[Ring_of_Fire]

Must SEE thread and video http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=310254


Black Screen fix is here...



UPDATE: IF YOU HAVE AN ONBOARD HD/AC'97 SOUND CARD (REALTEK/C-MEDIA/VIA/SOUNDMAX) AND YOU DON'T OWN A CREATIVE SOUND BLASTER, CHOOSE THIS OPTION AND YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO RUN SAN ANDREAS IN COMPATIBILITY MODE! IT IS NECESSARY TO DELETE THE [.SET] FILE AFTER. BUGGY DRIVERS ARE RELEASING ESPECIALLY FROM REALTEK AND IS CAUSING RANDOM MOUSE FREEZES AT MAIN MENU FOR GAMES MADE BY R* ONLY.

This is a fix for Vice City only, NOT San Andreas! (http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtop...st&p=1057429599)

You know what, this shi t doesn't work for San Andreas. It seems San Andreas needs more CPU priority attention than Vice City. The REAL fix is located *way* down BELOW...


Screenshots & Solutions post! v2.0

Evidence of San Andreas running on Vista


Saves are present.


No crash on startup or in-game. No graphic corruption. No black roads

QUOTE

The Solutions: Legend - Crappy solution - Nice advice - Best solution had actually something to do with CPU priority and processor scheduling. * Mouse won't respond. Fix -> Run game in Windows XP SP2 compatibility and then delete [.set] file. Alternatively, go into Task Manager and you should see more than one "gta_sa.exe" process!!! Close 'em down and relaunch San Andreas. Note that Alt-tabbing in/out will not work, as once you load up your save file - the game will crash and your mouse will begin to not respond as soon as the interior loads.  * CJ cannot jump. Fix -> Don't use 98 compatibility. Use XP SP2 when on Vista. You'll also have to delete [.set] file. EDIT: For those who are having issues with jumping after setting San Andreas in 98 compatibility mode, it is because "LSHIFT" is not a known key. The fix is to go into Controller Setup and change "LSHIFT" to "SHIFT" by simply pressing the SHIFT key. * This is how my videos and screenshots look like. Can someone help? Delete [.set] file and turn off "Windows 98" comapitibility mode. The reason why is that running the game in compatibility mode causes duplicate resolution entries, and some of them are not recognized by the graphics adapter.  * nVidia logo doesn't fade away and I can't see the San Andreas intro. Fix -> Turn off AA (anti-aliasing) in Display Setup or use a resolution under 1280x1024. Some Vista Catalyst/ForceWare drivers causes the game to not properly render the AA properly all alone by itself. What you need to do instead is to force AA-AF. Don't choose options like "Application Preference", assuming the game you are running wasn't meant for Vista.  Note: This can happen if you are running the game in compatibility mode. Turn it OFF! * San Andreas crashes 1/2 way through (black screen). Fix -> This could be the UAC feature in Vista where you must have administrative privileges. A restart should clear it up. If it occurs again, then disable the feature completely, run game in XP compatibility and delete [.set] file. Also, you might need to uncheck "Run As Administrator" when you are editing the properties for the [gta_sa.exe] file. Another contributor is that you most likely have more than one "gta_sa.exe" process running at the same time - go into Task Manager and close 'em down. Try to run the game again.   * Graphic Corruptions. Fix -> Download the "nomorehotcoffee" patch here -> http://nomorehotcoffee.com. Also update your Vista graphics driver, delete [.set] file, and reset ForceWare/Catalyst back to their factory defaults  Now make sure to set the resolution you want to 32-bit and reconfigure the graphics settings to your preference. As a last resort, try a Windows XP driver. The "Black Roads" bug also is another kind of graphic corruption, see below.  * LOD/Road quality problems (Black Roads). Fix -> Max out the draw distance, resolution, brightness, visual/texture fx quality, and other settings in "Display Setup" such as AF (anisotropic filtering), This can be also done in your graphics card's control companion center, where you can even max out the AF (anti-aliasing) and the mipmaps to clear out all the jaggy edges.  * Where are my saves? Windows XP compatiblity = C:\Users\"Your account"\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files Windows Vista = C:\Users\"Your account"\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files Windows 98/Me compatibility = C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files Remember to do a Windows Search if you can't locate your saves: When you are in the "Search Results" window, click Advanced Search and change "Indexed Locations" to your C:\Local hard drive. Now search for "GTASAsf".

