I’m re-posting this from another blog I contribute to, Carnival of Wank.
As I’ve been testing Windows 7, I thought it would be fun to dig out some old games. Rifling through my collection, I found and installed the Neverwinter Nights Diamond disk and figured it would be worth a shot to try.
The game installed without issue, however it would not update (the patch utility would download it, but then said the file was invalid). After popping over to Bioware’s website, I downloaded the manual patch, and it went in without issue.
Running the game was another story. After configuring to the highest video settings and resolution possible (which ran great under Windows XP), I tried to open from the launcher app (nwn.exe). Nothing happened. Remembering that it had an issue with UAC and Windows Vista, I set the compatibility mode options to force nwmain.exe to run as Administrator, and the game launched.
All looked good during the intro movies, however when I got to the menu screen, scrolling black lines (like the ones that show up when your refresh rate is buggered and your video card is dying) filled the screen. I fought with this for quite a while, and found that in order to get it to work you need to manually edit the following files (note that this is case sensitive and spacing counts!):
In ‘nwn.ini’, set the following in the [Display Options] section:
AllowWindowedMode=1
FullScreen=0
In ‘nwnplayer.ini’, set the following in the [Game Options] section:
Client CPU Affinity=1
And finally, in ‘nwnconfig.ini’, set the following in the [Processor] section (note that the ‘Speed’ setting should be your speed in Mhz):
NumCPUs=1
Speed=3000
As a result of this, your game will be in Windowed Mode, however it will play. The appears to be the result of the game detecting the video card as being an ‘RDPD Chained DD’ device – for some reason it detects the Remote Desktop video device as the primary display adapter.
Update: Probably should have included this originally, but if you haven’t already, make sure that you’ve updated to the latest Windows 7 compatible video card drives from the card manufacturer. Do not rely on the drivers provided by Windows Update, as they are often significantly more limited than the ones from Nvidia/ATI/Intel/etc….
Update #2: According to Alain from the comments below, if you are experiencing lagging issues with NWN on Windows 7, the issue is likely due to the 1.69 patch. He suggests uninstalling NWN, then reinstalling and only patching to 1.68.
Update #3: IMPORTANT (05/17/2010): You should also make sure that you have the latest DirectX 9 Runtime installed – Windows 7 does not include most bits of the DirectX 9 Runtime which can cause problems. You can download the (at time of posting) latest full version here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=0cef8180-e94a-4f56-b157-5ab8109cb4f5
It still says my video device is RPDD chained or whatever.
any ideas? i’m on w7 32-bit, btw
[OS]
OS=Windows XP v5.1 build 2600 Service Pack 3
Result=2
Skip=0
[Processor]
Type=Intel Pentium IV
Vendor=Intel
NumCPUs=1
Speed=2527
Result=2
Skip=0
[RAM]
RAM=504
Result=2
Skip=0
[Video Card]
Type=Intel 82865g Integrated
VRAM=64
Desktop Resolution=1152×864
Desktop Color Depth=32
Result=2
Skip=0
[Open GL]
OpenGL Installed=1
OpenGL Version=1.1.0
Result=2
Skip=0
[Direct X]
DirectX Installed=1
DirectX Version=DirectX (9.0+) (4.09.00.0904)
DirectX Build=4.09.00.0904
Result=2
Skip=0
[Misc]
Last Run=6/7/2009 9:12:52 AM
Scanning=0
[Version]
Game=1.69
[Registry]
LastInstalledVersion=3
Location=C:NeverwinterNightsNWN
StartMenu=C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsNeverwinter Nights
GUID={7C503E58-B2BC-11D5-978A-0050BA84F5F7}
Version=1.66
Flavour=Retail
Language=0
InstallType=2
Latest Installed XP=2
Latest Installed XP Name=Neverwinter Nights: Diamond Edition
Path=C:NeverwinterNightsNWN
[EXE Versions]
Main=8074
Server=8074
Toolset=1.3.32.6
Updater=1.24
Config=2.0.3.4
Launcher=1.0.6.4
HakPak=1.0.2.0
[Drive Info]
C: [FIXED]=-885809152
D: [CD ROM]=-1
E: [REMOVABLE]=-1185751040
F: [CD ROM]=-1
G: [CD ROM]=-1
H: [CD ROM]=-1
I: [CD ROM]=-1
J: [CD ROM]=-1
[Alias]
HD0=.
CD0=.
