Major problems with villagers and shadows

[simdude]

I got a Radeon X1900 XT, 2GB RAM, P4 3.something processor. DirectX from the demo, latest drivers.

The problem is that all the villagers appear as giant tornados of spikes, they look like that when they come into the city and whenever they leave their houses. This thing doesn't change with all the settings off or on. I tried shadows on/off, no change, anti-alising, vsync, bloom, specular, texture, all off and all on and still no change.

The building, trees, etc. are fine, only the people look exactly like giant, semi-seethru whirlwinds of spikes and angles. Amber-ish coloured.

The next thing is that the shadows, normal or soft, are wavy. Even when the image is completly still and at every angle and pitch of the camera, the shadows pulsate. For example, the shadow of a building looks like a moving zebra-crossing, same with the grain field rows and all.

:confused: Any ideas? Any feedback is appreciated.:confused:



***update***
I'll try to post some pictures with these things here. The shadows somehow are ok now.

[Keith]

Sounds like a driver issue. Did you send a report to the Catalyst development team about the problem? Send them details and some screenshots.

[Gizza]

I get the pulsating shadows on the sides of buildings sometimes, just like kinda a flicker as if the light source is moving. however ive never had any other graphical anomolies. Tho i would like to see a screemshot of ur city of tornados

[Manni]

GIZZA and simdude

let`s have your dxdiag please!

[simdude]

:eek: some "guys":eek:

[Gizza]

Wow, that is crazy, i have no idea wot could be causing that apart from the usual check ur driver and directx version. Seems odd that everything else looks ok yet ur ppl are spectaculary messed up.

[Keith]

Definitely looks like a video driver problem to me. If you are using beta version of driver you might want to uninstall them and go back to a more stable release version.

If you have a Nvidia card and are using 91.31, you might want to try 81.95 instead provided your card will support the older driver.

[Zinthosion]

Im having the exact same problem. its quite the pickle. anyways im not that tech savvy and i cant navigate the site of my graphics card. nvidia was sooo much easier. so can someone please give me a DIRECT link to the update for my video card?

its a... ATI mobility Radeon XI400

thank ya!

[Keith]

Aw, come on, its no harder than Nvidia's site. I assume that is a Radeon X1400 and that is a "1" not a "I".

https://support.ati.com/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questionID=19546

[Zinthosion]

Aw, come on, its no harder than Nvidia's site. I assume that is a Radeon X1400 and that is a "1" not a "I".

https://support.ati.com/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questionID=19546

Wow very quick response. thanks very much and yes it was a 1

[Keith]

No, problem I just typed in Radeon x1400 in the search box and picked the Catalyst 6.8 link from the list.

[Keith]

One more thing I've been forgetting to mention for those of you experiencing things like white screens, strange graphics like those above, etc.

You should try reducing hardware acceleration on your system to see if that will cure the problem you are having with your graphics.

Right click on a blank area of your desktop, select properties, settings tab, advanced button, troubleshoot tab.

Move the slider back one notch. Click APPLY and OK. Then try running the demo to see what if your problem goes away. If not, move the slider back another notch, click apply and ok. Try the demo. Repeat until you reach the bottom of the slider or your problem disappears. If it doesn't work, you can reset the slider to its previous original setting.

[Manni]

Aw, come on, its no harder than Nvidia's site. I assume that is a Radeon X1400 and that is a "1" not a "I".

Sorry.......but Zinthosion said: its a... ATI mobility Radeon XI400

:eek: :D

[Keith]

Right that is what I believe I found there. Yep, it is. I just checked.

Catalyst Mobility 6.8 for Windows XP (https://support.ati.com/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questionID=19546)
Take our ATI Mobility Driver Survey Now is your chance to provide us with the information needed to help drive new development in Mobility more... (https://support.ati.com/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questionID=19546)

Search Score: https://support.ati.com/ics/support/images/score2.gif;Topic Rating: https://support.ati.com/ics/support/images/rating5.gif Category: Notebooks with ATI Graphics (https://support.ati.com/ics/support/KBList.asp?folderID=536)

[Manni]

Since yesterday................There is an ATI-Tool to download which tells ATI-notebookers if they can use the "normal" ATI-Catalystdriver.

