Thief 2 intermittent hesitation problem

Corridor on 19/12/2012 at 07:24

Nope, first time I've seen it. Legend of Grimrock runs just fine, for example.

Corridor on 19/12/2012 at 11:01

Is there a way for me to check if it's the onboard video? This is my only computer atm, it'd suck to have any part of it die.

voodoo47 on 19/12/2012 at 11:10

I assume antialiasing is already disabled;

Code:

; multisampling (anti-aliasing) level
; IMPORTANT: some integrated graphics HW may not work correctly with multisampling and you will be left with a
; black screen, if that happens disable this option again
;multisampletype 8

if it is, there is not much you can do - try using different sound devices via the ingame menu, and see the docs for some extra sound related config vars. and make sure your ss2 datafiles are original/unaltered. updating you vga drivers is a good idea as well.

post the series name of your laptop (like toshiba satellite 321 or something like that), we'll be able to figure out the specs.

Corridor on 20/12/2012 at 11:35

I'm not sure how to check if antialiasing is enabled or not, and/or how to change it...

The ingame menu had options for the number of sound channels, I think that was all.

Laptop is Dell Studio 1537

voodoo47 on 20/12/2012 at 12:35

edit cam_ext.cfg, find multisampling and make sure it looks like this (with ; at the beginning of the multisampletype 8 line):

Code:

looking at the specs, the notebook has a slow graphics card (Mobility Radeon HD 3450), I'm almost sure that after disabling multisampling, the speed boost should be quite significant.

Corridor on 20/12/2012 at 14:37

Where does it say Mobility Radeon HD 3450? When I check device manager, I just get Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family, which is what I search for to update drivers.

The multisampling is apparently already disabled. :( The freezing issue doesn't make the game unplayable... I just got up to Operations deck after bludgeoning an army of midwives to death so the problem isn't exactly dire. It's just annoying. I guess there's no possible cause other than "you're trying to play a FPS on a non-gaming rig, dumbass"?

I noticed that with the clean install (no mods, just the official patch and the 2.4 patch), there's no sound loop when the freeze happens. There's just 3 seconds of frozen visuals (enemies apparently stop moving too, thank god), then black screen for 2 seconds, then all is normal. Happens every ten minutes or so with no other ill effects.

BTW, I read somewhere that the weapon degradation is way higher than the devs intended. I'm juuuuust about handling it at the moment with my repair skill and maintenance tools, but it's probably gonna get nasty on later levels when there are less of the things. I found a mod to remove it completely but I don't wanna chop out an entire game mechanic. Is there a way to just, like, reduce it?

voodoo47 on 20/12/2012 at 19:04

most internet reviews say that it has the radeon card. try running gpu-z, or maybe check your BIOS, perhaps the radeon card is just disabled. try turning off your antivirus, maybe that will help.

also, you should have a shock2.log file in your system shock folder, post the contents here.

Corridor on 21/12/2012 at 05:17

Thanks for the help. I have no idea what any of this means. :(

Inline Image:

http://gpuz.techpowerup.com/12/12/21/9ap.png

Code:

: CPU: arch=x86-64 , fam=586 , cpus=2
: SIMD: SSE=3 , 3DNow=0
: OS Version: 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
: Desktop resolution: 1536 x 960
: Virtual desktop resolution: 1536 x 960
: -----------------------------------------------------------
: unsupported mode 1536 x 960 x 32 (not in mode table)
: CWD: C:\games\Sshock2
: -----------------------------------------------------------
: App Version: System Shock 2 Patch Final 2.4
: --------------------- misc config -------------------------
: resname_base C:\games\Sshock2+E:\shock
: cd_path E:\
: load_path C:\games\Sshock2+E:\shock
: script_module_path C:\games\Sshock2+E:\shock
: movie_path C:\games\Sshock2\cutscenes+E:\shock\cutscenes
: mod_path patch_ext
: install_path C:\games\Sshock2
: game_screen_size 640 480
: game_screen_depth 32
: game_screen_flags 45
: game_full_screen 1
: screen_size 640,480
: screen_depth 16
: game_hardware 1
: single_display_mode 2
: ui_scale_mode 2
: use_d3d_display
: framerate_cap 100.0
: SlowFrame 4
: SlowFrameUI 10
: force_32bit
: force_32bit_textures
: mipmap_mode 2
: lm_mipmap_mode 0
: lm_init_texmem 2
: lm_filter_margin 1
: disable_lightmap_aniso
: tex_edge_padding 2
: alpha_test_as_opaque
: d3d_disp_enable_distortionfx
: sfx_device 1
: sfx_channels 16
: sfx_vol_music -2002
: sfx_vol_2d 0
: sfx_vol_3d 0
: sfx_mixer_timeout 200
: game shock
: obj_min -6144
: obj_max 2560
: max_refs 10240
: gui_font fonts\mainfont
: skip_intro
: z_far 512
: render_weapon_particles
: legacy_force_match_unrefs 0
: shock_single_bind_set
: shock_quicksave_slot 14
: edit_screen_depth 16
: -----------------------------------------------------------
: Enumerating D3D9 adapters (1)...
: Adapter 0
: device name: \\.\DISPLAY1
: driver : igdumdx32.dll
: descr : Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
: driver ver : 0x0008000F-000A09FB
: vendor id : 0x00008086
: device id : 0x00002A42
: subsys id : 0x029F1028
: device guid: D7B78E66-6902-11CF-637A-9522A7C2
: Modes
: 320 x 200 x 16
: 320 x 240 x 16
: 400 x 300 x 16
: 512 x 384 x 16
: 640 x 400 x 16
: 640 x 480 x 16
: 800 x 600 x 16
: 1024 x 768 x 16
: 1152 x 864 x 16
: unsupported mode 1280 x 600 x 16 (not in mode table)
: 1280 x 720 x 16
: 1280 x 768 x 16
: 1280 x 800 x 16
: 1280 x 960 x 16
: 1280 x 1024 x 16
: 1360 x 768 x 16
: 1366 x 768 x 16
: 1400 x 1050 x 16
: 1440 x 900 x 16
: 1600 x 900 x 16
: 1600 x 1200 x 16
: 1680 x 1050 x 16
: 1920 x 1080 x 16
: 1920 x 1200 x 16
: 320 x 200 x 32
: 320 x 240 x 32
: 400 x 300 x 32
: 512 x 384 x 32
: 640 x 400 x 32
: 640 x 480 x 32
: 800 x 600 x 32
: 1024 x 768 x 32
: 1152 x 864 x 32
: unsupported mode 1280 x 600 x 32 (not in mode table)
: 1280 x 720 x 32
: 1280 x 768 x 32
: 1280 x 800 x 32
: 1280 x 960 x 32
: 1280 x 1024 x 32
: 1360 x 768 x 32
: 1366 x 768 x 32
: 1400 x 1050 x 32
: 1440 x 900 x 32
: 1600 x 900 x 32
: 1600 x 1200 x 32
: 1680 x 1050 x 32
: 1920 x 1080 x 32
: 1920 x 1200 x 32
: Device Validation
: validated ok, device added (0, E390000)
: Enumeration done
: D3DProvider: Enumerating adapter 0 modes
: 320 x 200 x 16
: 320 x 240 x 16
: 400 x 300 x 16
: 512 x 384 x 16
: 640 x 400 x 16
: 640 x 480 x 16
: 800 x 600 x 16
: 1024 x 768 x 16
: 1152 x 864 x 16
: unsupported mode 1280 x 600 x 16 (not in mode table)
: 1280 x 720 x 16
: 1280 x 768 x 16
: 1280 x 800 x 16
: 1280 x 960 x 16
: 1280 x 1024 x 16
: 1360 x 768 x 16
: 1366 x 768 x 16
: 1400 x 1050 x 16
: 1440 x 900 x 16
: 1600 x 900 x 16
: 1600 x 1200 x 16
: 1680 x 1050 x 16
: 1920 x 1080 x 16
: 1920 x 1200 x 16
: 320 x 200 x 32
: 320 x 240 x 32
: 400 x 300 x 32
: 512 x 384 x 32
: 640 x 400 x 32
: 640 x 480 x 32
: 800 x 600 x 32
: 1024 x 768 x 32
: 1152 x 864 x 32
: unsupported mode 1280 x 600 x 32 (not in mode table)
: 1280 x 720 x 32
: 1280 x 768 x 32
: 1280 x 800 x 32
: 1280 x 960 x 32
: 1280 x 1024 x 32
: 1360 x 768 x 32
: 1366 x 768 x 32
: 1400 x 1050 x 32
: 1440 x 900 x 32
: 1600 x 900 x 32
: 1600 x 1200 x 32
: 1680 x 1050 x 32
: 1920 x 1080 x 32
: 1920 x 1200 x 32
: D3DProvider: Enumeration done
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 0 2D)
: CreateDevice: res = D3D_OK ; 640x480 fmt=35 zfmt=75 cnt=1 ms=0 swap=1 fs=1 hz=0 pres=1 flags=2
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Failed to load script module "baseelev"
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: Failed to load script module "+xÂA"
: Failed to load script module "traps"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)
: Loaded script module "allobjs"
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (7 9 1 3D)
: sw framerate cap requested (10000 us)
: D3DProvider StartMode: smode 640x480x32 ; mode 640x480x32 (5 9 1 2D)

Corridor on 21/12/2012 at 07:21

Also this question may have gotten lost earlier, but how do I slow the weapon degrade rate? I don't really want to eliminate it entirely, and all the mods I can find only do this.

Al_B on 21/12/2012 at 08:23

Quote Posted by Corridor

how do I slow the weapon degrade rate?

The best way is just to use guns less and use the wrench more (IMHO). I made the mistake when I first played the game of using guns almost exclusively and ran into major degradation and ammo problems towards the end. In subsequent play-throughs I used the wrench a lot more and found it a much better experience.

However, if you do want to tweak it then just open or create the file user.cfg in a text editor. Find or add a line with the text:

Code:

gun_degrade_rate 1.0

Set the 1.0 figure to somewhere between 0 and 1.0 to reduce it - e.g. 0.5 to half it, or (I assume) set it above 1.0 to increase the degradation rate. If you have the official patch installed the details should be in the file readmep.wri in your game directory which you can open in WordPad, Word or similar - it has details of this and some other configuration variables.