Frequently Asked Questions
Game Tweaks and Extras
Question
Answer
Spray logos look great. How do I get one for myself?
Half Life Engine
There are two kinds of spray logos:
Those available through the Customize Menu (*.bmp)
and Custom sprays (*.wad)
Both types are sprayed by the key selected in the Options --> Keyboard menu
or by adding the command
bind "key" "impulse 201" in your config file.
The regular greyscale logos (*bmp) are found in the Half-Life/logos or dod/logos directories.
The *.wad files are placed in the root dod or valve directories.
Steam has changed the spray logo set up
Your favourite pldecal.wad files will still work. All you need to do is rename them to
tempdecal.wad.
Now right click on the wad file. Select Properties and Read Only.
This will prevent the file from being overwritten if you enter the Options Menu.
Making your own Custom Logos is very simple.
All that is required is any simple image processing program such as MSPaint
or Jasc Paint Shop Pro and a program that will convert the *bmp file to a *wad file.
Wally
or the Decal Converter ver. 1.3 do the trick with ease.
There are many on line tutorials available to make both colour and grey scale logos.
Here are a few:
The LogoWarehouse
BubbleModOrg
Cyber-Rat.Com
These sites also make premade colour logos available for download.
An internet search will find you many other sources.
Source and OrangeBox Engines
You can import custom jpg or bmp directly through your Options --> Multiplayer Menu The images need to be 128x128, 256x256, 512x512 in size.
My lag and ping are terrible. Can I do anything about it?
The following is from a post made by BigEye
Half Life Engine
"Three concerns to note.
One - Part of the current lagging issue with ANY platform server is gameserver browsers, specifically "hlsw" - http://www.hlsw.net With the latest half-life server release, three new server side environment variables were added that change how client side browsers can interact with the half-life server.
Two - It is quite possible that cheat detection may ALSO contribute to the lag, but only time will tell.
Three - The best part, the default config.cfg file that comes with DoD is fubard and does NOT take into account broadband access, even if you choose broadband for your connection type. I will explain this last from an article that I found. So please continue to read.
Here are the new env. variables:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
max_queries_sec . (default: 0.5) defines max queries per second per user (averaged over max_queries_window)
max_queries_sec_global . (default: 10) defines max queries per second for all queries
max_queries_window . (default: 30) defines time window to
average query rates over
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There have been numerous other write-ups about these env. variables, so I won't go into detail, but basically the half-life developers seriously underestimated (or didn't care) how many people query through outside browsers. Hence, they set ridiculously LOW values and were arrogant enough not to explain to the gaming community that leaving the defaults would cause your server to be unusable. This explains why on Day 1 of the release why so many servers had problems.
Now for the good part. You can control your gaming experience if you make appropriate choices and client-side settings (assuming the problem isn't a router or bad internet connection problem). Read on...
What to do
- Start DOD
- Type 'net_graph 3' in the console after you have connected to the server. A real-time graph will be shown in the lower right corner of the screen. Type 'net_graph 0' to disable if you do not want to continue monitoring. The graph will show you inbound packets, outbound packets, ping, loss, and choke.
- "ping" is how much time in Milliseconds (MS) it takes for a packet to travel from the server to you.
- "Loss" is how many packets that are lost during transfer from the server to you. This could be due to a bad connection, not necessarily slow, but can be due to a bad route. However, the usual culprit is a mismatch between your bandwidth and the servers. i.e. your "pipe" is smaller than the servers and in order to receive the data that the server wants to send you, you will need to reduce the data from the server.
- "Choke" is how many packets your computer is unable to upload because your connection is too slow and/or the server is requesting too much data.
Here is how you can manipulate these controls for the client-side either through editing your config.cfg or entering them in your console.
- "cl_updaterate XX" (where XX is set from the numbers below) - This sets how many updates per second to send to your machine.
Modem = 15-25
Broadband = 25-40
I found my "default" set by the DoD_v1 installation was "20", middle-of-the-road modem.
