Cmdrscarlet, I totally agree with ya that we shouldn't have to jump hoops like this to get into the game. Yet, I can 100% assure that doing the following will neither mess about with your computer or hinder your STO files in any way, whilst still allowing ya to get the game playing in 'Normal Mode'
1. Go into 'Options' in your launcher. Scroll down and check the 'Safe Mode' box. Below that, in 'Command Line', paste this (without the quotes) "-d3d11Enable 0 -d3d9Enable 0". Then make sure to click on 'Save'.
2. Login. At the character select screen click on 'Options' in the lower right-hand corner. Click on the 'Display' tab and select DirectX 9 (I get two options for DX9, plain old DX9 and DX9EX...I've always used plain old DX9). Then click on apply.
3. Then click on 'Back', in the lower left-hand corner, which will return you to the login screen. Click on 'exit' and completely exit the game, closing the launcher window and all.
4. Reopen the launcher, go back to 'Options'. Make sure that 'Safe Mode' is now UNCHECKED. Also erase "-d3d11Enable 0 -d3d9Enable 0" from 'Command Line'. Click on 'Save'.
5. Log back into STO, as you normally would. Voila, you're back in 'Normal Mode'! You'll have to reset all your in-game GFX settings, but this will allow you to play in 'Normal Mode' at least.
Okay, this is where you lose me. The only "launcher" I know of is "Star Trek Online.exe" which is described as the cryptic game launcher by the properties box. There is no selection called "options" when I right click on it. There is no box called "safe mode" to scroll down to and select. I am running XP service pack 2 compatability mode (this is a vista operating system),and that box is checked.
Also I don't see anything called a command line but I can make entries after the "Star Trek Online.exe". Unfortuntely while this adds commands to other games I have, it changes the file extension type here and makes the launcher unuseable. Fortunately it changed back as soon as I deleted the addition.
Finally, I don't get as far as the charcter select screen normally... it just stops when that screen is supposed to come up and displays black.
Is there some other way to go into safe mode or set options that I don't know about? I still have no access to the game.
Cmdrscarlet, I totally agree with ya that we shouldn't have to jump hoops like this to get into the game. Yet, I can 100% assure that doing the following will neither mess about with your computer or hinder your STO files in any way, whilst still allowing ya to get the game playing in 'Normal Mode'
1. Go into 'Options' in your launcher. Scroll down and check the 'Safe Mode' box. Below that, in 'Command Line', paste this (without the quotes) "-d3d11Enable 0 -d3d9Enable 0". Then make sure to click on 'Save'.
2. Login. At the character select screen click on 'Options' in the lower right-hand corner. Click on the 'Display' tab and select DirectX 9 (I get two options for DX9, plain old DX9 and DX9EX...I've always used plain old DX9). Then click on apply.
3. Then click on 'Back', in the lower left-hand corner, which will return you to the login screen. Click on 'exit' and completely exit the game, closing the launcher window and all.
4. Reopen the launcher, go back to 'Options'. Make sure that 'Safe Mode' is now UNCHECKED. Also erase "-d3d11Enable 0 -d3d9Enable 0" from 'Command Line'. Click on 'Save'.
5. Log back into STO, as you normally would. Voila, you're back in 'Normal Mode'! You'll have to reset all your in-game GFX settings, but this will allow you to play in 'Normal Mode' at least.
Okay, this is where you lose me. The only "launcher" I know of is "Star Trek Online.exe" which is described as the cryptic game launcher by the properties box. There is no selection called "options" when I right click on it. There is no box called "safe mode" to scroll down to and select. I am running XP service pack 2 compatability mode (this is a vista operating system),and that box is checked.
Also I don't see anything called a command line but I can make entries after the "Star Trek Online.exe". Unfortuntely while this adds commands to other games I have, it changes the file extension type here and makes the launcher unuseable. Fortunately it changed back as soon as I deleted the addition.
Finally, I don't get as far as the charcter select screen normally... it just stops when that screen is supposed to come up and displays black.
Is there some other way to go into safe mode or set options that I don't know about? I still have no access to the game.
Picardcrusher, I too had completely missed where 'Safe Mode' and 'Command Line' are at, initially, upon encountering this problem last week. After all it had been years maybe since I'd been forced to try out 'Safe Mode' at all, for gods only know what reason.
In your launcher window, look at the top of that window and you should see 'Options'. Click on that and then scroll down all the way (it's not far, but just shove that scroll-bar all the way down) and you'll see the words 'Safe Mode' with a box immediately to its left. Click and check that box. At literally the very, very bottom you'll see the 'Command Line'.
Knowing this now, follow all the instructions I laid out above and you should ultimately be able to play the game in 'Normal Mode'.
Also should add, and I really, really hope this isn't a make or break difference between our setups, but I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate. Can't imagine how that might make a difference though, as the old STO launcher, theoretically, ought work the same. Also note: I do not and refuse to use ARC. Just the old school launcher here.
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
I urge everyone having this problem to do the same. Perfect World International could, and may acutally, be losing players over this, and it'd be a shame to see STO close because the Devs, coders, and other support folks as well, have failed to look at the very forum system (Vanilla) they've forced on us due to posts from griefers, trolls, thread hijackers, and other bullies, to then only read reddit and ignore threads like this one. I hope they read this thread and hope they reply, and hope they fix this issue in a soon to be posted hotfix, but they'd have no idea to do so without reading this thread.
