ubisoft version, copy and save your Steam > dark messiah of might and magic singleplayer > "save" folder containing your savegames. Later, you can copy and paste the contents of this save folder into the Ubisoft > Dark Messiah of Might and Magic > SAVE folder.

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

=8=. I need to change my settings but the game does not load at all so i cannot even reach the Options menu.

The registry key for the singleplayer version [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Source\mm] is not only used by the Steam version, but by the DVD (Ubisoft) version as well.
If you install the game while Steam is not on your system, so far i have the impression that no registry settings key is created. That is why this Source>mm key is such a handy tool if it does exist. If you have installed the multiplayer version as well, you will also have Steam.
Too high settings can block the game from loading.

>>> The settings for DM are stored in Registry.
Click Start > Run... type in
regedit
click OK.
Navigate to the key
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Source\mm]
you see in the picture below, and expand to subkey Settings.



Now you can edit the settings.

The anti alias setting in this example is set to 2x:
"mat_antialias"=dword:00000002

The anisotropic filtering in this example is set to 2 x:
"mat_forceaniso"=dword:00000002


Launch Options to Adjust Detail Levels and Graphic Rendering:
"r_rootlod" - Adjusts Model Detail where 0 is for high, 1 is medium, and 2 for low
"mat_picmip" - Adjusts Texture Detail where 0 is for high, 1 is medium, and 2 for low
"mat_reducefillrate" - Adjusts Shader Detail where 0 is for high and 1 for low
"r_waterforceexpensive" - Adjusts Water Detail where 0 is for low and 1 for high
"r_waterforcereflectentities" - Adjusts Water Reflectiveness where 0 is for low and 1 for high
"r_shadowrendertotexture" - Adjusts Shadow Detail where 0 is for high and 1 for low

Filtering Modes:
"mat_trilinear 0" - Use Bilinear Mode (least system-intensive)
"mat_trilinear 1" - Use Trilinear Mode (more system-intensive)
"mat_forceaniso" - Use Trilinear Mode (where is 2, 4, 8, or 16 - higher levels of filtering require more system resources)
"mat_hdr_level" - Adjusts High Dynamic Range lighting effects where is 0 for "off" (requires least resources) and 2 for "full"

If you only want to change the resolutions to one of the standard settings:
to 1280 x 1024:
"ScreenWidth"=dword:00000500
"ScreenHeight"=dword:00000400

to 1024 x 768:
"ScreenWidth"=dword:00000400
"ScreenHeight"=dword:00000300

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

=9=. I updated DM DVD version through Steam, and it is running fine. Do i still need the 945MB size folder in Program Files?
You originally installed the Ubisoft version from DVD, then updated through Steam. You prefer it as a Steam game. Everything works fine and you are happy this way. But in your Start > All Programs you still have Ubisoft > Dark Messiah entry, and a 945MB sized Ubisoft > Dark Messiah of Might and Magic folder in Program Files. What to do with it?

Click Start > All Programs > Ubisoft > Dark Messiah of Might and Magic > Modify Dark Messiah of Might and Magic Installation.
Select "Remove" option.
Restart PC on the prompt.
You can delete the remaining Ubisoft > Dark Messiah of Might and Magic folder in Program Files (241 kB).

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

=10=. Use NTFS, not old FAT32.
You should convert your drives (at least your C:\ drive) to NTFS. It is much more efficient than FAT32.
See: Windows XP: Converting To NTFS. But first the drive must be defragmented!

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

=11=. Use Diskeeper Lite (freeware) to defragment Windows XP on a regulary basis, and you also can easily monitor the available used/unused diskspace per partition. http://www.majorgeeks.com/Diskeeper_Lite_d1207.html
By increasing disk read/write performance, defragmenting increases overall performance of the PC. Also depending on the amount of defragmentation (a downward tendency). A heavily fragmented hdd can even cause crashes of applications. Especially when the application is gaming (the heaviest task for a PC) and after the drivers and DirectX are updated and the the game files are heavily fragmented too.

Diskeeper does its job much faster and more efficient and with a much better User Interface than the inbuilt Windows defragger.
Diskeeper 8 and Diskeeper Lite are not Vista compatible.

For Windows Vista try Auslogic (freeware).

Want to know everything about fragmentation? http://www.executive.com/fragbook/FRAGBOOK.HTM

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

=12=. Partition your drives.
To partition your drives, Partition Magic is the most easy, comfortable and efficient method. http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overvi...sp?pcid=sp&pvid=pm80.
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.

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

=13=.System Info Tool: EVEREST Free Edition 2.20.
Download: everesthome200.zip
This tool reveals many information about your PC. Very usefull.
Download, unzip, install. At the left side you see a rootstructure, at the right panel you see the details.
In the left box, select any item, in the right box see the details. In the details right-click on any text, then select `Copy as text´, paste that info into your next reply.

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

=14=. If you tried everything but problems persist: Format/reinstall of Windows usually fixes a lot that would take more time to sort out otherwise. It's drastic, but effective (and efficient).
Or use an Image. Drive Image, Arconis TrueImage, or Ghost 10: http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overvi...pcid=br&pvid=ghost10

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

=15=. The singleplayer game plays without the serial being needed to activate the game. Is this normal?
This is normal.
Because either you need the DVD in the player,
or
you bought the game through ubisoft.com or Direct2drive,
or
you bought your game through Steam.

Only when you installed the DVD then updated through Steam (so it has become 'adopted' by Steam and it moved most of the Ubisoft game files into Steam), you need to activate your license using your serial.

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

=16= Diagnostic Startup items list instead of msconfig.
Download StartupList.
Unzip.
Double-click StartupList.exe.

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

=17=. If you still need help:

Scroll down to [POST 19].

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

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

[POST 9]

THE GAME'S README
(Start > All Programs > Ubisoft > Dark Messiah of Might and Magic > Readme).

quote:

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

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

System Requirements

Supported OS: Windows® XP
Processor: AMD Athlon™, Pentium® 2.6 GHz (3.2 GHz recommended)
RAM: 512 MB (1 GB recommended)
Video Card: 128 MB DirectX® 9-compatible video card (see supported list*)
Sound Card: DirectX 9 compatible sound card
DirectX Version: DirectX 9 or higher
CD-ROM: 12x CD-ROM – 1 DVD rom
Hard Drive Space: 7 GB free
Peripherals Supported: Windows-compatible mouse and keyboard
Multiplayer: Internet connection
Supported Video Cards at Time of Release:
NVIDIA® GeForce™ FX/6 families
ATI® Radeon™ 8500/9000/X families
Matrox Parhelia™

Laptop versions of these cards are not fully supported.
For an up-to-date list of supported chipsets, please visit the FAQ for this game on our support website at: http://support.ubi.com,/ or consult the readme file on the game disc.


