Kev Boy
04-16-2004, 08:14 AM
This is an updated general tips section, containing not a lot of new content but a better layout so it is easier to read.
If you are experiencing problems with Painkiller, first try the general tips below.
If the tips don't solve your problem though, then don't hesitate to make a topic about your specific problem! :)
1. System requirements.
Make sure your system meets the minimum system requirements on the box. Those are the minimum you need to have a good time with Painkiller.
If you don't know how to check your system specifications then follow these simple steps:
-> Go to your START bar.
-> Go to Run...
-> Type: DxDiag
-> Look like this fellow here :eek:
Well... maybe not that hard! :p
NOTE: Intel Integrated Graphics are NOT supported by Painkiller!!
2. Background Applications.
Make sure you don't have to many background applications running, some can slow down your computer a lot.
When you end a task you can never harm your system, because if Windows needs it, you won't even be able to remove it.
So try to shut down as much as you can before running the game and see if that helps.
Next time you restart, all the stuff that ran, will be there again just like it was.
3. Defragmentation.
Fragmention occurs all the time, and after a while it just gets too much.
All your files are all over the place, so your hard-disk has to look longer in order to find the file it wants.
Make sure you defrag your hard-drive at least once every month for good performance.
4. Viruses.
Get yourself a respectable virus scanner from companies such as Norton or McAfee.
Remember that some free online scanners can sometimes be in-accurate, which is something you definitely don't want!
Also remember to keep your virus scanner up-to-date this is extremely important since within a very short time, newer viruses will not be found with your scanner.
5. Spyware.
Download Ad-Aware (http://www.snapfiles.com/get/adaware.html) or/and Spybot S&D (http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10122137.html?part=104443&subj=dlpage&tag=button) to check if you don't have any spyware on your computer.
It can slow down your system, manipulate your browser, give you a bunch of annoying pop-ups, and a lot of other stuff that you don't want.
6. Power Supply.
Make sure you have at least a 300 Watt PSU (Power Supply Unit) to play this game.
It is often an overlooked piece of hardware which is sometimes the culprit for crashes, due to not being able to give enough power to the entire system. Especially if you're running a powerful computer!
Get a power supply from a respectable brand (Antec and Enermax come to mind for example) and not any no-name ones, this counts for everything else as well :)
7. Memory.
Make sure your memory if not corrupt, a good program is MemTest86. Let it run overnight, if no errors are found then you're in the green :)
Kingston, Mushkin, Corsair, Geil and OCZ are all well respected brands, don't get a no-name brand.
8. Heat.
When your system is getting to hot it will cause odd behavior and could potentially destroy your computer!
Make sure to have enough cooling with good airflow, 2 coolers creating good airflow can be more efficient than 5 coolers with nowhere to blow that hot air out for example.
Use thermal grease between your heatsink and your CPU and if possible get an all copper heatsink with a nice fat fan on top.
9. Drivers.
This isn't a driving test... so don't worry about running over any old ladies ;)
Drivers are programs that make your hardware work with your software.
Remember. It's recommended to first de-install your current drivers, because it could otherwise cause conflicts. I had it, so I should know :p
Update all of your drivers if you are experiencing any problems. Including:
Sound Drivers:
They made the game BF1942 crash because they were not up-to-date, so they can definitely cause problems if they are not up-to-date, even though it's 'just for sound' after all.
Graphical Drivers:
Probably the number one reason for crashes!
De-install your current drivers and install the newest drivers from ATI (www.ati.com) or Nvidia (www.nvidia.com) cards.
You also have other companies like Matrox or XGI but these ATI and Nvidia ones are the most common.
Intel Integrated Graphics are NOT supported by Painkiller.
Motherboard drivers:
This is an important one but should probably work fine for a while, if they are, however, not up-to-date and you're suffering problems, update these.
10. Conclusion.
I hope this has helped at least some people.
And as a final note, when you create a topic about a problem, please provide your DxDiag.txt file that can be created after running DxDiag and testing your machine on with your topic :)
Good luck with these tips, and have fun with Painkiller! http://dreamcatcherinteractive.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif
If you are experiencing problems with Painkiller, first try the general tips below.