Good luck and hope you all have some patience with PWI, though it is hard to do so when they seem to have ignored your issue entirely.
Also should add, and I really, really hope this isn't a make or break difference between our setups, but I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate. Can't imagine how that might make a difference though, as the old STO launcher, theoretically, ought work the same. Also note: I do not and refuse to use ARC. Just the old school launcher here.
Looks like there is a difference. When I get to display I have no DirectX9 to select. Checked all options on every tab. Probably vista related. Looks like I can only play in safe mode. I guess they are trying to get rid of players with older systems.
Thanks for all the help... and at least I've got safe mode!
Picardcrusher, I'm not at all familiar with Vista, though I've always understood that Windows 7 is mostly based on Vista. It's just bizarre to me that you're not even getting an option to even select DX9 in 'Safe Mode'. I'm sorry the work-around hasn't worked for ya man.
I've also gotta share this discovery, I made moments ago, whilst trying to google this issue to see if any other sites have been talking about it. And, surprise, surprise...I discovered that this very issue hit Tribble players as early as July 11th! Link here: https://www.reddit.com/r/sto/comments/3cy7xc/launching_the_game_in_dx9/
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
Picardcrusher, I wanted to add one thing I just discovered that might...might just get ya from 'Safe Mode' to 'Normal Mode'. I could swear that the last time I simply tried entering the game in 'Safe Mode', without the 'Command Line' fix, that it wouldn't let me and resulted in the same CTD and freeze. Yet, just a bit ago, I simply tried 'Safe Mode' on its own. Then, when I got to the character select screen...oh ughhh...that's right, you can't even select DX9!
Well, at least I was able to back out from character select, exit the game, then relog with 'Safe Mode' unchecked, which got me into 'Normal Mode', without need of a 'Command Line' fix at all. Saves only a minor step, I know. But it's something I guess. And, actually, it's occurred to me that this post might not have been an entire waste, as Cmdrscarlet was leery of the 'Command Line' fix. So give that a try to get to 'Normal Mode' Cmdrscarlet.
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
Cmdrscarlet, I totally agree with ya that we shouldn't have to jump hoops like this to get into the game. Yet, I can 100% assure that doing the following will neither mess about with your computer or hinder your STO files in any way, whilst still allowing ya to get the game playing in 'Normal Mode'...
At least in my case, implementing step 1 made no difference - the game freezes up at the loading screen. It will be interesting to see the devs' explanation for this nonsense (including how the idea of covertly overwriting players' settings passed the BS check).
The other night I tried logging into Safe Mode without the command line and played normally, the only graphic I missed was my engine trail. Otherwise, I played the game for the first time in over a week.
I'ma try that again, or the trick above to get "Normal" play in ...
Cmdrscarlet, after trying out that bit very, very late last night, I'm intent on putting in a couple of hours of play tonight, as I'm jonesing for some STO! I haven't done anything other than Doff, conduct exchange/inventory/mail business, contribute to fleet holdings and refine my toon's dilithium reserves since this mess started Thursday before last.
It's somewhat simple, if also somewhat laborious as well. Launcher->Options->Check Safe Mode->Click Save->Login with password->Click Options at Character Select->Go to Display->Select DX9->Click Apply->Click Back->Exit Game to desktop->Open Launcher again->Make sure Safe Mode is unchecked->Login with password->Reset all your GFX settings in Display, Graphics and Advanced, along with Audio and Basic (noticed those revert to default as well) to your usually desired 'Normal Mode' settings->Play STO per usual!
Yet, simple as that is, it's let's see...15 steps (some of which were abbreviated, like all the GFX settings clicks before regular mode play). Kinda ridiculous that we've gotta endure at least 15 steps for now, when we used to just need two...enter password and 'Engage'.
And even though I'm intent on playing for some hours tonight, I'm not even gonna dare to attempt to minimize the game from Fullscreen mode, as I usually do to check emails, news or just take a break from the game without logging out of it; as previous attempts to minimize have resulted in the game completely freezing upon returning to it. I've only tried minimizing in 'Safe Mode' fullscreen. Yet, given the hassle of going through those 15+ steps again, I dare not try it in normal mode.
One last thing I should note, regarding 'Fullscreen' (my preferred mode of play). I've made absolutely sure to only switch to 'Fullscreen' after being in 'Normal Mode'. While getting to the character select/options to switch to DX9 and then back out and exit, I've kept it in the default 'Safe Mode' minimized window setting. And, upon getting back to character select, in 'Normal Mode', only ever switch to 'Full Screen' AFTER making sure Display is set at DX9.
Keep me posted on whether you're able to get into 'Normal Mode' Cmdrscarlet and good luck in attempting to do so!
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
Picardcrusher, I wanted to add one thing I just discovered that might...might just get ya from 'Safe Mode' to 'Normal Mode'. I could swear that the last time I simply tried entering the game in 'Safe Mode', without the 'Command Line' fix, that it wouldn't let me and resulted in the same CTD and freeze. Yet, just a bit ago, I simply tried 'Safe Mode' on its own...
