View Full Version : FAO Joseph
Loaded AOD on the new computer last night and it runs very well unpatched. Only did a small part of the training level but sound is ok as are the graphics. Not as fast as the big computer but lots better than the old Packard Bell with the upgraged Graphics Card and Sound Card. It really seems that Packard Bell are now building packaged computers that will play the new games without upgrading them, the onboard chips are working well. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
Hi Tramp. That is mainly because the computer parts from cpu and motherboard manufacterers get better and faster. \Of course PB uses them. Overall: todays computers have greater potentials.
But the TRAOD patches have nothing to do with that, they are corrections of the data. Still needed if you use first release of the game. I mean, i read here in these forums from members installing the game from cd, and it already has v.49 with it.
And of course the game runs very well unpatched. Only: you'll encounter graphical; bugs if your game's data is not patched by v.42 and v.49.
[ 04. March 2005, 23:12: Message edited by: joseph ]
When AOD first came out I could not run it without the patches. Same CD. Will see how it goes further into the game.
I have only played AOD 3 times as the old PB was very slow and jerky. This one is far better. Have a second copy of the CD which came with the big computer as part of the NVidia package maybe that one is patched it doesn't say on the CD. With the first copy when loaded on the "Press any Key" was yellow and the faq said you would have to patch it to rectify that to the normal white font. This time it loaded white.
Hi Tramp http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
I recently brought a Packard Bell PC also but the AOD demo play absolution awful. I guess the graphics are ok but the rain is light blue and it stops and starts up again frequently. There is also a little slow motion in-game and it sometimes time freezes altogether (especially when shimmering). What can I do to play AOD without these problems? I have an AMD Athlon XP 3200+ processor with a UniChrome IGP Chip type (I think this is the graphics driver).
Thanks
Hi Colin it sounds like your model is the iXtreme, I bought the iMedia see this link to my model. My Computer (http://www.packardbell.com.au/products/product_configs.asp?CID=1&MID=1&SpecID=417)
One of these should be your model
Your model (http://www.packardbell.com.au/products/product_Details.asp?CID=1&MID=41)
Mine has the Intel graphics chip where yours seems to be the E301 which under the Aus specs has a Radeon with the Athlon processor, mine has the Prescott Processor this is probably the difference.
On my old PB the play was a bit jerky and sometimes a bit slow motion. If you read my previous thread My Poor Old Computer you would see that this is only a secondary computer and if you wade through all the pages of New Computer, What Would You Recommend you will find the specs of my main computer. This new one will be going into my bedroom so I can play before going to sleep. It is just that I have a bonus that I can play the modern games on it without having to upgrade the graphics and sound cards as I did with the old one to be DirectX 9.0 compliant. I can put up with the slightly slower play on this one. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
so I can play before going to sleep. Maybe a good subject for a new thread? :D
[ 05. March 2005, 00:22: Message edited by: joseph ]
I suppose Jo it depends on what I am going to play (with). http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/mischievous.gif http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/whistle.gif
I need to uprade my graphics card right? To an ATI Radeon or to the lastest in the Nvidia series? Here's a link to my PC >> Click Here (http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1561056960.111001313 2@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdcadddmmlehdfcflgceggdhhmdgmj.0&page=Product&sku=903860&category_oid=-20732&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null) <<
Colin, find some inspiration in this thread, this page: .tombraiderforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=001485;p=7 (http://www.tombraiderforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=001485;p=7)
Thanks Joseph and Tramp. ;) Loads of cards to choose from. I think I will get one of the NVidia GeForce 6 series but I'm not sure if I can with the PC I have know.
Colin now I see your problem you're graphics memory is only 64mb shared whereas mine has 224mb shared. My old PB only had 32mb which I upgraded to 64mb and the old computer was jerky with 64mb. Your graphics card would probably need to be 128mb or higher.
That's very helpful Tramp, thanks. Which graphics cards do you recommend for playing today's PC games? btw/ I downloaded the BloodRayne 1 and 2 PC demo's and they both installed ok but when I went to play them a error message came up about something about hardware vertex or something and that I need to contact the manufacturer to see if I have hardware vertex. :confused:
Thanks Joseph you beat me to it as I was doing a bit of searching in between chasing puppies around the room they are all awake and mum has gone into hiding so she doesn't have to feed them at the moment.
Colin your specs say you have 3 pci slots but nothing about AGP slots so you will have to look into that.
Just saw your last post (puppies are trying to help me type so it takes time to remove them). I like nVidia but my laptop has a Radeon which is also very good.
[ 05. March 2005, 09:54: Message edited by: Tramp ]
Simulation
05-03-05, 13:02
Hi Colin,
Your graphics chip is on the motherboard (shared memory), so you will need to check and see if there is a AGP slot (which is unlikely if it is built in). If not you will need to get a PCI card (not PCI-e).
Here is an image of what the slots look like
These articles may also help.
http://simulation.tombraiderforums.com/techhelp/gcard.htm
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/agp.htm
http://simulation.tombraiderforums.com/forum/agp.jpg
[ 05. March 2005, 13:04: Message edited by: Simulation ]
Colin, didn't i advise you about your pc before you had bought it, in this thread (http://www.tombraiderforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=001531) ? ;)
Thanks you Simulation. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif Joseph, you did warn me but I already paid for the PC.
btw/ Is this the kind of graphics card I'm looking for? >> Click Here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00026V8N0/qid=1110051620/sr=1-15/ref=sr_1_2_15/202-0000722-5772609) <<
No!!!! Don't waste your money on that one, it is outdated.
Oh, you already payed, i see. No problem, it's a good pc but you have to customize / upgrade it.
In fact, don't waste your money on ANY of nVidia's FX range, except maybe the FX5950.
Ok, thanks Joseph. How about this one >> Click Here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002AGGP6/qid=1110057645/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-0000722-5772609) <<
Please, NO Colin!!
Tell me, what is the budget you plan for a grphics card.