********************************************************************************************
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"


********************************************************************************************
INSTALLATION
********************************************************************************************

Insert the game disc into your DVD/CD Drive. If you have enabled the Autorun option, the game installation will start automatically. Otherwise, double-click on the CD/DVD-ROM icon in the My Computer menu. Find Autorun.exe in the list of files and folders and double-click on it to start the installation process. Select "Install" to run the installation and follow the installation wizard guide to successfully install the game on your computer.
During the process, you will be asked if you want to install Steam®. This software, and an active internet connection, are required if you intend to play online.

********************************************************************************************
SINGLE PLAYER GAME
********************************************************************************************

Double-click on the desktop icon or click once on the icon in the Start menu to launch the game.


********************************************************************************************
MULTIPLAYER GAME
********************************************************************************************

You must run the STEAM application to play online. If STEAM is not running, start it by double-clicking on the desktop icon or click once on the icon in the Start Menu.
Note that you can also start the game by right-clicking on the STEAM icon in the system tray, selecting 'Servers' and then finding a server to play on.


********************************************************************************************
GAME MANUAL - ERRATA
********************************************************************************************

Melee Combat Level 3
"Rotative Slash" should read as "Whirlwind Attack".

Vitality
Description of this skill should be "Allows your Health to regenerate".

Archer Skills: Composite Bow
This skill increases your bow's range but not its damage.

Archer Skills: Fast Reload
This skill has 3 levels, not 2. The third level further increases the speed with which you reload your bow.

Assassin Skills: Disguise Level 2
The second level of this skill has indeed an increased duration, but most importantly, it allows you to disguise yourself as a random enemy class instead of just an enemy Assassin.

Assassin Skills: Second Breath
The Assassin has only 2 levels for this skill. The third level is only for the Warrior class.

Mage Skills: Magic Affinity
This skill has 2 levels. The second level further increases your mana pool.

Mage Skills: Quicker Regen
This skill should read as "Mana Regeneration". It also has 2 levels. The second level further increases the speed of your mana regeneration.

Mage Skills: Magic Shield
This skill has 2 levels. The second level further expands the size of the shield.

Priestess Skills: Brambles
This skill has only one level. Its description should be "Summon a magic orb containing bramble seeds. When thrown on the ground, the orb shatters and spawns writhing entangling brambles that will slow down all who try to pass through, and damage those who run through them".

Priestess Skills: Restore / Corrupt
This skill has 4 levels. Each new level increases the range of this ability.

Priestess Skills: Restoration Affinity / Mastery
In the description of this skill, replace "Cure" by "Restore" and "Curse" by "Corrupt".

Priestess Skills: Corruption Affinity / Mastery
In the description of this skill, replace "Cure" by "Restore" and "Curse" by "Corrupt".

Warrior Skills: Strength
This skill has 3 levels. The second and third level increase your damage output.

Warrior Skills: Leaping Attack
Description of this skill should be "Run at an enemy, jump and attack to deliver a swift and damaging leaping move. Requires lots of stamina!"

Copyright message
"Online mode developed by Kuju" should be replaced by "Online mode developed by Kuju Entertainment Limited"


********************************************************************************************
TROUBLESHOOTING
********************************************************************************************

- Video Cards
It is highly recommended to check your video card manufacturer's website and download up to date drivers for your card. For your convenience the addresses are listed here:
ATI: http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html
Nvidia: http://nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

- (Multiplayer) Can't find a game to connect to?
* Have you got an active internet connection?
* Are you running the STEAM client, and can you connect to the STEAM network?
* Are you signed into STEAM with an active account name and password?
http://www.steampowered.com/

- ALT+TAB
Using the ALT+TAB key combination to switch between applications may cause problems. We do not support the use of the ALT+TAB function.


- US Keyboard binding
In the Multiplayer game, your keyboard will sometimes be detected as a US keyboard. If you have an international keyboard, like the French keyboard, reassigning your keys will give you the US equivalent. For exemple binding "W" to crouch will read "Z" in the keyboard options' menu.


- 800*600 Resolution
That resolution is not officially supported in Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.


- 16/10 Screen Ratio
That screen ratio is not officially supported in Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.


********************************************************************************************
SUPPORT
********************************************************************************************

Before contacting Ubisoft Entertainment's Technical Support Department, please browse through our FAQ listings or search our support database at our website:

http://support.ubi.com/.

Here you will find the most recently updated information since the games release.

Also please make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements, as our support representatives will be unable to assist customers whose computers do not meet these criteria.

Whenever you contact the Technical Support Department, please include the following information or have it available if you are calling:
Complete product title (including version number)
Exact error message reported (if applicable) and a brief description of the problem you're encountering
Processor speed and manufacturer
Amount of RAM
Operating system
Video card that you are using and amount of RAM it has
Maker and speed of your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
Type of sound card you are using

Contact Us Over the Internet
This is the best way to contact us. Our website is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and it contains the most up to date Technical Support information available including patches that can be downloaded free of charge. We update the Support pages on a daily basis so please check here first for solutions to your problems
http://support.ubi.com/.

Contact Us by E-mail
For fastest response via e-mail, please visit our website at:
http://support.ubi.com/

********************************************************************************************
Copyright Information
********************************************************************************************
© 2006 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Dark Messiah, Might and Magic, Ubisoft, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Developed by Arkane Studios. Valve, Half-Life, and Source are trademarks or registered trademarks of Valve Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic uses Bink Video. Copyright (C) 1997-2006 by RAD Game Tools, Inc.
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic uses Miles Sound System. Copyright © 1991-2002 by RAD Game Tools, Inc.
NVIDIA and the NVIDIA logo are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation in the United States and other countries.

WHAT DO THE PATCHES (claim to) FIX?

