Elder Scrolls: Oblivion "Trouble"-shooting

[Ender[CotC]]

I just recently purchased Elder Scrolls: Oblivion and installed it today.

The game installed perfectly, but unfortunatly, whenever i go to start the game, the game shuts down and registers an error. I've checked the specs on my computer as much as i could (i have no record of them as i was not the one who bought the computer), and i ran the program to update my copy of DirectX 9.0. Yet, the problem persists.

I was just wondering if you guys (those that currently own and play (or have played)), have experienced this type of occurence, and care to share your knowledge with me. I figured i'd ask you guys before soliciting the aid of the noble people at tech-support.

I'm grateful for any advice you can offer.

[D.A.R.K.[CotC]]

Ok, lets begin with a simple question then:

"What is the error?"

[Death_Dealer[CotC]]

I have the game. No problems for me when installing or playing.

[Neophyte]

I also have the game, no problems with the install or running it.

What Dark said.. What's the error message?

Did you try updating your video card drivers?

Did you try updating your audio card drivers?

(If you update either of those drivers, re-run the DX9.0c install to be safe.)

[Ender[CotC]]

This is part of the text that the error message gives me when i try to start the game:


AppName: oblivion.exe AppVer: 1.1.0.425 ModName: oblivion.exe
ModVer: 1.1.0.425 Offset: 00090b06

I don't know what all of the above means, but from the looks of it, it seems to be having problems with the "execution" factor of starting the game. Would a non-updated video/audio card driver cause this type of problem?

And if this is the case, how exactly would i update the video/audio driver?

[Ender[CotC]]

Occasionaly upon start-up, the game will tell me that it will begin scanning for my current drivers. Then, after scanning, it reports to me that the drivers i have are not recognized. Then it tells me that it switched the quality of the game from high to medium to compensate.

But to me, that seems like it fixed the problem itself. But maybe that's the problem right there. It doesnt recognize my video card.

Just thought that bit of info might help.

[D.A.R.K.[CotC]]

So wait... does it work or not?

First thing I noticed: Your game is outdated. Update it here:

http://static.bethsoft.com/Oblivion_v1. ... nglish.exe

This is for version 1.1.551

I was reading a bit about different vid cards for oblivion, and I saw that some vid cards don't have a driver that recognizes and optimizes for Oblivion. The best way check this is check what vid card you have, and my opinion to do this is to run a dxdiagnostic. So do this:

Click on the start menu in the lower left corner, then click on run. This sould bring up a little window where you can type something in. In here, type: dxdiag

That will open up a handy little diagnostic tool/window. On this window, in the bottom right corner, second button from the right, click on "Save All Information". This will prompt you to save a text file with all your computer's info. Then if you could put the text file in here (might be a bit long for copy and paste, so do the sections that need to be looked at) and someone will take a look at it.

[Ender[CotC]]

I hope i copied the right stuff. just tell me if anyone need something different.


------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 7/12/2006, 16:13:59
Machine name: BLZ-2006-GATE
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp.050928-1517)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: GATEWA
System Model: GT5068E
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2038MB RAM
Page File: 339MB used, 3588MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2772&SUBSYS_5055107B&REV_02
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4396 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/20/2005 11:52:38, 36990 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys
Mini VDD Date: 9/20/2005 12:00:54, 1302332 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6432-11CF-E762-5F70A3C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2772
SubSys ID: 0x5055107B
Revision ID: 0x0002
Revision ID: 0x0002
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SigmaTel Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7680&SUBSYS_107B5055&REV_1032
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: sthda.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.4866.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 12/12/2005 17:32:54, 1083576 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: SigmaTel
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xB5B
Min/Max Sample Rate: 48000, 48000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Logitech Microphone (Web)
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: OVSound2.sys
Driver Version: 5.01.2600.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 8/17/2001 14:05:06, 25216 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0x50

Description: SigmaTel Audio
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name: sthda.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.4866.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 12/12/2005 17:32:54, 1083576 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xCC0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x27C8
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/4/2004 00:08:44, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/10/2004 12:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/10/2004 12:00:00, 52736 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 06:58:34, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 09:01:08, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 06:58:34, 24576 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x0461, 0x4D16
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 06:58:34, 23040 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/17/2001 14:48:00, 12160 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 09:01:08, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 06:58:34, 23040 bytes

[Ender[CotC]]

Thanks for the update too Dark.

But, spasmastically, the update has problems too. When i go to update it tells me to allow 20 minutes for the update to run. Less than 30 seconds in, the update program tells me that it is having "trouble renaming file".

I'm gonna try to re-install the game to see if it helps...

The update is not as important as the actual game running though.

[D.A.R.K.[CotC]]

Oh wow... I was looking at the Intel site about that video card, and I came up with something unfortunate. According to their site, for his vid card, it does not have T&L support (Texture and Lighting) which the game checks and requires, and it says specifically for his vid card, that Oblivion will not run.

http://support.intel.com/support/graphi ... 020666.htm

It's down there. Sry Ender...

[Neophyte]

Time for an upgrade 'eh?

Nvidia AGP cards:
Good: $54 GeForce FX 5500 256 MB
Better: $128 GeForce 6800 XT 256 MB
Best: $289 GeForce 7800GS 256 MB

What do you need? The most expensive one! Which will be somewhat playable with good details? The middle one. Which will let you make a screen shot, and run like a PowerPoint slide show? The least expensive, of course.

The best to worst on the DirectX 9 Nvidia AGP cards are as follows:

GeForce 7800 GS
6800 Ultra
6800 GT
6800
6800 XT
6600 GT
6600
5950 Ultra
5900 Ultra
5900
5800
5700 Ultra
5600
5500
5200


I have a 6800 GT in my computer, and it ran well. But, it has twice the pixel pipelines as a 6800 XT. I would recomend one to you if I could find one... It competes with the 7800 There was a few hiccups here and there, but it wasn't so bad that the game was un-playable.

[Death_Dealer[CotC]]

i have a 6800 AGP setting on my shelf and a 6800GT PCI-E 16

[Ender[CotC]]

Thanks for the list + prices of some new video cards. It's a bummer that mine wont run Oblivion.

But as for a new video card. First of all, where do you buy something like that? I haven't seen that type of thing at Best Buy (not that i was looking specifically for video cards when i was there). Are my eyes deceiving me? or is there another place you guys recomend?

[Ender[CotC]]

Also, i was wondering if it's possible to have two video cards installed. Is there a way to switch easily between two video cards? I was wondering this because the card i have right now, though not working for Oblivion, still kicks butt for the animation programs that I run on it.

Is my thinking crazy?

[D.A.R.K.[CotC]]

Notice the prices are links. That's where he gets them.