48 réponses à ce sujet

[Gorath Alpha]

                     It just amounts to wasted forum space
               
If anyone complaining about a problem doesn't choose to include data to use for diagnostics, answers just aren't possible.  PCs are not *anything* at all like game console systems.  OK, perhaps that really isn't new to you, but think how many totally inexperienced beginners a big hit game like this attracts.  There is almost nothing that is truly "standard" between various branded PCs, making the game developers' jobs very difficult, and requiring that warning labels be attached to game boxes for those games that have serious requirements (which included this one). 

Let's also be sure at this point that you actually have used a SEARCH tool in here, so you might as well include mention of what criteria you used for that (the site redirector for Bing, Google, and Yahoo is the same for all of those: site:social.bioware.com.. 

In case you have misunderstood how to evaluate your PC compared to that game box label (and you may believe you do understand, and actually end up having been mistaken), we have no choice other than to start from that point.  Please fill it all in (if you have a problem with doing that easily, and are in the DA: O {and ME} Social Site Forums, do a search for "Basics" without the quote marks).  Mass Effects 2 includes its own Configuration tools that will reveal the information to you.   

Basic Hardware Specification Chart (Empty so far)

    Game Version:   9.- -  (also include expansions installed)
    Retail or Digital: Retail DVD / Digital Version Vendor
    Processor Manufacturer: AMD / Intel
    Processor Type: Athlon 64 / X2 / X3 / Pentium / dual core, Pentium D, i7 Quad Core, etc.
    Processor Core Speed: -.- GHz
    Operating System / Service Pack: Such as WindowsXP/SP2, Windows Vista/SP1, W7 etc.
    System RAM:  X.x  GBs
    Direct3D APIs dated:  (Dx9 version date)
    Video Card Manufacturer: Either ATI, or  nVIDIA, not including Intel (no support).
    Video Card Model: (examples only) Radeon  HD 5670 / Geforce GT240
    Video Card RAM: (example) 256 MBs
    Video Card Driver Version: (examples) Catalyst 7.10 / 196.21 (use numbers, not the word latest)
    Sound Card Manufacturer: Creative Labs of whatever make or brand
    Sound Card Model: SB XFi or whatever applies for your sound card
    Sound Card Driver date:
    Sound Card Driver Version: 4.34 (again, numbers please)
    DVD Type: (DVD/ROM or DVD/RW, SCSI IDE, etc.)
    Hard Drive Type: (SCSI, IDE, SATA)
    Free Disk Space:  C:\\ 15GB (Indicate additional drive letters and amount of free space where game and saved files are located if you have multiple or partitioned drives).
    Power Supply:  (include brand and wattage rating of the power supply and amperage on the 12-volt rail for PCs). This information is usually available on a label on the power supply.

    Description: Describe your technical problem as best as you can
(Now quoting Bioware's Chris Priestley)

"      Problem Details

a.      When it comes to problem details, think about the five basic questions. Who? What? When? Where?
Why? Okay, so “Who?” doesn’t really apply here, but the others do.

b.     What? What is the nature problem that you’re seeing?

c.      When? When does the problem occur? Every time you engage in a particular action or only
after so many hours of play?

d.     Where? Where does the problem occur? Is the problem localized to a particular planet or does
it occur everywhere?

e.     Why? As much as possible, can you isolate the problem to a specific set of steps?

If you follow these guidelines, and provide the requested information when posting, it will increase the likelihood that someone will be able to help you diagnose the problem and find a solution."

(And this is only for the raw hardware variations.  Potential software conflicts are far more likely to be game play problems, and developers cannot test for all possible program loads.)

Please use standard business class punctuation, spelling, and paragraph breaks. 

Modifié par Gorath Alpha, 21 septembre 2011 - 02:50 .

[Doofus42]

Thanks Gorath Alpha.



Also, more precise details are need in how Mass Effect "crashed". There are several different kinds of "crashes" that indicate DIFFERENT problems.



1. Crash to Desktop (CTD). This crash will generate a Windows pop-up message and an error message in the Windows Application log. These types of messages are usually software related, usually out-of-date video and sound drivers, C++ libraries, DirectX, software conflicts, etc.



2. Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). This is caused by a non-recoverable error in Kernel space. This can be caused by a hardware problem or a bad driver. An Application runs in user space and does not cause a BSOD. It may be using a faulty driver that causes the BSOD.



3. System Powers Down. This is usually caused by a bad/overloaded power supply, and overheating GPU or CPU, or a flakey motherboard. Games and applications are NOT responsible for inadequate cooling or power supplies.

