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Two days ago I purchased Microsoft Train Simulator. I installed it and also downloaded the update. When I click on the icon I get a message that says it needs Hardware Acceleration. Can anyone tell me what to do so that I can actually get started playing? Thanks!

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Can't Play Train Simulator! [View All], mrsmomn, 04:05 PM, Sep-16-02, (0) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, kevarc, Sep-16-02, 04:16 PM, (1) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, mrsmomn, Sep-16-02, 04:21 PM, (2) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, kevarc, Sep-16-02, 04:44 PM, (3) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, mrsmomn, Sep-16-02, 07:15 PM, (6) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, mrsmomn, Sep-16-02, 07:58 PM, (7) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, DKlemm, Sep-16-02, 05:23 PM, (4) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, mrsmomn, Sep-16-02, 09:15 PM, (10) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, Paul1953, Sep-19-02, 01:26 AM, (20) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, jme01, Sep-16-02, 07:12 PM, (5) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, mrsmomn, Sep-16-02, 09:10 PM, (9) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, OTTODAD, Sep-16-02, 07:59 PM, (8) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, AlphaMaster, Sep-16-02, 09:46 PM, (11) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, mrsmomn, Sep-16-02, 10:25 PM, (12) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, parrotheada1a, Sep-16-02, 11:11 PM, (13) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, OTTODAD, Sep-17-02, 07:00 AM, (14) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, mrsmomn, Sep-17-02, 12:03 PM, (15) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, OTTODAD, Sep-17-02, 09:57 PM, (16) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, tark1054, Sep-18-02, 12:54 PM, (17) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, OTTODAD, Sep-18-02, 01:24 PM, (18) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, mrsmomn, Sep-18-02, 05:18 PM, (19) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, OTTODAD, Sep-19-02, 08:19 AM, (21) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, UtilityInfielder, Sep-19-02, 03:35 PM, (22) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, OTTODAD, Sep-19-02, 07:26 PM, (23) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, mrsmomn, Sep-19-02, 10:51 PM, (26) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, OTTODAD, Sep-20-02, 01:05 PM, (28) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, mrsmomn, Sep-19-02, 10:34 PM, (24) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, OTTODAD, Sep-19-02, 10:47 PM, (25) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, mrsmomn, Sep-19-02, 11:02 PM, (27) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, OTTODAD, Sep-20-02, 01:23 PM, (29) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, stevew, Sep-23-02, 06:03 PM, (31) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, OTTODAD, Sep-23-02, 08:15 PM, (32) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, OTTODAD, Sep-23-02, 05:40 PM, (30) RE: Can't Play Train Simulator!, parrotheada1a, Sep-23-02, 09:10 PM, (33)

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what are your computer specs? Kevin Arceneaux
gdapia

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Do you mean this stuff?
Windows XP
512 MB RAM
32 MB Video
DVD - 40 x 16
CDRW 20x16x50

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What kind of video card - that is the keyKevin Arceneaux
gdapia

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Model: Intel(R) Extreme Graphics Controller
Driver: ialmnt5.sys Thursday, July 25, 2002I hope this is what I need to know. I don't understand much about this kind of thing, but usually I don't need to know anything except instructions on how to use software.

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Here's some more info I got from "clicking around". Chip type: Intel(R) 82845G/GL chip
DAC Type: internal
Adapter String: Intel(R) 82845G/GL Graphics Controller
Bios Info: Intel Video BIOSDoes this mean anything to you in terms of what I need to do in order to get this Train Simulator up and going?

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mrsmomn;Count your blessings. If you had got it to work you'd be zombies like the rest of us doing all kinds of things with it and living here. Or worse yet, you'd turn out to be like Sniper! : )

David Klemm
Illinos & St Louis Divisions
IC Version .9 uploaded

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David Don't worry, I'm already a zombie from being obsessed with "The Sims", "Warcraft", "Age of Empires", and "Knights and Merchants" for so long. I've only had this computer for three weeks, and was really excited to be able to play some really good games requiring more RAM and faster processor. This has been a bummer that I can't get MSTS going - I'm not accustomed to needing so much technical info. I hope I can continue being a zombie real soon. I don't know about Sniper - is he/she hopeless?

