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Enzian · 10-27-2002, 08:18 AM

I just picked up RtCW. After a few moments of the opening movie, the sound starts to stutter and skip and then it's gone completely. The game plays fine - the sound is fine. It's just that pesky opening movie.

I've not installed the patch, yet, but the readme.doc doesn't say anything about this issue.

I do have all the most recent drivers installed. I just checked and they're all current, still.

I am using on-board sound using an AC97 chipset. The mobo is the ECS K7S5A, for reference. I've been using this mobo for about a year and never had an issue before, with anything.

I've not done much of anything, yet, troubleshooting-wise. I was wondering if this has been an issue for some of you.

DVDriven · 10-28-2002, 08:51 AM

Have you checked ECS' website for a sound driver update? If you've purchased the board over a year ago, it may be time to update some of the board's drivers, and perhaps a BIOS flash is even in order.

Enzian · 10-28-2002, 04:31 PM

What kind of a hack do you think I am?

I regularly check the web-site!

Thanks, though!

DVDriven · 10-28-2002, 04:52 PM

BTW, do you have an AGP or PCI video card? Supposedly there are crackling issues if you use a PCI video card.

Also, the onboard sound is non-amplified, i.e. not really suited for sonically-intensive applications such as RTCW (I'm stuck on the first level in that stupid game

). It would probably be worth your while if you invested in an inexpensive sound card, if you plan on doing some gaming.

Ruined · 10-28-2002, 05:40 PM

Have you considered that the CDROM may be defective? I mean, if the opening movie is a movie, then it's possible the game may be having trouble reading the disc, and bails on the sound.

Quote:

Originally posted by Enzian
I just picked up RtCW. After a few moments of the opening movie, the sound starts to stutter and skip and then it's gone completely. The game plays fine - the sound is fine. It's just that pesky opening movie.

I've not installed the patch, yet, but the readme.doc doesn't say anything about this issue.

I do have all the most recent drivers installed. I just checked and they're all current, still.

I am using on-board sound using an AC97 chipset. The mobo is the ECS K7S5A, for reference. I've been using this mobo for about a year and never had an issue before, with anything.

I've not done much of anything, yet, troubleshooting-wise. I was wondering if this has been an issue for some of you.

DVDriven · 10-28-2002, 09:07 PM

I'm pretty sure it can't be CD-ROM related, unless there was a minimum install option (it's been a while since I've installed this game). My guess is that the CD is needed for validation upon startup, and the in-game cinematics will probably run off the HD (I'm not 100% certain on this).

I checked an ECS forum and the culprit, more often than not, is the onboard sound chip - it's just not a good sound solution. You can pick up a decent 5.1 sound card for ~$30 (I would go with Hercules, rather than SB to minimize the likelihood of IRQ conflicts).

***Istagi*** · 10-28-2002, 10:52 PM

I had sound problems as well with Wolf, ended up purchaseing a new sound card..... cleared it right up.

Not only did the opening play but sound during game play was delayed, and multiplayer sound did not function at all.

Ruined · 10-29-2002, 06:11 AM

Well, if it is not CDROM related, it might be able to be fixed by disabling Hardware Acceleration for the sound card. You can do this by going to: Start/Settings/Control Panel/Multimedia/Playback/Advanced Properties/Performance

Then slide the bar all the way to the left, and see how it works.

Quote:

Originally posted by DVDriven
I'm pretty sure it can't be CD-ROM related, unless there was a minimum install option (it's been a while since I've installed this game). My guess is that the CD is needed for validation upon startup, and the in-game cinematics will probably run off the HD (I'm not 100% certain on this).

I checked an ECS forum and the culprit, more often than not, is the onboard sound chip - it's just not a good sound solution. You can pick up a decent 5.1 sound card for ~$30 (I would go with Hercules, rather than SB to minimize the likelihood of IRQ conflicts).