If the tips don't solve your problem though, then don't hesitate to make a topic about your specific problem! :)
1. System requirements.
Make sure your system meets the minimum system requirements on the box. Those are the minimum you need to have a good time with Painkiller.
If you don't know how to check your system specifications then follow these simple steps:
-> Go to your START bar.
-> Go to Run...
-> Type: DxDiag
-> Look like this fellow here :eek:
Well... maybe not that hard! :p
NOTE: Intel Integrated Graphics are NOT supported by Painkiller!!
2. Background Applications.
Make sure you don't have to many background applications running, some can slow down your computer a lot.
When you end a task you can never harm your system, because if Windows needs it, you won't even be able to remove it.
So try to shut down as much as you can before running the game and see if that helps.
Next time you restart, all the stuff that ran, will be there again just like it was.
3. Defragmentation.
Fragmention occurs all the time, and after a while it just gets too much.
All your files are all over the place, so your hard-disk has to look longer in order to find the file it wants.
Make sure you defrag your hard-drive at least once every month for good performance.
4. Viruses.
Get yourself a respectable virus scanner from companies such as Norton or McAfee.
Remember that some free online scanners can sometimes be in-accurate, which is something you definitely don't want!
Also remember to keep your virus scanner up-to-date this is extremely important since within a very short time, newer viruses will not be found with your scanner.
5. Spyware.
Download Ad-Aware (http://www.snapfiles.com/get/adaware.html) or/and Spybot S&D (http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10122137.html?part=104443&subj=dlpage&tag=button) to check if you don't have any spyware on your computer.
It can slow down your system, manipulate your browser, give you a bunch of annoying pop-ups, and a lot of other stuff that you don't want.
6. Power Supply.
Make sure you have at least a 300 Watt PSU (Power Supply Unit) to play this game.
It is often an overlooked piece of hardware which is sometimes the culprit for crashes, due to not being able to give enough power to the entire system. Especially if you're running a powerful computer!
Get a power supply from a respectable brand (Antec and Enermax come to mind for example) and not any no-name ones, this counts for everything else as well :)
7. Memory.
Make sure your memory if not corrupt, a good program is MemTest86. Let it run overnight, if no errors are found then you're in the green :)
Kingston, Mushkin, Corsair, Geil and OCZ are all well respected brands, don't get a no-name brand.
8. Heat.
When your system is getting to hot it will cause odd behavior and could potentially destroy your computer!
Make sure to have enough cooling with good airflow, 2 coolers creating good airflow can be more efficient than 5 coolers with nowhere to blow that hot air out for example.
Use thermal grease between your heatsink and your CPU and if possible get an all copper heatsink with a nice fat fan on top.
9. Drivers.
This isn't a driving test... so don't worry about running over any old ladies ;)
Drivers are programs that make your hardware work with your software.
Remember. It's recommended to first de-install your current drivers, because it could otherwise cause conflicts. I had it, so I should know :p
Update all of your drivers if you are experiencing any problems. Including:
Sound Drivers:
They made the game BF1942 crash because they were not up-to-date, so they can definitely cause problems if they are not up-to-date, even though it's 'just for sound' after all.
Graphical Drivers:
Probably the number one reason for crashes!
De-install your current drivers and install the newest drivers from ATI (www.ati.com) or Nvidia (www.nvidia.com) cards.
You also have other companies like Matrox or XGI but these ATI and Nvidia ones are the most common.
Intel Integrated Graphics are NOT supported by Painkiller.
Motherboard drivers:
This is an important one but should probably work fine for a while, if they are, however, not up-to-date and you're suffering problems, update these.
10. Conclusion.
I hope this has helped at least some people.
And as a final note, when you create a topic about a problem, please provide your DxDiag.txt file that can be created after running DxDiag and testing your machine on with your topic :)
Good luck with these tips, and have fun with Painkiller! http://dreamcatcherinteractive.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif