Dell Inspiron 8000, mouse disappears (resolved)

[projectar]

Problem Description:

Mouse pointer does not appear on the game screen at all after opening

cinematics, when the game goes full screen.

System Description:

Dell Inspiron 8000 laptop

CPU: Pentium 3 800Mhz

RAM: 256 MB

CD: 40X CDROM

10GB hard drive

Nvidia GeForce2Go video chipset, 32MB video card

Pointing Device: Synaptix Touch Pad

Pointing Device: Microsoft IntelliMouse

14" super XGA LCD screen, Maximum resolution: 1400x1050, 32bit color

OS: Windows Millenium, Dell OEM version

DirectX 8.0

Geforce2Go Driver version 5/23/01 7083

Steps taken to resolve problem:

Set Device to IntelliMouse in the mouse properties screen in the control

panel as suggested by the Troubleshooting FAQ. Did not work.

Replaced IntelliMouse with a Logitech wheel mouse. Did not work.

Reinstalled game without the virus checker enabled. Did not work.

Removed IntelliMouse to see if the Synaptix Touch Pad would then work. Did not work.

Downloaded new Geforce2Go drivers from Dell, version 5/23/01 7083 as suggested by the troubleshooting FAQ. Did not work.

I cannot download Detonator XP drivers from nvidia because nvidia does not currently support Detonator drivers for the Geforce2Go.

Other information:

I installed the game on my desktop, an AMD Athlon 550 with 384MB of

memory and a 32MB TNT2 video card and it worked like a champ.

I can play this fine on my desktop, but my laptop is a much more advanced

system and is much faster. Please let me know if there is any other

information I can provide to help solve this problem, thanks.

[ 11-24-2001: Message edited by: Supreme Cmdr ]

[Otholo]

I have pretty much the same system. No Mouse Action either.

I am thinking it is the refresh or something. I

have a (don't laugh) 3D Prophet II MX 64.

Any ideas anyone?

[Conscript]

I hate to be the one to point this out but did you just include your CD reg key? Isn't that a big "never do"?

[buckthesystem]

quote:

---

Geforce2Go Driver version 5/23/01 7083

---

well theres your problem, if you don't have the latest drivers (aka detonatorXP) then your're SOL. This "bug" has been squashed already, it's a driver issue.

Otholo, are you running the latest drivers? As I've said it's a driver problem.

[Põdi]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Conscript:

I hate to be the one to point this out but did you just include your CD reg key? Isn't that a big "never do"?

---

Urm, yes!

Boy, the SC will have his balls for breakfast (mind you it is amnesty week, but then again........)

[Cmdr Nova]

1. Upgrade your drivers at www.nvidia.com .

2. If you use an animated or theme mouse pointer, change it to the default "plain vanilla" one.

See if that stuff helps.

Howdy there, newbies! I'm the welcome wagon up in this forum. If you've got any BC Universe-based questions, you're free to ask. ( [email protected] ) Also, if you're waiting for multiplayer, may I suggest joining a fleet? I've got a near complete guide to the organizations (GalCom, Insurgency, etc.), the Fleeting basics and other stuff. It's all here.

And while I'm at it, may I suggest this wonderful fleet? So far, Orion is the most active fleet in the forums. We're the heavy strike force of GalCom, and we're all ready to get it in gear for multiplayer. We're elite. We only take the best of the best. So if you're up to the challenge, go contact $iLk, the Orion Fleet Recruitment Officer. ( [email protected] ) He'll get you sorted out, if you come our way.

Nova, over and out.

[ 11-22-2001: Message edited by: Cmdr Nova ]

[projectar]

This was in my post:

Downloaded new Geforce2Go drivers from Dell, version 5/23/01 7083 as suggested by the troubleshooting FAQ. Did not work.

I cannot download Detonator XP drivers from nvidia because nvidia does not currently support Detonator drivers for the Geforce2Go.

The URL I was looking at is:

http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?PAGE=windows9x

At the bottom of this page, it says:

**GeForce2 Go and Quadro2 Go are not supported in the NVIDIA reference drivers. Please consult your notebook's manufacturer for the latest driver.

As I've said before, I went to Dell and got their latest drivers for the notebook. Nvidia does not carry reference drivers or any drivers for the Inspiron 8000 Geforce2Go video chipset at all, as stated in their web page above so there will absolutely be no downloading anything from their website.

Which means I guess I'm SoL for playing BCM on my laptop

[Supreme Cmdr]

Why aren't you running DX 8.1 on the laptop?

