Can't get NWN to play well on Win 8

[siriusdogstar]

Got a new(er) computer, installed nwn 1, loaded the prelude with settings on high and everything worked like a charm.

Installed SOU, loaded prelude with settings on high and everything worked like a charm.

Installed HOTU, loaded prelude with settings on high and everything worked like a charm.

Patched with the critical rebuild and everything went to shit. Even the red smoke animation went to shit. Whats going on?

Before we even get into this:
1) Its running in compatibility mode (xp s2) and as admin
2) I did not add the haks etc. yet, fresh install
3) I've fiddled with the sound (Miles with bias all the way to 2D).
4) It is installed to the C drive, not in any program folder
5) I've set the affinity from -2 all the way to 31, it makes no difference

Whats left to do?  It has to be something in the critical update that screwed up the install, right?

[Arc]

I dont think its specifically windows 8 causing this issue. Nwn runs fine on windows 8 without compatibility mode, and you dont have to mess with the sound either. It should work perfect.

First of all, my number 1 suggestion would be to get the GoG version and plug in your CD key, or request a Multiplayer CD key from GoG. It'll run cleanly and instantly without fiddling.

If you dont wanna spend a couple bucks, your first steps gonna be reinstalling the whole thing- and slowly working up the updates to the rebuild.

Edit: Googling it- Does your new computer happen to have integrated intel graphics?

[siriusdogstar]

I dont think its specifically windows 8 causing this issue. Nwn runs fine on windows 8 without compatibility mode, and you dont have to mess with the sound either. It should work perfect.

First of all, my number 1 suggestion would be to get the GoG version and plug in your CD key, or request a Multiplayer CD key from GoG. It'll run cleanly and instantly without fiddling.

If you dont wanna spend a couple bucks, your first steps gonna be reinstalling the whole thing- and slowly working up the updates to the rebuild.

Edit: Googling it- Does your new computer happen to have integrated intel graphics?

Using an old ATI Radeon HD 4550, which should be plenty to play this game. Its updated to the latest driver.  The funny thing is I KNOW it works because (being impulsive) I tested out the preludes between each one of the installs this afternoon.  Its only after the 1.69 critical update that everything starts getting choppy. There is something in there that is ruining my install.

[siriusdogstar]

My next step is downloading all of the critical patches and going from 1.59 to 1.62 to 1.65 to 1.66 to 1.69 >:(

[siriusdogstar]

That failed. :(

Now I'm downloading diamond from GOG.  This is ridiculous!

[Arc]

It really is- and it'll only get worse as Nwn gets older. Worrying.

[Valo56]

By "Went to shit" what do you mean? Specifically. Explaining exactly what's going on will help a lot.

[Paha]

Downloading all patches here and there again with new cdkeys and what not is simply matter of sheer luck. Make sure you have newest drivers and updates for both windows and graphics card.

Next go to settings and make sure most of your video settings will be allowed to be adjusted by the program, don't set them to anything specific. In nwn remove the tags for specific graphic options and test them.

Windows 8's newest updates screwed many things for some people, some they didn't, but my younger brother could not play anything properly last month, before they released few bug fixes.

And he rolls with gaming laptop with hardware that runs battlefield on high and ultra settings with over 60 fps.

[Nuclear Catastrophe]

Cloaks are normally the problem.  The OpenGL NwN uses is not compatible with most modern gfx cards unless you apply a hotfix or disable cloaks and something else.

I had the same problem.

[Halfbrood]

I'm currently playing on a Win 8 Laptop, and have encountered no difficulties. Having said that, I believe I have removed some of the more 'high end' NWN graphics options, and it runs smooth as ever after that.

[siriusdogstar]

By "Went to shit" what do you mean? Specifically. Explaining exactly what's going on will help a lot.

I mean the game gets choppy and incredibly slow even in the menu area with the red smoke, the smoke is stuttering which is just a preview for actually getting in game. The game gets unplayable after applying the critical rebuild. Mind you I have my original CDs which updates me to 1.59 with HOTU, maybe thats the problem.  My next step is to download the GOG version and see if that installs correctly.

[siriusdogstar]

Tried installing via gog files and using the critical rebuild and that is failing as before. Nwn will technically run but it is effectively unplayable. Any help?

[Corrigo]

Have you tried altering the CPU affinity to have it run on a single core?

NWN was released when multiple CPU cores for PCs were unheard of, and they've been known to cause framerate issues in many cases.

[Paha]

Have you checked sound settings and untagged the shiny water / lava and other settings to test them?

[siriusdogstar]

Have you tried altering the CPU affinity to have it run on a single core?

NWN was released when multiple CPU cores for PCs were unheard of, and they've been known to cause framerate issues in many cases.

Yes, I have tried values of -2 all the way to 31. I have also tried simultaneously changing it from the process manager.

Have you checked sound settings and untagged the shiny water / lava and other settings to test them?

I've disabled sounds, tried every sound setting, slid the sliders all the way to 2D. I have untagged every advanced setting and it still runs like shit.

I am convinced that there is something wrong with the HOTU critical update patch. Or it changes some critical setting for me. It runs like a dream without it, but after its applied NWN slows to a crawl.