Okay, so check this out. Yesterday i got in with the safe mode fix and played a lot. logged out and back in a couple of times. Today it doesn't work, so I check my gameprefs and they are set to blank entry for the device with the dx11 set to 0 and the dx9 set to 1. I decide to repeat the earlier set up with both dx9 and dx11 set to zero and dd the Direct3D9, then save and set the gameprefs.prefs file to read only.
Then I took out the command line, set it to safe mode and voila. I'm in the game np.
Any word from ZeroniusRex on this, reaching the point of not wanting to use workaround just to play.
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." — Lazarus Long --->Get the Forums Enhancement Extension!
Smeeinn1t, haven't heard anything from Z since my last reported word from her. And I totally hear ya about not wanting to use the workaround to play. I had initially planned on playing this past weekend, both Saturday and Sunday. Both days I just thought 'Nah, don't wanna go through the hassle' and caught up on watching films and shows instead.
However, I did notice something potentially encouraging in the last Tribble patch notes, from 7/31. There was some mention of a fix to a UI problem that was causing crashes. And, at heart, what we've got here is a UI problem causing crashes, since the games 'Display' UI is defaulting autodetect DX11, instead of DX9.
I've deduced, via a bit of googling in the past few days, that this very problem has been persistent on Tribble since at least 6/11. Can any Tribble folk, who've endured this problem, perhaps confirm if that 7/31 Tribble patch may have resolved this issue?
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
Also should add, and I really, really hope this isn't a make or break difference between our setups, but I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate. Can't imagine how that might make a difference though, as the old STO launcher, theoretically, ought work the same. Also note: I do not and refuse to use ARC. Just the old school launcher here.
Looks like there is a difference. When I get to display I have no DirectX9 to select. Checked all options on every tab. Probably vista related. Looks like I can only play in safe mode. I guess they are trying to get rid of players with older systems.
Thanks for all the help... and at least I've got safe mode!
I am in Vista and not having the problem you are so I don't think it's Vista. It seems to be the normal failure of Devs to listen to their testers (like on tribble) when they test, and failing to test otherwise. Just look at Defera, sometimes both zones Power Plant is broken, and of course there is City and those being broken, and all of this is on top of rubberbanding lag that leads one to the certain knowledge that Perfect World has ISP issues.
Fact is 3 years ago I quit playing and Defera was broken just like this. Nothing's been fixed. So I'd say the problem is the arrogance of a game developer and their failure to care enough to make sure we see that money we've spent with them is going to more than content but also to fixing those things in the game that we can't truly enjoy because they are so broken. And as grinds go, these are places in the game we often rely on, at least before level 60 and regular 110k point commendation reports.
So, I believe the problem is that no one at PWE with any authority to get things done really cares about STO. They can say they do on their blog and redit, even taking an apologetic tone, but until we see things that have sat broken and entirely ignored for years being addressed and fixed, it's just business as usual with a new face at the helm, and their apologetic tone a meaningless gesture that won't get us spending a dime because we see the money they have is wasted on unnecessary remodels of ESD while broken Defera remains broken.
I'm getting the Direct X error trying to get back into Normal Mode. The launcher then tries to verify files which takes a VERY long time on my machine.
So, I'm playing in Safe Mode. At least I can play though, but the experience is lacking.
I'm getting the Direct X error trying to get back into Normal Mode. The launcher then tries to verify files which takes a VERY long time on my machine.
So, I'm playing in Safe Mode. At least I can play though, but the experience is lacking.
Hmmm...Cmdrscarlet, have you made sure that when you initially switch to DX9 in 'Safe Mode' that you've kept the character select screen in that Safe Mode default minimized windowed mode until you back out and exit the game? Also, shortly afterwards, upon attempting to login in Normal mode, I've kept it in minimized windowed mode until I've confirmed that DX9 is still set and only then have I switched to full screen to play.
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
Aha Cmdrscarlet! I seem to recall something about going directly to fullscreen, whilst in 'Safe Mode', messing the whole thing up again. And I can't stress enough, just change 'Display' to DX9 and 'Apply' in that minimized Safe Mode window. Don't change ANYTHING else. Then back out of the game completely and restart the launcher in Normal Mode.
For everyone here, I noticed recent word from Zeroniusrex on this problem we've got. She said "We have a code change going out next week that should fix this issue for you. Caveats: Something may arise that prevents this from going out to Holodeck. Possibly it won't fix it. Help us test it on Tribble when it makes it there! (Probably Friday.)"
Not sure how I feel about those caveats. And please Tribble people, please give us some sort of heads up after Friday! Some confirmation of a light at the end of the tunnel would be nice.
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
Update: We've also got some word from Trendy, which has likely been posted elsewhere to these Forums. She stated that "The team has been working on a graphics related crash that's been dropping people. This is believed to be the major cause of crashes and it seems to be usually happening at or around startup. We have a test going through that will have potentially a major fix for it, but that's still in testing. We're getting more testing data on that.
We're still analyzing crash data to look in terms of any specific area related to it. There isn't a specific classification data pool for it (brand of graphics card, O/S, ram size, etc.) so the cause is still a little nebulous. But we're still narrowing in."
Fingers crossed people!!!!