Readme patch 1.01 (DMoMaM directory):

quote:

********************************************************************************************
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
ReadMe File
October 23rd 2006
********************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************
Patch 1.1 changes and bug fixes
********************************************************************************************

- Crash fixed on Save/Load if player has an object in their hands.
- Health and poison effects are no longer displayed during credits.
- Player's hands don't appear behind the credits when you combine the Skull of Shadows
with an equipped spell.
- All game menus are hidden when a video starts.
- Problem fixed when the player tries to switch between Xana mode and an equipped scroll.
- Indestructible shields are now really indestructible
- Crash fixed when the player tries to throw a dagger, then immediately jumps and parries.
- Crash fixed when the player tries to switch between casting a fireball and taking an
object.
- The DM fonts now support all Eastern European languages.
- Bug fixed. Player cannot re-use a scroll multiple times after switching to Xana mode.
- Saving is now disabled during end game credits to avoid system anomalies.
- The player now dismounts correctly from the top of ladders, even when moving backward.
- Leanna no longer shows the wrong animation when exiting from the giant spider's lair.
- Fixed a bug that could occur when saving a game at the end of level 12_A. The chain
that allows you to exit from that part of the level won't be shortened (unusable) if you
reload at this point.
- Instantaneous spells (Magic Protection, Heal, Wizard Eye) no longer break other spells
like Firetrap.
- Climbing NPCs can't be charmed and fall if shrunken.
- Bug fixed that allowed player to break the planks from the last house of the l07_a
without being inside the house.
- Bug fixed. When the player uses magic against Aratrok, his bodyguards now react.
- Fixed getting stuck on door on Level 11, when jumping on a rope attached to it.
- Fixed weapon being unequipped after jumping in certain conditions
- Fixed when pressing E multiple time in certain conditions would quicksave the game
- Fixed when pressing E very quickly to get his backpack back at a specific location, backpack was recovered but all objects were missing
- Localisation: while in game pressing esc and then switchwing to MP, the confirmation window was not tranlsated.
- Fixed not being able to take any objects under certain conditions
- Fixed game crash after de-equipping a weapon in certain conditions
- Fixed a potential first person hands animation problems
- Fixed being stuck sometimes in some specific locations close to stairs
- Fixed looping dagger and staff sound when doing a power attack and parrying in the middle.
- Fixed some scrolls that could be used several times (much like a spell)
- Fixed teleporting that could occur when using lockpick
- Fixed Fireball staying stuck to the player until it explodes
- Localisation: German: fixed improper wall signs
- Fixed the mission failed message not appearing when killing the wounded guard on the island.
- Fixed, shrinked enemies are now sensitive to melee weapon
- Fixed a crashwhen killing a NPC with a fire weapon when he is knee deep in the water
- Fixed Percy getting stuck in a window
- Fixed Percy not reacting properly to certain players choice (avoiding spoiler)
- Fixed a certain NPC (still avoiding spoiler..) still looking Alive when he is should be dead
- Fixed invisible wall present on level 7
- Fixed a crash when at the raggdoll in level 2 with a fire arrow spell
- Fixed collision disapearing on Trap behing the barn after a reload
- Fixed lockping becoming a weapon (melee animations played)
- Fixed Lighting bolt scroll not working
- Fixed issue with telekeninesis not always working as intended
- Fixed issues with "Adjust Brightness Level" still being in game after using it in the menu.

********************************************************************************************
Special fix for language problems:
********************************************************************************************

If you don't have the language you selected during the installation of Dark Messiah, please follow
these instructions:

- In the following folder you'll find files named ".reg" :
C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic\Support

- Double click on the .reg file of the language you wish to use.
(Note: This won't CHANGE the language, only repair it).

- Click 'Yes' then 'OK'.

- Your Steam register key has been updated to your chosen language. Your game is now
correctly set.


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



Readme patch 1.02 (DMoMaM directory):

quote:

********************************************************************************************
DARK MESSIAH OF MIGHT & MAGIC
ReadMe File
November 30th 2006
********************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************
Patch 1.02 changes and bug fixes
********************************************************************************************

- Combat Difficulty is now properly saved and restored when exiting the game and reloading a saved game (Hard mode difficulty was previously not restored, so, unfortunately, everybody was playing "Normal" after reloading) [WILL NOT WORK ON SAVED GAME DONE BEFORE PATCHING]
- Added a new "Hardcore" difficulty mode
- Re-balanced NPC's strength & health on the second half of the game for all difficulty modes [WILL NOT WORK ON THE CURRENT CHAPTER BEING PLAYED IN A SAVED GAME DONE BEFORE PATCHING]
- Added an intermediary "Texture" setting between "Medium" & "High".
"High" could create an overload with some video card memory: so, to offer more scalability, it has been renamed to "Very High" and the "High" option now offers "Medium" textures for the scenery but "High" textures for the NPCs.
- No More Crash when NPC's beheaded (that happened with the "head_link" error message)
- Fixed the black Bink playback problem with GeForce FX video cards
- Fix FPS drops with GeForce 6800
- No More graphical glitch on GeForce FX cards when player is under water
- No More graphical glitch on GeForce FX cards when player is being hit or is almost dead.
- No More graphical glitch on GeForce FX cards when equipping a Magic Weapon. If you still have trouble, please set GFX Detail to "Low"
- Fixed additional stuttering problems, linked to Expression files being read while they should not
- Fixed Random Crashes due to a memory patch in the decal system
- Fixed a crash that could appear very rarely on the Tutorial map if Phenrig played his reference base animation
- Fixed Crash on Telekinesis used on a NPC after having frozen & kicked him
- Fixed a crash at the end of chapter 07 if you equipped telekinesis when the mage was talking to you
- Fixed a showstopper bug with Percy in Chapter 09
- Saved Game system changed to the new Async System to prevent too much stuttering when the game is auto saving (if you're still experiencing problems, you may want to disable the Auto Save feature in the "Gameplay" options menu)
- GFX Option is now properly Saved
- Convar mat_forcemanagedtextureintohardware is now correctly handled depending on PC specs
- Avoid Rope Bow from disappearing under the world surface before getting it.
- Fixed inconsistency with the way Xana behaves during "City of Flames" chapter events depending on player's choices
- Fixed a bug where the giant spider was not spawned at all.
- Fixed a bug with some potions being destroyed on map spawn in the "Temple of the Spider" chapter
- GFX Detail level Option is now properly translated in the French version
- Avoid user being stuck in the walls while using the Rope Bow
- Final Boss has been re-balanced
- Removed some dev button that could be found behind some walls in the Epilogue
- Fixed the way some objectives were badly managed with the Pao Kai in the last chapter
- Removed an improper "use" flag on some wooden beams in "Gleam of a Cold Knife"
- NPC immune to Telekinesis can't be grabbed using Telekinesis Spell when they are in ragdoll behavior
- Arrows that are out of the Game world are now Removed properly to prevent Framerate from decreasing to zero
- Max number of potions/food you can stack in your inventory is now properly checked
- Avoid the Ghoul script from being broken in some cases if player used the bow to attack the creature in "Dead Man's Trail"
- Remove small memory leak on the Particle System (about 100Kb was lost on each load/restart/map change)
- Remove small memory leak on clear value
- Better memory management with BINK playback
- Disabled two auto save points just before change level that could lead to corrupted saved game in Chapter 05
- Prevent a specific mana potion from disappearing from player inventory during Chapter 05
- Spells against the player now deal the correct amount of damage depending on difficulty mode
- Vampire Knights will now always correctly play their stun animation
- Arantir's Health has been increased
- Game will not auto save twice when triggering the final events in the Epilogue
- Added missing precache on Undead spawned by Necromancer Lord
- Decrease probability of Virtual Memory fragmentation that could lead program to run out of memory ("Memory Can't Be Read" crash on Loading Screen) (please see below if you're still experiencing very repetititve crashes during loading)