I'll answer to anybody who have any further questions and comments...

This post has been edited by Ring_of_Fire on Tuesday, Feb 12 2008, 17:36

[gtamodder]

I find that for mouse not working, pausing then going back to game works, but it can cause the game to crash if you pause while the mouse is not working in game

[Girish]

QUOTE (gtamodder @ Jan 21 2008, 21:25)

I find that for mouse not working, pausing then going back to game works, but it can cause the game to crash if you pause while the mouse is not working in game

This is true. The game hangs up, not frequently though, and the only option is to reboot your PC.

[Saget]

QUOTE (gtamodder @ Jan 21 2008, 13:55)

I find that for mouse not working, pausing then going back to game works, but it can cause the game to crash if you pause while the mouse is not working in game

That's the problem I'm also having, except that I can close the game without rebooting =)

[Ring_of_Fire]

gtamodder/Saget/girishb, you guys don't have a "Sound Card", right? Do you have Realtek AC'97? Seeing as though a Creative Sound Blaster is not actually apart of the Southbridge area of the motherboard, the CPU can work less and will never have to waste time processing any sound.

The fix for the mouse freeze issue is to simply set the CPU priority to LOW all the time for onboard sound cards. It will work 100% so as long as you delete the [.set] file after. Also, if you disable the sound card in Device Manager, it will work as well.

QUOTE (girishb)

and the only option is to reboot your PC.

No. Just close down the process with Task Manager (CTRL-ALT-DEL / CTRL-SHIFT-ESC)


If you want to know what I am talking about, try and downlaod Multi Theft Auto: Vice City here -> http://www.gonnaplay.com/fileInfo.php?g=201&f=23 The mouse will freeze a lot of times and only luck will depend if it works. All you have to do is to immediately launch Task Manager as soon as you launch Vice City, and then change the priority...

HOW-TO Manually -> http://forum.mtasa.com/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=21565
HOW-TO Automatically -> http://xona.com/2004/07/22.html

If you want to change the priority back to NORMAL because of lag, go into the main menu FIRST (press ESC). Then press CTRT+ALT+DEL.


NOTE: This is also a fix that will allow you to run all GTA's without compatibility mode turned. It was explained in this thread as well. http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=307676

This post has been edited by Ring_of_Fire on Monday, Jan 21 2008, 18:19

[Saget]

Ok, what does the sound has to do with all of this? I want sound because I often play while listening to music.

According to Everest (and Windows), my (onboard) soundcard is: Analog Devices AD1988B. Nothing from Realtek.
My motherboard: Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe.

[Ring_of_Fire]

Analog Devices created the SoundMAX audio codec...

QUOTE

Ok, what does the sound has to do with all of this?

Alright, try to run Vice City without compatibility mode turned on and then delete the [.set] file. Does you mouse respond? If you downloaded MTAVC, you will get mouse freezes unless you disable the onboard sound source (dumb method) or lower the CPU priority to LOW before the game launches (best method).

[Saget]

QUOTE (Ring_of_Fire @ Jan 21 2008, 20:35)

Analog Devices created the SoundMAX audio codec... QUOTE Ok, what does the sound has to do with all of this? Alright, try to run Vice City without compatibility mode turned on and then delete the [.set] file. Does you mouse respond? If you downloaded MTAVC, you will get mouse freezes unless you disable the onboard sound source (dumb method) or lower the CPU priority to LOW before the game launches (best method).

But I'm trying to play San Andreas, and not Vice City.

I deleted my .set file and the mouse didn't respond.

I changed the priority of the process to the lowest, and the mouse still didn't work.

[Ring_of_Fire]

QUOTE (Saget @ Jan 21 2008, 19:35)

I changed the priority of the process to the lowest, and the mouse still didn't work.

But when the game crashed and you were back sent to Windows, you should have cleared all the "gta_sa.exe" process in Task Manager. Windows Vista doesn't close down processes after a crash. If more than one San Andreases are running in memory, then the mouse can still freeze even if the priority is set to LOW.

So delete [.set] file and then launch San Andreas. And by the way, you CANNOT change the priority at the main menu, it has to be done AFTER the game has launched and BEFORE the main menu appears!

This fix HAS to be done properly or else it won't work. If you don't believe me, then just try to launch an MTAVC server and your mouse will freeze in Vice City as well.


