Q299690: Train Simulator: Known Video Issues
Article: Q299690
Product(s): Microsoft Home Games
Version(s): 1.0
Operating System(s):
Keyword(s): kbimu
Last Modified: 14-AUG-2002
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The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Train Simulator, version 1.0
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SUMMARY
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This article describes some known video-related issues that you may experience
when you use Microsoft Train Simulator.
Some of the issues below can be resolved with updated drivers or by upgrading
your hardware. After updating or upgrading it is important that you use the
Train Simulator Troubleshooter to reprofile your new hardware and drivers. To do
this follow the steps below:
1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Microsoft Games, point to Train
Simulator, and then click "Train Simulator Troubleshooter".
2. Click "Change Video Driver".
3. Click OK.
4. Click "Play Train Simulator".
Install Update
An update has been created to resolve issues with several video cards. To
download and install the update, browse to the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/games/trainsim
MORE INFORMATION
================
The following video adapters and chip sets have known video-related issues in
Train Simulator.
Known Video Issues
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- Although Train Simulator may work correctly with large or custom fonts,
depending on monitor, desktop size, and screen resolution, it is recommended
that you set your system's display settings to Small Fonts to maximize
viewable space in Train Simulator dialog boxes.
- If you have a computer with 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM or less, and are using
video cards with 16 MB or less, do not set the "World Objects Texture
Quality" setting (in the Options dialog box) to greater than 2, or the game
may stop responding (hang).
- The following resolutions are supported by most video cards and are available
for selection (if supported): 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024.
- All resolutions provided by the video card at 640x480 resolution and greater
are supported, in 16- and 32-bit color depths.
- Resolutions of 640x480 and less, or color depths other than 16- or 32-bit,
are not supported.
- When you try to launch the game, you may receive the following error
message:
Unknown is causing an error in unknown. Unknown will now shut down.
Video Card-Specific Issues
--------------------------
ATI :
Radeon
- In the Introductory Train Ride, there are visible seams in the cockpit.
To resolve this issue, download and install the latest video driver from the
following ATI Web site:
http://support.atitech.com
- Simulation causes the program to stop responding and returns you to the
Desktop after displaying a black screen with an hourglass.
To resolve this issue, download and install the latest video driver from the
following ATI Web site:
http://support.atitech.com
Rage Fury Maxx
- Disable Dual Chip mode may be required to start the game. This setting can be
found by clicking Advanced on the Settings tab under Display in Control
Panel.
- User interface (UI) flickers. Resolve this issue by selecting the "Disable
Dual Chip Mode" option on the card's settings. You can find this setting if
you click Advanced on the Settings tab under "Display in Control Panel".
- Train Simulator stops responding when you restore the simulation by pressing
ALT+TAB. To resolve this issue, download and install the latest video driver
from the following ATI Web site:
http://support.atitech.com
- Some computers don't start new hardware additions to the system unless the
Desktop is set to 24-bit. To resolve this issue, download and install the
latest video driver from the following ATI Web site:
http://support.atitech.com
Rage Pro, Rage, Rage II, and so forth
- Train Simulator does not run on computers with the ATI Rage Pro card
installed. After it begins to start, the program stops responding and you are
returned to the desktop. To resolve this issue, download and install the
latest video driver from the following ATI Web site:
http://support.atitech.com
Rage Xpert 128
- Performance runs at two to four frames per second. To resolve this issue,
download and install the latest video driver from the following ATI Web site:
http://support.atitech.com
Creative Labs:
To obtain technical support and information, browse to the following Creative
Labs Web site:
http://www.americas.creative.com
CT6960 (Annihilator Pro)
- The UI quality is poor; the card does not redraw properly. To resolve this
issue, download and install the latest video driver from the following Web
site:
http://www.americas.creative.com
3D Blaster PCI (Rendition V1000)
- Simulation is unable to run on this card. Drivers for this card do not
support DirectX 7.0a, which is required to run Train Simulator.
Diamond:
Viper330
- UI text is nearly illegible. The game may quit unexpectedly and you may be
returned to the Windows Desktop. To resolve this issue, download and install
the latest Nvidia 128 video driver from the following Web site:
http://www.nvidia.com
Diamond Fire GL1
- Not supported for Train Simulator. To workaround this issue, click Start,
point to Programs, point to Microsoft Games, point to Train Simulator, and
then click "Train Simulator Troubleshooter", then click Troubleshooting.
Click to select the "Skip Pixel Behavior Test" and "Skip texture size limit
test" check boxes and then click OK.
Intel:
Intel i740 video card
- Causes the program to stop responding. Download and install the latest
version of DirectX from the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/directx/homeuser/downloads/default.asp
Intel 810/815/820 Chipset
- The latest drivers are strongly recommended. To resolve this issue, download
and install the latest video driver from the following Intel Web site:
http://www.intel.com
KYRO:
Obtain technical support and information from the following Web site:
http://www.powervr.com
KYRO (32MB AGP)
- Simulation stops responding on the load screen in 1600x1200x32 resolution.
This issue is resolved when you install the latest drivers:
http://www.powervr.com
Matrox:
Obtain technical support and information from the following Matrox Web site:
http://www.matrox.com
Matrox Millennium G200
- An error occurs and the simulation process does not start. To resolve this
issue, download and install the latest video driver from the following Web
site:
http://www.matrox.com
Matrox G100
- The G100 lacks the needed features used by today's games. It does not have a
3D setup engine like the G200 or G400. The only way you would be able to play
today's games is through software mode. This is a hardware limitation. The
G100 was designed for office work and not gaming. This is probably why you
are seeing these errors.