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
Further Update: Got a direct response from Zeroniusrex as follows: "I believe this is the crash that we're hoping is fixed in the build that will go to Tribble in the next week or so. "
And, having perused the latest patch notes, our problem has been listed under 'Known Issues'. Let's just hope that doesn't work out for us the way KDF Tailor issues have under 'Known Issues'.
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
Sounds promising.... but i've learned not to hope where ARC is involved..... Upgrading to Windows 10 and DX12 didn't fix diddly. Exactly the same problem.
I simply do not understand why they need a "graphics fix" when all they need to do by the looks of things is stop the gameclient from trying to launch the game into dx11, or take out the "auto" setting entirely and let us select the DX mode from the launcher BEFORE we press Launch.
I'm not a programmer..... but it sounds simple.........
(This post is basically a copy/paste of what I submitted on r/sto a short while ago, but I wanted to post this here as well)
I've just returned to STO last week after a few months off (I haven't played regularly since the end of DR), and I am now without the capacity to play the game entirely since yesterday's (Aug. 6th) update/patch.
My issue seems slightly different to what you all have been experiencing, in that I was already using DX11 (to my knowledge) through the in-game graphics auto select option. Still, I gave the fixes and workarounds in this thread a shot. I've attempted to launch the game through safe mode with several variations of the suggested fix (using the Options Command line to force "-d3d11Enable 0 -d3d9Enable 0" as well as setting both values individually to 1 and the other to 0), still without any luck whatsoever.
I've gone into my Gameprefs file directly, and altered the
to a value of 0 and 1 for each individually, saved the file - only to have the game client overwrite it to the default settings above every time it's launched.
I've also attempted ARC's recommended fix and deleted my Gameprefs file altogether and let the launcher re-institute default Gamepref settings with no result whatsoever, the two lines are still in conflict by reverting to a "True" setting for both. It's also worth mentioning that *both* Gamepref file paths register the same conflict. Both PWE-Star Trek Online_en-localdata **AND** PWE-Star Trek Online_en-Star Trek Online-Live-localdata appear to revert to the same true state for both DX settings, and any attempt by me to change them has the same result.
I've attempted launching the game directly through ARC, as well as through the .exe file directly for the above step, and still nothing.
Every attempt I've tried still has the same exact result with the Gameclient.exe crashing at the "Star Trek Online" loading splash screen, no matter what game preference I specify; in and out of safe mode.
My crash log is no help either, rendering a generic * Reason: emEditorMain or utilitiesLibShouldQuit()
I've run a file check through the launch window using the Options- Force Verify twice now, with no indication of any problem. I'm operating the game on Windows 7, with an Nvidia 650 TI card that is just over a year old. I have no other issues on any other game or program; nor any indication that there is any issue with my GPU or drivers. STO was also performing completely fine for me prior to yesterday's patch.
I would really hate to have to do a clean re-install, as the game takes entirely too long to patch (nearly 8 hours for whatever I missed between January and July alone). I'm really hoping I've overlooked something, or performed some step incorrectly regarding the Gameprefs file.
It seems to me that according to the patch notes, this was supposed to fix the DX9/DX11 conflict errors - but all it did was expand them to include a player who was not experiencing any type of graphics conflict beforehand.
Thank you in advance for any help or light that could be shed on this for me. I'd like to continue playing (as well as give some of the new T6 ships a whirl), but the 10 hours I've put into attempting to correct this so far has me fairly frustrated.
I don't know if anybody else has tried, but the problem appears to be ...fixed... for me at least. I was just able to log in normally on the first log-in, where as previously on the first log in of the day i had to go through all those steps via safe mode to make it work. Havent been able to do that for ages.
All my settings were preserved from yesterday (all settings had always been reverting back to zilch cause of the safe mode), and on exiting and re-loading it worked fine again.
Turthil, don't bother with uninstalling and then re-installing as others have tried that, to no avail. Complete waste of time.
On the upshot, I just read the patch notes for today's Tribble patch and found the following "Resolved an issue which was causing graphics related crashes when launching the game".
I don't have access to Tribble, but can any Tribble folk, who've been enduring this problem (which I believe has impacted Tribble since early June, 6/11 or so, followed up with a hit to Holodeck around 6/20)...can any of your Tribble folk please report whether or not today's Tribble patch has made a difference?
And Kievar, what you've experienced has me greatly intrigued and eager to give the launcher a go, as soon as I'm outta here! Perhaps today's fix to Tribble has somehow also gone live on Holdeck? Sooooo hoping that's the case, as I was to start reinstalling old games and playing those until next Thursday's patch. Gonna go give the launcher a try now, despite it giving me no love at all yesterday.
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
I don't know if anybody else has tried, but the problem appears to be ...fixed... for me at least. I was just able to log in normally on the first log-in, where as previously on the first log in of the day i had to go through all those steps via safe mode to make it work. Havent been able to do that for ages.
All my settings were preserved from yesterday (all settings had always been reverting back to zilch cause of the safe mode), and on exiting and re-loading it worked fine again.
Just gave it another try and still the same for me...
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." — Lazarus Long --->Get the Forums Enhancement Extension!
I don't know if anybody else has tried, but the problem appears to be ...fixed... for me at least. I was just able to log in normally on the first log-in, where as previously on the first log in of the day i had to go through all those steps via safe mode to make it work. Havent been able to do that for ages.
