EggXpert

Ok, it isn't too old, still made in the XP era, but I recently repurchased Silent Hill 2's PC port following some problems I had with a scratched disk--system lock-up when loading, sound looping, occassional lockup when shutting down, and it always locks up when I raise the resolution above 1024 - 768...  My first computer (yeah, this is my third) ran a Pentium 4 2.4ghz and it had no problems with it. My second computer ran an Athlon 64 2.0ghz, I had problems with freezing in the game (probably the scratches) but no problems loading, with sound, etc. On that computer, I upgraded the processor to an X2 2.2ghz, and that's when the problems started. When I built my current computer, and even after I upgraded it to a 8800GT Akimbo, the same problem. I'm sorely depressed... It's my favorite game and the only way I can get it to play is to let it freeze up and then load it in "safe graphics mode." but I still get the sound loops and can't load more than a 1024 - 768 resolution...

I have Silent Hill 3, and my computer chews through it like candy... but I've noticed really high resolutions tend to cause to skip a few frames. I chalk this up to lack of support for my video card--it's a 7000 era game, and I've heard old games and new cards don't always mix well. But it runs perfect on very, very high settings (1280 - 1040 and max rendering). Bioshock Demo and Portal: First Slice are far, far, better.

My question is, could it be a problem with dual-core in general? Also, does anyone else own the game, and if so, what's you're solution?
 

greets-

I seem to remember a similar problem with this game on Xp. (running it on Vista is a whole other  can of worms... ) there's a patch that exists... also I remember some goofy sound setting - try disabling EAX if it's supported or hardware acceleration (start, run, dxdiag)  also i think what finally worked for me is running the game from a fixed exe (no-cd exe). go to GameCopyWorld.com and download one... this is PERFECTLY LEGAL because you own the game. Hope this helps...

EDIT: In regards to your dual core issue, alt-tab out of the game after launching it, or window-key out, and open task manager. select the silent hill 2 process, right click, and set the affinity to just one CPU.

Yeah, thanks. You have a link to the patch? I've checked Konami and there's no patch listed. If not, what site is it on?

I'll try that one cpu process idea. But if that patch is out there, let me know. 

Thanks. 

http://www.fileplanet.com/118711/110000/fileinfo/Silent-Hill-2-Patch

If its the old dual-core problem, sometimes, setting the affinity to a single core still doesn't take. The easiest way to address that is to install the AMD dual-core optimizer. http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_9706,00.html (scroll down). I had some serious probs with PK until I loaded it, but it took care of the prob.

With this issue though, it would make the graphics erratic, would frizz line and freeze, but worth a try, wont hurt anything else.

Peace, Penewah! 

Thanks for the tips. I had the dual-core optimizer installed on my other computer, didn't work but I downloaded it anyway simply because... I imagine it will come in handy. The patch fixed everything (I think) I loaded the game 4 times without it crashing (first time in safe graphics from the last crash) without fail, set it to the best resolution for my monitor, NO CRASH, I even had something pop up underneath it--the game's constant death sentence, James would keep walking with nothing press and not respond, now, I was able to close the game out and control the screen WITH NO PROBLEMS. I wonder if the sound looping thing was what was causing it to freeze up... anywho, since I now have two copies of the game, gonna install it on both computers so two people can play it. :D thanks guys, My fave game is back in action!

Yeah, yah gotta check for them old game patches and updates. I actually got and installed 'Evil Dead Regeneration" today, and oldie but goodie, and freakin weirdest thing, the keyboard wouldnt respond. A quick check on GamerShell, and bam! LOL, there is was, patch for keybaord and mouse not responding. Working like a charm.  Man them old games are clunkers, but we love'm!! LOL.

Penewah!