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Now THAT'S funny!!

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Here's my $.02 for all it's worth. When I purchased MSTS I had a lot of trouble getting it up and running. Turns out that I needed newer drivers for my video card. This is especially ture with AGP cards. Find out what card you have and fo to their web site for an upgrade. Next, be sure you have Direct X 8.0 or higher. If not, go to the Direct X web site and download it. Finally, rigth click on a blank spot on the desktop. Click properties then click settings. My computer has a tab for "Intel Graphics". Yours should have something similar. Click on that. There should be a slide bar for setting the Hardware Acceleration. You may have to play with it, but you want it as far to the right as you can get it and still hae the computer work normally.If all else fails, go to the Microsoft Web site and send a email to them. When I had a problem, they bent over backwards to help me. Please let me know if this helps.

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Sorry, I don't know what is the AGP card. I checked on DirectX and I have 8.1, so that must be OK. When I clicked on desktop - properties - settings but then there wasn't a slide for hardware acceleration only one for screen resolution. You helped me in that I found out some ways to get information. I've only been working on this computer for three weeks - upgraded from a "dinosaur" - so I still have a whole lot to learn. Thanks for your interest and help!
Marcia

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LAST EDITED ON Sep-16-02 AT 08:13 PM (EDT)

Intel 32 Mb Graphics ? Not integrated on the Motherboard by any chance ? Most recent AGP x 4 cards have on average 64 Mb onboard RAM.MSTS was designed for DirectX 7+. WIN XP machines should come with DirectX 8+ installed. You can also Run DXDIAG to check details of what is on your machine and run the Tests !Is your monitor plugged into an external socket of an AGP Slot Graphics card or in the area where the COM1 and Printer Port sockets are ?Finally check "Display Properties", "Settings", "Advanced", "Performance - Hardware Acceleration", it's slider should be set to Full.Also select Colors: True Color (32 bit).Very last resort, in "\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator\"
double click on Launcher.Exe and check "Change Video Driver" to make sure the right one for your Graphics is selected !P.S.: Another example of what is wrong with the Computing Industry and WINDOWS in particular. The idea of WINDOWS and it's GUI was to make it easier for the average user to come to grips with Computing, not having to worry about the underlying technology. Like buying a car, fuel in the tank, enough oil and coolant, turn on the ignition and away you go and never mind the mechanics ! But very little Software or Hardware, not even relatively simple Installs like MSTS, work out of the box without having to do a lot of additional work and updating of drivers, tweaking everything in sight to make it work and hope for the best. Most of it beyond the capability of Jane or John Doe.

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LAST EDITED ON Sep-16-02 AT 09:54 PM (EDT)

Before i got my radeon i used this:
Intel i10e built-in
4 meg vid ram.
The thing didnt support OpenGL, but it was amazing that it acually worked with all my games. EVEN the open GL. That card you have is supposed to be good though. check the drivers, i might be able to help you out.EDIT: Sniper, is very good with MSTS, he helps people out all the time, he knows tons about the sim. Welcome to the fourms mrsmomn! I can help you over AOL: AlphaMaster412

-Danny
-Alphalpha
It's All in a Days Work for Me!
www.atlanticsystem.tk

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I think you must be right about the 64 MB Video. That first bit of info I posted was from a little post-it note left for me by the person who set up this computer. He probably just made a mistake writing it. As for where the monitor is plugged, I have no idea. If it really matters, I can crawl around under the desk and try to find out.
I ran DXDIAG and found out that I have DirectX 8.1. I tested it and it said it found no problems.
Where do I find "Display Properties", "Settings", "Advanced", "Performance - Hardware Acceleration"? Is that the right-click on desktop? It doesn't say "display properties". I still can't find anywhere that says "Hardware Acceleration" so that I can slide it over to the right.
You're right about driving the car - check all the levels and take off. If it makes a "funny noise", I know where to take it and I've been there often enough that they know that I know there really is a noise, so they keep driving it around until they finally hear it also. Even my husband believes me when I talk about a funny noise. I don't know *how* a car works, but I know how I think it *should* work. If I do my part, the car better do it's job or it's gone!
I've never had a problem running a game before, except for "Knight and Merchants" crashes at a certain level no matter how many times I uninstall and reinstall. I haven't found anyone that even knows that game. I bought it in Poland - maybe the problem is that it's meant for play there. (?) Thanks for your insight.

