Bug List for GTAIIIThis post contains bugs/glitches/whatever that someone playing GTA: III on
PC has encountered and reported here. Just for the record, this topic was created to replace the multiple topics regarding GTAIII bugs that were previously pinned. Put bluntly, they all sucked. They were all outdated by up to five years. This topic is designed to list a few common problems, but should be considered secondary to other troubleshooting avenues available such as
Take 2 Games' technical support. These days, what with GTAIII having been released for six years, most issues can be solved by updating your system and drivers, etc. But more on that later.
Here's the general troubleshooting forum procedure: A bug is encountered. A topic regarding this bug is posted in the
Troubleshooting forum, and we try to find a solution to it. Once we get an answer, I'll update this topic with the bug and the solution for future public viewing. If you see a bug in this topic and you have an alternative solution to it, don't hesitate to post. Remember, this topic is for genuine glitches or bugs with
legal versions of GTAIII. As always,
no warez. We don't want to become a breeding ground for people to cheat our friends at Rockstar out of their hard-earned income. If you have an illegal copy, keep it to yourself. Frankly, you deserve any problems you encounter. This topic - and indeed the entire
GTAIII sub-forum - is for
unmodded versions of GTAIII. If you've got a problem and you're using mods, the problem is the mods - no questions. These problems belong in
Editing Troubleshooting. If you've got a problem and you '
know' it's not the mods (
), uninstall the mods and ask for help
then, and only then. Don't waste our time by posting issues with modded games! All modding discussions should be directed
this-a-way.
Now, on to the troubleshooting itself. First things first. Ensure your system meets or exceeds the minimum (or ideally, the recommended) system requirements as released by Rockstar:
| Minimum System Requirements | Recommended System Requirements |
Pentium III 450 CPU
96MB RAM
16MB Direct3D Video Card
Fully DirectX compatible Sound Card
8X CD-Rom
500MB free hard disk space
Win 98/ME/2000/XP
Direct X 8.1 | 700 mhz CPU
128MB RAM
32MB Direct3D Video Card
Fully DirectX compatible Sound Card
8X CD-Rom
500MB free hard disk space
Win 98/ME/2000/XP
Direct X 8.1 |
Note that Windows 95 and Windows NT are not supported by GTAIII.If you'd like to read into other people's experiences with various system specs, a topic exists
here for your particpating pleasure.
Before posting a question, please make sure to visit
Take 2 Games. They are the developers of GTAIII, and have a whole section for technical support. Also make sure you have the most update drivers for your video and sound cards. Visit your video/sound card manufacturers website to download the latest drivers.
Always, always, always delete the SET file (My Documents\GTA GTA3 User Files\gta3.set), TXD.DIR and the TXD.IMG (both located in *install directory*\GTAIII\models) and re-install GTAIII before posting a new topic. Re-installing can perform miracles!Once you have checked out
Take 2 Games, be sure to read the
troubleshooting posting requirements, also pinned in the
Troubleshooting forum. Be sure to read this
thoroughly before posting a topic detailing your problem. It is also suggested to
search the
GTAIII Troubleshooting forum before asking a question, as, although we try, it is both possible and indeed likely that this topic does not list
every problem/solution discussed on these boards over the years. On this note, adamcs has produced an extremely helpful topic to guide you through the finer points of successful searching - accessible
here.
And, if after all other avenues have been exhausted, you find yourself with a problem that we just can't find an answer to, you can email
Rockstar Games for technical support at
support@rockstargames.com. Be sure to report back to us with any valuable working solutions or information Rockstar can provide!
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Problem #1:An exception error after blue Rockstar load screen occurs, or
An error loading saved games occurs, or
Custom mouse sensitivity does not save with other settings, or
Audio will not play directly from the hard disk drive (and this is desired).
Solution: Download and apply the 1.1 patch.
Official location. Mirrors are available elsewhere on the Internet; running a Google search for "GTAIII 1.1 patch" will yield results.
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Problem #2:A ddhelp.dll internal error occurs.
Solution: If using an onboard sound card, disable it.
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Problem #3:GTAIII crashes after a certain amount of time, with no obvious catalyst for the crash.
Solution: You probably have overheating/RAM issues. Open Task Manager (CTRL+ALT+DEL or right-click the Task Bar -> Task Manager) and end all non-essential processes.
Advice: Defragment your hard drive, and check for things like spyware and viruses (
Spybot,
Ad-Aware and
AVG Free recommended).
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Problem #4:No fire and/or explosions.
Solution: Turn on frame sync and turn off frame limiter.
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Problem #5:I can't find any rampages.
Solution: Understand that each rampage has two locations. Once you attempt a rampage, it will respawn in its alternative location.
