Annoying problem on game loading
 

My Il-2 1946 was getting very cluttered with skins, new aircraft etc, so I decided to uninstall it and start from scratch with a fresh install from the DVD. And it brought home a problem I've had forever, but until now simply put up with it.

So I thought I would ask here to see if others have had the same problem and if there's a solution. Other than this one problem the game performs fine.

When I start IL-2, it opens at the Main Menu (intro movie disabled). Music is playing but the mouse cursor is frozen, so I can't select any buttons. I have to Alt>Esc to drop the game to desktop and then click on the icon in the toolbar to reopen it. Cursor then works as normal. This used to always happen in my old install, as well as the new re-install, which id patched to 4.09beta.

Any suggestions?

My system is a Intel D CPU 3.00Ghz with 2 gig RAM, Windows XP patched to SP3, Radeon ATI HD4850.

Same here from the very beggining of the IL-2 saga, but randomly. I have never known why. Along 3 different rigs I have used, with Intel & AMD CPUs, and ATI & Nvidia graphica cards. IMHO it is bug, never fixed.

I think I get that, if I move the mouse while the program is loading (i.e. up until the time the picture of planes gives way to the main menu). I'm not certain I still get it, I am very cautious about moving that mouse.

Could you post your IL2 1946 conf.ini's here.

It might be something in there that needs a tweak. :)

Sure, be more than happy to Alpha! Any help is greatly appreciated. :) Here it is:

[il2]
title=Il2-Sturmovik Forgotten Battles
hotkeys=HotKey game

[window]
width=1280
height=960
ColourBits=32
DepthBits=24
StencilBits=8
ChangeScreenRes=1
FullScreen=1
DrawIfNotFocused=0
EnableResize=0
EnableClose=1
SaveAspect=1
Use3Renders=0

[GLPROVIDER]
GL=Opengl32.dll

[GLPROVIDERS]
Open GL=Opengl32.dll
DirectX=dx8wrap.dll

[NET]
speed=5000
routeChannels=0
serverChannels=31
localPort=21000
remotePort=21000
SkinDownload=1
serverName=No Name
serverDescription=
remoteHost=
localHost=
socksHost=
checkServerTimeSpeed=1
checkClientTimeSpeed=0

[MaxLag]
farMaxLagTime=10.0
nearMaxLagTime=2.0
cheaterWarningDelay=5.0
cheaterWarningNum=-1

[chat]
region=(dx=0.6925,dy=0.071666665,x=0.0,y=0.0)

[game]
Arcade=0
HighGore=0
mapPadX=0.6689453
mapPadY=-0.046875
viewSet=34
Intro=1
NoSubTitles=0
NoChatter=0
NoHudLog=0
NoLensFlare=0
iconTypes=3
eventlog=eventlog.lst
eventlogkeep=0
3dgunners=1


[HotKey game]
PrintScreen=ScreenShot
P=pause
Pause=pause

[HotKey gui]
Escape=activate

[HookViewFly Config]
timeFirstStep=2.0
deltaZ=10.0

[HookView]
MouseLeft=Len

[HookView Config]
AzimutSpeed=0.1
TangageSpeed=0.1
LenSpeed=1.0
MinLen=1.0
DefaultLen=20.0
MaxLen=3000.0
Speed=6

[HotKey builder]
MouseLeft=objectMove
MouseRight=popupmenu
Enter=freeView
Shift MouseLeft=worldZoom
Alt MouseLeft=select+
Alt MouseRight=select-
Alt Ctrl=unselect
PageDown=change+
PageUp=change-
End=change++
Home=change--
Ctrl MouseLeft=insert+
Insert=insert+
NumPad-0=insert+
F=fill
Ctrl MouseRight=delete+
NumPad.=delete+
Delete=delete+
Backspace=cursor
Tab=cursor
F10=land
F11=onLand
NumPad-=normalLand
NumPad+=toLand
NumPad-5=resetAngles
NumPad-8=resetTangage90
NumPad-7=stepAzimut-5
NumPad-4=stepAzimut-15
NumPad-1=stepAzimut-30
NumPad-9=stepAzimut5
NumPad-6=stepAzimut15
NumPad-3=stepAzimut30

[MouseXYZ]
F1=SpeedSlow
F2=SpeedNormal
F3=SpeedFast
MouseRight=XYmove
F4 MouseRight=Zmove
MouseMiddle=Amove
F5 MouseRight=Amove
F6 MouseRight=Tmove
F7 MouseRight=Kmove

