Crimson Skies: How to Improve Game Performance (274682)

MORE INFORMATION

To improve game performance in Crimson Skies, 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 Crimson Skies.

For additional information about the minimum system requirements that are needed to play Crimson Skies, 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 Crimson Skies.

To do this, 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.
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 Main Menu screen in Crimson Skies, click Preferences.
2. Click Video.
3. In the Resolution box, click 640x480.
4. In the Viewing Range box, click Low.
5. In the Effects Level box, click Low.
6. In the Object Detail box, click Low.
7. In the Lighting Quality box, click Off.
8. In the Texture Quality box, click Low.
9. Click to clear the Clutter Detail check box and the Shadows check box.
10. Click Accept Changes.
11. Click Return To Main Menu.

NOTE: If you are not satisfied with the graphics quality in the game after you reduce the graphics quality settings, try increasing the graphics quality settings one at a time to find the best balance between performance and graphics quality.

Configure the Game to Use Software Rendering

To configure the game to use software rendering:

1. On the Main Menu screen in Crimson Skies, click Preferences.
2. Click Video.
3. In the Graphics box, click Software Render.
4. Click Accept Changes.
5. Click Return To Main Menu.

Reduce Sound Quality Settings in the Game

To reduce the sound quality settings in the game:

1. On the Main Menu screen in Crimson Skies, click Preferences.
2. Click Audio.
3. In the Sound Quality box, click Low.
4. Click Accept Changes.
5. Click Return To Main Menu.

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.

Make Sure That Virtual Memory Is Enabled

Make sure that virtual memory is enabled on your computer. To do this:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click System.
3. Click the Performance tab.
4. Click Virtual Memory.
5. Make sure that the Disable virtual memory. (Not recommended) check box is cleared.
6. Click Let Windows manage my virtual memory settings. (Recommended), and then click OK.
7. If you are prompted to restart the computer, do so.

Increase the Amount of Available Space on Your Hard Disk

Increase the amount of available space on the hard disk on which your virtual memory swap file is located. If you configured your computer to let Windows manage your virtual memory settings, your swap file is located on drive C: by default.

Increase the amount of available space on the hard disk on which your virtual memory swap file is located, use the following methods.

Empty folders that contain temporary files

To empty folders that contain temporary files, use the appropriate method for your version of Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft Windows 98 or Microsoft Windows 2000:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.
2. In the Drives box, click the hard disk that you want to clean up, and then click OK.
3. Under Files to delete, click to select the following check boxes, and then click OK:
   • Temporary Internet Files
   • Downloaded Program Files
   • Recycle Bin
   • Temporary files

Microsoft Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows NT 4.0:

Manually delete the temporary files, and then empty the Recycle Bin:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet or Internet Options.
3. On the General tab, under Temporary Internet Files, click Delete Files, and then click OK.
4. Under History, click Clear History, and then click Yes.
5. Click OK.
6. Click Start, and then click Shut Down.
7. Click Restart in MS-DOS mode, and then click OK.
8. At the command prompt, type set, and then press ENTER.
9. Note the path on the "TEMP=" line.
10. At the command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line.

    cd \temp
    del *.tmp

    where temp is the path that you noted in step 9.
    
    NOTE: If you are prompted to confirm the file deletion, press Y.
11. At the command prompt, type exit, and then press ENTER to restart Microsoft Windows.
12. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop, and then click Empty Recycle Bin.
    
    If you are prompted to confirm that you want to delete the files, click Yes.

Uninstall unused programs

To uninstall a program that you do not use frequently:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click a program that you do not use frequently, and then click Add/Remove.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to uninstall the program.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 to remove any other unused programs that are installed on your computer.