The solution to game freezes and stutters in Vista

[Dudester 0]

After poking about here and trying a few things of my own, my game is now running very smooth with no freezes or stutters. The list below is what i did. May i also add that Installing the Geforce 174.74 beta driver is essential to getting rid of the slight freezes. Hope this works as good for you has it has for me.

(1) Installed service pack 1 for vista.

(2) Updated directx

(3) Updated my sound card drivers.

(4) Installed Geforce 174.74 beta driver.

[M.Andersson(SWE) 4]

1: Were do i find the service pack / FOUND IT

2: DX is version 10

3: SC is up to date

4: Were do i find 174.74 Beta

Im using Nvidia 8800GT 512Mb..I can only find the 169.25

ForceWare Driver..

[Dudester 0]

1: Were do i find the service pack / FOUND IT

2: DX is version 10

3: SC is up to date

4: Were do i find 174.74 Beta

Im using Nvidia 8800GT 512Mb..I can only find the 169.25

ForceWare Driver..

I just typed "Geforce 174.74 beta driver" in google. What windows are you using? Also state if its 64bit or 32bit and i'll try find a link.

[MehMan 0]

http://www.guru3d.com/

[M.Andersson(SWE) 4]

Well...Im using Vista32

And i found the SP1 for Vista

Shouldnt Nvidia have those drivers themselfs??

I can only find 169.25 for my GF8800GT..

Just tried the SP1, cant install it...Swedish isnt supported..

Stupid M$

[MehMan 0]

Try harder

[M.Andersson(SWE) 4]

Why is it that on the OFFICIAL nVidia site

theres only the 169.25 then...

[lebson506th 0]

Because its Beta.

[MehMan 0]

It's beta, but not a shitty beta. If you're really worried you can check the forums for the responses, there are lots of 8800 users so you should have enough to see if it's yay or nay.

[M.Andersson(SWE) 4]

LoL...I tried it anyway...

And it DID help... alot...

Now i just have to wait for the SP1 to arrive in swedish..

Tried it in Editor first with a couple of harriers

and it ran smoth...Then i tried in MP on a EVO

server...Sometimes it freezed but not like before.

Could have been laag too..My bandwidht was around

a thousand and the ping was about 35-40 on a NON

swedish server..Think it was french...Maby...

[mosh 0]

There is a Vista troubleshooting thread here...

But anyways, just because I recently did all this too, here you go:

1. SP you already found... I have had no problems with SP1, it's a must have.

  I read that the remaining languages will be supported by the end of the month. But don't hold your breath...

2. Newest DX9 (March 2008)

  (you still use DX9 even with Vista)

  also for XP, update your DX

3. You're on your own here

4. 174.74 Beta 32-bit Vista

    174.74 Beta 64-Bit Vista  

Mosh

[M.Andersson(SWE) 4]

As for the SP1 i´ll just have to wait..

I use DX10 allready...

The forceware is installed and working great so far.

[troop 0]

174.74b;..very good driver that! Using since release; better than

any one before.

Recommendation: Do not install/use the even newer 174.82 Beta

too many problems.

[mosh 0]

Quote[/b] ]I use DX10 allready...

Arma uses DX9...

I have never received a DX9 update in Vista (automatic updates are on), unless I just overlooked it of course. I know that I didn't have the newest version that was released last month though . I do now.

Games that use DX9 still run DX9 in Vista for those that don't know... DX10 is used only in about 10 or so games that I know of. Crysis, Bioshock, Company of Heroes - Opposing Fronts (with a patch) to name a few...

Anyways, just a bit of info for those that didn't know... and please correct me if I'm wrong.

Mosh

[M.Andersson(SWE) 4]

Ok...Im running DirectX10 and Arma at the same time..

Without any seriuos problems...

[ArmaVidz 0]

Windows Vista runs on DirectX 10. If Vista handles directx functions like WindowsXP, if you install DirectX 9 on Vista, it will probably crash or just have a general brainfart in many different ways.

[mosh 0]

Quote[/b] ]Windows Vista runs on DirectX 10. If Vista handles directx functions like WindowsXP, if you install DirectX 9 on Vista, it will probably crash or just have a general brainfart in many different ways.

I know Vista runs on DX10... but it runs DX9 and DX10 side by side... Here is a quote from one of the many sites, www.techpowerup.com, I read supporting this:

Quote[/b] ]Although most games work ok with DirectX 10, which comes built into Windows Vista, some games such as Medieval 2: Total War and Company of Heroes may not work correctly and you're likely to see errors about missing DLLs. If you have these problems (and even if you don't you should still consider it) you should install DirectX 9 on Vista by downloading it from here. This seems to be a problem with the backwards compatibility in DirectX 10 but installing DirectX 9 should solve any problems without causing any new conflicts.

Not trying to disprove anyone here... maybe someone with more Vista knowledge (cough.. sickboy... cough) can add to this...

Even though I do believe this, and I did update DX9 a few days with success, I'll stay out of this for now in case I am totally wrong about it.

Mosh

Edit - Ok, sorry, I can't stay out of this...

Topic: Windows Vista or d3dx9_30.dll

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA:_Troubleshooting_Vista

[SWAT_BigBear 0]

Ok...Im running DirectX10 and Arma at the same time..

Without any seriuos problems...

My games did not need DX9 either with a Vista fresh install, but some apps such as 3dmark did, which then I seen it did improved my games.

Give it a try with latest DX9.

[M.Andersson(SWE) 4]

Why downgrade if all works fine??

[mosh 0]

Quote[/b] ]Why downgrade if all works fine??

You aren't downgrading at all. It has nothing to do with DX10. DX10 will be untouched and used as normal... The update I am talking about only updates DX9.

If it all works fine, and you don't want to mess with it, then don't.

I was just pointing out the fact that the DX9 update is available, and currently not automatic for Vista users...

I used it, I am happy with it. My other DX9 games are happy with it. My DX10 games (Bioshock, Crysis, etc) could care less, it didn't affect them.

Mosh

[charliereddog 9]

Thanks for the tips guys.

I updated to 1.12b last night and noticed my performance wasn't as good as with 1.08, so I'll try these tips and see if they restore my settings.

[DocSnyder 0]

LOL That's a great thread...

Vista uses DX9 for DX9 Games and DX10 for DX10 games.

DX9 is not being updated automatically unless u installed a brand new game recently. So look for MS DX9 updates from time to time and install them.

And: No, DX10 will not be downgraded..

What is so difficult to understand ?

...Ok...Im running DirectX10 and Arma at the same time..