Microsoft KB Archive/273739

= Midtown Madness 2: How to Improve Game Performance =

Article ID: 273739

Article Last Modified on 12/18/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Midtown Madness 2

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This article was previously published under Q273739



SUMMARY
This article describes how to improve game performance in Microsoft Midtown Madness 2.



MORE INFORMATION
To improve game performance, use the following methods in the order in which they are presented:

Check System Requirements
Make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements that are needed to play.

For additional information about the minimum system requirements for Midtown Madness 2, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

273786 Midtown Madness 2: Minimum System Requirements

Quit Unnecessary Programs
Quit all unnecessary programs that are running on your computer before you start the game.

To quit all unnecessary programs, use the appropriate method for your version of Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows 98

 * 1) Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.
 * 2) In the Close Program dialog box, click any program except Explorer or Systray (which are components of Microsoft Windows), and then click End Task.

If you receive a message stating that the program is busy or not responding, click End Task again.
 * 1) Repeat steps 1 and 2 to quit all unnecessary programs that are running on your computer.

Microsoft Windows 2000

 * 1) Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.
 * 2) On the Applications tab, click any program, and then click End Task.

Repeat this step to quit all unnecessary programs that are running on your computer.
 * 1) Close Windows Task Manager.

NOTE: Some programs start automatically every time you restart your computer. For information about how to disable these programs, see the printed or online documentation for the program.

Install the Latest Version of Microsoft DirectX
Download and install the latest version of DirectX from the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.mspx

For additional information about how to download and install the latest version of DirectX, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

179113 How to Download and Install DirectX

Reduce Graphics Quality Settings in the Game
To reduce the graphics quality settings in the game:
 * 1) Start the game.
 * 2) On the startup screen, click Options.
 * 3) Click Graphics.
 * 4) In the Resolution box, click 640x480, 16 bit color.
 * 5) In the Texture Quality box, click Low - Recommended.
 * 6) In the Object Detail box, click Low..
 * 7) Click Done.
 * 8) Click Back.

To further reduce graphic settings in the game, return to the Graphic Options window, click to clear the following check boxes:
 * Show Pedestrians
 * Textured Sky
 * Vehicle Reflections

and then click None in the Cloud Shadows box.

Configure the Game to Use Software Rendering
To configure the game to use software rendering:
 * 1) Start the game.
 * 2) On the startup screen, click Options.
 * 3) Click Graphics.
 * 4) In the Renderer box, click Software only (no 3D video card).

NOTE: If this setting is already selected, click any other setting that is available.
 * 1) Click Done.
 * 2) Click Back.

Reduce Sound Quality Settings in the Game
To reduce the sound quality settings in the game:
 * 1) Start the game.
 * 2) On the startup screen, click Options.
 * 3) Click Audio.
 * 4) In the Stereo FX box, click Mono.
 * 5) In the Sound Quality box, click Low.
 * 6) Click Done.
 * 7) Click Back.

Obtain and Install an Updated Video Driver
Contact your hardware manufacturer to inquire about how to obtain and install the latest version of the video driver for your video adapter.

For information about how to contact your hardware manufacturer, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

To identify the manufacturer and the model of your video adapter:
 * 1) Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
 * 2) Double-click System.
 * 3) If you are using a Windows 95 or a Windows 98-based computer, click the Device Manager tab.

If you are using a Windows 2000-based computer, click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
 * 1) Click the plus sign (+) next to Display adapters to expand the branch.
 * 2) Under the Display adapters branch, note the manufacturer and the model of your video adapter, and then click OK.
 * 3) Close all open windows on the desktop.

