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TROUBLESHOOTING - Help us helping you (FC2 edition)


Panzertard

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Flaming Cliffs 2 edition

For us to be able to help you with your problem, there's a few things that is incredibly helpful.

 

A post descripting:

- What were you doing - or trying to do?

- What did you expect to happen?

- Relevant info regarding your issue - SP, MP, Mods, custom built gear - anything relevant.

- Screenshots when possible. We may not understand what you are talking about until you illustrate it properly.

 

So when you post a TECHNICAL/GAME problem please attach the following:

  • DxDiag report:
    • Use Start->Run: DXDIAG and "Save All Information, to a TXT file" for the report.
    • In the forum post - upload it using "Go Advanced", then press the "Manage Attachments" in the section below the post. Upload the TXT file.

    [*]Any *.CRASH files in your ".\Eagle Dynamics\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2\Temp" folder.

    [*]Any ERROR* files you find in the ".\Eagle Dynamics\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2\Temp" folder.

    [*]Screenshots to clarify the problem.

GAMING ISSUES - additional info required:

  • To illustrate a "gaming issue", post a *.TRK file. (Check the same \Temp folders as above to find your last flights)
    SP last track: "LastMissionTrack.trk"
    MP tracks: "client-nnnnnnnn-nnnnnn.miz.trk"

Locations of the \Temp folder may vary:

* All platforms - custom install location: <YourDrive>:\<your custom location>\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2\Temp

* XP/2003: C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2\Temp

* Vista / Win 7 with "default permissions" on the system / UAC on:

32 bit editions: C:\Users\<users>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2\Temp

64 bit editions: C:\Users\<users>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\Eagle Dynamics\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2\Temp

 

SP track recordings location: .\Temp\LastMissionTrack.trk

MP Track recordings location:

- MP Client: .\Temp\client-<latest-datetime>.miz.trk

- MP Server: .\<your mission folder>\<yourmission>.trk


Edited by Panzertard
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The mind is like a parachute. It only works when it's open | The important thing is not to stop questioning

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You *must* have a healthy system before you try anything else. A system with strange behaviour may cause a torrent of problems when you try to troubleshoot.

So please - be sure to have done at least a minimum of "system healthchecks".

 

Computer related

- Get rid of all unnecessary software (tools / coolstuff / badstuff)

- Temporary disable all security related software while being OFFLINE from internet.

(never do that while you're hotwired to internet).

- O/C is bad when troubleshooting. O/C must be set to standard frequencies.

Timings and everything related to PCI-bus/Graphics are being affected. Even FPS may be affected by a improperly set O/C or Memory timings.

 

Healthy system

- Free up your disk, check them for errors (CHKDSK C: /F etc)

- Ensure that your system is without other related glitches (read the Event Logs for System, Application)

- Ensure that you *did* remove all unnecessary software - because Services running in the background will affect your game performance.

- Had virus on your computer previously?

Your Windows is damaged - it may need a full reinstall to actually work properly with the game.

- Defrag. (It's quite often superfluious - but it's hard to tell in advance when there's something related to fragmentation).

 

-----------------------------------

 

Installation Troubleshooting

- Be sure that you have ADMIN permissions to do the install. You might have to (hold SHIFT and ..) Right-click the SETUP file, then "Run as Administrator".

- If you have problems with activation during install/reinstall/patching - try to disable "security/anti malware suites" since some of them may prevent the patch to install properly.

- Bad media? (Boxed Versions)

If loading of the DVD takes forever, or you suspect bad media or a bad DVD-player;

Copy the content to your Harddrive - run setup again from the place you copied it to. (You can keep playing without the DVD).

 

- LockOn 1.0 needs to be installed even if the error says "LockOn 1.1 not found! installation interupted!"?

If you still have problems check this tip or reinstall your lockon 1.0: Quote topdog:

Look in registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Eagle Dynamics\Lock On 1.1\Path and see if it has appended \lockon.bat to the end.

If so, remove just the \lockon.bat part and try again. Worked for me, I had installations from LO Gold CDs installed too.

 

Uninstallation troubleshooting

If you lack the "Flaming Cliffs 2 Uninstall" in the Start-menu or in the "Add Remove Programs", try simply installing over the old game again.