- "cl_cmdrate XX" (where XX is set from the numbers below) - This sets how many updates per second to send to server.
Modem = 25-35
Broadband = 40-50
Again, I found my "default" set by the DoD_v1 installation was "30", which is middle-of-the-road modem.
Obviously, if you have a broadband connection (Cable, DSL) then these are incorrect settings.
"rate XXXX" - This sets the data transfer rate between server and client at any given time.
There are quite a few differing opinions about this setting, but the developer set these at the following when Half-Life first came out.
28.8k = 1500-2200
33.6k = 2000-3500
56k = 3500-4000
ISDN = 4000-6000
xDSL, Cable, T1, etc = 6000-9999
NOTE on "rate"
Setting your "rate" value higher/lower than the server's can cause you to have loss/choke. Review the guideline above concerning loss/choke. This setting is in direct relationship to the loss/choke settings. Use your game-browser (HLSW) to view the rate and set yours accordingly. The variables to look for are "sv_minrate" and "sv_maxrate".
The server controls the actual amount of data that will be pumped out. It is usually best to set your "rate" according to your connection speed. If you have a 1.5 megabit connection (Cable, DSL) and the server's "sv_maxrate" is set to "9999", then you would be best to set your "rate" the same.
"sv_minrate"
The "sv_minrate" variable controls the "bare minimum" connection speed allowed by users. Using the chart above for "rate", most servers will set this value to "2500" to allow "most" modem users to be able to play. Servers can "force" lag on players by setting the "sv_minrate" variable to a number higher than dial-up modems are capable of achieving.
"sv_maxrate"
The "sv_maxrate" variable controls the "ceiling" connection speed bandwidth. Setting this too high could allow someone on a T3 connection to "steal" all of the bandwidth and lag everyone.
As a general rule-of-thumb
LOSS - controlled by "cl_updaterate"
If you have "loss", then reduce your "cl_updaterate".
If you don't have "loss", then you can try a higher "cl_updaterate" to reduce "ping".
CHOKE - controlled by "cl_cmdrate"
If you have "choke", then reduce your "cl_cmdrate".
If you don't have "choke", then you can try a higher "cl_cmdrate" to reduce "ping".
RATE
Again, try and match your "connection" speed first, then the server's "sv_maxrate" second. NEVER exceed your "connection" speed's value (from the chart above).
If you have both "loss" and "choke", then try reducing your "rate".
If you have neither "loss" or "choke", then try increasing your "rate".
Start off by setting your "cl_updaterate" and "cl_cmdrate" to a reasonable level at first, then try different rates. Increase the rate until you get loss and/or choke, then reduce your rate until the loss/choke stops. This will prevent high loss and/or choke in busy servers.
It will take a few seconds before you will see the results of the commands, so don't increase/decrease the settings too quickly.
Good luck.
What is Vent ?
VenT is a scalable Voice over IP (VoIP) communications system that solves a lot of the problems associated with network latency, packet loss, uptime and administration.
Vent can be used for home / personal applications like talking to friends and family, or playing organized online games where Voice Comm can make them more exciting and productive. It can also be used in an enterprise environment as a productivity tool for conducting long distance group discussions.
Does SunLits have a Vent Channel ?
See Vent Help for info.
Requires registration.
Is there a way to use two versions of Vent on the same machine ?
Indeed there is.
The easiest method is to install the program VentriloMIX 122.
It installs Vent versions 2.14 through 3.2 and TeamSpeak2. Once installed, double
click on the VentMix icon and a menu appears from which you can select the Voice
program you wish to use at that time. VentriloMix remembers all setttings and
passwords entered.
Can I use both at the same time?
Yes . If your Push-to-talk key is the same for both versions , then it will transmit your voice to both channels simultaneously.
To transmit to one at a time only, you can (1) assign different push to talk keys for each version or (2) check "mute microphone/bind box in the vent channel you do NOT wish to transmit to at that moment.