********************************************************************************************
Troubleshooting
********************************************************************************************
Low on Virtual Memory:

For certain users, the lack of virtual memory can make Dark Messiah unstable. If you face this problem we recommend that you ensure that your Virtual Memory in Windows XP is set at 4G.

How to set your virtual memory:

- in the "Start" menu, select ˜Settings" and then "Control Panel"
- In "Control Panel" double click on the "System" icon
- Once in the "System" window select "Advanced"
- Select the "Settings" button on the "Performance" section
- 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.



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

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

[POST 10]

• For anyone in doubt about their system, there is this online service on Ubi.com:

  quote:

  Can your computer run Dark Messiah of Might and Magic?
  System Requirements Lab analyzes your computer in just seconds, and it's FREE.
  
  http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/ubi_srl?r...ation_option_id=3937

• For anybody interested in how well (or not) their videocard is supposed to perform Dark Messiah,
  Tom's Hardware guide.com has published their VGA Charts Summer 2007. Read Introduction.
  Directly to their Dark Messiah Might and Magic benchmark chart:
  http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html?modelx...model2=706&chart=283

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

[POST 11]

So this is their result.



Seeing their system setup, i wonder... with my Radeon X1900XT/512MB i get 10 fps better than their X1900XTX and 5 fps better result than their GF 8800GTX, at their same maxed out game settings... correction: even with 6xAA and 16xAF.
Can't be only because they used older drivers (and which is unclear: Catalyst 7.1 on a Radeon HD3870 ??? ). They didn't overclock and used integrated soundchip, that counts as well.

Intro Temple of Spider:



logged fps each second:



The part in the boat with Leanna up untill talking to the victim:



logged fps each second:



My games settings:





Windows XP SP2
DirectX9.0c february 2007
ATI Catalyst 7.4
Creative X-Fi Platinum / 8/17/2006
2x250 GB WDC WD2500KS
NEC DVD_RW ND-3540A
Eizo T965 1600x1200 / 85Hz
Logitech Z5500
Logitech standard Internet keyboard
Logitech G7

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

With Radeon HD 3870 much better results.

The part in the boat with Leanna up untill talking to the victim:

Frames, Time (ms), Min, Max, Avg
4008, ....52794, ...48, ..116, 75.918

-----------------------------------------

Intro Temple of Spider:

Frames, Time (ms), Min, Max, Avg
1534, ....21754, ...58, ..108, 70.516

-----------------------------------------------
System specifications:
CPU: Intel C2D E6750
CPU cooler: ZALMAN CPNS9700LED
Motherboard: ASUS Maximus Formula (bios 907)
System RAM: 4 GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500
Videocard: Sapphire HD3870
Soundcard: Creative X-Fi Platinum
Harddiskdrives: WD 3200AAKS + WD 5000AAKS
PSU: Coolermaster Realpower M850
DVD-RW: Optiarc (NEC) DVD_RW AD-5170A
Monitor: Eizo T965 @ 1600x1200/85Hz
Coolermaster Stacker
Keyboard: Logitech Internet keyboard
Mouse: Logitech G9
OS: Windows XP Professional 32-bit
DirectX9.0c version: November 2007
Game: DVD version Dark Messiah of Might and Magic (patched 1.01 and 1.02)

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[POST 12]

Which videocard to buy?

You may find this an interesting read for orientation: The Best Gaming Graphics Card for the Money: November 2007.


Oh, and do not forget: the Power Supply Unit (PSU) is a key part, the base delivering (or not) the power to all your PC's precious components, so never go cheap on it.

Incase you didn't know, orient yourself:
Hardware.info: Power supply buyers guide
Everything you need to know before buying a PSU!

JohnnyGuru.com: The Power Supply FAQ

Tomshardware.com: Cases, Power Supplies, Storage, Mice, Graphics & Consumer Products

quote:

Choosing the right power supply has become more important than ever. While the power requirements of processors have stabilized, the average power required by graphics cards and motherboard solutions has increased. Remember that having at least a 350 W power supply is important even for an average system. Not only does this provide some headroom over the minimum requirements, it also lets you run the PSU at lower load, which helps to keep thermals low.

