PC:OWS demo on Laptop

[rickier65]

I'm looking at the demo of PCOWS again to decide about PC:K. Im able to run the demo ok on Desktop, but my laptop is pretty minimal specs. celeron 1.6 with 512 mem and 64mb embeded video.

the game loads, but after i buy units and stgart, it crashes to destop when it gets to loading sounds.

I've turned eveything in start configuration to lowest setting.

I tried downloading the patch for game for some IBM vid chips as mentioned in another thread, but then the demo gave bad serial number error message. So i' reinstalled demo.

Attached is a dxdiag.

I really want to be able to play on laptop for when i''m on the road.

thanks,
Rick

[Erik Rutins]

The problem is that you have an integrated video chipset on your laptop that is not fully DirectX 9 compatible (doesn't support hardware T&L). We released a patch for the game itself that you can download from this forum which would allow it to work on your system, but it won't look nearly as good as it would with a dedicated video card. Your video chipset is fine for applications and 2D games, but is really not intended for 3D games.

Another option is to try a program like 3D Analyzer (you can google for it) which can allow you to emulate hardware T&L to allow games that need it to work. Either way, the full Winterstorm game (and Kharkov) itself would work on your system, but at a very low quality graphics mode. I'm not sure our patch will work on the demo as it's meant for the official full game, but feel free to download it and give it a try.

Unfortunately, very few laptops are upgradeable on the video side, so your best option is to play it on your desktop or get a new laptop with a dedicated video card. I've seen laptops for <$1,000 that will run 3D games like Winterstorm and Kharkov just fine, but there are also plenty out there that still have integrated video. Your current laptop is on the low end for specs all around, so I'm not sure you'd really get decent performance without cranking all the settings way down, which tends to make play less enjoyable graphics-wise.

Finally, your video and audio drivers are five and four years old, respectively. I would definitely update those in any case as it will likely help with a variety of games.

Regards,

- Erik

[rickier65]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

The problem is that you have an integrated video chipset on your laptop that is not fully DirectX 9 compatible (doesn't support hardware T&L). We released a patch for the game itself that you can download from this forum which would allow it to work on your system, but it won't look nearly as good as it would with a dedicated video card. Your video chipset is fine for applications and 2D games, but is really not intended for 3D games.

Yep, I mainly got it for office apps on the road, along with some 2D games.

Another option is to try a program like 3D Analyzer (you can google for it) which can allow you to emulate hardware T&L to allow games that need it to work. Either way, the full Winterstorm game (and Kharkov) itself would work on your system, but at a very low quality graphics mode. I'm not sure our patch will work on the demo as it's meant for the official full game, but feel free to download it and give it a try.

I tried downloading the game patch you referenced before I posted my message. After I installed, Demo wouldn't even start. Game me an "invalid serial number" error message (Since this is the demo - I didn't have a serial number), but it was worth a shot. I might check out some other things.

EDIT - I just downloaded 3D analyzer. Tried running it again, first tried just running it, didn't work - failed at same point. Then tried doing the emulate HW TnL. Tried again, - still no go, then tried Force SW TnL, tried again - still no go. Ah well.


Thanks for info - I'll have to think about it some more hate to get a new game and not be able to play it on laptop when I'm on the road, but I do have other things I could do.

Thanks again.

Rick

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Rick
EDIT - I just downloaded 3D analyzer. Tried running it again, first tried just running it, didn't work - failed at same point. Then tried doing the emulate HW TnL. Tried again, - still no go, then tried Force SW TnL, tried again - still no go. Ah well.

Thanks for info - I'll have to think about it some more hate to get a new game and not be able to play it on laptop when I'm on the road, but I do have other things I could do.

I'm pretty confident the game itself would work, but I'm also pretty confident it wouldn't look great and would be pretty slow on that laptop. For your specs, if you want some Eastern Front tactical combat on your laptop, you should take a look at Close Combat: Cross of Iron or John Tiller's Campaign Series or Steel Panthers: World At War. All of those are ideally suited to your specs and quite fun games.

Regards,

- Erik

[rickier65]

Thanks Erik -

I actually have John Tillers Campaign Series (Matrix version as well as EF, EFII, and West Front - though only play JTSC now). I also have Steel Panthers and one of the megacampaigns (as well as the original stell panthers.

I may still pick up PC:K for play on my desktop. I'm also looking at Harpoon, Commander Edition. I had the Older Harpoon Admirals Edition I think it was and I've been looking at it again.

Decisions, decisions,

I just saw a post from a guy who said he bought 11 games in Jan. and another 11 in Feb - unfortunately - cant quite manage that.

I'm going through the PC:OWS demo on my desktop, maybe that will help me make up my mind about PCK.

Thanks.
Rick

[Erik Rutins]

Rick,

Understood - Harpoon Commander's Edition would certainly run fine on your laptop.

Regarding the demo, keep in mind that Kharkov is improved in quite a few ways over Winterstorm, so it will give you an excellent idea about what Winterstorm is like and a basic idea regarding Kharkov.