This way you will get all the Icons and uninstall-methods repaired.

 

Patching

- Patchday: Fresh installation of FC2 with no MODS.

Mods may be interfering - using modman to disable them isn't enough.

- Be sure you have picked the correct LANGUAGE for your FC2 version.

- Make a copy of your .\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2\Config\Input (Vista/Win7 - see Virtualstore notes below)

 

Tip for re-installing before testing/patching:

- Rename you "Eagle Dynamics" to "Eagle Dynamics.old"

- Install FC2 in the same original location. (No need to uninstall the old)

- Test / check if the problem remains. When done:

Rename the *new test* "Eagle Dynamics" to "Eagle Dynamics.vanillaFC2"

- Rename your old "Eagle Dynamics.old" back to "Eagle Dynamics"

Check if the problem is still there.

 

Now you have 2 version you can test with - and a vanilla copy for later patching.

No new activation is needed when you do it like this - same product - same path.

NOTE Virtualstore: Vista / Win7 users, using Default Installpath:

Your settings are stored here - as well as "bad mods" that *may* affect you:

- 32bit: C:\Users\<users>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2

- 64bit: C:\Users\<users>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\Eagle Dynamics\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2

 

 

* And you *DID* remember to REBOOT after that "last minor change on the system of yours last night" ...


Edited by Panzertard

The mind is like a parachute. It only works when it's open | The important thing is not to stop questioning

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Game related, FPS troubleshooting

- Be sure you're not using any tools that may be affecting the game performance (Fraps / TacView Recording).

- Prepatch: Check this thread regarding optimizing TVM/Shkval: Low fps while using MFD with Mavericks etc need tips in post 46

Also: FC2 FPS Tweaks/MODS thread

Also: Frazers Tweaking Guide Alpha for DCS Blackshark (same engine as FC2)

- Close your Firefox browser! It causes FPS loss.

 

Graphics/GPU/Driver related troubleshooting

- Test with different drivers (depending on your GPU).

- Use driver cleaner kits when you uninstall one driver and test the next.

- Disable SLI / CrossFire if possible.

- Disable Graphic "FluffyStuff things" and see if this changes anything regarding yhour issue.

- Clogged-up cooling? Your card may be overheating.

 

Driver Issues / Install / Reinstall

- Be sure that you have removed all traces of some of the old drivers (BETA drivers especially).

ATI and Nvidia driver Sweeper tool: http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/

 

Input Controls / Joystick

The subforum Game Controllers contains many good tips - be sure to check it out.

 

* USB controls stutter / connection issues?

Check this tip - USB power saving settings.

 

* Always check you Windows Joystick Calibration.

When assigning Axis in DCS you may need to remember that DCS will try to analyze which Axis you use. If you have a improperly adjusted joystick it might pick up the wrong Axis (Y instead of X etc).

 

* Assignment Conflicts may cause crashes.

Be sure that you have no "double assignments" in the FC2/DCS options for game controllers.

If the same assignements exists for your Stick AND your Rudders - you may have a conflict - clear the conflicting column.

[ATTACH]37852[/ATTACH]

 

* Weird input / odd control results.

"Your profiler software" might send dual inputs. Try the other way around - without Profiler Software. Just remember to bring up the "Gaming Device" Properties, keep the window open while you go back into FC2/DCS and reassign your stick and try again.

attachment.php?attachmentid=30594&thumb=1&d=1251659319

 

BIG RED WARNING: Do NOT save your Gamecontrols configuration over BLACKSHARK.LUA. That file contains game-code, and is not intended to contain your control-config.

controlconflict.jpg.3416ea5792d218e7e86e380bdfc25a91.jpg


Edited by Panzertard

The mind is like a parachute. It only works when it's open | The important thing is not to stop questioning

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System related Troubleshooting

"Event Viewer": On most system you can check out the "Application" and "System" eventogs.

attachment.php?attachmentid=30158&thumb=1&d=1250957296

a) Look for *anything relevant* to the problem you are trying to solve.

b) Look for anything being serious enough to cause stability / system issues.

