FF8 d3d graphic problem - (edit-FIXED!!!)

[luteleigh]

I have a different problem with FF8 than what I've read everywhere else in these forums.

I don't have the line or squares problem.
I don't have the black boxes problem.

When playing in direct3d I get graphical flashes on the screen, at a rate of about 20 per second in random spots. But only on the 2d backdrop screens (world map and battle get the occassional flash, but hardly noticable).

Here's my setup:
Windows XP
Athlon XP1800+
GF 4 Ti4200

tried:
with and without nvidia patch 1.2
with and without Anti-A, and Aniso.
drivers 28.32, 29.42, 30.83, and 41.09
directX 8.1, and 9.0
and lots of combinations of the above!!

Nothing changes these flashes unless switching to software rendering, but the graphics are so nice with d3d and AA (apart from the flashing)
It flashes so quickly I can't even capture a screen image to show you. It's pretty annoying.

Any ideas would be appreciated, the only idea I've got left is the Windows XP Service Pack 1. Will try that soon.

[Threesixty]

I guess you could try Rivatuner....but you'll have to wait, if you want to use the latest driver...usually takes him a couple a weeks to make a new version.

There is a Tab call blitting...that fixes a lot of things on other games...Such as flashing....It works great with Shogo, anyway.

http://www.nvworld.ru/

Playing with the Texture filtering setting can fix glitches too, It's inside the Texture tab, and then inside the optimize button..level 0 seems to work best with older games....I guess just check the Stage 1 and then set the other pulldown to level 0....

It's all trial and error.

[Nori]

Sorry about off topic but Threesixty, Shogo MAD (I love that game)??

[luteleigh]

Thanks, threesixty. Much appreciated. I already have RivaTuner so I'll try those things when I get a chance.

[luteleigh]

I tried all those suggestions threesixty, and still nothing changed. Anything other ideas anyone?

[KojiroTakenashi]

Sounds like Texture Artifacting.


Does it happen in any other games? You have a heat problem!!

Get better cooling gear!

[luteleigh]

No. Doesn't happen in any other games. Everything else on full-res, high textures, etc - in brand new power hungry games, on a system thats been completely stable for over a year.

[Threesixty]

bump mapping settings, maybe? What about pushing back the mhz on the card.

[Cyberman]

I have a different problem with FF8 than what I've read everywhere else in these forums.

I don't have the line or squares problem.
I don't have the black boxes problem.

When playing in direct3d I get graphical flashes on the screen, at a rate of about 20 per second in random spots. But only on the 2d backdrop screens (world map and battle get the occassional flash, but hardly noticable).

Here's my setup:
Windows XP
Athlon XP1800+
GF 4 Ti4200

tried:
with and without nvidia patch 1.2
with and without Anti-A, and Aniso.
drivers 28.32, 29.42, 30.83, and 41.09
directX 8.1, and 9.0
and lots of combinations of the above!!

Nothing changes these flashes unless switching to software rendering, but the graphics are so nice with d3d and AA (apart from the flashing)
It flashes so quickly I can't even capture a screen image to show you. It's pretty annoying.

Any ideas would be appreciated, the only idea I've got left is the Windows XP Service Pack 1. Will try that soon.

Actually.. this happens in PSX games that are emulated.  Likely the flashing is from an animated background image.  What backgrounds does this happen in and doesn't? I think there are some static backgrounds in FF8 find one without animation and see if it doesn't flicker. If it doesn't then the problem is in the game.  If I remember correctly it can be a few things.  I suggest changing your vertical refresh rate to 60hz if the flickering goes away then you have a 'beat' affect going between drawing the background and draw the 3d.

Whatever happens, I wish you good fortune in solving your problems.

Cyb

[luteleigh]

I'm pretty sure the default refresh was 60hz, and I changed it to 75hz in an attempt to just change something and hope for the best with FF8.

And as for the static backgrounds, I can pretty much walk through Garden entirely with the flashing occurring everywhere. There is absolutely no flashing in menus, or text bubbles, and the card game is fine too I think.

In the battles you get the odd flash - so it's more of the 2d background its happenning with (the 3d modelled characters aren't affected either).

Thanks for all your suggestions guys.

[luteleigh]

I know this is digging out an old thread, but I have found the fix, after all this time. It may help others.

It has to do with the AGP driving control settings in BIOS. I found a FAQ on my M/B - an Abit KG7. It has a highly customisable BIOS, and is an overclockers dream apparently, but I never touched much of it.

In the end the AGP driving control settings/driving strength had to be changed, and bit by bit, I increased the setting, realising it was making it worse, so I went backwards until ALL artifacts were completely gone.

Now FF8 runs beautifully in hardware mode, with FSAA x 4!!!!

Thanks for all previous help here people! This may help someone else with a similar config, but the odds of someone with a similar config are small. But thought I'd post anyway.