Enzian · 10-29-2002, 05:48 PM

Istagi, I've been doing some research on the Q3 engine and according to this, the choppy sound during gameplay has something to do with the delay before mixing sound samples.

You have to enter these in the console. Hit the ~ key to bring down the console.
Type in \s_mixPreStep and hit enter.
The default value should be shown.
Type it in again but this time add a value to it eg: \s_mixPreStep 0.3 and hit enter.

Keep trying new values until you get something acceptable. When, and if, you do get something acceptable, type it in again but add "seta" before the variable eg: \seta s_mixPreStep x.xx <-- the seta command will write the variable to the config file so you don't have to do this everytime you play the game.

However, the opening movie is not "rendered" by the Q3 engine, so the s_mixPreStep object would have nothing to do with it. If the new soundcard fixed it, so much the better.

I'm running an Athlon 1900+ with 512MB DDR and a GeForce 3 Ti200. It-shay on older PCI cards.

!!

You know, I have an older PCI soundcard lying around. Maybe I'll trow in in the box and see if it works..

Bum disc? Possible. I picked up RtCW used. No evidence of scratches, though.

Eventually, I'll pick up a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, instead of the Hurcules. With the on-board sound working perfectly (this issue notwithstanding), it's pretty low on the priority list.

DVDriven · 10-29-2002, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Enzian

Bum disc? Possible. I picked up RtCW used. No evidence of scratches, though.

Was it the original RTCW or the GOTY edition that you have?

Quote:

Eventually, I'll pick up a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, instead of the Hurcules.

Excellent choice, if you do decide to pick it up eventually. I'm using it currently and it's an amazing piece of hardware (especially with THX-certified speakers

)

Ruined · 10-30-2002, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Bum disc? Possible. I picked up RtCW used. No evidence of scratches, though. [/b]

As you know, a disc that looks perfect might still have pressing problems. Anyway, did you try disabling hardware acceleration as I detailed above? That solves a ton of problems with onboard sound chipsets.

I also recommend the Santa Cruz, it's far higher quality than anything Creative offers.

Enzian · 10-30-2002, 04:44 AM

As much as it's NOT like me to leave an issue alone, that's what I've done. Instead, I'm actually playing the game! Go figure!

BTW - It's not the Game of the Year edition, but the original release. Why do you ask? Known issues?

Man. I've beaten GTA3, MOH:AA, Max Payne and Jedi Knight 2. This game is kickin' my ass! I'm runnin' low on ammo, fer cryin' out loud! AMMO!! The level design is wicked hard! And WTF is up with those flaming demons? Jeez, like the normal zombies weren't hard enough, now I got flaming zombies spitting fire at me? And they don't stop! Flame, and flame and more flame.

And, call me a wicked big pussy, but the game scares the crap outta me. It's just too eerie! I wear headphones when I play, and I crank the volume. I sit close to my 19" monitor (Samsung SyncMaster 955df). I turn off all the lights in the living room. My wife goes to bed. I pee myself. I get nervous when they get too close to me! Yaaayayyaaya! Get those zombies away! Am I that big a wuss, or does the game scare you guys, too?

I can't wait for Doom3, but I'm beginning to wonder if I can handle it!

Have you seen the promos?!?! Sweet merciful crap, the Quake3 engine is enough to make me cringe in horror - let alone this Pixar-ready engine.

hold me

DVDriven · 10-30-2002, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Enzian

BTW - It's not the Game of the Year edition, but the original release. Why do you ask? Known issues?

Nah, just curious.

I would give anything to see flaming demons.

I can't believe I'll need a walk-thru for this...

Enzian · 10-30-2002, 07:27 PM

It's only on the third level... Flaming Zombies are my name for them. They probably go by another name, officially.

Like "Bob".

A picture of one is on page 15 of the manual.

Enzian · 11-14-2002, 03:25 PM

I beat the game, this morning.

DVDriven · 11-14-2002, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Enzian
I beat the game, this morning.

Congrats.

Any plans to pick up the Enemy Territory expansion pack?

