Static Images Problem on some machines
by amaranthia · in Torque Game Builder · 06/16/2008 (9:11 am) · 12 replies
I originally posted this in the 2D art forum, but the more I think about it, I think I've run across a bug.
On some computers, the static and animated sprites in my game load, and on some computers, they don't (works on 14 out of 15 computers). These are very small files, so I'm pretty sure that they aren't hogging memory. I can also tell you that I generated all of the my sprites through script... they are not located in the level files.
This is what I know about one computer that couldn't display the graphics:
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.60GHz
Memory: 1278MB RAM
Page File: 417MB used, 1099MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
Here is a screen shot of what the user is seeing. There should be a coffee machine and a grinder where the two green circles show up.

Here is a snippet from the player's log file:
On some computers, the static and animated sprites in my game load, and on some computers, they don't (works on 14 out of 15 computers). These are very small files, so I'm pretty sure that they aren't hogging memory. I can also tell you that I generated all of the my sprites through script... they are not located in the level files.
This is what I know about one computer that couldn't display the graphics:
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.60GHz
Memory: 1278MB RAM
Page File: 417MB used, 1099MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
Here is a screen shot of what the user is seeing. There should be a coffee machine and a grinder where the two green circles show up.

Here is a snippet from the player's log file:
//-------------------------- 6/3/2008 -- 21:30:07 -----
Processor Init:
Intel Pentium 4, ~2.60 Ghz
(timed at roughly 2.60 Ghz)
FPU detected
MMX detected
SSE detected
Math Init:
Installing Standard C extensions
Installing Assembly extensions
Installing FPU extensions
Installing MMX extensions
Installing SSE extensions
Input Init:
DirectInput enabled.
Initializing chunk mappings...
o 'TEXT' maps to TextChunk
o 'SCHK' maps to UnknownChunk
o 'SCHK' maps to SimChunk
Loading compiled script C:/Program Files/Yummy Drink Factory/common/main.cs.
Loading compiled script C:/Program Files/Yummy Drink Factory/game/main.cs.
% - Initializing Common
Loading compiled script C:/Program Files/Yummy Drink Factory/common/preferences/defaultPrefs.cs.
Reading Display Device information...
Primary Display Device Found:
Vendor Id: VEN_0000
Device Id: DEV_0000
Using OpenGL rendering. Fullscreen: 0
Video Init:
Accelerated OpenGL display device detected.
Accelerated D3D device detected.
Voodoo 2 display device not detected.
Activating the OpenGL display device...
Setting screen mode to 800x600x32 (w)...
Creating a new window...
Acquiring a new device context...
Pixel format set:
32 color bits, 24 depth bits, 8 stencil bits
Creating a new rendering context...
Making the new rendering context current...
OpenGL driver information:
Vendor: Intel
Renderer: Intel 845G
Version: 1.4.0 - Build 4.14.10.3762
OpenGL Init: Enabled Extensions
OpenAL Driver Init:
Vendor: Creative Labs Inc.
Version: OpenAL 1.0
Renderer: Software
Extensions: EAX 2.0, EAX 3.0, EAX Unified, and EAX-AC3
Loading compiled script C:/Program Files/Yummy Drink Factory/common/gui/profiles.cs.
[bunch of additional scripts load...]
#2
Many of the images that wouldn't load were under 10 KB in size, so I'm positive that it isn't a video memory problem. I also found that these images would load when they were placed in a level.t2d file.
Bryce thinks that the bug is occurring because the Intel driver has OpenGL bugs in it. We checked the site, and it appears that missing graphics is a problem that happens a lot when OpenGL is used.
We're performing some tests with our beta testers right now. I'll report back any fixes that we find. Currently, our game uses OpenGL by default. We're changing this to D3D on Windows to see if this allows the beta testers to play the game without updating their drivers.
06/17/2008 (9:39 pm)
We've found out that the problem is related to the Intel 82845GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller, driver version 6.14 (ialmrnt5.dll). This is the default graphics card for many Dell computers in 2004-2005.Many of the images that wouldn't load were under 10 KB in size, so I'm positive that it isn't a video memory problem. I also found that these images would load when they were placed in a level.t2d file.
Bryce thinks that the bug is occurring because the Intel driver has OpenGL bugs in it. We checked the site, and it appears that missing graphics is a problem that happens a lot when OpenGL is used.
