Slitherine

I still have CRT 5:4 monitor. My windows desktop resolution is 1152x864@85Hz.
When I start the game the monitor refresh rate switch to 60Hz, even if using the desktop resolution.
I didn't had the problem with RC1. Maybe the problem is related with the new Resolution switch in Launcher.
I've uninstalled RC2 and installed again RC1 just to check how was the refresh rate. It was correct has I suspected.
After uninstalling RC1 and again installing RC2, the problem come back.

I've noticed that the file options.txt has these new lines: and the launcher.ini Is there any command to force the refresh rate? (probably to be used in launcher.ini)

Edit: The problem is definitely induced by the new launcher. I replaced RC2 panzer_launcher.exe with the old one from RC1 and there is no more refresh rate switching issue.

Not sure what the issue is here so this needs to go on the bug list.

I've two computers so I decided to try out on my other machine, which is in fact my main game PC, because it's newer and much more faster.
In this PC I've dual boot with XP and Win7 x64 installed.
When I boot with Win7, Panzer Corps works well, with no refresh rate issues always working at 85Hz as it is predefined in Windows options. I can switch the resolution for 1024x768, 1152x864 or 1280x1024 and still always works, as it should be, at 85Hz.
When I boot with XP, then I experienced exactly the same thing as with my older machine. Even when using the desktop resolution, it switches from 85Hz to 60Hz.
So this isn't local because it's happening in two different machines with different graphic cards. The older is an integrated Intel graphic chip, while the new one has a ATI 4890 graphic card.
This problem is more noticeable with CRT then with LCD monitors (not forgetting that a lot of LCD monitors are locked to work with 60Hz only). So naturally most people won't be affected by it. The other condition is, you must be running with XP. All these conditions narrows the margin of people who might have it. Still it's a bug, like you've said it.

I've noticed another thing with XP.
This is my LAUNCHER.INI file:

FIRST FALSE
REZ 20
REZ_X 1152
REZ_Y 864
REZ_BPP 32

If I erase the line "REZ_BPP 32" and lock the file attribute to Read-only than the issue doesn't appear. The monitor stays at 85Hz as it's defined in desktop.

Probably you'll need to add an option for monitor refresh rate(like in so many other games) when you are choosing the resolution. And then force the game to work at that refresh rate.
This is a game that might appeal to guys with old hardware and old CRT monitors. We still exist.
Well my hardware isn't so old, only the monitor (one of the last generation of CRTs).

Sorry if my English is not clear enough.

Check you have the latest drivers as if it works in Win7 it is not a hardware issue.

iainmcneil wrote:Check you have the latest drivers as if it works in Win7 it is not a hardware issue.

In the PC with Intel Graphics G33/G31 I've the latest drivers.
With my ATI I've the 10.5 not the latest but the best driver for ATI4xxx.
I'm used to do troubleshooting. I'm positive that this is not a driver issue.

VPaulus wrote:

iainmcneil wrote:Check you have the latest drivers as if it works in Win7 it is not a hardware issue.

In the PC with Intel Graphics G33/G31 I've the latest drivers.
With my ATI I've the 10.5 not the latest but the best driver for ATI4xxx.
I'm used to do troubleshooting. I'm positive that this is not a driver issue.

I have an ATI4670 video card and use 11.6 driver. The 11 series drivers are better than the 10 even on the 4XXX series. And yes I am a computer tech.

wyldman68 wrote:

VPaulus wrote:

iainmcneil wrote:Check you have the latest drivers as if it works in Win7 it is not a hardware issue.

In the PC with Intel Graphics G33/G31 I've the latest drivers.
With my ATI I've the 10.5 not the latest but the best driver for ATI4xxx.
I'm used to do troubleshooting. I'm positive that this is not a driver issue.

I have an ATI4670 video card and use 11.6 driver. The 11 series drivers are better than the 10 even on the 4XXX series. And yes I am a computer tech.

I don't doubt you're a computer tech and I thank your advice. But usually I follow Guru3D, and it seems that the 11.6 still has the same mouse lag problem at the corners that the 11 version introduced. However I could consider to upgrade the 10.10e version, which was not a bad version at all. In terms of performance and compatibility the 10.5 is still regarded by most people has the best set of drivers for 4xxx. Of course with new games the 10.5 might be in disadvantage. But let me remind you that, in spite of being a new game, Panzer Corps it's not demanding in terms of graphic power. What I'm experiencing here is a different kind problem. The drivers I use in Win7 are also the 10.5
It doesn't make sense that it's a question of drivers, when using different kind of hardware and the issue exists on both as long I boot with XP.

It would be interesting to know if there's another beta tester using a CRT monitor and Windows XP.

Today I've cleaned install a XP in a PC with a Nvidia 7300LE. It has the last drivers from Nvidia for that card.
Tomorrow I'll plug to my CRT and see what happens.

I have never had any problem with mouse lag using version 11 drivers, I also go to Guru3d, but I always do my own testing. Must be something with a CRT. You know the service life for CRTs are 3-5 years usually and I don't know anyone still manufacturing them for the last 3 or 4 years. And yes I have 1 CRT in my house for working on problem PCs.

FYI, I also play Civ5 and the 11 series drivers fix many problems with that game. Civ5 is one of the games that will stress your video card.

The problem with PC's is any one tiny difference in hardware or saftware could cause this. Something totally unrelated could be the cuase such as internet or virus checker.

Does anyone else have the same setup and similar issues?

I've installed Panzer Corps in the PC with the Nvidia card and I've the same issue.
I've clean install XP, with all the updates, last drivers and with no security software.
The only 3 things in common with the other PCs are Windows XP, Panzer Corps and the CRT monitor.
I play a lot of games and run a lot of different software with this monitor (with different resolutions) and I don't have this kind of issues, or any at all. Furthermore, the issue seems to be exclusive to XP.
But I'm willing to try with another CRT, probably this week.

One other thing I noticed, is that the game switches back very quickly to desktop before the Slitherine logo, and I believe it's then when the monitor switches to 60Hz. One other thing that I didn't mention is that when I exit the game to Windows desktop, the monitor switches back to the pre-defined 85Hz.

My workaround is working, so I'm not worried with this issue.

Edit: There's other workaround. Use a software to lock the refresh rate.
http://www.pagehosting.co.uk/rl/
http://www.softpedia.com/dyn-postdownlo ... 92&t=4&i=1

Same problem with 22" monitor and 1680x1050 resolution.

Razz1 wrote:Same problem with 22" monitor and 1680x1050 resolution.

You and probably and most people who have an LCD which is configured for more than 60Hz and is running PzC in XP.
I've tested with another CRT and a different PC today; and the issue happened again as I was expecting. But I decided to do another kind of test, this time with a wide LCD monitor, but which I knew it did support 75Hz. And the same issue happened. It jumped to 60Hz after starting the game for the second time, after the "launcher.ini" file was written by the launcher. Only because it's an LCD you don't notice so much like with a CRT. How do I know? It's easy, most of these LCDs have a configuration menu, and somewhere in that menu there's an option to see at what resolution and frequency (refresh rate) the monitor is working in that moment. So I checked before starting the game (75Hz), and once again when I was playing; and it was playing at 60Hz. When I exit the game, switched again to 75Hz.
So yes this will mostly happen with most people, but only a few will notice, mainly because the cheap LCDs are locked at 60Hz and the others only a "trained eye" and a person which is sensible to alterations, like you Razz1, will notice. And also you need to be playing with XP.