Graphics Issues...

[GM BK]

So, I just installed FG a few weeks ago, and in every session i've been in, i've run into these same issues(see below). I've tried re-installing to see if that clears it up, but to no avail :(

- Map, along with the tokens, will flicker in and out... it's still there, but i just can't see it. Too bring it back up, i click and drag the area it was in and as soon as it moves, it reappears... sometimes for good, sometimes it just goes away again. If it does come back, it usually behaves a little weird... the tokens won't be there or all i'll see are the green and red transparent squares that are underneath the tokens... moving the pointer over the tokens also does weird things as well... sometimes it makes them flicker, sometimes the name bar that normally hovers over the token leaves behind a blank version of itself, in essence erasing the token.
- Masks do not save from session to session... so anything that was revealed on a map in the previous session, has to be redone... this also sometimes happens if i close a map and then reopen it later on in the session.
- When all of the above is happening, the dice also have a tendency to disappear and sometimes the buttons along the right side of the screen as well.

i have also noticed that this starts to happen usually when someone rolls a die, or advances the combat tracker. not right away... usually about an hour or so into the session...

to remedy this, i've tried re-installing twice and i've updated my graphics drivers... i'm running Windows 7 Pro on a laptop with an i5 processor...

any tips on how to fix this would be much appreciated!

[Trenloe]

A few people have experienced similar things before. Run the setup application specific to your graphics card and try disabling anti-aliasing.

[Nylanfs]

Since it's on a laptop, I wonder if it's a odd resolution size that could be interfering also.

[GM BK]

Ok, so i looked for some way to turn off Anti-Aliasing, but to no avail. I did find a setting for Anisotropic Filtering, but that is set to "Application Settings" with no option to disable.

I do have the display ported over to an external monitor through a VGA port on the back of the laptop, but I leave the display on the laptop itself off with the lid closed. It's a 19" monitor, and I have the resolution set to 1280x1040. I have not tried using FG without this external monitor so I don't know if the same problem will occur.

The laptop in question is an HP Probook 6540b, i5 Processor with an integrated graphics card... "Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD"... all drivers have been updated. Running Windows 7 Pro with SP1 installed and up to date.

https://www.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02729045.pdf

Also, at the advise of someone else, I did try running FG "as administrator", but that didn't help either.

Somebody also mentioned that this may be a permissions issue because of the masks not reapplying from session to session?

signed,
- Stumped...

[damned]

That resolution is very unlikely to be the monitors preferred resolution.
Im guessing you are running the lower resolution for your eyes?
If so - set the screen back to the recommended resolution and use the UI Scale in FG Settings (from splash screen) to set it at 125% or 150%.
Please try that.
Also make sure you DONT have Cross Platform Compatibility Mode for Linux and Mac ticked.

[GM BK]

That is the max resolution the monitor/laptop will support. So, what should i turn it down to 800x600 or 1024x768? I also have the option to set the refresh rate to 60 or 75hz.

[GM BK]

Just messing around with the resolutions, and i got a message telling me that 1280x1024 is the optimal resolution for my monitor. so, hrmph :(

[damned]

Sorry - its an unusual max resolution. You should on an LCD/LED pretty much always use the maximum resolution. I was suggestion another resolution as I thought it might support a higher one.

So lets wind back - can you disconnect your monitor and test on your laptop display? If it still flickers there we probably need to revisit your graphics properties. If its stable there maybe the vga cable is loose/damaged? Do you get flickering in any other apps? Games? Youtube?

[GM BK]

In a game right now... trying it with just the laptop screen... let's see what happens... *crosses fingers*

[GM BK]

so, just went through an entire combat, and no issues... so it appears it's an issue with using the monitor... hmmm....

[GM BK]

and of course, as soon as i type that... it starts happening again... *sigh*...

[damned]

Well thats good news and bad news. Good news there is nothing wrong with the laptop or FG and you know where to concentrate the troubleshooting on.


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[GM BK]

So, i'm wondering if it might have something to do with the masks... in the game i was in tonight, as we progressed through the map and more things were revealed, the problem started to get worse. To the point that the game was really unplayable. So, to see what would happen, the GM reset the mask and just revealed the area we were in and the problem went away.... until the combat tracker started ticking, then it was right back again... it's a good thing i'm already bald... can't pull out, what i don't have! :P

[damned]

I know this is an old thread https://www.eightforums.com/graphic-cards/5092-screen-flicker-windows-metro-view-intel-gma-500-graphics-controller.html
but perhaps you can try a different version of the driver?


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[GM BK]

I'm also wondering if this could be a Java or Shockwave issue? At this point, i'll try just about anything...

[damned]

FG uses neither of these...

[JohnD]

It could simply be that your laptop is borderline complaint against system requirements. Can you provide a full list of the system specifications?

[GM BK]

Sure :)

[GM BK]

I also did a bit of digging and, as damned suggested, downloaded two different older versions of the drivers for my card. Going to give that a go and see what happens... *crosses fingers*

Unfortunately, my next session won't be till next weekend, so the results of this test are pending...

[GM BK]

One more thing... thanks to all that have chimed in on this issue. All the advise is much appreciated! :)

[damned]

You can test this in the interim. Create a Campaign and add a single image and apply a mask.
Launch a second instance of FG and Join Game connecting to localhost
In Host instance share the map and unmask various chunks.

Your specs look ok to me.


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[GM BK]

Brilliant! Sounds like the perfect excuse to create that tutorial campaign i've been planning on making for some friends :)

[GM BK]

Ok, well... and knock on wood here... switching to the previous driver seems to have cleared it up. I tried my best to simulate an actual game session by revealing stuff in stages and running encounters through the combat tracker and everything seemed to work fine... *crosses fingers*... hopefully i'm good to go! :)