video card prob's ?

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone. I loaded MSTS a while ago, went to run it and had no frt. cars, scenery, or anything beyond the loco's. I've tried to mess with the display options, downloaded the updates, & tried to un-install and re-install it but still no luck. I've been told of a possible video card problem, but I'm not sure of what card I've got. I think it may be a Savage S4, but I'm not sure. My comp. is only 1 year old, so it should be o.k. to handle it. Thanks for any ideas !!!!
Mark

[ironhorseman]

Yes, that is exactly right. It is your video card. I had a Windows XP I got in Jan 2002 and I had your exact same problem: no scenery, no cars, nothing. Only the locos and the road bed was visible. Even the rails were missing. So I went to CompUSA and got an updated video card. Fortunatly it was on sale and it had a $20 rebate so when all was said and done I got a $60 video card for $20 (+/-). It was something like GeForce or something like that. (The origional box is in another box in the garage and I'm not gonna go dig it out now ! LOL !)

So, go to the computer store and get a video card. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. They'll try to sell you something expensive saying "oh, but you won't be able to put a bunch of games on there." I told them Trainsim is the only big game I'm putting on my computer. It's not like I'm a member of the game-a-week club. All you need to do is get something simple yet powerful enough to run your trainsim. Since it's getting close to Christmas you might find some good deals, then again if you can wait until after Christmas you might find some even better deals.

Happy hunting.

[Anonymous]

As far as I have been told, GeForce cards are a good way to go, and I have even seen them at Wal*Mart.

[Anonymous]

Thanks alot for your help !!!!!!! I think I'm on my way to the store now......
Mark