I just installed Windows XP. My game looks awful and my mic wont work
The main issues with XP/Windows2000 are based on the following:
- XP provides drivers that override the drivers that you may prefer for your PC hardware
- Some video cards need the exact drivers for the monitors to allow the colours to be recognized.
- XP wants to limit your monitor refresh values to 60 Hz in OpenGL i.e. HalfLife and in D3D applications.
This is hard on your eyes, limits fps to a max of 60 and may affect the colour / brightness.
- The XP default drivers for some sound cards reset sound settings or can limit sound card applications.
How are monitor refresh rate and frames per second (fps) related?
CRT Only:
Monitor refresh rate is basically the rate that the image on the
screen is redrawn/refreshed and measured in Hz.
The higher the refresh rate the less flickering.
Frames per second (fps) is the rate that your game image refreshes
and is dependent upon you video card, processor speed and the game engine.
You can play (and play well for that matter) at a refresh rate of 60Hz and
40fps. However, it is healthier for your eyes to look at a monitor screen with a
higher refresh rate.
Current monitor and video cards are made to operate at higher refresh rates.
It makes sense to get the most out of your PC investment .
60Hz is the bottom end of performance and also the default refresh rate for
OGL if windows doesn't recognize your monitor and its drivers.
Enabling Vsynch forces the value of the fps of the game to match the
refresh rate of the monitor in OpenGL. This is a good thing because it gets rid of those horrid horizontal shear lines in the screen when you move your mouse/point of view.
Its a bad thing when the refresh rate of your monitor is maxed out at 60Hz
in windows XP. Then it locks your fps to 60 as well.
Where do you start to get the most out of your gaming experience?
1)Add the command fps_max "100" to your config.cfg file.
Now what is your fps while playing Half-Life/DOD?
If its 90-100fps, you can stop here.
2) What Video card/driver version do you have?
Are the drivers the latest and XP compatable ?
Find the drivers for your Monitor on line and get the ones that are XP
compatible.
My fps seem to be locked at 60 max. How can I reach 100fps?
Setting refresh rates through your video card menu
** Nvidia**
Turn the Monitor on before you power up the tower.
Right click on your Desktop. Left click on Display Properties -->Settings-->Advanced-->
You should now see something that looks like this.
Click on the Monitor tab.
Does your Monitor appear as Plug and Play or by its actual name?
If it appears as Plug and Play, Windows 2k/XP may force it to use 60 Hz refresh in OGL .
Just reinstall the Monitor's drivers, usually an *.inf file.
Under Monitor Settings, uncheck the box that says
"Hide modes that this monitor cant display" and set refresh to 100 Hz.
Apply. OK.
Check under the Color Management tab.
It should look something like this.
You want it to show the actual name of your monitor and its associated color profile *.icm.
Now go in game and see how it all looks.
What is your fps? (use net_graph 3 command in the Console)
You should be getting 90 - 100 fps.
If you are getting 60 fps, it is likely due to XP setting this as a default for OpenGl.
What is your in game Monitor's in game refresh rate?
Most monitors have a display of refresh rate. (Check you monitor's manual.)
If the in game refresh rate has dropped to 60HX, Windlows XP has reset it.
To unlock WindowsXP control:
1) Look in Display Properties-->Settings-->Advanced-->Nvidia-->
Performance & Quality-->Global Driver Settings
Select Vsynch Off by Default
If you can reach 100 fps now in game and there is no shearing, you are all set.
If you see shearing, then enable vsynch again and try the next step.
2) Game Launch Options
Works with WindowsXP SP2 and latest Nvidia drivers, version 8x.xx
Log onto DOD, HL, HL2DM and refresh rate drops to 60 Mhz.