This software will determine if Catalyst Mobility™ is compatible with your system. WOW!

Graphics technologies supported

* Mobility™ Radeon® X1800 XT
* Mobility™ Radeon® X1800
* Mobility™ Radeon® X1600
* Mobility™ Radeon® X1400
* Mobility™ Radeon® X1300
* Mobility™ Radeon® X800 XT
* Mobility™ Radeon® X800
* Mobility™ Radeon® X700
* Mobility™ Radeon® X600
* Mobility™ Radeon® X300
* Mobility™ Radeon® 9800
* Mobility™ Radeon® 9700 series
* Mobility™ Radeon® 9600 series

Operating system support

* Windows® XP

[simdude]

I found out that the "shadow flickering" on some cards and machines such as mine, seems to go away after you enter the settings screen , randomly click something as if you would like to change that setting, then save your (unchanged) options and return to the game screen. At least that's how I combat the "shadow flicker".

As far as the "spikey tornado people" are concerned, the august version of DX9 and the latest video driver (ATI catalyst in my case) turns them back to humans.

[Keith]

I'm glad to hear you got your problem worked out. :)

[candelarius]

I fixed the strobing shadows problem on my PC! :D

Just downloaded the new 8-16 Catalyst driver and the next time I loaded Caesar IV the problem was gone. My performance seems marginally improved, too...I can actually play with a lot less lag now.

EDIT: Nevermind, it didn't really fix it. The next time I loaded the demo they were back...the "strobing" shadows I mean. It seems that they come up if I change a setting and go away if I change a setting...very weird. Also, I thought I noticed a performance increase, but, I now think that was just my enthusiasm speaking...with shadows turned on, the game really really lags...I have to play with them off to avoid the strobing and lag sadly. Hopefully the final retail version will better optimize shadows?

[Keith]

What ATI card do you have?

[candelarius]

What ATI card do you have?

ATI Radeon X300, with the latest drivers.

My PC is a 3 gig processor with 1.5 gigs of RAM.

Admittedly, my video card is not top notch...but I don't see how that can be the problem, I have all my other games at max or near-max graphic settings, and they run perfectly smooth. I just got this PC in January, and have Dawn of War, Rome Total War, SimCity4, Sims2, CivCityRome, CityLife, etc, all running at high settings with no lag. It seems to me the demo (which IS awesome, BTW) is not fully optimized yet. I just hope it will be for the release.

I tested the strobing shadows more last night, I tried out every single graphic setting and kept reloading the demo and seeing the effects. It doesn't seem to make a difference what resolution I use (and I have a 24 inch wide screen LCD monitor, so I love the fact I can run this game in my native resolution), although I did try it at 1024x768, etc, and, it didn't really seem any more or less sluggish or strobish. It seems to me the shadows are the biggest killer, as soon as I turn them on, the game chugs and (sometimes, it seems inconsistent) the shadows "strobe".

Hope this helps.

[Keith]

So you have Catalyst 6.8 installed then?

If that is the case then you should send some feedback to the Catalyst development team and let them know about your problems. They may have to include a fix in a later version of the drivers.

[candelarius]

So you have Catalyst 6.8 installed then?

If that is the case then you should send some feedback to the Catalyst development team and let them know about your problems. They may have to include a fix in a later version of the drivers.

Yup, installed them yesterday.

Keep in mind, though, the Sims2 and Rome Total War were not effected by the Catalyst driver and the problem I'm experiencing with the demo existed both before and after I installed the Catalyst driver....I think the problem is with the demo, not my video card.

[Keith]

Well there is something strange there somewhere. My three year old ATI 9800 Pro runs the demo just fine on high settings. I would still send a report to the Cat dev team about it. I'm still using drivers from June 2006 currently.