Enzian · 11-14-2002, 11:23 PM

Hell, yeah! I love FPS games, and RtCW was a good one. Battling Heinrich I was a Doom-style slugfest. Well, maybe not that good, but very cool.

I just heard about MOH:AA and RtCW expansion packs, recently... like yesterday. They have names, too? I thought they were in early beta stage - not that close to marketing.

Although, now that I think of it - what's there to beta test? It's not like the Q3 engine isn't documented a million times over. These expansion packs are probably new models, new skins and new maps. Nada work - just loot.

10-27-2002, 08:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
Enzian Producer/Admin Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Fort Phoenix	Return to Castle Wolfenstein sound issue I just picked up RtCW. After a few moments of the opening movie, the sound starts to stutter and skip and then it's gone completely. The game plays fine - the sound is fine. It's just that pesky opening movie. I've not installed the patch, yet, but the readme.doc doesn't say anything about this issue. I do have all the most recent drivers installed. I just checked and they're all current, still. I am using on-board sound using an AC97 chipset. The mobo is the ECS K7S5A, for reference. I've been using this mobo for about a year and never had an issue before, with anything. I've not done much of anything, yet, troubleshooting-wise. I was wondering if this has been an issue for some of you. __________________ Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch! XBox Gamertag: Enzian 00001 Elitism is ok, so long as you keep it in your pants...or something like that.

10-28-2002, 08:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
DVDriven Actor Join Date: May 2001 Location: 1020 Palm Drive, Cocoa Beach, FL	Have you checked ECS' website for a sound driver update? If you've purchased the board over a year ago, it may be time to update some of the board's drivers, and perhaps a BIOS flash is even in order. __________________ "The only ism Hollywood believes in is plagiarism." - Dorothy Parker

10-28-2002, 04:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Enzian Producer/Admin Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Fort Phoenix	What kind of a hack do you think I am? I regularly check the web-site! Thanks, though! __________________ Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch! XBox Gamertag: Enzian 00001 Elitism is ok, so long as you keep it in your pants...or something like that.

10-28-2002, 04:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
DVDriven Actor Join Date: May 2001 Location: 1020 Palm Drive, Cocoa Beach, FL	BTW, do you have an AGP or PCI video card? Supposedly there are crackling issues if you use a PCI video card. Also, the onboard sound is non-amplified, i.e. not really suited for sonically-intensive applications such as RTCW (I'm stuck on the first level in that stupid game ). It would probably be worth your while if you invested in an inexpensive sound card, if you plan on doing some gaming. __________________ "The only ism Hollywood believes in is plagiarism." - Dorothy Parker

10-28-2002, 09:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
DVDriven Actor Join Date: May 2001 Location: 1020 Palm Drive, Cocoa Beach, FL	I'm pretty sure it can't be CD-ROM related, unless there was a minimum install option (it's been a while since I've installed this game). My guess is that the CD is needed for validation upon startup, and the in-game cinematics will probably run off the HD (I'm not 100% certain on this). I checked an ECS forum and the culprit, more often than not, is the onboard sound chip - it's just not a good sound solution. You can pick up a decent 5.1 sound card for ~$30 (I would go with Hercules, rather than SB to minimize the likelihood of IRQ conflicts). __________________ "The only ism Hollywood believes in is plagiarism." - Dorothy Parker

10-28-2002, 10:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
*Istagi* Producer/Admin Speaks for himself Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha	I had sound problems as well with Wolf, ended up purchaseing a new sound card..... cleared it right up. Not only did the opening play but sound during game play was delayed, and multiplayer sound did not function at all. __________________ Chew, if only you could see what I've seen with your eyes Istagi's DVD's DDS 351

