Microsoft KB Archive/302604

Knowledge Base

Train Simulator: Train Simulator Stops Responding or Does Not Start After Installation

Article ID: 302604

Article Last Modified on 8/17/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft eMbedded Visual C++ 4.0

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This article was previously published under Q302604

SYMPTOMS

After you install Microsoft Train Simulator, one of the following behaviors may occur when you attempt to start the program:

• Train Simulator stops responding (hangs).
  

-or-

• Train Simulator starts, but a black screen appears.
  

-or-

• Train Simulator does not start.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if any of the following conditions exist:

• Your display adapter does not have enough memory.

  -or-

• Your display adapter does not support DirectX 7.0a.

  -or-

• Your system's video card is based on the following nVidia chipsets which are using drivers based on the Nvidia 3.6X or earlier (Detonator 1) reference drivers, and the drivers need updating:

  TnT
  TnT 1
  TnT2 M64
  TnT2
  TnT2 Ultra
  GeForce 256
  GeForce 256 Pro
  GeForce 256 Ultra

  -or-

• The video drivers for your video adapter are outdated.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the following methods in the order in which they are presented.

Method 1: Verify Video Adapter Memory

Train Simulator requires a DirectX 7.0a-compatible 3-D accelerator display adapter with 4 MB of RAM.

Use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool to determine how much video memory is installed on your video adapter:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type dxdiag, and then click OK.
3. Click the Display or Display 1 tab.
4. Note how much video memory is on the Approx. Total Memory line under Device.
5. Click the DirectX Drivers tab. Note the DirectX driver version, and date information.
6. Click Exit.

If less than 4 MB of video memory is installed on your video adapter, install additional video memory on your video adapter, or install a video adapter with more video memory.

For additional information about Train Simulator system requirements, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

299762 Train Simulator: Minimum System Requirements

If your video adapter meets the game requirements, download the latest video driver.

Method 2: Obtain Updated Display Drivers

Contact the manufacturer of your video adapter to obtain and install the latest version of the driver for your video adapter. For information about how to contact the manufacturer of your video adapter, see the "More Information" section of this article.

You may also visit the following Microsoft Windows Update Web site to see if applicable driver updates are available:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

To identify the name and manufacturer of your video adapter:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type dxdiag, and then click OK.
3. Click the Display tab.
4. Under Device, look for Name and Manufacturer.
5. Click Exit.

After you update your drivers, refresh the video settings in Train Simulator:

1. Quit Train Simulator.
2. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Microsoft Games, point to Train Simulator, and then click Train Simulator Troubleshooter.
3. Click Change Video Driver.
4. Quit Train Simulator Troubleshooter.

If the issue is not resolved, go to the next method.

Method 3: Install Train Simulator Update

An update has been created to resolve some compatibility problems with several video adapters. To download and install the update, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/trainsim.aspx#downloads

If the issue is not resolved, go to the next method.

Method 4: 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 obtain 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

If the issue is not resolved, go to the next method.

Method 5: Upgrade Your Display Adapter

Upgrade your display adapter to an adapter that meets the requirements of Microsoft Train Simulator. To do this, contact your display adapter manufacturer.

MORE INFORMATION

For information about how to contact contact the manufacturer of your video adapter, 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

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Microsoft Train Simulator requires a DirectX 7.0a-compatible 3-D accelerator display adapter with 4 MB of RAM.

For additional information about the minimum system requirements that are needed to play Train Simulator, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

299762 Train Simulator: Minimum System Requirements

Additional information about your display adapter can be obtained by using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. To view your display adapter information by using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, follow these steps:

NOTE: DirectX must be installed on the computer.

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type Dxdiag, and then click OK.
3. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool dialog box, click the Display tab.
4. Under Device, note the device information. Under Drivers, note the driver information.
5. Click the DirectX Drivers tab. Note the DirectX driver Version, and Date information.

To download the latest version of DirectX, browse to the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/downloads/default.mspx

This behavior is known to occur with the following display adapters:

ATI 264VT4 chipset-based display adapters:

ATI RAGE IIC 1MB
ATI RAGE IIC 2MB
ATI RAGE IIC 4MB

MPACT! (Chromatic Research)

Chromatic Research Inc., who made the Mpact! Series of chips, is out of business. Please contact your system manufacturer for more information.

NeoMagic MagicMedia chipset-based display adapters:

Number Nine Imagine Series 2

Trident TVGA series display adapters:

TVGA 8900, 9000, 9200CXr, 9470

Trident TGUI series display adapters:

TGUI 9420DGI, 9400CXi, 9440, 9680

Trident ProVidia 9685 display adapters

Trident 3DImage display adapters:

3DImage 9750, 9850

S3 Trio 3D 2X chipset-based display adapters

S3 Virge DX/GX PCI 375/380

SIS 5597/5598 chipset-based display adapters

SiS 530

Additional query words: msgame TrainSim Simulator Train graphics video black screen hang startup card cards performance

Keywords: kbdisplay kbconfig kbprb KB302604

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