[candelarius]

Well there is something strange there somewhere. My three year old ATI 9800 Pro runs the demo just fine on high settings. I would still send a report to the Cat dev team about it. I'm still using drivers from June 2006 currently.

Hmmph. That is weird. I guess I could send a message to ATI...but, I doubt my little message is going to help my Caesar IV predictament. I'm still going to pre-order CIV anyway, and, if need be, I'll just play without shadows until I get the cash for a new card...I'm also going to try your suggestion of playing with my ATI control panel accelerator sliders and see if that helps.

EDIT: I spent about two hours last night sliding around all the sliders in the Catalyst Control Panel, and reloading the demo. My conclusion: Nothing makes a difference. For whatever reason, the demo just sucks when I turn on the shadows option. The shadows seem to "strobe" or "shimmer" on the building faces (though not on the ground) and the game's frame rate drops in half. I can play every other setting to max with some lag, and every setting set to near-max with no lag. I'm very sad about the shadow thing, though, the game really looks much better with shadows on (from what I can see from the screenshots), without them, the city looks sorta to bright and happy.

EDIT: A good friend of mine took a look at my problem who is very knowledgeable about PC games, hardware, etc (he works for CompUSA). He says that I probably need a new video card. I have an ATI x300, but, little did I know, it's actually their entry-level card...so, no surprise that the latest game on the market is having problems. So, I will probably shell out 100 bucks for the x1300 card, since I don't have the 300 bucks for the latest-and-greatest ATI card.

[simdude]

EDIT: A good friend of mine took a look at my problem who is very knowledgeable about PC games, hardware, etc (he works for CompUSA). He says that I probably need a new video card. I have an ATI x300, but, little did I know, it's actually their entry-level card...so, no surprise that the latest game on the market is having problems. So, I will probably shell out 100 bucks for the x1300 card, since I don't have the 300 bucks for the latest-and-greatest ATI card.
ATI's latest-and-greatest card is 300 bucks????????

Wich one is it? My X1900XT was 'bout 500.

[Gizza]

ATI's latest-and-greatest card is 300 bucks????????

Wich one is it? My X1900XT was 'bout 500.

lol, yeah, i wish. Their latest and greatest would be atleast twice that.

[Manni]

Thats about right with the prize.

Latest ATI-card: Radeon® X1950

[Keith]

ATI unleashes the new performance king for gamers: introducing the Radeon® X1950 XTX (http://ir.ati.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=105421&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=898452&highlight=)

US$449 or EUR399
P16 High Dynamic Range effects with anti-aliasing
GDDR4 RAM effective data rate of 2 GHz

[Kiya]

I have this minor problem that occurs sometimes. Things start to flicker in one corner of the map. I usually quit the demo and start again without it in most cases. See also the awkward advisors panel (also there the background flickering although you can't see it in the snapshot.)

I have been reading this thread and next I will try to do what you guys have suggested, like Keith's suggestion about hardware acceleration.

Also I would like to find out if there are newer drivers for my laptop (bought late in 2004). My card is ATI Mobile Radeon 9600 128Mb. Following your advice here I went to this site: Notebook with ATI Graphics, Catalyst Mobility 6.8 for windows XP. Should I now install this: Installation Verification Software?

I am not a total dummy in these technical matters but I still do need guiding by hand in this one. :o

edit/ DxDiag added

[Manni]

ATI unleashes the new performance king for gamers: introducing the Radeon® X1950 XTX

Oh.............parroting again :cool: :eek: :D

[Manni]

Also I would like to find out if there are newer drivers for my laptop (bought late in 2004). My card is ATI Mobile Radeon 9600 128Mb. Following your advice here I went to this site: Notebook with ATI Graphics, Catalyst Mobility 6.8 for windows XP. Should I now install this: Installation Verification Software?
I am not a total dummy in these technical matters but I still do need guiding by hand in this one.

Hello Kiya,

go to this page: http://www.fujitsu-siemens.com/support/downloads.html

and follow the lines I have marked on the screenshot underneath. In the last you have to choose your model which is not to see in your dxdiag.

