Game freezes and Sblaster stutters continuously

[kapucheen]

Win XP PRO SP1
Dx 8.1 (.0a?) whatever comes with SP1
GForce 2mx
Gravis Eliminator Pro USB
Athlon 1.2


Now, the game ran ok for months. Various changes to the PC occured, upgraded NVid drivers a few times, updated antivirus, upgraded XP to SP1 etc, still ran OK. The only thing I did to the game was to install the Creation centre but never investigated it further.

Then, at no particluar moment, the game started to freeze. It happens at any time, even when watching a replay and not touching a key. I play with a mate - using keyboard and the GamePad. When it freezes, the screen stays on the frame it is at and the soundcard locks, repeating the same millisecond of noise (chant, music, whatever) until you reset the machine.

Now I've tried the following:
- Alter the RAM settings (and switching of "caching" for video/BIOS etc
- Change the video drivers
- Change the SoundBlaster Live! drivers
- Change the Gravis Drivers
- Reinstall the game
- Change the IRQ settings of the devices
- Close ZoneAlarm, AVG, Messenger etc
- As I have a dual boot I have tried installing it on Win98 but it stops at 42%

Eventually I flattened the PC yesterday and took out the sound card, network card, modem etc and reinstalled XP.

I tested the game at every stage as I put the hardware and then the software back in/on.

Eventually I played a game, probably my 26th in all, as I tested it for a whole match after each step, and it crashed again.

Has ANYONE got a clue as to what this could be?

Tonight, I will mainly be...
swapping the RAM out / installing original XP PRO / going back to FIFA 2002 !!!!!!!!!!

Cheers chaps!

 

[Randalator]

Kapucheen, did you ever figure out what was wrong? I'm running into the exact same problem - happens at random times. I've tried running TweakXP-Pro prior to play to free up RAM; I've shut down everything but my AV/firewall protection, and I'm still having problems. I'm downloading DirectX 9.0a now, and I'm going to check my video/audio drivers, but I'm pretty sure they're current...

 

[kapucheen]

I went back to XP Pro (not SP1), default GF & SB Live WDM and nothing else on the PC (eg Zonealarm, AVG, etc) or any other games.

I also kept the WDM for the Gravis Eliminator Pro. I managed about 16 x10 minute games, back to back, no problems.

Then my 9 year old played about 3-4 games and it crashed! I do not use the gamepad, only the keyboard although the gamepad was still plugged in all the time I was using it.

After a reboot and another couple of games without problems, we went for our Sunday dinner. Then, whilst it was demoing in the other room, it crashed!!

I am wazzed off with this. I've rolled the machine so far back it should be a x486 by now!!!

I've still to try it without the SB Live in it, perhaps using the onboard sound, to see if that is the problem. Also, I understand you can fresh install XP without the APMCI function. Although I have to say that to potentially cripple the whole machine for just one game (albeit the only one I really play!!!) is getting ridiculous. I might try and get a w*rez copy instead and see if that is any different.

I'll try and keep you posted....

 

[kapucheen]

First of all, thanks to whoever's post it was from which I got the info. about adding the vsync and render changes to the soccer.ini file. It saved me from buying a new graphics card!! Game does now indeed run "smooth as butter" - marvellous!

So, last night (27 May), I flattened the PC, took out the SBLive!, turned on the onboard sound, and resintalled XP PRO sp1.

Re-loaded FIFA etc and played, me on KB and a mate on the GamePad Pro. We got through about 15 games before it froze. Interesting thing this time was that the game froze but the sound did not go into a stutter, PC just fell silent. What do I make of that? Lord knows.

Anyway, going to replace the RAM next week. By the time I've sorted it, FIFA2004 will be out and I'm sure that wont have any probs. tee-hee

PS. It would have been my beloved daughter's 2nd Birthday last Friday - thanks to all who got us through it. I miss my little angel.

 

[TiNiB]

i have the same problem.

i have a fairly high spec laptop. i only bought it 7 months ago.

i can play now more than 5 games before the game freezes up.

it only occurs during a game.