Look Colin. You just bought a very fine pc. Which is not complete, that is the way you should look at it. So, choose a card that your pc is worth, asks for, sensibility demands. Exactly for that reason, the list of options is not very broad, Colin, don't worry. The card you are looking for, is either named:
nVidia 6600GT, nVidia 6800GT or Ati Radeon 9800XT or Ati Radeon X800XT. The AtiRadeon X800XT and the nVidia 6800GT are currently the best available, very expensive so the question if they are worth their money is relative: are you rich, buy one of them. Both have pro's and con's, for instance in Doom3 the 6800GT is faster, but the ATI seems to have a slightly better image quality. When you buy a card at this price, you also hope it is near- future proof, well the nVidia uses shader model 3 which likely will be seen in future games, the ATI doesn't. For that price, i should wait a a few months or half a year. I am waiting myself.
So, that leaves the only 2 options: 6600GT or 9800XT. Again: Ati seems to have (slightly) better image quality. But this nVidia 6600GT is nearly twice as fast in many nowadays games. Best investment at this moment would be this monster! It is incredibly cheap for it's performance.
OK. Now choose a brand. I myself choose from what my local computer shop has in stock, so that would be either ASUS or CLUB 3D.
If you buy from the internet, your choices are much larger. XFX , MSI, ASUS, are some of the very best.
If you can afford it, a card with 256 MB memory is preferrable, since games use more and more detailed textures and polygons. But to keep it affordable, and 128 will do very fine, choose a 6600GT with 128MB, price somewhere between €170,- and €220,- http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
[ 06. March 2005, 00:44: Message edited by: joseph ]
Or if you can't afford GF6600GT then go with ATI Radeon 9550XT [250/500] with 128MB (from 70€->90€)or choose GF6200TC [300/500] with 128MB/256MB (60€->80€)
[ 06. March 2005, 06:37: Message edited by: Apofiss ]
Noo! Waste of money. Useless!
For cheaper, you could go for Ati Radeon 9600XT. €149,-.
To play DirectX9 games like AOD in pretty settings this is also a fine card. Taking lower models from the Radeon9xxx series is a waste.
[*Edit: Ohh! Apofiss! You edited!!! You said "take the Ati Radeon 9550 for about €59,-"] ---> http://joseph.tombraiderforums.com/Images/thumbdown.gif
But you took that back. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/c-2.gif
Now what's a ATI Radeon 9550XT. Does that card exist??? :confused:
Anyway Apofiss, all the cards you mention lower in performance and 'cheaper' than a 9600XT are a waste of Colin's money to put in a new pc, expecting to play Directx9 games at a good framerate with decent graphics, thus having gaming pleasure with it instead of horrific annoyance and frustration.
[ 06. March 2005, 07:01: Message edited by: joseph ]
Thanks Apofiss and thanks again Joseph. ;) Money is no issue. So I should get the nVidia 6800GT with 256 MB memory. But I don't understand the brand XFX, MSI, ASUS which do you recommend? Do you know where I can buy this graphics card from the internet?
Colin. HERE -> XFX GF6800GT 256 Dual DVI AGP Retail (http://www.3dcool.com/Details.asp?cid=366&id=1313)
And yes, this videocard is the best [price&power], I have MSI NX6800GT 256MB! :cool: If you've got this card then you are able to play every games on extreme high effects - oh-yeah!!! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/clown.gif (games like Doom3, FarCry..)
Now what's a ATI Radeon 9550XT. Does that card exist???Of course! model 9550 is very good for overlocking ;)
Anyway Apofiss, all the cards you mention lower in performance and 'cheaper' than a 9600XT are a waste of Colin's money
TRUE! I just thought Colin can't afford expensive card, now I see he can http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
Apofiss the specs on Colin's computer does not state that he has any AGP slots only 3 PCI slots so that's the type of card he needs to look at.
Originally posted by Tramp:
Apofiss the specs on Colin's computer does not state that he has any AGP slots only 3 PCI slots so that's the type of card he needs to look at. Well, he must have! (I have never seen MB [exspecially for AMD Athalon XP 1600+ and better compatible without AGP slot - that kind of MB don't exist for standart desktop systems!] I'm sure it has AGP slot ;)
[ 06. March 2005, 08:48: Message edited by: Apofiss ]
Apofiss I'm not saying it doesn't have any AGP slots but if you go back to page 1 and look at the 9th thread there is a link to Colin's computer. Look at the Specifications. It says 3 PCI slots but there is no mention at all for AGP. It doesn't even say AGP - not specified. The model number does not even come up on the Packard Bell UK site to give you any further information. So without looking inside it is impossible for us to tell. But we do know it has PCI slots.
Apofiss I'm not saying it doesn't have any AGP slotsI know, I know that you are not saying that it doesn't have AGP slot! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif :D
My previous post was about to force Colin to open the case to be sure about AGP slot http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/whistle.gif (what about waranty then?)
[ 06. March 2005, 11:24: Message edited by: Apofiss ]
Tramp: So without looking inside it is impossible for us to tell. Not true!!! Colin if you want to know what is inside your pc, you just need the tool that i'm gonna send you. If you pm me your email adress... http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/whistle.gif
And i'm happy for you that you are rich. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif :D Because for that card you possibly have to buy a heavier Power Supply also for about €60,-
[ 06. March 2005, 14:39: Message edited by: joseph ]
PM sent. Now lets all hope that I have got AGP slots.
Chug a Bug
06-03-05, 17:14
Originally posted by Tramp:
Apofiss the specs on Colin's computer does not state that he has any AGP slots only 3 PCI slots so that's the type of card he needs to look at. No you can't get a half decent graphics card for a PCI slot! There are some ancient cards for PCI slots but they're no good for playing modern games. Thats the point of having an AGP slot!
Unless you're confusing PCI with PCI-E http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/whistle.gif
Chug a Bug
06-03-05, 17:23
Originally posted by joseph:
Tramp: </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> So without looking inside it is impossible for us to tell. Not true!!! Colin if you want to know what is inside your pc, you just need the tool that i'm gonna send you. If you pm me your email adress... http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/whistle.gif
And i'm happy for you that you are rich. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif :D Because for that card you possibly have to buy a heavier Power Supply also for about €60,- </font>[/QUOTE]If he fits a graphics card he's going to have to open the case anyway http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/whistle.gif
If he's thinking of a 6800GT then it's almost certain that he will need a new PSU. ;)
Oh yeah, i forgot to react to that. Right. Normal pci is no good for a decent graphics card.