[MouseXYZ Config]
RealTime=1

[HotKey Console]
Shift Tab=Activate
[Console]
HISTORY=1024
HISTORYCMD=1024
LOAD=console.cmd
SAVE=console.cmd
LOG=0
LOGTIME=0
LOGFILE=log.lst
LOGKEEP=0

[sound]
SoundUse=1
SoundEngine=1
Speakers=0
Placement=0
SoundFlags.reversestereo=0
RadioFlags.Enabled=1
RadioEngine=2
MusicVolume=8
ObjectVolume=14
MusState.takeoff=1
MusState.inflight=1
MusState.crash=1
MusFlags.play=1
MasterVolume=14
Attenuation=7
SoundMode=3
SamplingRate=2
NumChannels=0
SoundExt.occlusions=0
SoundFlags.hardware=1
SoundFlags.streams=1
SoundFlags.duplex=1
SoundExt.acoustics=0
SoundExt.volumefx=0
SoundFlags.voicemgr=0
SoundFlags.static=1
VoiceVolume=12
Channels=2
SoundExt.extrender=0
SoundFlags.bugscorrect=0
SoundSetupId=8
ActivationLevel=0.02
Preemphasis=0.85
RadioLatency=0.5
AGC=1
PTTMode=1
SoundFlags.UseRadioChatter=0
SoundFlags.AutoActivation=0
RadioFlags.PTTMode=0
RadioFlags.PlayClicks=0
ActLevel=0
MicLevel=0
SoundFlags.forceEAX1=0

[rts]
;ProcessAffinityMask=1
mouseUse=2
joyUse=1
trackIRUse=1
DisableIME=0
locale=

[rts_mouse]
SensitivityX=1.0
SensitivityY=1.0
Invert=0
SensitivityZ=1.0

[rts_joystick]
X=0 1 4 9 16 25 36 49 64 81 100 0
Y=0 1 4 9 16 25 36 49 64 81 100 0
Z=0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
RZ=0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0
FF=1
U=0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0
V=0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0
1X=0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0
1Y=0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0
1RZ=0 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 0
1U=0 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 0
1V=0 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 0

[Render_DirectX]
TexQual=3
TexMipFilter=2
TexCompress=0
TexFlags.UseDither=1
TexFlags.UseAlpha=0
TexFlags.UseIndex=0
TexFlags.PolygonStipple=1
TexFlags.UseClampedSprites=0
TexFlags.DrawLandByTriangles=1
TexFlags.UseVertexArrays=1
TexFlags.DisableAPIExtensions=0
TexFlags.ARBMultitextureExt=1
TexFlags.TexEnvCombineExt=1
TexFlags.SecondaryColorExt=1
TexFlags.VertexArrayExt=1
TexFlags.ClipHintExt=0
TexFlags.UsePaletteExt=0
TexFlags.TexAnisotropicExt=0
TexFlags.TexCompressARBExt=1
TexFlags.TexEnvCombine4NV=0
TexFlags.TexEnvCombineDot3=1
TexFlags.DepthClampNV=0
TexFlags.SeparateSpecular=1
TexFlags.TextureShaderNV=0

HardwareShaders=0

Shadows=2
Specular=2
SpecularLight=2
DiffuseLight=2
DynamicalLights=1
MeshDetail=2
VisibilityDistance=3

Sky=2
Forest=2
LandShading=3
LandDetails=2

LandGeom=2
TexLarge=1
TexLandQual=3
TexLandLarge=1

VideoSetupId=4
ForceShaders1x=0
PolygonOffsetFactor=-0.15
PolygonOffsetUnits=-3.0

[Render_OpenGL]
TexQual=3
TexMipFilter=3
TexCompress=0
TexFlags.UseDither=0
TexFlags.UseAlpha=0
TexFlags.UseIndex=0
TexFlags.PolygonStipple=0
TexFlags.UseClampedSprites=0
TexFlags.DrawLandByTriangles=1
TexFlags.UseVertexArrays=0
TexFlags.DisableAPIExtensions=0
TexFlags.ARBMultitextureExt=1
TexFlags.TexEnvCombineExt=1
TexFlags.SecondaryColorExt=1
TexFlags.VertexArrayExt=0
TexFlags.ClipHintExt=0
TexFlags.UsePaletteExt=0
TexFlags.TexAnisotropicExt=1
TexFlags.TexCompressARBExt=0