All my settings were preserved from yesterday (all settings had always been reverting back to zilch cause of the safe mode), and on exiting and re-loading it worked fine again.
Just gave it another try and still the same for me...
Yep, just tried the launcher with no safe mode, no command line, just what used to be the old usual...and nothing. Got the same result I had yesterday...CTD at Iconian War Splash, system freeze/lockup, Task Manager kill of STO 'not responding'.
I am however, wondering if trying to again delete the Gameprefs.prefs file, in the STO Live folder, might make a difference? And perhaps also explain how Kievar got in normally?
Update/Edit: Well that didn't work! Deleted Gameprefs.prefs file then tried to launch in normal mode and upon crashing at Iconian War Splash, the screen went completely white, necessitating another Task Manager kill. Tried the same thing again, albeit in Safe Mode this time. That got me in, but, again, in Safe Mode. Had a thought that defaulting to 'Fullscreen' might have something to do with this. So, after doffing and taking care of some in-game business, I thought to switch back to 'Windowed' mode before completely exiting the game for another normal login attempt. Tried that and the 'Windowed' STO crashed in the usual spot again, with the window going completely white. Funny enough, in 'Windowed' mode, it didn't lock up my system completely and I was about to close with the redbox X and subsequent 'Not Responding' notice.
So, yeah, no idea at all how you're magically able to login in normal mode again Kievar. Ya sure it was normal and not safemode? And what kind of rig have ya got, i.e. what's your OS and GFX card?
Also, pretty please Tribble people, report in on whether or not today's Tribble patch has finally nixed this problem???
Post edited by methos71 on
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
I can't speak for everyone with this issue, but I downloaded the Tribble client earlier in an attempt to narrow this down, and it appeared to fix the issue for me completely (running DX11).
I kept hovering over a few of the Gamepref file lines to see if there was anything relevant changed there, but even after completely copying Tribble's Gamepref over to my Live folder's - I'm still crashing/hanging on the splash screen.
I hate that you folks have been dealing with this issue for much longer than I have; it's been over 24 hours for me since I could log in normally, and it's exceedingly aggravating.
I'm not too sure of the timetable they're operating on to push this patch to Live, but it includes a lot more hotfixes to more than just the crashes we're experiencing. I'm crossing my fingers that it will be ready by this coming Thursday, but it may be a while longer before it's ironed out and ready to go.
*Edit* For you guys using DX9, I was able to use the -d3d9 command line to launch the game using DX9 on tribble just fine. Even tabbed out to edit this post with it up in the background without any issue at all. However, it does appear to "rollback" to a DX11 default after closing when the above command line isn't entered; but that could just be a result of my graphics settings and preferences.
*Edit* For you guys using DX9, I was able to use the -d3d9 command line to launch the game using DX9 on tribble just fine. Even tabbed out to edit this post with it up in the background without any issue at all. However, it does appear to "rollback" to a DX11 default after closing when the above command line isn't entered; but that could just be a result of my graphics settings and preferences.
Thanks for the heads up Turthil! Really hoping to hear back from a Tribble user who can only use DX9 on today's patch and whether or not they can login without the command line fix. Yet, it's encouraging that, if the problem's not completely resolved by next Thursday, then perhaps all our settings will still be saved and we can go into normal mode with just that '-d3d9' Command line fix. That would definitely cut down on the ton of clicking we've been having to do, just to play in normal mode.
I just tried to login to Holdeck, with only that command line fix and still, no dice.
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
I've just logged into the Tribble server, normal mode with command line. No dice.
Safe mode with command line, also nothing.
It's now been about 1.5 weeks since I've even managed to get to the character page (I really hope my fleets don't kick me out, they don't know I'm having this issue) so I'm really annoyed. But hey, it's only the first day since they put this up on Tribble, maybe it'll be ready for Thursday's patch.
Strangely enough, shortly after I made my first reddit post on this problem I was able to get in without a problem, but that quickly reverted the next time I tried it. I don't know why that happened, but I'd be really happy if it happened again.
I've just logged into the Tribble server, normal mode with command line. No dice.
Safe mode with command line, also nothing.
It's now been about 1.5 weeks since I've even managed to get to the character page (I really hope my fleets don't kick me out, they don't know I'm having this issue) so I'm really annoyed. But hey, it's only the first day since they put this up on Tribble, maybe it'll be ready for Thursday's patch.
Strangely enough, shortly after I made my first reddit post on this problem I was able to get in without a problem, but that quickly reverted the next time I tried it. I don't know why that happened, but I'd be really happy if it happened again.
Have you been using Dx9 or DX11, before this problem started? And what might your OS and GFX card be?
Those of us who've always logged in normally with DX9 (in my case since I started playing 5 or so years ago), don't seem to have experienced this problem on Holdeck until the patch that went out on 7/23.
"Don't try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make its own judgments." -Zefram Cochrane
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
Comments
Maybe if I don't pay my mortgage for a month I can buy a new PC
Okay, this is where you lose me. The only "launcher" I know of is "Star Trek Online.exe" which is described as the cryptic game launcher by the properties box. There is no selection called "options" when I right click on it. There is no box called "safe mode" to scroll down to and select. I am running XP service pack 2 compatability mode (this is a vista operating system),and that box is checked.
