Torque problem

#1 In the example directory, there should be a file called console.log that is created when you run TGE. Open that file and look for errors. Oftentimes people will run it from the CD and that file cannot be created.

Did you make any changes to it, say changing the DefaultGame setting? If you did and forgot the semi-colon after it, the engine will not start.

Check the console.log and let us know any errors that you see.

#2 I haven't modified it in any way. I found the console.log you were talking about, but I have no clue what it means. Mabey you could tell me?
It says:
//-------------------------- 10/16/2007 -- 17:26:22 -----
Processor Init:
AMD (unknown), ~1.67 Ghz
(timed at roughly 1.68 Ghz)
FPU detected
MMX detected
3DNow detected
SSE detected

Math Init:
Installing Standard C extensions
Installing Assembly extensions
Installing FPU extensions
Installing MMX extensions
Installing 3DNow extensions
Installing SSE extensions

Input Init:
keyboard0 input device created.
mouse0 input device created.
DirectInput enabled.

Initializing chunk mappings...
o 'TEXT' maps to TextChunk
o 'SCHK' maps to UnknownChunk
o 'SCHK' maps to SimChunk
--------- Loading MODS ---------
Loading compiled script demo/main.cs.
Loading compiled script common/main.cs.
Loading compiled script demo/client/defaults.cs.
Loading compiled script demo/server/defaults.cs.
Missing file: demo/client/prefs.cs!
Missing file: demo/server/prefs.cs!
Loading compiled script creator/main.cs.
Loading compiled script common/main.cs.

--------- Parsing Arguments ---------

--------- Initializing MOD: Common ---------
Loading compiled script common/client/canvas.cs.
Loading compiled script common/client/audio.cs.

--------- Initializing MOD: Torque Demo ---------
Loading compiled script demo/client/init.cs.
Loading compiled script demo/server/init.cs.
Loading compiled script demo/data/init.cs.
Loading compiled script demo/data/terrains/highplains/propertyMap.cs.
Loading compiled script demo/data/interiors/propertyMap.cs.

--------- Initializing MOD: Torque Demo Server ---------
Loading compiled script common/server/audio.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/server.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/message.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/commands.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/missionInfo.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/missionLoad.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/missionDownload.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/clientConnection.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/kickban.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/game.cs.
Loading compiled script demo/server/scripts/commands.cs.
Loading compiled script demo/server/scripts/centerPrint.cs.
Loading compiled script demo/server/scripts/game.cs.

--------- Initializing MOD: Torque Demo Client ---------
Loading compiled script demo/client/ui/customProfiles.cs.
Loading compiled script common/client/message.cs.
Loading compiled script common/client/mission.cs.
Loading compiled script common/client/missionDownload.cs.
Loading compiled script common/client/actionMap.cs.
Video Init:

#3 Was that the end of the file? If so, it didn't initialize the video. Do you have the latest drivers for your card?

#4 Yes, it was the end of the file. And I actually just recently updated my card.

#5 What type of card is it?

EDIT:
Oh, and did you do the update from the card vendor's site or from Windows Updates? The Updates are often compatibility mode drivers.

#6 Card is: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200M (ATI RADEON XPRESS 200M Series (0x5955))
driver version number is: 6.14.10.6561

#7 If memory serves me right, that's a VERY old card, and isn't going to do it for you.
You should be able to run TGE, but I know TGEA wont run on it.

If you want to spend under $100 then get something with at least an NVidia
7000 Series chipset. If you can spend a little more you can get into the upper
8000 series which are much nicer.

I don't think the ATI 200M has shader support at all, and OpenGL is unlikely unless
you get the driver straight from the ATI web site.

Sorry, hope this helps though.

#8 Thanks, that was very helpful. Its quite understandable seeing as I took my computer once to a computer store and asked what upgrades I needed to run a certain program, and he started laughing. He then said 'no offence but your computer SUCKS.' Im planning on buying a new one anyway. its very outdated, even with the upgrades I got it.

Hey, just wondering on that subject, what do you think of the dell xps? I'm considering that as my choice right now, and just wondering what opinion you might have.

#9 I've only ever seen the ATI RADEON XPRESS 200M in notebooks, is your computer a notebook? It might be used as onboard video, I guess. If it's a desktop computer, it might have an empty AGP slot and you could get a fairly cheap card that would get you going without upgrading your whole computer. I don't know what CPU or how fast your current computer is, of course.

BTW, any computer store that would laugh at the customer for asking that doesn't deserve your business.

#10 Yes it is actually. Its a compaq presario v2000 series, has about 750mb ram, and about a 55gb hard drive and it sucks. I really do need a new computer. And I was very unpleased with that man at the store at his rude behaviour but unfortunatly its a small town and it was the only store with the part.

#11 Check TigerDirect.com, they have some great deals on systems.

Try and get a system with a PCIExpress slot so you can get the
really good video cards as you can afford them. (that's my next
move.)

#12 Obiously you know alot about computers so mabey you could further help me here. I do alot of animation, and starting on game design, and play alot of demanding games. What sort of system do you recommend?
(And I would hope to keep the budget at $2000 or less, but a bit more wouldn't hurt)

#13 @Luke: It's hard to help you here without knowing what your expertise level is. There's nothing wrong with the Dell XPS systems, and given your budget even Alienware (both can give you decent value for your money if you can't build it yourself). If you can build it yourself, then you can get a much better deal. Tigerdirect.com is not bad, but I generally think their shipping costs are too high and the RMA policy too tight. My favorite online retailer of computer parts is newegg.com. They have very reasonable shipping costs and their return policy and customer support is outstanding.

I recently built a decent gaming machine with a dual-core AMD 6000+ (i.e. two Athlons at 3 Ghz), 2GB Ram, 400GB hard drive, ATI X1650 512MB Ram for $600US from parts from newegg.com.

BTW: you should be able to run TGE on your current video card.

#14 Well, if its not the video card then it should work, right?

#15 This is just a shot in the dark, but since you tried to run it on the old video
card, and now have installed a new video card, maybe it's having some
trouble figuring things out.

In your \example\(game)\client directory there is a prefs.cs file and a prefs.cs.dso
file. Delete them both and then run it. See what happens.

#16 Just a word on Dell gaming laptops (most are too big to be called a notebook in my opinion). I have an XPS Gen 2 and it runs TGE and TGE-A very well. I'm guessing that the newer versions in that product line are amazing. Except for power supply problems, it has been an excellent machine. My next gaming laptop will probably stay in the same family.

If I were buying one today and had roughly 2,000 USD to spend on a gaming system, I would most likely get this one . . .

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DYCWKS5&s=dhs

#17 As for parts, yes, egghead.com is very good. You can save a lot of money
by buying the parts and putting it together yourself. You also get the
satisfaction of knowing exactly what software has gone onto the machine.

One service that used to be pretty popular was pricewatch.com. I think
egghead.com even advertises their stuff there. You can compare prices
for the same part from several online stores. In the end though you'll
probably save the most money buying from one vendor with a good
shipping price and a solid return policy.

I've been building computers for 15 years, but haven't really kept up
lately with all of the hot new stuff. Basically from what I can tell right
now, if you get a case with at least a 400Watt power supply, a motherboard
that can support current dual-core technology up to 3GHz, and supports
PCI Express for video, SATA for hard drive, and the faster memory that's
out right now. (what are they up to, 800Mhz on the memory bus now?)
Then get the best video card you can afford. That should give you a good
gaming/gamedev system that should last for a while.

#18 Thanks for all the help guys, I apreciate it.