You can overcome the default 60 refresh by :
Open Steam
Right click on the game ( HL Engine 1 Only)
Select Properties
Launch Options
Type in -freq XXX -w 1024 -h 768
Where XXX is the frequency you want
For Source and OrangeBox
Type in -refresh XXX -w 1024 -h 768
3) Refresh Force
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1847
"RefreshForce universally and permanently fixes the Windows 2000/XP refresh rate problem on ANY variation of graphics cards, monitors, or drivers."
4) Registry Edit - by hivemynd
If you have an NVIDIA card, you can use this reg tweak to open up some new dialogs in the official drivers that will let you override refresh rates for supported resolutions. No extra programs required, it's built into the drivers. Ya just gotta "unlock" it:
Create a new text file then paste this into it:
---------------------
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak]
"NvCplExposeWin2kDualView"=dword:00000001
"NvCplTvLocaleAutoDetect"=dword:00000001
"NvCplAllowForceTVDetection"=dword:00000001
"NvCplEnableActiveApp"=dword:00000001
"NvCplFirstInstallInitDone"=dword:00000000
"DisableApplyColorsAtStartup"=dword:00000000
"NvCplXMLFileChecksum"=dword:4da0c3e9
"nViewShellIsRegistered"=dword:00000001
"NoMenus"=dword:00000080
"OverlayPageState"=dword:00000000
"CinematicPageState"=dword:000000ff
"NvCplThermalSettings"=dword:00000022
"NvCplDisableRefreshRatePage"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\Defaults]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\Defaults\Overlay]
"OverlayColorControlEnable"=dword:00000000
"OverlayBrightness"=dword:00000000
"OverlayContrast"=dword:0000005a
"OverlayHue"=dword:00000000
"OverlaySaturation"=dword:00000072
"OverlayMode3"=dword:00000001
"OverlayMode2"=dword:00100050
"VideoBusMasterMode"=dword:00000000
"OverlayGamma"=dword:00000064
"VMGamma"=dword:00000064
"VMDVC"=dword:00000010
"OverscanFSVMLevel"=dword:00000000
"OverscanOverlayLevel"=dword:00000000
"Overscan720Level"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\Devices]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\Devices\VEN_10DE&DEV_0040&SUBSYS_81A81043&REV_A1&INST00]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\Devices\VEN_10DE&DEV_0040&SUBSYS_81A81043&REV_A1&INST00\DisplayModes]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\Devices\VEN_10DE&DEV_0040&SUBSYS_81A81043&REV_A1&INST00\DisplayModes\Schemes]
"DEVICE00000100"=hex:00,01,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,40,27,00,00,cd,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\NVDisplayPanelServer]
"DisktopManagementServer"="{002B9E07-2E10-438F-AF1E-40E6A96F1EE4}"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\OemConfigurations]
"MediaCenterLoadPolicy"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\RefreshOverrides]
"EnableRefreshOverrides"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\RefreshOverrides\1024x768]
"RefreshRate"=dword:00000064
"Flags"=dword:00000007
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\State]
"GlobalStartupDefaults"=dword:00000001
"PageUpdateOrdinal"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\State\DTCFG]
"LastCommandResult"=dword:00000009
"LastCommandLine"="detect 2"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\State\DXVersion]
"MSVersionFlag"="4.09.00.0904"
"CurrentNvDXVersion"=dword:00000900
-------------------------
Look in Display Properties-->Settings-->Advanced-->Nvidia-->
Refresh Rate Override
Enable "Over Ride Refresh Rates". Scroll down to the resolution you run in game.
Double CLick on the word Default to open menu of possible refresh rates. Click on 100 Hz. Save.
Now go in game. What is your fps now? You should have broken the 60fps lock
Go back to the Performance and Quality screen.
Try increasing your Antialiasing and then Anisotopic Filtering as far as you can without dropping yopur fps.
** ATI **
1) Turn the Monitor on before you power up the tower.
Right click on your Desktop--->. Left click on Display Properties -->Settings-->Advanced-->
You should now see something that looks like this.
Click on the Monitor tab.
Does your Monitor appear as Plug and Play or by its actual name?