Alternatively: You may have a 'cut' version of GTAIII. Download a 'blood patch' (run a Google search for one).
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Problem #6:The player continually spins and spins and will not stop.
Solution: Usually (i.e. 99% of the time) there is a rouge controller that has fallen down the side of your desk or something. Check all controllers, mice, keyboards, etc. - any input devices connected to your PC - and make sure that no keys or buttons are pressed in. Also make sure to not press any buttons while the game is loading.
Alternatively: Unplug and disable (through the Gaming Options in Control Panel) any game pad devices that you aren't using for GTAIII.
For controllers or game pads which have a 'Z' axis (or throttle), the throttle options must all be set to 0%. Such options include dead zone, sensitivity and range.
It should be noted that steering wheels and/or pedals are
not supported for GTAIII.
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Problem #7:Installation errors. A CRC or data cab error (or similar) occurs when trying to install/run the game.
Solution: This is an indication of a read error. Inspect your disc and try to remove all scratches, smudges, marks etc. It may be a fault of the drive itself, in which case you'll have to replace it with a functioning one.
Alternatively: This often occurs with burnt copies of the game - especially those created with Clone CD. If you have an illegal copy, see the introduction above. Don't mention it here; we don't want to hear about it. Go out and buy the game if you expect it to work for you.
Alternatively: End all non-essential processes, including anti-virus and Window Blinds.
Alternatively: Empty the temporary folder on your hard drive (typically C:\Windows\Temp).
Alternatively: Close any emulation-type software such as Clone CD/DVD, Nero Burning Rom or Daemon Tools.
Alternatively: If you are using Windows 98 or SE, turn off Active Desktop (if it is on).
Alternatively: If you have an alternative disc drive, try installing from that. Some drives have compatibility problems with newer copy protection schemes. You should also update the firmware drivers for your disc drive.
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Problem #8:An Unhandled Exception error occurs.
Solution: This is usually due to main.scm mods. With any alteration to the mission script, you usually have to start a new game.
Alternatively: For Window Blinds users, you may have to disable it. Window Blinds sometimes causes conflict with GTAIII. Credit to
Karcus for clearing up the Window Blinds solution.
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Problem #9:When running the executable, the screen just flashes. gta3.exe appears in the task list for a moment, and then disappears.
Solution: Delete the SET file. Instructions on how to do so are in the introduction (which you should have read beforehand), above.
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Problem #10:When using a sniper rifle, it just goes 'bang'. The bullets don't fire. All the other weapons work correctly.
Solution: Uninstall the blood patch. If you're using an external modification/application (for example, a trainer), cease to do so.
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Problem #11:GTAIII will not run after installation - instead, when clicking the icon to start, the Play CD spins and the pointer icon turns into a spinning-CD symbol, but the game never starts. (And the pointer may not go back to normal until restarting Windows.)
Solution: End all running non-essential processes - whether it be an anti-virus, Window Blinds, whatever. This fix has also been reported to work by closing Folding@Home and a startup program called "BigFix".
Alternatively: If you notice a new piece of hardware called "secdrv" attempting to install itself, Windows may be mistaking some software for hardware. Go to Device Manager and look for a big yellow question mark (indicating hardware with no driver). If one stands next to "secdrv", delete it.
Alternatively: Set the compatibility mode of the executable file to 'Windows 98'. Do so by: right-clicking gta3.exe (default: C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTAIII\gta3.exe) -> Properties -> Compatibility tab -> check 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:', and select 'Windows 98 / Windows Me' from the drop-down menu. Apply, OK. And as pictures speak a thousand words, click
here.
Alternatively: Instead of the original EXE, use a no CD crack.
Note that providing links to any such cracks is strictly prohibited here at GTAForums.com.
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Problem #12GTAIII runs way too fast. Insanely fast. Walking pedestrians seem to be running by.
Solution: Set the compatibility mode of the executable file to 'Windows 98'. Do so by: right-clicking gta3.exe (default: C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTAIII\gta3.exe) -> Properties -> Compatibility tab -> check 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:', and select 'Windows 98 / Windows Me' from the drop-down menu. Apply, OK. And as pictures speak a thousand words, click
here. Credit to
fairct for the solution, which was given in
this topic.
Alternatively: Set the affinity of the running gta3.exe process to one core rather than two. This is achieved by opening Task Manager (CTRL + ALT + DEL or right-click the Task Bar -> Task Manager), right-clicking the process and selecting Set Affinity... Then, ensure just a single box is ticked. Note that this must be done once GTAIII is running.
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Problem #13There are problems changing the resolution of GTAIII; and/or the game crashes upon 'ALT+TAB'ing out back to the desktop.
