Crashing and other problems on XP/SP3 with new AMD

[Legacy_werelynx]

               Recently my old graphic card burned and I had to replace it with a new one. I did not format the drive and had the game files that were working properly + 1 backup in case of formatting C.
After Installing new graphic card along with the newest drivers the game would not play, but crash the moment I chose "Play" button (or fire up nwmain.exe)
I tried searching these forums as well as gog.com and the web generally for the solution.

I'm pretty sure it's about graphic card and its driver(s).

Things I have already tried:

• various versions of drivers(see video card driver version) even one from Omega, with turning various options like "catalyst AI" on/off
• trying it without drivers (result: lags even in the menu, unplayable)
• both back-up and normal nwmain.exes were crashing, both when fired directly as well as from starting menu
• fiddling with resolution and other configuration
• playing with various compatibilities
• puttin' atioglx.dll? in the game folder (result: no crash, cursor on empty black screen and menu music playing, still unable to do anything)
• puttin other .dll like opengl.dll (result: none)
• renaming nwmain.exe (result: game plays but all the characters are now invisible)
• finally disabled environmental mapping on creatures with the result being:

• Characters(models) show in game
• All metallic parts are semi-transparent
• Apparently anti-aliasing does not exist
• textures are looking really bad on models
• Game Lags pretty badly

Is there any further solution to this problem? In the current state the game is pretty unplayable and I still have lots of modules to cover(like we all do). Please help fellow NWN addict get his game running and hunger satiated.

My New Specs:

Game Version:                                     NWN 1  SoU, HotU, Kingmaker, patched 1.69
Game Language:                                Polish
Retail or Digital:                                 Retail CD
Processor Manufacturer:                 Intel
Processor Type:                                Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:                            2.66 GHz
Operating System/ Service Pack:  WindowsXP/SP3
System RAM:                                     3.25  GB
Video Card Manufacturer:               (MSI is what's written on the box :| )
Video Card Model:                           Radeon HD7850
Video Card RAM:                              2048 MB
Video Card Driver Version:             Catalyst 13.4 (also tried 8.10, 12.3, 13.1, 13.3, 13.5,  and Omega driver 48442)
Sound Card Manufacturer:             Realtek
Sound Card Model:                          Realtek High Definition Audio
Sound Card Driver Version:            5.10.0

This is PC desktop anyway.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Tiberius_Morguhn]

               When running XP, I found that the 11.6 driver release was the most stable for my HD6850 after encountering several of the issues you mention.  However, the 12.3 driver release is the first supported release for the HD7850.  The newest drivers also crash nwmain.exe for me as well (any of the 13.x releases).  You may have to test all drivers versions from 12.3 onwards to get something stable: support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/previous/Pages/radeonaiw_xp.aspx

For the Catalyst AI, you want to set that to quality mode and not performance mode.  I use ATI Tray Tools to set my card options so you may want to look at that.  I seem to remember that turning the AI off (performance mode) would make the PC invisible and other such issues - which then forced you to turn off environment mapping which looks terrible.  Leave the AI on but for quality mode.

After installing the drivers, did you run the nwconfig.exe located in the same folder as nwmain.exe?  That config file generator will modify the config files based on the type of graphics card and to some degree the options for the drivers.  Below is a copy of my nwconfig.ini from the old XP installation.  Below that is a segment from nwn.ini that contains my video settings info for comparison as well.

Also, check your CPU affinity settings as detailed here: social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/187/index/4879430

Some other help: pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Neverwinter_Nights

