Need For Speed 2 Special Edition issue

[IceMan]

Hi Zeus, just been playing with NFS2SE. Firstly to install it I had to follow your guide, as the 16bit installer won't work, nor will an updated 32bit version (a fallback that works for many games).

Your patches yield interesting results on my PC, as follows (I loaded the SDB files into my ACT (version 6.1)) then loaded the game from them. This is with no compatibility mode applied to the NFS2SEN.EXE or NFS2SEA.EXE files:

NFS2SE Patch (use for playing)
nfs2sea.sdb = plays 3Dfx logo via nGlide, then just shows a black screen (no video or any sound) and requires Task Manager to close (which is tricky as the game screen blocks the desktop view!)

nfs2sen.sdb = crashes with this error in Event Viewer:

Code: Select all

Faulting application name: NFS2SEN.EXE, version: 0.0.0.0, time stamp: 0x34270aba
Faulting module name: nvd3dum.dll, version: 9.18.13.4709, time stamp: 0x548be17d
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x0086f44a
Faulting process ID: 0x16d8
Faulting application start time: 0x01d0262eb20cd78c
Faulting application path: D:\Games\nfs2\NFS2SEN.EXE
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\nvd3dum.dll
Report ID: f12b9750-9221-11e4-82c5-7824af8a9e0a
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:

NFS2SE Patch (use only for watching videos)
nfs2sea_vid.sdb = game works fine, but menus a bit juddery and sound crackles.

nfs2sen_vid.sdb = crashes with this error in Event Viewer:

Code: Select all

Faulting application name: NFS2SEN.EXE, version: 0.0.0.0, time stamp: 0x34270aba
Faulting module name: nvd3dum.dll, version: 9.18.13.4709, time stamp: 0x548be17d
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x0086f44a
Faulting process ID: 0x7f4
Faulting application start time: 0x01d0262e909ad2fb
Faulting application path: D:\Games\nfs2\NFS2SEN.EXE
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\nvd3dum.dll
Report ID: cfb9fa2b-9221-11e4-82c5-7824af8a9e0a
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:

[IceMan]

Okay I had another little go at the game (nfs2sea, not nfs2sen which might be more of a lost cause!). I found if you go to Task Manager and the Details tab, then "Set priority" to "High" and switch back to the game, then the sound no longer crackles. However doing alt+tab (or Windows key) means when you go back to the game you just see a black screen!

So it might be a case of setting the priority. I'm not sure if there's a shim in ACT to do this? Otherwise I might play with the guide here to set affinity, as that seems to also have a flag for setting priority to high too: http://www.top-windows-tutorials.com/cpu-affinity/

Unless you have a better idea, Zeus?

[IceMan]

Actually, I'm wondering if the Process Lasso program, that's suggested to remove microstutters from NFS High Stakes/Road Challenge here (http://www.nfscars.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38546) might work, in order to set the process Priority to High.

More news later tonight, to see if this is solvable!

[IceMan]

I tried Process Lasso, it didn't work, still stuttery music/sound :-/

[IceMan]

Okay another update... if you install your "NFS2SE Patch (use only for watching videos)" aka nfs2sea_vid.sdb, then create a shortcut to nfs2sea.exe and change the Target,

From (for example, this is the path I have it installed in):
D:\Games\nfs2\NFS2SEA.EXE

To:
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /C START "NFS2SEA" /high D:\Games\nfs2\NFS2SEA.EXE

Then the music and sound effects no longer crackle. However compared to the original path (with priority set to Normal I expect) the game now suffers from mini-stutters during the gameplay, which are only present if you increase the process Priority to High or Realtime (below that the gameplay is smooth, but the music/sounds crackle).

Does this help at all?!

[IceMan]

Okay I have success! For me at least...

I simply user your "NFS2SE Patch (use only for watching videos)" aka nfs2sea_vid.sdb patch, then set up Creative ALchemy against the NFS2 folder, and this = perfect framerate and audio!

[Zeus]

The difference between those patches is SingleProcAffinity. While this shim fixes video playback it also causes frame rate stuttering. Too bad you can't use play patch, but at least the game runs with video patch at acceptable level for you. It's not for me (and for many others).

For audio, yes, ALchemy is the best option for Win7 and later.

P.S. You have GeForce 980 and I need somebody with this card to test Blood 3Dfx. Can you help me?
I would like to know if the HUD is properly black or transparent like on this image:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=748#p4045

[IceMan]

I don't have a copy of Blood, as I'm mostly into racing games. If there's a demo or you can send me a version I'll give it a go.

[IceMan]

Oh and NFS2SE I have to have SingleProcAffinity or the game locks up with a black screen after the 3Dfx logo. No framerate stutters with it on mine, just music break up, unless NFS2SEA has high or realtime priority against it, when the music will be fine but stutters will occur.

As ALchemy pushes music through a different path, I guess that fixes the break up.

[Sammy75]

I had Problems with NFS2SE 3DFX Version.

When i click the EXE under WinXP i just get a black screen for 1/10 Second, then i was back on Desktop again.
I did not even see the 3DFX Logo.

After hours of trying and even a new install of XP i found the Problem:

I installed ATI Tray Tools, and there is an Option to Display the FPS ingame on the Right Upper Corner.

When i disabled that feature, NFS2SE is working again.

Maybe this affects to nglide himself and so to all Games, but i only tested with NFS2.