trainz...so much wrong with this software.

Having looked at other posts there is obviously a lot of positives regarding trainz,but unfortunately not for me.

After spending 2 hrs of track laying and landscaping i got a fatal error message and the whole lot was wiped out in the blink of an eye.

This is only one of many problems i've experienced with this software and i reluctantly had to uninstall.....a former user told me trainz almost ruined his computer.....dont ask me how.
Must be just a coincidence because all other software runs as smooth as silk.

It's a great pity as it looks enjoyable but far too many negatives:(
 
hotgrove said:
.....a former user told me trainz almost ruined his computer.....dont ask me how.
Must be just a coincidence because all other software runs as smooth as silk.
Click to expand...
So Trainz 'almost ruined' your computer?

Taking the advice of one 'former' user and not asking for help from the community is a big problem. A majotiry if problems and faults that occur with Trainz is down to User error or System problems, i.e. out of date drivers, in-compatible hardware etc.

If there is a major problem ask here and also ask the Helpdesk, a link for which can be found above.

Nathan
 
hotgrove, a couple questions that still needs answering:

-What version of trainz are you running? currently there are 7 different versions out there.

-What OS are you running? (Vista? XP? OSX?)

-Graphics information.

~Graphics Card: Here is how to get the info:
Go to the start menu; in the search bar at the bottom (XP click "Run" first) type in: "dxdiag" this will run a windows program that will provide all the system info we need (plus a bunch we don't need) It will also tell you if there are any errors in your graphics card or sound card (this is useful if you built your own system, which you didn't)
My guess is that your downfall is in your graphics card; probably an Intel Extreme chipset.

~Screen Resolution: Right click on your desktop; go to "Properties"(XP) or "Personalize"(Vista) then click on "Display Settings" (tab in XP, link in Vista) There is a 'Snap bar' labled "Resolution" underneath the bar it will say something like: "800 by 600 pixels" (the numbers will probably be different).

Report back when you have that info. and we'll move on tot he next steps. I'll posts my dxdag as an example when I'm on my windows computer.

peter
 
Last edited:
hotgrove said:
Having looked at other posts there is obviously a lot of positives regarding trainz,but unfortunately not for me.

After spending 2 hrs of track laying and landscaping i got a fatal error message and the whole lot was wiped out in the blink of an eye.
Click to expand...

Well, here's a hint that has nothing to do with your computer specifications: If I'd spent two hours on track and landscaping, I'd have at least 4, and perhaps as many as 10 different routes, because I'm conditioned when working on a large project to save regularly. If I save every 10 minutes (making a dozen backups in 2 hours), I can go back after the 9th save and get rid of the first six, but if I get a fatal error, I lose, at most, 10 minutes worth of work.

ns
 
PerRock said:
hotgrove, a couple questions that still needs answering:

-What version of trainz are you running? currently there are 7 different versions out there.

-What OS are you running? (Vista? XP? OSX?)

-Graphics information.

~Graphics Card: Here is how to get the info:
Go to the start menu; in the search bar at the bottom (XP click "Run" first) type in: "dxdiag" this will run a windows program that will provide all the system info we need (plus a bunch we don't need) It will also tell you if there are any errors in your graphics card or sound card (this is useful if you built your own system, which you didn't)
My guess is that your downfall is in your graphics card; probably an Intel Extreme chipset.

~Screen Resolution: Right click on your desktop; go to "Properties"(XP) or "Personalize"(Vista) then click on "Display Settings" (tab in XP, link in Vista) There is a 'Snap bar' labled "Resolution" underneath the bar it will say something like: "800 by 600 pixels" (the numbers will probably be different).

Report back when you have that info. and we'll move on tot he next steps. I'll posts my dxdag as an example when I'm on my windows computer.

peter
Click to expand...

It just says trainz railway simulator....ultimate collection (2 discs)

I'm using vista and thinking ive made a mistake switching from xp.

Still no further forward with graphics card or screen resolution info ?
 