About.com: Before You PC Power Supplies

TheTechZone.com: It's Time For A New Power Supply

KustomPCs: Buyers Guide - Power Supply Units (PSUs)

HEXUS PSU (Power Supply Unit) Roundup - Taoyuan 2005
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[POST 13]

ALCHEMY for X-FI and Audigy series SoundBlaster:

Source: Creative Labs: Connect > ALchemy

quote:

Welcome

al-che-my [al-kuh-mee] ~ any magical power or process of transmuting a common substance, usually of little value, into a substance of great value. - Dictionary.com

In Windows Vista, Microsoft has decided to remove the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) for DirectSound and DirectSound3D. The HAL is the software layer that in previous Windows operating systems enabled an audio accelerator such as the Sound Blaster X-Fi to provide DirectSound3D applications with hardware accelerated audio. This enabled soundcards to perform tasks such as sample-rate conversion, mixing, 3D spatialization using HRTFs, filtering, and effects processing. Without the HAL, DirectSound on Windows Vista will be rendered in software with no advanced functionality such as EAX.

The audio changes in Windows Vista do not affect OpenAL however. For audio cards that feature 'native' OpenAL support, such as the SB X-Fi series of cards, there is no need to worry! Games that enable support for OpenAL will continue to run just as they do on Windows XP - with hardware accelerated audio and effects. A listing of OpenAL titles can be found at http://www.openal.org/titles.html.

Although OpenAL has arguably replaced DirectSound3D, particularly in many modern PC Games (e.g. Battlefield 2142, Doom3, Quake 4, Prey, etc.), there are hundreds of older PC games that support DirectSound3D and EAX technology. All of these games will sound empty and lifeless on Vista. As most DS3D games only enable 3D Audio and EAX if a hardware accelerator is present, most of these games will be reduced to a stereo output.

The good news is that the Creative ALchemy Project allows you to run your favorite DirectSound3D games on Windows Vista as the developers intended - with full hardware accelerated 3D Audio and EAX support! This is done by translating the legacy DirectSound calls into OpenAL. In order for this to happen, a couple of files need to be installed into each game directory. This is handled automatically by the ALchemy installer - but can also be performed manually by advanced users.

The Creative ALchemy Project is still in development and the ALchemy installer only supports a limited number of PC games. However, with your help, we would like to add more titles to the DirectSound3D Games list so please download the ALchemy installer, run it, and enjoy 3D Audio with EAX effects in your favorite games. Please share your experiences with ALchemy in our discussion board.

ALchemy vs Drivers
ALchemy is a software application that translates audio calls from one API to another. ALchemy is NOT a hardware driver, and will require that you have an appropriate driver installed and functioning properly first. You can download the latest Sound Blaster drivers for Windows Vista from http://us.creative.com/support/downloads.

Webmasters
Please link to this page and not to files directly, as they are subject to update without notice. Thank you.

Product Details
ALchemy for Audigy
ALchemy for X-Fi

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

[POST 14]

Very interesting article on ExtremeTech.com:
In The Hot Seat: ATI's Phil Rogers (March 14, 2007)

quote:

Phil Rogers joined ATI Technologies in 1994 as manager of the 3D drivers group, and led the development of the D3D, OpenGL, and Mac Rave drivers for the Rage series of graphics chips.

(...)

In 2006 Rogers was promoted to ATI Fellow with broad architectural responsibility for all graphics software at ATI, and now AMD. In this role Rogers has guided development of AMD's Vista drivers, HD-DVD, and Blu-Ray playback drivers, a new driver architecture for Dx10, and the Crossfire architecture for MultiGPU. In his spare time Rogers directed development of the new 3D preview for Catalyst Control Center, which just released on Vista.

Rogers is currently the lead software architect for the R600 drivers and is ramping up on his next challenge, which will be the software architecture for Fusion (AMD's combination CPU/GPU, scheduled for release in 2008).

quote:

Vista Driver Performance

ExtremeTech: Let's start with the issue most pressing on our readers' minds"”Vista drivers. Right now, it seems like both Nvidia and AMD are struggling with Vista drivers. There are odd compatibility issues, missing features, and certainly some big performance penalties. Some games run just a few FPS slower under Vista, but many others are dramatically slower. In some cases, games will show a big performance drop in Vista with certain settings, but are nearly as fast with other settings. What our readers want to know is: How did it end up this way? With the extremely long development and multiple delays of Vista, graphics vendors have seemingly had all the time in the world to make awesome drivers.

Phil Rogers: Yes there is a lot interest in this issue and a lot of confusion out there. First of all, let me correct one misconception: AMD is not struggling with Vista drivers. We have high performance, stable, WHQL certified drivers for Vista across our whole product line, including support for CrossFire. We are very happy with Windows Vista and the new driver model. We believe the Vista driver model for graphics is superior to the XP driver model and we worked for years with Microsoft to make sure it came out that way. The new driver model was essential in order to reduce system crashes, move the Vista desktop to D3D, and make the user experience snappy and interactive. I believe we succeeded across the board.

Having said that, a multiyear development cycle does not mean there is plenty of time to get everything done. During the development of Vista, an awful lot changed in the PC platform: new generations of GPUs were released, multicore CPUs became mainstream, and CrossFire configurations appeared in the market. With each of these changes, both we and Microsoft chose to react and change the drivers and the driver model to accommodate and optimize for these new arrivals, rather than just deliver the original design with a limited feature set.

One of the big architectural changes in the driver model for Vista was to move the D3D driver from kernel mode to user mode, where frankly it should have been all along. The D3D driver is a complex piece of software and keeping it fast and stable is a delicate balancing act. We are particularly susceptible to bad input from games. If we check everything the games send to us, we run too slow. If we check nothing, then the driver can crash. On XP, if the driver makes a mistake or uses bad data from an application, it can bring down the whole system"”the dreaded BSOD [Blue Screen of Death]. On Windows Vista, such an error is still serious since it causes an application to exit ... but it will no longer cause a BSOD. The balancing act goes on ... but now the consequences of an error are much less severe.

Note that we also spend considerable effort on improving the stability of our drivers. We made a particular effort to ensure that the stability of the new Vista driver was high with the first release and we will continue to improve from there. We have a team dedicated to that task, developing ever more fiendish stress tests to find bugs that might only manifest under extreme conditions. We are constantly testing the stability of our driver under stress conditions against the stability of the competition's drivers, and if we happen to fall behind at any point in time, we do not release that driver until we again raise the stability above that of the competition. To us, the stability of game playing is as important as the performance. This however may not be the priority of our competitors.


ExtremeTech: The demands of Vista mean that many games simply aren't ever going to run as fast as they do under XP. How much of a performance difference do you think is reasonable? 5%? 10%?

