Computer Hope

Software => Computer games => Topic started by: Calum on December 05, 2006, 07:34:36 AM

Title: Game plays too fast
Post by: Calum on December 05, 2006, 07:34:36 AM
Hi all.
I have recently received a game, which runs far too fast to be playable.
I estimate it runs about 5 times faster than it should- gameplay, controls and music are all the same.
I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the game to no effect.
The game is "Sonic & Knuckles 3" produced by Xplosiv.
All 3 of the games in the pack (Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic & Knuckles 3) suffer from the same problem.
I don't have a receipt to get a refund/exchange either because it was bought for me and the person who gave it me hasn't got the receipt.
Can anyone help me?
Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Calum on December 05, 2006, 07:49:35 AM
It's a PC game.
Not using an emulator.
Not ROMs.
There are no options other than volume and fullscreen or windowed mode, and the problem happens in both modes.
Thanks for the ideas though.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Calum on December 05, 2006, 01:55:34 PM
+ and - keys make no difference.
Turns out the game is playing between 10 and 15 times faster than usual, I watched the time counting up on the levels.
Also, it's not just the in game action, I've noticed that it times out quickly too (you know, when you don't press a button for however long it shows a demonstration of the game?  There's about 2 seconds before it times out)
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Neil on December 05, 2006, 10:01:23 PM
Are these old DOS games? Might be worth running in an emulator. Try looking around their fansites for information.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Calum on December 06, 2006, 10:11:37 AM
I'm sure there are no other options.
I don't have the receipt because my friend threw it away, so I can't take it back.
They're not DOS games, they're definitely for Windows, and it says it's compatible with 95, 98, and XP (but not 2k, strangely).
Compatibility options don't help.
A screenshot wouldn't be much use I don't think, because it would just show one frame,and the problem is that it's showing about 15 frames in the time it should show one.
Normally I complain about low fps, now it's the other way round...
Anyway, thanks for the replies.
If I can't solve it, I think I'll just sell it at a car boot or throw it away, it was only a few quid anyway.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Neil on December 06, 2006, 10:57:56 AM
You can get tools that purposefully waste your CPU's resources in order to prevent old games from running too fast. Try Google for them.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Track on December 08, 2006, 05:46:09 AM
Quote
I'm sure there are no other options.
I don't have the receipt because my friend threw it away, so I can't take it back.
They're not DOS games, they're definitely for Windows, and it says it's compatible with 95, 98, and XP (but not 2k, strangely).
Compatibility options don't help.
A screenshot wouldn't be much use I don't think, because it would just show one frame,and the problem is that it's showing about 15 frames in the time it should show one.
Normally I complain about low fps, now it's the other way round...
Anyway, thanks for the replies.
If I can't solve it, I think I'll just sell it at a car boot or throw it away, it was only a few quid anyway.

Tell me the specs of ur PC and the program ur trying to use, along with a windowed screenshot.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Calum on December 08, 2006, 10:25:35 AM
Game = Sonic & Knuckles collection.
Specs = 2GHz AMD Turion 64 MT-37
ATi Mobility X1600 256Mb
100Gb 8200rpm HDD
XP Pro SP2
Craetive Audigy 2 ZS Notebook
15.4" 1280x800 screen
Need more info let me know.
Screenshot is attached.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Track on December 08, 2006, 12:18:46 PM
 i have never seen this sort of this happen in windows XP.

1. what is in the options?
2. Try increasing the window size.
3. Try running it in Windows 98.
4. Try using ATITool to underclock ur GPU to 100Mhz.

Report back..
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Neil on December 08, 2006, 12:55:05 PM
This game is simply a port from the console version that is unable to cope with the fast speeds of modern processors. (I doubt the game will use anything other than the basic features of a graphics card)

This Wikipedia article explains how to solve the problem. Google found it in 0.28 seconds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_&_Knuckles_Collection
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Calum on December 09, 2006, 05:17:33 AM
Thankyou very much to everyone, the patch solved my problem.
Strangely, the article says running in fullscreen solves it, but it doesn't help for me.
@ Track - My GPU is underclocked to 138:140 to reduce heat, any lower and it causes instability.
Thanks once again.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Track on December 09, 2006, 11:51:15 AM
Quote
This game is simply a port from the console version that is unable to cope with the fast speeds of modern processors. (I doubt the game will use anything other than the basic features of a graphics card)

This Wikipedia article explains how to solve the problem. Google found it in 0.28 seconds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_&_Knuckles_Collection

Excellent job!
I had an idea that it may have something to do with the game itself not having proper speed limiting routines, but i didnt think it was that old.. obviously then it would be wise to switch it to full screen where it would be subject to the monitor's refresh rate.
*Side Note: Always keep ur monitor at 75hz and not below!
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Calum on December 10, 2006, 03:39:12 AM
Quote
*Side Note: Always keep ur monitor at 75hz and not below!
It seems that my monitor doesn't support higher than 60Hz, I found this out immediately after i bought my laptop as this was one of the first things I tried to change.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Neil on December 10, 2006, 05:42:28 AM
On flatscreens refresh rate is irrelevent and should be left at 60Hz.