Also I don't see anything called a command line but I can make entries after the "Star Trek Online.exe". Unfortuntely while this adds commands to other games I have, it changes the file extension type here and makes the launcher unuseable. Fortunately it changed back as soon as I deleted the addition.
Finally, I don't get as far as the charcter select screen normally... it just stops when that screen is supposed to come up and displays black.
Is there some other way to go into safe mode or set options that I don't know about? I still have no access to the game.
Nerfing is Fraud...
Picardcrusher, I too had completely missed where 'Safe Mode' and 'Command Line' are at, initially, upon encountering this problem last week. After all it had been years maybe since I'd been forced to try out 'Safe Mode' at all, for gods only know what reason.
In your launcher window, look at the top of that window and you should see 'Options'. Click on that and then scroll down all the way (it's not far, but just shove that scroll-bar all the way down) and you'll see the words 'Safe Mode' with a box immediately to its left. Click and check that box. At literally the very, very bottom you'll see the 'Command Line'.
Knowing this now, follow all the instructions I laid out above and you should ultimately be able to play the game in 'Normal Mode'.
Also should add, and I really, really hope this isn't a make or break difference between our setups, but I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate. Can't imagine how that might make a difference though, as the old STO launcher, theoretically, ought work the same. Also note: I do not and refuse to use ARC. Just the old school launcher here.
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
I urge everyone having this problem to do the same. Perfect World International could, and may acutally, be losing players over this, and it'd be a shame to see STO close because the Devs, coders, and other support folks as well, have failed to look at the very forum system (Vanilla) they've forced on us due to posts from griefers, trolls, thread hijackers, and other bullies, to then only read reddit and ignore threads like this one. I hope they read this thread and hope they reply, and hope they fix this issue in a soon to be posted hotfix, but they'd have no idea to do so without reading this thread.
Good luck and hope you all have some patience with PWI, though it is hard to do so when they seem to have ignored your issue entirely.
McG
Looks like there is a difference. When I get to display I have no DirectX9 to select. Checked all options on every tab. Probably vista related. Looks like I can only play in safe mode. I guess they are trying to get rid of players with older systems.
Thanks for all the help... and at least I've got safe mode!
Nerfing is Fraud...
I've also gotta share this discovery, I made moments ago, whilst trying to google this issue to see if any other sites have been talking about it. And, surprise, surprise...I discovered that this very issue hit Tribble players as early as July 11th! Link here: https://www.reddit.com/r/sto/comments/3cy7xc/launching_the_game_in_dx9/
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
Well, at least I was able to back out from character select, exit the game, then relog with 'Safe Mode' unchecked, which got me into 'Normal Mode', without need of a 'Command Line' fix at all. Saves only a minor step, I know. But it's something I guess. And, actually, it's occurred to me that this post might not have been an entire waste, as Cmdrscarlet was leery of the 'Command Line' fix. So give that a try to get to 'Normal Mode' Cmdrscarlet.
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
I'ma try that again, or the trick above to get "Normal" play in ...
It's somewhat simple, if also somewhat laborious as well. Launcher->Options->Check Safe Mode->Click Save->Login with password->Click Options at Character Select->Go to Display->Select DX9->Click Apply->Click Back->Exit Game to desktop->Open Launcher again->Make sure Safe Mode is unchecked->Login with password->Reset all your GFX settings in Display, Graphics and Advanced, along with Audio and Basic (noticed those revert to default as well) to your usually desired 'Normal Mode' settings->Play STO per usual!
Yet, simple as that is, it's let's see...15 steps (some of which were abbreviated, like all the GFX settings clicks before regular mode play). Kinda ridiculous that we've gotta endure at least 15 steps for now, when we used to just need two...enter password and 'Engage'.
And even though I'm intent on playing for some hours tonight, I'm not even gonna dare to attempt to minimize the game from Fullscreen mode, as I usually do to check emails, news or just take a break from the game without logging out of it; as previous attempts to minimize have resulted in the game completely freezing upon returning to it. I've only tried minimizing in 'Safe Mode' fullscreen. Yet, given the hassle of going through those 15+ steps again, I dare not try it in normal mode.
One last thing I should note, regarding 'Fullscreen' (my preferred mode of play). I've made absolutely sure to only switch to 'Fullscreen' after being in 'Normal Mode'. While getting to the character select/options to switch to DX9 and then back out and exit, I've kept it in the default 'Safe Mode' minimized window setting. And, upon getting back to character select, in 'Normal Mode', only ever switch to 'Full Screen' AFTER making sure Display is set at DX9.
Keep me posted on whether you're able to get into 'Normal Mode' Cmdrscarlet and good luck in attempting to do so!
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
Okay, so check this out. Yesterday i got in with the safe mode fix and played a lot. logged out and back in a couple of times. Today it doesn't work, so I check my gameprefs and they are set to blank entry for the device with the dx11 set to 0 and the dx9 set to 1. I decide to repeat the earlier set up with both dx9 and dx11 set to zero and dd the Direct3D9, then save and set the gameprefs.prefs file to read only.
Then I took out the command line, set it to safe mode and voila. I'm in the game np.
Nerfing is Fraud...
