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Offline ConservativeMobster

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shader for games?
« on: June 30, 2010, 11:07:47 AM »
what the heck is that? 

I bought a game, installed it and I guess I don't have the proper/compatible sound or video card in my pc.  The game claims it's good to go on DirectX but doesn't load.  Looks like it's in safe mode.

Don't waste too much time on me cuz I'm stupid but any help would be appreciated.
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Offline LC EFA

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2010, 06:50:40 PM »
A shader is a routine implemented in either hardware or software (hardware is better) that is part of the rendering process for 3D graphics applications.

Wiki has a pretty good writeup on it here

Make sure that you have the latest driver release for your video card and make sure that your DirectX is also updated. If this fails to resolve the issue - then your video hardware isn't sufficiently powerful to play the game properly.

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Offline ConservativeMobster

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #2 on: July 02, 2010, 06:25:17 AM »
Thanks!  I've tried downloading the updated DirectX but it's still insufficient.  I have NVIDIA but it may not be working properly because I have some other issues as well.  Guess that means installing new hardware?

When I'm at home and on my pc I'll check this out more thoroughly...again, thank you.
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Offline Wineslob

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2010, 12:25:58 PM »
1. Whats the game? (computer requirements)

2. Whats the computer? processor, RAM, ect....

3. Whats the video card?  5xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx series......?? (Nvidia numbers) Is it on-board, that is, built into the motherboard and not a separate "card"?

From the problem you list, it sounds like a resolution problem, and possibly driver issues.
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Offline Thor

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2010, 12:37:39 PM »
Quote from: ConservativeMobster on July 02, 2010, 06:25:17 AM
Thanks!  I've tried downloading the updated DirectX but it's still insufficient.  I have NVIDIA but it may not be working properly because I have some other issues as well.  Guess that means installing new hardware?

When I'm at home and on my pc I'll check this out more thoroughly...again, thank you.

Got get this program, download it, install it and run it. It will tell us a lot about your PC (and also you)

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

If you can copy & paste the results here, that would be nice, however, we won't need the license key parts (those are best kept to yourself)
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Offline ConservativeMobster

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2010, 08:09:31 AM »
Downloaded belarc, that's a lot of infomation!

   
      
System Security Status       
CIS Benchmark Score
Unknown
   Available only for Windows 2000, XP Pro, and 2003
   
      
Virus Protection
OK
   Up-to-date
   
      
Microsoft Security Updates
OK
   Up-to-date
   
   
   
Computer Profile Summary
Computer Name:    Jeff- (in MSHOME) — JEFF'S COMPUTER
Profile Date:    Saturday, July 03, 2010 9:01:40 AM
Advisor Version:    8.1m
Windows Logon:    xxxxxxx
 
Plan for your next computer refresh...
click for Belarc's System Management products
 
Operating System         System Model
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United States)         Sony Corporation PCV-RZ24G(UC) 28472931
System Serial Number: 3019009
Asset Tag: P03200000000C2E74DD03B56D491
Processor a         Main Circuit Board b
2.67 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Not hyper-threaded         Board: ASUSTeK Computer INC. P4S533VL REV 1.xx
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: Award Software, Inc. ACPI BIOS Revision 1001 12/05/2002
Drives         Memory Modules c,d
160.03 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
104.19 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1P [CD-ROM drive]
SONY DVD RW DW-U12A [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 2
Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 3
Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 4
Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 5
Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 6
Memory Stick Slot [Hard drive] -- drive 1
WDC WD1600AAJB-00PVA0 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WMAP9A249816, rev 00.07H00, SMART Status: Healthy         1024 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM 1' has 512 MB
Slot 'DIMM 2' has 512 MB
Slot 'DIMM 3' is Empty
     Local Drive Volumes
     
      
c: (NTFS on drive 0)    52.43 GB    1.91 GB free
d: (NTFS on drive 0)    107.60 GB    102.28 GB free
     Network Drives
     None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details)         Printers
local user accounts   last logon
 xxxxxxx   7/3/2010 8:14:57 AM    (admin)
local system accounts
 Administrator    never    (admin)
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 HelpAssistant    never    
 SUPPORT_388945a0    never    