And that should have been a semicolon.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Calum on December 10, 2006, 06:02:33 AM
I didn't think it was important for TFT monitors.
Semicolon after 60Hz?
Sorry.
OH NOES1! TEH GRAMMAR/SPEELINGS POLICES!1! HIDE TEH ERRORS!!!11!
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Track on December 10, 2006, 02:50:01 PM
Quote
On flatscreens refresh rate is irrelevent and should be left at 60Hz.

And that should have been a semicolon.

Are u talking abt Flatscreen CRTs? Cause i dont think the term is used for anything but CRTs, since its too obivous with LCDs etc.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Neil on December 14, 2006, 08:15:27 AM
I was talking about LCD/TFT. Never seen anyone using a flatscreen CRT before..
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Track on December 15, 2006, 11:09:57 AM
Quote
I was talking about LCD/TFT. Never seen anyone using a flatscreen CRT before..

TFTs support up to 75hz.

Flatscreen CRTs are all that ppl buy if they choose to buy CRT and not LCD.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Neil on December 16, 2006, 05:54:29 AM
Ok then. Where I live, "flatscreen" refers to an LCD/TFT screen, and people get that. I've never seen anyone with a "flatscreen" CRT, just a normal one. I'd like to see an image of one? But my point was for LCD/TFT screens refresh rate is irrelevent. When people talk about high refresh rates to avert eye strain, they are talking about CRTs.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Calum on December 16, 2006, 06:34:44 AM
Quote
Ok then. Where I live, "flatscreen" refers to an LCD/TFT screen, and people get that. I've never seen anyone with a "flatscreen" CRT, just a normal one. I'd like to see an image of one? But my point was for LCD/TFT screens refresh rate is irrelevent. When people talk about high refresh rates to avert eye strain, they are talking about CRTs.
I get your point, when peope say flatscreen they normally mean TFT/LCD/plasma displays.
There are flatscreen CRTs available, my friend has one.
Plus, our TV is a flastcreen CRT TV.
For images of them, try here (http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=flat+screen+crt&spell=1).
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Track on December 16, 2006, 03:45:27 PM
I have not seen a non-flat CRT in at least 5 years.. Im sure uve heard of "flatron".
Back in the day, when CRTs were only non-flat, an LCD was called a "flatscreen", but now all monitors are flat, so calling an LCD flat is quite useless.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Fed on December 16, 2006, 05:41:31 PM
Quote
On flatscreens refresh rate is [highlight]irrelevent[/highlight] irrelevant and should be left at 60Hz.

And that should have been a semicolon.
The Spelling Police. Ha!
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Neil on December 16, 2006, 06:38:21 PM
Ok, I just noticed something based on those pictures Callum showed me. By flatscreen, I mean "thin" rather than the actual screen itself was flat. I guess I should call them thinscreens in the future. Or dietscreens.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Neil on December 16, 2006, 06:39:26 PM
Quote
Quote
On flatscreens refresh rate is [highlight]irrelevent[/highlight] irrelevant and should be left at 60Hz.

And that should have been a semicolon.
The Spelling Police. Ha!


That is a fragmented sentance! I make the noise "ha!"
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Fed on December 16, 2006, 08:48:42 PM
Quote
Quote
Quote
On flatscreens refresh rate is [highlight]irrelevent[/highlight] irrelevant and should be left at 60Hz.

And that should have been a semicolon.
The Spelling Police. Ha!


That is a fragmented [highlight]sentance[/highlight] sentence! I make the noise "ha!"

You're just too easy Neil. Ha!
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Track on December 17, 2006, 06:27:13 AM
Quote
Ok, I just noticed something based on those pictures Callum showed me. By flatscreen, I mean "thin" rather than the actual screen itself was flat. I guess I should call them thinscreens in the future. Or dietscreens.

The only thing that LCDs have over CRTs is that they are small. CRTs can never be small, but its going to take a very long time for LCDs to become as good as CRTs.
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Neil on December 20, 2006, 02:54:51 PM
Why's that? Most people I know prefer LCDs. And instead of simply saying one is better than the other, why not accept some people might like one, some the other?

I generally find LCDs are good to avoid eye-strain at high resolutions, but if you are using low resolutions and want a big screen (eg for gaming, and your computer cannot handle high res), then a CRT is best.

LCDs are also nicer to the environment. :)
Title: Re: Game plays too fast
Post by: Calum on December 21, 2006, 09:43:05 AM
I prefer LCDs by far.