TexFlags.TexEnvCombine4NV=0
TexFlags.TexEnvCombineDot3=1
TexFlags.DepthClampNV=0
TexFlags.SeparateSpecular=1
TexFlags.TextureShaderNV=0

HardwareShaders=1

Shadows=2
Specular=2
SpecularLight=2
DiffuseLight=2
DynamicalLights=1
MeshDetail=2
VisibilityDistance=3

Sky=2
Forest=2
LandShading=3
LandDetails=2

LandGeom=2
TexLarge=1
TexLandQual=3
TexLandLarge=1

VideoSetupId=17
Water=1
Effects=1
ForceShaders1x=0

PolygonOffsetFactor=-0.15
PolygonOffsetUnits=-3.0

Alpha,

In game cursor freeze happens to everyone I know, maybe 1 in 20 times it does not.

I play almost exclusively online, to get the yellow game cursor to free up in game, I hit Window key which brings up start menu, and alt+tab to bring up backround application such as HL or TS .. after usually 2-3 times doing this, game screen finally drops from desktop. Then when I hit IL-2 tab in taskbar, bring back up game screen, in game cursor is freed.

a solution would be most welcome

I've experienced this since... FB.

Probably my own fault, because I'm impatient after waiting for the IL2 to load.

If I were more patient it would probably work it's way through it.

Regardless, I alt+tab screen goes to DT and then I alt+tab again back into IL2. I usually do this once and cursor works.

Igo Kyu mentioned about NOT moving the mouse when IL2 is loading. I remember that has helped as well.

Regardless, the alt+tab works fine and it's only a couple keystrokes to fix it.

@ Pips

I see a few things that need altering up in your conf ini, before posting any changes. what graphics card manufacturer are you using and what CPU please, also what monitor, widescreen or normal ?

This is usually solved by pulling up the chat screen and hitting esc, or sometimes having to type something then close the chat window, the mouse then returns to normal use in game also sometimes the map view gets stuck due to being out of sync trying to close the chat window/map.

Had mouse freeze here too. It might be of interest to know what pointing device is used.

I have no more freeze since I use a laser mouse.


It is definitely not conf.ini related. The mouse looses focus when it is moved in any way during startup.

Optical mice are known to "jitter". This might be detected as movement -> freeze

Laser mice are a lot better in this. So are mechanical mice or pen tablets (e.g. Wacom).

My present mouse is a Laser and it happens too. Last one was a Logitech optical and it happened too. And before I can remember I had a ball-mouse and happened as well.

I am thinking now if it won't be a curse ! :)

Alpha,

My system is a Intel D CPU 3.00Ghz with 2 gig RAM, Windows XP patched to SP3, and a Radeon ATI HD4850 graphics card with 1 gig menory. My screen is a LG Flatron W2252TQ widescreen.

Just on the point of mouses, I now have a Logitech optical mouse, but for years I used the standard ball mouse with the same problem.

@ Pips

Some mouse problems are native to IL2, mostly attributed to when launching the IL2.exe its best to leave the keyboard alone until the game is launched fully to the GUI screen.

The same applies if you are online and the IL2.exe has launched from the Hyperlobby its best to not touch the keyboard until into the GUI and your able to use the mouse.

Just a heads up in your conf.ini

Change these 3 sections.

Make a back up first.

Corrections are to video card ID, widescreen enabled, IL2 intro turned off.

[window]
width=1280
height=960
ColourBits=32
DepthBits=24
StencilBits=8
ChangeScreenRes=1
FullScreen=1
DrawIfNotFocused=0
EnableResize=0
EnableClose=1
SaveAspect=0
Use3Renders=0

[game]
Arcade=0
HighGore=0
mapPadX=0.6689453
mapPadY=-0.046875
viewSet=34
Intro=0
NoSubTitles=0
NoChatter=0
NoHudLog=0
NoLensFlare=0
iconTypes=3
eventlog=eventlog.lst
eventlogkeep=0
3dgunners=1

[Render_OpenGL]
TexQual=3
TexMipFilter=3
TexCompress=0
TexFlags.UseDither=1
TexFlags.UseAlpha=0
TexFlags.UseIndex=0
TexFlags.PolygonStipple=1
TexFlags.UseClampedSprites=0
TexFlags.DrawLandByTriangles=0
TexFlags.UseVertexArrays=1
TexFlags.DisableAPIExtensions=0
TexFlags.ARBMultitextureExt=1
TexFlags.TexEnvCombineExt=1
TexFlags.SecondaryColorExt=1
TexFlags.VertexArrayExt=1
TexFlags.ClipHintExt=0
TexFlags.UsePaletteExt=0
TexFlags.TexAnisotropicExt=1
TexFlags.TexCompressARBExt=1