No, Chug. Tramp was not talking about PCI-e. Besides, that is certainly not on Colin's motherboard.
While i thought there are since 1999 no moboards without an AGP slot, there was someone mentioning here that there are still sold cheap modern pc's in America without an AGP slot. Well, if that is the case that would be very very sad.
Originally posted by Chug a Bug:
If he fits a graphics card he's going to have to open the case anyway http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/whistle.gif True! But if it turns out his mobo has no agp slot, he's not gonna buy a graph card. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/whistle.gif
If he's thinking of a 6800GT then it's almost certain that he will need a new PSU. ;) I think so too. I think Colin has to develope some hardware understanding, be brave, unplug all the powerconnections, change the PSU, and connect all the new powerplugs again.
Maybe it is best if Colin lets this be done by someone with experience.
[ 06. March 2005, 17:36: Message edited by: joseph ]
That is actually not quite true about voiding the warranty if you open the case. That is a ploy to stop people playing with the machine. My new Packard Bell also has no seal (unlike HP and Compaq). It also does not have screws you have to remove to open the side. It has a sliding lock mechanism. So obviously Packard Bell don't freak out if you want to access the insides to even dust it. They make it very easy to access it. People quite often put extra CD/DVD drives in their machines that is why there is space to do it. The same goes for the back with the slots. With the old PB to play AOD I had to get a graphics card and the old one had no AGP slots the only one I could get was an older version nVidia MX440 PCI 64mb. It does play AOD albeit a bit slow and not the greatest graphics but it was DirectX9.0 compliant. I agree not as good as AGP but when it is your only option at the time and it works who's complaining.
The only Packard Bell that qualifies with the "1504" number is of the iMedia series. Hopefully. It has an AGP slot. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Link -> CORE SPECIFICATION PAGE (http://support.packardbell.com/uk/mypc/index.php?PibItemNr=spec_quasar2&PibItemParent=PB13217901#)
http://common.packardbell.com/ItemPhotoDwn/quasar2.jpg
[ 06. March 2005, 23:00: Message edited by: Olvidarse ]
Hi http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
Yes, I finally found out that I do have an AGP slot (thanks go to Joseph but also thanks goes to you all for helping me out http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif ) and I can't wait to get that graphics card. Does anyone know where I can buy it from?
The iMedia 1504 cannot be found on the Products page the only place I found it was on the Support page and I couldn't find anywhere if it had an AGP slot. It appears to be a very new model only released in January. Also looked on the AMD site and there was nothing there without knowing the brand of motherboard that the AMD was loaded on and that information was not on Colin's link or the PB site. When I did the search on PB support site I did not come up with the screen you did Olvidarse. Glad Joseph has that program makes it very helpful for those who are afraid to open up the case in case they void warranty.
I found out about warranty with one of my first computers. I live in a very dusty area. Semi rural with lots of trucks, market gardens and not far down the road is a concrete recycling works. I was told by the manufacturer to regularly open the machine and either dust it with an anti-static duster or a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery brush attachment. I asked them about warranty and they told me I had every right to open up the machine. They would cover warranty on their hardware but not on any extra hardware I had put in. They explained it was just like putting new software on, they would only cover what came with the machine. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
[ 06. March 2005, 23:57: Message edited by: Tramp ]
Originally posted by Colin125:
Hi http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
Yes, I finally found out that I do have an AGP slot (thanks go to Joseph but also thanks goes to you all for helping me out http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif ) and I can't wait to get that graphics card. Does anyone know where I can buy it from? Colin you must have read my pm by now.
But i might as well copy the links here:
Your card may be one of the next:
256Mb MSI GeForce 6800Ultra T2D Tv/Out DVI (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=126757)
256MB XFX GeForce 6800 ULTRA DDR 3 Tv/DVI + Doom III (Full version) (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=114428)
256MB Gainward GeForce 6800 ULTRA PP (6022) U2600 DDR3 ,Dual DVI + TV-Out (Retail) (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=130259)
256Mb ASUS V9999 6800 ULTRA 2DT-TV-OUT,DVI (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=127836)
256Mb MSI GeForce 6800Ultra T2D Tv/Out DVI (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=126757) Note:The supplied power cable must be attached to ensure the card works properly.
Always connect or disconnect the supplied power cable when the system power is off. Nvidia recommends a PSU unit of good quality that supplies at least 350W of power for this card to function correctly.
256MB XFX GeForce 6800 ULTRA DDR 3 Tv/DVI + Doom III (Full version) (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=114428) Note: minimum 480W system power supply.
Two hard disk drive power dongles off of separate power supply cable bundles (smaller floppy disk drive connector is not sufficient).
Please Note: These cards need a good quality PSU unit which can provide stable voltages, and two molex connections on seperate cables for stability.
256MB Gainward GeForce 6800 ULTRA PP (6022) U2600 DDR3 ,Dual DVI + TV-Out (Retail) (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=130259) Note: Question
Does the higher spec of this card also increase the PSU requirements? Or is it the same as a normal GT? I.E. 350W minimum
Answer
The listed requirements for a power supply for this unit is 400W. we do not recommend trying this card with a lower specification psu.
256Mb ASUS V9999 6800 ULTRA 2DT-TV-OUT,DVI (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=127836) Note: Question
Hi What is the minimum PSU required to run this card correctly ?
Answer
Officially The minimum listed power supply is 400Watts. Scan recommend at least a 450W Psu, for a system without many additional devices, and would strongly recommend at least a 500W (or higher) for a "top end" system. This goes for ALL 6800 Ultra's, not just this Asus unit. Please note that even with a sufficiently powerful PSU, BOTH Molex connectors need to be on different power strands, as these cards draw too much power for a single power strand to supply.
The added notes i got from the pages with these cards at Scan-computers.
Note that they start saying a minimum of 350W is required, up to "at least a 500W (or higher)", and : "This goes for ALL 6800 Ultra's, not just this Asus unit."
