Morrowind Problems?!?!?

[Jupiter_x]

I am at my wits end!:mad:

I was soooooo afraid of this......I had the PC version of Morrowind before I bought the Xbox Version, I did this because the PC version was giving me control problems:
Let me explain...this is sooo weird:

Ok, deep breath.......


when I am outside in the BIG envrironments the game plays just fine, I can look up and down, side to side using my mouse...with ease....yet when I step inside, a house, cave, bar...whatever...I get this LAG????? I don't know why?

Well I figured I would try the new game of the year edition with the Bloodmoon and Tribunal add-ons, all the patches appear up to date, my vidcard drivers appear up to date, every other game seems to be fine.....


Morrowind not only lags in terms of looking around...it has crashed at least 2 times due to "VPU Recover" and then once, my screen went dark...as if I turned my PC off????


I am baffled...simply baffled.......does anyone have any kind of suggestions???

[Aku]

Well, with GOTY you don't have to apply any patches. Just installing the three CDs patches the game all the way up. Morrowind is a resource hog - turn off all background apps you can, including and especially antivirus software. Don't know what your system or vid card is. Sounds like a driver issue. Shouldn't lag indoors. The opposite, in fact - Morrowind runs great indoors, but chugs in the large outdoor areas. In the options, be sure and turn off real time shadows and lower your view distance to improve performance.

Check out the tech forum here: http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/

These forums are great. You'll get any question answered.

[Jupiter_x]

Well, with GOTY you don't have to apply any patches. Just installing the three CDs patches the game all the way up. Morrowind is a resource hog - turn off all background apps you can, including and especially antivirus software. Don't know what your system or vid card is. Sounds like a driver issue. Shouldn't lag indoors. The opposite, in fact - Morrowind runs great indoors, but chugs in the large outdoor areas. In the options, be sure and turn off real time shadows and lower your view distance to improve performance.

Check out the tech forum here: http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/

These forums are great. You'll get any question answered.


Alright, I will check it out! Thanx

[BaneNWN]

If i remember correct Jupiter has a better pc then i do so he shouldnt have to turn any settings down at all.I agree though its probably something running in your background

[Jupiter_x]

If i remember correct Jupiter has a better pc then i do so he shouldnt have to turn any settings down at all.I agree though its probably something running in your background


I think it is Directx 9.0c that is doing this, reverted back using "System Restore" to DX 8.1 and it did not crash or lag at all....yet....I assume it was that!

I was troubleshooting everything here, Re-formatted C:, Re-installed Windows, tried my earliest ATI drivers (CD) and even turned all the settings to the lowest....crash, crash, crash....DX 9c is bad news...at least, in My Pc it is!

I am going to try and run it on DX 9.0 (no A, B....or C!) see how that turns out!

[Mochan]

Ah! Weird. I had DirectX9 installed and ran Morrowind fine, but I'm not sure which version. Maybe it wasn't 9c.

[E.T.]

Strange that DX9c would have caused you problems. Im running DX 9c on a P4 2.6 with a lowly G4 ti 4200 & only 512 ram! Morrowind runs fine, frames are smooth outdoors, even while running at my current top speed of 92. Some stumble is present loading between regions however, but I dont know of anyone who doesnt experience this is Morrowind..........

[Aku]

I run 9.0c on mine with no problems. What you should do next time is run dxdiag. It's possible that your DirectX installation was screwed up. Flip through the tabs of the dxdiag application and you'll see warning and error messages if there are any. Also check that AGP/D3D, etc. are enabled. Good to check that first to save yourself from wasting time reinstalling everything.

[Jupiter_x]

I run 9.0c on mine with no problems. What you should do next time is run dxdiag. It's possible that your DirectX installation was screwed up. Flip through the tabs of the dxdiag application and you'll see warning and error messages if there are any. Also check that AGP/D3D, etc. are enabled. Good to check that first to save yourself from wasting time reinstalling everything.

Thanx for the advice guys!


Well, I don't really want to jump the gun here but so far the game is running smooth so far with the latest drivers and I installed DX 9.0b and everything is great so far!

