GTR2 hangs on main menu click to get into the game proper

[Max]

Hi, I'm unable to get GTR2 to run in WinXP. My PC satisfies the game specs.
The game installs and starts ok all the way to the main menu screen. No
inkling of anything amiss. But when I click on any one of the several game
menu options eg: "Time Trial" to start the game proper, it simply hangs
solid with a garbled continuous sound, forcing a press of the re-start
button just to clear the PC (Ctrl+Alt+Del couldn't re-start). Uninstalling
and re-installing the game didn't help. I'm able to run other games without
problem. My soundcard is Creative SoundblasterLive. Appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks
Max

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi Max,

Here's some of Microsoft KB's on SB Live issues:

Recommends updating the driver:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315327

Recommends making it the default sound device:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=319595

This article says that if you experience unpredictable results after
installing SB Live drivers, to contact Microsoft for free patch file fixes:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=821995

You can try different Acceleration levels. Click Start / Run
type: dxdiag / click the Sound Tab and move the slider a notch or two.

--
Cheers, *Windows_XP_MVP_Shell/User*
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Visit my MSN Games and Windows Gaming Help Site: www.msce.mvps.org
MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________


Max Wrote:
=================
| Hi, I'm unable to get GTR2 to run in WinXP. My PC satisfies the game specs.
| The game installs and starts ok all the way to the main menu screen. No
| inkling of anything amiss. But when I click on any one of the several game
| menu options eg: "Time Trial" to start the game proper, it simply hangs
| solid with a garbled continuous sound, forcing a press of the re-start
| button just to clear the PC (Ctrl+Alt+Del couldn't re-start). Uninstalling
| and re-installing the game didn't help. I'm able to run other games without
| problem. My soundcard is Creative SoundblasterLive. Appreciate any thoughts.
|
| Thanks
| Max

 

[demechanik]

Thanks, Jimmy. Tried the links & installed the latest SBLive drivers
but prob persists. Sound acceleration is set to max. Any other thoughts
?

Thanks
Max

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi [email protected],

Try sliding the acceleration all the way down.
If that solves the problem, bring it back a notch at a time to find the sweet spot.

--
Cheers, *Windows_XP_MVP_Shell/User*
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Visit my MSN Games and Windows Gaming Help Site: www.msce.mvps.org
MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

[email protected] Wrote:
=================
| Thanks, Jimmy. Tried the links & installed the latest SBLive drivers
| but prob persists. Sound acceleration is set to max. Any other thoughts
| ?
|
| Thanks
| Max
|
| Jimmy S. wrote:
|| Hi Max,
||
|| Here's some of Microsoft KB's on SB Live issues:
||
|| Recommends updating the driver:
|| http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315327
||
|| Recommends making it the default sound device:
|| http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=319595
||
|| This article says that if you experience unpredictable results after
|| installing SB Live drivers, to contact Microsoft for free patch file fixes:
|| http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=821995
||
|| You can try different Acceleration levels. Click Start / Run
|| type: dxdiag / click the Sound Tab and move the slider a notch or two.
||
|| --
|| Cheers, *Windows_XP_MVP_Shell/User*
|| Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[demechanik]

Jimmy,

Slid it all the way down, game still hangs solid <groan>.
I'm now not sure whether the soundcard is the issue.
Anything else I could try ?

Rgds
Max

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi [email protected],

To eliminate the sound card as a culprit, disable it temporarily.

--
Cheers, *Windows_XP_MVP_Shell/User*
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Visit my MSN Games and Windows Gaming Help Site: www.msce.mvps.org
MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

[email protected] Wrote:
=================
| Jimmy,
|
| Slid it all the way down, game still hangs solid <groan>.
| I'm now not sure whether the soundcard is the issue.
| Anything else I could try ?
|
| Rgds
| Max
|
| Jimmy S. wrote:
|| Hi [email protected],
||
|| Try sliding the acceleration all the way down.
|| If that solves the problem, bring it back a notch at a time to find the sweet spot.

 

[demechanik]

To eliminate the sound card as a culprit, disable it temporarily.

How do I do that ?

Max

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi [email protected],

In Control Panel, click on System > Hardware > Device Manager
Under Sound, video and game controllers, right click your sound card
and select the option to "Disable" the device. Click OK to finish.

--
Cheers, *Windows_XP_MVP_Shell/User*
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Visit my MSN Games and Windows Gaming Help Site: www.msce.mvps.org
MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

[email protected] Wrote:
=================
| Jimmy S. wrote:
|| To eliminate the sound card as a culprit, disable it temporarily.
|
| How do I do that ?
|
| Max

 

[Max]

Thanks, Jimmy. Got that done. Rebooted, then tried running the game, but it
still hangs, I'm afraid.

Rgds
Max

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi Max,

Maybe it isn't your Soundblaster Live which is causing the problem.
It might be your video or chipset drivers....

Updating video card drivers can solve most gaming issues. Here's some
simple abc's to always keep in mind. a. Shut off download accelerators,
firewalls and antivirus programs when downloading or installing updates;
b. Check for game patches: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
c. Make sure you meet the game's minimum video and system requirements.

Before you update your drivers, I recommend that you update DirectX
from: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx

Here are the steps I recommend you use to update your driver:

1. To identify the make and model of your card, right click your
Desktop, choose Properties / Settings / Advanced / Adapter.

2. Download the latest video driver for your card online, using
http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers
to find the website to download from. I also have advanced
video driver and direct X troubleshooting steps on that page.

3. Save the .exe driver (or extract the zip file) to a folder
in My Documents named after the driver version number.

4. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.

5. Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware
Device Manager / expand +Display Adapters / right click on
the adapter, pick "Uninstall", and click No if asked to reboot.

6. Use Control Panel / Add-Remove programs to uninstall the
previous driver (exe)software which may have been installed.

7. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.

8. If the driver is NOT a (.exe)program file, GO TO step 11.

9. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
"Cancel" and Double click the driver program to begin installation.
* Even if not prompted, doubleclick the driver and install it.

10. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
That's it! Scroll down to the Troubleshooter if you have problems.

11. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
"Install from a list or specific location", click the "Browse" button,
browse to the My documents folder where you saved the driver,
and finally click on one of the driver files to begin installation.

** If you are not prompted, or if the driver was updated automatically:
Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware Device Manager
expand +Display Adapters / right click on the adapter, pick "Update Driver"
to start the Update Wizard, choose the "Install from a list..." option:
Browse to My Documents\ folder with the driver in it
Click OK and click Next to begin the update.

12. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
That's it! Try the advice in the Troubleshooter if you have problems.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

Test your drivers using DXDiag: Click Start / Run / type: DXDIAG
Click the "Test" buttons in the Display, Sound, Music & Network Tabs;
If any of the Display options are Disabled and you cannot Enable them,
your most likely solution would be to update your Chipset Drivers as per
my website: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#v11

Your program might not support dual monitors, or "dual head" video cards
You can disable the extra video output in your display properties control
panel. Click Start>Settings>Control Panel>Display>Settings>Advanced.

Along with your Video card, Sound Cards, Motherboard Chipsets,
and Video Monitors may also require updated drivers. Even your
motherboard's BIOS may need to be updated for compatibility with
your Video card. These steps are listed at: http://NibblesNbitsVideo.tk

Perhaps the old Video drivers did not completely uninstall. If that's the
case, use these utility to completely uninstall the drivers and go to step
7:
nvidia: http://content.guru3d.com/index.php?page=detonatorrip&menu=0
or for all cards including nvidia use: http://www.driverheaven.net/cleaner/

The latest video drivers sometime don't work with a particular game.
(Check the Video suggestions in the readme.txt file in your game folder/CD)
If there's no suggestions, try an older (WHQL) driver, and/or if you still
experience problems try a Beta driver, or even an Omega driver instead:

BETA Drivers: http://download.guru3d.com/
OMEGA Drivers: http://www.omegadrivers.net

There you have it, if you have any questions feel free to post them!

Cheers, Windows_XP_MVP_Shell/User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________



Max Wrote:
=================
| Thanks, Jimmy. Got that done. Rebooted, then tried running the game, but it
| still hangs, I'm afraid.
|
| Rgds
| Max
|
|| In Control Panel, click on System > Hardware > Device Manager
|| Under Sound, video and game controllers, right click your sound card
|| and select the option to "Disable" the device. Click OK to finish.

 

[Max]

Many thanks, Jimmy. Appreciate your detailed response ! Will certainly check
it out but may take awhile <g>. For info, DirectX (9.0c) seems ok. I tested
all the dx diagnostics with the video & sound, no problem. GTR2 is a recent
racing game release. I've got other fairly recent racing games also, eg:
Colin Mcrae5, GTR, Toca Racing 3, all of these run smooth with no problems.
That's why I'm stumped why I face problems with this GTR2.

---

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi Max,

You're most welcome. Since the game is so recent, you may just need to
wait for the first update / patch to come out for it.

--
Cheers, *Windows_XP_MVP_Shell/User*
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Visit my MSN Games and Windows Gaming Help Site: www.msce.mvps.org
MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

Max Wrote:
=================
| Many thanks, Jimmy. Appreciate your detailed response ! Will certainly check
| it out but may take awhile <g>. For info, DirectX (9.0c) seems ok. I tested
| all the dx diagnostics with the video & sound, no problem. GTR2 is a recent
| racing game release. I've got other fairly recent racing games also, eg:
| Colin Mcrae5, GTR, Toca Racing 3, all of these run smooth with no problems.
| That's why I'm stumped why I face problems with this GTR2.
|| Hi Max,
||
|| Maybe it isn't your Soundblaster Live which is causing the problem.
|| It might be your video or chipset drivers....
||
|| Updating video card drivers can solve most gaming issues. Here's some
|| simple abc's to always keep in mind. a. Shut off download accelerators,
|| firewalls and antivirus programs when downloading or installing updates;
|| b. Check for game patches: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
|| c. Make sure you meet the game's minimum video and system requirements.
||
|| Before you update your drivers, I recommend that you update DirectX
|| from: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx
||
|| Here are the steps I recommend you use to update your driver:
||
|| 1. To identify the make and model of your card, right click your
|| Desktop, choose Properties / Settings / Advanced / Adapter.
||
|| 2. Download the latest video driver for your card online, using
|| http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers
|| to find the website to download from. I also have advanced
|| video driver and direct X troubleshooting steps on that page.
||
|| 3. Save the .exe driver (or extract the zip file) to a folder
|| in My Documents named after the driver version number.
||
|| 4. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
|| about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.
||
|| 5. Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware
|| Device Manager / expand +Display Adapters / right click on
|| the adapter, pick "Uninstall", and click No if asked to reboot.
||
|| 6. Use Control Panel / Add-Remove programs to uninstall the
|| previous driver (exe)software which may have been installed.
||
|| 7. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
|| about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.
||
|| 8. If the driver is NOT a (.exe)program file, GO TO step 11.
||
|| 9. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
|| "Cancel" and Double click the driver program to begin installation.
|| * Even if not prompted, doubleclick the driver and install it.
||
|| 10. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
|| choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
|| That's it! Scroll down to the Troubleshooter if you have problems.
||
|| 11. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
|| "Install from a list or specific location", click the "Browse" button,
|| browse to the My documents folder where you saved the driver,
|| and finally click on one of the driver files to begin installation.
||
|| ** If you are not prompted, or if the driver was updated automatically:
|| Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware Device Manager
|| expand +Display Adapters / right click on the adapter, pick "Update
|| Driver"
|| to start the Update Wizard, choose the "Install from a list..." option:
|| Browse to My Documents\ folder with the driver in it
|| Click OK and click Next to begin the update.
||
|| 12. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
|| choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
|| That's it! Try the advice in the Troubleshooter if you have problems.
||
|| TROUBLESHOOTING:
||
|| Test your drivers using DXDiag: Click Start / Run / type: DXDIAG
|| Click the "Test" buttons in the Display, Sound, Music & Network Tabs;
|| If any of the Display options are Disabled and you cannot Enable them,
|| your most likely solution would be to update your Chipset Drivers as per
|| my website: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#v11
||
|| Your program might not support dual monitors, or "dual head" video cards
|| You can disable the extra video output in your display properties control
|| panel. Click Start>Settings>Control Panel>Display>Settings>Advanced.
||
|| Along with your Video card, Sound Cards, Motherboard Chipsets,
|| and Video Monitors may also require updated drivers. Even your
|| motherboard's BIOS may need to be updated for compatibility with
|| your Video card. These steps are listed at: http://NibblesNbitsVideo.tk
||
|| Perhaps the old Video drivers did not completely uninstall. If that's the
|| case, use these utility to completely uninstall the drivers and go to step
|| 7:
|| nvidia: http://content.guru3d.com/index.php?page=detonatorrip&menu=0
|| or for all cards including nvidia use:
|| http://www.driverheaven.net/cleaner/
||
|| The latest video drivers sometime don't work with a particular game.
|| (Check the Video suggestions in the readme.txt file in your game
|| folder/CD)
|| If there's no suggestions, try an older (WHQL) driver, and/or if you still
|| experience problems try a Beta driver, or even an Omega driver instead:
||
|| BETA Drivers: http://download.guru3d.com/
|| OMEGA Drivers: http://www.omegadrivers.net
||
|| There you have it, if you have any questions feel free to post them!
||
|| Cheers, Windows_XP_MVP_Shell/User
|| Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
||
|| Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
|| MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
|| My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any
|| rights.
|| _________________________________________________________

 

[Max]

No, I'm afraid not. As Jimmy said, we may just need to wait for the first
update / patch to come out for it.

Rgds
Max

 

[Max]

Thanks for the tips !
Rgds
Max

 

[Max]

.. Let me know how you get on
Thanks again, it worked out ok !

Rgds
Max