[IVIasta_IVIind]

I need help, I built my own computer: P4 1.7ghz, 256 ram, Soundblaster Audigy X-Gamer, GeForce 2, 60gig HDD, running windows ME. Ok now the computer runs fine while surfing the web and doing word processing but the problems occur when I try to run games. I have tried Age Of Empires and Unreal and whenever I play them, like 5 min into the game my computer kicks out of the game and returns to windows. If anyone has any tips or suggestions please tell me. Thanks

[Bmxpunk86pl]

sure u arent pressin the windows key while playing? thats the only thing i could think of.

[o770]

how much is your virtual memory set to?
if thats the problem i guess its unusual to run the game and only after sometime to be kicked out but games have problem with virtual memory anyway. once you have 256 RAM yours must be set to 384min-768max. try setting it up to 192-384 and if the probelm still persists just let ppl know. good luck.

[o770]

...also - just a clue - check out your video driver settings: direct3d and opengl. those both games must use opengl right? check both anyway. do u know how to properly configure these settings?

[Oni]

Lose ME and go Windows 2000 or (if you're a braver man than I) XP.

[Monaco]

once you have 256 RAM yours must be set to 384min-768max. try setting it up to 192-384 and if the probelm still persists just let ppl know.

well, not quite. It's a dynamic file after all, what is right for your system usage may not be right for another. You barely get any boost from messing with your V mem anyway. In any case, the fastest Vmem file is one that is set to a single value, i.e. Max/Min values are the same. Windows like to resize it at the worst possible times....

I would leave it at default for now and try installing the newest official drivers for you video card. Also, check to be sure the heatsink is firmly and correctly attached to your CPU- heat problems can cause spontaenous drops like that. Be sure the PSU is working correctly and is powerful enough to run your system- 300watts minimum for a P4. But i would bet it's a driver issue.

[o770]

Originally posted by Monster of Rock

nope, vmem will change almost nothing for the video performance but games do have problems working with it (bet u know that). need for speed porche unleashed has a noticeable issue about vmem under W2k for ex.
id recommend you to check out for some patch for those games. take a look at their websites - lot of games use patch for different OSes.

[Monaco]

heh now we are arguing the same side Games need a certain amount of memory to run, be it virtual or otherwise. bad V mem settings can cause disk thrashing in the middle of the game which of course sucks. But resizing or refilling the virtual mem chunk shouldn't cause a game to drop back to desktop, that's all I meant to say. Sounds more like a video problem, like you suggested....BTW those games use D3D primarily. AOE is a MS product; they hate OpenGL and it's open sourceness. Unless I'm completely crazy- my UT is in D3D anyhow.

I had that same Porsche game- it was like one giant GPF and stack error. I never got it to work right..... I'll have to go back and fiddle with Vmem now that you mentioned it! Good tip! I really wanted to play it..........

[o770]

Originally posted by Monster of Rock

ok, let us know if it work: good luck!