[Mochan]

Just stick to 9b then, no need to "upgrade" to 9c if 9b works.

[Jupiter_x]

First off thanx to everybody for all the help and advice on this game!

Well, I guess I did jump the gun. I just do-not-know...I am clueless....baffled.....on the positive side, I did manage to figure out one problem...The Crashing The "VPU Recover" giving errors, because for some unknown reason when I have AGP 8x and "Fast Write" on Morrowind was crashing constantly....well I put it back to 4X..no crashing at all.....yet I am still getting LAG with my mouse indoors.....I am going to try another mouse, then I will go onto the forums at the Morrowind site and see what they have to say...if this does not fix it....I am turfing this game on my PC forever and resuming my trusty Xbox version!

This game has been the biggest pain in the a$$ I have ever had to deal with!

I have almost had enough!

[Aku]

Turn off Fast Write. AGP 4X? Think you'd better put it back to 8X. Sorry this game has been such a pain for you. I've been lucky. This game has been pretty stable for me despite all the mucking I've to it with dozens of mods. My only issue has been the cruddy performance, but that's due in large part because of all the modding I've done. The game runs ten times better when I haven't modded it to death.

[Jupiter_x]

Turn off Fast Write. AGP 4X? Think you'd better put it back to 8X. Sorry this game has been such a pain for you. I've been lucky. This game has been pretty stable for me despite all the mucking I've to it with dozens of mods. My only issue has been the cruddy performance, but that's due in large part because of all the modding I've done. The game runs ten times better when I haven't modded it to death.


I will throw it back on 8X and see what happens...but in the end I think she is a gonner....At least Doom 3 and HL 2 run flawlessly!

Ironically I figured Doom 3 would be the one to give me all the problems...man I geared up hardcore for that game! I stand corrected!

[Jupiter_x]

I bid Morrowind PC fairwell...I guess My PC does not get along with this game very well.

I am now $46 richer, and 1.5 gig free-er (Is that a word?) at least! :p


Morrowind Xbox? I embrace thee once again!

[Aku]

My problems recently stem from my new 6600GT. My machine always ran without a hitch with my old GeForce 4, but when I put the 6600GT in, I had driver problems with some games (namely Far Cry and UT2004). In finally found drivers that work for both those games (67.03). My issue now is that I'm just not seeing any real performance boost. Morrowind is as sucky as ever. Trackmania Sunrise can dip below 30 FPS on some tracks. Raven Shield can slow down in places. Games that run pretty smooth on this card (Far Cry, UT2004), ran okay on my other card. Of course, my benchmarks are average because I have a middle-aged machine, so I guess I've hit the wall on making this pc better (my gpu scores are almost the same as my cpu scores, so I'm pretty much maxed out as far as upgrading.)

Also, in general, I've just been bored with pc games lately. Nothing seems to interest me much. I even skip pc time to go and watch movies and tv a lot lately.

As a console gamer with a yen for the pc, Jupiter, you should know that I'm a pc gamer with an increasing urge to move over to consoles. I know I'll be picking up a Nintendo DS as a Christmas present to myself this year. Wish the Revolution was coming out sooner.

[DBS]

there are known issues with Fast write on ati cards. Omega drivers recommends disabling fast write as they can cause trouble and offer no boost in speed. As for Morrowind PC that is a shame as there are so many great mods. I have had no issues with the game but every pc is different.

[Jupiter_x]

As a console gamer with a yen for the pc, Jupiter, you should know that I'm a pc gamer with an increasing urge to move over to consoles. I know I'll be picking up a Nintendo DS as a Christmas present to myself this year. Wish the Revolution was coming out sooner.


I like PC gaming just about as much as Console gaming, I just find with Consoles, I simply fire up the game and go. But most games on my PC are like that too...I pop the disc in and in fact they load even faster than my consoles....but there are just some games that are such a freakin' pain....I mean I spent the entire night last night, formatting, re-installing windows, using system restore, up grading and downgrading drivers switching hard drives, tweaking my vid card etc......all to see if Morrowind would play properly......I think I gave it my all!

That game is a Bi*ch!