However inconsistant their advise is, it does emphasize that much power is needed, and of course you want top performance from this expensive card. Take it from me that you may place in this PSU and you're safe: 550W 3XS XClio-SCF aPFC Super Silent (21Db) 12cm Fan 8/20/24 + SATA+PCI-E+Super Cooling Function (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=156690)
[ 07. March 2005, 05:35: Message edited by: joseph ]
Hi Joseph
If I buy that power unit (above) which of the four graphics card do you recommend I should get. Also I found the same graphics card but from Amazon.co.uk, Click Here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002V851I/qid=1110186428/sr=2-3/ref=sr_2_3_3/202-0000722-5772609)
btw/ when I do get this graphics and also the power unit (do I really need it?) I'm going to pay a professional to do it for me.
Colin your link shows the same card as mine, only cheaper. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
It is an ultra excellent card. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif Yes you need the power supply. The message in the above quoted advise is obvious: the card takes much power, and you will connect more devices to your pc, like a printer, scanner, camera, you name it, maybe in the future you'll build in more harddisks, soundcard (btw you should do that anyway!).
You want your pc to never run out of power. And the PSU must cover consumption-peaks. Besides, i am sure that the current PSU in your pc is by far not enough, so you have to change anyway. The PSU i linked you to in my post, is high quality, very powerful stable and precise and not even that expensive. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Thanks Joseph. How do I check what PSU I have now? Also how do I check what sound card I have and what sound card do you recommend I should buy for gaming purposes?
Chug a Bug
07-03-05, 20:10
Originally posted by joseph:
While i thought there are since 1999 no moboards without an AGP slot, there was someone mentioning here that there are still sold cheap modern pc's in America without an AGP slot. Well, if that is the case that would be very very sad. Yes as I already mentioned in a previous thread my first PC didn't have one but that was certainly no more than 4 years ago however.
Originally posted by Colin125:
Thanks Joseph. How do I check what PSU I have now? Also how do I check what sound card I have and what sound card do you recommend I should buy for gaming purposes? Hi Colin. I'm not sure if you can check the PSU without opening the case but I'm sure Joseph will know if you can. Theres usually a label or similar stuck on the side of the PSU somewhere that will tell you the power rating. I'm sorry but I'm almost certain that you will require a new one. Tom's Hardware Guide's recommend that 6800GT cards have at least a minimum of 480W and 500W would give a more suitable margin of safety. It's unlikely that your current PC would have something this powerful. The 550W that Joseph recommended should be more than adequate.
Normally there will be an onboard sound chip rather than a card unless it's a high end gaming PC. If you're serious about gaming it's worth upgrading but it's not essential.
Audigy 2 is a very good card for around £55 . But to make the best out of it you'll need some decent speakers to go with it IMO.
[ 07. March 2005, 22:03: Message edited by: Chug a Bug ]
I've heard 6800GT cards require a minimum of 480WNot exactly, I have 400W PSU and my GF6800GT works perfectly. Every GF6800GT uses only 58W.
GF6800U - 78.2W
GF FX5950U - 83.3W! :eek:
ATI Radeon 9600Pro - 24.2W
[ 07. March 2005, 20:51: Message edited by: Apofiss ]
Chug a Bug
07-03-05, 22:08
Heh. Fair enough.
Thank you Chug a Bug, Apofiss. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif Also Chug a Bug is Audigy 2 the best to get and could you recommend what PC speakers I will need to get for the best sound performance? They have to be black or silver to match my PC. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Colin Creative Inspire 5.1 are very good. Match the Audigy 2 and they are black. Five Speakers and the sub woofer. Both my computers are black and silver so they match very well.
Colin, the Audigy delivers THX performance , (which is 'Studio Quality) so for best sound you of course look for speakers that also perform in THX quality.
Thanks. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif Ok time to make a shopping list, could you help? Also I know this is a bit premature but what PC games do you recommend? I don't like FPS's.
[ 07. March 2005, 23:49: Message edited by: Colin125 ]
It's getting fun! :D
Need For Speed : Underground 2
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill 4 : The Room
Xpand Rally
No One Lifes Forever 2
Max Payne 2 : TFOMP
Sims 2
LOK : Defiance
Splinter Cell 2
POP : WW
Black$White 2 (soon coming)
Age of Empires III (soon coming)
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey (soon coming)
Fahrenheit (Indigo Phropecy) (soon coming)
Stolen (soon coming)
[ 08. March 2005, 00:05: Message edited by: Apofiss ]
Jo is THX similar to EAX as the Inspire 5.1 5200 are EAX and I feel if you are going to get the Audigy 2 Sound Card the Inspire speakers would be a good match.
No Tramp. EAX is a very high and rich 3D environment soundprocessing in the soundcard. EAX sounddepth first has to be delivered by the game data, then the card processes this in 3D to a real surround, reality-depth sound and sends it to the speakers.
Now THX. If the speakers don't recognise the full depth, detail and precision, and cannot perform the demands hardware-wise (because the speakers themselves don't have the potential) the work was almost useless. Almost, because on a cheap speakerset you still can notice a glimpse of the richness of the sounds, only it will be heard at low quality (with distortion and within a very limited frequency range).
THX is a norm, a studio-level standard for highest quality and accuracy.
Again: Audigy2 processes THX level sounddata. For optimal results one should connect THX certified speakers to it.
[ 08. March 2005, 18:48: Message edited by: joseph ]
Jo checked on the Creative site and the Inspire 5.1 5200 are THX certified so they would be OK.
Chug a Bug
08-03-05, 07:14
Colin I'd recommend the Logitech Z5300 5.1 THX certified surround speakers. I can't lay my hands on the reports just this minute I'm off to work but they consistantly rate as Best on Test from what I've read. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
For games I'd take a look at this (http://www.tombraiderforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=014500) thread. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
[ 08. March 2005, 07:28: Message edited by: Chug a Bug ]
Originally posted by Tramp:
Jo checked on the Creative site and the Inspire 5.1 5200 are THX certified so they would be OK. That's not what i see, Tramp. I just looked to check, and there is ONE model that is THX certified: MegaWorks THX 5.1 550 (http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=25&product=240) .
