Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Ok, after some digging around with a search engine, the most common consensus seems to be that I need to install a graphics card to get my Oblivion running. Something about integrated graphics chips not being able to handle pixel shading or something like that. I think my next project is to backup everything I hold dear, and try to install the card that died last time and hope it was just a driver corruption that caused the failure, and not something wrong with the card itself. Worst case scenario that I care to think about would be having to run system recovery. Worst case scenario that I would rather pretend didn't exist would be that I totally kill my computer.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Driver corruption killing an actual physical piece of hardware is very unlikely. Most likely the card burned out (died) or did not have it's system requirements met by your rig (PSU etc.). Some cards are known to throttle while others simply will not work.

If you only have an intergrated graphics chip installed, Oblivion will not run on it. You need a card, and a good PCI one at that, plus a good amount of ram and newish, solid processor. But again, this goes back to my post about how much more practical and economical it has now become to opt for an Xbox 360 rather than upgrading your PC to run one game. That way you know you can run both Oblivion and Skyrim when it releases.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

hmm... not sure. I just remember getting a good 5 months out of it before it stopped working. That's pretty short in my book. It's an NVIDIA XFX card of some kind for a PCI-e slot. As part of this install instructions they told me to delete the old video drivers, which I did. Would it be possible that if the drivers for the card became corrupt and the drivers for the integrated couldn't be found that the video would simply cease to function?

At anyrate, if the card is completely burnt out, the worst that could happen is that it simply won't work, yes? Or could it be worse?

For reference the card in question is this one, same rig: http://www.ironworksforum.com/forum/...ad.php?t=97292

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Not really. It would function under WDM drivers even if it had nothing. Your screen would not show if no video card/device was being utilized. The GS is not an amazing card, and people have reported many issues with it (I used to avoid it back in the day). Running demanding games like Oblivion (again, back in the day) can cause stress on it. But usually with burnouts the main culprit is overheating - especially since you had it working once before. The good news is, if you want another one, it is not an expensive card at all now since it's older. I've had cards stop functioning after 6 months. But, I never bought the same one again.

And yes, worst that can happen is, it simply will not work. Disable your intergrated video fully (and most likely in the Bios). Install the card, enable PCI X. And see what happens.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

OK, assuming it doesn't work (which is sounding like the more probable situation) with the integrated completely disabled, is there a way to get my video back up and running without running a full system restore? That being the issue I ran into before. The card for whatever reason ceased to function, the screen went completely black, no feed whatsoever. And because the integrated was disabled, I couldn't get anything off the motherboard either.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Yeah just re-enable intergrated in the Bios. I am assuming you have an image on the screen since you can pull of a system restore.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

For the life of me, I cannot recall. But now that I think about it, I can't imagine how it would have worked out any other way.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

If no other card is installed, an intergrated chip will re-assert itself by default on reboot, so you should be fine. This is a failsafe in case someone accidentally disables their graphics to ensure they have a screen image.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

In other words, as long as I physically remove the non-functioning graphics card plug the monitor into the motherboard then restart the computer, all should be well.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Yeah - unless something goes wrong :). If your onboard graphics is functioning properly, you should be fine. If you are in any way nervous, don't disable the onboard, but install the card atop that. The onboard should switch automatically to the card - either that or you may have to manually switch it in the bios (either way it is do-able). But, you don't HAVE to fully disable your intergrated graphics when installing an actual video card. You can just check in the system when you install the GS, as to whether the computer is using it or not.

Like, I am running with my onboard sound enabled even though I am using a seperate soundcard. The card simply overrides the onboard, disabling it.

What kind of computer do you have? Is it stock or custom built? Are you running it with intergrated video at the moment with no issues?

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

I have an HP Pavilion a6010n
Windows Vista Home OS 32-bit fully updated.
Basically a stock, off the the shelf computer from about 3-4 years ago, maybe 5.
Dual 1.8 GHz processors
1 Gig RAM

Other than the innability to run Oblivion, no issues with the integrated video.

So the instructions to disable integrated drivers is just to avoid any potential conflict, not so much that there definately would be otherwise.

I had been experiencing some flickering/z-fighting in Morrowind, but that seemed to fix itself when i adjusted the gamma correction up a little.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Yeah the main reason people cite to make sure intergrated is disabled is mainly to assist in the process of elimination. Because sometimes people buy a new vidcard, install it, and then wonder why it's performing horribly. In truth, their system is not running off their new card yet, and is still on the onboard graphics. But, like I said, if you are nervous you can leave it enabled and check what your system is using via the desktop.

Personally, given your model, I would take the precaution and leave it enabled then slot the PCI in. The Pavillions are a picky set of rigs. I wouldn't be surprised if that card works on other systems but just not your HP. I wouldn't count that card out until you test it on another computer at some point.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

I'll keep that in mind. In the meantime, I won't be installing anything until I do some cleaning. Just peaked inside the case today and there's a carpet on the bottom and feathers in the fans. (figuratively, of course) I don't have any spray cans on hand at the moment, but I do have an air mattress pump, not sure how much force I could get off that though, even if I treat it like getting extra pressure from a water hose.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Use an air can with a straw from the store. They're like $5 or something. Use the straw to tilt the air flow as opposed to tilting the can which can result in water. Make sure to clean in the video card slot, as this could even be your issue in itself (dust blocking the mobo from detecting it).

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Tons of dust, it's almost like the heatsinks were designed more for collecting dust than keeping the processors cool.

Now, just for some more clarification. When I restart the computer I get three options, Esc for Boot Menu: covers the drive you boot from and CD drive. F10 for Setup: covers everything else and what the Boot menu covers. and F11 for system recovery: obviously not what we're looking for at this point.

