Links 2003 disables 3D Acceleration?

[Eddie]

My sustem info is:

CPU Model: Athlon AMD +2800 2.1 GHz
Motherboard:
Operating System: XP with Service Pack 1
RAM: 512 MB DDR SDRAM/333 MHz
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX Integrated GPU
Storage: Ultra ATA 160 GB
Soundcard & Speakers: NVIDIA nForce 6 Channel

DirectX Diagnostic Screen

Name: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX Integrated GPU
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce4 MX Integrated GPU
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Approx. Total memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (16 bit) (85 Hz)
Monitor: Mistsubishi DiamondPoint SB70

DirectDraw Acceleration, Direct3D Accleration, and AGP
texture Acceleration ARE ALL ENABLED

On the right is some info with DDI Version being listed as
9 (or higer) (I have DX 9.ob installed). The driver is
version 6.14.0010.5216.

THE PROBLEM

I installed the game Links 2003 and when I go to actually
start the game part to play it it says "3D acceleration is
disabled." In the game is a System Info button and when I
open it, it says:

2028 Hz AMD Unknown MMX 3D Now!

Does anyone know how to enabled 3d accelration or why it
is disabled in the first place?

Eddie

 

[Chris H.]

Since you're running an AMD chip, have you updated your motherboard drivers
lately? There's a new 4-in-1 driver for VIA chipsets. Are you running the
1.2 update available from the Links 2003 web site? Have you identified your
graphics card in Links under Graphics Settings? Which Nvidia driver are you
running? The 53.03 version was just released.

 

[Chris H.]

Good for you, Eddie. I would still look into an update on your motherboard
if you're running the VIA chipset. I know they've done some pretty good
things with the latest 4-in-1 update.

 

[Eddie]

Is NVIDIA then same as VIA? Probably not. I don't know
much about computers. Could you give me some directions
as to what a chipset is and how do I find out what I have
regarding it?

Eddie

 

[Chris H.]

No, the two aren't the same. VIA is part of your motherboard, and the way
it handles hardware (such as a graphics card) when it is plugged into the
motherboard. You mentioned running an AMD processor, which generally has a
VIA chipset on the motherboard.

If this is a new system, you can pop the case open (bring along a
flashlight) and look for imprints or writing on the motherboard itself to
learn what the actual motherboard is. Or, if you have the box the
motherboard came in, look at the outside of the box or in the documentation.

I have one machine here which runs a Biostar mainboard (motherboard)
designated as an M7VKD. Since it runs the AMD processor, I can just go to
www.google.com and type in "m7vkd" in the search line, then look at the
related links generated for information. One of the links shows me,
"Biostar M7VKD socket A VIA KT133A" so I know it has the VIA chipset. So I
look up the VIA web site, find the downloads section, etc., etc.

It takes a little investigation, however, it is "my" machine and I'm
responsible for making sure the hardware has the best chance to function
properly by keeping things updated. Years ago, I didn't know how to do
these things either. We all start knowing absolutely nothing.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Chris, he may have an nVidia nforce based motherboard, instead of VIA.
nVidia provide the nforce drivers.

Y.

 

[Eddie]

I think I found the name of the motherboard. I just
bought this and in start/programs section it has a folder
titled, "User Guides And Manuals." In tha folder is one
PDF document titled,

"AU31 Motherboard User's Guide (Rev A).pdf"

In that document it says at the beginning:

Mainbaord User Guide
Main Features
Chapter 1

Processor Supported
Supports 462-pin SocketA for AMD Athlon XP and Duron
processors with
200/266/333MHz Front Side Bus
- Athlon XP (1500+ to 2800+) @ 266/333MHz Front Side Bus,
- Duron (800 to 1.3GHz) @ 200MHz Front Side Bus

Chipset
nVIDIA Crush 18G +MCP AGPset

I then search for AU31 on the internet and found this:

"Introduction:

"Small Form Factor PC's, or SFF's have been in demand at
a constant increasing volume the last few years, with the
trend in the SFF industry to sacrifice performance for
space saving size. SFF PC's are used as Home Theatre PC's
(HTPC's) and Lan Party rigs among others, but have often
lacked powerful onboard graphics and yes, even AGP slots.

"The advent of the Crush18G chipset by NVIDIA has
provided motherboard manufacturers to change what was
fundamentally wrong with SFF chipsets, even though the
Crush18G was introduced in the standard ATX form factor.
We've seen companies like Shuttle shrink down the
Crush18G chipset to one PCI and one AGP slot with their
Shuttle SFF Barebone SN41G2, with much acclaim and
success. With that noted, FIC has recently introduced
their Crush18G (Nvidia nForce 2 IGP motherboard) in the
SFF, named the AU31.

"The AU31 is designed for the OEM markets and not
particularly toward the enthusiast community, but has
been dubbed an ideal HTPC motherboard and one that
provides all the power the fastest nForce 2 motherboards
yield, at a much smaller footprint.

"So let's take a look at the AU31 and see if it keeps up
with two of the most recognized and awarded nForce 2
motherboards on the market, the ASUS A7N8X and the ABIT
NF7-S rev 1.2."

So I guess my motherboard would be the AU31? Is that what
I would look for?

Eddie

 

[Chris H.]

Good research, Eddie. Now I'd suggest you go to the web site of the
manufacturer of your computer and look around for any updates to your
specific system. Remember, when they built the system and when you
purchased it there can be a time lag of getting current drivers, BIOS, etc.,
onto it.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -

I think I found the name of the motherboard. I just
bought this and in start/programs section it has a folder
titled, "User Guides And Manuals." In tha folder is one
PDF document titled,

"AU31 Motherboard User's Guide (Rev A).pdf"

In that document it says at the beginning:

Mainbaord User Guide
Main Features
Chapter 1

Processor Supported
Supports 462-pin SocketA for AMD Athlon XP and Duron
processors with
200/266/333MHz Front Side Bus
- Athlon XP (1500+ to 2800+) @ 266/333MHz Front Side Bus,
- Duron (800 to 1.3GHz) @ 200MHz Front Side Bus

Chipset
nVIDIA Crush 18G +MCP AGPset

I then search for AU31 on the internet and found this:

"Introduction:

"Small Form Factor PC's, or SFF's have been in demand at
a constant increasing volume the last few years, with the
trend in the SFF industry to sacrifice performance for
space saving size. SFF PC's are used as Home Theatre PC's
(HTPC's) and Lan Party rigs among others, but have often
lacked powerful onboard graphics and yes, even AGP slots.

"The advent of the Crush18G chipset by NVIDIA has
provided motherboard manufacturers to change what was
fundamentally wrong with SFF chipsets, even though the
Crush18G was introduced in the standard ATX form factor.
We've seen companies like Shuttle shrink down the
Crush18G chipset to one PCI and one AGP slot with their
Shuttle SFF Barebone SN41G2, with much acclaim and
success. With that noted, FIC has recently introduced
their Crush18G (Nvidia nForce 2 IGP motherboard) in the
SFF, named the AU31.

"The AU31 is designed for the OEM markets and not
particularly toward the enthusiast community, but has
been dubbed an ideal HTPC motherboard and one that
provides all the power the fastest nForce 2 motherboards
yield, at a much smaller footprint.

"So let's take a look at the AU31 and see if it keeps up
with two of the most recognized and awarded nForce 2
motherboards on the market, the ASUS A7N8X and the ABIT
NF7-S rev 1.2."

So I guess my motherboard would be the AU31? Is that what
I would look for?

Eddie