Whats your make and model of computer?

It should say (usually below or above the screen) the make (like: Sony, HP, Dell, etc) then usually somewhere off to the side above or below the screen it'll say the model. this is usually a combinations of letters and numbers. for instance my Sony's is "VGN-FZ320E"

peter
 
hotgrove said:
It's a Dell Inspiron 1545
Click to expand...

So you either have a Intel Integrated GMA 4500MHD card or a 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330

which one is it?

Try running DXDiag tool?

Click on Start > type dxdiag in the search files box and click the DxDiag.exe file, run the test and then save the report and post it on here so others can see what your running
 
To be fair, it is the best of the integrated graphics solutions out there at the moment and to be honest I was surprised to see it ranked where it was in this chart;

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

It is on a par with what would have been top end cards from a couple of years ago.

But there's a lot of difference between an on-board chip and a dedicated card even from a couple of years back.

Laptops can be a minefield and if you want one for games it won't be one of the budget ones and some careful research is required.

Mike.
 
Mike10 said:
To be fair, it is the best of the integrated graphics solutions out there at the moment and to be honest I was surprised to see it ranked where it was in this chart;

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

It is on a par with what would have been top end cards from a couple of years ago.

But there's a lot of difference between an on-board chip and a dedicated card even from a couple of years back.

Laptops can be a minefield and if you want one for games it won't be one of the budget ones and some careful research is required.

Mike.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that.....trainz seems to have infinite possibilities and looks good when working properly.....however not good enough to splash out on an expensive upgrade so im gonna have to let it go.

I've given up on it but thanks to all for the feedback.
 
hotgrove said:
Thanks for that.....trainz seems to have infinite possibilities and looks good when working properly.....however not good enough to splash out on an expensive upgrade so im gonna have to let it go.

I've given up on it but thanks to all for the feedback.
Click to expand...

Run the Belarc Advisor software and let's see which cpu you have.

The options seem to be

Intel® Celeron® Dual-Core
Intel® Core™2 Duo
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core

If it's Celeron then give, up if its the more powerful one TS2009 might work if you put the performance settings back to min.

Vista doesn't help in this case, you take about a 10% performance hit with vista over XP.

Cheerio John
 
johnwhelan said:
Run the Belarc Advisor software and let's see which cpu you have.

The options seem to be

Intel® Celeron® Dual-Core
Intel® Core™2 Duo
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core

If it's Celeron then give, up if its the more powerful one TS2009 might work if you put the performance settings back to min.

Vista doesn't help in this case, you take about a 10% performance hit with vista over XP.

Cheerio John
Click to expand...

For what it's worth.....i have the pentium (r) dual core.
 
I think you should be able to upgrade the graphics to a ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/dell-inspiron-15/4505-3121_7-33542151.html

I get the impression that it should cost about $100 or so. The 4330 is respectable enough for Trainz. Even without putting TS2009 WBE on should get you more performance since it can wring more out of your dual core cpu especially in native mode. Amazon have it for 9 quid apparently, or there is download from Auran if you want to be nice to Auran $29 US.

I'd try it.

Also search around and see if there are any later drivers available for your on board graphics card etc. New drivers may well make a difference.

Cheerio John
 
In the Trainz options, try sliding all the quality settings down to the extreme left. It won't look good but it will run a bit quicker. Also select a lower resolution in Trainz. Apologies if you've already done this.

The main other affect on performance is having numerous different types of objects visible at the same time. For example, fifteen identical wagons have far less effect than fifteen different wagons. The same is true for trees, buildings, etc.

You may still be able to have fun doing some relatively simple and small things in Trainz, for example a freight yard on one baseboard.

John
 
Vista and a non-2009 Trainz.
Only one thing I don't see mentioned.
Was it set for Run as Administrator? Because no non-2009 Trainz works in Vista without that except a newly purchased TRS2006 with SP1 builtin that came in my Railwayz set. All else needed Run as Administrator.
 
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