Setup seems to have what I need. Under advanced it has Default GPU or something to that effect. Currently it's set to PCI (not sure why), but the other two options are PCI-E and Onboard. I'm guessing, and would like confirmation either for or against, that I want to set it to PCI-E?

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Set it onboard first and see if anything changes. If all is the same, set it to PCIE and try your card in the appropriate slot.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Ok, so the only thing I got was a black screen with a little flashing 'underscore' mark in the top left of the screen. I'm gonna go with, it's dead. I've reached that conclusion based on the fact that it ran fine several years ago, and then suddenly decided it wouldn't work anymore one day. So I don't think it's a compatibility issue. I think it's just dead.

On the bright side, when I pulled the card and plugged the monitor into the motherboard, everything started up just find. Switched the primary video adaptor to onboard just to be thorough. It was fun to try though.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

The GS's had a habit of breaking early iirc. Well, at least you know now.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Hmmmm are you supposed to close all the oblivion gates around the game?

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

I think the core goal is to advance the storyline and fulfill prophecy or something like that. I've picked up bits and pieces of the storyline further along than I've ever gone before, but I don't know how much of a spoiler you're looking for. Or for that matter, how accurate my info actually is.

So spoiler-free, check your journal and see what the main quest entry tells you to do. Or run around explore ruins, do odd-jobs and close infinite Oblivion gates.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Muhahahahahahaha Daedra killing spree commence ^^



joke a side... I am gonna close a couple to get some nice sigil stones and then do the Main quest - currently at level 11 but with a build around conjuration - destruction.


Basically I conjure something that monsters will hit and then run in from the back with some touch evilness ( shock and ice are so awesome against daedra ),

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Sounds like a lot of fun :)

In response to your previous post, no, you do not have to close all the Oblivion gates. I think that more of them spawn, the more you close...

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Blaaargh.....Wolf so if I keep on closing them in the end I will have gates all over Tamriel - I will in essence have turned Cyrodill into Oblivion?

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Nah, but until you complete the main quest Oblivion gates will continue to spawn. It's not so much like fighting a hydra where you cut off one head only to have two more takes its place. It's just that no matter how many you close another one will open at some point.

It is a good idea to make sure that gates opened near roads or town's are closed though. I was working through a daedric shrine quest. One of the main character's in the process was killed off while riding down the road. Really, really bugged me. Didn't matter what code I used to bring her back, she never returned to the place she was supposed to be. Actually she just hung around where I revived her. Basically made a big complicated mess of things. Not a mod related issue. The only mods I had running at the time was a water clarifier, low resource grass, and an arrow mod that allowed shops to carry more of the better arrows (Elven etc.)

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

oh that reminds me - I had a strange bug happen - while doing the Fane quest - Baurus appeared in the dungeon saying I was a hard guy to track down - then he wanted me to show the progress of the mythic dawn quest and he stormed out the dungeon saying I know the way - but he is gone now and I cant find him?

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Found an official statement to the problem with Baurus - so I loaded a game from 4 levels earlier *cry* so many nice items lost now - but alas I need him to do the Main Quest after all.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

I'm not sure how complete or reliable it is on Oblivion. But I use uhs-hints.com fairly often on quest progress related questions with Morrowind. It's pretty good about who you should find in what location.

Also let this experience teach you to save often. There's also a mod out there that will autosave periodically for you.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Oblivion should autosave automatically. You shouldn't need a mod to do it...

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

I mean periodically. Every few game hours. Autosave only works when you rest IIRC. It's basically a mod so you don't have to think about hitting quicksave all time.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Mine autosaves pretty much every time you enter a new city/building/dungeon etc.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

I use uesp.com for my oblivion related stuff - its so freaking huge and has a google-ish map that will show me all the goodies.

in regards to the baurus thing - I hade already played on cause I did not really think anything of it - so the autosave was deleted and I was 3 levels advanced when I discovered he was not at the sewers and looked it up.

Currently taking a little break from my mage though and playing my rogue - Dunmer ( drow ) with speed and Strength as the primary attributes - the speed is so insane he starts out with 75 and got 5 on the first level up - then I got boots +6 speed so he can now basically outrun everything.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

The Oblivion wiki uesp is quite amazing... And huge. I'm pretty sure it's accurate, too.

How is the rogue going?

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Technical question...

When I attempt to play Oblivion, it keeps saying "Oblivion has encountered a problem and needs to close"

Does anybody have an idea of how I could fix this?

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

I can't think of anything off the top of my head. Have you recently installed any new mods, made any changes to your computer? Another possibility could be file corruption. It's a rather drastic step, but you could try backing up your saves and uninstalling then reinstalling Oblivion.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Already tried that, hasn't made any difference. Don't have any mods on it, haven't done anything that could cause it to do this. I think my computer is just a bit stupid...

It also does a physical memory dump sometimes. The screen turns blue, and I have to reset the computer. I'm quite confused...

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

How old is your computer? If you don't mind my asking. Cuz if you've had it a long time the memory and/or the hard drive among other things could be going bad. I'm guessing from pior posts that Oblivion worked fine up to a point. My technical expertise is limited, I know enough to put stuff into and take stuff out of my computer. (And with that I sometimes need help)

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

It's a few years old now. I think I got it in... 2006, maybe? But it's always been a bit pathetic.

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Post your complete specs or as much as you can. It sounds like you are running windows XP, can you confirm the OS?

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

Yeah, running XP.
Doesn't matter now, though. Got a new computer, and it works brilliantly :D

Re: Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?
 

According to this

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...crolls-skyrim/

The PC version is a console port.

boo and hiss?