nwconfig.ini

[Version]
Game=1.69
[OS]
OS=Windows XP v5.1 build 2600 Service Pack 3
Result=2
Skip=0
[Processor]
Type=AMD Phenom(tm) II X3 720 Processor            
Vendor=AuthenticAMD
NumCPUs=3
Speed=2800
Result=2
Skip=0
[RAM]
RAM=4096
Result=2
Skip=0
[Video Card]
Type=ATI Radeon HD 6800 Series                               
VRAM=1024
Desktop Resolution=1920x1200
Desktop Color Depth=32
Result=2
Skip=0
[Open GL]
OpenGL Installed=1
OpenGL Version=4.1.10750 Compatibility Profile Context
ATI Driver=6.14.10.10750
nVidia Driver=
Result=2
Skip=0
[Direct X]
DirectX Installed=1
DirectX Version=DirectX (9.0+) (4.09.00.0904)
DirectX Build=4.09.00.0904
Result=2
Skip=0
[Misc]
Last Run=9/10/2013 3:39:10 AM
Scanning=0
[Registry]
Location=D:\\NeverwinterNights\\NWN\\
Path=D:\\NeverwinterNights\\NWN\\
GUID={7C503E58-B2BC-11D5-978A-0050BA84F5F7}
Version=1.68
Language=0
[EXE Versions]
Main=8109
Server=8109
Toolset=1.3.36.4
Updater=1.24
Config=2.0.3.6
Launcher=1.0.6.4
HakPak=1.0.2.0
[Drive Info]
C:\\ [FIXED]=   343361252 K Free
D:\\ [FIXED]=  1260281304 K Free
E:\\ [FIXED]=  1883960224 K Free
F:\\ [FIXED]=  1029314344 K Free
G:\\ [REMOVABLE]=  (Unknown)
H:\\ [REMOVABLE]=  (Unknown)
I:\\ [REMOVABLE]=  (Unknown)
X:\\ [CD ROM]=  (Unknown)
Y:\\ [CD ROM]=  (Unknown)
Z:\\ [CD ROM]=  (Unknown)

nwn.ini (video sections only)

[Display Options]
Width=1920
Height=1200
BitsPerPixels=32
RefreshRate=60
TexturePack=3
SafeMovie=0
FullScreen=1
UseLargeFont=1
Disable Intro Movies=1
AllowWindowedMode=1

[Video Options]
VideoQualitySetting=3
Enable HardwareMouse=1
EnableEnvironmentShadows=1
CreatureShadowDetail=2
EnableGrass=1
EnableFastGrass=0
NumDynamicLights=8
NumShadowCastingLights=3
ShinyWater=0
CreatureWindSetting=2
EnableVisualEffectsHigh=1
AntiAliasing Mode=0
Enable VSync=1
Enable Truform=0
Enable AnisotropicFiltering=1
Enable TextureAnimations=1
Enable CreatureEnvironmentMapping=1
Gamma=1.000000
EnableSkyboxes=1
Grass Far Render Distance=900.0

               
               

               

                     Modifié par Tiberius_Morguhn, 01 octobre 2013 - 06:32 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_CaveGnome]

               If you are just changing the graphic card on your old system, did you deinstall the old graphic drivers before installing the new ones? I say this because a direct reinstall on top of the old drivers is not clean and may cause problems. Try to deinstall your actual drivers the windows way (not with the ATI installer) go to the basic Windows graphic VGA mode, now reinstall ATI drivers (with the ATI installer if you want). As Tiberius M. said, try older drivers. I've had similar problems with Catalyst newer versions not working on old or legacy hardware / software.  If problems persists, you can also try to look the driver parameters. The idea being to shutdown all fancy options (antialiasing, etc.) and go to the simplest video config possible. If you get something stable at this point, you could try one by one the video options to find the culprit.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par CaveGnome, 01 octobre 2013 - 12:55 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_werelynx]

               Thank you guys for advices '>

Tried reinstalling NWN, so far with the same results as the old copy. (just in case something corrupted)

@Cavegnome
My old drivers(as well as graphic card) were from Nvidia, now I have AMD. Deleting all traces now of Nvidia with Driver Fusion, will try deinstalling AMD and installing anew.

@ Tiberius_Morguhn
Haven't yet tried every driver version: only Catalyst 8.10, 12.3, 13.1, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5,  and Omega driver 48442. I figured if the oldest possible and oldest designed for my card and newest possible are not working then those in between will not work as well. Will try them now.
Catalyst AI: I have only 3 options: High Quality, Quality, Performance. None of them seem to work. There is also "Enable Surface Format optimiazations" option, but again playing with it doesn't help.

Now regarding ATT, I already have something called Catalyst Control Center(with the same Catalyst AI options, but lacking in other areas). Nevertheless I installed ATT.
Result: every time I started to run nwnconfig.exe or nwmain.exe or nwmein.exe(name changed version of nwmain) the screen would go black and monitor looked like it was turned off(disconnected from the computer). Had to reboot every time. Trying to change setting in ATT also resulted in the same "disconnection". Reboot. Afterwards the settings seemed to not have been changed.
Deinstalled ATT. Rebooted.
Now I will go and check if I can still fire NWN without ATT.