[Jupiter_x]

there are known issues with Fast write on ati cards. Omega drivers recommends disabling fast write as they can cause trouble and offer no boost in speed. As for Morrowind PC that is a shame as there are so many great mods. I have had no issues with the game but every pc is different.


I have noticed with ATI cards, they seem more problematic than Nvidia cards, when I upgrade, I am going back to nVidia.

[Jupiter_x]

My problems recently stem from my new 6600GT. My machine always ran without a hitch with my old GeForce 4, but.


Yep, same here. My Pent 3 with the old Geforce 2 and Geforce 4 MX were flawless. I could even run Morrowind flawlessly, minus having that pretty water effect.

[Mochan]

Morrowind doesn't need a good video card to run well. It needs a monster CPU. An FX5200 woudl probably run Morrowind perfectly as long as it was coupled with like an Athlon 64 3400 or something. You can check with the Morrowind tech support forum people, they can vouch for this.

Aku, you definitely need to retire your PC and get a new mobo and CPU. THose will bottleneck even the strongest video card. I speak from experience too since my Radeon 9800 simply isn't working to its strongest capacity due to CPU bottlenecking.

BTW, I too skip out on PC playtime to watch anime and read manga, and to play PS2 games. I'm not giving it up or anythng though, I'm still relatively well-balanced in all my hobbies though I admit I spend a bit more time on my PC than I do on my PS2, since there haven't been too many good PS2 games out recently and I've been catching up on lots of good PC games like Vietcong.

When Stalker and Oblivion come out though I think I'll be glued to my PC.



And yes, ATI cards are definitely more problematic, I never ran ito any issues with my NVidia cards other than performance issues. With the ATI cards I've run into CTD/VPU Recover issues, texture flickering, morphing polygons, and polygons "coming apart at the seams" (you see a streak of white between the edges of polygons where they meet each other sometimes).

I'm also going back to a GeForce next PC, probably when I get a Stalker/Oblivion rig.

[BaneNWN]

My problems recently stem from my new 6600GT. My machine always ran without a hitch with my old GeForce 4, but when I put the 6600GT in, I had driver problems with some games (namely Far Cry and UT2004). In finally found drivers that work for both those games (67.03). My issue now is that I'm just not seeing any real performance boost. Morrowind is as sucky as ever. Trackmania Sunrise can dip below 30 FPS on some tracks. Raven Shield can slow down in places. Games that run pretty smooth on this card (Far Cry, UT2004), ran okay on my other card. Of course, my benchmarks are average because I have a middle-aged machine, so I guess I've hit the wall on making this pc better (my gpu scores are almost the same as my cpu scores, so I'm pretty much maxed out as far as upgrading.)

Also, in general, I've just been bored with pc games lately. Nothing seems to interest me much. I even skip pc time to go and watch movies and tv a lot lately.

As a console gamer with a yen for the pc, Jupiter, you should know that I'm a pc gamer with an increasing urge to move over to consoles. I know I'll be picking up a Nintendo DS as a Christmas present to myself this year. Wish the Revolution was coming out sooner.


You might want to look into upgrading to a 754 socket 3200+ or so.If your Mobo is older could be why your having problems.Maybe the new card is not meant to run to well on your older board??Should beable to pick up a 3000+ for $ 150 and a Mobo like i have for about $80.Dont let the Mobo price fool ya it has alot of nice features on it and it Overclocks great!!Dunno if your into all that though.I would say go to a socket 939 but then you would have wasted your money on your card if ya did that since its an AGP.



Also i have to ask did you upgrade your Power supply as well??The 6600 GT will suck juice for sure.If ya got the money this combo would be great for you.The Mobo is the same one i got but i only have the 2800+ proccessor and im very happy with it.I believe that Mobo supports up to 3200+ and for the price it rocks.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-R

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=241758-OP

[Mochan]

There are Socket 939 AGP boards you know.

Also I would skip the NForce3 250 now and go straight with an NF4 instead. NF3 250 was a good board but even a plain NF4 is better with better performance and features like hardware firewall and stuff.

