OpenRails woes

When I installed open rails onto this computer, everything worked fine, but when I tried to run it earlier I got an error message to say it needed XNA v3.1

I downloaded XNA v3.1 and when I tried to install it there was another error message saying ZNA needed Visual C 2008, I installed that and it still pops up with the same message  I am now in the process of installing Visual C express which on my slow dongle will take most of today to download.

I could understand if it was a new install that had never worked, but I have been running it without problems up till now, I haven't changed owt on this PC to cause it to do that as far as I know.

Hi Mark,
It might be too late now, if you've already downloaded all the files required, but if not, I suggest you go the this page : http://openrails.org/download/program/ and download the Simple Download - this says it includes all the bits and pieces required. After you've run that you'll also have an earlier version of OR, which shouldn't interfere with any other versions you've got, as long as you've given them different names!

Cheers,
Ged

Hi Ged.

Thanks, I did try to download that one first, but my computer spat it out as a virus before it all downloaded, it refuses to go past around 17mb of the download, that's why I downloaded the other version, I had it up and running fine then earlier today it came up with the error message and refused to load.

I have downloaded about 2/3 of the visual C++ express now, but my dongle is only downloading at 4kb a sec, so it'll take a while yet.

Mark

Finally got there.

I installed that visual C whatsit, tried to instal XNA framework 3.1 again, it still asked for visual C and wouldn't install.

I was just about to give up when I googled XNA again and found the Microsoft XNA Framework 3.1 (Redistributable version), and that installed OK and now OR works again.

Snowdon mountain railway in OR (using a non-typical "explore route" consist I made so I could see the route)

Look's good Mark

I have got another problem with OR running the Alpensee route, when I reach a certain point in the route OR (the latest stable version) crashes back to desktop with the following message..................



As it seems to be sound related I ran the route through routeriter with the option to fix sound errors enabled, RR fixed one sound error, everything else was OK, ran the route in OR again and it still crashed with the same errors.

Anyone know of a fix for this?

It works OK in MSTS

Thanks, Mark.

Hi,
Can anyone provide me with any ideas as to what could be causing the issue?
Thanks
T
http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic.php?f=324&t=141823

That's a new one on me Terry.

Are you using the same computer/graphics card set up as you were with the last working version?

Hi Mark,
Thanks
Yes, I've been running the current graphics card for a couple of years at least.
Some other info....
I get the same effect on every route I've tried.
All graphics are OK on my other (much slower ) machine which is using an NVDIA card, so it's pointing towards an incompatibility  issue between the latest OR version and my Radeon X1600 card / set up.
But as to how to resolve this, I've no idea.
T

Hi Terry

Are you using windows 8? I know there is a problem with Radeon cards and win8 with MSTS, but I've not heard of a problem with OR on that set up.

Have you sent a bug report to OR?  they might know what is going on.

Another thing you could try is playing round with the video/screen settings on your card and see if that has any effect.

Hi Mark,
I'm running windows 7.
I'm loathe to play around with the card settings unless I can be sure that will resolve the issue as it took a while to get it 'set up' in the first place.
Thanks again

Hi Terry,
Is it only with Open Rails that this problem occurs?
The X1600 meets the published requirements for Open Rails graphics cards, but, by today's standards, 256MB is very low.
Rather than submitting a bug report, have you tried posting on the Elvastower Open Rails Forum - it's where many of the OR team post and respond.

Cheers,
Ged

Thanks Ged,
Yes, it's only on OR where I get the problem...
MSTS is fine.
A further complication is that when I went to experiment with the graphics settings, the ATI Catalyst Control Centre had "disappeared" on my machine... It now appears after a bit of searching that a combination of the X1600 card and Windows 7 64 bit is not supported , so I've no method of changing anything.
Oh Hum..

Hi Terry,
Is your PC a laptop? The problems you're having is probably because of heat. Open Rails drives the graphics card much harder than MSTS does. When running OR, the fan on mine seems to be going at full belt for some of the time, at least.

You seem to be correct that AMD have dropped support for the x1600, but it looks as if you can still download the older drivers for win 7 32- and 64-bit. See here : http://www.drivermax.com/driver/update/Display-Adapters/ATI-Technologies-Inc./ATI-Mobility-Radeon-X1600

If the AMD Catalyst Control Center has disappeared, you might need to re-install the drivers. Do you know which version of the drivers you're currently running (have a look in Device Manager)?

Cheers,
Ged

Thanks Ged,
I'm running a PC.
I'd already tried re-installing the drivers from my back up files (version 8.56.1.16, Win7 64 bit) which microsoft driver update tells me is the most up to date version. (amd-catalyst-15.4beta-64bit-win7-apr9.exe)
I have since downloaded a 'fresh' set, and installed those.
Same outcome.. the drivers install OK, along with the Catalyst control centre, however the control centre simply doesn't launch, despite all the files appearing to be present (C:/Program Files / AMD / CIM / Bin64).
More research needed......
T

Hi Terry,
I don't think you want to install the latest version of the drivers because they don't appear to include drivers for the X1600 (according to what I read on the 'net!).
Those I linked to are definitely older versions.
The earliest version I've got archived is 11-6, which is marked Vista and Win 7, dated 2011. I can send you 32-bit and/or 64-bit whichever you want I also have just about all subsequent versions, as a result of my MSTS/Win 8 tests!!

Cheers,
Ged

Thanks Ged,
You have a PM