Screen from ATT:

               
               

               

                     Modifié par werelynx, 01 octobre 2013 - 01:31 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_werelynx]

               My nwn.ini

[Alias]
HD0=.\\
OVERRIDE=.\\override
TEMP=.\\temp
MODULES=.\\modules
LOGS=.\\logs
LOCALVAULT=.\\localvault
DMVAULT=.\\dmvault
SERVERVAULT=.\\servervault
TEMPCLIENT=.\\tempclient
SAVES=.\\saves
CURRENTGAME=.\\currentgame
HAK=.\\hak
PATCH=.\\patch
NWMFiles=.\\nwm
AMBIENT=.\\ambient
MOVIES=.\\movies
MUSIC=.\\music

[Sound Options]
Music Volume=0.15
Voice Volume=0.20
SoundFX Volume=0.15
DisableSound=0
3D Provider=RAD Game Tools RSX 3D Audio
Environment Effects=0
Speaker Type=0
2D3D Bias=1.60
Environment Effects Level=0.60
Number 2D Voices=32
Number 3D Voices=16

[Config]
NWLoaderDisplayTime=3
FirstRun=0
Connection=0
[Display Options]
Disable Intro Movies=1
Width=1680
Height=1050
BitsPerPixels=32
RefreshRate=60
TexturePack=3
SafeMovie=0
FullScreen=1
UseLargeFont=0
[Video Options]
VideoQualitySetting=3
Enable HardwareMouse=1
EnableEnvironmentShadows=1
CreatureShadowDetail=2
EnableGrass=1
EnableFastGrass=0
NumDynamicLights=8
NumShadowCastingLights=3
ShinyWater=0
CreatureWindSetting=2
EnableVisualEffectsHigh=1
EnableSkyboxes=2
AntiAliasing Mode=4
Enable VSync=1
Enable Truform=0
Enable AnisotropicFiltering=0
Grass Far Render Distance=900.0
Gamma=1.100000
Enable TextureAnimations=1
Enable CreatureEnvironmentMapping=0

My nwnconfig.ini

[Version]
Game=1.69
[OS]
OS=Windows XP v5.1 build 2600 Dodatek Service Pack 3
Result=2
Skip=0
[Processor]
Type=Intel® Core™2 Duo CPU     E8200  @ 2.66GHz
Vendor=GenuineIntel
NumCPUs=255
Speed=2671
Result=2
Skip=0
[RAM]
RAM=2048
Result=2
Skip=0
[Video Card]
Type=AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series
VRAM=4096
Desktop Resolution=1680x1050
Desktop Color Depth=32
Result=2
Skip=0
[Open GL]
OpenGL Installed=1
OpenGL Version=4.2.11927 Compatibility Profile Context
ATI Driver=6.14.10.11927
nVidia Driver=
Result=2
Skip=0
[Direct X]
DirectX Installed=1
DirectX Version=DirectX (9.0+) (4.09.00.0904)
DirectX Build=4.09.00.0904
Result=2
Skip=0
[Misc]
Last Run=2013-09-28 23:31:59
Scanning=0
[Registry]
Location=C:\\Program Files\\BioWare\\NeverwinterNights\\
Path=C:\\Program Files\\BioWare\\NeverwinterNights\\
Flavour=Retail
GUID={7C503E58-B2BC-11D5-978A-0050BA84F5F7}
InstallType=2
Language=5
LastInstalledVersion=0
Version=1.68
[EXE Versions]
Main=8109
Server=8109
Toolset=1.3.36.4
Updater=1.24
Config=2.0.3.6
Launcher=1.0.6.4
HakPak=1.0.2.0
[Drive Info]
C:\\ [FIXED]=3900376 K Free
D:\\ [FIXED]=30609092 K Free
E:\\ [FIXED]=61327672 K Free
F:\\ [FIXED]=100800956 K Free
G:\\ [CD ROM]=(Unknown)
H:\\ [CD ROM]=(Unknown)
I:\\ [CD ROM]=(Unknown)
J:\\ [CD ROM]=(Unknown)
L:\\ [CD ROM]=(Unknown)

Edit1: NWN works after deinstalling ATT, issues remain (lag, bad graphics).
Checked if CPU affinity could solve this: -2, -1, 0, 1 options with no good result.