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LAST EDITED ON Sep-16-02 AT 11:12 PM (EDT)

Display info is in the CONTROL PANEL part of windows. What you need to do is: Click on settings from the toolbar and select control panel.
With me so far? Good. Open up control panel so everything is laid out on the desktop. First thing is to look for an icon named System. Double click on it ,and the properties page will open. Click on the performance tab. Click on the graphics button. Put the slider for graphics acceleration to FULL.
There are other things you can do to make it run better as well. E-mail me at parrotheada1a@attbi.com if you need more.

Certified B&M nut!

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The same from the "Desktop":Right-Click in empty Desktop for this and Click on "Properties" - - - - next Click on "Settings"
Click on "Advanced" at the bottom - - - - - - - - - - - - and here Click on "Performance"
Finally - Pull the Slider all the way over to "Full"

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Ottodad,
Those pictures helped a lot - but after "advanced" there is no performance tab; it says "troubleshoot", but I clicked on it anyway, and. . . there was the *Hardware Acceleration*!!!!!!
So, I changed it, restarted, took a ride on the Train Simulation, and the system crashed! I've never experienced that either. Finally it came back on with a message saying it recovered from a serious error. Whew! I'm afraid to do anything else now except internet and e-mail. Are my game-playing days over just when the games are getting really interesting?

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Sorry Darling, but WIN XP is really not my scene. There are a number of guys in this Forum who seem to think that WIN XP is the best. Perhaps they can help you ! Some hope ! I should ask MICROSOFT. After all it is their Operation System and so is the Train Sim Software !Where I come from, if it does not work, back to the Supplier it goes !!!

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My copy did the same thing and wouldn't run at all until I went into the thing and hit the troubleshooter icon. This brings up a dialogue box and you can select your accelerator card and the resolution and all, then it should run after you set all that.At least mine did.
tark1054

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In case you are wondering where that Icon is:

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What did you set all that at?

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O.K. MARCIA, let's start again ! First: Go into "Programs - Microsoft Games\Train Simulator\Troubleshooter" and click on: "Change Video Driver". You should see something like this, shown in the lower part of the shot:
Next: do a Ctrl-Alt-Del ONCE ONLY ! That is, press and hold down the three keys in the order shown and let go after the Del. The "Task Manager" window appears. Make a note of what is running, CANCEL the Window. Report back if you still got a problem after doing all the rest below !Next: check your DISPLAY PROPERTIES by "Right-Clicking" anywhere in an empty part of your "Destop" and select "Properties" at the bottom of the small window. Select "Settings" and this is what you should see:

It should show you the name of your Graphics Card, Colors should be "True 32 bit" and lets try the "800 x 600" pixels display to start with. Drag the slider or click to the left of it if the present setting is higher.Next: start MSTS and click on "Options"
This is what the screen should look like. Next: Click on "Display"
Set your "Display Resolution" to "800x600x32" and Click on "Advanced Display"
Adjust the Settings as shown to start with and SAVE > !
Now let's try and run an ACELA on the Northeast Corridor.I got my fingers and toes crossed !!! Want to see who this is talking to you ? www.otto-wipfel.co.uk. The waving flag is AUSTRIA !
I and my Siblings are to be found clicking on the pictures at the bottom of the Main Screen.

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Hi, Marcia.If you cannot get Trainsim working with your video card then maybe you should buy a new video card? The onboard video cards like you have are pretty crummy with simulation which have detailed scenery like flightsim or trainsim. This is probably not what you want to hear because you have to pay about $50 labor for a computer shop to put it in for you and the card itself would cost $35 to $200. Actually a pretty good card can be had for that $35 through the mail, if you are willing to pester OTTODAD into lead you through doing the installation process yourself If you do end up buying one in the mail, make sure you see the words "retail" in advertisement. Retail means it comes with all the instruction booklets and so forth for a new beginner to install it easy.To install you have to take a phillips (crosspoint) screwdriver and remove 3 screws from the back of computer box and slide the side panel back using a regular (flatpoint) screwdriver to pry the side panel back. The booklet will show you what the AGP socket looks like where you plug in the card. There is another screw inside near a slot on the back of the computer case to screw the card in after plugging it in. It may be necessary to punch out (with screwdriver) the metal cover over this slot first, in order to allow the card to go into the slot (hole). Which card: Tom's Hardware chart shows what the best ones are at this URL address:http://www.tomshardware.com/graphic/02q2/020418/vgacharts-01.htmlPrice comparisons for most all of the online shops are shown are here, click multimedia, then video cards:http://www.pricewatch.com/Notice the GeForce2 GTS for $35 including shipping. Its half way up the Tom's Hardware chart (about 31.5 frames per second). Your video card would be pretty much at the bottom (9 f.p.s.).Chances are you can get the video card you already have running trainsim, if not an add-on vid card would be the way for sure!Take Care,Bill K.

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> pester OTTODAD into lead you through doing the installation process yourself.I like that ! Always ready to help a Damsel in Distress ! Got about 500 of them in one of my Clients 50 Retail Branches using my Software ! I thought this was a Graphics chip on the Motherboard. Asked a question about it before. A new WIN XP machine with a AGP Card would have had at least 64 Mb Ram ?My new ASUS MoBo has a nVidia GeForce-2 chip, running MSTS o.k. but Graphics were not good enough. Installed an ATI RADEON 8500 first and changed that for a GeFORCE TI-4600 later. Not much difference.But this INTEL (R) Extreme Graphics Controller sounds powerful enough for MSTS and has a good Write-Up. It seems to run all the other games alright ! Perhaps it needs tuning down a bit for MSTS.So I shall get in touch with INTEL for Marcia to ask them for a Solution before Marcia spends more of her hard earned cash ! Stand by !!!

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Yes, I think (know?) it is a graphics chip integrated with the motherboard. I'm sure I read that in one of my searches (it's probably in one of the printed stacks on the floor) Your third paragraph is a foreign language? Anyone speak Polish or Swedish?I've been in contact with intel and got as far as identifying the graphics chip. I stopped short of downloading any new drivers. I also made sure the override value was set at 60. I learned to do that from running dxdiag. This is crazy! I'm telling you about what I've done and I have no clue whatsoever what I'm talking about!!!!!!I'm a damsel in distress alright - and I'm not much of a feminist (though I sort of am from that generation), so I am very happy to have you contact intel for me. You know what questions to ask. If you really need to know my generation, do the math: I started teaching when I was 20 years old and I have been teaching for exactly 100 years!

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Well, while we are waiting for INTEL to reply, we might as well carry on the conversation ? > Your third paragraph is a foreign language? Anyone speak Polish or Swedish? That was aimed at UtilityInFielder. > I'm telling you about what I've done and I have no clue whatsoever what I'm talking about!!!!!! Don't worry, you will by the time your problem has been sorted !> I started teaching when I was 20 years old and I have been teaching for exactly 100 years! From what I hear about conditions in some Schools, a lot of your colleagues also feel like they have been at it far too long !

