Games run too fast

[kermit454]

This has only occurred over the past few days, but when I play some games (GTA-SA, GTAIV, HitMan series, Renegade, Oblivion) just to name a few.  The main character walks at a high rate of speed causing the little guy to run into walls and things.   As you can see it is not a particular game maker such as RockStar, UBISoft,  so it must be a setting of some kind.  I use windows XP servpk 3 build.  ASUS 2.4GB dual processor, 4GB ram, GForce 9500 graphics card, Realtec sound.  My games are on a 500GB hard drive and use a combined total of 149GB.  And up untill recently they worked just fine.   So I would appreciate any clues that anybody might have,  I really would like to get back to my game.   They are all un-playable   PLEASE HELP ME!   
 

[macdad-]

This is an interesting predicament.
 
Before I start, how responsive were/are the controls in these games before and after this speed-up?

Have you overclocked your processor recently?

[kermit454]

To MacDad,  They all worked fine before, and I am sorry but I do not know this term Overclocked,  Maybe?

[Azzaboi]

A number of things could cause it...

Your dual cores might be having a sync issue. To check, go to task manager when playing the game (for example: control / alt / delete, processes, gta4.exe) , right click the game EXE file and set affinity to cpu 1 (uncheck cpu 0). It will now run for that time on just one of the processors. If it runs normally, then update your BIOS or find a hot fix for your duel processor.

If not working:

Turn on vertical sync in the Nvidia display or games settings panel to see if that fixes your problem.

or Set the frame limiter or enable sync audio.

or if your computer is like mine, auto-overclocking motherboard might be the cause, set this to manual overclocking only. Same deal with the graphics card overclocker.

[macdad-]

To MacDad,  They all worked fine before, and I am sorry but I do not know this term Overclocked,  Maybe?

Just as a reference to Azzaboi's instructions, Overclocking something(Processor, Graphics Processor, etc) is to increase the speed above its factory settings.

[the_mad_joker]

Using Any Software Like Speeder XP 


Or Running Game Accelerator !

[kermit454]

OK on the NVIDIA control panel I reset to default for all games.   I do not have a clue where to find  a setting for the overclocking to manual.  I have seen something that set some accelerator to allow; I think it might have been on the internet settings.  I use Mozilla Firefox.   I did a test after resetting the NVIDIA to default, the games that worked before still do and the ones that were going to fast still are.  I did not restart the computer as it did not prompt me to do so. that's all I can think of, let me read some more answers and I will be back.

[kermit454]

To: Mad Joker....I do not run any speeder programs or game accelerators that I know of,  Maybe something is built in to one of the games that I don't know about.

[macdad-]

..I do not have a clue where to find  a setting for the overclocking to manual...

Do not attempt to Overclock If you don't know what your doing, and It's very likely that your processor is not the issue(It hasn't been overclocked).

But go ahead and attempt to set the frame limiter as Azzaboi said.

[kermit454]

I looked at everything that I know how to look at,  I DID NOT find anything that vaguely resembled a frame limiter.  I did however find a setting on my NVIDIA  control panel for a game accelerator and it was enabled, I turned it off, and also on the sync thing the choices were (use 3D settings, force on, and force off) default is use 3D so I left it alone.  But alas it was to no avail the dang little guys are still moving way too fast.  Also on SIMS2 the clock that normally does an hour for the little people in about four minutes is clicking off an hour in about 48 seconds now.  It's very hard to play this way.  My little HitMen are walking around in a blur of action, and on Silent Assassins My little guy ran around a corner so fast he got ran over by the car he was supposed to kill a guy in,  Mission Failed!!!    It's a mess, I have to figure this out.

[mroilfield]

What changes were made to your system between the time the games worked correctly and the time they started messing up?

When a game runs fast is it the entire game that is  faster or just parts of it?

When was the last time you did any spyware/malware  or virus scans?

[kermit454]

1.  I was having some trouble with Sims2 and the EA tech suggested download the latest drivers for my system, and gave me a link to a place that scans your system and updates it.  I got 4 drivers including the new NVIDIA update.  The Sims2 worked perfect just after the download, then two days later I was playing Unreal Tournament and I got the old message that UT was having difficulty and needs to shut down...... That was the onset of the problem I don't know what settings were affected but something went horribly wrong.

2.  The problem seems only to affect the main character.  and not all games are having a problem. Just most of them.

3.  I have ran PC-Tools Virus, CCleaner, SpyBot-Search and Destroy, AD-Aware. and PC-Registry Cleaner all within the last 4 days.  I thought it may be a bug but all of these tools are up to date and say my system is clean.