Yes Chug, the Logitech® Z-5300 (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/productlist/CA/EN,crid=2172&categoryid=422) will be a good choice! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Colin be sure; THX certification is not a joke. When a product has the stamp, it is proof for the qualtity. You could buy such set even without a listening test first.
But. Ask yourself if you really want 6 speakers (1 subwoofer, 5 surround speakers) in your room. I don't.
See, the Audigy2 ZS card (with EAX 4.0 Advanced High Definition effects), produces ultra-realistic sound in supported games and multi-channel playback in 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1, but you also will have simulated surround in stereo (3 speakers: 2 on your desktop, 1 subwoofer on the floor under your desk). I just described MY situation. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif :D I don't want those 6, 7 or 8 things in my room, don't want to offer space to it, and i want to keep good relations with my neighbours.
I just want crisp clear top quality sound. I receive that perfectly from my Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 --- Award - winning THX® certified two-channel reference personal audio system --- $179.99 (http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=103)
Besides, i often play games with headphones on anyway. To my taste, even better than surround because all detail is right on your ears. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
Thanks everyone again you've been extremely helpful. ;) Joseph, will these speakers work ok with Audigy 2? >> Click Here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000C2KB7/qid%3D1110300995/202-0000722-5772609) <<
Originally posted by Colin125:
Thanks. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif Ok time to make a shopping list, could you help? Also I know this is a bit premature but what PC games do you recommend? I don't like FPS's. Dont like FPS, have you not played Timesplitters 2. Orrrr missing out.
[ 08. March 2005, 17:47: Message edited by: SpArKy ]
No, I haven't played it. I like Action/Adventure, Horror and RPG's.
Originally posted by Colin125:
Joseph, will these speakers work ok with Audigy 2? >> Click Here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000C2KB7/qid%3D1110300995/202-0000722-5772609) << Yes sure, Colin! The specs look very good! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif They're just like my Klipsch. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif
Thanks. Ok, well I think that's it but can you tell me what kind of Audigy 2 to get? >> Click Here (http://www.amazon.co.uk) << There are 10 to choose from.
This one. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/electronics/B0000ERWGA/system-requirements/ref=ed_tec_dp_2_1/202-3092172-4427802)
Btw why do you buy via internet Colin.
Amazon says: Amazon.co.uk = low prices. Did you find this product priced lower than £65.28 somewhere else? http://joseph.tombraiderforums.com/Images/let-us-know-small.gif I think they sell this card a bit too expensive
65.00 United Kingdom Pounds = 93.95 euro
I paid €69,- in my local computershop. Tell them! :D
[ 08. March 2005, 19:22: Message edited by: joseph ]
Oh i admit i paid €129,- for my first Audigy2 card, two years ago now when i built this pc.
Two months ago, i saw the newer model (Audigy2 ZS) in 'my' shop for €69,-. So i bought it, it is for my new to build PC. I already have the case, and the soundcard. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Btw the price of the card has probably been lowered, because of the recent pci-express developements. Surely Creative will launch a newer pci-e version within not too long a period from now.
Originally posted by Colin125:
No, I haven't played it. I like Action/Adventure, Horror and RPG's. I love both these genres too, espeacially Final Fantasy Series, anyway i hope your computer comes together properly.
Thanks Joseph. Well, I know none of my local computer stores will have these items so the only option is to buy from the internet. Also I brought loads of things from Amazon even though they can be a little bit expensive, I completely trust them and they deliver very fast. Well, I guess it's time to get the money (£596) for all this not only that but I will also have to pay an extra £50 to get all of this installed professionally as I do not trust myself one bit. I'll be to afraid of doing it completely wrong and ruining my PC. Anyway Thanks again. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Edit: Thanks SpArKy
[ 08. March 2005, 21:49: Message edited by: Colin125 ]
Thanks Joseph sorry I was looking at the sound card not the speakers must be getting old. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/redface.gif
Chug a Bug
08-03-05, 22:03
Originally posted by joseph:
This one. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/electronics/B0000ERWGA/system-requirements/ref=ed_tec_dp_2_1/202-3092172-4427802)
Btw why do you buy via internet Colin.
Amazon says: </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> Amazon.co.uk = low prices. Did you find this product priced lower than £65.28 somewhere else? http://joseph.tombraiderforums.com/Images/let-us-know-small.gif I think they sell this card a bit too expensive
65.00 United Kingdom Pounds = 93.95 euro
I paid €69,- in my local computershop. Tell them! :D </font>[/QUOTE]Thats about the regular price for this card here unfortunately. I bought mine for about £10 cheaper than that but that was in an auction.
Colin: Whatever types of speakers i.e 5.1 or 2 channel etc it's up to you to choose whatever you think is best. I will say however that a good set of speakers makes a big difference. Whenever I play some of my MP3 music via my 5.1 speakers the sound quality is so clear its astonishing, it's actually better than my regular CD stereo system! :eek:
Hi http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
I just wanted to let you all know that I've brought these upgrades for my PC:
256Mb ASUS V9999 6800 Ultra 2DT-TV-Out, DVI (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=127836)
550W 3XS XClio-SCF aPFC Super Silent (21Db) 12cm Fan 8/20/24 + SATA+PCI-E+Super Cooling Function (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=156690)
Altec Lansing MX5021 Speakers (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000C2KB7/026-6569975-0869206)
Creative Labs Audigy 2 ZS (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000ERWGA/026-6569975-0869206?%5Fencoding=UTF8)
I never released Lara was on the box. :D
All of this cost me £617 but it's all going to be worth it. I also brought the American PC version of Silent Hill 3 from ebay because I much prefer the DVD cover to the UK version (weird I know). :rolleyes:
Hey Colin! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
256Mb ASUS 6800 Ultra - IMPRESSIVE! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
550W - :eek: ...soon coming 'BIG' bills for electricity :D http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif
Silent Hill 3 - GOOD CHOISE!