It will then take you to possible new drivers. All best! :)

[Kiya]

Thank you Manni, I will try that. :)

But just out of curiosity what do you think of this? My notebook manual says this: AMD AThlon 64 PowerNow technology, 2,4GHz or higher. But my DxDiag says 790 MHz. How should I understand it? (The full manual in English here: http://support.fujitsu-siemens.com/com/support/manuals.html)

CoNT's minimum system specs are 800MHZ and recommended 2.0 GHz. I had then no problems with the full game. You think I won't play C4 full game with my laptop?

edit/ I follow the lines and then just click 'my line' amilo a 1630? It all goes automatically to the 'right address' and I don't have to do anything else? *looking worried here*

[Manni]

Hold it Kiya!

##I follow the lines and then just click 'my line' amilo a 1630? It all goes automatically to the 'right address' and I don't have to do anything else? *looking worried here*

Don`t JUST go on Amilo A 1630 because it is top of the list!!

Find out WHICH Amilo you have!! It could be ANY in the list there, you have to identify YOURS!

And I can`t pick the right manual from that "german-japanese" firm until I know your type.

[Keith]

Oh.............parroting again :cool: :eek: :D

I've mentioned the card at least twice in other threads before you ever did, Manni.

[Manni]

Of course you did "meister"........naturally.........

[Kiya]

Hold it Kiya!

##I follow the lines and then just click 'my line' amilo a 1630? It all goes automatically to the 'right address' and I don't have to do anything else? *looking worried here*

Don`t JUST go on Amilo A 1630 because it is top of the list!!

Find out WHICH Amilo you have!! It could be ANY in the list there, you have to identify YOURS!

And I can`t pick the right manual from that "german-japanese" firm until I know your type.
I am 'holding it' right now. ;) :) I do nothing until I am 100% sure what iI am doing.

I have Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo A 1630 with Ati Mobile Radeon 9600/9700

I followed those 'lines' and found only one driver for Ati there, but it dates from 27.1.2004, so I guess it is not newer than what I have already? Mine are mostly from March 2004.

[Manni]

Hello Kiya,

do me a favour and find the same on your laptop like the shot shows:

(system device...........or simular)

What does it say there about your CPU?

[Keith]

Of course you did "meister"........naturally.........

Can't help it if you didn't see it, Manni.

Here's one: http://www.tiltedmill.com/forums/showpost.php?p=113955&postcount=2

Here's the other: http://www.tiltedmill.com/forums/showpost.php?p=113785&postcount=7

Polly want a cracker? ;) :D

[Manni]

I am 'holding it' right now. ;) :) I do nothing until I am 100% sure what iI am doing.There`s good girl! :)

I have Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo A 1630 with Ati Mobile Radeon 9600/9700This sounds sure sure to me. :) Very sure. :) :)

I followed those 'lines' and found only one driver for Ati there, but it dates from 27.1.2004, so I guess it is not newer than what I have already? Mine are mostly from March 2004.That would really be a surprise if that driver would be any different!

But I have found something else there.............why don`t you try the SIEMENS-AUTO-DESK-UPDATE?

Have a look: http://support.fujitsu-siemens.de/DeskUpdate/index.htm

It seems to be simular to win-update....have a try on that. *thumbs up from here*

[Manni]

Watch your language Mr.Heithmann! All parrots here are named LORA, so Lora H .

Thank you :D

[Keith]

You started it, as usual.

[Manni]

......and you always have to have the last word.
Which is your ATI-card again? I forgot

[Keith]

Yes, I do. Guess. :D

[Kiya]

Hello Kiya,

do me a favour and find the same on your laptop like the shot shows:

(system device...........or simular)

What does it say there about your CPU?
It says 798MHz. Sounds bad? :(

COME ON you two! Like two little boys fighting NOW about who started 'what?' . I am here desperately needing ALL of your attention.

[Manni]

It says 798MHz. Sounds bad? :( Somehow peculiar......

I am here desperately needing ALL of your attention.You have it luv! You have it! :) ;) At least mine you have. "Lora" is waiting in the background.

What`s with that DESK-UP-thing at Siemens?

There is no manual for your notebook..............:cool:

[Manni]

I followed those 'lines' and found only one driver for Ati there, but it dates from 27.1.2004, so I guess it is not newer than what I have already? Mine are mostly from March 2004.
There is defintivly no NEW graph-driver for you. The one offered there is the same you have now.

------------
Another possibility Kiya!
Have you or some helper been recently in the bios of your notebook?

As I remember.....I can change in my bios the cpu-speed.
Could it have been changed in your bios by any chance?

[Kiya]

You have it luv! You have it! :) ;) At least mine you have. "Lora" is waiting in the background.



Thank you :) http://www.fengshuichat.com/sitearm/smileycon_images/11.gif




What`s with that DESK-UP-thing at Siemens?

There is no manual for your notebook..............:cool:
No manual? I have my paper manual and the same one is online in different language versions.

Still working on that Siemens thing...

NO helper here. Nobody except me uses my laptop, quite sure of that. I have once had a peep in the bios, but definitely (almost sure of it) I did nothing there. Definitely didn't change THOSE numbers!

[Manni]

Still working on that Siemens thing...

What does the fellow offer?

[Kiya]

That link you offered took me back to Fujitsu-Siemens site and gave me this http://www.fujitsu-siemens.com/support/downloads.html

The same 'old' Ati update from January 2004, but one newer one for bios January 2005. this doesn't seem to help me much does it?

[Amenirdis]

Kiya:

Make sure you run games while the laptop is hooked up to a power source. Don't run them while running the machine in battery mode.

Change the Energy Options from Laptop to Desktop Mode.

Do you know how to access the Bios? It is very well possible that Windows is not reading the speed correctly, even though the CPU itself is running normally. It's happened to other users of that kind of laptop as you can read on the FS-Forum.

[Manni]

The same 'old' Ati update from January 2004, but one newer one for bios January 2005. this doesn't seem to help me much does it?
I wouldn`t think so, but hope is dying last..as you know.
Have you rebooted and tried the demo again?
Still flickerin`in the corners?

[Kiya]

Kiya:

Make sure you run games while the laptop is hooked up to a power source. Don't run them while running the machine in battery mode.

Change the Energy Options from Laptop to Desktop Mode.

Do you know how to access the Bios? It is very well possible that Windows is not reading the speed correctly, even though the CPU itself is running normally. It's happened to other users of that kind of laptop as you can read on the FS-Forum.
Yes I am not using battery while playing. :) but how do I change the energy options? :o

Yes I know how to go to Bios, but is it safe for me to do anything there (thinking now this question of MHz thing)?

[Amenirdis]

Wait a sec, Kiya, I'm trying out an AMD Utility on my machine.... I'll be back.

[Kiya]

I wouldn`t think so, but hope is dying last..as you know.
Have you rebooted and tried the demo again?
Still flickerin`in the corners?
Thanks Manni, we have worked real hard on this question! :)

I haven't had any time to try C4 tonight, but I will now and come back soon.

[Manni]

Thanks Manni, we have worked real hard on this question! :) We would be further along the line if we hadn`t been disturbed. :p

I haven't had any time to try C4 tonight Neither have I ! :eek:

Please just check the options in ENERGY first...see screenie!
Fumble your way to SYSTEM and ENERGY-Options.
It should be set on desktop...........as Sidrinema says :)

[Amenirdis]

Okay, Kiya. Download AMD Clock Version 2.0 (http://www.amd.com/de-de/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_12474,00.html) from the official site, unzip and run it. It should tell you the CPU speed. I hope it does not read it from windows, though. :o But it's worth a try without having to go to the BIOS yet.
When in the BIOS, you can always leave without saving, so any changes made (accidently or on purpose) won't take effect.

Also... can you make a screenshot from your C4 graphic settings? Thank you. :)

[Amenirdis]

Please just check the options in ENERGY first...see screenie!
Fumble your way to SYSTEM and ENERGY-Options.
It should be set on desktop...........as Sidrinema says :)
Thank you, Manni! :) :D

[Keith]

There you go again, Manni.

