Just bought SF2 collection 2009

[peterbezemer]

Hello,

 

I just bought the "sf2 collection 2009' bundle on thirdwire, (to replace my old WOE)....

 

When I start the game I can see the menu for 1/10th of a second, then it turns black.

the music keeps playing.

 

(When I hit alt-tab and then right mouse klick on the running game i can see the menu but cannot click on it, (its then not an active window))

 

so, ckecked the graphics drivers, they are OK.

 

my dxdiag:

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

System Information

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

Time of this report: 12/27/2009, 12:48:34

Machine name: PETER9850

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.090803-2339)

Language: Dutch (Regional Setting: Dutch)

System Manufacturer: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO.,LTD

System Model: MS-7388 <-- thats the K9A2 CF

BIOS: Default System BIOS

Processor: AMD Phenom™ 9850 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs), ~1.9GHz

Memory: 4094MB RAM

Page File: 1863MB used, 6062MB available

Windows Dir: C:\Windows

DirectX Version: DirectX 11

DX Setup Parameters: Not found

DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode

 

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

DxDiag Notes

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

Display Tab 1: No problems found.

Sound Tab 1: No problems found.

Sound Tab 2: 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 8800 GT

Manufacturer: NVIDIA

Chip type: GeForce 8800 GT

DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC

Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0611&SUBSYS_82701043&REV_A2

Display Memory: 2287 MB

Dedicated Memory: 495 MB

Shared Memory: 1791 MB

Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Monitor: Algemeen PnP-beeldscherm

Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um

Driver Version: 8.16.0011.9107 (English)

DDI Version: 10

BGRA Supported: Yes

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

Driver Date/Size: 9/28/2009 07:12:20, 9441384 bytes

WHQL Logo'd: n/a

WHQL Date Stamp: n/a

Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4551-11CF-C372-7AA203C2CA35}

Vendor ID: 0x10DE

Device ID: 0x0611

SubSys ID: 0x82701043

Revision ID: 0x00A2

Revision ID: 0x00A2

Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C

 

(...lots of non-interesting numbers and stuff...)

 

DDraw Status: Enabled

D3D Status: Enabled

AGP Status: Enabled

 

 

and the SF2 options.ini:

 

[GraphicsOptions]

DisplayDeviceID=0

DisplayWidth=1680

DisplayHeight=1050

DisplayDepth=32

AspectRatio=1.600000

AntiAliasing=4

UseAdvancedShaders=1

ForceDX9=FALSE

ForceVSyncOff=FALSE

LensFlare=0

DetailLevel=2

ObjectDetail=2

ObjectTexture=2

CockpitTexture=2

CockpitMirrors=1

CockpitReflection=1

EffectsDetail=2

TerrainDetail=2

TerrainTexture=2

HorizonDistance=2

GroundObjectDensity=2

WaterDetail=2

CloudsDetail=2

Shadow=2

 

 

PLEASE HELP!

[tflash]

hello Peter,

 

The first time that you start SF2, it builds a files catalog in the saved games folder. That takes a while with the single games alreadyk, so I guess with the pack that it takes more than a few minutes. At that time, the screen is black. Did you try to just wait for a while after starting up?

[peterbezemer]

hello Peter,

 

The first time that you start SF2, it builds a files catalog in the saved games folder. That takes a while with the single games alreadyk, so I guess with the pack that it takes more than a few minutes. At that time, the screen is black. Did you try to just wait for a while after starting up?

 

thanks, i'll give it a try...

 

but as I've said, I am already in the main menu (see it for 1/10th of a sec.) , the music is playing, but the screen is black...

and btw those folders are already made in mydocs\thirdwire\sf2 ...

 

 

and the hdd led isn't indicating much activity...

 

(also aleady tried all of the compatability modes)

 

thanks anyway,

 

Peter

Edited December 27, 2009 by peterbezemer

[Fubar512]

Which .exe are you using? The combo pack should have one master .exe (probably SF2.exe), and the program folder should contain the three additional ones (SF2V/E/I), as well. Make sure that you're starting it with the master.

[peterbezemer]

Which .exe are you using? The combo pack should have one master .exe (probably SF2.exe), and the program folder should contain the three additional ones (SF2V/E/I), as well. Make sure that you're starting it with the master.

 

I am starting from the ms windows start menu, that should be good?

 

the exe's are:

StrikeFighters2

StrikeFighters2 Europe

StrikeFighters2 Vietnam

StrikeFighters2 Israel

 

and there another:

twGameExplorer

 

but my windows start menu has 4 perfectly fine shortcuts, made by the TW SF2 Combo pack installer...

[peterbezemer]

Looks like it's a graphics issue...

 

well, I think I'll have to re-install the graphics drivers then...

however I can't imagine that will help, because all other games run great...

[peterbezemer]

magic magic magic!!!!

 

the game seems to be working

 

waited more than 20 minutes...

 

 

I guess i was a bit too fast...

 

thanks for your help....

 

 

edit:

 

some things are still going black for a while, hope that are just some 'first time loads'

 

keep you posted ;-)

Edited December 27, 2009 by peterbezemer

[peterbezemer]

game has gone black again :-S

[peterbezemer]

hey, this is strange, shut down win media player and it works!

 

edit: no its not the media players fault

 

game gone black again

 

 

lots of alt+tab'ing and I get the menu on my screen....

 

flown my 1st mission now...

 

still, the problem continues existing...

Edited December 27, 2009 by peterbezemer

[peterbezemer]

updated Nvidia drivers to latest (195)

problem solved!

 

 

 

thanks!