[ 09. March 2005, 21:31: Message edited by: Apofiss ]
Thanks Apofiss. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Chug a Bug
09-03-05, 23:02
Originally posted by Colin125:
Hi http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
I just wanted to let you all know that I've brought these upgrades for my PC:
256Mb ASUS V9999 6800 Ultra 2DT-TV-Out, DVI (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=127836)
550W 3XS XClio-SCF aPFC Super Silent (21Db) 12cm Fan 8/20/24 + SATA+PCI-E+Super Cooling Function (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=156690)
Creative Labs Audigy 2 ZS (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000ERWGA/026-6569975-0869206?%5Fencoding=UTF8)
I never released Lara was on the box. :D Very nice! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif Have fun ;)
Awesome, Colin! That is awesome. You won't regret this. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif Many congratulations! After this combination is assembled and running, you'll have a Mean Machine!!!!
http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/yikes.gif
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http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif
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:D
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:cool: ................!!!!!
Fantastic, looks amazing, i might just have to steal those speakers to plug into my laptop http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/redface.gif
Imagine if i could somehow attach those to my laptop wireless'ly then have the speakers all around the haouse as i move.
OMG ideas are flying around. I should start thinking about where the money comes from first, lol.
Hi everyone http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
I just thought I give you another update. I'm not in the best of moods at the moment. I received everything listed and I just received the speakers today. And that's why I'm in a bad mood (because of the speakers). Not only were they the wrong colour (they are white not black) but they are huge. There actually Hi-Fi speakers not PC speakers. I email the amazon marketplace seller back asking for a full refund. To be honest I couldn't believe how expensive they were in the first place. £118 for the speakers plus £48 for delivery charge. :eek: I have never paid so much for delivery costs and this is also coming for the UK. I'm thinking about getting the speakers Joseph suggested >>Here (http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=103)<< but are there anymore anyone can suggest?
Thank you
[ 21. March 2005, 15:34: Message edited by: Colin125 ]
I just found these PC speakers >> Here (http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/Upgrades/Audio/Speakers/LOGITECH/970118-0120/590528) << what do you think?
Originally posted by Colin125:
they are huge. There actually Hi-Fi speakers not PC speakers. ... I couldn't believe how expensive they were in the first place. £118 for the speakers plus £48 for delivery charge. :eek: I have never paid so much for delivery costs and this is also coming for the UK. I'm thinking about getting the speakers Joseph suggested >>Here (http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=103)<< ... Huge? Dimensions :132 mm (W) x 63 mm (D) x 260 mm (H) (satellite)
Dimensions: 220 mm (W) x 310 mm (D) x 398 mm (H) (subwoofer)
Your satellites are a tiny bit larger than my Klipsch ( 22 cm high on their feet, 11 cm wide) The subwoofer you place under your desk, on the ground somewhere out of sight.
But of course, if you think they are too big, if you don't want them, send them back.
It is of extreme importance that you're happy with your pc, that's my opinion.
Have you tried them, to check the quality?
I can say about my Klipsch: they sound huge although they look tiny for their performance. I just recently heard the Logitech Z-5500 5.1 set in a shop and was very impressed. Almost decided to buy it. But when i came home and tested my Klipsch 2.1 i again was very satisfied; nothing minor to it in comparison, in the sense of accuracy, spectrum, depth, power, detail... http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif Besides the fact that the Logitech is a anti-social BEAST. :D
You would not regret it, if you'd replace your Altec with my Klipsch.
Originally posted by Colin125:
I just found these PC speakers >> Here (http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/Upgrades/Audio/Speakers/LOGITECH/970118-0120/590528) << what do you think? Looks good, Colin! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif Minor: no headphone jack.
But the specs look good, + THX, + the design looks good, and it is pretty cheap too!
I haven't tried the speakers because if I do I won't get my full refund back also I haven't installed Audigy 2 or any of the other upgrades yet until I get the right speakers so trying these speakers I have now would be pointless. No headphone jack? It says it has. :confused:
Key Features
200 Watts RMS, Subwoofer: 120 watts RMS
THX®-certified performance and quality
Soundtouch wired remote control
Connect to console, DVD or CD player
Headphone jack
Video game console adapter
PS2 and Xbox compatible
High capacity analogue amplifier
Frequency response: 35Hz - 20kHz
PC & MAC compatible
Specification
RMS 200 watts
Sound picture THX/DTS/Dolby Digital
Satellite speakers: 2
Subwoofer Included: Yes
Soundcard included: No
Headphone jack: Yes
Microphone jack: No
Volume control: Yes
Remote type: Yes
Desk or wall mounted: Desk
Subwoofer type: Not Specified
Flat panel: No
Compatibility: PC & MAC + PS2 and XBOX
Tripod included: No
Frequency response: 35 hz
No headphone jack? It says it has.
http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/redface.gif Sorry you're right! No mic jack, i mistook that.
Well, then: no minor comment from me! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Thats ok. ;) I can't wait to get these speakers and also to get my PC updated. Thank you Joseph.
Yeah, i know the feeling! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif
And wow! Good specifications! (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/CA/EN,CRID=2173,CONTENTID=9372)
See the original Logitech price. What you are going to pay via PCWorld is so cheap! :eek: http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Is that Canadian dollars? http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
You're right: it is english pounds. Not that cheap then.
Today:
91.25 British Pound (GBP) = 131.5777 Euro (EUR)
91.25 British Pound (GBP) = 209.6173 Canadian Dollar (CAD)
What you are going to pay via PCWorld is so cheap! :eek: I guess they enjoy customers from abroad very much there; those are so spontaneous! :D
[ 21. March 2005, 22:40: Message edited by: joseph ]
Joseph the speakers are £130 because I'm getting them from the store not online (which is £91). I don't mind paying the extra £40 because at leased I will get to see and take home the speakers with me there and then. Also in PC World I can get all of my PC upgrades installed for £30 if I bring the PC and upgrades to them (in store) and £50 to get someone in my home (I'm going with home). >> Click Here (http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1407014690.111144525 5@@@@&BV_EngineID=cceeaddeeglillicflgceggdhhmdgmi.0&page=GenericEditorial&genericeditorial=pc001_package_upgrade) <<
It looks to me very good service they offer, Colin! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Thanks. Personally I can't wait till this is all over, upgrading is not easy.
I got my laptop from there and insurance too, it is a good alround computer store i think.
Those speakers are amazing, are they wireless or not?
