Serious Game Lag! Why??

[Lendi]

Why in the world, now the I finally have a city worthy of some respect, has the game suddenly started lagging so badly!? I went to the FAQ and it said, in regards to this problem, clear off all tiles under building, delete any large amount of limestone blocks (just how do you delete them anyway?) and make sure no doorways are blocked (I couldn't see any).. Well, I did have beautiful tiles under all my buildings, so I cleared off every nearly single one.. Still, the lag persists.. I have tons of memory and ram on this computer so I'm certain that's not the problem, I'm hoping someone out there has had this happen and can tell me what they did to solve it.. I did change the settings in the game to the lowest for optimized game play rather then good graphics, but I'm at a loss as to where to go from here.. I hate to have to start over before completing my beautiful city (there's still lots to do with it)but I can't continue on with this kind of lag.. Thanks for you any help you can give me.. :cool:

[Tinkerbell]

Every person in COTN is very intelligent & is constantly making new decisions, Lendi. This requires computer power. You will never be able to fill the map with city.

The Lag Monster™ hits everyone eventually. It is the nature of the beast along with the map size/complexity & your computer itself. Deleting sprites can be helpful, such as vegetation & under-building unnecessary plazas you Pretty Builders make.

I don't know where you got the delete quarried limestone, cuz you can't. However, you can not quarry extra in the first place, or use it up by exporting or building pyramids.

Populations less than 2000 are pretty much the max for me & I can not only win, but Continue Play every scenario that has ever been designed.

EDIT: To cover all the bases, it is possible for you to have done something the game does not like & it has gotten you into an endless-loop condition that looks like lag, but really isn't. ;) Most of these "false lag" situations can be corrected & the game will return to normal. I would have to see your save, but I can't play your saves.

As far as optimizing your computer for better performance, that is not my department. Sorry. I do Gameplay Help. I am not a Techie in any way. Perhaps someone else can help you there, but they will want you to upload your DxDiag file.

[Lendi]

Every person in COTN is very intelligent & is constantly making new decisions, Lendi. This requires computer power. You will never be able to fill the map with city.

The Lag Monster™ hits everyone eventually. It is the nature of the beast along with the map size/complexity & your computer itself. Deleting sprites can be helpful, such as vegetation & under-building unnecessary plazas you Pretty Builders make.

I don't know where you got the delete quarried limestone, cuz you can't. However, you can not quarry extra in the first place, or use it up by exporting or building pyramids.

Populations less than 2000 are pretty much the max for me & I can not only win, but Continue Play every scenario that has ever been designed.

EDIT: To cover all the bases, it is possible for you to have done something the game does not like & it has gotten you into an endless-loop condition that looks like lag, but really isn't. ;) Most of these "false lag" situations can be corrected & the game will return to normal. I would have to see your save, but I can't play your saves.

As far as optimizing your computer for better performance, that is not my department. Sorry. I do Gameplay Help. I am not a Techie in any way. Perhaps someone else can help you there, but they will want you to upload your DxDiag file.

Hi Tinkie! I'm pretty sure I'm not in any kind of loop situation as my little characters are still building my medium pyramid and it's continuing to grow, so that tells it's not in a loop.. I did remove all the tiles and it was the FAQ that told me if you have over 300 quarried blocks sitting around (and I have a lot)that would lag the game too.. So it's probably just what you said, the city's gotten too big and that's that.. I'm surprised though, because with the computing power of systems like mine, you would think this would be a thing of the past.. I remember playing games like COTN on my past machines and they lagged something awful, but I sure thought this one, with all it's memory and ram would not do that.. So, I guess I'll just start a new city and say good-bye to this one, but it's kind of a shame you have to stop creating something when you still have so much room to grow and evolve.. Oh well, maybe we humans should take a hint from the game and stop growing and over-populating our own small chunk of rock, huh? :p As always, thanks for you help.. I'm off to start up another little piece of paradise.. :rolleyes:

[Kiya]

and make sure no doorways are blocked (I couldn't see any)..
If you mean your save Lendi3, many of your soldiers' huts have their doorway blocked. Could be other building too, didn't check all of them. In this attached pic you can see it. Anyway from the stats of the pic Tinkie can count how many people are there in your city (roughly).

Good luck for your next city. :)

Please attach your dxdiag, I might be able to tell if there is something in it.