Solution: It should be noted that the resolution can only be changed upon initially running the game (i.e. not after a gameplay has begun). Therefore, quit GTAIII. Load it up again, and before anything else is done, simply head to display options and change the resolution. You must select the desired resolution with the directional keys and hit Enter to confirm.
Alternatively: Delete the SET file. Instructions on how to do so are in the introduction (which you should have read beforehand), above.
Alternatively: Set the compatibility mode of the executable file to 'Windows 98'. Do so by: right-clicking gta3.exe (default: C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTAIII\gta3.exe) -> Properties -> Compatibility tab -> check 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:', and select 'Windows 98 / Windows Me' from the drop-down menu. Apply, OK. And as pictures speak a thousand words, click
here.
Alternatively: Uninstall any additional media codecs you may have installed previously.
Solution: Delete the SET file! Yes, this is stated in the above introduction, but is particularly relevant with this problem.
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Problem #14Sounds echo when playing GTAIII. This often occurs with all sounds except for the radio.
Solution: Update your sound drivers! Yes, this is stated in the above introduction, but is particularly relevant with this problem.
Alternatively: Set the compatibility mode of the executable file to 'Windows 98'. Do so by: right-clicking gta3.exe (default: C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTAIII\gta3.exe) -> Properties -> Compatibility tab -> check 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:', and select 'Windows 98 / Windows Me' from the drop-down menu. Apply, OK. And as pictures speak a thousand words, click
here.
Alternatively: Change your hardware sound acceleration to a different setting. This is achieved through: Start -> Run -> "dxdiag", clicking the 'Sound' tab and moving the Hardware Sound Acceleration Level slider to a different position; or by going to Advanced Speaker Settings through Control Panel -> Sounds and Audio Devices.
Alternatively: Through Control Panel, disable any volumetric or advanced audio effects that may be enabled in your sound configuration (e.g. environmental audio).
Alternatively: For onboard soundcards: Change the speaker configuration in Sound Manager from "Living Room" to "None" (or equivalent); or for Realtek cards, go Control Panel -> Sound Effect Manager -> 3D Audio Demo, and change the Sound from "Loopy Music" to "Buzzing Bee".
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Problem #15The mouse doesn't work during GTAIII gameplay, but works flawlessly elsewhere (e.g. the desktop). The pointer may move while browsing the game menus, but cannot click, and scrolling doesn't work.
Solution: ALT+TAB out of the game, and then return to it.
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Problem #16No Purple Nines appear, thus rendering the mission 'Uzi Money' impossible to pass.
Solution: On PS2/X-Box, you're screwed. You'll have to start a new game
with your memory card unplugged to ensure the glitch has the lowest chance of re-occurring.
Alternatively: Demarest has produced a patch which addresses the bug on PC. See
this topic for more information.
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Problem #17:GTAIII will not work on Windows Vista or XP.
Solution: Update your video and audio drivers. Yes, this is stated in the above introduction, but is particularly relevant with this problem, as most issues arise from not having Vista-compatible drivers that function with the game.
Alternatively: Set the compatibility mode of the executable file to 'Windows 98'. Do so by: right-clicking gta3.exe (default: C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTAIII\gta3.exe) -> Properties -> Compatibility tab -> check 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:', and select 'Windows 98 / Windows Me' from the drop-down menu. Apply, OK. And as pictures speak a thousand words, click
here.
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Problem #18:Sirens on applicable vehicles do not work.
Solution: Tap the horn key.
Tap it. As quickly as possible. This is a serial problem across all consoles, and can always be attributed to the unsuspecting gamer simply not tapping the horn key fast enough.
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Problem #19:Saved games are not located in the typical
My Documents\GTA3 User Files\ directory (often when running Windows Vista).
Solution: C:\Users\Public\ (or equivalent, depending on your install location).
Alternatively: C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTAIII\data\ (or equivalent, depending on your install location).
Alternatively: Set the compatibility mode of the executable file to 'Windows XP SP2' and select "run this program as an administrator". Do so by: right-clicking gta3.exe (default: C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTAIII\gta3.exe) -> Properties -> Compatibility tab -> check 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:', and select 'Windows 98 / Windows Me' from the drop-down menu. Apply, OK. And as pictures speak a thousand words, click
here.
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Problem #20:Cheats don't work when playing on XBox 360 despite typing them correctly.
Solution: Type in the cheats but replace the black and white buttons with the left and right bumpers.
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I'd just like to give a huge shout out to all who've contributed to this list - be it with problems, solutions or just general help. In particular, props to
Spuds725,
Wolf68k,
Demarest,
Ben, and, well, myself.
Cheers.
This post has been edited by Justin on Saturday, Nov 24 2007, 02:33
Grand Theft Auto III
