Slow Windows 7 Gaming

[MyDesktopBroke]

I installed Windows 7 RC 64bit on my 2.53 Unibody late 2008 Macbook Pro with 4gb or ram, and thought I would try a game or two on it. On the OS X side, it runs Halo UB flawlessly even on the 9400 at highest settings (except AA), but on the Windows 7 side I installed Command and Conquer: Generals, and it slows to a slide show when I add 3 or more computer players. Graphics settings have no apparent effect on performance. The game runs perfect in 1 vs 1 matches on high, and is unplayable in 5 player or higher matches at lowest. The game is from 2003, and the requirements are minuscule:

Hardware Requirements
System: PIII 800 or equivalent
RAM:128 MB RAM
CD-ROM: 8X CD-ROM
Video Memory: 32 MB VRAM
Hard Drive Space: 1800 MB
Mouse: Yes
DirectX: DirectX v8.1

Recommended System Requirements
System: Pentium 4 1.0 Ghz or equivalent
RAM: 256 MB RAM
3D Sound Card: Yes

I've run Windows Update, and downloaded all of them except the language packs and the tests updates. Gaming is not a priority for me, but I still want to know whats going with my computer.

 

[MKnight]

Did downloaded the latest beta drivers for your graphics card right??

http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_notebook_win7_x64_186.03_whql.html

 

[Muncher]

It seems to be a networking issue? If the problem originates in the Windows 7 drivers, as more attention is focused on Windows 7 you should see an improvement. If it is coming from the game itself, perhaps some google searches might find a patch or workaround.

 

[MyDesktopBroke]

Yes, I already downloaded those drivers for the 9600, from two different places. When I first got the computer, I ran windows update and downloaded the drivers that were shown there. After I noticed the poor performance, I want directly to the Nvidia site, and downloaded from there. The only difference I saw was that the game no longer stretched to fit the full screen, so now I play with a boxed view.

I also turned off Aero, and all of the windows 7 bells and whistles in the background, but it didn't help. A strange thing is that under XP, on my ancient Dell, I can run at low settings, but only notice slowdowns. On Windows 7, there is no slowdown, but instead there is breakup, like watching a slide show.

And good luck finding an update for the game. It's EA. They drop support, like, a month after release.

 

[MKnight]

Don't turn off Aero as that can reduce system stability...

Aero uses the GPU and a totally different rendering method for all window drawing.

Turning off Aero defaults to the old XP style GDI++ method which is all CPU driven and can be prone to locking up apps.

Yes, I already downloaded those drivers for the 9600, from two different places. When I first got the computer, I ran windows update and downloaded the drivers that were shown there. After I noticed the poor performance, I want directly to the Nvidia site, and downloaded from there. The only difference I saw was that the game no longer stretched to fit the full screen, so now I play with a boxed view.

I also turned off Aero, and all of the windows 7 bells and whistles in the background, but it didn't help. A strange thing is that under XP, on my ancient Dell, I can run at low settings, but only notice slowdowns. On Windows 7, there is no slowdown, but instead there is breakup, like watching a slide show.

And good luck finding an update for the game. It's EA. They drop support, like, a month after release.

 

[bli625]

Do you have your fans up? Your computer could be overheating.

 

[MyDesktopBroke]

No, it is still cool to the touch, even on the left speaker (which I think is where the GPU is).

 

[velocityg4]

Possibly it is that the game uses DirectX 8.1. Perhaps it can not talk to the current Direct X in Windows 7 (10.1 I think).

 

[MyDesktopBroke]

When I check my version of DirectX (typing dxdiag in run), it says DirectX 11. Could I downgrade the version of DirectX I use?
When I run the game on an older HP under XP, it runs smooth no matter what.

 

[Muncher]

When I check my version of DirectX (typing dxdiag in run), it says DirectX 11. Could I downgrade the version of DirectX I use?
When I run the game on an older HP under XP, it runs smooth no matter what.

You cannot downgrade your directx version I don't think, but it doesn't matter because you should have a copy of directx 9 on your computer which is backwards compatible.

 

[Gav Mack]

Yes, I already downloaded those drivers for the 9600, from two different places. When I first got the computer, I ran windows update and downloaded the drivers that were shown there. After I noticed the poor performance, I want directly to the Nvidia site, and downloaded from there. The only difference I saw was that the game no longer stretched to fit the full screen, so now I play with a boxed view.

I also turned off Aero, and all of the windows 7 bells and whistles in the background, but it didn't help. A strange thing is that under XP, on my ancient Dell, I can run at low settings, but only notice slowdowns. On Windows 7, there is no slowdown, but instead there is breakup, like watching a slide show.

And good luck finding an update for the game. It's EA. They drop support, like, a month after release.

Have you tried this patch?

http://games.softpedia.com/get/Patch/Command-Conquer-Generals-Patch.shtml

 

[MyDesktopBroke]

I forgot to mention that I was using the expansion pack, Zero Hour. I have all the latest patches for that one.

You cannot downgrade your directx version I don't think, but it doesn't matter because you should have a copy of directx 9 on your computer which is backwards compatible.

So how would I switch between them, or know which one is used for what (I'm not very knowledgeable in Windows, so I don't know if this makes sense at all)

 

[KevinN206]

So how would I switch between them, or know which one is used for what (I'm not very knowledgeable in Windows, so I don't know if this makes sense at all)

The game will use whatever the game supports, so I will venture a guess and say 9. Also, Aero automatically disables itself when a fullscreen game is launched. You can keep Aero enabled without affecting your fullscreen games.

 

[Muncher]

I forgot to mention that I was using the expansion pack, Zero Hour. I have all the latest patches for that one.



So how would I switch between them, or know which one is used for what (I'm not very knowledgeable in Windows, so I don't know if this makes sense at all)

I don't know alot about this either, as I have little experience with Vista and none with windows 7. IIRC, for Vista it should be a setting in the game. This game does not support DX10-11 at all, so it will run with DX9c every time. (DirectX 10+ are not backwards compatible with DirectX 9, so any game that does not support them defaults to DX9).

 

[MyDesktopBroke]

Thanks to everyone who offered help, but I found the problem.

I realized I was running a version I had installed a third party mod. When I turned this mod off, the game flew with max AI opponents on a large map at max graphics settings.