[Tinkerbell]

Yep, improperly turned & blocked buildings = endless loop conditions = lag

Every building needs either a road or a space in front of their doors. Yup yup yup. Most will still work, but not as well & they slow down the game. "Deciding what to do" hesitations & the problems people have getting out of their homes that we don't even see.

[Kiya]

You're very welcome Tinkie.

I'm surprised though, because with the computing power of systems like mine, you would think this would be a thing of the past..
If your system has lots of power, RAM memory and all that, it shouldn't have that much lag as you are saying (can't continue on with this kind of lag...) I don't have a super computer myself and there is no lag when I let your save run. Please, again, post your dxdiag.

[tomnobles]

I didn't experience lag at all with your save. Your population is close to or possibly over 2,000. With my old computer, this is where lag started. However, I still built cities over 10,000 (I have a lot of patience).

If you click Start, then Run, then type "dxdiag" & tap Enter, the DirectX Diagnostic Tool will load. Click on Save All Information and upload it here and someone will have a look at it.

[Lendi]

I didn't experience lag at all with your save. Your population is close to or possibly over 2,000. With my old computer, this is where lag started. However, I still built cities over 10,000 (I have a lot of patience).

If you click Start, then Run, then type "dxdiag" & tap Enter, the DirectX Diagnostic Tool will load. Click on Save All Information and upload it here and someone will have a look at it.

Ok Guys, I went back in and carefully fixed everything you mentioned.. I had forgotten all about checking the soldiers tents, but they are fixed now.. I also found a few more turned around houses and fixed those.. I made sure any servants quarters had access to the roads, but alas, it really didn't make much difference at all.. Tom, here is my dxdiag, I already had a copy in my files.. I should have dx9 or 10 on my system, plus, the last copy of the game after I fixed all the problems I could find.. I hope it will tell you something about the problem.. Meanwhile, I'm working on my newest city using the Voice of Sobeck (talk about a Vulcan name, :p).. It's a smaller map and I'll keep my city smaller but still pretty.. Thanks all.. :)

[Manni]

Why in the world, now the I finally have a city worthy of some respect, has the game suddenly started lagging so badly!?

Well Lendi..........in my opinion your machine has come to its limit as far as the graphic is concerned.

You have VISTA alright, plenty of RAM but "only" an Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset.
The driver you have installed there is Version: 7.14.0010.1461 from 3/25/2008

The HP-site doesn`t offer a newer for you (and won`t do........that`s for sure).
Try this driver for your video-chip: Version 15.8.3.1504 from 6/26/2008 it might turn things into better.

Get it from here:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=2102&OSFullName=&lang=eng&strOSs=153&submit=Go!

best o`luck!

[Lendi]

Well Lendi..........in my opinion your machine has come to its limit as far as the graphic is concerned.

You have VISTA alright, plenty of RAM but "only" an Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset.
The driver you have installed there is Version: 7.14.0010.1461 from 3/25/2008

The HP-site doesn`t offer a newer for you (and won`t do........that`s for sure).
Try this driver for your video-chip: Version 15.8.3.1504 from 6/26/2008 it might turn things into better.

Get it from here:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=2102&OSFullName=&lang=eng&strOSs=153&submit=Go!

best o`luck!
c
Manni, thanks for the suggestion, I tried downloading the driver but all I kept getting was this error message "The driver being installed is not validated for this computer, please obtain the appropriate driver from the computer's manufacture".. I'm probably not doing it right but I tried it several times..
I double checked to make sure it was the one you suggested and it is, but it just won't install.. Any suggestions what I should do? Thanks so much, you guys are all great! :p

[Manni]

Hellö Lendi,

sorry but you mean even downloading doesn`t work or infact INSTALLING the driver? Which?

Incase you can`t even download it............do you have scripts forbidden in your browser?

I have just downloaded it alright!

When you mean "it refuses to install" then your pc is probably "locked from HP" to get the nature-drivers, sorry.

There you have the reason why I don`t buy HP pc`s.

[Lendi]

Hellö Lendi,

sorry but you mean even downloading doesn`t work or infact INSTALLING the driver? Which?

Incase you can`t even download it............do you have scripts forbidden in your browser?

I have just downloaded it alright!

When you mean "it refuses to install" then your pc is probably "locked from HP" to get the nature-drivers, sorry.

