sluggish performance

[fcam1387]

I managed to install the game, but have one other issue:

My computer meets / exceeds all system requirements, but the game is quite sluggish (especially during detailed combat). It doesn't appear that there are any preferences in the game which modify graphics / performance whatsoever - this strikes me a kind of strange... Is there anything I can do?

[ericbabe]

There is an .ini file setting that allows you to set low-animation, which helps enormously for problems related to virtual memory caching; read the ReadMe file for instructions on how to modify these settings.  There are also many preferences in detailed combat that modify graphics -- check out the menu on the bottom-right of the screen.

The #1 performance problem on machines that meet system specifications is related to virtual memory caching.  To help ease this problem, make sure you aren't running any other applications while running FOF, try modifying your VM settings and defragment your hard-drive (which helps speed up caching).

[cesteman]

Oh yes, defrag!! Dumb little me didn't do it for almost a month until my scheduler ran. My game speed went way up!! You might also close out all programs running in the background i.e. anti virus msn messenger etc. You might also check which programs are running in the background to see what's running that you can close. hit ALT+CNTL+DELETE and then click on processes. Don't close anything that says system unless you know it's not critical. I had to play with which ones to close and which ones not to until I got it right. It might take several tries to get everything closed. I would suggest writing down which ones closed without affecting your system (or shutting down your computer). Hope this helps a bit. Cheers.

[fcam1387]

Yes. DEFRAG! I found out my files were 61% fragmented! Hopefully that'll speed it up a bit.

[Gil R.]

61%!!! I hope your excuse is that you're a big Roger Maris fan...