[Manni]

Did I?
Sorry! :)

[Manni]

To Kiya again,

I have another tiny tool here called SIW=System Information for Windows

you can download it here: http://www.gtopala.com/
It is free to use, does not install just works by doubleclick. Size: 1.3 MB
When opened choose HARDWARE on the left and CPU-INFO, just like on the screenie
Give us your simular screenie!

My screenie is from my notebook ACER Aspire 1700

[Kiya]

Manni, I changed that to 'home and office PC' ; I guess that must be your 'desktop'. It was previously 'Intervideo WinDvd'. :o

Amenirdis, I downloaded AMD clock version 2.0 and it says 'CPOU 800 MHz'.

I didn't time to play C4 actually but took just a few snapshots for you techies. The first one shows some flickering. Then I quit the game and start it again without rebooting or anything and voilà no flickering, pic 2.
All of the options are the lowest possible, only in the second pic the camera is 'free'. I just CANNOT play this game if it is the 'lowest' possible.

What makes we wonder this problem is that last week I played this demo without any problems actually, had a city of almost 3000 people, lots of things going on. And the settings were somewhere in the MIDDLE! So why is there now this flickering? :confused:

edit/ here is a print screen of the cpu info.

[Manni]

Well I ain`T see no flickerin`.............but I belive you. It is hard to see on those screens.....at least for me.

##I changed that to 'home and office PC' ; I guess that must be your 'desktop'. It was previously 'Intervideo WinDvd'##
Dunno about that, it is not in my energy-options.

[Amenirdis]

When has the flickering started, if you say it ran fine before? Did you change anything in the settings - maybe lowered some options? Also... does the flickering happen right from the start when running the demo, or only after a while?

As for the 800 MHz. As I feared, the program might read out the windows information. Try Mannis program, maybe it will give us some additional info.

Does your manual say what kind of Bios your laptop uses? Is it called 'AMIBios' or something like that?

[Manni]

YES Kiya is right! It only says 798,24 MHz, nearly the same like the dxdiag.
To me this looks like popping into BIOS.

[Amenirdis]

Looks like she has to go into BIOS and change the system clock to 200. The multiplier seems to be set correctly at 11, respectively setting it back to system default might already be enough.

[Kiya]

Flickering starts usually right away if it starts. Doesn't always. You can't see it in the snapshots but it does move, sometimes even as kind of triangles.

I think I tried if I could have a bit better options, not the best possible though. But how can that still affect when all of the settings are now as low as they can be. Only the camera is free but so it was before. :confused:

[Manni]

EXCUSE ME KIYA!

On one screenie I can see your systray and plenty running/open there!

There is even the arrow with more started stuff behind!
Is there plenty in systemstart?

ADOBE running? What for? It sucks power!
What is that N there? NORTON?

[Amenirdis]

Yes, Manni is right, Kiya. Do you have firewalls or anti virus programs running while playing or any of the other fancy little programs like msn messanger, or icq stuff?
Kiya probably started Adobe because of the screenshot, Manni.

[Kiya]

omg, what is a systray? :eek:

I took those pics for you, that's why adobe photoshop is running now. It isn't when I play. N stands for Norman, my virus protection and firewall which came with this laptop. Ah and I can see now what you two are going to say 'CLOSE THEM' :o . But I ask myself: where can I see what is going on there and close all of those, while playing a game?

[Amenirdis]

Flickering starts usually right away if it starts. Doesn't always. You can't see it in the snapshots but it does move, sometimes even as kind of triangles.

I think I tried if I could have a bit better options, not the best possible though. But how can that still affect when all of the settings are now as low as they can be. Only the camera is free but so it was before. :confused: I don't know, to be honest. Sometimes you just have to try out different settings, even if they seem completely absurd. :o
However... Just today, I had a similar graphical error. Never happened before. Mind you... I had the game running for several hours, multitasking heavily in and out before it happened.
I was wondering... if maybe the laptop/video chip gets sometimes a bit too warm? You could try placing the laptop onto little 'feet' to move it a bit away from the desk/table so that the warm air can more easily 'move' away.

