Wonderland Game Problem Patrick or Bear

[Lillian]

Hi - I seem to be having a problem with RTWD lately. Particularly with levels where there is more than one character exiting on ice or via a conveyor (e.g. to give the effect of flying off into the distance). The machine just crashes EVERY time I try to exit with the first character.

I am also experiencing system freezes sometimes when exiting the game and often when I am either restarting a level or using ESC to change levels. I thought it might be because I had so many levels in my user directories, so I copied and pasted them out of the game - but it still happens!

I haven't changed anything on my PC in the last 6-9 months - same old PC as before. So I have no idea why this might be happening?

I know some other forumites are experiencing a similar problem too.

Any ideas Mr Boffin Heads

[jcvalcar2]

I too have experienced some problems recently, but not just exiting like Lillian has described, I could be anywhere in the level. My game keeps crashing and I keep getting the Memory error and not just in the larger levels. I have tried the game on different computers and the same thing is happening. This has happened occassionally with the larger levels(the memory error) in the past but I have noticed it happening more often lately. Any suggestions would be very helpful.

[Midnight Synergy]

Might be (in both cases) that your systems are getting clogged up with something else (possibly spyware etc, but could also just be a driver that was overwritten by an older version). I can't think of any other explanation why a game that used to work would start changing its behaviour.

I'd suggest a system clean-out (virus check, spyware check, removal of unnecessary programs, possibly windows and driver update).

[Lillian]

Thanks for your response. My system is virus free - I'm always checking it. We also have mega disk space - so removing programs wouldn't make any difference. How do I check for spyware - doesn't that come up with a virus scan?

I'll also get on to Microsoft and update my windows/drivers.

Thanks.

[Cat]

How do I check for spyware - doesn't that come up with a virus scan

?

Hey Lillian you can download spybot that is what I use! It works really good.

You can dowload it here
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-D ... 22137.html
Cat

[the cat]

Lillian I have the same problem and have said so many times.

I keep blaming my poor old computer. Tony has gettin New Game cards
Installed and the memory is only1/4 used up. all the juck is cleaned out every week. I still have all the same problems.

[Lillian]

Thanks girls - Malc has sent me some Spyware/Adware stuff so I will try that tomorrow? Although my hubby thinks it could be that we need to update our drivers - possibly for our Graphics Card? Failing that he thinks it could be a Midnight Synergy issue in that the program has not been fully tested over the range of Windows operating systems in use? For example, Win 98, Win 2000, Win NT, Win 2003, etc?

Whatever that means

[the cat]

Ya what ever that means, I feeling the same. My new game card Installed was $100.00

[jcvalcar2]

I too run Norton, Spybot, Adaware regularly and have mega disk space and update drivers on a regular basis. I also have a brand new computer that has 1 g. of memory and a better sound card. Now I will say that on my older computers I run the same safeguards as I stated above but they have less memory, but I am still experiencing similiar problems on all computers, as Lillian has stated. My computers have Windows ME, Windows 2000 and now Windows XP. I will clean out cookies again and try this but I too thought that maybe someone had infected the server with a problem.

[popo]

Problems on this server would not affect the game on your own machine, unless perhaps you play the game whilst on the forum at the same time.

I've not had problems with crashing, but I did start having problems with jerky, slow moving levels ages ago and that's what stopped me from playing. It could be all the thousands of custom levels and models in the directory are having an effect on the program. I have 3/4 of disk space free on my PC and I do frequent virus and spyware/adware scans and clear out my internet files daily. As the program is designed to run on very low grade computers, I can't see it being anything to do with our operating systems or video cards etc.

I know Malc deletes levels that he has completed and doesn't usually download models, so his directory must be very uncluttered. I wonder if he has any problems?

I also wondered if it might be something to do with what programs you have running in the background. I have a lot of them for one reason or another, most of them essential, but it does mean there's less CPU left for other things.

Perhaps the game engine needs overhauling, after all it wasn't designed with all these custom levels and models in mind. We might see a difference when the update comes out.

[amy25]

Problems on this server would not affect the game on your own machine, unless perhaps you play the game whilst on the forum at the same time.