There you have the reason why I don`t buy HP pc`s.

No Manni, it downloaded fine, it was when I tried to install it that I got that the error occurred.. I am the admin on this computer (I'm the only user) so am unsure why it won't let me install it.. Yes, this will be my LAST HP, if I have anything to say about it.. :o

i

[mouse]

The reason you had a problem with the Intel driver is that HP has their hardware customized so that only their drivers work. On board video is problemic for gaming since it shares your ram in addition you have a great deal running in the background which is what's slowing your system down with this game. Vista by it's nature is a resource hog specially in the video department if you have areo enabled.
The best decision you could make is to not buy another HP computer for a number of reasons not just the video.

[Manni]

Thank you mouse for the full explaination! :)

"Customized" was the word which I missed in my poor english knowledge. :rolleyes:

If Lendi does have a lot running in the background it is no problem to sort things out there easily.
All you have to do Lendi is to attach a pic from your list of system-starts and we`d let you know which program could be cut out.

The easiest way to sort out the starters is to use "CCleaner" which you get free here: http://www.ccleaner.com/

This feature of CCleaner shows all start entries........please see my screen-shot!

[Lendi]

Thank you mouse for the full explaination! :)

"Customized" was the word which I missed in my poor english knowledge. :rolleyes:

If Lendi does have a lot running in the background it is no problem to sort things out there easily.
All you have to do Lendi is to attach a pic from your list of system-starts and we`d let you know which program could be cut out.

The easiest way to sort out the starters is to use "CCleaner" which you get free here: http://www.ccleaner.com/

This feature of CCleaner shows all start entries........please see my screen-shot!

Umm, ok, and where exactly do I fine this list of system starts? Sorry guys, I am a bit computer illiterate.. I mean your talking about things I really never look at.. I do have clean-up and virus checks set to run every week thru Windows Live One Care and I do have a small registry cleaner which I run a couple of times a month and I also run a separate defrag program once a week because stupid One Care's will only do a partial defrag, but other then these I really don't know much about what the computer runs in the back ground.. So, how do I take a pic to send to you of this systems starts? Manni, I downloaded the program and will run it right now.. Thanks so much for the advice.. I know something is hogging up my memory, I just don't know what it is, and Mouse, you are sooo right about HP.. Never again and this time I really mean it! I'm hoping next year to have enough saved to buy a new laptop (damn, they are expensive), then I'll just use this one for email and stuff while I play my wonderful games on the laptop.. :rolleyes:

[Manni]

Lendi.........when you installed CCleaner just start it and use the bit which is marked on my picture.

As soo as you see the "startup-list" make a screenshot of it by doing this:

find the key "PRINT" on your keyboard and press once (whatever is shown on desktop is now saved in the cache alright)

close ccleaner again

open up "PAINT"

in Paint you go on "insert"...and you should see the ccleaner-bit

save the shot as jpeg somewhere and attach it with next posting, alright?

.....and next machine a laptop? Laptops don`t have very good vidoe-chips/cards inside ...but an ALIEN-laptop has.

You don`t win much as far as your games are concernend when you get a laptop.

[mouse]

Lendi don't let Manni fool you about his understanding of english it's actually very very good:p He just never has owned an HP;)

Now to your computer issue almost every program that's installed on a computer seems to want to run at startup. Those programs usually install an icon right by your clock those items all steal resources from your system add to that all the processes that Vista adds and the junk that HP installs on systems. There are two ways you can turn them off: 1. right click on the icon and a menu should come up with an option to exit 2. go to run type in msconfig then go to the start up tab there you can turn off programs that run at startup but be careful that you only turn off things like auto updates and other things you can identify.

When you buy a laptop make sure you buy one with an actual video card. The way you will know it has an actual video card is it will say video is either it will be named either Nvidia or AMD Ati;)

[Lendi]

Lendi.........when you installed CCleaner just start it and use the bit which is marked on my picture.

As soo as you see the "startup-list" make a screenshot of it by doing this:

find the key "PRINT" on your keyboard and press once (whatever is shown on desktop is now saved in the cache alright)

close ccleaner again

open up "PAINT"

in Paint you go on "insert"...and you should see the ccleaner-bit

save the shot as jpeg somewhere and attach it with next posting, alright?