Edit2: Tried disabling all fancy options in my driver setting, tried maxing out settings, tried "default" with no good result.

Edit3: tried deinstalling driver( 1. from devices manager, then 2. Add/remove programs-deleted everything with amd 3. with driver fusion program) and installing anew after all 3 steps. Didn't work.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par werelynx, 01 octobre 2013 - 04:39 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_CaveGnome]

               Hmm... I don't know if it can help, but i see you use a 16/10 rez ratio (1680 X 1050). I have vague memories that Neverwinter1 was developped with 800 X 600 in mind. Try an older standard rez for debugging purposes? I would also test if the problem is only Neverwinter specific or concerns all installed 3D games (old an new). You could try installing the barebones driver using the Windows manual install option (on the card properties, Windows driver panel) it's tedious, but does'nt install the Catalyst Control Center.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_werelynx]

               Other games seem to run just fine (Alternativa, Age of Empires 3, Ankh: curse of the mummy)

Tried installing from card properties but it says I already have best driver even after deinstalling.
Tried deinstalling Catalyst Control Center, with no result.
Tried 12.8 drivers with no result.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_CaveGnome]

               Well, at least we know it's a Neverwinter specific problem. Not wanting to beat a dead horse, but did you try changing all Neverwinter video options ? (compatibility mode, texture packs, quality setting...). Speaking of compatibility, did you try the Windows XP compatibility mode? (you can set it on the nwmain.exe right-click properties).

Edit (Windows XP compatibility mode): was thinking of trying Win95 or 98 compatibility mode, but it is a silly idea and it seems you already tried this.

In the case your problem is related with DirectX, perhaps you should try using OpenGL for Neverwinter. Sorry, as a complete OGL noob, i can't help install a suitable OpenGL. Perhaps you should post some request on the Bioware Tools and Plugin Developper forums or on the Custom Content, as some users are heavy hitting graphic specialists, they could have valuable insight.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par CaveGnome, 04 octobre 2013 - 11:20 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_werelynx]

               Ankh just crashed on me but it is really old game and I have just installed it today so..

I can't go into XP compatibility mode since I'm already on XP and to ask any further questions I checked all the other compatibilites possible.

Tried fiddling with settings.

OGL seem promising will ask about it in custom content, so far web search turned nothing.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_HipMaestro]

               

werelynx wrote...
OGL seem promising will ask about it in custom content, so far web search turned nothing.

All the OpenGL specs are heiroglyphs to me, not being familiar with graphic design constructs.  But it appears a lot has been changed in the version(s) being installed with newer OS from my ancient version 2.0 which runs perfectly on XP SP2.  I'm betting the folks who worked on NWShader would have some valuable input about which versions are most compatible with NWN.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Tarot Redhand]

               It is my understanding that AMD decided to leave out certain ogl functions from their newer drivers which is why I will have to get a nvidia based card next time. Of course I could be wrong or misread this, but that is what I understand at the minute.

[Edit]

I knew there was a relevant thread on here.

TR
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Tarot Redhand, 04 octobre 2013 - 11:16 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_hellLeeg]

               Windows XP SP3 - video card - AMD Radeon HD 7770,  
just rename nwmain.exe  to something else (newnwn.exe, for example) and run game through this file
... enjoy
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_werelynx]

               Tried that, works as far as allows playing with extreme lags and bad graphics. It's all written in my first post. Thanks anyway.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_CaveGnome]

               @Werelynx: Sorry to see you haven't solved the gcard issue. I was thinking of 2 things that perhaps could help. Here we go...

1) The (too much) obvious... Contact directly ATI-AMD support (@mail) and expose your problem, Chances are you are not the only one crippled in that way.

2) Flash the vcard chipset to the last (or older?) version. If you do that, be cautious like motherboard bios flashing, videoboard microcode flashing has some risks, and if you do it bad you can brick the CG. You have to take steps to mitigate risks like saving the old vc bios, making sure you use the right flashing utility, etc.


Edit: Since you tested, ATI-AMD released various new catalyst drivers updates and some of the improvements deal with Windows XP DX9 as in "Resolves intermittent crashes seen in legacy DirectX®​ 9 applications", so who nows...

CG
               
               

               

                     Modifié par CaveGnome, 07 janvier 2014 - 12:45 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_hellLeeg]

               Try the
Game settings - extended video - uncheck  - environment mapping beings