x2 gaming issue

[fogeyman]

I posted earlier in the Software forum for a problem I was having with games crashing and running in fast-forward. The response essentially pointed to downloading an XP hotfix and updating my AMD x2 drivers. After installing the hotfix (and the registry key enabling it), games ran properly with no more of the fast-forwarding or crashing for about a week. Then, maybe two weeks after the hotfix was installed, I started getting crashes in BF2. Gradually, other games began crashing and signs of the fast-forwarding also returned (GTA2 would run fast-forwarded and in GTA:SA the startup images of the Rockstar logo being painted would run fast-forwarded, though not the game itself yet).

Currently, I'm running:
AMD A64 x2 4200+ @ 2.64 ghz (with driver version 1.2.2.2 and the XP Hotfix mentioned in the above thread, Cool 'n Quiet is disabled)
eVGA GeForce 7800GT (with driver version 81.85)
ASUS A8N-E

When I originally had the problems, I was running an older version of the NVIDIA drivers (77.77) and I upgraded (to 81.85) after applying the hotfix and after games started crashing again.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Gatt]

Are you setting Affinity?

I have run into occasional problems when I don't set affinity, Dragonshard and NHL 2005 both crashed at random and skipped screens on me without affinity set, once it's set I have no more problems.

Also, google for Runfirst. I haven't had to use it, but it's a more effective solution than Affinity from what I'm told.

As far as the 81.85's go, they're dual core aware, the vid card will pass off vertex work to the second core. Pretty nice bump in performance too, but it shouldn't cause crashes.

I also should mention, I don't use the Hotfix.

It's a timing issue though, probably making sure it runs on one core will solve the problem.

 

[fogeyman]

I don't set the affinity, however the hotfix is supposed to remove the need to set the affinity.

EDIT: I downloaded Runfirst but how do I use it? After I unzip and run the file, my screen briefly flashes black (I think to a cmd prompt) and then returns to normal.

 

[Griswold]

You say CnQ is disabled. I was under the impression that the hotfix shall not be used (because it doesnt work, or causes problems?) with CnQ disabled. Maybe try without hotfix and just the X2 driver + CnQ disabled? Or with the current setup but CnQ enabled (cant overclock then, though).

If games are just crashing, it could also be anything else causing it.

FWIW, I also disabled CnQ, got only the X2 driver installed and never had any game issues so far - without the hotfix of course. I also dont set affinity for any games I play.

 

[fatty4ksu]

You're forced to set affinity, mostly w/EA sports games.

 

[rise]

yeah, madden 05 is my last problem

gta:sa was a problem but is fine for me since the msft patch. thats odd you're still having problems with that.

i'd maybe roll back your nv drivers and see if that helps.

 

[fogeyman]

Originally posted by: Griswold
You say CnQ is disabled. I was under the impression that the hotfix shall not be used (because it doesnt work, or causes problems?) with CnQ disabled. Maybe try without hotfix and just the X2 driver + CnQ disabled? Or with the current setup but CnQ enabled (cant overclock then, though).

If games are just crashing, it could also be anything else causing it.

FWIW, I also disabled CnQ, got only the X2 driver installed and never had any game issues so far - without the hotfix of course. I also dont set affinity for any games I play.

While the hotfix was intended to be used with CnQ enabled, multiple people have posted saying it works with or without CnQ. Also, this bug seems to be a very case-by-case issue. A few people have no symptoms whatsoever without either the x2 driver or the hotfix (with and without CnQ) and others have minor issues and others major.

 

[evilharp]

Originally posted by: fogeyman

When I originally had the problems, I was running an older version of the NVIDIA drivers (77.77) and I upgraded (to 81.85) after applying the hotfix and after games started crashing again.

Could be the driver upgrade (seriously). Did the fast-forward (etc.) occur after you upgraded the driver?

I have an Ati card, and I have no problems with my X2 since the hotfix (even with a Catalyst upgrade). I heard that the forceware driver was suppossed to be dual-core enhanced, but I wasn't totally paying attention (not using nvidia card), so I have no idea if this is confirmed.

Try rolling back the driver to 77.77 and see if the problem is still there. Also, make sure the reg key is still set to 1, the driver may have set it to 0 during the install.