Problem with graphics - KOTOR

[Perskash]

Hello,

 

I have just reinstalled KOTOR, a game I played years ago in this same computer without problem.

 

But now, when I try to start a new game, when I am prompted to choose character class and gender, and six boxes appear where the six human figures should be shown, there's nothing but smoke in the boxes, and in the screen appear flashing polygons, inside and outside the boxes. Sometimes in the flashes a head of one of the characters appear.

 

If I skip all of this and proceed to create the character, when the game starts I can't see but flashing polygons on the screen.

 

I have tried to lower the graphic settings and changing video card options, but nothing works.

 

I use Windows XP, and my graphic card is ATI Radeon 9550. I have recently reinstalled the OS, and all drivers are update. Also DirectX doesn't show any problem.

 

I would thank any help on this issue.

[ForeverNight]

Uhm............... I honestly can't think of anythiing that would cause that, the 9550 was the lowest end card that was officially supported for kotOR (Not that the 7500 wouldn't run it ) I can't think of anything that would be a problem.

 

Are you patched up to 1.03b?

 

Get a log from dxdiag.exe and post it and let us pour over it and we might be able to think of something.... I'm confused on it though....

 

To get a log go Start --> Run --> dxdiag

 

from DxDiag click save all information, you'll get a .txt file and then copy and paste the contents here and we'll see from there.

[dcorban]

I have the exact same problem on an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro. I have an immaculate Windows XP SP2 installed with the latest (for this card) 9.11 Catalyst drivers. KOTOR version is 1.03. Posting a dxdiag is just a waste of everyone's time. It is obvious that there is something wrong with just this particular game.

 

I am receiving an ATI X800 XT in a week. I am hoping that it does not have the same problem. I read somewhere that this problem is only likely to occur with the 9000 series of ATI cards.

 

Edit: The troubleshooting document included with KOTOR is where I read that the problem may occur with Radeon 9500 through 9800 cards. However, the 9800 was the best card available at the game's release, so I suppose it is possible it will happen on later ATI chipsets as well. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

Another option shown in that document is a configuration option to fix extreme graphic errors. I added that option to my config file and now the game appears fine. I am not sure what negative effect this option has on the game graphics-wise. I assume it disables some sort of vertex shader effects, so it is probably better to be able to run the game without it. But it seems to get the game playable.

 

Here is the text from the troubleshooting doc:

 

Last Chance Graphics Fix

If you are still encountering issues with getting the game to run, there is one last thing you can try which may resolve certain graphics issues if all else fails. Edit your “swkotor.ini” file and locate the [Graphics Options] section. Add a new line and add the following statement:

 

Disable Vertex Buffer Objects=1

 

Edit 2: One last post: A quick Google search shows that vertex buffer objects are used for performance purposes only, and will not degrade any graphic effects. So, I suppose you won't be missing out on anything by having that option enabled.

[dcorban]

I installed my X850 XT. The game runs perfectly fine even without the above option. I guess it's just the 9000 series which do not support vertex buffers.