Spring RTS Engine

I have downloaded regular installer of TA Spring from fileuniverse. I installed all except desktop shortcut (although I know the chatrom won't work since I don't have the required windows net now or whatever exactly it needs).

Now I have been trying to run it on my computer. I start "spring.exe", and say "yes" to being server. Then I choose script (and the effect is the same regardless of what script I choose), and the game loads and the landscape shows up.
There's "Waiting for connections" message in the middle (along with the landscape in background). I press enter and it disappears as it should.

I can view landscape, move camera, change camera mode, etc. However, there are no units at all. No commander, no any other unit (yes, I have searched through whole map, ctrl-C and then T takes me to some position, but only once and there is nothing there anyway).
My resources are 200k/900k both +3.0 and -3.0. I can call resource sharing window and set something, but it doesn't get saved or set on the bars above. Aside from being able to look around and call up resource window, the only other things that produce any effect are 'b' for debug info (position, fps, etc.), 'esc' and 'shift-esc'. I don't even know if the game is paused or not.

Now, I have installed newer version (0.41b1) small installer from this site and tried running it for the very same result (except now if I choose some scripts the spring crashes informing me first that it couldn't find some map file that indeed I don't have (map4.somthing) in current installation).

I am at a loss as what either I do wrong, or the game does wrong.

I do:

1.Start "spring.exe"
2.Click "yes" to being server
3.Choose "commander 1000 res" script
4.Choose the only map (small divide) I have right now
5.The game loads
6.There's "waiting for connections" and I press enter
7.I sit admiring scenery and wonder how could I make it so there would be at least single unit in game

Does somebody know what's wrong ?
Thank you for help.

Firstly, does any activity start on the map after you press enter? Like, geovents should start emitting steam. If that doesn't happen, something's awfully wrong and I don't know how to help.

Second, you say ctrl+c takes you to some point? Try ctrl+c, then ctrl+d, that should clearly say if there IS a commander on the map, or not.

Then, try typing in the console ".cheat", then ".team 1". Maybe it's just your side that is bugged, and the other com is alright. If it is alright, the XTA pack is the reason, although I can't imagine what could it be.

Then, try downloading and adding another mod into the Spring directory. Alter the sidedata.tdf file in the gamedata folder (copy one from OTA if you don't have one) to make your side's commander use a non-OTA commander. If that works, the reason is clearly XTA, although I still could not imagine what went wrong.

If all that doesn't help, something's so wrong it can't be cured by normal means. Wait for SY to respond.

The geovents don't start emitting steam...
In fact, everything is perfectly still, including water, trees and all. Not sure what SHOULD move, since I wasn't downloading any animations from spring.

Thank you for help. Now I know the game doesn't start after all, just the terrain shows up.
I'll wait for some other knowledgable and helpful people then.


To give some further info that could hint to the eventual cause of the non-functioning of the game:

I have following subdirectories in the spring directory:
aidll
bitmaps
docs
maps
shaders

I was just wondering if there shouldn't be "units" or something. Maybe the thing didn't install correctly ? But it has 31MB after install (small install currently, only small divide map).

BTW, I'm under Windows 98 SE if that could be of any significance.

I´d try the regular install if I were you. Not that I can garanty it will help...

hey I have to same problem as dantedarkstar except when I press enter the geothermal vents DO turn on . I ask the same question but only bastards like the napalmcobra dude responded telling me how stupid I am. but thats not the point.

I tried your advice. Sadly, Ctrl+C and Ctrl+D did not work. The .cheat then .team 1 thing didn't work either. I haven't dowloaded the regular installer but I will. If it fixes it then I'll write again.

thanks for trying to help though. people like u guys really are appreciated.

I have tried regular install before I did small install. It was all the same.

