Sudden problem with game...

[lyonesse]

Sudden problem with game...

Hi everyone,Before I get started, I run Vista 32-bit edition, with an 8600gts graphics card. The Witcher has - crashes aside which was fixed courtesy of a post off this forum - always run perfectly on my computer until about two days ago. Suddenly, while running around murky waters, the audio starts to go crackly, then the game starts to lag really badly. It has now got to the point where its pretty much unplayable much to my disappointment and surprise - I have replayed the witcher three or four times now and have never had this problem before. i have updated all drivers, defragged the computer, run a full virus scan and am at my wits end as to what to do next. Any suggestions? I tried turning the resolution down and that didn't seem to help, nor did turning off atmospheric effects. I'm wondering if theres a corrupt game file somewhere in my system so I need to either restart the level from an earlier save point or restart the whole game and delete all saved games...I've just preordered the enhanced edition and will be a bit gutted if i cant play it because of my computer playing up Any help, advice or pointers would be really gratefully received!!Thanks Ali

 

[bad213boy]

List your computer specs. Like mobo, how much RAM, graphic card(s) and driver version, sound card and driver version, and processor.You sometimes when I have issues like the ones you described, I will find a free drive cleaner to clean out all the old junk drivers and then reinstall fresh ones. The old Drivecleaner program is now a pay to use utility. However, if you search long and hard under certain forums or even Torrent, you'll find someone with a free version. If you're interested, I think I have a link to a free download one, just PM me. By listing the driver version, I'll be able to look up whether they are the fastest. Just because its newer, doesn't always mean its better.Things to ask yourself. If you are using an ATI card, do you have Frameworks 3.5 from Microsoft. The Catalyst Controler uses Frameworks. What resolution are you using? You don't need anything higher than 1280 x 1024. Have you updated any new drivers recently since the last time you didn't have any problems? Have you tried uninstalling your Anti-Virus program and reinstalling it? Are you using the XP Firewall, or another? Have you tried reinstalling the game from scratch? Try playing the game without using any patches, does it still have issues? Have you tried using Ad-aware or Spybot from download.com? Somes Spybot acts goofy and needs to be uninstalled.9 times out of 10 its a driver issue.All else fails, backup your stuff and reformat your hard drive. This will let you start from scratch

 

[Licaon_Kter]

@Lyonesse: read: Getting tech help on the forum and attach that PCWizard report here as instructed

 

[lyonesse]

aha am i having a majorly stupid day. file is attached, hope it helps!I can also provide a dxdiag report as well if its of any use - suspect the pcwizard thingy probably covers all of that stuff though.

 

[Licaon_Kter]

the first suspect would be the integrated sound card, did you change something about it?can you enable/disable EAX?

 

[lyonesse]

no i didnt do anything to change anything on my pc.... however I have now replaced vista with xp, am just repatching the game now and will see if it is any happier with the computer now I am not torturing the poor thing with vista. I'll post and let you know if the problem has resolved now...thanks for the help, it is much appreciated!

 

[lyonesse]

Ok having installed XP instead of vista, the game is still lagging and stuttering. I'm at my wits end and am seriously considering deleting all saves and starting again from scratch just in case its a corrupt save file somewhere thats causing the problem.i haven't changed anything about the sound card - I'm not technologically savvy so wouldnt tinker with anything I knew nothing about. I may see if i can sort out a new sound card just in case thats what is causing the problem but of course it will depend on spare cash...

 

[st_ghost]

Go to your soundcard manufacturer's website and downlaod the most recent and a slightly older version and try both to see if it helps.Outside of that, listen to the crackling to determine whether you heard it before somewhere in the game, i.e. whether its a "normal" game sound. If it is, try to describe it here. I'm saying this because I for instance had problems with contant thunder noises (the ones from the thunderstorm) when changing areas and loading games and replacing that with an empty file fixed that and reduces crashes for me.If you think its a save problem, I uplaoded an ActIV game in the S&Q section a while ago you could try and see.Lastly, go to the settings area of your game and see if you can play around with them to fix it. Like try muting sound completely, then muting only certain things. Troubleshoot. Also, see if lowering certain graphics might help and uncheck all special sound effect boxes, like environmental sounds and the like.

 

[Licaon_Kter]

Ok having installed XP instead of vista, the game is still lagging and stuttering.

that depends on your game settings, if you try to play at 1680x1050 with that video card that's the problemtry lower settingsyou played the game before, i presume you've played it before Service Pack 1 for Vista? and now you're playing with SP1? i've see this before

 

[lyonesse]

Ok I might have managed to narrow it down a bit more now... just tried to install oblivion and found that the disc drive didnt even register that there was a disc in there. i suspect that the cd drive has given up the ghost - I'm going to get it replaced this afternoon and will let you know if this solves the problems *crosses fingers*I did try altering the display settings on the game for medium and even low, and turned off the grass, and it didnt improve gameplay at all sadly. I have to say i strongly suspect it is the disc drive now as it did the same thing on vista with the latest SP as it is doing on a fully updated copy of XP...I am gonna be so embarrassed if it turns out to be the disc drive thats broken *blush*