.....and next machine a laptop? Laptops don`t have very good vidoe-chips/cards inside ...but an ALIEN-laptop has.

You don`t win much as far as your games are concernend when you get a laptop.

Ok Hon.. Here's the pic of my start-up stuff.. Thanks for showing me how to do that with my prt/scn button.. I do have a sneaky little program called Screen Snapper which I keep on my sidebar that does the same thing, but I just forgot about it cuz I don't use it very much, but it's niffy when I see a great picture I want online but it's blocked.. I mean I don't steal them or anything like that, I just like to change the background on my computer on occasion.. :p So, take a look and let me know if there is anything that would be safe to delete or shut down.. What about, perhaps, replacing my video card with a new one? Do you think that would help, that is, if they are not too expensive.. I mean most of the time I really like this computer (although I dislike Vista very much), it's just when I want to play games, that I really get frustrated with the thing.. I hate the fact that HP has fixed these things so you can't upgrade to better equipment.. That's really stupid, especially since the driver is already an Intel! I mean what the heck is wrong with doing an upgrade to a driver from the company that made the damn thing? Arrrggg! HP sucks! Never again! :eek: Ok, ok, enough griping.. Thanks for you help, I think doing this stuff may do a lot more to improve this system then just playing games.. :rolleyes:
Btw, your english IS just fine, like Mouse says.. Heck, it's a lot better then some of the people I know born and raised in this country! Mouse, don't worry, I won't be buying a laptop for quite awhile, they are a little out of my budget right now, but when the time comes that I can afford one, I'll talk to you about first to make sure I get the right stuff on it.. Thanks Hon, I appreciate both of you! ;)

P.S. WOW! Those Alien laptops are VERY pricy, Manni! Even on EBay.. :)

[Manni]

Hello Lendi again,

I wish you had used the start-up from ccleaner which is a lot easier to handle.

With that you could delete all the "foggy" entries which are dead anyway.

Now the the visible "active" lot........if it was my machine I`d stop the lot there do a reboot and have another look.
Defender and One Care will wake up on their own most certainly but the rest is all useless.....my opinion.

look at my start-up (but it`s from XP)

you can see that in ccleaner I can delete "foggy" entries

[speysider]

Windows Live One Care

Windows Live OneCare only works for a little while, try AVG 8.0 Free and get PC Tools Firewall Plus are your main protectors of the net.

AVG Downloader: http://www.avg.com/filedir/inst/avg_free_stf_en_8_176a1400.exe

PC Tools Downloader: http://www.pctools.com/mirror/fwinstall.exe

[Lendi]

Hello Lendi again,

I wish you had used the start-up from ccleaner which is a lot easier to handle.

With that you could delete all the "foggy" entries which are dead anyway.

Now the the visible "active" lot........if it was my machine I`d stop the lot there do a reboot and have another look.
Defender and One Care will wake up on their own most certainly but the rest is all useless.....my opinion.

look at my start-up (but it`s from XP)

you can see that in ccleaner I can delete "foggy" entries

Manni, that IS the start-up picture from CCleaner after I used it, those grayed out items can be deleted, they are only gray because they are not enabled.. Still, I wouldn't want to delete some things like CursorXP since I use it all the time.. Windows sidebar and Steam (which is the program that has all my games on).. Lexmark is my printer.. I'm not sure what I should delete, you have to be more specific.. Remember I'm no computer whiz.. :eek:
I don't want to remove anything that might harm this system, but don't want to have anything running to hog memory (especially graphics) either.. BTW, where are you from? I would guess South America somewhere, am I right?

[Lendi]

Windows Live OneCare only works for a little while, try AVG 8.0 Free and get PC Tools Firewall Plus are your main protectors of the net.

AVG Downloader: http://www.avg.com/filedir/inst/avg_free_stf_en_8_176a1400.exe

PC Tools Downloader: http://www.pctools.com/mirror/fwinstall.exe

Spey, thanks for the tips, Hon.. But I've never had a problem with OneCare with the exception of it's defrag program.. I have a separate program though, that I use to defrag.. Everything else works just fine.. I prefer to use it for backups and virus/firewall protection because it came with the computer and has been running the Tuneup program every Saturday morning since I got it.. I feel like it does a pretty good job of protecting my system, but hell, I don't think anything really can protect your computer from a determined hacker.. But they would be very disappointed if they hacked this old gal's stuff because she ain't got much to steal.. :o

[Kiya]

...but they would be very disappointed if they hacked this old gal's stuff because she ain't got much to steal.. :o
I don't think they are after your stuff but using your computer for their purposes. ;)

[Lendi]

I don't think they are after your stuff but using your computer for their purposes. ;)

:D Considering all the problems I have with it, they probably wouldn't fair any better! But I think it's pretty well protected anyway.. :cool:

[speysider]

When OneCare reaches the end of its trial (say 20-10 days) the anti-virus updater no longer connects to the site it gets it's updates from.