*Picture me connecting them to laptop and blowing the house down, lmao. Plus its nearly summer, if they where wireless i could sit in the garden with them going out whilst on lappy in sun http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/redface.gif
At such an affordable price also.
I don't think there wireless.
I don't think so too: Cables included:
Power cord
Color coded audio cables
SoundTouch™ wired remote control
Bummer...spoled the dream. LOL
Chug a Bug
23-03-05, 20:02
Originally posted by Colin125:
I haven't tried the speakers because if I do I won't get my full refund back also I haven't installed Audigy 2 or any of the other upgrades yet until I get the right speakers so trying these speakers I have now would be pointless. No headphone jack? It says it has. :confused:
Key Features
200 Watts RMS, Subwoofer: 120 watts RMS
THX®-certified performance and quality
Soundtouch wired remote control
Connect to console, DVD or CD player
Headphone jack
Video game console adapter
PS2 and Xbox compatible
High capacity analogue amplifier
Frequency response: 35Hz - 20kHz
PC & MAC compatible
Specification
RMS 200 watts
Sound picture THX/DTS/Dolby Digital
Satellite speakers: 2
Subwoofer Included: Yes
Soundcard included: No
Headphone jack: Yes
Microphone jack: No
Volume control: Yes
Remote type: Yes
Desk or wall mounted: Desk
Subwoofer type: Not Specified
Flat panel: No
Compatibility: PC & MAC + PS2 and XBOX
Tripod included: No
Frequency response: 35 hz Sorry just noticed this sorry for the delay in replying.
You can get a refund from Amazon. No problem. Just return it to the seller giving the reason why i.e. it's not what you ordered and request a full refund from the seller including postage. Unfortunately you won't be able to get a refund on the return postage. If he refuses contact Amazon directly who will give you said refund. Unlike Ebay it's easy to get a proper refund you're covered by the same rights as if you'd bought it from Amazon directly i.e. the sale of goods act.
There are some really dodgy sellers on Amazon recently. I always give an honest descriptions of what I sell and I've never had any comeback apart from one idiot who didn't read the description at all.
Thank you Chug a Bug. I already send back the Hi-Fi speakers and the seller told me that providing the speakers are in an re-saleable condition, i.e. unopened they will initiate a refund through Amazon. Any return where the goods have been open or used (which they haven't) then a 20% restocking fee will be applied and deducted from any refund due. I just can't wait to get the refund and forget about it and to also get the PC speakers from PC World to finally complete the upgrading and to start getting them installed. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Last update
I just wanted to tell you that all of my PC upgrades have been installed. :D I downloaded a few PC demo's to see if they work and to also see what they look like. I downloaded Silent Hill 3, TR: AOD and BloodRayne 2 and they all work perfectly but before the upgrades were installed they weren't. Although I feel that the Silent Hill 3 PC graphics has degraded compared to the PS2 version. Maybe I set the configuration setting wrong. :confused: Anyway, thank you to everyone that helped me, I really do appreciate it. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Hey Colin.
Maybe you would like to benchmark your pc to see how it does.
Aquamark 3 (http://www.aquamark3.com/)
3D Mark 2003 (http://www.futuremark.com/download/?3dmark03.shtml)
Did you buy the Logitech speakers?
Hi Joseph http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
Yes, I did buy the Logitech speakers, there great. Also I forgot to mention that I didn't get the upgrades installed from PC World (there was a catch), I had to brought the upgrades from PC World in order to hire one of there PC technicians to install the upgrades. I found someone else in the yellow pagers who only charged me £35. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif What are these programs?
AquaMark3 is a powerful tool to determine reliable information about the gaming performance of a computer system.
Because the benchmark extensively utilizes DirectX9, DirectX8 and DirectX7 functionality, it represents the requirements of typical gaming applications in 2003 and 2004.
3DMark®03 is the 2003 version of the highly favoured 3DMark series. By combining full DirectX®9.0a support with completely new tests and graphics, 3DMark03 Pro continues the legacy of being the industry standard benchmark. The high quality game tests, image quality tests, sound tests and others give you an extremely accurate overview of your system’s current gaming performance.
http://joseph.tombraiderforums.com/Images/3dmark03_pic1.jpg
http://joseph.tombraiderforums.com/Images/3dmark03_pic2.jpg
[ 25. March 2005, 21:43: Message edited by: joseph ]
The AquaMark3 results are calculated on a single or multiple pass basis under predefined or customer-defined boundary conditions. A single pass consists of a series of scenes, where each scene is built around a specific subject typically found in games (like particles, plants, illumination, culling, physics etc.). Although every scene seems to be fully predefined (i.e. cutscene), no object follows predefined paths. The actions of the objects are entirely simulated in real-time using the artificial intelligence, the physics and the collision system of the engine.
While running the benchmark the visual environment of the spectator will change significantly. The benchmark map has been designed to encompass a broad variety of environments commonly available in current action games. Despite of the fact that the different scenes highlight certain visual or game play specific features, these effects never stand alone and are always embedded in the complex context of a fully featured game engine. This is a major difference compared to a synthetic benchmark focused on a stand-alone effect evaluation. AquaMark3 uses a simple but reliable simulation scheme. In the benchmark pass each simulation step alternates with one display step. After the simulation step is executed, the visual data gets extracted and a frame is displayed by the rendering engine. In an active game, controlled by the user, the game engine sometimes needs to drop frames or run the simulation step twice to synchronize the real-time input and output. Although this scheme is widely used in games, in a benchmark it would cause non reproducible results. Running to create a valid score, AquaMark3 will not drop frames. However the user will have the option to drop frames, thus running the benchmark in synchronized real-time mode with additional music. For the reasons mentioned above this mode generates no results at all.
The standard report generated by AquaMark3 allows an overall analysis of the single and multiple pass results. The analysis can be carried out on a pass-by-pass, a scene-by-scene and even a frame-by-frame basis. To ensure a faultless and comparable analysis, AquaMark3 creates different predefined and standardized files which can intuitively be used in the Microsoft(R) Excel Software Package.