Rogers: Sorry, not true!

First, lets look at CPU limited (low resolution) cases. We worked with Microsoft on the multithreading model for the D3D runtime and driver for Vista. This resulted in a more flexible and simple model for the driver to move its workload to another thread and hence run in parallel with the application. True, we could already run driver threads in Windows XP, but we had to be more conservative there since the OS was not designed for multithreading of graphics. As a result of these improvements in the threading model, several games have actually gained performance on Windows Vista over Windows XP.

The Vista driver model does incur a small CPU overhead compared to Windows XP in order to copy driver commands from user mode memory to dma buffers that are read by the GPU. This can be a 5-10% overhead, depending on the application and how well the driver is written. But the important thing to understand is that this overhead is only seen on CPU limited cases, which means low resolution and no anti-aliasing. On modern GPUs, most gamers prefer to play at higher resolution with antialiasing and anisotropic filtering enabled. At typical gamer settings, the CPU overhead is hidden and so the "copy penalty" disappears. In many cases we do better than 5% at low resolution, and as mentioned above, Vista can be faster than XP if the game threads well.

At high resolution, OS and driver overhead is not an issue. So the main impact that Vista can have over Windows XP is in graphics memory management. In Windows XP, each IHV wrote their own memory manager for locating surfaces like textures and depth buffers in local memory (on the graphics card) and system memory (accessed by the GPU via the PCIE bus). Our Windows XP graphics memory manager is called VCAM. In Windows Vista, the graphics memory manager is a Microsoft component called VidMM, used by all IHVs. So we worked closely with Microsoft on the design of VidMM, to ensure it offered all the features of our own VCAM and helped Microsoft debug and tune it. As a result, we find VidMM to be very good for AMD hardware and it allows our drivers the same flexibility in placing our surfaces for optimal performance. Indeed we are able to use common code in our unified driver for operating VidMM in our Vista drivers and VCAM in our Windows XP drivers.

Read more...

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[POST 15]

The Display modes from the dropdownboxes in the game's Options > Video:

4:3 modes
640x480
720x576
800x600 <--- do not use it; although it's there it is not supported by the game (see readme)
1024x768
1152x864
1280x960
1280x1024(LCD)
1360x1024
1600x1200
1792x1344
1800x1440
1856x1392
1920x1440
2048x1536

16:9 modes
848x480
1024x480
1280x720
1360x768
1920x1080

16:10 modes<--- do not use any aspect ratio 16:10 resolutions; although it's there it is not supported by the game (see readme)
720x480
1280x768
1920x1200

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[POST 16]

About DirectX10.

DX10 plays no role whatsoever for Dark Messiah (nor any DX9.0c game). But if you are using Windows Vista, and considering buying a new videocard this may be of use for you.

2006 game Call of Juarez (apparently with patch).

Call of Juarez using
DirectX® 9

Call of Juarez using
DirectX® 10

(Screenshots from Call of Juarez by Techland © 2007)


Call of Juarez DirectX 10 Benchmark (movie) - 158MB .

Call of Juarez FirePlace (movie) shows render difference between DX9/DX10 - 17MB.

Call of Juarez Mountains & Rocks (movie) shows render difference between DX9/DX10 - 14MB.

Note that DX10 is already outdated, the latest cards will support DX10.1.
About DX10.1, see DirectX 10.1 Enabling breakthrough graphics on the Radeon HD 3800 series (pdf)

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[POST 17]

4 GB RAM over 2 GB?

On Windows XP 32-bit, more than 2 GB RAM is overkill for games. Only rendering programs like Photoshop, Maya, CAD benefit from more than 2 GB.
If you put in 4 GB: Windows XP 32-bit is limited to address 4 GB, in practice will address about 3.25GB.

Having 3 or 4 GB RAM on a system running Windows XP 32-bit is never a waste:
1. You'll have more than 2 GB while keeping dual channel (if you have that), that's only possible with identical pairs.
2. You'll have full 2 GB for your heavy application (f.i. videorendering).

With 4 GB or more you can always buy XP- or Vista 64-bit (but there's no reason for games yet).
Vista 64-bit Home Basic can address 8 GB max.
Vista 64-bit Home premium can address 16 GB max.
Vista 64-bit Ultimate can address 128 GB max.

From: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555223

quote:

Performance, Architectural Limits and RAM

On any computer system, as load (number of users, amount of work being done) increases, performance (how long it takes to do each task) will decrease, but in a non linear fashion. Any increase in load (demand) beyond a certain point will result in a dramatic decrease in performance. This means that some resource is in critically short supply and has become a bottleneck.

At some point, the resource in critical short supply can not be increased. This means an architectural limit has been reached. Some commonly reported architectural limits in Windows include:

1. 2 GB of shared virtual address space for the system
2. 2 GB of private virtual address space per process
3. 660 MB System PTE storage
4. 470 MB paged pool storage
5. 256 MB nonpaged pool storage

The above applies to Windows 2003 Server specifically (from Knowledgebase article 294418), but also apply to Windows XP and Windows 2000.

From http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2007.../Default.aspx?loc=en :

quote:

Windows and the applications that run on it have bumped their heads on the address space limits of 32-bit processors. The Windows kernel is constrained by default to 2GB, or half the total 32-bit virtual address space, with the other half reserved for use by the process whose thread is currently running on the CPU. Inside its half, the kernel has to map itself, device drivers, the file system cache, kernel stacks, per-session code data structures, and both non-paged (locked-in physical memory) and paged buffers allocated by device drivers.

Windows XP 64-bit over 32-bit?

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/facts/top10.mspx

Test 32 bit vs. 64 bit: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-versus-Windows-o...sus-64bit-1349.shtml

Vista 64-bit?

A Closer Look at Windows Vista, Part III: 32-Bit vs. 64-Bit Windows

quote:

This change potentially eliminates or reduces time spent loading and switching between processes, a condition that can lead to "thrashing" when all the processor's efforts are spent merely loading and switching between threads. To reap the benefits of a 64-bit operating system such as Windows Vista x64 Edition, you should invest in a large amount of RAM (4 GB or more) and a compatible motherboard.

