pagan on 29/9/2008 at 12:37

---

First, an introduction (skimmers please go to the second para). I'm Pagan, and as my numberless username suggests, I've been watching these forums for a fair few years (and playing Thief, Deus Ex and Morrowind for longer). Despite many years of gaming, however, I still suck at all things computery. I'm aware, however, that a lot of you that frequent ttlg aren't - so I thought you could help me.

I have 3 problems - stemming from my recent purchase of a new computer:

1. First, when I unplugged my broadband (which was working fine) cable a few days ago, I plugged it back in only to receive a 'Cannot display page, DNS Error' screen. I've made sure I'm acquiring IP and DNS automatically, and have even flushed the DNS cache through the command console - no joy. Any ideas?
2. Second, the reason I'm desperate to get my internet up and running is to enjoy more Thief 2 FMs (d/l and played a lot on my old machine - want garretloader back!). However, on my new PC, when I put the Thief 2 cd in to install, my drive fails to read it, no matter what. More ideas? (Perhaps I need a new copy - my old one's been used a hell of a lot?).
3. Finally, while waiting to see if my 'net would magically repair itself, as well as a lot of swearing, crying and masturbating - I installed Deus Ex in order to pass the time. However, when I went in game, everything moved very, very quick - I think maybe it's a framerate issue or something...? Like I say, I ain't too hot on this stuff.

Anyway, that's about it (except to also mention that I installed Thief 3, only for the opening video to become stuck on a constant loop - is my machine cursed?!). Help greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Pagan (or didz)

baeuchlein on 29/9/2008 at 16:29

---

There are quite a few things which might go wrong, partially depending on how IP and DNS (I assume that's the DNS server's IP address, right?) are acquired.

One can - at least here in Germany, where I live - connect to the internet via broadband either by directly attaching one computer to the broadband modem (and possibly connecting more computers to the computer which is connected to the broadband modem), or by attaching one or more computers to a router which itself is connected to the broadband modem.

If one connects just one computer to the broadband modem, you will find one (network) cable running from some small plastic box filled with electronic stuff (the broadband modem) to that computer. If other computers connect to the computer which is also connected to the broadband modem, then there will be at least two network cables attached to the rear of this computer; one going towards the broadband modem (the small plastic box), and one or more going to other computers. Settings for establishing the broadband connection are usually found directly in the computer (or its operating system, e.g. Windows) which is used for accessing the internet.

If a router is used instead, the network cables are arranged in a different way. The router is just another plastic box, probably looking not much different than the broadband modem. Some routers have a built-in broadband modem, while we, for example, use one router and one broadband modem, meaning we have two plastic boxes lurking around somewhere. These two boxes are connected by a network cable. Of course, if a router has a built-in broadband modem, you only have one plastic box and need no network cable between the router and the modem.

However, the router needs a connection to your computer(s) as well. Usually this means that there is one network cable running from the router's plastic box to each computer attached. Cables connecting the different computers directly to each other are almost never used in this case.

The settings for connectiong to the internet must be stored inside the router in such a case. Very often, one uses an internet browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, ... whatever) to set and verify those settings; sometimes, one enters some kind of internet address (e.g., http://www.mybroadbandrouter.net) or the router's IP adress (e.g., http://192.168.123.254) and then gets a menu displayed in the internet browser, where all the settings can be made.

By carefully checking what kinds of cables are running through your house, you should be able to verify what kind of setup you have, even without knowing what all these damned, electronics-filled plastic boxes lying around in your home actually do. And then we can think about where exactly the automatic transmission of DNS server addresses fail for your setup.

If you have the first solution, a computer connected directly to the broadband modem, you only need to check whether the operating system really acquires the DNS address. Since there is no router present, it cannot make any mistake with that DNS address, so it's up to the computers operating system (and maybe one or two additional programs usually supplied by your Internet service provider (ISP)) to obtain and use the DNS addresses.

Most Windows operating systems (at least Win95, Win98 and XP; I don't know anything about Vista) allow you to enter an IP address and several DNS server addresses directly, or you may select "automatic retrieval" (or something like that). This is the first place to verify whether the selections are correct. Usually, we select automatic retrieval for the IP address herein Germany, since your ISP determines what IP you get. Only if you are hosting internet pages this is different.