[Kalec Stromhir]

Also a another major issue I see with a lot of systems, is people using very low quality power supplies, some costing under $30. Most times changing this has fixed the issues, but the damage that was casued was too late.

Example is this guys post, he has good system but a $20 PS to power it.
social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/106/index/1476882/1#1505255

[shep82]

Another big problem is people just not reading the damn box and buying a game their rig can't support.

[Gorath Alpha]

I agree to both caveats, and authored a few reference articles here at the DA: O Tech Discussion Forum to aid those with an interest in allaying their ignorance. However, a huge percentage of the population doesn't want to read anything harder to deal with than a series of garbled-up L33T TMs in a horrible excuse for actual language.

That is why (IMO, a part of why) console games outsell PC games, in spite of serious limitations in comparison to the same games for PCs. They don't have to read anything or understand anything, they can just vegetate mentally. (Not saying all console game players are that negative toward reading, but the percentage is pretty bad.)

Here is the starting article:
PC Hardware Basics (and inventorying PC Components)
social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/58/index/509580

(Power Supply importance *IS* included!)  Howeve4r, a dedicated article just about PSUs was added later (linked further down in the thread).

Video Card Rankings
social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/58/index/128343

Generational Ladders (and detailed NTK-based ranking list)
social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/58/index/575571

Modifié par Gorath Alpha, 20 avril 2010 - 06:16 .

[Gorath Alpha]

Gorath Alpha wrote...

I agree to both caveats, and authored a few reference articles here at the DA: O Tech Discussion Forum to aid those with an interest in allaying their ignorance. However, a huge percentage of the population doesn't want to read anything harder to deal with than a series of garbled-up L33T TMs in a horrible excuse for actual language.

That is why (IMO, a part of why) console games outsell PC games, in spite of serious limitations in comparison to the same games for PCs. They don't have to read anything or understand anything, they can just vegetate mentally. (Not saying all console game players are that negative toward reading, but the percentage is pretty bad.)

Here is the starting article:
PC Hardware Basics (and inventorying PC Components)
social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/58/index/509580

(Power Supply importance *IS* included, but there's a separate article about them now!)

Video Card Rankings
social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/58/index/128343

Generational Ladders (and detailed NTK-based ranking list)
social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/58/index/575571

The added reference article covering just power supply problems on PCs is found here: 

social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/58/index/1935044

G

[MOTpoetryION]

like they care enough to answer the questions lol most fixes and or workarounds are mostly made by the community anyways. Also how much you want to bet that they only do their testing on one system. Hey i told them why not do your testing on like maybe 5 systems with different lvls of parts. You would get a better result. They diddnt like that and deleated my post out of the thread. But can anyone say that would be a bad thing to do? It was the thread about longer loading times issues ,well that post was/is hella long but after the first week they just stoped comming to the thread compleatly and people were listing their specs left and right. So your whole thread is BS IMHO . Just more fanboi's making up excuses for them thats all.

Modifié par MOTpoetryION, 20 avril 2010 - 04:18 .

[Gorath Alpha]

As far back as I go with Bioware, and it was almost to when they first offered forums of their own, they have not been doing their own distribution, and thus, haven't had a separate after-release support department.  This forum is the type that they have always had for Tech type questions.  User to User. 

Atari is worse about support than EA is (NWN).  I don't recall how things were when Black Isle was primary and Bioware was behind them.  I had a forum account, but wasn't free to visit often.  My work was much more of a demand on me than when I was teaching, later on.  Victor's participation, such as it is, represents more of an official presence that I can recall before now.

Gorath
-

[MOTpoetryION]

well check this out to prove my point this is a thread made by them and just forgot about. Boiware never would of done that in the past. http://social.biowar...58/index/600984 . i try not to say things without proof so there you go. plain as day.

But the old forums were not as volitile as they are now IMO. I just dont like the way things are going, they are going too far in alot of ways . But not enough people standing up and saying enough so they will keep doing these things . And will probably get even worse. how much will you guys allow them to do before your ready to try and stop it? Im ready now before it gets to bad but majority rules. Just dont wait to long guys and gals. Just remember how you felt when you seen the ingame NPC selling DLC for the first time?

But sadly it was accepted . Gorath it seems like most of the devs are doing BS now . And the more we let them the more they will try. Trust me and also gorath can you ever remember them doing that for an issue that was only fixable by them? Actually i dont think they even knew how to fix it thats why they just hoped it would go away IMO by ignoring it.

