Screen flickering problems with 3d games

[spittledip]

Hi,

I am having problems with an old card in my old computer- the only one I have right now due to finances- and was hoping to receive some help here.

System specs:k6 533, 128 pc100, riva tnt2 64m (PCI), windows 98 2nd, 145 psu (it's a compaq presario)

Problem: I am attempting to play Kingpin and No One Lives Forever, but upon leaving the loading screens and entering the 3d screens, the screen flickers and bends and goes black over and over aain, in such a way to make it impossible to play. With Kingpin, I am able to get it to work perfectly in windowed mode, but not full screen. Does anyone have any ideas what the problem could be, and how to fix it?

Thanks

 

[spittledip]

update: I tested direct3d via dxdiag.exe, and I got the same exact flickering problems with direct3d 7 and 8, but 9 was perfect with no problems at all.

 

[spittledip]

can I get some help here? I tried using older drivers for the card, but that did not help. please, i need help here

 

[spittledip]

Is it possibly the small psu? help pls?

 

[Frodolives]

I used to have an HP with a 433 celeron and a 90watt psu, but it somehow supported my Evga geforce 2 pci 32mb and it was surprising what games it could handle. Having said that, your ps is indeed a possible issue, but I don't think that card is a power hog, and plenty of similar tnt2 chipsets were onboard old motherboards of that time.

Something else not to take for granted is dust in your system. Heat can be a huge factor that can show up as signs of graphics card stress when your system is used to the limit. Be sure that there is no accumulation of dust anywhere, to include all cards, chipsets and heatsinks as well.

Someone smarter than I will show up I expect, but I can tell you that more than once I "fixed" a graphics problem on an old pc just by dusting, hehe, so be sure you've addressed that in the meantime.

Also you might want to post in the video forum.

 

[spittledip]

Thanks for the reply, I will post in the video forum also.

 

[BadThad]

It's your video card, that thing is a dinosaur.

 

[spittledip]

It's not the card itself as it passes the direct3d 9 test. There must be some way to fix the situation. I am aware of how old and crappy my system is, but if you are willing to donate money, maybe I can buy a new one. If not, posts like that are unecesarry, thanks

 

[BadThad]

Originally posted by: spittledip
It's not the card itself as it passes the direct3d 9 test. There must be some way to fix the situation. I am aware of how old and crappy my system is, but if you are willing to donate money, maybe I can buy a new one. If not, posts like that are unecesarry, thanks

Just because it passes that test doesn't mean everything is fine. Also, not all games use DX anyway. Don't want my help, huh? OK pal, my pleasure!

 

[spittledip]

NOLF uses dx, and I assume that the other game does too as it had similar problems as the dxdiag.exe. The card should be able to play these games as it fuly meets the requirements. Your post wasn't helpful and kind of annoying as I am aware that it sux and wish i had a better card- I am sure you have a much better system so you take this for granted.