However, I did notice something potentially encouraging in the last Tribble patch notes, from 7/31. There was some mention of a fix to a UI problem that was causing crashes. And, at heart, what we've got here is a UI problem causing crashes, since the games 'Display' UI is defaulting autodetect DX11, instead of DX9.
I've deduced, via a bit of googling in the past few days, that this very problem has been persistent on Tribble since at least 6/11. Can any Tribble folk, who've endured this problem, perhaps confirm if that 7/31 Tribble patch may have resolved this issue?
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
I am in Vista and not having the problem you are so I don't think it's Vista. It seems to be the normal failure of Devs to listen to their testers (like on tribble) when they test, and failing to test otherwise. Just look at Defera, sometimes both zones Power Plant is broken, and of course there is City and those being broken, and all of this is on top of rubberbanding lag that leads one to the certain knowledge that Perfect World has ISP issues.
Fact is 3 years ago I quit playing and Defera was broken just like this. Nothing's been fixed. So I'd say the problem is the arrogance of a game developer and their failure to care enough to make sure we see that money we've spent with them is going to more than content but also to fixing those things in the game that we can't truly enjoy because they are so broken. And as grinds go, these are places in the game we often rely on, at least before level 60 and regular 110k point commendation reports.
So, I believe the problem is that no one at PWE with any authority to get things done really cares about STO. They can say they do on their blog and redit, even taking an apologetic tone, but until we see things that have sat broken and entirely ignored for years being addressed and fixed, it's just business as usual with a new face at the helm, and their apologetic tone a meaningless gesture that won't get us spending a dime because we see the money they have is wasted on unnecessary remodels of ESD while broken Defera remains broken.
So, I'm playing in Safe Mode. At least I can play though, but the experience is lacking.
Hmmm...Cmdrscarlet, have you made sure that when you initially switch to DX9 in 'Safe Mode' that you've kept the character select screen in that Safe Mode default minimized windowed mode until you back out and exit the game? Also, shortly afterwards, upon attempting to login in Normal mode, I've kept it in minimized windowed mode until I've confirmed that DX9 is still set and only then have I switched to full screen to play.
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
I'll give it a shot tomorrow (if not tonight) and report back.
For everyone here, I noticed recent word from Zeroniusrex on this problem we've got. She said "We have a code change going out next week that should fix this issue for you. Caveats: Something may arise that prevents this from going out to Holodeck. Possibly it won't fix it. Help us test it on Tribble when it makes it there! (Probably Friday.)"
Not sure how I feel about those caveats. And please Tribble people, please give us some sort of heads up after Friday! Some confirmation of a light at the end of the tunnel would be nice.
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
We're still analyzing crash data to look in terms of any specific area related to it. There isn't a specific classification data pool for it (brand of graphics card, O/S, ram size, etc.) so the cause is still a little nebulous. But we're still narrowing in."
Fingers crossed people!!!!
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
And, having perused the latest patch notes, our problem has been listed under 'Known Issues'. Let's just hope that doesn't work out for us the way KDF Tailor issues have under 'Known Issues'.
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
I simply do not understand why they need a "graphics fix" when all they need to do by the looks of things is stop the gameclient from trying to launch the game into dx11, or take out the "auto" setting entirely and let us select the DX mode from the launcher BEFORE we press Launch.
I'm not a programmer..... but it sounds simple.........
I've just returned to STO last week after a few months off (I haven't played regularly since the end of DR), and I am now without the capacity to play the game entirely since yesterday's (Aug. 6th) update/patch.
My issue seems slightly different to what you all have been experiencing, in that I was already using DX11 (to my knowledge) through the in-game graphics auto select option. Still, I gave the fixes and workarounds in this thread a shot. I've attempted to launch the game through safe mode with several variations of the suggested fix (using the Options Command line to force "-d3d11Enable 0 -d3d9Enable 0" as well as setting both values individually to 1 and the other to 0), still without any luck whatsoever.
I've gone into my Gameprefs file directly, and altered the
* PrefEntry SystemSpecs.isDx11Enabled 1
* PrefEntry SystemSpecs.isDx9ExEnabled 1
to a value of 0 and 1 for each individually, saved the file - only to have the game client overwrite it to the default settings above every time it's launched.
I've also attempted ARC's recommended fix and deleted my Gameprefs file altogether and let the launcher re-institute default Gamepref settings with no result whatsoever, the two lines are still in conflict by reverting to a "True" setting for both. It's also worth mentioning that *both* Gamepref file paths register the same conflict. Both PWE-Star Trek Online_en-localdata **AND**
PWE-Star Trek Online_en-Star Trek Online-Live-localdata appear to revert to the same true state for both DX settings, and any attempt by me to change them has the same result.
I've attempted launching the game directly through ARC, as well as through the .exe file directly for the above step, and still nothing.
Every attempt I've tried still has the same exact result with the Gameclient.exe crashing at the "Star Trek Online" loading splash screen, no matter what game preference I specify; in and out of safe mode.
My crash log is no help either, rendering a generic
* Reason: emEditorMain or utilitiesLibShouldQuit()
I've run a file check through the launch window using the Options- Force Verify twice now, with no indication of any problem.
I'm operating the game on Windows 7, with an Nvidia 650 TI card that is just over a year old. I have no other issues on any other game or program; nor any indication that there is any issue with my GPU or drivers. STO was also performing completely fine for me prior to yesterday's patch.