I don't know about any one else. I don't have this problem. The problem I have is usually after a couple of times that I have ctrl/escd out to find any help on a level, I will get a Memory Access Violation and the game will close out. This only happens like after 2 or 3 times of ctrl/esc out. I almost always have the forum up while I am playing.

[Lillian]

OK - I have been housekeeping today - NO don't worry, I didn't mean the cleaning kind

I scanned the machine for Spyware and Adware - so that is all sorted out. I downloaded all the available updates from Microsoft (most of them were for Windows Security and there was one for Direct X). W didn't need any driver updates as we normally visit Microsoft for updates quite regularly.

I then deleted all Cookies/Temporary Internet Files and ran my virus scan - clean as a whistle as usual!

I then uninstalled a few programs (mainly trial version freeware games).

I then made a level with more than one character to exit via a conveyor. I found something quite interesting happened. If the exit is inside the perimeter of the level - I have no problems with system freezes and all the characters can exit with no problem. But if the exit is on the edge of the perimeter of the level - I get a huge noisy freeze in the game and I have to close it using Alt/Ctrl/Del!

I will enclose the Test levels for you to try and see if it happens to you (especially would like Cathy III to try it please). Please let me know what happens.

Thanks.

[popo]

That's what I meant about having other programs running at the same time. You're running out of RAM to run the game. I sometimes get the same problem when I have the game, the editor, AC3D, PaintShop Pro and picture files open all at the same time and keep flitting back and forth between them. They're nearly all memory intensive programs and I get a sort of traffic jam.

Btw, why do you use Ctrl with Esc to get out of the level? Does it do something else than just Esc?

[amy25]

ctrl esc gets me back to the windows screen. If I just escape, it starts to get back to the wonderland main screen to close the game or do whatever from there.

[Davimad]

I was just about to tell you Poops but Amy got there first. Thanks Amy.

It's much easier to hit ctrl + esc to put the game onto your taskbar, particularly if following a spoiler.

[amy25]

I didn't have any problems and I did both levels. My husband is a computer tech so he checks my computer for viruses and such pretty regularly. The Memory Access Violation doesn't happen all the time.

[Lillian]

I just can't work it out - what difference would putting the exit on the edge of a level make and cause the system to freeze like that - no matter what other applications are running. And why does it not happen when there is only one character in the level? I've just tried them both again without the forum running in the background and it still happens!

[popo]

I played them both with no probs either. Loved how Stinky went flying off into space at the end.

Pressing the Windows/Start key puts it in the task bar and takes you back to Windows too. Or Alt/Tab switches you between open programs. I use that when I'm making models.

[Gen]

Lillian, I tried playing your test levels at all the different setting options given at the beginning of login before you click on "PLAY". I had no problems with either of the two test levels are any of the settings. However, there was a jumpiness at 32 bits. So you might want to check how many bits you play at. I generally play in the windowed mode, 24 bits and 640X480. I run Windows XP. And I have over 3400 levels in my files. However, the levels I have completed are in users files in a folder labeled "ByUserDone". Levels to be completed are in the "ByUser" folder. I separated them primarily because when they all were in the same folders, it took so long to download a particular creator's levels. Hope this helps you sort out what the problem is.

Edited to add, I always have the Discussion Board up when I play levels.

[jcvalcar2]

I'm finally here, so I am going to try to test these levels right away. I've had loads of company today, so it may take a bit.

And I do not have other things running in the background while playing this game, when I am experiencing the problems. So I know my memory is not the problem. Talk to ya soon

Edit: Okay I just tried both test levels. Number 1 was okay. Number 2 locked me up tight and I had the most gosh awful sound when the game froze. I couldn't even close the program properly, nor could I ctrl/alt/delete to turn it off, I had to completely disconnect the power button to shut off my computer. I am running windows xp on this computer.

This problem is very new, I have never experienced this before.

My Computer is clean, updated, nothing running in the background and ready for play but something is wrong.

[malcdelsol]

Hi Lillian,

Can I have a HINT please for the test levels


Malcdelsol

[malcdelsol]

Mornin' Lillian,

OK - I messed about, did the 2 test levels and no matter how hard I tried (having other stuff running - Forum up etc.) I could not create any kind of problem whatsoever

I have a GForce4 graphics card with extra memory but this is fairly standard these days and other than that my computer is much the norm.