Neomagic:
The following chipsets are not capable of Direct 3D hardware acceleration and are
therefore incompatible with Microsoft Train Simulator:
- NeoMagic MagicGraph 128XD
- NeoMagic MagicGraph 128ZV+
- NeoMagic MagicMedia 256AV
- NeoMagic MagicMedia 256XL+
Nvidia:
Obtain technical support, information, and updated drivers at the following
Nvidia Web site:
http://www.nvidia.com
GeForce 256 (Micron) OEM system
- Train Simulator starts to a black screen. This issue is resolved when you
install the latest drivers (v.375).
- Viper 770: On Microsoft Windows 2000-based computers, Train Simulator
restarts during startup.
GeForce 2
- Mouse moves slowly when running at resolutions above 1280x1024x16 on a 64M
GeForce2 GTS card.
GeForce 2 ASUS V7700 with Detonator 3 (6.5) drivers
- ASUS V7700 with Detonator 3 (6.5) drivers may experience minor screen
flickers on Windows 2000-based computers. This issue is resolved when you
install ASUS retail drivers (5.33).
GeForce 256
- Simulation freezes immediately after Setup finishes and you select Play Now.
This issue is resolved when you install the latest drivers.
Riva 128 chipset
- Fonts corrupted. This issue is resolved when you install the latest reference
driver.
- UI quality is poor. This issue is resolved when you install the latest
drivers.
- UI text is nearly illegible. For some video cards with 4 MB of video RAM, the
UI text may be displayed in block form, appear distorted, or not display at
all. Try using the Launcher troubleshooter and selecting the "Textures are
distorted" or the "Text is distorted or not displayed" check box.
- Train Simulator starts to a black screen and then hangs or you get the error
message. This issue resolved by updating video drivers.
TNT2 M64 4x AGP
- Some of the loading screen text may be missing. This issue is resolved when
you install the latest drivers.
TNT, TNT Vanta, TNT2 (Hewlett Packard) OEM System
- Train Simulator starts to a black screen. This isue may be resolved if you
install the latest drivers available from HP for your Pavillion Model Number.
If the problem persists, you may want to try the latest chipset reference
drivers available from Nvidia.
- Train simulator starts to a blank screen and then hangs. You can resolve the
issue when you install the latest drivers.
S3:
Savage 4, ProSavage, SavageMX
When you play Microsoft Train Simulator, you may experience any of the following
symptoms:
- The computer may stop responding (hang).
- The computer may continuously restart.
- Game textures may be missing.
- Texture rendering fails.
- The game screen does not fill up the whole screen.
- The content, such as trains and scenery, is missing.
To resolve this issue, install the latest driver or turn off shadows when you use
the retail driver. To do so, please visit the following S3graphics Web site:
http://www.s3graphics.com/
Turn off Shadows
1. Start Train Simulator.
2. Click Options.
3. Click Advanced Display.
4. Click to clear the Shadows check box.
5. Click Save.
If the problem continues to occur after you install the latest drivers and
turning off shadows, update your video card. Virge PCI 325
- The most recent drivers for this card do not meet the system requirements for
Train Simulator because they only support DirectX 5. But you may have limited
functionality in Train Simulator if you open the Troubleshooter, click to
place a checkmark in all of the boxes, click OK, and then start Train
Simulator. No support for Train Simulator is available from Microsoft for
customers who use video cards with the S3 Virge PCI 325 chipset.
Voodoo:
Voodoo 3
To obtain technical support and information, browse to the following 3dfx Web
site:
http://www.3dfx.com
- Train Simulator stops responding on the loading screen after you select Drive
a Train. This issue is resolved when you install the latest drivers.
- Problem with textures rendering on buildings and objects with 3Dfx. This
issue is resolved when you install the latest drivers.
Voodoo5
- The mouse pointer is difficult to see when used with online Help.
How To Locate Video Adapter Information and Contact Your Video Adapter Manufacture
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To identify the name, manufacturer and model of your video adapter:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type "dxdiag" (without the quotation marks), and then click
OK.
3. Click the Display or Display 1 tab.
4. Under Device, note the name of your video card on the Name line and note the
manufacture of your video card on the Manufacture line. Under Drivers, note
the version number on the Version line.
5. If multiple video adapters are installed in your computer, repeat steps 3-4
to determine the names, manufactures, and version number of the video driver
for each additional video adapter installed in your computer.
6. When you have noted the names, manufactures, and version numbers for all of
the video drivers installed on your computer, click Exit.
For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in
the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q190900 DirectX: Description of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool is included in the most recent versions of DirectX.
For additional information about installing DirectX, click the article number
below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q179113 How to Download and Install DirectX
Specific Video Adapter Information:
ATI Rage Mobility
- When you attempt to start Microsoft Train Simulator, the game may stop
responding hang or you may receive the following error message:
Microsoft Train Simulator has detected that your graphic hardware may be
lacking essential features that it needs to run. Please ensure that you have
the latest driver from your graphics card manufacturer's web site.
This chip is used in laptop and notebook computers. The Rage Mobility drivers
supplied with a given laptop or notebook have been specially modified to work
in conjunction with the flat panel display and any other graphics or video
options installed in that specific computer. As a result of these
modifications, ATI Technical Support is unable to make a "generic" Rage
Mobility driver available for download. Please obtain a driver update from
the manufacturer of your laptop or notebook computer.
If the manufacturer of your laptop or notebook is unable to provide drivers,
download and install Train Simulator update. Please see Summary sections on
top of this article.
If the problem continues to occur after installing Train Simulator update,
update your video card.
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical
support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not
guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by
companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty,
implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these
products.
REFERENCES
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Q299760 Train Simulator: How to Use the Troubleshooter
Additional query words: msgame trainsim
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Keywords : kbimu
Technology : kbHomeProdSearch kbGamesSearch _IK kbTrainSim kbSimSearch
Version : :1.0
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