[Manni]

omg, what is a systray? :eek:
The systray is the small window in the right corner where the clock is.
All stuff visible there is running all the time and suckin`on the cpu ! :D


N stands for Norman, my virus protection and firewall which came with this laptop. Ah and I can see now what you two are going to say 'CLOSE THEM' :o . But I ask myself: where can I see what is going on there and close all of those, while playing a game?
In case you have all tools and XP set on AUTO-UPDATES you are never sure when those "go for a walk in internet and have a look".

[Kiya]

In case you have all tools and XP set on AUTO-UPDATES you are never sure when those "go for a walk in internet and have a look".
Somebody from my lappy is going for a walk in internet and without asking my permission? :eek: :D That is going to be finished NOW! :mad: :D

[Manni]

Somebody from my lappy is going for a walk in internet and without asking my permission?
Yes my dear.
In case you have stuff set on auto-update and allow them to cross the firewall they will jump about freely.

Did you know that even when you do "dxdiag" this goes internet? At least my Firewall ZoneAlarm tells me.............and that ain`t lying!

[Kiya]

An update for anyone interested how it went /goes on with my laptop.

This all began to seem like a nightmare. If the CPU is only under 800 MHz I am not going to be able to play C4 at all. But how was it possible I played CoTN without any problems?

OK, all the hard figures showed 789 MHz but is that a fact? I refused to believe my eyes. Anyway the manual ‘promises’ 2,4GHz or higher and that I WILL get. :mad: ;) So I started working.

While choosing a laptop for myself less than 2 years ago I do remember reading somewhere that Intel GHz and AMD numbers can’t be compared like that. So I found this: see the first pic. It is of course ‘theirs’ but gives you some idea doesn’t it.

Further on. The Internet/ Google gave me no clue. It is perhaps my inability to do the right questions. So I made a phone call to Fujitsu-Siemens. The guy said my laptop model has PowerNow technology that saves energy. Plus it does change the MHz thing according to how much it needs it. When experimenting myself I saw numbers between around 300 MHZ and 2100MHz. :eek: See an attached pic where you can see what is going on at the background (C4 is just an empty map since I had no time to play it actually, photoshop elements has an photo open there.) He said not to try and change anything in bios. He also mentioned that probably it is difficult to find this info anywhere in the Internet anymore, old stuff or something. *double EEK*

Also to verify this I found a page on AMD site (pic 3). My lappy is the bottom one I think. I base this on the info I found on System info (thanks Manni:) ) full name, technology 0.13 mju, brand ID 04, platform name socket 754. It says 2400 MHz too. *sigh of relief*

Feeling much better now. Actually this was quite fun, hunting down all the info and being so happy when I finally got it. I can now understand your techies’ happiness when finally getting the solution.

Thank you again Manni, Amenirdis and PhilW. You are great, all of you! Oh, I almost forgot Keith: a special honorary mention for taking part in this conversation!

We are still working on with my lappy’s start menu thing, but we do it privately now. Getting down form 19 entries to only 4!
Sorry about this getting so long, Jeremy, but all this might help some other C4 fans ‘in distress’.

Do NOT always believe 'hard facts' or your eyes. The truth can be amazing beyond comprehension and certainly beyond mine.:p :D


EDIT/ I want to point out that the three clockspeed rates in the 2nd pic were taken at the same time using the same stress for my laptop each time. The one on the right in the 2nd pic is Windows own panel and it NEVER went higher than 798 MHZ. I even saw it as low as 298 MHz something once. The two others are taken by softwares Manni and Amenirdis gave me (site addresses). I mean if you blindly believe some numbers your Windows (or anything else) gives you you can go very wrong.

