UT99 on WinXP/Centrino systems

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UTPe
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UT99 on WinXP/Centrino systems

Post by UTPe »

Hello everyone, I'm back ! :mrgreen:
Well, I don't remember if this problem was already discussed by someone in the past but here it is.
A few days ago, I decided to upgrade an old (but full-working) AMILO L1310G laptop, this is now its actual configuration:

- CPU Intel Pentium M 755 2.00Ghz
- RAM 1GB DDR 333Mhz PC2700
- VIDEO ATI Xpress 200M 128MB (shared RAM)
- HD Seagate Momentus 80GB 4200rpm

The laptop is based on Intel Centrino Technology and WinXP Pro SP3 has been installed.
After the hardware upgrade, I noticed a remarkable increased performance so I dediced to install also UT99 to use it as test machine. I was able to set ingame video resolution at 1280x800 by using the built-in Direct3D drivers but the gameplay was exceedingly fast, I understood right away the problem so I checked out the game log:

Init: Memory total: Phys=915632K Pagef=2220776K Virt=2097024K
Init: Working set: 32000 / 159000
Init: CPU Speed=603.745200 MHz
Init: CPU Page size=4096, Processors=1
Init: CPU Detected: PentiumPro-class processor (GenuineIntel)
Init: CPU Features: CMov FPU RDTSC MMX KNI
Init: DirectDraw drivers detected:
Init: display (Primary Display Driver)
Init: D3D Device: Supports system memory DMA blts
Init: D3D Device: No page lock required
Init: Unreal Tournament Direct3D support - internal revision 1.9c


The CPU clock was not recognized by UT99. It's a problem related to Centrino-based laptops with WinXP and it's all about the power management configuration of the OS. Some years ago, I had the same problem with an Amilo M3438G on WinXP but when I changed to Win7, UT99 ran without problems anymore.
WinXP/Centrino systems are lethal for UT99 and its derivative games based on Unreal Engine (this problem was first discovered on Tactical Operation retail version).

Solution ? the power configuration must be set to "Always On" and not to "Portable/Laptop".
The problem can be solved by starting UT99 after having changed the power config of the OS. If you use a .bat file, you can perform this action automatically (change power config ---> play UT99 ---> restore power config)

-----------------------------------------------------------------
@echo off
:: WinXP Power Management for UT99

echo Changing power management profile...
echo.
powercfg /setactive "Always On"
echo Loading Unreal Tournament...
echo.
C:\UnrealTournament\System\UnrealTournament.exe (OPTIONAL: -userini=xxxxx.ini)
echo Power management profile rollback...
powercfg /setactive "Portable/Laptop"
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Now the game runs fine and when I check out the log file I notice CPU is correctly recognized by UT99.

Init: Memory total: Phys=915632K Pagef=2220776K Virt=2097024K
Init: Working set: 32000 / 159000
Init: CPU Speed=2012.479788 MHz
Init: CPU Page size=4096, Processors=1
Init: CPU Detected: PentiumPro-class processor (GenuineIntel)
Init: CPU Features: CMov FPU RDTSC MMX KNI
Init: DirectDraw drivers detected:
Init: display (Primary Display Driver)
Init: D3D Device: Supports system memory DMA blts
Init: D3D Device: No page lock required
Init: Unreal Tournament Direct3D support - internal revision 1.9c


I hope this can help those people who have or still use old laptops to play UT99.

cheers,
Pietro
Personal map database: http://www.ut99maps.net

"These are the days that we will return to one day in the future only in memories." (The Midnight)
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Re: UT99 on WinXP/Centrino systems

Post by papercoffee »

Great info :tu:
Higor
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Re: UT99 on WinXP/Centrino systems

Post by Higor »

Have you tried this?

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=5624

It might let your UT99 run fine without altering the CPU's power saving features.
It's basically an engine extension that runs extra features, among those an ingame speed divisor to keep both game and system clocks running 1:1 regardless of CPU frequency changes.
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UTPe
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Re: UT99 on WinXP/Centrino systems

Post by UTPe »

Higor wrote:Have you tried this?

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=5624
nope but thanks for the infos, I'm going to give it a try asap ! :tu:
the solution proposed above basically lets players use the original game installation (by changing only power config) while your engine extension adds many other features, they are 2 different perspectives
Personal map database: http://www.ut99maps.net

"These are the days that we will return to one day in the future only in memories." (The Midnight)
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