[Aku]

Nah, it's a waste of money. I'd buy a new motherboard, then of course I'd have to upgrade to better RAM to take advantage of the motherboard. Before I know it, I'll have spent over 200 bucks just to squeeze a few more frames a second (my Aquamark is 40,500). I could buy a DS and some games for that. I will continue my usual strategy of playing current and older games until my pc becomes completely antiquated and I buy a nice shiny new one in a couple years for tomorrow's games.

[Suicides-by-Steve]

"I will continue my usual strategy of playing current and older games until my pc becomes completely antiquated and I buy a nice shiny new one in a couple years for tomorrow's games."

Heh, don't you mean for TODAY'S games? ;)

[Aku]

Heh, don't you mean for TODAY'S games? ;)

drum - cymbal - rimshot

[BaneNWN]

Nah, it's a waste of money. I'd buy a new motherboard, then of course I'd have to upgrade to better RAM to take advantage of the motherboard. Before I know it, I'll have spent over 200 bucks just to squeeze a few more frames a second (my Aquamark is 40,500). I could buy a DS and some games for that. I will continue my usual strategy of playing current and older games until my pc becomes completely antiquated and I buy a nice shiny new one in a couple years for tomorrow's games.

Ya but benchmarking doesnt always equate to game performance.Spending 230$ you could actually get an extra 20 FPS.IMO the difference between 40 FPS and 60 FPS is a huge enough difference to warrent another $230.I know before i threw my Mobo drivers in i was getting 35k and the difference between that and 50k+ was night and day.Comes down to personal preference though if you think its a waste of money then i suppose you would be better off waiting it out, and just start from scratch when the time arises.

[Mochan]

Aku, I didn't know our computers were pretty much evenly matched. My Aquamark score is also at 40k, though that's with my finely-tuned PC. I'm not satisfied though and I intend to buy a new PC soon one Stalker and or Oblivion come out and they prove too slow to handle.

What are the specs of your rig, anyway?

And if I could spend $200 to get 20 extra FPS, I would in a heartbeat. As it stands though I will probably need to spend more than that to get 20fps. I'm gonna go and spend enough to overhaul my PC entirely (actually I'm gonna get an entirely new one) when the time comes and it's coming fast.

[Aku]

Mine is:

P4 2.66 @ 533 FSB
Asus P4S8X-X motherboard
1 gig PC2700 DDR ram
LeadTek 6600GT AGP @ 128 mb
Creative Audigy 1 soud card
80 gig and 40 gig HDs @ 7200

No overclocking

A very middle-of-the-road system, as you can see. It's worth it to me to let it finish out its lifecycle. If I upgrade, then it makes me have to push out when I can buy a new rig that would be better than my upgraded machine. I like doing small upgrades to a machine, like adding more ram or getting a new video card, but when it gets down to replacing the motherboard I'd rather just wait. If I replace the mobo, then I'll have to get some PC3200 ram. And a 533 FSB processor just won't cut it, I'll want a better processor for the new mobo. Plus I'll have to go yank the guts of my pc out to put the new mobo in, and I don't want to go to that bother and potential trouble.

[Mochan]

Hehe, my system's already been pushed to the limits of its lifecycle. An upgrade really isn't too far off. My specs are quite a bit lower than yours and its reaching today's needs just barely thanks to heavy performance tuning.

I think I'll be getting myself a new PC by the end of the year.

You, Aku, would also indeed be better served to just buy a new PC altogether. I don't want to replace anything on my PC either, I took a lot of effort building it up properly, modding the cooling, keeping all the wires and cables neatly hidden, etc. I don't have the heart to wreck this PC. The most I'll do to this PC is upgrade the XP 2200 to an XP 2800 or 3200 and possibly change the sink that is quickly oxidizing into uselessness.

I actually managed to find an XP 2800. I'm wondering if it's worth it to swap the processor; it's wroth php5700 or roughly $100 and I'm thinking it's not worth it. I'd only get a few FPS out of the deal and then I'd have an extra processor I wouldn't know what to do with (donate to my brother I guess). That cool $100 would be better put in the next PC fund. I'm estimating my new PC build will cost me some 50k-60k or about $900-$1100 dollars, will be taking out a lot of stops.