So still waiting for someone with knowledge deep enough to maybe know what's wrong.

guys, i had the same problem its not the installation thats at fault here its your video drivers(i think), what i did was reinstall the drivers and directx9 so now it actually runs in window screen not full screen for some reason it still runs very slow and the colors are messed up even if i keep all the settings low, i think this is because it is incompatible with my video card. anyway what are your pc specs

mine are
pentium-4 2.00gz
736mb ddram
S-3 savage4 32mb videocard

i don t see any unit or geothermal
(in other game some textures are blind sometime)
i have
win me
amd 2600
ati9200

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 5/30/2005, 22:05:29
Machine name: biostar
Operating System: Windows Me (4.90, Build 3000)
Language: French (Regional Setting: French)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: Phoenix
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2600+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.9GHz
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 175MB used, 848MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 4.09.0000.0904 32bit

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: The file ATI2DRAG.DRV is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer. DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
Sound Tab 4: No problems found.
Sound Tab 5: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: The registry information for the DirectPlay application 'Earth 2150' is missing or damaged. You should reinstall that application.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: RADEON 9200 SERIES
Manufacturer: ATI Tech. - Enhanced
Chip type: RADEON 9200 PRO (5960) Rev 1
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5960&SUBSYS_95221462&REV_01\00F000
Display Memory: 127.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit)(optimal refresh rate)
Monitor: ├âÔÇ░cran Plug-and-Play
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ATI2DRAG.DRV
Driver Version: 4.14.0001.9138 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 3/23/2004 19:06:54, 95456 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: No
WHQL Date Stamp: None
VDD: *vdd,*vflatd
Mini VDD: ATI2VXAG.VXD
Mini VDD Date: , 0 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-1A20-11CF-3078-23B5A0C2C935}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x5960
SubSys ID: 0x95221462
Revision ID: 0x0001
Revision ID: 0x0001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_D ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D7 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D8 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D9 Test Result: All tests were successful.

I seem to have the exact same problem. No units (units: 0 if I press B), no animation at all. Could this be a bug in the timer code? Because it appears as if an update_logic function is never called.

I've tried (at least):

• Reinstalling TA Spring
• Reinstalling in folder without whitespace (C:\TASpring)
• Installing directx9
• lots of scripts/map combinations
• Added a rev31.gp3 XTA file to the TASpring dir
• Run fullscreen/windowed

My system specs are:
Amd Duron 800 Mhz
GeForce 4 Ti 4200 64 Mb
384 Mb RAM

Running:
Windows 98SE
nvidia GL drivers version 71.84 (latest)
directx9c (just installed, doesn't change a thing)
no TA installation ATM
full 50M Taspring install, ie. taspring_0.50b2.exe

And yes, I do realise my processor is just below the minimum requirements

And yes, I'm a developer myself.

EDIT: slightly more information

OMG its sacriledge running spring on PC's like that! mine is a p4 2x 1.99 GHz 128MB graphics card 1Gig RAM...and that doesn't do spring justice...to get full speed i normally put all options off!!! u guys need to get new PC's!!!

yes I know, I need money ... it runs smooth (60 FPS) though without units

I just booted into Linux, as I normally do, and tried This solved the no-units-at-all problem!!!!!
So, running though wine [windows emulator] works better than through windows actually, kinda silly...

Could the problem be related to the operating sys? I searched the forum for other people with this problem and I only recall seeing this problem on Windows 98 and Windows ME systems, and since most people are using XP nowadays, this fact might be related. Anyone reading this succesfully running TA Spring on pre-XP windozes?

At least this proves it has NOTHING AT ALL to do with a slow processor (or video card drivers as win+lin are both nvidia's binaries, same codebase) or any other incredibly stupid argument as of why it wouldn't work.

btw I also looked quickly through the source and could find any non-windows 98 API calls relating timers. I should check threading code though...

So now I'm going to enjoy this game....

It runs in WINE? dude, I have to tell my linux nerd friends that.

Hm, so the problem seems to be with 98? I run 98 as well...in theory, my hardware should be able to support Spring just fine. That's a shame, hopefully the developers will fix that (if that indeed is the problem), since I'm sure anyone not using XP has no desire to downgrade their OS.

<_< Maybe this is a sign that I should start learning about Linux...

So, running though wine [windows emulator] works better than through windows actually, kinda silly...

Wine Is Not an Emulator.

what is wine so ?

allright:

Wine is an Open Source implementation of the Windows API on top of X and Unix.

I wonder what the e means in wine though, if it isn't emulator.

The E in W.I.N.E. does stand for Emulator, as in W.I.N.E. Is Not An Emulator...

maybe the "E" is for "Compatible with all win programms" ?

emmanuel wrote:maybe the "E" is for "Compatible with all win programms" ?

No no no no no.

W.I.N.E

ok?

WINE Is Not an Emulator.

Get it yet?

And that is what we call geek humour