Modifié par MOTpoetryION, 20 avril 2010 - 07:26 .

[MOTpoetryION]

seems strange you made this thread a month ago but modified it 3 hours ago lol

[Gorath Alpha]

MOTpoetryION wrote...

seems strange you made this thread a month ago but modified it 3 hours ago lol

The Edit here has no time limit, unlike most forums.  Because it is the first and last two messages from threads being read the most, I try to make sure the original post in this type message / article is comparatively up to date. 

G

[Gorath Alpha]

Gorath Alpha wrote...

The Edit here has no time limit, unlike most forums.  Because it is the first and last two messages from threads being read the most, I try to make sure the original post in this type message / article is comparatively up to date. 

There's been no need to amend the leading article today, however there is a need for this sort of material to come forward as a reminder regularly.  Today is one of those days. 

[Gorath Alpha]

Yes, it's bumping time.

[Gorath Alpha]

Gorath Alpha wrote...

Gorath Alpha wrote...

I  authored a few reference articles here at the DA: O Tech Discussion Forum to aid those with an interest in allaying their ignorance. However, a huge percentage of the population doesn't want to read anything harder to deal with than a series of garbled-up L33T TMs in a horrible excuse for actual language.

That is why (IMO, a part of why) console games outsell PC games, in spite of serious limitations in comparison to the same games for PCs. They don't have to read anything or understand anything, they can just vegetate mentally. (Not saying all console game players are that negative toward reading, but the percentage is pretty bad.)

Here is the starting article:
PC Hardware Basics (and inventorying PC Components)
social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/58/index/509580

(Power Supply importance *IS* included, but there's a separate article about them now!)

Video Card Rankings
social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/58/index/128343

Generational Ladders (and detailed NTK-based ranking list)
social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/58/index/575571

The added reference article covering just power supply problems on PCs is found here: 

social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/58/index/1935044

Noobs to the forums are still busily pretending they are playing the game on a console, and still not even reading the pinned messages at the top.

[Gorath Alpha]

Why, oh why, won't they ever learn?  We pin things, and they keep on blithely ignoring the stickies!

[Gorath Alpha]

Anything similar to a "Me, Too!" comment is totally meaningless in a PC Platform gaming tech context! 

Modifié par Gorath Alpha, 30 juillet 2010 - 02:41 .

[Gorath Alpha]

The new ones here are doing it all over again (omitting diagnostic data).

[Gorath Alpha]

Gorath Alpha wrote...

Anything similar to a "Me, Too!" comment is totally meaningless in a PC Platform gaming tech context! 

No information in, no information out! 

[Gorath Alpha]

We are also at the nadir of the weekend message readership.  People have better things to do than read game forum threads on weekends, so even the kinder, gentler readers, who will hand-lead the noobs around the place, aren't available today.  Many weekend postings are never answered at all. 

But when there's no included data, that's the way to guarantee that there can be no useful reply. 

G.

Modifié par Gorath Alpha, 04 octobre 2010 - 12:28 .

[Gorath Alpha]

OK, it's reminder time.

[Gorath Alpha]

Gorath Alpha wrote...

We are currently at the nadir of the (holiday) weekend message readership.  People have better things to do than read game forum threads on most weekends already, so even the kinder, gentler readers, who will hand-lead the new arrivals  around the place, aren't available today.  Many weekend postings are never answered at all. 

Therefore, be sure to examine the stickies at the top, and perform a good search of the archives here (use Google or Yahoo with a redirection to look in here, it works very well, and the Social Forums' own Search is very badly crippled).

Anyway, when there's no included data with a question, that's the best way to guarantee that there can be no useful reply. 

I hope everyone has begun a very Happy New Year.

Modifié par Gorath Alpha, 02 janvier 2011 - 03:34 .

[Gorath Alpha]

Besides skipping the pinned threads, what else is new today?  It SAYS "Read First" right there.

social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/106/index/4795299

Modifié par Gorath Alpha, 05 mars 2011 - 07:08 .

[Gorath Alpha]

No information in = no answers back. Really simple.

[Gorath Alpha]

Gorath Alpha wrote...

New arrivals to the forums are still busily pretending they are playing the game on a console, and still not even reading the pinned messages at the top.

Nothing new, same old song, another verse. 

[Gorath Alpha]

Gorath Alpha wrote...

Besides skipping the pinned threads, what else is new today?  It SAYS "Read First" right there.

social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/106/index/4795299

Put your glasses ON, people, take the blinders OFF.