FEAR issue...and tech support

[BBA]

So, I decided to run FEAR again, I haven't played it in so long...since before I got the X1900XTX. I played a little, was fine but wanted to see what improvements the patches gave, so I patched it with the 1.02 patch I had downloaded and never installed.

The game wouldnt launch, just nothing. So I ununistalled, reinstalled, played fine from direct CD install. I downloaded the latest 1.08 patch, same thing, won't launch at all.

I decided to write a tech support request and I thought I was getting somewhere until I got the last response.

It seemed amusing so I thought I would share it:

VU response after getting my DXDIAG and MSINFO reports:

Dear Bill,

Thank you for contacting Vivendi Games Technical Support.

After checking your system specification, I would suggest you to please update your video and sound card drivers. Please visit the website www.ati.com for updating your video card drivers and for sound card drivers please visit

http://www.soundblaster.com/language.asp?sDestUrl=/support/downloads

Also download and install the latest directx 9.0c from www.microsoft.com/directx

Now, once all the updates are done, please try to launch the game. Please let me know if that worked. If not, we will assist you further.

Kind Regards,
Vivendi Games Technical Support

My Response:

Thanks for the help but these did not resolve the issues.

I have tried with the latest ATi drivers with no difference. I reverted back to the older 6.3 drivers because they give better performance in OpenGL games. The sound card driver update was to correct issues I do not experience, and when I installed them, they made no difference. I am using the original version sound card drivers because the updated drivers prevented auto sensing and auto mode switching for headphone detection on the Fatality I/O bay.

In short, these are not the problem. I have also reloaded the OS with no difference.

Any other suggestions? Is there an SMP issue with the later version patch?

Thanks,
Bill

And for the KICKER:

Dear Bill,

Thank you for contacting Vivendi Games Technical Support.

I understand that even after updating your video and sound card drivers and installing the latest directx 9.0 did not resolve the issue:

I would suggest you to please follow the steps given below:

a) Please close the background programs running on your computer:

* Make sure that you unplug the lan / internet cable before following the below steps
1. Click Start Button and select Run.
2. Type msconfig and click Ok.

*If your computer is in Normal Startup do the following:

a. Click the button that says Selective Startup.
b. Uncheck the box that says Load Startup items (or Load Startup Group items)
c. Click the Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services.
d. Click Disable all.
e. Click Apply and click Close.
f. Restart the computer when prompted.
g. Once restarted, if the system configuration window appears, close the window. Select No to restarting if prompted.

( anytime you can follow the same steps and click on the radio button that says "Normal Startup" )

b) Please follow the steps given below to delete files in your temp folder:

1. Make sure you're on your desktop with all windows closed
2. Click on the "Start" button that you see on the left hand below corner of
your desktop.
3. Now go to the option "Run"
4. You need to type in '%temp%' in the box and click "Ok"
5. The temp folder will open
6. Go to the "Edit" menu and click on "Select All"
7. All your files will he highlighted
8. Now hold the "Shift" key on your keyboard and hit the "Delete" Key
9. All your files will be deleted

c) Also try to change video and sound acceleration level:

To adjust video hardware acceleration:
1. Click Start.
2. Click Control Panel or click Settings and click Control Panel.
3. Double click on the Display icon.
4. Click the Settings tab and the click the advanced button.
5. Click the Troubleshoot tab (Performance tab for Win98/Me).
6. On this tab is a 6-position (4-position for Win98/Me) acceleration slider.
7. Move it a notch to the left or right and then click on OK to apply the changes
8. Try the rightmost positions first, as these will yield the maximum video acceleration performance available, and in fact are necessary settings for games that use Direct3D acceleration. If the pointer is at Full (rightmost position) then try standard and basic settings by moving the pointer towards the left side.

Try the game again and if the issue persists, repeat this process until the game works, or you have tried all the Video Acceleration settings.

Try lowering or even disabling the Hardware Sound Acceleration.

On the desktop, go to START->RUN and type in 'dxdiag' and then 'OK'.
Select 'Sound' tab and try different acceleration options from None to Full, and then run the game under each of the notches.

If you have a spare SMPS, please try to change that and try to run the game.

Please let me know if that worked. If not, will assist you further.

Ok...I am afraid to respond at all after the last suggestions, especially the LAST one.

Can someone tell me if they have seen this issue of no launching after a patch?
Also tell me what a spare SMPS is, since I think he is either making a joke or he is clearly clueless as to SMP CPU's (based on suggestions of turning off D3D accelleration and sound acceleration he is quickly losing my trust alone)

My specifics: X1900XTX, 2GB G.Skill, Opteron 175, DFI Lanparty UT CFX3200, XF-Fatal1ty, XP Pro SP2 fully patched, CAT 6.3, DX9C.

Every other game I have works fine (HL2, Doom3, Quake2, Q3A, Halo, Far Cry, Prey, BF, BF2, AVP2, WOW, Unreal2, UT2003, UT2004, etc..etc..etc...

 

[tisb0b]

Have you tried running it without any patches?

 

[OldMX]

Did you try checking Vivendi support forums? there is lots of usefull stuff to read, maybe the solution is buried there

 

[BBA]

Have you tried running it without any patches?

Thats the only way it will run, which I am ok with I guess.

I think I'll try an SMP mask on the executable.

 

[BBA]

LOL...

Check out my new sig

 

[tisb0b]

SMPS: A switched-mode power supply, or SMPS, is an electronic power supply unit (PSU) that incorporates a switching regulator — an internal control circuit that switches the load current rapidly on and off in order to stabilise the output voltage. Switching regulators are used as replacements for simpler linear regulators when higher efficiency, smaller size or lighter weight are required. ... wikipedia.org

so how the hell is that meant to help you run the game better?

 

[magoo]

FEAR 1.02 patch was terrible.
I'd reinstall the game and just run it in 1.00/1.01 version, or update all the way up to 1.08
which adds widescreen support BTW.
Unless you do alot of MP the patches are not worth it for SP. You can even work around for widescreen.

 

[BBA]

Thanks,
If I reinstall it again, I'll stick with the 1.0 version.

 

[Arkanian]

Thanks,
If I reinstall it again, I'll stick with the 1.0 version.

Does the game crash when you launch the EXE? Meaning is terminates from memory as soon as it is executed.

 

[ronin21]

Let me ask you this do you have nero burning rom?