[Kiya]

:D Considering all the problems I have with it, they probably wouldn't fair any better! But I think it's pretty well protected anyway.. :cool:

Excellent that your computer is well protected. As what comes to hackers they probably would use other people's computers for sending spam and such, and that yours can do perfectly (if it wasn't properly protected that is).

[Manni]

Manni, that IS the start-up picture from CCleaner after I used it, those grayed out items can be deleted, they are only gray because they are not enabled.. You are right. The "grays" you can delete with no problem.


Still, I wouldn't want to delete some things like CursorXP since I use it all the time..Right. If you want CursorXP to start it`s work with booting windows then leave it as it is.

Windows sidebar and Steam (which is the program that has all my games on)..You only need STEAM when you actually start a "steam-game" and then it`ll load itself. So you don`t really want it with win-start ALWAYS.

Lexmark is my printer..I know...but do you always print as soon as win starts???
The item appears again when you activate the printer. But in options of Lexmark there is certainly a line "start with windows" which you can DEactivate. Why should the printer be activated when you don`t even print yet?! Unchecking it does NOT delete the Lexmark-software.

I don't want to remove anything that might harm this system, Anything you uncheck will NOT harm the system. Your sytem will start anyway but those "additional starters" there have nothing to do with the system itself.

I give you an example for useless entries:
when installing quicktime you get a useless item in there
when installing JAVA you get a useless item in there
when installing Microsoft Word you get a useless item in there called ctfmon
an so on........

where are you from? I would guess South America somewhere, am I right? No. next to my name it says Berlin which is the one in Germany

[Lendi]

You are right. The "grays" you can delete with no problem.

Right. If you want CursorXP to start it`s work with booting windows then leave it as it is.

You only need STEAM when you actually start a "steam-game" and then it`ll load itself. So you don`t really want it with win-start ALWAYS.

I know...but do you always print as soon as win starts???
The item appears again when you activate the printer. But in options of Lexmark there is certainly a line "start with windows" which you can DEactivate. Why should the printer be activated when you don`t even print yet?! Unchecking it does NOT delete the Lexmark-software.

Anything you uncheck will NOT harm the system. Your sytem will start anyway but those "additional starters" there have nothing to do with the system itself.

I give you an example for useless entries:
when installing quicktime you get a useless item in there
when installing JAVA you get a useless item in there
when installing Microsoft Word you get a useless item in there called ctfmon
an so on........

where are you from? I would guess South America somewhere, am I right? No. next to my name it says Berlin which is the one in Germany

Ok, got it.. If I don't use them and they are not needed when I turn on my computer in the morning then uncheck them.. :cool: The reason I guessed SA was because on your copy of CCleaner that you sent, 'yes' was marked as 'Ja', which also mean yes 'down south' from me.. :D At least my friend from Chili always uses it.. Sorry, I missed the Berlin, wasn't paying attention, but that's nothing new for me.. :o Thanks for all your help, I'll uncheck those and hope they help my graphics processor work a little better..

[Lendi]

When OneCare reaches the end of its trial (say 20-10 days) the anti-virus updater no longer connects to the site it gets it's updates from.

Spey, what do you mean 'trial'? I've been using OneCare since I got my computer and when I check my 'tune-up' reports each Saturday it shows that OneCare downloaded the latest virus updates.. Are you saying it really does NOT update my virus program.. I certainly never received anything from HP indicating that OneCare was a short-term program.. :eek: Explain, please.. Thanks..

[Manni]

Ok, got it..Good.

If I don't use them and they are not needed when I turn on my computer in the morning then uncheck themDon`t wait untill morning...uncheck them NOW.