As popo stated earlier - I do not keep any custom levels (other than my own for keeps-sake) but I do not know how the number of entries in any given folder could cause your problem.

Sorry, not any help really


Malcdelsol

[Midnight Synergy]

You might want to try moving all your levels/models into backup directory (not a level subdirectory) and also starting a new player file. It might just be an 'overload' issue, who knows after thousands of levels. I will look into that for the next update. But you wouldn't believe how many issues can be caused by spyware, adware, unsafe systems, too many background processes, too many programs running, driver issues, windows not up to date, etc, etc. A sarcastic 'thanks' to Microsoft, but it really is a job for users to always keep their system clean and up to date (once certain spyware or viri get onto your system they might be incredibly hard to remove - or even detect!).

The game has definitely been tested and works on all windows operating systems. (ok, not 3.1)

[jcvalcar2]

I have spent hours trying to resolve this problem only to learn that there is an upgrade, Version 2.06, that is available for us. I hope everyone reads this thread so they do not experience the same type of problems that Lillian and I have. It would have been nice to know that this upgrade was available.

[Lillian]

I have spent hours and hours trying to sort out this problem.

I pm'd you yesterday Patrick - asking you if there was a newer version than 2.00 or whether I had missed a patch? I also gave you the spec of my machine - especially with regards to my video card "GeForce" - only to be told "It is a problem with YOUR PC Lil"

This is what is on your website with regards to the newer version:

(v2.06):
GeForce 6800 compatibility fix
Penta/Star option now permanent
Random Memory Access Violation fix
Improved Custom Level compatability
Various smaller bug


I know you are a very busy man and I am sorry to sound rude - but I am quite angry and totally frustrated with the whole episode. I also understand that it is my responsibility to check for upgrades - but I am afraid I was unaware of one

Lil

[Lutz]

Hey Lillie
Keep calm and think about the contest. You were #2 and Patrick #20. So what do you expect?
Just forget this bad experience, update your version (btw: where can I see what version I am playing? - no probs yet, just for information), and replay all the crash-levels.

And don't forget working on your 200th

xx

Lutz

[jcvalcar2]

I too have spent hours trying to fix this as well has spending over an hour on the phone with the computer tech, telling him to fix my computer that wasn't broken . It really would have been nice to know that there was a fix out there available to us

I hope in the future that we are contacted about any upgrades so we don't experience this same problem. I have enjoyed the game and more importantly the people way too much to miss out on this experience. You all have meant the world to me and I wouldn't want to have to give up on the game or the people because of new and improved technology that I didn't know was out there.

[Lillian]

Ok - I have cooled down a bit now. I have just been pm'd with a link to a post that Patrick made a year ago with regards to the newer version 2.06. I don't think I was around then - so I had no idea about the newer version. I was certainly never emailed about it either.

Sorry Patrick if I went off on one - I just thought that that should surely have been your first port of call and it ceratinly would have saved both Cathy and me a whole lot of unneccessary work

I'm off to bed now with my newly installed update to RTWD - a little saner to say the least.

Big thanks and hug to Cathy III for coming to my rescue with the upgrade x

[mette]

btw: where can I see what version I am playing?

In the main menu, top right corner of your screen.

In Patrick's defense: The 2.06 upgrade has been around a long time. I'm pretty sure I never updated RTWD (I have v2.06) and I got it in December 2004, so v2.06 has (if my memory serves me right) been around for about 11 months (at least). That might explain why it's not something that immidiately comes to mind.

I completely understand your frustrations, but give the guy a break. We want the platinum edition to come out on time - right?

Mette

P.S. http://pcpuzzle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2004

[Davimad]

Maybe Patrick or Mette could put the upgrades in a 'sticky' for all to see.

It isn't so long ago that I suggested the upgrade to Cathy (the cat) when she had computer probs but she already had it.

I suppose it's like any other game, the onus is on ourselves to check for upgrades.

At least the problem has been resolved girls and you can carry on Wonderlanding.
Lutz, the version shows up on start up. Top right corner.