Turning into a real mystery.  We need the big guns on this one.

[macdad-]

Your dual cores might be having a sync issue. To check, go to task manager when playing the game (for example: control / alt / delete, processes, gta4.exe) , right click the game EXE file and set affinity to cpu 1 (uncheck cpu 0). It will now run for that time on just one of the processors. If it runs normally, then update your BIOS or find a hot fix for your duel processor.

Have you tried this?

And lookup Patches for Unreal Tourn., SIMS 2, and your other games.

[kermit454]

OK. I completed the CPU test I tried with only CPU 0, and then with only CPU 1.  No change in the performance.  The little guy still runs way too fast.  Also I checked my games and I have the most current Patches on all of them.  and My driver are all current, my firewall and virus protection are up to date and working properly.  and now Unreal Tournament is running too fast as well. On a Positive note:  Rainbow 6- Lockdown is working great, as well as Hitman Blood-Money.  So why don't the other Hitman games work?  Very strange goings on herebout.

[Azzaboi]

Nvidia drivers have game profiles and can change settings per application or game in order to improve performance. It shouldn't make the game run faster than normal, like in your case, but it's something to check.

Ensure you have the latest drivers from nVidia.com and they are 100% compatible with your graphics card and OS (32 or 64 bit). This update will also give you the latest games list.

Go to your Start > Control Panel > NVIDIA Control Panel

On the tabs...

Adjust image settings with preview > check Let the application decide. Click Apply.

Manage 3D Settings > Check your Global and Program Settings. Under Program Settings you have the list of games. Check if there is any pattern between the working normally and too fast games settings.

Set Physx configuration > Turn on, unless issues.

Change Resolution > Set refresh rate to 60 or 75Hz normally depending on monitor.

Set up stereoscopic 3D > Ensure this is disable unless you use this technology.

[kermit454]

Did these things with the control panel,  Now I went to HitMan 2 and the screen just turns brown and I can't tell if the little man is working or not.  I must of Done soothing wrong,  Now it's worse.....

[Azzaboi]

Sounds like it crashed out the graphic card. Graphic card crashing normally goes all one colour. Sometimes it's brown, but other times it can be grey, black, red, blue, etc. Reboot and try again, same result?

Check your temepratures, video card and CPU and ensure your fans are running (just to be safe), a crash like that might be heat related if it isn't frequent.

What version of drivers are you using now?

Was Physx turned on causing the issue?

You might want to do a GPU stress test on your graphic card?

[JJ 3000]

Are you using a controller/joypad? If so, have you tried using the keyboard? Have you tried a different keyboard or controller?

Did these things with the control panel,  Now I went to HitMan 2 and the screen just turns brown and I can't tell if the little man is working or not.  I must of Done soothing wrong,  Now it's worse.....

Restart the computer and tap the F8 key repeatedly as the computer is starting up. This will take you to the advanced startup options. Choose "Last known good configuration" from the list of options. This should remedy the brown screen.
Also, you may try doing a system restore to a date when the games were working like they're supposed to.

[+Asking]

Cant you limit the amount of fps in games?

[mroilfield]

Cant you limit the amount of fps in games?

If it is just the main character that is moving too fast I doubt it is a problem with the FPS.

[kermit454]

I have no clue as to what any of this means, but perhaps it will assist in resolving the issue.

Name   NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT
PNP Device ID   PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0640&SUBSYS_055110DE&REV_A1\4&21C46A15&0&0010
Adapter Type   GeForce 9500 GT, NVIDIA compatible
Adapter Description   NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT
Adapter RAM   512.00 MB (536,870,912 bytes)
Installed Drivers   nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version   6.14.11.9745
INF File   oem18.inf (Section005 section)
Color Planes   1
Color Table Entries   4294967296
Resolution   1024 x 768 x 60 hertz
Bits/Pixel   32
Memory Address   0xFA000000-0xFAFFFFFF
Memory Address   0xD0000000-0xFEBFFFFF
Memory Address   0xF8000000-0xFBFFFFFF
I/O Port   0x0000CC00-0x0000CC7F
IRQ Channel   IRQ 18
I/O Port   0x000003B0-0x000003BB
I/O Port   0x000003C0-0x000003DF
Memory Address   0xA0000-0xBFFFF
Driver   c:\windows\system32\drivers\nv4_mini.sys (6.14.11.9745, 9.76 MB (10,232,128 bytes), 8/4/2004 12:29 AM)

If anyone needs further information, you may need to direct me to it, but I will be happy to provide what is needed.