And as I said, try to disable the sound card in Device Manager or right-click the sound icon in your system tray, select "Mixer", and then right-click Speakers and select Disable. Of course, you gonna have to delete the [.set] file again because you messed up San Andreas when the mouse didn't work.


EASIER METHOD:

http://xona.com/2004/07/22.html From what you have learned, edit the shortcut icon for San Andreas and let the "Target" line have the priority of 'Low'. Now delete [.set] file and relaunch San Andreas.

QUOTE

But I'm trying to play San Andreas, and not Vice City.

Oh, why not try Windows 98 compatibility mode and then delete the [.set] file. It should work instantly! Or do you mean that you want San Andreas working without compatibility mode turned on?

This thread is only for people who have trouble getting San Andreas working without compatibility turned on. Windows 98 mode will fix all the mouse freeze issues.

This post has been edited by Ring_of_Fire on Tuesday, Jan 22 2008, 01:08

[Saget]

DAMMIT. I opened SA and now my save files weren't loaded.
Nevermind, THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE I ACTIVATED THE WIN98 COMPATIBILITY MODE.

WinXP compatibility mode, and still the game shows mouse problems.

The game doesn't always crash. Like now, it didn't.

This post has been edited by Saget on Tuesday, Jan 22 2008, 01:41

[Ring_of_Fire]

Can you describe your problem? So we know that the mouse doesn't work in main menu. What if you select NEW GAME, does the game crash after?

[Saget]

QUOTE (Ring_of_Fire @ Jan 21 2008, 23:55)

Can you describe your problem? So we know that the mouse doesn't work in main menu. What if you select NEW GAME, does the game crash after?

Ok.

When I run the game, the mouse works good on the menus. But then, when I load one of my saved games (or start a new game, it doesn't matter) the mouse doesn't work. If I pause and go to the menus, it works again there. I checked, and the controller settings are at mouse + keys. Ok, then I go back to the game and see if I can play without the mouse. La la la, play a bit, try to access the menu again and PAH, the screen goes black with nothing but the mouse in it. Then I go to the Task Manager, close the game and that's it.

Notice that the screen can go black like that randomly. It happened once right after the intro, for instance.

[Ring_of_Fire]

I've made this just for you!


I should have recorded at a higher resolution and increase the DPI font sizes. The quality itself is good. Anyway, the code is C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /c start "San Andreas" /low "C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTA San Andreas\gta_sa.exe"

QUOTE

When I run the game, the mouse works good on the menus. But then, when I load one of my saved games (or start a new game, it doesn't matter) the mouse doesn't work. If I pause and go to the menus, it works again there. I checked, and the controller settings are at mouse + keys. Ok, then I go back to the game and see if I can play without the mouse. La la la, play a bit, try to access the menu again and PAH, the screen goes black with nothing but the mouse in it. Then I go to the Task Manager, close the game and that's it.

If the video above doesn't fix your problem, then your problem is an issue I don't know of. I'll try and find a way to stll fix it though. For starters, make sure you have a regular non-wireless mouse and delete any 3rd-Party driver it comes with. Go into "Program & Features" or "Device Manager" to uninstall any driver. This will leave you with only the Windows default ones. I also wouldn't be surprised if buying a new mouse fixes it.

QUOTE

Nevermind, THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE I ACTIVATED THE WIN98 COMPATIBILITY MODE.

Copy over your saves to the Public Documents folder and it can load saves regardless of what mode you use.

This post has been edited by Ring_of_Fire on Tuesday, Jan 22 2008, 04:53

[Saget]

It gave me an error when I pasted that line. It says The name '"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /c start "San' specified in the "Path (or whatever that is in english)" box isn't valid. Bla bla bla. Is it because I have Vista 64bits?

[Ring_of_Fire]

QUOTE (Saget @ Jan 22 2008, 00:45)

It gave me an error when I pasted that line. It says The name '"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /c start "San' specified in the "Path (or whatever that is in english)" box isn't valid. Bla bla bla. Is it because I have Vista 64bits?

It happened to me when I tried to simulate your problem.

C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /c start "San Andreas" /low "C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTA San Andreas\gta_sa.exe"

Ignore the quotation mark (") at the beginning of "C:\

This post has been edited by Ring_of_Fire on Tuesday, Jan 22 2008, 04:54

[Saget]

LOL.

Didn't work.

When I first started the game, I could move the cursor but the mouse button wasn't working. Fine.
Then I loaded one of my saved games. Mouse worked, but was inverted (default settings). I change it, go back to the game and the mouse stopped working.

