Metal Gear Solid: How to Improve Game Performance (274681)

MORE INFORMATION

To improve game performance in Metal Gear Solid, 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 to play Metal Gear Solid.

For additional information about the minimum system requirements to play Metal Gear Solid, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Quit Unnecessary Programs

Quit all unnecessary programs that are running on your computer before you start Metal Gear Solid.

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

Microsoft Windows 95 or 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.
3. 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.
3. 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.

Reduce Graphics Quality Settings in the Game

To reduce the graphics quality settings in the game:

1. On the Metal Gear Solid startup screen, click Options.
2. Click Video/sound options.
3. Click Advanced.
4. Under Graphic resolution, click 640x480.
5. Click Back.
6. Click Apply.
7. Click Exit.

Configure the Game to Use Software Rendering

To configure the game to use software rendering:

1. On the Metal Gear Solid startup screen, click Options.
2. Click Video/sound options.
3. Click Advanced.
4. Under Rendering device, click Software.
5. Click Back.
6. Click Apply.
7. Click Exit.

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: 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.
4. Click the plus sign (+) next to Display adapters to expand the branch.
5. Under the Display adapters branch, note the manufacturer and the model of your video adapter, and then click OK.
6. Click Cancel until you return to Control Panel, and then close Control Panel.