[Azzaboi]

So you do have the latest Nvidia Drivers compatible for Geforce 9500 GT installed right:
Version: 197.45 WHQL
Release Date: 2010.04.13
Operating System: Windows XP
Language: English (U.S.)
File Size: 78.2 MB 

Website:
http://www.nvidia.com/

Download Drivers >
Product Type: Geforce
Product Series: Geforce 9
Operating System: XP

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_197.45_whql.html

[kermit454]

Did have 191.07,  Now I have the new one.  Thanks, now I have to go test and see if that fixed the prob.  be back later.

[kermit454]

Darn Dang Fiddle-Styx and all that,  I have tried everything.  I don't have a good restart point because I replaced the main "C" hard drive about 10 days ago.  and did not do a backup until two days ago,  so the backup contains the problem.  The games worked just after the new drive was installed, I tested the first few as I installed them.  but then I just started loading them up.  123GB worth of games.  then just after maybe a day or two I started noticing that some were not running right,  I actually think oblivion is affected but having that little guy move faster is a blessing, so I just keep playing the thing. I really cant tell because he wears a ring that increases speed 20pts, This is the first time I thought about it, if I can remember I can remove the ring next time I play that game.  Good grief what on earth could be causing this??  does anybody know where I can chat, or IM  somebody that can look at a diagnostic report and figure this thing out. AOL used to have live help, but I have a free aol mail so I don't qualify to use it.  Is there anyway to speak with a live tech at Microsoft.  phone call?  anything?

[Azzaboi]

It's one strange bug, I've known of speed viruses (very rare and old now), but they attack, overclock and thrash the hard-drive in attempt to create bad sectors. Your computer would seem to perform well, speed up over time quickly, blue screen/overheat, damage the components. (No, it doesn't blow up the entire computer or create a fire, that was just an april fools joke if you heard that one) Motherboards protect your system against most overheating these days anyway.

It might be your hardware like the graphic card or processor is damaged? Unless you have the graphic card on a failing rail and getting too much power or something? In which case it would be the Power Suppy Unit (PSU).

The settings and drivers only do so much and if not overwritten by another piece of software, they should not make your games speed up to the point of being out of sync.

Vertical Sync is an option in most games to stop a tearing affect when some computers can't keep up with the display. It would also limit the FPS to 60.

I don't think calling a tech will help, without them actually psychically going over it.
Also in this case, what does Microsoft have to do with it? Probably a lot in most issues, lol, but this one is hardware or device drivers/software.

NVIDIA has Customer Care and support forums on their site if you wish to ask them about the graphic card issue.

[quaxo]

but they attack, overclock and thrash the hard-drive in attempt to create bad sectors.

You can't overclock a hard drive. The only way to make a hard drive spin or work faster is to physically alter it. It can be forced to read and write repeatedly in the same places, causing bad sectors eventually, but that's about it.

[the_mad_joker]

Is Overclocking Of HDD Nice Or Sometimes Nice

What Is The Use Of It ?? Does It Speed Up Our Hard Drive 

[macdad-]

Is Overclocking Of HDD Nice Or Sometimes Nice

What Is The Use Of It ?? Does It Speed Up Our Hard Drive 

Another time, right now the OP just needs help.

Azzaboi, the speed bug you mentioned is an improbability(He said he ran scans..) but we can't completely disregard that possibility.

Kermit, I agree with Azzaboi, the best course of action as of now would be NVIDIA Tech Support.

[Azzaboi]

It's probably worked as quaxo said, thx for the correction (overclock is probably the wrong word, you can't overclock the drives RPMs), and yes it's not likely to affect computers these days and could be detected with any proper virus scanner.

[kermit454]

I went to NVIDIA.com,  Found No help.

[Azzaboi]

Nvidia Customer Help:
http://nvidia.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nvidia.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php

or post a topic in the Nvidia forums for all them graphic card geeks:
http://forums.nvidia.com

[kermit454]

Thanks

[asa1211]

I had that problem with several games. As I changed video cards I got more and more trouble with games, specially older ones. I just tried several combinations in my NVIDIA control panel (GeForce 9400GT) and I finally got a normal speed in one of the games with trouble. In my case, in each configuration (3D configuration controler) has a description and usual situations (they appear when you leave your mouse pointer over the characteristic). There I found that some recommended certain settings for older games. I changed those and also turned some quality options to a higher graphic configuration. It worked! I will now install other games that I have uninstalled for that problem, and I hope they'll work to.

[killerb255]

I've seen this problem with older games that are meant to run in DOS...but not modern titles...