Read full article

http://www.hardware.info/nl-NL/video/wmSTZMQ/Kijkersvra...indows_Vista_64_bit/ an interview (warning: its in Dutch!) with a Microsoft specialist about Vista 64-bit. Conclusion is that it makes no sense to install Vista64 when you have less than 4 GB RAM; because of the higher (2x compared to 32 bit) memory addressing, Vista in many applications won't work faster but rather slower. In the case of gaming (the heaviest application for the PC) you'll notice this earliest. Do not forget: 64-bit is basically 64 ones and zeros so twice as much. Running it on 3 GB RAM is theoretically similar to 1.5 GB on 32-bit, but in practice you will lose more because of internal architectural differences.

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: Windows Vista Review
Part 6: Compatibility

quote:

Some more notes on the x64 versions of Windows Vista
Put simply, running a 64-bit (x64) version of Windows Vista does not make sense for most people, though I suspect that will change over time. While the Vista x64 versions surprised me with their excellent hardware compatibility--a claim I'd never make about Windows XP Professional x64 Edition--nagging software compatibility issues ultimately sunk any hopes I had of moving to the 64-bit system.

That's too bad, because the x64 versions of Windows Vista include enhanced security features that will never be back ported to the 32-bit versions. Until the compatibility issues are resolved however, it's not worth worrying about that. Unless you're running a limited set of applications, compatibility generally trumps security, and the security of 32-bit Vista versions is generally excellent anyway.

But if it makes you feel any better, at least consider some other aspects of this equation. First, to truly take advantage of a 64-bit operating system, you'd need more than 4 GB of RAM and applications that are specially written to access that much memory. Today, there are no mainstream applications like that, and even Adobe's high-end CS3 suite of applications won't be 64-bit enabled. And second, Vista x64 also removes some legacy subsystems that you might find useful. The most crucial is the 16-bit MS-DOS subsystem, which is still required for many application installers, even those for some 32-bit applications. This, too, is a compatibility issue, of course. No surprise there.

Compatibility Conclusions
Overall, Windows Vista's hardware and software compatibility is excellent, but the devil is in the details: For the short term, at least, chances are good that you'll own some hardware device--a printer, scanner, or whatever--that doesn't work properly. Software compatibility is better, much better on the 32-bit Vista versions, however. My recommendation for those contemplating 64-bit is simple: Wait. Though the 64-bit versions of Windows Vista will ultimately provide better security and, with the proper memory upgrades and compatible high-end applications, more head room than the 32-bit versions, those gains are more than offset by painful software incompatibilities. It's getting better, there's no doubt about that. But for now, I'd steer clear of 64-bit Vista versions unless you really know what you're doing.

--Paul Thurrott
December 29, 2006

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From Anandtech: What about the '2 GB barrier'?

A Messy Transition: Practical Problems With 32bit Addressing In Windows

quote:

From our Windows Vista performance guide:

Except in a few cases where 64-bit code is clearly faster, the primary purpose for Vista x64's existence is to resolve the problems of 32-bit addressing space, and we're just not at the point yet where even most enthusiasts are pushing that limit. Once applications begin to push the 2GB addressing space limitation of Win32 (something we expect to hit very soon with games) or total systems need more than 4GB of RAM, then Vista x64 in its current incarnation would be a good choice.

For some time now we have been mentioning the potential problems that are likely to result from the switchover from 32bit(x86) Windows to 64bit(x64) Windows. Due to a multitude of issues, including Windows' memory management, the basic design of the PC architecture, and consumer support issues, there is no easy path for mass migration from 32bit Windows to 64bit Windows. As a result we have been expecting problems as consumers begin to make the messy transition.

We published the above mentioned guide on February 1st, expecting the fall/winter 2007 games to be the ones to push the 2GB addressing space limitation of Windows, and it turns out we were wrong. It turns out that two weeks after we published the above article, THQ published Supreme Commander, a RTS with a massive appetite for resources. It can be simultaneously GPU limited and CPU limited, which is why it's a standard benchmark here for our performance articles, it's also memory limited in more than one way: it's hitting the 2GB barrier of 32bit Windows.

An artifact of the design of 32bit processors and the 32bit API for Windows, the 2GB barrier is a cap on how much addressing space (related to but not equivalent to memory usage) a single application can use. This isn't a bug but rather the result of how hardware and software was created so many years ago, and while everyone has known this barrier will inevitably be hit, as we'll see there are several reasons why it can't simply be moved or bypassed. Meanwhile hitting it involves affected applications crashing for what can appear to be no good reason, and understanding why the 2GB barrier exists and what can be done will be important for resolving those crashes.

On a personal note, I am a semi-casual player of real time strategy(RTS) games and I've been playing Supreme Commander lately. This is a different kind of article, it's a record and the result of my own efforts to resolve why I was having crashing issues with Supreme Commander. With no intended disrespect towards THQ or the game's developers (Gas Powered Games) we could have not possibly asked for a better example of the 2GB barrier in action. It's exactly the experience we believe many people will have as they hit the 2GB barrier, mainly those power users who use large monolithic applications such as games or multimedia tools. This is an article on what the problem with the 2GB barrier is, what kind of experiences a user may expect when hitting it, and what can be done to fix it.

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let's discuss memory management in Windows. Understanding the problem with Supreme Commander requires understanding what the 2GB barrier is, why it's there, and what makes it so problematic.

A Messy Transition (Part 2): Windows XP, Vista, and the 2GB Barrier

quote:

Appropriately, the difference in address space usage was the reason that Supreme Commander would not crash under XP like it would under Vista. Address space usage peaked at 2.1GB, which while in excess of the default 2GB barrier is below the 2.6GB mark where it crashed under Vista. Even a slight reduction in address space usage here would have kept the game from hitting the 2GB barrier at all, avoiding the whole can of worms that is modifying the user address space allocations.

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[POST 18]

Vista and system performance.

Interesting article.

Windows Experience Index: An In-Depth Look

quote:

For Windows Vista™

Introduction
The Windows® Experience Index is a new feature built into Windows Vista™. It is designed to help consumers understand how well Windows Vista and the software running on it will perform on a specific PC. The index achieves this by assessing the capability of the PC and assigning a score to it. Higher scores indicate a better Vista experience on your PC.