OVERRIDE=.override
TEMP=.temp
MODULES=.modules
LOGS=.logs
LOCALVAULT=.localvault
DMVAULT=.dmvault
SERVERVAULT=.servervault
TEMPCLIENT=.tempclient
SAVES=.saves
CURRENTGAME=.currentgame
HAK=.hak
PATCH=.patch
NWMFiles=.nwm
AMBIENT=.ambient
MOVIES=.movies
MUSIC=.music
[Sound Options]
Music Volume=0.75
Voice Volume=0.75
SoundFX Volume=0.75
DisableSound=0
3D Provider=
[Display Options]
Width=1024
Height=768
BitsPerPixels=32
RefreshRate=60
TexturePack=3
SafeMovie=0
AllowWindowedMode=1
FullScreen=0
[Config]
FirstRun=0
Connection=0
NWLoaderDisplayTime=3
[Video Options]
VideoQualitySetting=3
Enable HardwareMouse=1
EnableEnvironmentShadows=1
CreatureShadowDetail=2
EnableGrass=1
EnableFastGrass=0
NumDynamicLights=8
NumShadowCastingLights=3
ShinyWater=0
CreatureWindSetting=2
EnableVisualEffectsHigh=1
EnableSkyboxes=1
AntiAliasing Mode=0
Enable VSync=0
Enable Truform=0
Enable AnisotropicFiltering=0
Grass Far Render Distance=900.0
[Game Options]
Memory Level=1
Memory Access=1
TooltipDelay uSec=100000
Enable FloatyTextFeedback=1
Hide SecondStoryTiles=0
Single Player ItemLevelRestrictions=0
Single Player Enforce Legal Characters=0
Client CPU Affinity=1
ClientEntireChatWindowLogging=0
LogMyEmoteUsage=0
In-game Text Swear Filter=0
Visible Cloaks=1
[Control Options]
Zoom Speed=3.000000
CameraTurnSpeed=1.000000
Enable ScreenEdgeCameraTurn=1
[Profile]
ShowMessageOfTheDay=1
Client Port=5120
ShowDDMessage=0
[Server Options]
One Party Only=1
MaxCharLevel=40
[Trap Colors]
FriendlyColor=0,255,0
HostileColor=255,0,0
oops, i changed it to intel integrated (which didn’t work), and i changed the vram to 64 cause i heard that might work..but no luck.
Is it not launching at all, or is the display just garbled?
the game launches, but runs INCREDIBLY slow (like interface lag, as if i don’t meet the sysreqs by a mile..which i certainly do.)
for the record, here’s what i have
Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.53 GHz
512 MB ram
Intel(R) 82865g Integrated Chipset
Windows 7 32-bit
In this case, it’s due to the integrated graphics chip – that really isn’t a gaming chip. Do a little Google’ing, and you’ll see some comparisons, but it lacks Hardward T&L. To get things running decently smoothly, you’ll likely need a better graphics card, regardless of the rest of your system specs.
You could try turning down all of the video settings, though. Disable extra effects, run at a low resolution, etc….
it worked on windows xp beautifully though, at full settings
I’m about 99% sure it’s cause it’s detecting my graphics card as that ‘RDPD Chained DD’ device.
Try updating the drivers, but even after the instructions in my post it will still show it as the RDPD device (mine worked fine, but I’m using a GeForce 8800 GTS).
If you’re just using the stock drivers that came with Windows 7, that may also be your issue.
i guess it’s just incompatible
coulda swore it worked though
I an haveing the same problem on an ATI RAGE HD 46xx, could you please tell me what is this RDPD chained DD driver? is it vital to the system, in case it is not, is there any way to eradicate it?
Thanks
The RDPD Chained DD is simply NWN mis-detecting the video card. If you make the noted changes and switch to Windowed Mode, you should be able to play.
I tried, but it didn’t work (the windowed mode switched on but the window was Black) The sound indicated the game was playing..
any idea? TKs!
I want to play the game on a pc with no internet connection, so, assuming RDPD Chained DD is somethig about “remote desktop” is it possible to eliminate the RDPD Chained DD?
Every “system info” program i run shows RDPD Chained DD as an installed VGA card, but i can’t find it in “device manager”, actually i can’t find it in any way in windows…so i can’t disable it…
You could attempt to disable it by opening Device Manager, then going to the View Menu and selecting ‘View Hidden Devices’. It should appear under the ‘Non-Plug and Play Drivers’ category. I haven’t tried this though, so I’m not sure if it will work or not.
Alternatively, make sure you are running the latest ATI drivers from ATI’s website, and *not* the Windows Update drivers.
Alrighty, I’ve tried to get this running all day and I’m getting pissy..
I am running the 64 bit version of Windows 7 on:
Intel core2 Duo 2.6
ATI Gigabyte HD 4350 graphics card
2 gig ram
I downloaded and installed the new graphics driver
installed NWN diamond and fully patched/haked it
Follwed all of your instructions
rebooted a whole bunch of times
It will run, I’ve actually achieved gameplay, but it is lagging like you wouldn’t believe, even on the main screen. Do you have any ideas?
The lag would be something new – I never had that happen with my installation.
What’s your desktop resolution, and what do you have the in-game resolution set to?
Hi
The problem is not Windows 7 but with the 1.69 patch !
Uninstall the game reinstall it, then update it to patch 1.68. You won’t lag anymore.
