Performance is Poor

[manarak]

My problem is in the thread's title.
The game doesn't run smooth, I can't rotate view smoothly, scrolling is greatly delayed and jumpy.
And that is at minimum video settings (800x something) with no buildings on the map.
The game is not playable.

I've got a 2.4 GHz Pentium, 1 GB RAM with a GeForce FX5600 (128 MB).

Ideas?

Here is the beginning of my DX Diag, since the forum won't let me post the full file:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/10/2006, 23:56:52
Machine name: MULTIMEDIA
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: German (Regional Setting: German)
System Manufacturer: MICRO-STAR INC.
System Model: MS-6728
BIOS: Version 1.00
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 351MB used, 1773MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5600
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0312&SUBSYS_80E71043&REV_A1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Monitor: Plug und Play-Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9147 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/11/2006 21:42:52, 4496128 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: Nicht zutreffend
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/11/2006 21:42:42, 3958496 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4052-11CF-4850-EDA000C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0312
SubSys ID: 0x80E71043
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: C-Media Wave Device
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_72801462&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: cmuda.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0029 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Debug
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 2/26/2003 05:44:36, 739983 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: C-Media Inc.
HW Accel Level: Standard
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 100000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 17, 16
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 17, 16
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: C-Media Wave Device
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: cmuda.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0029 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Debug
Date and Size: 2/26/2003 05:44:36, 739983 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xCC0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
C-Media Wave Device, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI-Mapper [Emuliert], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emuliert], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Maus
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Tastatur
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

[Agamemnus]

Disable shadows, anti-aliasing, etc.

[existenz]

Welcome to the forum Manarak:) Two things I can see is that your video card is below minimim specs for the game as the game was tested on the Geforce 6000 and 7000 series. Also you may want to enlarge your pagefile to double the amount of ram you have i.e. to 2048 instead.
The demo ran fine on my 6600GT, I now have a 7600GT Geforce graphics card and the full game runs well on that. Do you have enough space on your harddrive which C4 is installed on? The game needs 2GB to install and I believe 15% free space on your harddrive is recommended after the game is installed. All the best and good luck.

[Keith]

You may want to reduce all the in-game graphic settings to minimums or off on the video menu. Then try the game, then turn them back on one by one and raise one of the sliders a little at a time one by one until you start to have problems. More than likely you do want to leave shadows turned OFF.

[manarak]

Thank you for the replies, but I wrote that I am already at minimum settings.
2GB install, 15% free on HD - all fine. I even defragmented.

The thing that remains is the pagefile (Swap) - I got 1,75 MB now for it. will adding 250 MB really change something?

How can it be that my video card is below minimum specs, if the minimum specs say:
64 MB video card (with Hardware T&L including Pixel Shader 1.1 or higher support)??

I expect the game will run OK with minimum specs at the minimum settings - which it does not!

[PCDania]

You SHOULD also try bringing the screen refresh down to 60Hz from 85Hz.
What is the idea behind doing this? What should it solve? The graphics card will allways churn out frames as fast as possible as long as V-Sync has not be enabled. The refresh rate is how fast the monitor redraws the picture it is send from the graphics card. On a LCD it works a little different but the place where it happens is the same: in the monitor. If the refresh rate on a CRT monitor is set too low people develop headache, tiredness, sore eyes and in worst case dizzyness. If it is set too high you get a distorted picture and can in worst case damage the monitor.

It's not without reason the refresh rate is part of the TCO 99 Certification Standard for monitors. Personally I have to run CRT monitors at atleast 85Hz else I get a headache. At 60Hz I also get dizzy and nauseated (or what it's called) within half an hour.

[Manni]

Personally I have to run CRT monitors at atleast 85Hz else I get a headache. At 60Hz I also get dizzy and nauseated (or what it's called) within half an hour.
That might be the case PCDania.......concerning YOU. But there are so many various heads about.......;)

Why not get a TFT for a change?

I do NOT get headaches or become dizzy or nauseated with 60 Hz and that for 5 years running now on TFT`s. :D

[mouse]

Manni I run my flat sceen monitor at 75mhz it works best with my card and before that I ran my Crt at 85mhz which again worked best for me. While 60mhz caused flicker with both monitors.