 

Edited December 27, 2009 by peterbezemer

[jomni]

glad you got it fixed.

[peterbezemer]

well, a little update, the game doesnt work anymore at all...

 

I dont even get to the main menu (I hsee nothing and hear no music)

 

 

 

 

going to re-install the game, see what it does...

 

--

 

well, after the re-install it doesn't make the user/mydocs thirdwire/sf2 folders when I try to start up the game....

Edited December 28, 2009 by peterbezemer

[jomni]

Yikes. It's really not liking your hardware.

But it doesn't make sense.

Could you have a corrupted installer?

But that will fail during installation right?

Edited December 28, 2009 by jomni

[peterbezemer]

Well, I dont realy know what causes all this to happen...

 

My installer isn't corrupt I think, but I will download it again, see if it helps.

 

right now the game won't start at all, and does not make the user/docs/thirdcable/sf2 folders when I start up for the first time...

[Dogzero1]

I had a problem with my mods folder not being created too. Go to the options.ini and look for the mods entry and add \mods at the end like the example below:

 

[Mods]

ModsEnabled=TRUE

Directory=C:\Users\Administrator\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2 Vietnam\mods

 

ps, your saved game directory should also have the name Thirdwire, not thirdcable.

[peterbezemer]

I had a problem with my mods folder not being created too. Go to the options.ini and look for the mods entry and add \mods at the end like the example below:

 

[Mods]

ModsEnabled=TRUE

Directory=C:\Users\Administrator\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2 Vietnam\mods

 

ps, your saved game directory should also have the name Thirdwire, not thirdcable.

 

thanks, going to try that out now...

 

 

I am realy almost 'out of options'....

 

and 'cable' was some sort of joke, to keep smiling...

[peterbezemer]

i have this:

 

 

[Mods]

ModsEnabled=TRUE

Directory=C:\Users\Peter Bezemer\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2

 

should I change it to:

 

 

[Mods]

ModsEnabled=TRUE

Directory=C:\Users\Peter Bezemer\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2\mods

 

?

 

 

 

 

EDIT:

 

 

tried it, didn't work so far...

Edited December 28, 2009 by peterbezemer

[ezlead]

Peter:

Go to knowledge base and read EVERYTHING about modding number 2 series.

This will give you an idea of the basics.

http://forum.combatace.com/topic/44026-converting-older-planes-to-work-in-sf2-a-basic-guide-by-migbuster/

I believe that folders should be:

Directory=C:\Users\Peter Bezemer\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2\mods\Campaigns

C:\Users\Peter Bezemer\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2\mods\Effects

C:\Users\Peter Bezemer\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2\mods\Flight

C:\..................\Menu

C:\..................\Objects\Aircraft\F-4b

C:\..................\Objects\Aircraft\F-8e etc.

C:\..................\Objects\Decals

C:\..................\Objects\GroundObject etc.

Whatever folders you are modding for the sim you want to run:SFP2,SFP2V,SFP2E etc.,you have to make the folders for mods.

If I am wrong,someone please correct us.

I also noticed that you have DirectX 11.

Can someone tell us if this has been tested with new series.

I just D/L'ed SFP2E before Xmas and I am experimenting myself.

Edited December 28, 2009 by ezlead

[Fubar512]

I had a problem with my mods folder not being created too. Go to the options.ini and look for the mods entry and add \mods at the end like the example below:

 

[Mods]

ModsEnabled=TRUE

Directory=C:\Users\Administrator\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2 Vietnam\mods

 

ps, your saved game directory should also have the name Thirdwire, not thirdcable.

 

There is no folder named "Mods"

 

The ThirdWire folder under "Saved Games" (Vista/Win7). or "My Documents" (2000/XP) is what we refer to as the "Mods" folder.

[peterbezemer]

I also noticed that you have DirectX 11.

Can someone tell us if this has been tested with new series.

I just D/L'ed SFP2E before Xmas and I am experimenting myself.

 

its just that my win vista is capable of performing dx 11 operations, I have a dx10 card therefore it operates as dx10, and dx10 is also still capable of performing dx9 operations...

so, for example if you have a dx9 card and want to play a dx 10 game it wont work,

if you have a dx 10 or 11 card you can play al dx 10 or older dx version games...

[peterbezemer]

ok, final update:

 

after completely removing the nvidia drivers, rebooting, and re-installing nvidia drivers the game finaly works!!!

 

so, Nvidia users, if you want to update your drivers, first remove the old ones, then install the new ones...

 

thanks everyone,

 

I wish you a good and healthy 2010!

 

[ezlead]

OK!!

Peter:Your "Mods" folders will look like this:

 

Directory=C:\Users\Peter Bezemer\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2\Campaigns (No Mods folder)

C:\Users\Peter Bezemer\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2\Effects

C:\Users\Peter Bezemer\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2\Flight

C:\..................\Menu

C:\..................\Objects\Aircraft\F-4b

C:\..................\Objects\Aircraft\F-8e etc.

C:\..................\Objects\Decals

C:\..................\Objects\GroundObject etc.

The file structure will be the same as the old ThirdWire series games.They will just be in a different place.

 

Think of it this way:

The files in the users directories (mods)are sitting on the top of your desk.

The files in the Program Files directory (Game files)are in the drawers of your desk.

The game engine(.exe) file will look for whatever it needs to run the game on top of your desk first. Whatever else it needs it will then look in the drawers of your desk.

When it has everything it needs,it then runs the game.

I hope this helps.

Oh,and thanks for the info on DirectX. I learned something new today.

I have NVidia card also. I learned the hard way,same as you about drivers.

Edited December 28, 2009 by ezlead