Slight Graphics screw Up and Screen Shot Issue

Freeky Glitch!!!

from Sins Forums

I have had some problems with my game (Sins of A Solar Empire). But I seem to have found ways of fixing most of the glitches. But one problem I have been anoyed with it when I get about 5 or so minutes in the game my Graphics Card go nuts!

The only thing left I see is realy strange objects like an object has become some pink and gray color. Sometimes the whole screen goes completely crazy! What I mean is I see my ship regular next time I look back it looks as if it became a stretched out line or shard. The screen gets to the point where everything looks as if it where lines and shard-like objects. I end up rebooting my computer. When I do it seems as if the problem was solved but every time I turn it off Then turn it on It will glitch once I reboot It is fixed. So I have to turn the computer on twice just to get the glitch to go away (even when turned on then rebooted I have to do it every time I turn off).

The last thing I have problems on is I take some screen shots but do not end up in my folder how do I find it? is there a way of searching because I can't get it. I have 2 Hard drives One is C;\ and E:\

I accidentaly copied the game to each drive. But I made it where Drive C:\ is the one that runs the game. Drive E:\ is just a backup file now.

I will greatly Aprecciate any responses. :grin:

technical
3,802 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

What video card are you using, and do you have the latest drivers?

As for screenshots, if you're in Vista, for some people the button doesn't work. When it successfully takes a screenshot, it shows you in-game where it saved it so you can find it. If you don't see that, try binding the key to something else, and it should work.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

The graphics card I have is an ATI RADEON X850 Series.

And for screenshots I use the button Prtscrn/Sys Rq button located right above the Insert button on the keyboard. I do see a yellow Sentence on the top of my screen but when I try to find the folder It says I don't Have it. My E:\ drive does'nt have it because I made sure It goes straight to C:\ Drive.

The location just does'nt show when It says. I go to My Computer and go through all the folders and the screenshots just don't Apear. The game says it goes through: C:\Documents And Settings\My User Name\Local Settings\IronClad Games\Stardock\Sinsofasolarempire\ After that It Says how much Memory it takes then the Number of screenshots I have.

Curtains - Customize Windows with additional styles
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

The folder is probably hidden. Do the following to make it show up:

When using XP:

1.

On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options.

2.

Click the View tab.

3.

Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders.

When using Vista:

  1. Close all programs so that you are at your desktop.
  2. Click on the Start button. This is the small round button with the Windows flag in the lower left corner.
  3. Click on the Control Panel menu option.
  4. When the control panel opens you can either be in Classic View or Control Panel Home view:

    If you are in the Classic View do the following:
    1. Double-click on the Folder Options icon.
    2. Click on the View tab.
    3. Go to step 5.

    If you are in the Control Panel Home view do the following:
    1. Click on the Appearance and Personalization link .
    2. Click on Show Hidden Files or Folders.
    3. Go to step 5.

  5. Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled Show hidden files and folders.
  6. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.
  7. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files.
  8. Press the Apply button and then the OK button and shutdown My Computer.
  9. Now Windows Vista is configured to show all hidden files.

 

I copied the Vista instruction from some website, so I've no idea if it makes sense. I don't have Vista myself (thanks the FSM).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

The effects you are talking about are most commonly caused by old out of date drivers or overheating.  Try using different drivers, even try older ones if the newest ones don't work.  Not sure about ATI these days but with nVidia (unfortunately for the consumer) they keep their drivers at beta almost all the time so their latest non beta drivers are often useless on the latest games so it is often advisable to use beta drivers also.

Failing it being a driver issue then either your PC has inadequate cooling or there is a fault with your gfx card causing it to overheat.  It will be up to you to try and cool the machine more effectively or failing everything else you would probably need a new video card.

I would suspect it is an overheating issue because of the fact it sometimes takes you several reboots before it is ok again but if it was me I would try the driver route first, esspecially as it is entirely possible that the drivers are causing the overheating issue.

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

The Card I have is somewhat Old but I am pretty sure my computer has a good cooling system tho. But I think you may be right on it being to old for the game. I have been using ATI for a while and I get all sorts of problems when trying to play my high end games.

I do have a friend tho that has an NVidia card and I agree completely that NVidia is probably best for now. The glitch or problem Doesn't do to much to anoy me but I just wanted to know why or how the glitch or problem was happening. But the only thing is, is I do not have to reboot 3-7 times its just when I turn it off. Then turn the computer on I just have to reboot. Thats all just reboot once and glitch is gone only when I play is when the game starts the glitch.

One other thing, is it possible that dust that acumulates in the computer can also cause a problem with the hardware?

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

but I am pretty sure my computer has a good cooling system tho.
End of quote

Have you cleaned it out lately? Even the best cooling can get very dusty over the years, given the amount of air that gets moved through the case.

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

Thanks for all the replies guys. I have used all the advice you have given me and I have started getting better results with my computer. Yes I figured out that there was to much dust in the computer you can literaly say it was a dust bunny. And I also get my screenshots to show up in my files. (thanks vandenburg). And I updated the ATI and the game runs much much smoother.

THANKS!!! :thumbsup: