Trouble running CFS3

[WatersEdge]

Hi, everybody.  I've been having major trouble getting CFS3 to work, and I figured that if anybody knew how to get it running, it would be you guys.  

Okay, here's the problem.  I run the CFS3 executable, and I get the splash image.  Once that comes up, my screen goes black for a second, then drops me right back to the desktop.

I have run CFS3 on this system, but I upgraded my video card to a GeForce FX 5200 two years ago, and I haven't been able to run the game on this system since.  The card has the latest (77.77) drivers, and I can't figure out what the problem is.

Here are my system specs:
2.26 ghz Pentium IV
512 MB RAM
128 MB NVidia GeForce FX 5200
SB Live 128 sound card

I've tried MS support to get this problem solved, but in the end, I ended up talking to an Indian guy that told me to try the same solutions that the two people before him did.  Eventually, I just gave up on official MS support.

Any ideas on the problem?

[AvHistory]

I run driver 43.51 with an FX-5600/128.  Newer drivers give me a lot of trouble.  Are you running the CFS.Config utility?



BEAR

[Mathias]

<>
Kevin, I'm shure you take Molly to bed at nights.

[AvHistory]

<>
Kevin, I'm shure you take Molly to bed at nights.

Well she has to take turns with your big bad bird of prey seen here crossing the French coast to have a peek at Allied shipping.

[WatersEdge]

I've run the CFS3 Config utility several times, but it picks up my card without a problem each time.   I'll give those 43.51 drivers a try if I can find them.  I appreciate the feedback, guys.  And those planes there are awesome.  Are there any WWI biplanes out there to fly?  I think I saw a Curtis Jenny in there, so I'll have to look into that.  Okay, I'm off to find the drivers!

[AvHistory]

there are quite a few out.

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/index.php

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/index.php?l ... ileID=2739

Also a WWI WIP

http://www.off.oldbrowndog.net

BEAR

[farmerdave]

Do you have the no-cd patch? I don't if it's the same for CFS3. but on my old computer FS9 wouldn't run without it.  It's available here.

http://www.simviation.com/cfs3utilities1.htm

[WatersEdge]

Okay.  I got the no-CD patch, and it gets further into the startup sequence, but at the black screen (instead of the large version of the splash image) it locks up and gives me a fatal error message.  I tried rolling back the driver to an older one, but that didn't work, either.  I rolled it back to the 45.23 Detonator, because I couldn't find a link that worked for the 43.51.  Must fly planes.  Game must work!  The question is, what do I do now?  Thanks for all the help, though.  Hopefully we can figure this out.

[AvHistory]

Do you have the correct NOCD exe?

There is one for the unpatched game & one for the patched game.  They are NOT compatible with each other.

Drivers

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp-2k_archive.html

http://www.nvidia.com/object/win9x_archive.html

BEAR

[WatersEdge]

Yep.

[AvHistory]

For what its worth I get weird pie shaped black flashes with 45.33 but am stable on 43.45.

IIRC the original game recommended driver was 41.09

Two other thoughts.  

The cfs.config utility has two bugs.  

To make your settings take effect you must click on file then slide down to 'exit'.  If you just click on the "X" (top right) it dumps your new settings.

You must synchronize your cards AA setting to the games AA setting.

The bug is the game always shows NONE.  But if you set your card for, say 2X, then select 2X in the game & leave by the 'exit' method the game will be at 2X even though it says NONE.  

If you leave the utility by 'X' it will have NONE while the card is at 2X. This will cause visual problems.

BEAR

[Nemesis_5.4]

It's not worth a try to figure out why it doesn't work. I've an FX 5200 and I got so much problems that I'm gonna buy an FX6600. I think you should do the same. I've been trying to solve my problems for more than a year and it's actually not working. See in 'Hardware', I've made a post about the problems I encounter. Maybe they're not the same as yours but if you read the replies the others made, I think you'll figure out it's really hopeless to try to solve problems encountered with an FX5200.

[Mynameisnemo]

It's not worth a try to figure out why it doesn't work. I've an FX 5200 and I got so much problems that I'm gonna buy an FX6600. I think you should do the same. I've been trying to solve my problems for more than a year and it's actually not working. See in 'Hardware', I've made a post about the problems I encounter. Maybe they're not the same as yours but if you read the replies the others made, I think you'll figure out it's really hopeless to try to solve problems encountered with an FX5200.

I'm running a Connect 3D Ati Radeon 9250 SE and i can run this game with no problems. all i can say is upgrade ur graphics card.

Nemo

[IndioBlack]

I'm running a GeForce 6800, and I've had black flashes and lock-ups.
What sorted it for me was going into setup and unticking "Dual Pass Render", then ticking "high res Z buffer". Just those changes, nothing else.
In the Nvidia setup, I make sure I select vertical sync On, and most importantly "High Quality".
I am patched fully and I use the nocd.

[GeForce]

Just a thought but try turning vertical sync off. I messes up some games. I've only got a FX5500 256mb but I keep it off all the time.

Jon