If it appears as Plug and Play, Windows 2k/XP may force it to use 60 Hz refresh in 3D applications .
Just reinstall the Monitor's drivers, usually an *.inf file.
Under Monitor Settings, uncheck the box that says
"Hide modes that this monitor cant display" and set refresh to 100 Hz.
Apply.OK.
Check under the Color Management tab.
It should look something like this.
You want it to show the actual name of your monitor and its associated color profile *.icm.
2) Click on the 3D tab
Click on the Custom tab for each of D3D and OpenGl and select Wait for Vertical Synch Always Off
Now go in game and see how it all looks.
What is your fps? (use net_graph 3 command in the Console)
You should be getting 90 - 100 fps.
If you can reach 100 fps now in game and there is no shearing, you are all set.
If you see shearing, then enable vsynch again and try the next step.
Click on Displays tab.
Click on the primary Monitor tab.
Select the refresh rate you want for your monitor.
If DCC (Display Data Channel) is enabled you will only be able to select preset values suitable for your monitor. Click OK.
You can try unchecking DCC to open up more resolution and refresh rate values if necessary but be careful to only select values your monitor will support.
Click on 3D tab. Now click on the Custom tab for D3D.
Uncheck the Application Preference box for FSAA and anisotropic filtering and set them to 2x for now.
Set TRUFORM to Always Off. Now go in game and check your fps. You should now have successfully uinlocked the XP 60 hz lock.
If your fps is 100, you can try upping the FSAA, anisotropic filtering to improve the graphics. Repeat for OpenGl.
Smartgart. This is a program unique to ATI. It scans your system's capabilities and autosets the AGP Speeds.
Some games have problems with it and Fast Write enabled but disabling it is complicated. Read more at ATI FAQS
3) Refresh Force
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1847
"RefreshForce universally and permanently fixes the Windows 2000/XP refresh rate problem on ANY variation of graphics cards, monitors, or drivers."
How do I get rid of the Windows Messaging Pop-Ups?
Disabling this service in no way changes the functioning of MSN Instant Messenger.
To disable it in Windows XP:
Click on the "Start" button.
Right-Click on "My Computer"
Choose "Manage" from the menu that appears.
In the left column Highlight "Services and Applications"
In the right column Double-Click on "Services".
Double-Click on the service called "Messenger".
Click the "Stop" button to stop the service.
Change the "Startup Type:" to "Manual"
Click "Apply".
Click "OK".
Close "Computer Management"
How can I maximize my RAM allotment in Source games?
**Note: as of the September 18 2010 CSS/TF2/DODS update the following should not be entered into launch options into these games or L4D and L4D2. They might still work with FAS, HL2DM, DOD 1.3
-heapsize [Kilobytes]: This command tells the Source Engine to allocate more RAM to the system heap, where it can be accessed by the game to improve performance by caching more game information in RAM and hence reducing loading pauses. The default heapsize varies, but can be 256MB or less. If you have 2GB of RAM you may wish to increase this to 512MB (a heapsize of 524288). You can use higher values if you wish, but I don't recommend exceeding half your physical RAM (e.g. for 2GB RAM, don't set heapsize higher than 1024000). You can't force the game to load completely into RAM, that's not what this command does.
Open Steam Game List
Right click on the Source game of your chocie
Click on Properties
Click on Launch Options
Add the following
-heapsize xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Where xxxxxx is 1/2 RAM on your system
4gb - 2097152 (Windows 64 bit)
3gb - 1572864 (Windows 64 bit)
2gb - 1048576
1gb - 524288
512mb - 262144
256mb - 131072
128mb - 65536
How do I change may name in game for OrangeBox Games Day of Defeat Source and Team Fortress2?
There are several methods:
1) In game, open the friends overlay (Shift+Tab) and click 'View' -> 'Settings' you can change you name pemanently over a map change.