 

Reliability monitor: Use your other "Best friend" on Vista / Windows 7. (not found in XP).

a) Poke around until you find some relevant issues - try revert some of your changes.

attachment.php?attachmentid=30157&thumb=1&d=1250956645

 

CHKDSK: Automaticly fix your disks.

Quite often minor issues in your filesystem may cause rather big and *very* strange issues, crashes.

The disk check takes very little effort to perform - a very good insurance for getting a healthy system.

- Using CMD (Command prompt) in Administrator mode type. (No admin mode for XP).

(You can do it from Explorer/Disk Properties too - but CHKDSK and CMD is the same for all OS - using GUI may vary from OS to OS).

attachment.php?attachmentid=30193&thumb=1&d=1250970199

1.) Start a Command Prompt in Admin mode.

2.) CHKDSK C: /F

3.) If you have more disks, continue checking all of them. If you get questions about "disk in use, check on next reboot?" or "dismount volume?" answer "Yes" (Y) to them and continue the process.

4.) It will be complete after a reboot (if a reboot is required).


Edited by Panzertard

The mind is like a parachute. It only works when it's open | The important thing is not to stop questioning

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MP Server Troubleshooting

Known Issue: Installed FC2/DCS twice, in different locations - the firewall-rules in Windows may point to your old installation.

Check the Advanced Firewall rules and make sure it points to your current installation-exe.

 

- Server ping timeout adjustments: http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=737045&postcount=81

- It may be hard to tell whats happening on the network sometimes. Using Wireshark or similar tools for network sniffing may be a great for digging into those freak problems happening when you are hosting a Server.

- You can also use the builtin Windows 7 resource monitor. LWIN, type "Resource Monitor" in the search, start "Resource monitor".

[ATTACH]37854[/ATTACH]

 

More Network troubleshooting: "Ping Timeout" thread.

A bit techy.

res-monitor.thumb.jpg.6a0d606df412e6a98ed0264634ea0022.jpg


Edited by Panzertard

The mind is like a parachute. It only works when it's open | The important thing is not to stop questioning

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  • 10 months later...

Fixes for Runtime Errors with 32 bit operating systems

 

If you're using either Windows XP 32bit, Windows Vista 32bit or Windows 7 32bit and you're encountering C++ Runtime Errors or related crashes, please try out these following fixes:

 

Enable the 3GB switch on Windows XP

  • Right-click My Computer. Click Properties.
  • In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
  • On the Advanced tab, under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.
  • In the Startup and Recovery dialog box, under System startup, click Edit. The Windows boot.ini file will be opened in Microsoft® Notepad.
  • Create a backup copy of the boot.ini file. Note: Boot.ini files may vary from computer to computer.
    Select the following line in the boot.ini file:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

  • Press Ctrl+C to copy the line and then press Ctrl+V to paste it immediately below the original line.
    Note: Your text string may be different from the text string in this solution, so be sure to copy the text string from your boot.ini file, and not the text string included here.
    Modify the copied line to include “ /3GB”, as shown in the following example:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional 3GB" /3GB /fastdetect

Note: Do not overwrite any existing lines.

  • Save and close the boot.ini file.
  • Click OK to close each dialog box.
  • Restart your computer.
  • During startup, select the 3GB option. If you do not select the 3GB option, the system will default to the 2GB total memory setting.

Note: If problems occur during startup, you may need to update some of your drivers.

 

 

For Windows 7 or Vista 32bit:

 

goto a DOS window by typing CMD into your "search programs and files"

 

type
bcdedit /set increaseuserva 3072
and press enter

 

bcdedit.jpg

 

restart your PC and see if the texture losses/crashes still occur.

 

edit: you may need to temporarily disable UAC for this to work.

 

 

 

 

 


Edited by Mustang
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  • 2 months later...

:helpsmilie:I appreciated all of the advice from Panzertard. Your forums are a goldmine for a neophyte like me. I have recently purchased a new laptop. Asus XT 1. I have been away from Sims for quite a time and I intend to get back in it. I have also purchased DCS: Black Shark and Flaming Cliffs II. I am amazed at how much everything has changed and improved. I actually have to become a pilot here.

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