There is no one size fits all solution to this issue. Just as turning off all the eye candy in XP which eats CPU cycles and reduces performance of XP. If turning off the eye candy didn't improve performance then it wouldn't be listed as such. Some people don't think performance is as important as appearance of windows. My opinion is I built a high performance system and that's what I want from my system:D

This game requires performance to work;)

[PCDania]

Why not get a TFT for a change?
I do have a TFT monitor myself but there is no guarantee I have one where I work and it's bad advice telling people to throw a perfectly good CRT monitor out just because it gives them a headache when running the refresh rate below 85Hz (not that anyone has done that yet). Besides that 'getting a TFT myself' has nothing with my question to do. I like to know why it's suggested to set the refresh rate down to 60Hz. It even looks like it's suggested on random. I have never ever before in my whole life heard about game problems being solved by setting the refresh rate at 60Hz on ordinary off-the-shelf systems. I've heard about worn out or very old monitors that could only run at that refresh rate else they would distort the image on the screen or even go black.

There are special software for people with bad eyesight that forces the graphical system to run at a very low resolution and in that case you might need to set the refresh rate as low as possible for not damaging your hardware. For people not using that kind of software it is not necessary to set the refresh rate at 60Hz but at the rate where the screen does not flicker in any way.

I have a good and legitimate reason for saying it. One being experience. For others PM me. If it is legitimate why not put that in public instead of trying to hide it for me and others? It must really be a deeply kept secret as I've as I said never ever heard or read about this except for computers running special software for people with bad eyesight.

[Manni]

Manni I run my flat sceen monitor at 75mhz it works best with my card and before that I ran my Crt at 85mhz which again worked best for me. While 60mhz caused flicker with both monitors.
I understand mouse!

I think also some depends on the reaction-time of the TFT. Mine I have right now is a 19" with 8 m/sec

I will be getting a 5m/sec thing soon

All I can say is that I run it on 60Hz and have no flickering. :)

[mouse]

My monitor has 4m/sec;)

[Manni]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :D :)

[PCDania]

Not a deep secret at all Dania. You for the most part stated the reason and I DON'T like to discuss my problem publicly unless I'm attacked in some manner for what I do, even on the forums. I don't use "eye candy", but have my system settings tweaked in addition to where the refresh has to be as minimal as possible or I get flahses and blurs. As I've noted and don't want to bring it up again, you know my condition and it IS personal to me.

By not doing as requested you bordered on going too far and you can bet on it. It IS a sensative issue to me. I'm sure Mouse can fill you in as we had this debate and I had to say more than desired, wanted, and needed.

Sincerely,
Phil


Sorry Phil if you feel offended. You have a bad eyesight and there is nothing to be ashamed about and the discussion is NOT YOUR eyesight and what YOU have to do on YOUR computer for getting the best experience at YOUR computer.

What I am asking is why OTHER people should get a better experience when playing Caesar IV at THEIR computers by setting the refresh rate on THEIR monitor at 60Hz. Those other people do not need the special tweaks you unfortunately need and therefore they do not get blurs and other problems when setting the refresh rate higher than 60Hz like you unfortunately does.

There is no need for them to lower the refresh rate on their monitor but instead they should keep it at a rate where they do not see the slightest flickering. If they run the monitor at a too low refresh rate they will experience sore eyes, headache, tiredness and possible dizzyness, or put in other words: they get sick so they are unable to sit at a computer enjoying their games, surfing the internet and what else they use their computer for. If people have a perfectly good CRT monitor there is no need to throw it out and buy a TFT monitor for being able to set the refresh rate at 60Hz as Manni suggested to me (yes, that was actually what he said with his comment).

The lower refresh rate does not effect the graphics card in any way what calculating frames goes, the card will calculate frames as fast as possible and send them to the monitor in sync with the refresh rate of the monitor, the excess frames the graphics card has calculated are dropped. If you don't believe me then look at tests where they show framerates. I hope you are able to see pictures with text on them else please ask someone whom you trusts to confirm what I am saying is the data seen in the test which can be seen here:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/asus-en7950gx2_6.html

Top picture, graphics card I mention is the one at the top having a blue bar, the blue bar means the resolution is 1280x1024:

In Battlefield 2, FSAA 4x + Aniso 16x using a Asus EN7950GX2 max frame rate is 131.2 frames pr. second.

There are three more graphics cards in the picture and all displays frame rates higher then 75 frames pr second.

The monitor used is a Samsung SyncMaster 244T monitor (24”, 1920х1200@75Hz max display mode)

Max refreshrate for the monitor used is 75Hz.

Link to specifications for system the graphics cards were tested on:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/asus-en7950gx2_5.html

[PCDania]

I understand mouse!

I think also some depends on the reaction-time of the TFT. Mine I have right now is a 19" with 8 m/sec

I will be getting a 5m/sec thing soon

All I can say is that I run it on 60Hz and have no flickering. :)
That is because you have a TFT and it updates the screen in a different way than a CRT monitor. I have a 17'' TFT myself which updates at 60Hz but I wish it could run a little bit higher refresh rate at it's default resolution 1280x1024.