DNS servers, however, can often be retrieved automatically, but one can enter the addresses manually as well. I use 145.253.2.11, 145.253.2.75 and 194.25.2.129, but these addresses might work only for Germany. If, instead, the DNS addresses are retrieved automatically, there should be some kind of program which can tell you what DNS address actually was retrieved by your computer. The command is "ifconfig" for Linux and something like "ipconfig" or "winipconfig" for Windows systems. For Windows, you usually have to select "Start" and then something like "Execute" to get a command-line window (formerly called "MS-DOS window"), where you can type your command. If you're done, close the window or enter the command "exit". Again, I don't know what to do when using Vista.

If the IP and/or DNS address is not set to automatic retrieval, then you have to enter an address yourself.

If you have the other setup I mentioned, the one with the router, then you need to make sure that the router is retreiving the IP and DNS addresses as well. If not, then whatever Windows does might not matter much, since the actual connection to the internet is not made by the computer running Windows, but by the router. That router then lets your computer(s) use the already established internet connection as well, but it's still the router which establishes and manages the connection. To verify the router's settings, look into its manual to determine how you can look at these settings (as I said, it's usually done with an internet browser), then check out what the router really does.

And if you still see no problem, try to figure out what DNS addresses are actually used (by looking at the router's settings or the results of any ifconfig/ipconfig/winpiconfig command). Then, open a command-line window (if you haven't already done that), and type "ping (DNS address)". For (DNS address), use one of the DNS addresses which are used by your computer, e.g. "ping 145.253.2.11". You should then see some lines like "64 bytes from 145.253.2.11: icmp_seq=3 ttl=246 time=45.5 ms", indicating that your computer managed to "talk" to this DNS server.

If you see something like "From 192.168.123.41 icmp_seq=1 Destination Host Unreachable" or "Request timed out" instead, then your computer was unable to "talk" to the DNS server. Either you used an invalid DNS server address, or something else has gone wrong, then.

Once we have determined where the problem lurks, we might be able to further help you and get rid of whatever is troubling you there.

But now for something completely different.



I'd like to have more detail here as well.

First of all, my Thief 2 came on two CDs, not just one. If your version uses two disks as well, what about the other?

I know one needs just one of these two disks in the drive to play the game, but if both fail, then it looks like a hardware failure or some mis-configured things somewhere in your Windows installation.

If only the second CD (the one you need to have in the drive if you play Thief) gives you trouble, then either it's really badly scratched or defective/hard to read for any other reason, or the copy protection on this CD generathes the trouble. There is no such protection on the first CD.

In case of just having problems with the second CD, try accessing the disk from Windows (e.g., by starting Windows Explorer and selecting the CD drive's letter). If you can see the files on the CD, then chances are high that the CD protection is responsible for your problems. This usually means you can examine the disks contents and even install the game from it, but when you want to actually play, the game won't start or maybe tells you to insert another CD.

People here will almost certainly be able to help you once you tell us more about the nature of your problem with the CD.

As for your third question: I know nothing about Deus Ex, but I read somewhere that the game uses the same engine as Thief does, meaning that it may suffer from similar problems. I think there are some remedies mentioned in the Thief FAQ here at TTLG. Sometimes, VSYNC has something to do with it, if I remember that correctly. Check it out or wait until someone else can help you with that.

EvaUnit02 on 3/10/2008 at 10:58

---

For Deus Ex, you have to enable v-sync.

Install the (http://cwdohnal.home.mindspring.com/utglr/) enhanced OpenGL renderer.

After installation:-
1. Run DX in safe mode.
2. Click "Change your 3D video device".
3. Select "Show all devices" and select OpenGL.
4. Run the game once and then quit.
5a. Open deusex.ini.
b. Find the [OpenGLDrv.OpenGLRenderDevice] grouping.
c. Set SwapInterval to a value of 1.
d. Save the changed ini.

The Brain on 10/10/2008 at 20:09

---

You need to run imagecfg.exe again on patched thief2.exe and thief2.icd.

EvaUnit02 on 12/10/2008 at 13:27

---

(http://www.thief-thecircle.com/guides/hyperthreading/)
Please read. The answer to question is self-explanatory.