[Ring_of_Fire]

Try creating a brand-new Windows Vista account and relaunch San Andreas. You'll be surprised as to how many problems it can fix from a corrupted NTUSER.DAT and from corrupted Appdata/Local Settings/Roaming folders. Windows sometimes corrupt the daylights out of that file and the only way to fix it is to delete and create a new account, or if you have some deadly programming and editing skills. Did You Know: That this is another way of reinstalling Windows if you suspect there is something going wrong with your computer? As long as all the boot and system files for the OS are there, just create a new account and consider using both CCleaner, RegCleaners, Disk Defragmenters, Disk Cleanup, and virus/spyware scanners to clean + optimize your computer.

And this method saves a lot of money if you decide to choose to buy an Upgrade version of Wnidows. Sure it defeats the purpose of saving your files and settings, but it does the same thing that the non-Upgrade version does so as long as you delete those files/folders, and is much cheaper than it. Plus, if you want to remove any incompatible driver to renew the default Windows ones, simply go into Safe Mode right away and remove all the drivers from there. I am gonna start buying all my Windows as an "UPGRADE" from now on!

^ The above assumes the game is installed properly and your mouse if working fine in other games. Also delete [.set] file.

QUOTE

Didn't work.

Were you at least able to edit the Target line for San Andreas successfully so that it runs in Low priority all the time? You should see that the SA icon as changed to an MSDOS-looking "C:\_" prompt.


Here's the REAL fix guys! You need to delete [.set] file after. Also, make sure compatibility mode is turned off.


^ LOL, even though that's the default. But anyway, as for random mouse freezes - what you people are doing wrong is pressing on the ALT-TAB key or on the Windows key (the same applies for the Task Manager shortcut key combination) without first going into the main menu. You HAVE to go into the main menu first!

If you don't go inside the main menu first, then expect some disaster like this to happen to your game...



This post has been edited by Ring_of_Fire on Thursday, Jan 24 2008, 04:16

[gtamodder]

Setting priority to low won't make the game go slower? Because i have that problem a lot and san andreas doesn't run smooth (it runs ok) but i thought setting it low would lag badly.

BTW My specs

4GB RAM
Nvidia Geforce 8500 GT 256MB
Genuine Intel ® CPU 2.75GHZ
Windows Vista.

I never had that problem on my XP (Game never crashes, but it doesn't run very good)

And it had

512RAM
Intel Express chipset graphics 128MB, (Not good )
Intel Celeron 3.06GHZ

And my new PC, It almost is running bad as my XP! Do you know how because my vista has more RAM, Way better graphic card.

But i like to set priority to high because it runs better but crashes more (when pausing)

[Ring_of_Fire]

QUOTE (gtamodder @ Jan 24 2008, 04:11)

Setting priority to low won't make the game go slower?

You don't have to set the priority to low no more. Just make sure the processor scheduling is set to "Programs", and for Vice City, make sure it is set to "Background Services". GTA3 works prefectly without serious OS modifying.

QUOTE

BTW My specs 4GB RAM Nvidia Geforce 8500 GT 256MB Genuine Intel ® CPU 2.75GHZ Windows Vista.

This is here is a problem with onboard sound cards. If you have Creative Sound Blaster, then you most likely won't have this issue. If I were to actually disable my sound card in Device Manager, everything would work. Once I disable it, it doesn't work. It seems the CPU isn't allocating resources very well?

And Windows XP makes all my GTA games work well. This maybe is some weird driver issue with Vista, but I am not sure.

QUOTE

But i like to set priority to high because it runs better but crashes more (when pausing)

Go to the main menu first before switching back to the main OS environment. BTW, how you manage to set the priority on HIGH? Won't the mouse stop working completely and the game crash after you press ESC? I know that can be done on GTA3 or if you have Windows XP, but not Vista.

This post has been edited by Ring_of_Fire on Thursday, Jan 24 2008, 13:06

[Girish]

QUOTE (Ring_of_Fire @ Jan 21 2008, 23:33)

QUOTE (girishb) and the only option is to reboot your PC. No. Just close down the process with Task Manager (CTRL-ALT-DEL / CTRL-SHIFT-ESC)

Nope. It doesn't work. I can't seem to do anything. The screen just stays blank. Hence, the reboot.

As for the sound card, I'm not very sure but I know I have SoundMAX.