So I bought my dad a copy of Massive Assault for his birthday; I know he'll love it (if we ever get it to work) because he used to love playing those old school hex wargames, of which MA is a pretty close approximation.

However, he's having a problem with the mouse being totally slow. Here is how he describes it:



I had him install DirectX 9 off the CD and the patch I burned onto CD for him (v.1.1.191).

I had him try software cursor, and windowed mode, but with the same symptoms. He doesn't have a powerhouse PC, but some relatively new Dell box, so I would imagine it should have enough horsepower to deal with MA. Not having good framerate is one thing, but as it is the game is totally unplayable.

Anyone have any suggestions?

thanks

Can you gather info about that Dell PC ( with bug_report.exe tool included with MA ) and sent that to support?
Also make sure that latest drivers for videocard installed - it can solve all problems with game.

Aye, he does have the latest video drivers. He sent me a spec sheet showing the PC's config (probably similar to what the bug report tool does). I think the problem is likely his video card.

He's got a 16MB ATI Rage 128 Ultra in that box (it's a Dell Dimension 4300). I'm not sure if that's a seperate card, or built-in video.

Probably this card does not have the horsepower to handle MA?

I'm not sure if he's got an AGP slot, or if we'll have to go PCI... I'll have to open it up (can't find that info on the Dell site).

What is the recommended minimum video card?

thanks

GeForce2 MX200 32Mb would be better, I mean that it would be normally operating minimum configuration. CPU should be at least 600MHz, it is highly recommended to have 256Mb RAM. 128Mb RAM will work but much slower.

I don't have the box in front of me at the moment, but I'm pretty sure the recommended minimum is at least 32MB. Even if it isn't, 16MB is still so obsolete that it's time to upgrade anyways (even a $10 video card is bound to be better than what he has).

Also, I'm pretty sure that his vid card is NOT integrated. For one thing, it's got ATI in the name, and for another thing, most integrated "cards" try to make themselves sound non-crappy by having names like "Super Ultimate Turbo Graphics MEGA-EXTREME!"

Edit: just checked the box, and it does indeed require a 32MB vid card.

That isn't an integrated card and nor is it up to playing MA. It's no wonder the cursor lags.

I talked him through determining whether he has and AGP slot or not (yes!), so we'll be upgrading him; thanks.