Before I had chance to tell Manni and Amenirdis about this, they had come to the same conclusion: the clockspeed or bios is not the problem, after they had made some experimentation of their own and consulted with each other on my problem.
I am very grateful for you both, you are most patient, helpful and dedicated to help others. *big smile and a kiss*

[Gizza]

While choosing a laptop for myself less than 2 years ago I do remember reading somewhere that Intel GHz and AMD numbers can’t be compared like that. So I found this: see the first pic. It is of course ‘theirs’ but gives you some idea doesn’t it.

Just to clarify for anyone whos interested. Without going into much detail, it all comes down the the number of instructions a processor can do every second. The clockspeed (Ghz) is how many clock cycles can be done in a second. The thing they neglect to mention is how many instructions the processor can do per clock cycle.

For an Athlon 64 is around 40. Intel, with the pentium 4 introduced a technology called NetBurst, which allowed them to get higher clockspeeds (this was back when clockspeeds were everything), however it was at a cost. The p4 can only do about 17 instructions per clock cycle. Meaning that for the same number of instructions/second a p4 has to have about double the Ghz of an Athlon 64.

Just to note tho, the new intel Core processors have got rid of netburst, and they are a lot faster.

[Kiya]

Update N:O 2

Disconnected my laptop from the Internet (physically just in case :D ), then closed both virus protection and firewall. (Now only two little things working on the background.)

Played C4 happily. First using the 1st option under Best Performance, after victory screen changed it and used the 2nd option (all marked as normal or medium, only for Anti Aliasing NONE). Smooth and beautiful, great shadows and water things! :) :) :)

Two minor things were still there but I can live with them all right. :)

The flickering is still there but ONLY in the advisors panel. See pic 3, their feet are 'covered' oddly. It flickers and moves while playing. Luckily the panel is darkish and so is the flickering. It doesn't bother me if it stays only there. It was there from the very start of the demo.

The other thing is Odeum and gold in a warehouse. When zoomed from a distance they 'glow' but zooming in makes them normal again. Pics 4 and 5.

I will try later to find out when I will 'hit my ceiling' what comes to the settings options.

[Keith]

Kiya, I'm just wondering that if you have a ATI Radeon and the Catalyst drivers, how do you have the Catalyst control center settings set? Most of my settings are set to allow the application to decide if a feature is needed or not. Maybe if you have one or more of them set otherwise it might be the source of your problem.

[Kiya]

Kiya, I'm just wondering that if you have a ATI Radeon and the Catalyst drivers, how do you have the Catalyst control center settings set? Most of my settings are set to allow the application to decide if a feature is needed or not. Maybe if you have one or more of them set otherwise it might be the source of your problem.
I am not sure if I have Catalyst drivers or not, but I didn't found any Catalyst control center. In the pic attached there is everything that had *catalyst* in their name. Any suggestions where to look for it?

[Keith]

You can easily spot the Catalyst Control Center on the All Programs list if you have it.

You can also tell by clicking the ATI icon in the system tray in the lower right corner.

It was just a thought that perhaps some manual setting was causing your problem.

[Kiya]

Went through my 'All programs', no Catalyst center there. :(

It is just the advisor panel where their feet keep flickering. No big deal, unless somethings comes up in the full game.

[Manni]

Kiya does not have the ATI-Control-Center but the ATI-Control-panel installed. I have her All Programs list laying in front of me.

And Kiya YES you DO have ATI-Catalyst-drivers installed on your ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9700 AGP (0x4E50) in the NOTEBOOK. :) :D

[Kiya]

Ah OK, Manni, but I was looking for a Catalyst control center, as I was asked to. ;) :D

[Manni]

Yes dear, believe me........you won`t need that thing. :)

[candelarius]

I was complaining at the beginning of this thread that I couldn't play the game with shadows turned on and it was very very very slow...

However, I purchased a new video card this week and now the demo plays great! Shadows look excellent and the lag is totally gone.

...so, my problem was my graphics card. I had an ATI X300 128mb. Now I have an ATI X1600 512mb, and, everything is beautiful.

[Manni]

Splendid candelarius! :) :D