[Supreme Cmdr]

As you can see, you can, use the nVidia drivers, (except for the 2280)

And here are the 2183 drivers for the Dell.

*sigh*

[ 11-22-2001: Message edited by: Supreme Cmdr ]

[projectar]

I'll doublecheck to see if I have dx8.0 or 8.1 on the laptop.

Going to the download link posted, I backtracked a little and found this:

http://www.3dchipset.com/drivers/beta/nvidia/dell.shtml

That is the matrix for the beta detonator XP drivers. Unfortunately, they have only the winXP and win2K drivers for 21.83 but not for WinME.

I'll try out the 21.81 drivers for WinME and see if it works out, then post back here with results.

Thanks for all your help!

[krazor]

Be sure to check which bios version you are running on your Dell (A02, A03 etc.) There are some incompatibility issues with those HACKED drivers at 3DChipset.com.

Read back a bit in here: Dell Inspiron Video Forums

There is a ton of info here to help you over any bumps.

There is a newer driver on Dell's site here: Dell GeForce 2 Go XP drivers.

These are dated 10-19 and I believe they work for WinMe as well as XP. It also includes a bios upgrade to A05.

I don't have my copy yet (EB says shipped Wednesday) so I can't be of anymore help until my copy arrives.

My system:

Dell Inspiron 8100

15.1" UXGA Display

1.13 Ghz Pentium III

256MB 133mhz SDRAM

NVidia GeForce 2 Go 32MB

20GB Hard-drive

8X DVD

24X 8X CDRW

56K Modem

WinMe

DX 8.1

Let me know how it works out. Maybe you can wade through the woods before me and make my trip a little easier.

[ 11-23-2001: Message edited by: krazor ]

[Supreme Cmdr]

Speaking of which, I was planning on buying myself a new laptop for Christmas, but I am torn

between

The Dell 8100 (fully stacked with what I need, it comes to $2993)

or

The Toshiba 5005-S504 (fully stacked with what I need at $2250)

If I do get the Dell, then the video info in this thread becomes quite useful.

I can't see much difference between the two besides the following

1. Windows XP. Dell has Pro. Toshiba has Home
   
2. GF2GO. Dell has 32MB. Toshiba has 16MB
   
3. Display. Dell has UltraXGA TFT (whatever the heck that is). Toshiba has XGA TFT
   
4. I can get Office XP Small Business on the Dell, but crapware (some of which I already have)on the Toshiba
   

Difficult decision

[ 11-23-2001: Message edited by: Supreme Cmdr ]

[krazor]

Derek

Maybe I can help light the way a little as I own the aforementioned Dell and I just bought my wife a Toshiba for our anniversary. The differences here hardware-wise are roughly what you have listed. The ONLY reason I bought the Toshiba is I found one left at Best Buy for 1100 bones. I simply could not pass it up. My Dell was 2850.00. Hers doesn't have the CD-burner, UXGA etc but you get the idea. ANYHOO... I have compared the two video cards and there really is no contest. You most definitely want the 32MB GeForce. It's much faster, smoother, prettier in all games I've tried. As far as the UXGA... you want that also. My Dell looks smashing at it's native and fantastic resolution of 1600 X 1200. No contest here either in my mind, YMMV. Keep in mind the fact that the UXGA display looks it finest when it is being run at its' NATIVE RESOLUTION. Some have complained about turning their resolution down and the screen getting slightly fuzzy. Mine does not seem to have this problem, however after using the 1600 X 1200 rez for an extended period, every other setting looks like utter crap. LOL!

Hope that helps.

[Supreme Cmdr]

OK, Dell it is. Thanks for the input!!

[Guest]

Mouse pointer does not appear on the game screen at all after opening

cinematics, when the game goes full screen.

--------------------------------------------------

Try adding the /w command line switch

and see if that helps

1 create a short cut to the start file (right click on it)

2 edit the properties

3 add a space then /w at the end of the line.

4 save it.

5 make sure your desktop resolution is set to the same as you have the game set for (if you are playing the game in 1024x768 your desktop should be the same)

5 start the game with the short cut

it should look like this:

blabla.exe /w

[ 11-23-2001: Message edited by: Picaso ]

[ 11-23-2001: Message edited by: Picaso ]

[projectar]

Reporting back:

THE FIX WORKED!!!!

Thanks, SC. It will be wonderful playing BCM on my laptop now and I will sing your praises for a thousand generations. I'm OUT of this forum and ON to the gameplay newbie questions forum

[Supreme Cmdr]

Ah, I just love it when a good plan comes together.