Who loves you?

[Lightfoot]

...Jesus? No.

...The Morning Star? No.

...ol' Light'? No...but for some reason it seems that way...



So anyway...now that the game is in total decline I've decided to troubleshoot the "vibrating AI" issue and have had much success...

It appears that the issue is indeed related to frame rate and is correctable.

By using the latest version of FRAPS to MONITOR the frame rate of the game I was able to deduce that my machine was running between twice and four times as fast as it should be (let's call it over 140 fps compared to the 30-60 the game was coded for)...

Using a (specific) CPU throttle I tested the game again and had linearly predictable results: If I reduced the CPU to 50% utilization the frame rate dropped in half. If I reduced it by 75%, the frame rate followed suit...

Some of you are now grabbing sticks and saying "Now wait! Isn't this what the whole issue with DM and FRAPS was about?!? Light's a traitor!"

For the record, the answer is NO!...it's not the nearly the same.

DM used FRAPS to FIX his framerate at a specific number of FPS. CPU throttling only slows the processor down and the frame rate remains VARIABLE...

If anyone is interested in the two applications I've mentioned, drop me a line and let me know.

(http://www.interstate76.com/download/downloads.htm - other files)

If anyone thinks this *IS* the same thing as what DM was doing *WITHOUT* bothering to let us know *BEFORE* he became a legend using it I'd like to know that, too...

[Death Machine]

Hello Lightfoot.

Given my ignorance of the inner workings of computers, I can't say for certain that your effort is technically the same as the FRAPS solution but it is similar in spirit to what I was trying to achieve. There is a certain stigma surrounding FRAPS and my use of it so perhaps this will be more socially acceptable for those who wish to make the game playable on fast machines. Your solution sounds good and I would like to try it out one day as I hope others do as well.

For the record, I developed my reputation as a skilled and honourable player long before I used FRAPS so if you must imply that I acted improperly during the relatively short time of my career in which I used the program then I would appreciate a little more respect in that regard. Thanks.

Sincerely,
Death Machine

PS Jesus loves all of Gods creatures.

[Lightfoot]

For the record, I developed my reputation as a skilled and honourable player long before I used FRAPS

Duely noted but your reputation for skill and honor was serverly undermined by your behavior after you installed FRAPS...

...and I still don't beleive you have no knowledge of the inner workings of a PC...but that's between you and I.

***

I didn't mean to raise the dead with this discovery though I do find it amusing that you tend to show up after someone mentions your name.

Welcome back.

PS - Jesus may love all of Gods creatures but Christians surely don't...

[Death Machine]

Thanks, It's good to be back.

I explained my behaviour quite well in a previous thread regarding my use of FRAPS. I would hope that my reputation is still intact and would be saddened if such was not so.

I am a carpenter by trade and I build portable storage sheds and cabins, not computers. The machine that I am using now was put together by my brother who incidently is in the computer industry. For me, the computer is for playing games, Internet and Email and I have only a basic understanding of how a computer operates. I am curious to know what you base your disbelief on.

I have been visiting here more and more lately and yes, seeing my name does harden my nipples and I couldn't resist defending my honour on a public forum.

Your discovery also caught my eye and I will have to try it soon.

[The Wingnut]

*snicker*

I have been visiting here more and more lately and yes, seeing my name does harden my nipples and I couldn't resist defending my honour on a public forum. Wink

Ahhh, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Hiya, DM! You should hook up and come mop the desert floor with me sometime, for old times' sake.

[Death Machine]

Hey WN, you were one of my favourite targets!

Work is slowing down and I am going to have alot of free time on my hands. I can't think of anything better to do with that time than play Interstate... well, there is something but that only takes a few minutes.

[Lightfoot]

...wow...

The Wingnut and Deathmachine sitting in a tree...

[Fnork]

DM is suddenly "back", while RLF hasn't posted in nearly a month.


Interesting...

[Death Machine]

[quote="Fnork"]DM is suddenly "back", while RLF hasn't posted in nearly a month.


Interesting... [/quote]

I am also in a tree with a Wingnut. What does all this mean?!

[Lightfoot]

I know you're just being silly, Fnork...but just in case you're not:

DM and RLF have about as much chance of being the same person as me actually being Rosemary Clooney...

[Death Machine]

I just tested out that CPU clock utility and it definitely does the job at lowering the framerate and making the game playable. There is a slight jerkiness to it but other than that it works well. I like it.

It was kinda neat to record the action with FRAPS but at least now now I won't be filling my HD with Gigs of video every time I play.

Thanks for bringing that utility to my attention, Light. Much appreciated.

[Lightfoot]

No problem...

It really only became an issue for me while I was playing "The Trip" again...

I had .45ed all of the bad guys in the "Rescue Taurus" mission...I mean all of them...and had time and three nitros to make it to Fishers Field...

I dispatched the last two creepers at the bottom of the last hill and started a nitro slide towards the bridge jump...I hit the second nitro with the wheels still spinning made sure I had the right hand drift and hit the third at the top of the ramp as the wheels finally hooked up at some ungodly speed...

...I nosed in to the side of the ravine about 10 feet too low and that's what my motivation was...



Glad it helped someone out.

By the way, I've found that I get the best performance running at about 1.3 GHz...(and more specificly around 40-80 fps)...coincidently, the same speed as the 98 box to the right of me.