TexFlags.TexEnvCombine4NV=0
TexFlags.TexEnvCombineDot3=1
TexFlags.DepthClampNV=0
TexFlags.SeparateSpecular=1
TexFlags.TextureShaderNV=0

HardwareShaders=1

Shadows=2
Specular=2
SpecularLight=2
DiffuseLight=2
DynamicalLights=1
MeshDetail=2
VisibilityDistance=3

Sky=2
Forest=2
LandShading=3
LandDetails=2

LandGeom=2
TexLarge=1
TexLandQual=3
TexLandLarge=1

VideoSetupId=8
Water=2
Effects=1
ForceShaders1x=0

PolygonOffsetFactor=-0.0625
PolygonOffsetUnits=-1.0



Hope you have some success with it.




.

just so you guys know this happens when you have trippled clicked on either the icon or clicked on the desk top after starting the program or clicked on another program safter starting IL2... Try just clicking the startup icon and dont do anything else and see if that gets you what you want, once the system finish's loading you should be able to move the mouse...Also you can windows key out and start what ever you may need to start up i.e IL2G15.. Or just start every thing else first and then start IL2..

Thanks for those config suggestions Alpha, appreciate it, I'll give them a try! :)

As far as the mouse problem goes I have tried clicking on the desktop icon to launch, and then not moving the mouse until the game is up and running. Yet still the mouse is frozen until I reduce to desktop and then launch again. Have also tried clicking on the game launch within Windows folder, same problem. Even when I had the old ball mouse I had this problem. In fact as far as I can remember I've always had this problem.

Interesting tos ee that it affects some and not others. A real random thing. I guess I've lived with it all these years, a few more won't hurt! :)

But thanks to all for the suggestions.

ding ding ding!


yeah I notice this happens when I start IL-2, and then run something (like my MP3 list). I have to alt tab out of IL-2 then go back into it before my mouse / KB can be used.

I experimented and found out if you double click on IL-2, then click on / run / type on a webpage / MS word / or do anything else in the interim while IL-2 is starting up, this happens where I have to ALT tab out of IL-2 and go back into it to use it.

If I double click on IL-2 shortcut and LEAVE the mouse and keyboard alone, until it opens up, the issue doesn't happen.

I have it too, but don't really care for it. If it won't be solved, fine by me.

IL2 series are the most stable pieces of software I've ever come across in the last 25 years. I was wondering if I should underline some words in the previous sentence. Maybe I should copy 'n paste them again:

Nah. Just would annoy you.

So anyway, I don't give a ... if I need to do an extra keyboard stroke before my mouse works. Happens to the best of devs.

I feel it's more funny that since the very first incarnation of IL2 right down to the screenshots of the newest patch, in QMB there is this wonderful error called "Chose side".

So please excuse my George Carlin inspired mode of writing if I just say that it's not worth mentioning, get on with ya life 'n fly some more!

Happy hunting!

This will happen when any other application or program or utility running gets the focus after you've doulbe clicked the icon.
Like Mastiff stated, the 'triple click' ... third click makes the icon / desktop get the focus.

Try and keep as little other programs running when you start IL2.
Messenger? Skype? HP all-in-one printer/scanner/copier stuff? All those resident thingies are all capable of taking the systems focus, even for a tiny moment...

Here's what I think the system tray should look like when running IL2: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...el/systray.jpg

A tip for those whose mouse click isn't accurate: Select IL2's icon, and hit the Enter key...

Thank's, I have offen wondered the WHY sometimes, but not all the time's on game start up

Try setting your desktop resolution to the game's resolution.

Same here, most of the times at least, and since the first Il2 installation 8 yrs ago.

Ins

I never have mouse freezes unless another program is running, or if I have clicked my mouse after clicking on the IL-2 icon.

Look man,

I had this problem, but no more -- the mouse only worked in 16 bit color, not 32 bit. So I searched everywhere on the web and there was no solution I could find. So then I remembered that many games react negatively to windows aero desktop compasition, so I ran the games executible [il2fb.exe] in compatibility mode XP(sp3) and disable desktop composition and chekoff run as an admin. Works perfectly.

Aero desktop composition is bad for games, even worse for games made befor vista and 7.