We're performing some tests with our beta testers right now. I'll report back any fixes that we find. Currently, our game uses OpenGL by default. We're changing this to D3D on Windows to see if this allows the beta testers to play the game without updating their drivers.
#3
06/17/2008 (9:44 pm)
I've logged this bug, but certainly any helpful info you can share is most welcome :)
#4
http://www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=65207
06/17/2008 (11:28 pm)
I found another link on the TGE forum... a guy with the same video driver version who had problems last year:http://www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=65207
#5
Out of curiosity... I'm pretty sure that D3D is the default for PC since Win 98. OpenGL is becoming legacy in PC. I don't suppose GG would consider making D3D the default for PC and OpenGL the default for Mac? Right now, OpenGL is always the default...
06/18/2008 (8:06 am)
Just got back word from the beta testers. I switched all of the prefs to D3D and the problem went away.Out of curiosity... I'm pretty sure that D3D is the default for PC since Win 98. OpenGL is becoming legacy in PC. I don't suppose GG would consider making D3D the default for PC and OpenGL the default for Mac? Right now, OpenGL is always the default...
#6
06/18/2008 (10:06 am)
It's been my personal experience that TGB handles d3d poorly in some ways. For instance, unless it's been fixed, you can't render 3d object in TBG using D3D properly. Since a lot of laptops have driver problems, this made me have to downgrade back to xp from vista. I know this doesn't answer your question, but I haven't seen alot of movement in the way of d3d, but I agree with you that opengl seems to be taking a back seat recently. However since ATI was bought by AMD which is probably going to get bought out or go out of business... you might see a new emergence of Opengl into the spotlight if ATI goes down with the ship.. and it will.
#7
I have that same Intel chip and basically will not allow static background images to be used. As soon as I add a background image, the game slows to a crawl. I was not even able to do the basic fish tutorial without having a problem. I have tried D3D and OpenGL and both have the same problems.
I'm glad you narrowed down the problem to that exact chip. I was concerned it was with all of the old Intel integrated chips. I was very surprised as I would assume many casual gamers have this chip, or at least some type of Intel integrated chip.
06/18/2008 (7:09 pm)
I have mentioned this unfortunate issue a few times (for example: http://www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=67187).I have that same Intel chip and basically will not allow static background images to be used. As soon as I add a background image, the game slows to a crawl. I was not even able to do the basic fish tutorial without having a problem. I have tried D3D and OpenGL and both have the same problems.
I'm glad you narrowed down the problem to that exact chip. I was concerned it was with all of the old Intel integrated chips. I was very surprised as I would assume many casual gamers have this chip, or at least some type of Intel integrated chip.
#8
06/19/2008 (11:27 am)
Steven, have you upgraded the driver for that chip? Intel says that updating from v6 to v13 fixes these problems, but I've not tested this yet...
#9
06/19/2008 (11:52 am)
At the time when I ran into the issue, I did all sorts of stuff. I installed XP SP2 and also updated to the latest Intel driver. I may have done the update where I let Microsoft find me the best one. I will check to see what version of the drivers I am running. Thanks! If that resolves the background image issue I will be quite happy.
#10
When you mention v13 are you referring to a 6.13?
06/19/2008 (5:09 pm)
According to my driver, I am running version 6.14.10.4342 from 6/21/2005. I have the Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller.When you mention v13 are you referring to a 6.13?
#11
06/19/2008 (5:44 pm)
Nope, by v13 I mean 13.xxx. You definitely have the buggy driver. All of my beta testers who had problems also had v6.14 as well. You should go to the Intel site and update. :)
#12
Here is the 82845G driver page
If I click on the ReadMe.TXT link it says:
Driver Revision: 6.14.10.4342
Production Version 14.10.3.4342
This is the version I have installed, but I re-installed again. I still have the same issue. These appear to be the latest drivers.
06/22/2008 (5:56 pm)
I can not find a v13. Do you happen to have a link to it? Thanks.Here is the 82845G driver page
If I click on the ReadMe.TXT link it says:
Driver Revision: 6.14.10.4342
Production Version 14.10.3.4342
This is the version I have installed, but I re-installed again. I still have the same issue. These appear to be the latest drivers.
Torque Owner Kevin James