DISABLED Marks a disabled account;   LOCKED OUT Marks a locked account
        
HP Photosmart C6200 series    on HP_xxxxx_MY86IHH1BD0506
Microsoft XPS Document Writer    on XPSPort:
Controllers         Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller]
SiS PCI IDE Controller         NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 [Display adapter]
Sony SDM-V72W [Monitor] (17.5"vis, s/n 7008953, January 2003)
Bus Adapters         Multimedia
SiS 7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller (3x)
SiS PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller         Sony Advanced Encoder Board(KernelStreaming)
YAMAHA AC-XG Audio Device
Virus Protection [Back to Top]         new Group Policies
AVG Internet Security Version 9.0
    Virus Definitions Version Up To Date
    Realtime File Scanning On
        None discovered
Communications         Other Devices
Agere Systems AC'97 Modem

      
1394 Net Adapter
Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC
 primary     Auto IP Address:    xxxxx / 24
   Gateway:    xxxx
   Dhcp Server:    xxxxx
   Physical Address:    xxxxx
 
Networking Dns Servers: xxxxx
69.1.30.26
        NEC OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
HP Photosmart C6200
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Sony Memory Stick controller(WB)
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
Photosmart C6200 series
Generic USB Hub (2x)
USB Mass Storage Device
USB Root Hub (4x)
pcouffin device for 32 bits systems

Standard floppy disk controller
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller]
SiS PCI IDE Controller         NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 [Display adapter]
Sony SDM-V72W [Monitor] (17.5"vis, s/n 7008953, January 2003)
Bus Adapters         Multimedia
SiS 7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller (3x)
SiS PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller         Sony Advanced Encoder Board(KernelStreaming)
YAMAHA AC-XG Audio Device
Virus Protection [Back to Top]         new Group Policies
AVG Internet Security Version 9.0
    Virus Definitions Version Up To Date
    Realtime File Scanning On
        None discovered
Communications         Other Devices
Agere Systems AC'97 Modem

      
1394 Net Adapter
Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC
 primary     Auto IP Address:    xxxxx
   Gateway:    xxxx
   Dhcp Server:    xxxxx
   Physical Address:    xxxxxx
 
Networking Dns Servers:    xxxxxx
69.1.30.26
        NEC OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
HP Photosmart C6200
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Sony Memory Stick controller(WB)
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
Photosmart C6200 series
Generic USB Hub (2x)
USB Mass Storage Device
USB Root Hub (4x)
pcouffin device for 32 bits systems
« Last Edit: July 03, 2010, 08:18:00 AM by ConservativeMobster »
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Offline ConservativeMobster

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2010, 08:23:14 AM »
This enough or do you need the software stuff also?  I appreciate the help, I have a few pc games for kids that were a waste of money because they won't load.  I'd rather keep my little one off the net when I can't watch her and I'm leery of buying any more games that aren't compatible with this pc.
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Our people look for a cause to believe in. Is it a third party we need, or is it a new and revitalized second party, raising a banner of no pale pastels, but bold colors which make it unmistakably clear where we stand on all of the issues troubling the people?***Ronald Reagan

Offline Thor

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2010, 09:35:44 AM »
OK, I see your problem. You're running  a GeForce MX4 400 (which WAS a decent card in its time). I think that you need to jump up into the 62XXseries with 256 MB of VRAM or maybe even 512 MB VRAM. It's an easy swap and I've found a couple of those through Best Buy site and one from another vendor. (3Btech.net)

here's one: http://3btech.net/evnvge6251ag.html

and another: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PNY+-+NVIDIA+GeForce+6200+512MB+DDR2+AGP+Graphics+Card/9846978.p?id=1218183107577&skuId=9846978

Bear in mind that those are AGP cards and you MIGHT need a PCI card
« Last Edit: July 03, 2010, 09:40:54 AM by Thor »
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"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation."- IBID

I AM your General Ne'er Do Well, Troublemaker & All Around Meanie!!

"Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated."-Thomas Jefferson

Offline Thor

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2010, 09:44:59 AM »
Also, I would like to see you change your Workgroup. Having a default workgroup (MSHOME) is not a good thing and can lead to vulnerabilities and somebody being able to get into your PC pretty easily. Unless you have a home network, you can change that name to anything you desire and IF you have a home network, all of the computers need to have the same workgroup name.

OHhhh, and IF you ever need drivers for that motherboard, I have the CD for that same one.
« Last Edit: July 03, 2010, 09:48:13 AM by Thor »
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"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation."- IBID

I AM your General Ne'er Do Well, Troublemaker & All Around Meanie!!

"Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated."-Thomas Jefferson

Offline ConservativeMobster

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2010, 10:45:51 AM »
Quote from: Thor on July 03, 2010, 09:44:59 AM
Also, I would like to see you change your Workgroup. Having a default workgroup (MSHOME) is not a good thing and can lead to vulnerabilities and somebody being able to get into your PC pretty easily. Unless you have a home network, you can change that name to anything you desire and IF you have a home network, all of the computers need to have the same workgroup name.

OHhhh, and IF you ever need drivers for that motherboard, I have the CD for that same one.

Can't thank you enough Thor!  My hub is gonna LOVE this  :lmao:

Our pc's are networked (?) and his is the ultimate....I gave the info to him about your suggestion and he offered to give me his video card, the one he wants is $409 !!!!

Think I'll go with your solution.

All this hassle for a kid to play PETSHOP, dayum. 
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Our people look for a cause to believe in. Is it a third party we need, or is it a new and revitalized second party, raising a banner of no pale pastels, but bold colors which make it unmistakably clear where we stand on all of the issues troubling the people?***Ronald Reagan

Offline Thor

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #10 on: July 03, 2010, 10:49:03 AM »
Do you have a wireless router?? If so, does it have some sort of encryption key?? If not, you need to generate one and use that.
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"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation."- IBID

I AM your General Ne'er Do Well, Troublemaker & All Around Meanie!!

"Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated."-Thomas Jefferson

Offline ConservativeMobster

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #11 on: July 03, 2010, 10:59:01 AM »
I do.  And the man says it's encrypted and seems to know what he's doing, he's an electronics tech. He bought this Sony I'm using back in the day and I inherited it when he bought his new one last year. Please don't ask why he's not handling this for me.  Our marriage is best left out of the computer realm  :bawl:

This is his pc

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01636219&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN
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Our people look for a cause to believe in. Is it a third party we need, or is it a new and revitalized second party, raising a banner of no pale pastels, but bold colors which make it unmistakably clear where we stand on all of the issues troubling the people?***Ronald Reagan

Offline Thor

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #12 on: July 03, 2010, 11:07:51 AM »
Quote from: ConservativeMobster on July 03, 2010, 10:59:01 AM
I do.  And the man says it's encrypted and seems to know what he's doing, he's an electronics tech. He bought this Sony I'm using back in the day and I inherited it when he bought his new one last year. Please don't ask why he's not handling this for me.  Our marriage is best left out of the computer realm  :bawl:

This is his pc

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01636219&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN


I'm building a new pc for me that's even better than that. I have to question that if he's an electronics tech, why didn't he build his own?? It's typically less expensive.
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"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation."- IBID

I AM your General Ne'er Do Well, Troublemaker & All Around Meanie!!

"Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated."-Thomas Jefferson

Offline ConservativeMobster

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #13 on: July 03, 2010, 12:18:05 PM »
I'm the main reason he's not done this himself Thor.  We've been married for 10 years and in all that time he's never been satisfied with his "toys".  I don't understand electronics any more than he understands my love of diamonds.  It's simple for me, my "toys" can get bigger and better and hold their value while every piece of equipment he's bought is cheaper or out of date in 2 years.  I have 2 of his older digital cameras and recorders because the newest ones have more pixels or memory, this is the 2nd pc I've had passed down because he needs more.  His HP was not quite good enough last year but the most we could afford and to be perfectly honest he was too impatient to build his own.  To be fair, he also has disabilities that don't allow him as much physical motion as in his techie days.

I love him dearly but get lost in the explanation of the hows and why's.  He goes way over my head.   
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Our people look for a cause to believe in. Is it a third party we need, or is it a new and revitalized second party, raising a banner of no pale pastels, but bold colors which make it unmistakably clear where we stand on all of the issues troubling the people?***Ronald Reagan

Offline Thor

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #14 on: July 03, 2010, 02:12:57 PM »
Trust me, I can relate to the disabilities. Look up spino-cerebellar ataxia... add in some spinal cord injuries and you have me!! I still manage to build my own. I don't do it quickly, but I get it done. When I go to build my new beast, everything will be within arms reach (my chair rolls, so that helps.) There is some satisfaction in creating a new beast on one's own, at least for me.

For the record, I've been doing some sort of electronics since I was 6.  I built my first simple computer when I was 12. Went to school, courtesy of Uncle Sam's Canoe Club for Aviation Electronics and been doing stuff off an on ever since. That makes 46 years now.
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"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation."- IBID

I AM your General Ne'er Do Well, Troublemaker & All Around Meanie!!

"Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated."-Thomas Jefferson

Offline thundley4

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #15 on: July 03, 2010, 06:15:37 PM »
Quote
c: (NTFS on drive 0)    52.43 GB    1.91 GB free
d: (NTFS on drive 0)    107.60 GB    102.28 GB free

If the "C" drive is the OS drive, and it usually is, I think, I'd see about moving some files to the "D" drive.
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Offline Thor

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #16 on: July 03, 2010, 07:18:39 PM »
Quote from: thundley4 on July 03, 2010, 06:15:37 PM
If the "C" drive is the OS drive, and it usually is, I think, I'd see about moving some files to the "D" drive.

Good catch Thundley. I didn't even look at that. Her swapfile isn't going to be very big and it SHOULD be at least double the RAM, but more is better in this case.
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"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation."- IBID

I AM your General Ne'er Do Well, Troublemaker & All Around Meanie!!

"Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated."-Thomas Jefferson

Offline ConservativeMobster

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #17 on: July 03, 2010, 07:59:34 PM »
Quote from: thundley4 on July 03, 2010, 06:15:37 PM
If the "C" drive is the OS drive, and it usually is, I think, I'd see about moving some files to the "D" drive.

hmmmm, I wonder how much of that stuff I can just remove altogether?  This pc was used for photoshop and tons of other stuff that I never use.  Is it safe and easy to remove files? 
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Our people look for a cause to believe in. Is it a third party we need, or is it a new and revitalized second party, raising a banner of no pale pastels, but bold colors which make it unmistakably clear where we stand on all of the issues troubling the people?***Ronald Reagan

Offline Chris_

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #18 on: July 03, 2010, 08:03:29 PM »
Go to 'My Computer' and right-click your C: drive... select 'Properties' from the menu.  There should a button that says 'Disk Cleanup'.  It will remove temporary files, installation files, Recycle Bin files (which tend to hang around longer than you'd think), and it should give you the option to compress files that don't get used often.

The scanning process may take a while.
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Offline thundley4

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Re: shader for games?
« Reply #19 on: July 03, 2010, 08:21:57 PM »
Quote from: ConservativeMobster on July 03, 2010, 07:59:34 PM
hmmmm, I wonder how much of that stuff I can just remove altogether?  This pc was used for photoshop and tons of other stuff that I never use.  Is it safe and easy to remove files? 

Any photos, videos or music  could be moved to the "D" drive. 
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