Microsoft KB Archive/812325

= Impossible Creatures: Game Performance Is Slower Than Expected =

Article ID: 812325

Article Last Modified on 1/7/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Impossible Creatures

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to play Impossible Creatures, game performance may be slower than expected.



CAUSE
This issue may occur if one or more of the following conditions are true:
 * Your computer does not meet the minimum system requirements for Impossible Creatures.
 * There is a program that runs in the background that interferes with the game.
 * The game settings are incorrect for your computer.
 * Your video hardware or audio hardware is outdated.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, use the following methods in the order that they appear.

Method 1: Verify the Minimum System Requirements
For additional information about the minimum system requirements of Impossible Creatures, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

812331 Impossible Creatures: Minimum System Requirements

If your computer meets the game requirements and the issue still occurs, go to the next method.

Method 2: Edit the Game Settings
To improve the game performance by editing several game settings, follow these steps:  Start Impossible Creatures. In the Select Player Profile dialog box, select the player that you want to use, and then click Accept. On the main menu (the untitled menu that appears after you click Accept), click Options, and then click the Graphics tab. On the Graphics tab, edit the settings as follows:  In the Resolution list, click 800x600. In the Color depth list, click 16. In the Shadow detail level list, click Off.</li> Drag the Texture detail level slider bar all the way to the left.</li> Drag the Object detail level slider bar all the way to the left.</li> Drag the Creature detail level slider bar all the way to the left.</li> Drag the Preferred frame rate slider bar all the way to the right.</li> Click to clear the Shiny objects check box.</li></ul> </li> Click the Audio tab, and then edit the following settings: <ul> On the SFX channels slider bar, click the leftmost side of the slider bar.</li> In the Sound quality list, click Low.</li> Click to clear the Ambient world sounds check box.</li></ul>

If this does not resolve the issue, go to the next method.</li></ol>

Method 3: Increase the Virtual Memory Allotment
Impossible Creatures requires 256 megabytes (MB) of virtual memory to function correctly. To increase the virtual memory of your operating system, follow these steps:
 * 1) On the desktop, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
 * 2) Click the Advanced tab.
 * 3) In the Performance pane, click Settings, and then click the Advanced tab.
 * 4) In the Virtual Memory pane, click Change.
 * 5) In the Initial Size box, type 256 MB, and then click OK.

Method 4: How to Improve Game Peformance
For additional information about improving game performance, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

815069 GAMES: How to Improve Game Performance

Keywords: kbprb KB812325

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