Torch to stone

[Vagrant0]

Your problem may be related to a bug that happens with certain animations in Oblivion- including torches.

 

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5127

 

That may be the problem, but maybe not.

 

Unfortunately, that wouldn't do jack.

 

The bottom line here is pretty much the same assessment that you've already made. Since the problem is not related to one type of item, but pretty much any animated object, it's likely a problem with how your graphics card, or rather the drivers. If your card is still fairly new, you might want to check the manufacturer's website to see if there are any drivers designed to work with windows 7.

 

Unfortunately, everything else is simply a result of not having a proper OS, so it may be a systemic issue rather than something that merely involves replacing a few thousand objects in the game (making the game look like crap). If it's affecting something like Morrowind as well, this is not something as simple as replacing animated lights. If installing a newer driver doesn't solve things, you might want to try using oldblivion. If none of those work, you may simply be SOL.

 

If your computer was bought in a store, you should be able to reformat your drive and reinstall fresh using the bundled software disks. If you built your computer, reformatting your computer should be something you should know how to do simply as common practice. However, it is suggested to store any and all data you might want to keep in an external location (cd, dvd, flash drive, external hard drive) as reformatting will clear everything from your system drive. So long as you aren't using illegally obtained software, you should be able to revert to using Vista. You may lose quite a bit in the process, but from what it sounds like, trying to manage with Windows 7 doesn't seem like a practical, long term, solution. Needless to say, if this is a computer that others in your house or location use, it would be advised to let them know what you plan to do, and make sure that all their data is backed up properly in an external source. So long as the hardware still functions, there is no such thing as a computer that can't be reformatted.

[CloudLevi]

Ugh. Okay. Vagrant, I'm using a Sony VAIO VGN-NR220E notebook. The WEI rating is 3.1, which means I have a piece of crap video card if any at all. It was bought refurbished - without a recovery disc - from Sony. The operating system was downloaded directly and LEGALLY from the Microsoft Website just in time to save me from the First of July deadline (Windows 7 permanent shutdown), and I have no way to revert to Vista AT ALL because the recovery discs I bought from Sony for this specific computer will only work assuming an installation of Windows Vista already exists. Needless to say, I've entirely replaced the operating system and erased every trace of the old for the sake of drive space.

 

No, there is no way for me to change operating systems prior to October 22, the very day the completed Windows 7 operating system ships to stores and homes. I have a pre-order. Until then, I have to tolerate this piece of junk.

 

Also, I'm not a programmer, but I do have a book for the Second Unreal Engine. Maybe this engine works differently, but that one renders -everything- within line of sight. That includes everything past walls and buildings.

 

I hate to act rude and grumpy, especially when I didn't give out every detail of my predicament from the start like I should have, but I know what I'm talking, so-

 

Bottom line: So long as flames are being rendered, I will experience FPS skipping and sluggishness. The only fix for this that will not cost me hundreds of dollars that I don't have is to be rid of the flames.

 

EDIT: Again, I'm sorry for being so fussy about all this, but I know what I'm talking about. I understand that I didn't explain myself enough for you to know what I know, but when you're discussing trying to fix something I know can't be fixed when all I want is a small mod of maybe a megabyte or two, it gets under my skin.

 

Anyway, I haven't been -fully- reading your posts. A bit too long and rub my fur the wrong way. My apologies for that too.

I refuse to downgrade the graphics at all. It makes me sick that they used two-dimensional trees in the main game (I can't install Shivering Isles this time. For some reason, no matter what I do for Compatibility Mode, it crashes and shuts down (the installer, not the computer) every time I try), so if anything I want to upgrade everything as much as my meager little hardware can take.

 

I have the latest graphics drivers for my computer directly from Windows Update, so there's not much I can do along the lines of drivers. I have an integrated graphics processor and I should note I got this computer a year ago.

 

I've looked at all the factors and I know full well from the behavior and hardware statistics that rendering flames is what slows me up. Getting rid of them is my only choice unless you want to donate some money for a new computer with Windows XP...

 

Again, I apologize for my lack of patience.

[Vagrant0]

Then let me simplify things a bit. Nothing I or anyone can tell you will be something you want to hear since the issue is likely one that cannot be solved simply by replacing these items with non-animated versions. Simply put, there are far too many items which would need to be changed*. Just because your videocard is factory does not mean that there will not be new drivers for it, try checking the website of the manufacturer, not windows update. Did you even try using Oldblivion** to see if that lessens the issue?

 

The reality is that even with a proper OS, your videocard likely is not designed for anything more demanding than searching the web**. As with all laptops, replacing or upgrading any part of the hardware can be extremely hard to do, and requires quite a bit of know-how. As much as you may not want to admit it, spending more money on a new computer is likely something you would need to do if you plan to do any gaming.

 

I'm just guessing here, but the reason why the recovery disks don't work is probably because they were not encoded specifically for that computer, as a course of trying to prevent their use on other computers. Trying to boot up the computer from the CD drive should confirm this. If the disk allows for reformatting, there should be some options upon boot. You may need to change your BIOS settings on boot to make it boot from CD it if goes to windows first. I don't use a laptop, so am kinda guessing here.