I would really hate to have to do a clean re-install, as the game takes entirely too long to patch (nearly 8 hours for whatever I missed between January and July alone). I'm really hoping I've overlooked something, or performed some step incorrectly regarding the Gameprefs file.
It seems to me that according to the patch notes, this was supposed to fix the DX9/DX11 conflict errors - but all it did was expand them to include a player who was not experiencing any type of graphics conflict beforehand.
Thank you in advance for any help or light that could be shed on this for me. I'd like to continue playing (as well as give some of the new T6 ships a whirl), but the 10 hours I've put into attempting to correct this so far has me fairly frustrated.
All my settings were preserved from yesterday (all settings had always been reverting back to zilch cause of the safe mode), and on exiting and re-loading it worked fine again.
On the upshot, I just read the patch notes for today's Tribble patch and found the following "Resolved an issue which was causing graphics related crashes when launching the game".
I don't have access to Tribble, but can any Tribble folk, who've been enduring this problem (which I believe has impacted Tribble since early June, 6/11 or so, followed up with a hit to Holodeck around 6/20)...can any of your Tribble folk please report whether or not today's Tribble patch has made a difference?
And Kievar, what you've experienced has me greatly intrigued and eager to give the launcher a go, as soon as I'm outta here! Perhaps today's fix to Tribble has somehow also gone live on Holdeck? Sooooo hoping that's the case, as I was to start reinstalling old games and playing those until next Thursday's patch. Gonna go give the launcher a try now, despite it giving me no love at all yesterday.
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
Just gave it another try and still the same for me...
Yep, just tried the launcher with no safe mode, no command line, just what used to be the old usual...and nothing. Got the same result I had yesterday...CTD at Iconian War Splash, system freeze/lockup, Task Manager kill of STO 'not responding'.
I am however, wondering if trying to again delete the Gameprefs.prefs file, in the STO Live folder, might make a difference? And perhaps also explain how Kievar got in normally?
Update/Edit: Well that didn't work! Deleted Gameprefs.prefs file then tried to launch in normal mode and upon crashing at Iconian War Splash, the screen went completely white, necessitating another Task Manager kill. Tried the same thing again, albeit in Safe Mode this time. That got me in, but, again, in Safe Mode. Had a thought that defaulting to 'Fullscreen' might have something to do with this. So, after doffing and taking care of some in-game business, I thought to switch back to 'Windowed' mode before completely exiting the game for another normal login attempt. Tried that and the 'Windowed' STO crashed in the usual spot again, with the window going completely white. Funny enough, in 'Windowed' mode, it didn't lock up my system completely and I was about to close with the redbox X and subsequent 'Not Responding' notice.
So, yeah, no idea at all how you're magically able to login in normal mode again Kievar. Ya sure it was normal and not safemode? And what kind of rig have ya got, i.e. what's your OS and GFX card?
Also, pretty please Tribble people, report in on whether or not today's Tribble patch has finally nixed this problem???
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
I kept hovering over a few of the Gamepref file lines to see if there was anything relevant changed there, but even after completely copying Tribble's Gamepref over to my Live folder's - I'm still crashing/hanging on the splash screen.
I hate that you folks have been dealing with this issue for much longer than I have; it's been over 24 hours for me since I could log in normally, and it's exceedingly aggravating.
I'm not too sure of the timetable they're operating on to push this patch to Live, but it includes a lot more hotfixes to more than just the crashes we're experiencing. I'm crossing my fingers that it will be ready by this coming Thursday, but it may be a while longer before it's ironed out and ready to go.
*Edit* For you guys using DX9, I was able to use the -d3d9 command line to launch the game using DX9 on tribble just fine. Even tabbed out to edit this post with it up in the background without any issue at all. However, it does appear to "rollback" to a DX11 default after closing when the above command line isn't entered; but that could just be a result of my graphics settings and preferences.
Thanks for the heads up Turthil! Really hoping to hear back from a Tribble user who can only use DX9 on today's patch and whether or not they can login without the command line fix. Yet, it's encouraging that, if the problem's not completely resolved by next Thursday, then perhaps all our settings will still be saved and we can go into normal mode with just that '-d3d9' Command line fix. That would definitely cut down on the ton of clicking we've been having to do, just to play in normal mode.
I just tried to login to Holdeck, with only that command line fix and still, no dice.
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71
I've just logged into the Tribble server, normal mode with command line. No dice.
Safe mode with command line, also nothing.
It's now been about 1.5 weeks since I've even managed to get to the character page (I really hope my fleets don't kick me out, they don't know I'm having this issue) so I'm really annoyed. But hey, it's only the first day since they put this up on Tribble, maybe it'll be ready for Thursday's patch.
Strangely enough, shortly after I made my first reddit post on this problem I was able to get in without a problem, but that quickly reverted the next time I tried it. I don't know why that happened, but I'd be really happy if it happened again.
Have you been using Dx9 or DX11, before this problem started? And what might your OS and GFX card be?
Those of us who've always logged in normally with DX9 (in my case since I started playing 5 or so years ago), don't seem to have experienced this problem on Holdeck until the patch that went out on 7/23.
Vice-Admiral Methos Corinthian
methos71