Telltale Games

bobhobbit · 07/14/2009, 01:07 pm

I'm having trouble with Sam & Max episodes on this PC. After playing for a while, the game screen will just freeze, and the sound just repeats through the last second or so of what it was playing--I have to restart the computer to get out of the game. The freeze almost always happens when I am leaving an old area and going into a new one, typically if I haven't visited that area since starting the game. I had this problem with Episode 106 on the same PC awhile back (before I upgraded it), encountered it with 201 more recently (after successfully playing through Tales Episode 1).

I figured it was just my hardware--either the video card or the sound card being no good, since I've had similar problems with other 3D games. But I played all the way through Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 1 with no problems, and also got through the entire W&G Demo without any issues. I let the W&G installer update my DirectX files, but still had the same problem with Sam & Max. So now I'm puzzled. Maybe something has changed in the game engine that is letting these newer Telltale Games work just fine? If anyone has any ideas or advice for how to stop these freezes in the Sam and Max game, I'd appreciate it. I'm tired of saving the game and crossing my fingers every time I want to walk through a door...

My system:

Windows XP SP3, DirectX updated by Telltale's installers
Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 (1.8 GHz)
1 GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce 6600 - 256 MB - 8x AGP
One 500GB hard drive with several different partitions
SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Platinum (not ZS)

Hopefully someone can help. Thanks!

Will · 07/14/2009, 01:21 pm

I know the memory management is much better in the newer games, and the type of crash you describe does sound like it's memory related. I think the first step is to try turning off as many background programs as possible, just to reduce the load on your RAM. I mean, a gig *should* be enough to run the games, but if there could always be something else going on here.

*DjNDB* · 07/16/2009, 03:33 am

Another issue where you should try checking your memory.

bobhobbit · 07/20/2009, 10:28 pm

I turned my graphics settings way down to 800x600, low quality instead of high, and did manage to make it through the rest of the episode. I'm guessing that maybe the low quality setting uses less memory because of lower-res textures, or something... Thanks for the tips! Haven't run Memtest86 yet but will do so soon.

07/14/2009, 01:07 pm	#1
bobhobbit Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 202	Game freezes in Sam & Max 201, others I'm having trouble with Sam & Max episodes on this PC. After playing for a while, the game screen will just freeze, and the sound just repeats through the last second or so of what it was playing--I have to restart the computer to get out of the game. The freeze almost always happens when I am leaving an old area and going into a new one, typically if I haven't visited that area since starting the game. I had this problem with Episode 106 on the same PC awhile back (before I upgraded it), encountered it with 201 more recently (after successfully playing through Tales Episode 1). I figured it was just my hardware--either the video card or the sound card being no good, since I've had similar problems with other 3D games. But I played all the way through Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 1 with no problems, and also got through the entire W&G Demo without any issues. I let the W&G installer update my DirectX files, but still had the same problem with Sam & Max. So now I'm puzzled. Maybe something has changed in the game engine that is letting these newer Telltale Games work just fine? If anyone has any ideas or advice for how to stop these freezes in the Sam and Max game, I'd appreciate it. I'm tired of saving the game and crossing my fingers every time I want to walk through a door... My system: Windows XP SP3, DirectX updated by Telltale's installers Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 (1.8 GHz) 1 GB RAM Nvidia GeForce 6600 - 256 MB - 8x AGP One 500GB hard drive with several different partitions SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Platinum (not ZS) Hopefully someone can help. Thanks!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
An annoying thing in the game industry: a rant by Dr. Zoidberg	Dr. Zoidberg	General Chat	3	09/22/2008 11:45 am
sam and max season 1 game disc does nothing	Relvin	Game Support - General	4	09/12/2008 01:02 pm
Release date discussion!	ShaggE	Strong Bad General Discussion	994	08/04/2008 10:57 am
Sam&Max Ep2 - stops working once a save game exists	CptKlotz	Game Support - General	16	08/06/2007 11:31 am
Three major problems with graphic adventure games, and possible solutions.	anonima	General Chat	32	11/02/2006 04:33 pm

07/14/2009, 01:21 pm	#2
Will Telltale Team Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sausalito, CA Posts: 2,331	I know the memory management is much better in the newer games, and the type of crash you describe does sound like it's memory related. I think the first step is to try turning off as many background programs as possible, just to reduce the load on your RAM. I mean, a gig should be enough to run the games, but if there could always be something else going on here.

07/16/2009, 03:33 am	#3
DjNDB Community Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 4,751	Another issue where you should try checking your memory.

07/20/2009, 10:28 pm	#4
bobhobbit Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 202	I turned my graphics settings way down to 800x600, low quality instead of high, and did manage to make it through the rest of the episode. I'm guessing that maybe the low quality setting uses less memory because of lower-res textures, or something... Thanks for the tips! Haven't run Memtest86 yet but will do so soon.