10-29-2002, 05:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
Enzian Producer/Admin Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Fort Phoenix	Istagi, I've been doing some research on the Q3 engine and according to this, the choppy sound during gameplay has something to do with the delay before mixing sound samples. You have to enter these in the console. Hit the ~ key to bring down the console. Type in \s_mixPreStep and hit enter. The default value should be shown. Type it in again but this time add a value to it eg: \s_mixPreStep 0.3 and hit enter. Keep trying new values until you get something acceptable. When, and if, you do get something acceptable, type it in again but add "seta" before the variable eg: \seta s_mixPreStep x.xx <-- the seta command will write the variable to the config file so you don't have to do this everytime you play the game. However, the opening movie is not "rendered" by the Q3 engine, so the s_mixPreStep object would have nothing to do with it. If the new soundcard fixed it, so much the better. I'm running an Athlon 1900+ with 512MB DDR and a GeForce 3 Ti200. It-shay on older PCI cards. !! You know, I have an older PCI soundcard lying around. Maybe I'll trow in in the box and see if it works.. Bum disc? Possible. I picked up RtCW used. No evidence of scratches, though. Eventually, I'll pick up a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, instead of the Hurcules. With the on-board sound working perfectly (this issue notwithstanding), it's pretty low on the priority list. __________________ Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch! XBox Gamertag: Enzian 00001 Elitism is ok, so long as you keep it in your pants...or something like that.

10-30-2002, 04:44 AM	#12 (permalink)
Enzian Producer/Admin Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Fort Phoenix	As much as it's NOT like me to leave an issue alone, that's what I've done. Instead, I'm actually playing the game! Go figure! BTW - It's not the Game of the Year edition, but the original release. Why do you ask? Known issues? Man. I've beaten GTA3, MOH:AA, Max Payne and Jedi Knight 2. This game is kickin' my ass! I'm runnin' low on ammo, fer cryin' out loud! AMMO!! The level design is wicked hard! And WTF is up with those flaming demons? Jeez, like the normal zombies weren't hard enough, now I got flaming zombies spitting fire at me? And they don't stop! Flame, and flame and more flame. And, call me a wicked big pussy, but the game scares the crap outta me. It's just too eerie! I wear headphones when I play, and I crank the volume. I sit close to my 19" monitor (Samsung SyncMaster 955df). I turn off all the lights in the living room. My wife goes to bed. I pee myself. I get nervous when they get too close to me! Yaaayayyaaya! Get those zombies away! Am I that big a wuss, or does the game scare you guys, too? I can't wait for Doom3, but I'm beginning to wonder if I can handle it! Have you seen the promos?!?! Sweet merciful crap, the Quake3 engine is enough to make me cringe in horror - let alone this Pixar-ready engine. hold me __________________ Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch! XBox Gamertag: Enzian 00001 Elitism is ok, so long as you keep it in your pants...or something like that.

10-30-2002, 07:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
Enzian Producer/Admin Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Fort Phoenix	It's only on the third level... Flaming Zombies are my name for them. They probably go by another name, officially. Like "Bob". A picture of one is on page 15 of the manual. __________________ Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch! XBox Gamertag: Enzian 00001 Elitism is ok, so long as you keep it in your pants...or something like that.

11-14-2002, 03:25 PM	#15 (permalink)
Enzian Producer/Admin Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Fort Phoenix	I beat the game, this morning. __________________ Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch! XBox Gamertag: Enzian 00001 Elitism is ok, so long as you keep it in your pants...or something like that.

11-14-2002, 11:23 PM	#17 (permalink)
Enzian Producer/Admin Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Fort Phoenix	Hell, yeah! I love FPS games, and RtCW was a good one. Battling Heinrich I was a Doom-style slugfest. Well, maybe not that good, but very cool. I just heard about MOH:AA and RtCW expansion packs, recently... like yesterday. They have names, too? I thought they were in early beta stage - not that close to marketing. Although, now that I think of it - what's there to beta test? It's not like the Q3 engine isn't documented a million times over. These expansion packs are probably new models, new skins and new maps. Nada work - just loot. __________________ Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch! XBox Gamertag: Enzian 00001 Elitism is ok, so long as you keep it in your pants...or something like that.

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