2) use console command- setinfo name "name" - this will last only for that map and needs to be retyped
3) add to your autoexec- bind "key" "setinfo name yournamehere"
- add to your autoexec- bind "key" "exec name.cfg" , where the name.cfg contains the name you want for that circumstance.
For instance, bind "kp_5" "exec name_pub.cfg" and bind "kp_leftarrow" "exec name_league.cfg"
4 ) f you want to have spaces in your name this is what I had to do:
Make a separate cfg file for the first name with spaces in it: name1.cfg
and add this to it:
setinfo name "=ligs= Cpt. Jack"
Make a separate cfg file for the second name with the spaces in it: name2.cfg
setinfo name "Some Other Name"
add this to your autoexec.cfg file:
bind "F11" "name1"
alias name1 "exec name1.cfg; bind F11 name2"
alias name2 "exec name2.cfg; bind F11 name1"
5) Use the Name Enabler plugin
The newest version 0.5 also automatically adds a name field in the advanced options in multiplayer tab.
What is the Map List browser for?
The Map List (formerly known as Quick List ) browser is Valve's attempt to introduce a "quick match" function to TF2 and DODS. The servers are listed alphabetically based on the map name of maps you already have installed. They can not be arranged by latency or number of players.
The grey icon alone denotes that you have the custom map installed but no corresponding thumbnail for it.
Maps that you do not have installed are then listed alphabetically. They grey icon with the white arrow denotes a map that you will need to download.
How can I replace the default black and grey thumbnail in the Map List Server Browser for a coloured map pic?
You will need to install a map specific *.vtf and *.vmt file in order to see the map thumbnail. Hopefully, mappers will start including the *.vtf and *.vmt files in their map releases. These files do not "pakrat" into the *.bsp . Either the mappers or servers ops will also need to include a *.res file for in game downloads.
SunLit Games has thumbnail packs of the relevant files for previously released custom DODS and TF2 maps.
DODS thumbnails
DODS Orange and Prodod thumbnails
TF2 thumbnails
How can I make my own *.vtf and *.vmt files?
Adding a custom Map List photos for DODS or TF2
( this faq built upon http://forums.tf2maps.net/showpost.php?p=46706&postcount=1)
1. Use MrMuffinMan's tutorial to take a good picture of your map.
You can add the following binds to your autoexec.cfg for efficency
DODS:
// spectator screenshot without hud or orders
bind "key" "hidepanel all"
TF2
// spectator screenshot without hud
bind "key" "hidepanel all
bind "key" "sv_cheats 1;cl_drawhud 0"
2. Download this template and open it in your desired photo editor.
3. Resize your map screenshot jpg (128x96) and copy and paste onto the black area of the template.
4. Save the picture as menu_thumb_mapname.jpg (Note: the mapname must be exactly as your map is called on its filename, underscores and all).
5. Use VTFEdit or a similar Photoshop plugin to convert this file to a .vtf
To use the standalone VTFedit:
Install VTFedit
Create a shortcut on the desktop.
Drop the menu_thumb_mapname.jpg onto the shortcut
It will open up a menu
Click on OK
Then put checkmarks in No Mip Map and No Level of Detail.
This is to avoid blurriness for those computers using low graphic settings
Save as menu_thumb_mapname.vtf
6. Create the matching *.vmt file
Create a file in notepad with the following contents, once again replacing mapname with the full name of your map.
"UnlitGeneric"
{
"$basetexture" "vgui\maps\menu_thumb_mapname"
"$translucent" 1
"$ignorez" 1
"$vertexcolor" 1
}
Save this file as menu_thumb_mapname.vmt
7. Move both the *.vtf and *.vmt to:
team fortress 2/tf/materials/vgui/maps/
or
day of defeat source/dod/materials/vgui/maps/
creating the necessary folders if you don't have them.
8. Load up the game and look for a server running this map
Note: These files can not be "pakratted" into the *.bsp. They will have to be included seperately for map downloads from a web site and with a *res file for in game downloads.