 

Just so you know where I'm coming from, and not reading this as if some sort of elitist is insulting your system, my system is also low spec. When I play, I get between 5 and 20 FPS, sometimes less, without any visual mods installed. I know the frustration, probably even more since I make mods, am a bit of a perfectionist, and often have to see my works as choppy, unplayable messes and have to bang my head against the wall trying to figure out if the problems are only because of my dated system, or if something else is causing it. Even still, I try to make the best with what I have, listen to advice given to me as to how I might be able to improve things, and realize that I will probably need to buy a new system, or stop working with anything that might need a better system (not exactly an option since much of what I do is 3d graphics work). The same advice I'm giving to you is the same advice I would give to myself if I was in your position.

 

Lastly, you are using an incomplete OS. You should kinda expect problems like this to happen. The reality here is that things will not always look the way you want. So you should probably accept that things won't look as good as you want them to.

 

 

 

*To solve the issue, you would need to replace the mesh for every single candle, candelabra, torch, sconce, fire, mist, smoke, ect (over 100 meshes total), most of which require specific settings on the .nif to not crash when loaded by the game. It is not as simple as replacing a single object, but rather hundreds. It is not as simple as just removing the animated components from these meshes. Replacing these meshes with rocks, crystals, and such would make many areas just look wrong. As the issue likely extends to other things, like shaders, magic effects and the like, even more of the game would have to be gutted. Since something as trivial as 2d trees seems to get you upset, any solution I or anyone might offer on this end would be entirely unacceptable since it would probably involve making fire and the like just a 2d non-animated billboard (as you've explained, nothing short of that would solve the problem). As the issue surrounding the need for such drastic changes is extremely particular to you, or people like you, and would undoubtedly make most areas look horrible, this is not something anyone else would likely be willing to put the effort in doing.

 

**Oldblivion Homepage. http://www.oldblivion.com/?page=about - Short of finding updated drivers for your videocard, or dealing with things in another way, this is probably your best bet. It may downgrade graphics, but as mentioned otherwise, at some point you have to get off your high-horse and accept things as they are.

 

***The reason why I think this is likely a limitation due to your hardware, or atleast the drivers, is due to how even within Morrowind and other 3d games, you had issues. By all accounts, Morrowind should be low impact enough to not have any significant draw, even when using a buggy OS that is poorly Optimized. If it was merely because your OS was needing more resources than previously, applications with lower requirements would not be impacted.

[CloudLevi]

Over a hundred meshes...joy. Guess I'll have to wait 'till October.

Well, note that it's not just games that got killed by my "upgraded operating system," it's all programs. Firefox, Messenger, Media Go, Office... it's all somewhat slower. So claiming it's not the OS...doesn't really make sense to me. >.>

 

I'm just guessing here, but the reason why the recovery disks don't work is probably because they were not encoded specifically for that computer, as a course of trying to prevent their use on other computers. Trying to boot up the computer from the CD drive should confirm this. If the disk allows for reformatting, there should be some options upon boot. You may need to change your BIOS settings on boot to make it boot from CD it if goes to windows first. I don't use a laptop, so am kinda guessing here.

 

Nah... Trust me on this one, I'm dead in the water. I've done exactly as you said (I draw the line at fully reformatting my hard drive). The recovery disc clearly states when you boot it up that it will only work if there's a copy of Windows Vista already installed. All I have is Windows 7 and, hoping it might read that as a newer version of Vista, I tried it. It refuses to install anything but drivers, and even those won't install thanks to the Eva (I managed to get some when using the beta). I'll try checking for drivers.

 

As for my hardware, I know it sucks. It sucked when dear old dad got it for me July '08 and it never stopped sucking, though it sucked a bit less when it had the Win7 beta installed. Now I have the Eva and unless I want to wait a month to get Linux, I'm stuck with this until Microsoft ships out the new discs and downloads. Already pre-ordered back in July to cash in on the 58% off deal. Reason I wanted to downgrade was to get all my drivers and Sony software working right again.

 

Either way, getting a new computer isn't possible at this time unless someone else wants to donate.

My attempts to get a job have repeatedly failed and my parents are now getting a divorce that includes my mom going on welfare.

=_=; But maybe that old clunker I have laying around...if I replaced its hard drive.

 

EDIT: I think I'll check out this "Oldblivion" thing. I've now lost BOTH brothers in the Killing Fields quest around Chorrol at two separate times. I'm not a fan of frame skipping getting my men killed. Nearly pelted my computer out the window behind me.

[Vagrant0]

EDIT: I think I'll check out this "Oldblivion" thing. I've now lost BOTH brothers in the Killing Fields quest around Chorrol at two separate times. I'm not a fan of frame skipping getting my men killed. Nearly pelted my computer out the window behind me.

Even without the game skipping, they usually die on that quest unless taken at a much higher level, when you have access to things like long duration target healing spells, shield spells, and AoE attacks. The way the game treats leveled NPCs is different from leveled creatures, and there can be some significant gaps if quests are done at the wrong times. It also helps to have access to console, and know a few useful functions to help you with those situations that just don't work right. Getting mad and beating on your computer will only result in breaking said computer. It's just a game. When things don't work right due to hardware limitations or bugs, you're kinda entitled to cheat some.

[CloudLevi]

XDDD Well, personally I'd rather just keep working until I can protect them. If the wave with that armored goblin is the last one, I probably won't need fancy spells or codes. But thankfully I- oh crap, I think I'm gonna have to reload a quicksave. I rested in the middle of getting to the farm so I could skip the frame-killing rain (which didn't improve the FPS any if at all)

 

Maybe if I refrain from dropping the entirety of my Ingredients inventory I can try again.

 

EDIT: Hee... about breaking the computer. Technically I wouldn't, but I've been severely tempted to do so to just about every PC I've owned. None of them have worked right...not even this one.