At wits end.....

[Deephunter]

I've been into SH4 for a couple of years now, but I'm about to chuck the whole thing out the window....
The problem is, the games (tried both 1.4 and 1.5)suffer from "stuttering" - both visually and "operationally". Everything was running smoothly 'till last week, when it started to do this. I've tried every trick in the book, including re-installing the operating system (Vista), but nothing seems to help. I even tried re-formatting the HD, but Vista won't let me....

I've also checked the frame rate...While on the main menu screen it's running at 60-80 FPS, but as soon as I go into "gaming mode" it drops to as low as 3...It never gets any higher than 12-15 FPS...

So...I'm back to being a landlubber...
Anyone have any idea of what is causing this..?? And a fix for it....

Here are my system specs...in case you need them...
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 4/21/2010, 08:42:01
Machine name: ELJEFE-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.090302-1506)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Inspiron 530s
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2140 @ 1.60GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.6GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1232MB used, 3072MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6000.16386 32bit Unicode

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

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

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 9400 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0641&SUBSYS_095B19F1&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1266 MB
Dedicated Memory: 499 MB
Shared Memory: 767 MB
Current Mode: 1360 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 8.17.0011.9745 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/3/2010 17:55:31, 9386600 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4501-11CF-505C-50291FC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0641
SubSys ID: 0x095B19F1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C

Thanks in advance for any advice/solutions...

Gus.

[Ducimus]

Run the game vanilla sans mod and see if you still have the stuttering. If you don't, its mod related. In which case, re enable them one by one until you get the stuttering again.

[Deephunter]

Both versions (1.4/1.5) have been run in stock, unmodded versions. That was my first test....

G.

[G2B]

Check your screen resolution and match it with your native resolution or use a lower resolution also check to make sure vert sync is enabled.

[tomoose]

I know you've probably checked for background programs but have you recently installed an anti-virus software like Norton etc? Norton will do background stuff if you don't configure it right. Just a suggestion.

Also check and make sure there's nothing wrong with your RAM and that you do indeed have the 2Gig or whatever.

Any heat issues? I just replaced my heatsink and fan due to the previous fan giving up the ghost.

[Deephunter]

Thanks for the replies...
I did check for background programs and found that both the McAffee antivirus and the Vista updaters were continually running, so I disabled them...No go..
I also lowered the resolution and picture quality settings and enabled vertical sinc but that didn't do the trick either...
How would I go about determining that the RAM is actually doing its job..?? I did install a 1 G memory stick a couple of months back and things were running smoothly until this "bug" presented itself....I was running RSRDC back then and had been doing so for well over 6 months. This just happened from one day to the next....

[ancient46]

OK, you have an integrated graphics card in the motherboard's southbridge. When it switches to 3D it draws on the 767MB of memory it shares with the system. That means that you are now operating on 1.2 GB of system RAM.

For a hybrid on-board graphics system you should really minimize the programs running when you play SH4. You need the RAM. This includes disabling the many useless windows services that run automatically in case you might need them.

The best case scenario is to install a video card and disable the on-board graphics if you can afford it.

[clayp]

Silent Hunter 4 System Requirements 4/5/07

• Supported OS

• : Windows® XP/Vista Only
• Game comes on 1 DVD
• Processor: 2GHz Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon (3GHz Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon recommended)
• RAM: 1 GB (2 GB recommended)
• Video Card: 128 MB RAM, DirectX 9–compliant, video card capable of rendering Pixel Shader 2.0 (256 MB RAM recommended) (see supported list*)
• Sound Card: DirectX 9 –compliant sound card
• DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c or later (included on game disk)
• DVD ROM drive 4x or faster speed
• Hard Drive Space: 6 GB
• Multiplayer: Broadband connection with 128Kbps upstream or faster, (512Kbps upstream or faster needed to host online games)

*Supported Video Cards:
ATI® RADEON® 9600/9700/9800, X300 to X850, X1300 to X1800
NVIDIA® GeForce™ 6200/6600/6800/7800

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com...if/1072/0/4368

[Deephunter]

As per my system specs you'll see I do have a video card (Nv GeForce 9400). I too have wondered about the onboard chipset, but have not found a way to disable it. What bugs me is the fact that the game had performed flawlessly for the longest time, and then from one second to the next...Pooof...!!!

[Armistead]

Have you tried system bios. Most you can disable it there, if not you'll have to find the correct jumper setting.

I think you posted in the SH4 forums too, but install DX9 from the disc.

[clayp]

Originally Posted by Deephunter

As per my system specs you'll see I do have a video card (Nv GeForce 9400). I too have wondered about the onboard chipset, but have not found a way to disable it. What bugs me is the fact that the game had performed flawlessly for the longest time, and then from one second to the next...Pooof...!!!

Your sys is way underpowered in my estamation...

[green_abobo]

aye. i have an nvidia rig too. i get the same troubles. as always,make sure your drivers are up to snuff.

if i'm not mistaken,with nvidia cards,the number you need to note is the one second the far left,if that makes sense.

for games,you want something at least a 6 there,preferably like an 8 or 9. anything else (5 or below) is only recommended for desktop applications,not 3-D gaming.

that is why i have conceded to playing the game on medium settings, with a few custom options to taste. (8400 gs card,albeit non-onboard) also,try running your 3D settings under nvidia control panel set to "application controlled". seems to help a bit as well.

works much better than trying to get blood from a rock on high settings,especially in high traffic areas w/ choppy sea conditions.

also there's this:http://www.nhancer.com/?dat=d_start

which may or may not help. i tried it once,couldn't get the hang of how to use it. it's not exactly designed for graphics enhancing beginners like me,but that's just my opinion.