I'll uncheck those and hope they help my graphics processor work a little better.. Your processor (the cpu) will be thankful for it! The graphic`s processor (the gpu) has nothing to do with that---that is a different matter. :)

Befor I made the CCleaner-screenshot for you I had changed my CCleaner from German into English but it didn`t bother with those "JA"`s which is YES of course as you guessed. :)

Another thing Lendi.........HP has nothing to do with OneCare.
OneCare is from Microsoft and not from Hewlett-Packard.

If OneCare was installed on you HP when you bought it then HP did a favour to Micro and put it on...just like the other unneeded programs which are stuck in and most are useless.

[Lendi]

[Another thing Lendi.........HP has nothing to do with OneCare.
OneCare is from Microsoft and not from Hewlett-Packard.

If OneCare was installed on you HP when you bought it then HP did a favour to Micro and put it on...just like the other unneeded programs which are stuck in and most are useless.]


Oh, I didn't know that.. So it's not working to keep my virus program updated? Damn Sam!! That's scary, I use it all the time thinking, wrongly I guess, that it's keeping my computer safe.. Why is it still working and doing it's weekly tune-up if it's not a valid program anymore? I mean when I look at it it says my firewall and virus protection is ON, if I try to switch it off, it warns me not to do that.. So surely, it's still working, right?

[Manni]

Look Lendi..........take a few minutes a read what`s on this page about OneCare: (trial is free but then they want money!)

http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm

Get always-on protection and maintenance for up to 3 PCs for just £37.99 (GBP)* a year.

[Lendi]

Look Lendi..........take a few minutes a read what`s on this page about OneCare: (trial is free but then they want money!)

http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm

Get always-on protection and maintenance for up to 3 PCs for just £37.99 (GBP)* a year.

Well, my OneCare is up and running and up-to-date according to my account.. Now, this is funny but it all seems attached to my Qwest Broadband account.. Maybe it's just that it's all still active and still on the trial run, because I haven't received anything from HP or Windows telling me I need to renew my subscription yet.. I double checked and my usual virus updates were done today as they are everyday.. I suppose when it comes time they will definitely let me know.. Until then, I'm not going to worry about it as everything shows Windows Defender is up and running and protecting my system..
Here is another pic of my start-up menu, I've disabled everything I thought was safe, but there are some things that I don't know what they are and one item, the bottom one from FujiFinePix won't let me disable at all.. It gives me a file error.. What's that Rthdvcpl suppose to be? Thanks so much for helping me, it looks a lot cleaner and I really like that CCleaner program.. I got rid of the other registry cleaner program because this one does the same thing.. :cool:

[Manni]

FinePixViewer is a program for a digital camera from FUJI.
In case you DO have such a Fuji-camera and have installed its software from the FUJI-installation-cd you have additional programs to sort out photos and stuff with it.
But, as usual, if the camera isn`t connected ALWAYS you can delete the FinePix entry.

https://www.fujifilm.com/products/index.html
------------------------------------------------------

Have a look into your START/PROGRAMS-list if you find some FUJI or FinePix-stuff there. Find out is there is any "OPTIONS"-file and check it through to find a line saying: "START WITH WINDOWS" or simular. UNcheck if you find it.

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

Now to Rthdvcpl-entry: this is from the sound-driver and can be deleted. The sound will still work afterwards.

My question to you:
You have Vista alright which runs with "runtime-software DIRECT X version 10" as default.

Did you make sure to ALSO install DIRECT X version 9 on top of version 10 yet?

----------------------------
additional explain:
Windows Defender is a safety-prog which protects you from Spyware only...nothing else.

Here is the read-me about Win-Defender:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&DisplayLang=en#Overview

[speysider]

Are you saying it really does NOT update my virus program

When OneCare came out, I installed it onto my granny's computer. When the free trial came closer to the end, OneCare kept telling me that "OneCare cannot connect to the Update Server. Your anti-virus software is not up-to-date. Please try again later."

I could still access the net, but OneCare never bothered trying to re-update it's AV software.I kept clicking the button to try again, but it wasn't doing anything. This is why AVG and PC Tools are great for protection.

