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Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Title:AMIGA NOTES
Notice:Join us in the *NEW* conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2
Moderator:HYDRA::MOORE
Created:Sat Apr 26 1986
Last Modified:Wed Feb 05 1992
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5378
Total number of notes:38326

2884.0. "Warning! Weird graphics problem alert!" by LOWLIF::DAVIS (That's not a BUG, it's a FEATURE!) Thu Aug 31 1989 18:30

Weird question time, so bear with me:

I'm noticing what may be some sort of hardware malfunction that shows up
with distorted graphics.  It seems to be consistent, but not all software
seems affected.  One example is PacMan87, where the PacMan figure is displayed
with distorted graphics above and below him all the way to the top and bottom
of the screen.  Like this:

+-----------------------+
|       |||             |   The "O" is PacMan, can't you tell???
|       |||             |   The lines ("|") are distorted graphics.
|       |||             |
|        O              |
|       |||             |
|       |||             |
+-----------------------+

As I move left and right, the distortion tracks with it.  I've seen this in
some other software, but I can't remember what right now.  It is always a
graphics problem and there is always a moveable object with lines of distortion
above and below it.  (i.e. same problem in different programs)

I ran some PD memory tests because I thought i might have bad memory where the
raster port was located, but it all seemed to test fine.  What could possibly
be involved here??

Does this make sense or should I just call the men in white coats to come and
get me?

...richard
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
2884.1NZOV01::MCKENZIEAll the while,The Dragon SleptThu Aug 31 1989 18:4013
    I have had the same problem with a game from EPYX - the temple of
    Apshai trilogy...
    
    I found that the problem could be solved - at least partially by
    unplugging extra drive/printer and running NOFASTMEM from 
    workbench - not forgetting of course to switch computer and all
    devices off before unplugging
    
    but I still have a problem with this - have checked the disk for
    virus - all clean - also music is only generated through one channel
    of my monitor...
2884.2TALLIS::MCAFEESteve McAfeeThu Aug 31 1989 18:526
    You guys using morerows?  That'll do it.
    
    Also try going into preferences and centering your screen. This
    is usually the problem.
    
    - steve
2884.3Sprite 0 needs time, too. ;-)FRAMBO::BALZERChristian Balzer DTN:785-1029Fri Sep 01 1989 03:528
    
    Yeah, Steve McAfee is probably right. 
    Looks like your typical "sprite 0 garbled by insufficient resources"
    bug. The solutions Steve gives should help.
    
    Regards,
    
    <CB>
2884.4move itHYSTER::DEARBORNTrouvez MieuxFri Sep 01 1989 09:595
This used to happen to me with Mind Walker.  Moving the screen in 
Preferences fixed it.

Randy
2884.5That must be it!LOWLIF::DAVISThat&#039;s not a BUG, it&#039;s a FEATURE!Fri Sep 01 1989 11:379
Thanks guys, that must be it!  (Is this a wonderful confernece, or what?)
I would have never figured that one out.  Now the only problem I have is
figuring out where to "center" it.  (My monitor is a Thompson and it has
a horizontal adjustment on the front so I'm sure I'm "nonstandard")  Time
to whip out the original disk!

Thanks again,

...richard
2884.6LEDS::ACCIARDIFri Sep 01 1989 11:528
    
    I've seen the 'sprite 0' problem a few times.  I've found that the
    default screen position, as installed on a virgin WorkBench disk, seems
    to be the best location.  I adjust my monitor (Princeton, which has
    enormous flexibility in screen size/position adjustments) to center the
    screen about the default 'soft' center.
    
    Ed.
2884.7exAYOV28::ATHOMSONC&#039;mon, git aff! /The Kelty ClippieFri Sep 01 1989 11:536
    As far to the right as possible. (in preferences that is) and then
    try to centre it again with the control on the front of the monitor.
    I couldn't get rid of this problem until I had the screen as far
    to the right as it would go. 
    
    				Alan T.
2884.8not ex !AYOV28::ATHOMSONC&#039;mon, git aff! /The Kelty ClippieFri Sep 01 1989 11:557
    re: -.1
    �                                    -< ex >-

    Aaaaarghhhhh ! I've done it at last.... titled a note "ex", I used
    to laugh at people who did that !!!
    
    					Alan T. :-(
2884.9Make REPAIRS instead of excusesBOMBE::MOOREBaN CaSe_sEnSiTiVe iDeNtIfIeRs!Fri Sep 01 1989 19:108
    > Aaaaarghhhhh ! I've done it at last.... titled a note "ex", I used
    > to laugh at people who did that !!!
    
    You can retitle any of your own notes whenever you wish, use the
    command:
                 SET NOTE/TITLE="new title"
    
    You can also delete your own notes, edit and repost them, etc...
2884.10Bitch and ye shall receive...LEDS::ACCIARDISat Sep 02 1989 20:0727
    
    By some remarkable cosmic coincidence, Rob Peck (original Amiga design
    weenie) has just posted a small program that displays all eight sprites
    and lets you adjust your screen thru Preferences such that all sprites
    are always visible.  From the file description on PLINK...
     
    > Sometimes folks have their screens adjusted too far to the left and
    > certain games that require all 8 sprites do not function correctly
    > because adjustment too far left takes away some sprite-time and gives
    > it instead to the screen memory access.  This utility shows sprites
    > 2 through 8 (sprite 1 is the mouse pointer).  When you run this utility,
    > then run preferences, the sprites appear superimposed on the screen
    > placement gadget.  If the screen is moved too far to the left, one
    > or more of the rightmost sprites will look strange because it can not
    > be retrieved from memory any more.  Move the screen adjust gadget just
    > until all sprites (as boxes) look the same size.
    > 
    > Rob Peck
    
    Interestingly enough, when I ran the program, only 6 sprites were
    visible until I moved the screen to the right; then number 7 appeared.
    
    The file has been uploaded to NORSE""::AMIGA:[UPLOAD]SPRADJ.ARC and is
    in STREAM_LF format for Xmodem transfer.
    
    Ed.
2884.11An alternativeHPSCAD::GATULISFrank GatulisTue Sep 05 1989 09:484
    That's interresting.  I've been using NIB to do exactly that!
    
    Frank
2884.12Thanks!LOWLIF::DAVISThat&#039;s not a BUG, it&#039;s a FEATURE!Tue Sep 05 1989 11:495
Who else would come up with this so fast?  Thanks Ed!  I did move the screen
to the right and all started working fine, but this will definitely be some-
thing to check out.

...richard