[PCDania]

My monitor has 4m/sec;)
The fastest claimed is 2ms ;) :D :D

[Manni]

That is because you have a TFT and it updates the screen in a different way than a CRT monitor. I have a 17'' TFT myself which updates at 60Hz but I wish it could run a little bit higher refresh rate at it's default resolution 1280x1024.
I see, thank you. :)

[mouse]

It's only a few months old, LG LCD 1000:1 but got such a good buy I couldn't pass it up;) 19" for $250USD the next week it was $320USD:eek:

[PCDania]

Again no worries, my man! Yes, I have problems, but to let you know, I'm not the only one here who does and why I note it as such. None of us know (save me as I've been told by a few), they also have vision problems and we must not forget anybody in our analysis.

So Manarak has bad eyesight resulting in him having to run the monitor at a refresh rate of 60Hz?

Afterall, unless known we don't knwo what people have on their systems and there are many more like me (at least in the USA) than you realize who use computers and gaming is what we do for pleasure, recreation, and enjoyment. There's a lot of people all over the world that use a computer at home for pleasure, recreation and enjoyment. The number of people between the age of 30 and 40 playing games on their computer is rising pretty much and the age group 40+ years is also slowly using the computer at home more and more for gaming. Seems like people don't allways stop playing games when they reach the working age. So, yes I would say I'm aware there's a lot of people who use the home computer for gaming. Some of the best CityBuilder gamers I know of are 60+ years old and they are among the best CityBuilder gamers out there.

[PCDania]

So you choose to not ask and instead tells people to do something to their monitor that does not make it easier for their graphics card but will make people feel tired or even make people sick from sitting at their computer? Sorry to say this but it makes no sense.

The rule for setting the correct refresh rate is: Set it at a frequency so you don't see any flickering on the Desktop. If you have to set the frequency at such a high setting that it distorts the picture (gets blurred or gets out of shape or there's thin lines) then set the refresh rate one step lower and start saving up for a new monitor as the one you currently have is not fit for your eyes and will make you feeling tired and eventually lead to headache in the long run.

If anyone use special software or special tweaks because they have a handicap of some sort follow the directions regarding that but don't tell everybody to use it as it's specific for your problem. As it is I think we have allready plenty of people with bad eyes and health, there's no need to create more.

Many won't tell you so I note it in case they do without us knowing Ummm, how do you do that online if they don't tell???

[manarak]

Ok, here is the full dxdiag file attached.
I didn't realize the attachment mod was activated on this board.

Did you ignore what I said? Do remember I have the same EXACT card as you do. If set to minimums, turn ALL shader and water detail-related graphic options OFF. Also to note, you do have an older card as I do. DO NOT expect perfection. Your screen resolution for that card is too hgih. Bring it down to 1024X768 and try it again. You SHOULD also try bringing the screen refresh down to 60Hz from 85Hz. That might be too quick and the card may not be able to keep up. This is what I have my system graphic settings set to.

ALSO, you did not provide your entire DxDiag. MUCH important information is missing and other problems might be in what you didn't provide. Would you please attach the file instead of copying it into your post? It would be greatly appreciated.

No, I didn't ignore what you said - I just told earlier that I was running at minimum settings - meaning I already turned off all the stuff you mentioned.

60 or even 70 Hz are no option. My eyes begin to ache.

I wonder how changing the WINDOWS resolution would improve the game performance.

Nevertheless, I tried running the game at 800x600 (both Windows and the game) and set the monitor to 60Hz and got exactly the same crappy result.

There has to be some kind of non-obvious tweak to get the game running, since the minimum spec says it runs on a computer that has half the capacities of mine.

[Keith]

Here's a thought. Instead of running the game full screen mode, go into the CaesarIV.ini file and change the line that says:

full screen mode 1

to

full screen mode 0

Set the following lines to:

Game Window Height 600
Game Window Width 800

Save the file.

Now set your desktop resolution to no less than 1024x768. Run the game. This will launch the game itself inside a 800x600 window on your computer desktop.

I did this on my system and noticed that the the game ran a little smoother than it did when I ran it in my usual 1024x768 full screen mode. I run a P4 3Ghz processor too.

You may still have to reduce the in-game video setting, and have shadows turned OFF.

[manarak]

OK.

A 3.4 GHz Prescott and a 7800GS @450 MHz and 256 MB@1300 MHz will be delivered to me soon.
Let's see how performance will be after I put these 2 babies in.

[Manni]

OK.

A 3.4 GHz Prescott and a 7800GS @450 MHz and 256 MB@1300 MHz will be delivered to me soon.
Let's see how performance will be after I put these 2 babies in.
Let`s hope the present power-supply will be strong enough for those "babies". :)

[mouse]

Ok my pennies worth what I had the best results doing with the game:
let the set the defaults in the game (in my case it was custom for video), then go into interface and check all of items under pause messages.
Another thought there could be a conflict where running the English version of the game on a computer with any other language (they must regionalize games for a reason).

[Kiya]

Another thought there could be a conflict where running the English version of the game on a computer with any other language (they must regionalize games for a reason).

Mouse, I don't quite believe in this statement. I have two or three dozens of games and none of them has the same language as my OS (Windows 98, now Win XP). Two are not even using Latin alphabet but still working perfectly on my lappy with Win XP. Actually in my country there are NO localized versions of any games but some for pre-school children. (Good for those kids of course, but otherwise :( )

I guess the reason games are localized is probably because people want to use their own languages, not a foreign one (like I am forced to do if I want to play video games). Or perhaps it is people don't know well enough foreign languages (English?) to play games using other than their mother tongue. You can order one German / Italian whatever version online, install it and see how it goes and feels to you. ;) :D

[mouse]

Like I said it was just a thought since some Turkish players had problems mixing the English version and their Turkish version of windows:D

[Buzz137]

hey, I got a NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200

that's my problem, the only one.

what else can I do to improve the performance besides changing the settings to minimum?

thx

cheers

[manarak]

Forget about the DX Diag - it is the FX5200 that is a piece of crap.
The game now runs smoothly on the XFX GS7800 at max settings.
:-)

Seems the 520 W power supply keeps pace. <g>
And I didn't even get my new CPU.

[Will Jennings]

Two things I can see is that your video card is below minimim specs for the game as the game was tested on the Geforce 6000 and 7000 series.

Just a clarification here: the game was tested on cards as low-end as a GeForce 3 Ti 200 (it'll run on one, though not smoothly in larger cities, and with some effects issues (dark terrain, for instance) due to it not supporting recent pixel shader models). I play on an FX 5400 at home. Around the office, we're running a range of cards from ATI as well.

[Buzz137]

you said 5200 and NO problems, phil? i have all the requirements but this one and i've tried a lot of things.

the dxdiag: thx for the help

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/12/2006, 19:09:51
Machine name: HOME02
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: Portuguese (Regional Setting: Portuguese)
System Manufacturer: INTEL_
System Model: PRODUCT8
BIOS: BIOS Date: 02/13/05 22:02:08 Ver: 08.00.10
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 311MB used, 3119MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5200
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0322&SUBSYS_203C1682&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Monitor: SyncMaster 753DF(T)/ 783DF(T), MagicSyncMaster AQ17DF
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8421 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 3/9/2006 15:29:00, 3968512 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 3/9/2006 15:29:00, 3650368 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4062-11CF-D755-360000C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0322
SubSys ID: 0x203C1682
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D

[Manni]

Hello Buzz137

you have driver 84.21 from 3/9/2006 installed

Have you tried the 91.47 from 9.2006 yet?

[Buzz137]

yes, thx
i did it yesterday.

[Manni]

yes, thx
i did it yesterday.

Would you be willing to do the whole process of un/installing the game once more?

Then please:

If I were you I`d uninstall the game once more, delete all visible Caesar IV-folders left after uninstalling via software-installs, run a cleaner like CCleaner (Crap-Cleaner) from here: http://www.ccleaner.com/download/ , defrag the partititions where you install it on later, reboot and install the game once more in this order:
(no need to uninstall the present .NET Framework)

Insert CD 1
install .NET Framework first from the CD 1 (as someone on the board suggested: lay off your firewall for installing just .NET Framwork)
take the CD 1 out and do the demanded reboot
insert CD 1 again
install DirectX from the CD
carry on with installing the game
wait till it`ll demand CD 2
insert CD 2 and finish with installing

take CD 2 out

if you haven`t done it yet.........go to microsoft-update and get a new security-update for .NET Framework (out on Tuesday this week), also go to Microsoft Download-Center and get the new DirectX-Update from 10th octobre (3 days ago).

Do a reboot, insert CD 1 and try Caesar again.

[Buzz137]

thank u very much guys

i'll try that Manni.

by the way, i've notived sth:
when I turn the overview, u know, 90 degrees from the floor, i can get a better performance, with the zoom out.

this game just rocks!!! and the III one used to lag a lot too. didn't it?

cheers