The overall PC performance is represented by the base score. The base score is derived from 5 subscores for each of the following 5 attributes:

• Processor
  Calculations per second
  
  
• Memory
  Operations per second
  
  
• Graphics
  Desktop performance for Windows Aero graphics
  
  
• Gaming graphics
  3D graphics performance. Useful for gaming and 3D business applications
  
  
• Primary hard disk
  The data transfer rate of the primary hard disk
  

The Windows Experience Index is useful for the following:

1. When buying a new PC, it is useful for determining the quality of the Windows experience a buyer can expect from a particular PC.

2. When upgrading a PC, the index is useful for estimating the overall improvement a PC user can expect to get when replacing or adding a new hardware component.

3. When buying software, the software package may include the recommended Windows Experience Index base score a PC should have in order to run the particular software application well. If a PC has a higher base score than the score recommended by the software, the software will run well on it.

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[POST 19]

YOU TRIED EVERYTHING IN THIS THREAD, BUT PROBLEMS PERSIST:

Someone might be willing to assist you further. Please post 1, 2, 3, 4 in a new thread in Tech Help forum.

1. >>> Which version of the game:
-Single Player Ubisoft version (installed from DVD or downloaded from ubisoft.com or Direct2drive) Dark Messiah, and did you update it manually (patch 1.01 and 1.02, in that order), or updated through Steam (download ususally starts at 77% after Steam moved most of the files from the DVD installation into Steam),
OR
-Single Player Steam version (bought and 100% downloaded via Steam) Dark Messiah
OR
Multi Player Dark Messiah?

2. >>> a clear description of the problem and the steps you took so far.

3. >>> your dxdiag report:

Windows XP/2000:
Click Start > Run... type in
dxdiag
click OK.
Give it a few moments to create the report (watch the loading bar to complete and disappear).
Select to Save All Information. Open the file in Notepad, select all, copy then paste the complete text into your next reply.

Windows Vista:
In the Search box (just above the Start button) type:
dxdiag
hit Enter.
Give it a few moments to create the report (watch the loading bar to complete and disappear).
Select to Save All Information. Open the file in Notepad, select all, copy then paste the complete text into your next reply.

4. >>> your settings export.
Preferrably in a second post (together with the dxdiag in the same post you'll easily exceed the character limit of this forum and your text gets cut off somewhere in the middle). So better use two seperate posts: one for dxdiag one for settings.

Windows XP:

Click Start > Run... type in
regedit
click OK.
Navigate to the key
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Source\mm]
you see in the picture below, and highlight it.



Right-click on the key > Export...
In the Name box, type for instance:
Valve_Source_mm-key
In the Filetype box leave it at 'Registryfile (*.reg)'.
Click Save.
It is by default saved into the My Documents folder.

In My Documents folder, find this .reg file.
Right-click on it > Open with... select Notepad. Put your cursor into the text, select all then copy and paste it into your post.

Windows Vista:

In the Search box (just above the Start button) type:
regedit
hit Enter.
Navigate to the key
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Source\mm]
you see in the picture below, and highlight it.



Right-click on the key > Export...
In the Name box, type for instance:
Valve_Source_mm-key
In the Filetype box leave it at 'Registryfile (*.reg)'.
Click Save.
It is by default saved into the Documents folder.

In your Documents folder, find this .reg file.
Right-click on it > Open with... select Notepad. Put your cursor into the text, select all then copy and paste it into your post.

Hopefully someone comes along willing to help you.
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====================================================
PMs with tech questions are ignored
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BlindNero Forums for online Dark Messiah MM and other games support

[POST 20]

Peculiar issues ...


1. Steam demo issue.

Situation: i have DM installed from DVD, outside Steam. I want to keep it that way. And would like to know if i can install/play the demo (offered by Steam) next to the game.

Dark Messiah Singleplayer Demo


HUH?! >>>



Looks like it is about to screw my full version singleplayer (from DVD, outside Steam)... it also doesn't call itself "demo"; also the 3.3 GB filesize indicates it is not the demo.

It behaves the same as when i would update my DVD version through Steam.
A demo isn't supposed to do this. Bad start.

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

This is strange.

This is on my 9700Pro machine, i previously had singleplayer game updated through Steam, thus it became 'adopted' by Steam (so i had both sp and mp games in My Games list.

Later, i uninstalled the singleplayer DM from Steam.
Noticed that although it was uninstalled, the complete folder containing the game files (1.2 GB including savegames) stayed in the Steam directory, even after a reboot of PC, so i had to delete that folder manually.


I re-installed the DVD version outside Steam, patched manually, and it runs 100% OK. Since then, in the Steam My Games list i had the multiplayer 100% ready, and the singleplayer in greyed out font and marked as "not installed".


And it says that i have 18 GB available diskspace?! I have 127 GB free diskspace on my Games partition.

Well, this is what happens next. Mind: i thought i was downloading the demo!










It started at 76%, exactly like the updating of full version.
I paused the downloading, and closed Steam. Deleted the already unwantingly moved singleplayer files.
Tried to redownload the demo, but that would not go anymore. Closed Internet Explorer (all sessions).


Tried to start my original DVD installation (of which Steam had begun to 'copy files')...: well, it starts with the white video issue, hitting the Space bar skips to a next white video, and again and again till dump to dektop. See: it screwed my game.
I'll have to reinstall completely.
No i'm trying the Repair option.

Update: repair option from DVD worked. Applied both patches. Launched the game (outside Steam) successfully again.

Update 2: Tried to download the demo again. Without any message explaining, it immediately started downloading the singleplayer game at 0%... apparently some file in the Steam directory has told it that it doesn't need to inform me anymore.



Hmmm would i now finally get the 100% Steam version? If so, i will be able to test that version too!

Update 3: it gets better: i can now run the sp Ubisoft version while on the background downloading the Steam version!

Update 4: download complete. Yup, full version. It obviously took the settings from the already existing registry key. It runs excellently (at first with a noticeable fps drop, but that was solved after defragmentation).

Oh and the game is split in two: 1 part installed in the STEAM\SteamApps\*my account*\dark messiah might and magic singleplayer folder (945 MB), but the biggest part of the game data files are in SteamApps, so outside *my steam account* folder. While in the DVD version, all game data files are neatly together in the DMoMM\Dark Messiah of Might and Magic\mm folder.

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