But as soon as you will update to 1.69 the game will lag and run extremely slow and will be unplayable.
That’s good to hear – I’ll edit the post to reflect that.
[...] 3 comments Please refer to my new blog for this post: http://www.laslow.net/?p=12 Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Homework for week 3Oct [...]
I have an Intel 82865 and actually have gotten DirectX working. However, OpenGL games – like NWN – do not work, they are incredible laggy. Tried installing the DX9 redist, but that didn’t help.
Also, NWN works perfectly well if I run it in linux.
The problem is not the 1.69 patch, that I am certain of.
There seems to be an issue if you’re using ‘discreet’ graphics chips like the Intel 8xxxx series. I haven’t seen anything that can correct it so far, so if you’re trying to play it on a laptop with a video card you’re probably out of luck. Otherwise, if you have a desktop and can upgrade the video card to an Nvidia or ATI based one, do it. And regardless of the card, always make sure you’re using the latest drivers from your video card manufacture’s website (read: direct from Intel, Nvidia, ATI, etc….). If you have an OEM machine (like an HP or Dell), skip the drivers on their websites as they are often months (if not years) out of date.
I think it’s happening because I am using XPDM drivers – Intel have not released any WDDM ones for this chipset. I don’t think it’s a hardware issue.
That looks to be the reason – Intel has posted the following page stating that they don’t support your chip on Windows 7 (also applies to Windows Vista, apparently):
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18576&lang=eng
Yeah, I know. However, I have gotten them, at least to some extent, working; DirectX games run fine.
I had a compatibility problem…after I installed the 1.69 patch it was working almost fine, except by the lag and crashes…
I have windows 7 and here is what I found as solution:
right click on the desktop then personalize…
choose a basic theme, I used the classical windows theme…I don’t why but after that NWN worked just fine, no lag and no crash.
Sorry the bad english, it’s not my native language.
i just got nwn diamond for christmas. i can install it just fine. unfortunatly i want to play it and cant seem to find anything that helps. if you have any suggestions please let me know. i’m running on windows 7.
[...] If you’re here looking for a great post on how to get Neverwinter Nights to run on Windows 7, check out this blog. [...]
I thought I’d post a quick message for anyone still struggling with the issue of interface lag while playing NWN.
After trying a few things listed here with little success, I stumbled across something that did work just fine. Suicida’s solution worked, by itself, with nothing else modified.
However if you don’t want to have to do without Windows Aero and so forth, there is a way to have your cake and eat it … kind of.
Right mouse click on either your shortcut to NWN, or directly on the NWMAIN.EXE itself and select properties at the bottom of the context menu popup, and then select the compatibility tab. On this tab activate the tickbox next to ‘Disable desktop composition’, then click the okay button down the bottom.
Now whenever you run Neverwinter Windows will drop to basic mode, and when you are finished it will revert back automatically.
Thank you, mrphurious, you have made my day. I was not aware of Windows 7 compatibility mode for individual programs until I followed your instructions. Setting the compatibility mode for NWNMAIN.EXE to Windows XP SP3 worked perfectly for me
If you set the main Exe file to run as an administrator make sure to change the other side programs as well. Otherwise Windows 7/Vista will have the Updater or Aurora Toolset write to the Virtual Store (typically C:\Users\XXX\AppData\Local\VirtualStore), because it doesn’t have permission to write into the regular \Program Files folder like it used to. Meanwhile the game itself won’t be looking into the Virtual Store folder, as it has admin permission, and will miss any tweaks you’ve tried to make with custom mods.
Personally, the game has run fine for me since setting everything to Admin and XP SP3 compatibility, except that the Launcher doesn’t like to Launch stuff that has ‘Run As Admin’ enabled for some reason.
I’m running on a windows 7 Alienware Aurora. Its up to date with everything. Will this fix make it work? I plan on buying NWN again due to me losing the install disc, But I won’t if it won’t work. No need to waste money.
ok guys after trying almost all the things mentioned here, here is what worked for me : –
I changed the windows theme to windows classic from the basic and high contrast themes menu
I changed the texture quality to low and disabled ‘enable sky boxes’ and ‘enable environment shadows’
in advanced video options I turned all the settings to the lowest by sliding all the bars to the extreme left and disabled all the additional effects options below those bars by removing the ticks from the checkboxes.
the game is running smoothly now
For some reason I have had no issues running in XP-sp2 Compatibility mode, but run into several issues with XP-sp3 mode. Just thought I’d through this out there for those trying to get the game to work on Windows 7.
This solved the problem for me! Thank you.
The bad thing about this is that my savegame files does not work on the 1,68 patch. When I try to load them the game woun’t open them because they were saved in the 1,69 patch. Ay ideas how to continue play with these savefiles in the 1,68 patch?
Since I don’t want to keep my character, his items and not feel like starting from the beginning of a chapter…
*Since WANT to keep my character, his items and not feel like starting from the beginning of a chapter…