Thanks Joseph. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Hi Joseph http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif
I was wondering if you could give me a link to update my graphics card drivers?
latest nvidia drivers (http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_71.84.html)
But Colin, for Tomb Raider don't use the latest, they have a problem with Tomb Raider. Use this previous driver version for your nVidia graphic card: nvidia version 56.72 (http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_56.72.html)
[ 05. April 2005, 23:08: Message edited by: joseph ]
Thanks Joseph. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Btw Colin, is your new pc running good? Are you content?
It runs perfectly. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
... http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif ... :D
Hi Joseph
I had a really big problem yesterday updating the latest drivers for my graphic card. I downloaded them and restarted my PC but when I was back on my desktop my mouse pointed was black and the start up icons were all disoriented in colour and everytime I minimised a window (for example My Documents) it will still be on the screen like it was burnt on. I then released I downloaded the US drivers not the international ones. So I downloaded them but I still experienced the same problem so I decided the install the previous drivers and before I installed them a message came up saying these drivers are older then the ones I have installed. I click yes to continue the installation and restarted my PC. When I was back on my desktop the screen resolution was in 800x600. Where as my minimal screen resolution before was 1024x768. I changed the resolution without even looking at the size (because my maximal and default screen resolution is 1280x1024 and the bar for choosing what screen resolution was always to the right). Anyway I notice then the screen resolution was something like 1600x something and because I choose the option to restart my computer before applying the setting the problem started. Everytime after the windows XP logo with the blue loading bar had finished the screen went blank and a box came up saying out of range. I realised what I have done and I tried everything to get my PC to start but nothing seemed to work the box after the windows XP logo kept coming up until I realised if I press the F11 key two options become available. One is to use system restore and to other to restore my PC from the day on purchase. I choose to use system restore but it didn't help so them I use the other option to restore my PC to day of purchase. This meant that all of my modem, graphics, Audigy 2 drivers and all the other programs and data will be lossed. I choose it anyway and my PC finally loaded normally but I still had to install everything I had lossed. After that everything was back to normal again. But I don't understand why it did this and why are there graphical problems when I update my graphic drivers. :confused:
http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/yikes.gif
You now see that it is very important you always choose the right drivers, and the drivers update websites always navigate the user to the right ones. It is important you follow that. Otherwise it is not an Update but an Harrassment to the system. Drivers communicate with Windows. I have Dutch version of Windows XP. Would i install UK version of drivers i would get the same problem: drivers can not communicate, which lames the graphic part of the system. That's all.
It is good that there is that option on your pc, to restore to assemblers' settings, saves you the effort of reinstalling Windows. But you have to reinstall everything you did since you bought the pc.
So there is a much better option: buy Symantec Ghost 9.0 (which is the newest version of Powerquest Drive Image). This program lets you create an Image of your complete Windows install including all programs, drivers etc. to place onto another partition. Whenever a disaster as you just experienced happens again, you simply restore image. This is of course MUCH better than go back to assemblers' settings because you wouldn't have to reinstall everything. Also, it is better than Windows System Restore because that is a dynamic and vulnerable part of Windows, whereas an Image is a 'frozen' duplicate.
An Image restore takes normally between 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the size of the image (relevant to the size of the original), and you would have everything back to normal.
Oh yeah, i find Drive Image and Partition Magic a unmissable couple. With PartitionMagic i create , resize, merge, delete partitions on my harddisks (almost) as simple as handling folders. With Drive Image i backup and restore an image(s) of my Windows partition(s). You could do a lot more with them, but i only use them for this.
I have never had more problems (like yours and much worse) as when i started with pc's with Windows 98 and Millennium. I guess some months of my life have been wasted on trying to solve problems without having to reinstall.
Out of pure desparate need, i invented these programs in my own head (not really of course). I asked around, and discovered these programs actually exist! :D Oh man was i happy! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
It will prove very usefull and give you the secure feeling you have your meticulously configured Windows as an image in a safe place. Whenever your system suddenly decides to start playing DOOM with you, you just restore image.
[ 07. April 2005, 20:38: Message edited by: joseph ]
Thank you Joseph. Do you have a link to these two programs? http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
[ 08. April 2005, 07:49: Message edited by: Colin125 ]
Symantec PartitionMagic® Pro (http://sea.symantec.com/content/product.cfm?productid=1)
Symantec's Norton Ghost™ 9.0 (http://www.symantecstore.com/dr/sat3/ec_MAIN.Entry17c?CID=0&SID=00&SP=10007&PN=5&PID=646666&DSP=&CUR=978&PGRP=0&CACHE_ID=0)
Symantec Ghost™ Solution Suite (http://sea.symantec.com/content/product.cfm?productid=9) http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
[Edit: the Ghost solution suite is a bit too much for home usage. :D Sorry for that link.]
[ 08. April 2005, 17:58: Message edited by: joseph ]
Thanks. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Sorry Colin i edited my earlier post. The link i first had there to Ghost, was not the right version for home use. :D
a Ghost as standalone: Symantec's Norton Ghost™ 9.0 (http://www.symantecstore.com/dr/sat3/ec_MAIN.Entry17c?CID=0&SID=00&SP=10007&PN=5&PID=646666&DSP=&CUR=978&PGRP=0&CACHE_ID=0)
But hey Colin, maybe this is even better: >> Symantec’s Norton SystemWorks™ 2005 Premier << (http://www.symantecstore.com/dr/sat5/ec_MAIN.Entry17c?CID=0&SID=27674&SP=10007&PN=5&PID=646621&DSP=&CUR=840&PGRP=0&CACHE_ID=74454) contains Ghost. You'd have a package with more pc-health utilities.
Or this: >> Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2005 bundled with Norton Ghost™ 9.0 << (http://www.symantecstore.com/dr/sat5/ec_MAIN.Entry10?V1=667640&PN=1&SP=10023&xid=27674&CID=0&DSP=&CUR=840&PGRP=0&CACHE_ID=74454)
I saw in my local store Ghost 9.0 as standalone, as well as part of these bundles. The bundles offer much more in their entirety, so they are relatively less expensive.
[ 08. April 2005, 18:01: Message edited by: joseph ]
Thans Joseph. I already have Norton Internet Security 2005 but I don't have Norton Ghost 9.0.
Not yet. But that will soon change i guess. :D
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