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I sure will keep in mind that I might have to buy a new video card, but first I will take the advice of parrotheada1a. I ordered two books: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows XP" and "Windows XP for Dummies". Sometimes I wish I had my old WIN 95 back. My old hard drive wasn't worth updating so I got everything new (maybe TOO new). I've been reading the support guide in "help" and now I print out the information pages. I'm gonna be in a lot of trouble when my family looks in this room and sees stacks of paper all over, and obviously I'm getting nothing else done around here. I'm not even looking for a job yet. DKlemm got it right - I've moved right in and I'm living here with all of you. I'm beginning to recognize some of the info as I see it more than twice, so guess I'm learning a little something!
Oh, by the way I already knew the difference between a phillips and a flathead screwdriver - my dad was no dummy.
I know I seem like a real dummy (and in some ways I am) but I have been teaching computer workshops since when most people were afraid to even touch one. I've even written simple programs for the old Apple II and worked my way up through Apple IIe, IIc, Mac 750, 5500, iMac, G3 and ended up with a G4 before I quit teaching (to play computer games on a PC) NOW even The Sims won't start for me! I'll probably lose all my houses and families and skins if I have to uninstall. "Empire Earth" and Solitaire still work - that's about it! I'm committed: MSTS will work on my machine! (some day)

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Thanks for the "Background" Info, Marcia. Makes our job trying to help you a lot easier ! If your other games still run o.k. then it is definitely MSTS not liking your Intel Graphics Chip on the Motherboard.Asked INTEL why not. Had an acknowledgment saying I should get a reply within 2 business days. Being Friday here in the U.K. and soon over there as well, it could be Monday before I get an answer.In the meantime, catch up with your household chores and have a nice Weekend !

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OOPS! I think you missed the part about how some of my other games aren't working now either. I have one game called Cossacks that runs so fast I can't even get started before the enemy wipes out my whole village.I do thank everyone very much for trying to figure all this out. Looks like I may have to change the settings for every game I want to play.Now I'm working on how to tell parrotheada1a what partitions I have. Here is where the dummy is at work again. No household chores for me until Monday except cleaning the dishes! I'm going away for a relaxing and reading weekend up north in the woods - NO COMPUTERS up there and only one TV channel. We DO have plumbing, electricity and telephone however Have a great weekend everyone! Talk to you on Monday "fer sure"!Ps. I enjoyed your website ottodad, but why the Austrian flag when you live in the UK? Isn't it something like 4:00 in the morning where you are? Do you REALLY not sleep? I know London never sleeps, but your address sounds like further out in the country somewhere.Thanks again!

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The Austrian flag is to me what the "Stars and Stripes" are for you ! No matter where I am, I am still an AUSTRIAN National (73, I don't look it nor feel it ) and Proud of it ! Partitions ? Open "My Computer", click on "View" and select "Details". Now you can see all your Drives = Partitions, their sizes and how much of it is un-used (Free).Most people buying Computers, especially those with WIN XP installed, will have just one "Partition" = Drive C:"Microsoft Prefers it that way". I don't give a damn about what Microsoft "Prefers" !! The former had better pay attention to what the "USERS PREFER" ! Systems that work as they should for a start.O.K. I shall now get of my Soap Box, wishing you an enjoyable and relaxing weekend !!!

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>The Austrian flag is to me what the "Stars and Stripes" are
>for you ! No matter where I am, I am still an AUSTRIAN
>National (73, I don't look it nor feel it ) and Proud of
>it ! This is WAY OT, but are you by chance an F1 fan?Lauda? Rindt? Berger?

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Was a Lauda fan, still am, now that he has got his own Airline and I am flying his planes in FS2002 ! My son, when he was still living with me, and I never missed a GRAND PRIX and had version 1 of the F1 Software.

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O.K. here is INTEL's response:Hello,Thank you for contacting Intel(R) Technical Support.Please test the following steps. They should solve this issue:Try setting the Windows* desktop is to High Color (16 bit) color depth in Display Properties.Update the video drivers to the 11.3 version. This driver version for your graphics controller can be found at this webpage:http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/Product_Filter.asp?ProductID=865Make sure to read the "Read Me" document that comes with the drivers prior to installation.Make sure no background tasks are running, such as virus scanners, task schedulers, or any other programs that run in the task bar. Please do not hesitate to contact us again if you need further assistance.Sincerely yours,Rowland M.
Intel Technical SupportIntel(R) Graphics Support Web Site
http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/

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I hope this info helps Marcia out, It's gonna be hell if she has to pony up for a new vid card.

Certified B&M nut!

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