[Lendi]

FinePixViewer is a program for a digital camera from FUJI.
In case you DO have such a Fuji-camera and have installed its software from the FUJI-installation-cd you have additional programs to sort out photos and stuff with it.
But, as usual, if the camera isn`t connected ALWAYS you can delete the FinePix entry.

https://www.fujifilm.com/products/index.html
------------------------------------------------------

Have a look into your START/PROGRAMS-list if you find some FUJI or FinePix-stuff there. Find out is there is any "OPTIONS"-file and check it through to find a line saying: "START WITH WINDOWS" or simular. UNcheck if you find it.

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

Now to Rthdvcpl-entry: this is from the sound-driver and can be deleted. The sound will still work afterwards.

My question to you:
You have Vista alright which runs with "runtime-software DIRECT X version 10" as default.

Did you make sure to ALSO install DIRECT X version 9 on top of version 10 yet?

----------------------------
additional explain:
Windows Defender is a safety-prog which protects you from Spyware only...nothing else.

Here is the read-me about Win-Defender:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&DisplayLang=en#Overview

Yes, I do have a FujiFinePix camera (and it's a great one too), I use it to take pics of my jewelry that I make and sell on EBay, but the camera isn't connected all the time, just when I download my pics.. I just recently installed DirectX version 10, but why would I install version 9 on top of it? My computer had version 9 on it, version 10 install wizard removed 9, if I remember correctly..
Thanks for the tip on that Rthdvcpl, I'll disable it..

Spey, OneCare is still working fine for me, everything is up to date and it's even doing it's Saturday Tune-up right now for me, so I won't be messing with it.. :rolleyes: Don't look a gift horse in the month, as my Grandma used to say.. As long as it keeps working I'm happy..:p

[speysider]

Eventually, it won't work. What FW software do you have? JOOI*

JOOI = Just Out Of Interest

[mouse]

DX 9 is needed by the game it will install just fine over DX 10 it adds functions that DX 10 doesn't have in support of video cards.

[Lendi]

eventually, it won't work. What fw software do you have? Jooi*

jooi = just out of interest

fw?

[Lendi]

DX 9 is needed by the game it will install just fine over DX 10 it adds functions that DX 10 doesn't have in support of video cards.

Ah, ok.. I see, thanks, I'll download tonight.. :p

[speysider]

fw?

Firewall?

[Lendi]

Firewall?

It's windows defender I guess.. Here's a couple of pics of what is working on my computer.. I do know these have all been up and running since I bought my computer last year.. It may be, I just don't recall, but I may have already purchased a subscription to OneCare after I had the computer for a few months.. I Know I have an up-to-date account with them.. Everything is working fine and it appears my computer is fully protected..

[speysider]

Windows Defender is not firewall, it's just spyware remover. Consider downloading PC Tools Firewall Plus from the link on the 1st page of this thread. It's great, because you don't have to do much.

[Lendi]

Windows Defender is not firewall, it's just spyware remover. Consider downloading PC Tools Firewall Plus from the link on the 1st page of this thread. It's great, because you don't have to do much.

I don't have to do anything with OneCare either, hon.. I'm downloading the other programs you suggested but I think as long as OneCare is up, active and updating, my system is pretty well off, however, I'll keep them and if OneCare has problems I'll install them.. Thanks for all your help and advice everyone.. I can honestly say my system is running a bit faster with less lag while playing COTN, but the next computer I get will have the best damn graphics card I can get.. :D I'll make sure it's a system suited for gaming, since that's what I do the most.. :p

[speysider]

NP, Lendi. Reed can probably lock this thread, now that Lendi's problem is now sorted.

[Manni]

I can honestly say my system is running a bit faster with less lag while playing COTN, but the next computer I get will have the best damn graphics card I can get.. :D I'll make sure it's a system suited for gaming, since that's what I do the most.. :p

Good!

Lendi...........you don`t need PC Tools Firewall Plus which speysider keeps adverting!

You do have an activ firewall running in "Windows One Care".
If speysider would look at your attached pics once he would see that.

And 2 running firewalls is nonsense.

[speysider]

Manni, I didn't say that. Lendi downloaded the program I mentioned but did not install them. He said to me that when OneCare stops working, he would install AVG and PC Tools.

[Lendi]

Manni, I didn't say that. Lendi downloaded the program I mentioned but did not install them. He said to me that when OneCare stops working, he would install AVG and PC Tools.

Ah, Spey? That's Lendi, as in Alendia, as in female, girl, lady, woman.. :D I know of no guys that are named Lendi.. LOL!!! :p