Mode Switching

Billyboy · 04-30-2002, 01:36 AM

I was wondering why the SereneScreen version included with the Windows XP Plus Pack doesn't cause my monitor to mode switch while the retail version does? In both cases, the screen goes black before SereneScreen starts running, but with the retail version there is an additional pause and click as the monitor changes resolution (which it shouldn't since both the screen saver resolution and desktop resolution are set to 1600 x 1200, 32 BPP). This also occurs when SereneScreen is interrupted by mouse movement.

I hope that was clear.

The transition is a lot quicker and seamless with the Plus Pack version.

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

Yellow Tang · 04-30-2002, 02:46 AM

Try to use 16bpp for your desktop instead of 32. The (retail version) screensaver uses 16bpp, so your monitor must not change it's mode anymore.

feldon34 · 04-30-2002, 08:54 AM

Mr. Tang is right. The plus pack is written in DirectX 8 code, so it can run at 32bit color.

The mode changes are normal for the deluxe/registered version of the Aquarium.

Billyboy · 04-30-2002, 11:10 AM

I tried switching my desktop to 16bpp, but the mode switching still happens.

feldon34 · 04-30-2002, 12:51 PM

It's also probably changing from 85 Hz to 60 Hz.

Swede · 04-30-2002, 02:52 PM

I have the same clicking... Why would it need to change from 85 to 60hz?

feldon34 · 04-30-2002, 05:23 PM

If you have DirectX limited to 60 Hz (which it does by default).

Go to the Start menu, Run...

Type DXDIAG

Click the "More Help" tab at the top.

Click the "Click this button to override DirectDraw's refresh rate" button. Type in the same refresh rate you are presently using for Windows, such as 75 or 85. Make sure you put a value that your monitor is capable of handling!!

I've just accepted the # of clicks. You should have seen the first beta of 1.0. It clicked a dozen times and took 20 seconds before I saw anything.

I can report that on my GeForce 2 MX 400, with the monitor refresh synched to 75 Hz in Windows and in DirectDraw (as described above), and with my desktop bit depth set to 16-bit, there are no "clicks". The Aquarium pops up in less than 2 seconds.

However, I cannot run in 16-bit color since the photos I deal with are 24-bit. But for 95% of people, 16-bit is quite acceptable.

Billyboy · 04-30-2002, 05:45 PM

The "DXDIAG" setting worked!

Agreed that the clicking is a minor nit for such an incredible and beautiful product, but the Plus Pack version spoiled me.

Thanks again!

Swede · 04-30-2002, 05:50 PM

Thanks for the info! Now the aquarium looks even better!

I have noticed a tiny flickering before, but now it's crystal clear!
(at 85 Hz!) No clicks! Desktop at 32 bit! Super!

BTW, what is the clicking sound coming from anyway? Seems to be somewhat straining for the monitor. How many clicks can it last, eigentlich?

MegaHertz · 04-30-2002, 07:01 PM

The clicks are caused by the monitor switching resolutions and frequencies, at least that is my understanding. Read it somwhere once, but can't remember where now.

feldon34 · 04-30-2002, 07:19 PM

Google rocks

From http://www.adiusa.com/faq.html#6

Q6: Why do I hear a clicking sound each time I change the resolution?

A6: The clicking sound is caused by a mechanical relay switch which increases or decreases the high voltage when changing a resolution. Different resolutions will require different voltages.

Tiny Turtle · 05-01-2002, 10:27 AM

Morgan, nifty tip (not needed for my ancient vid card, but anyway).
Perhaps you should add it (with some disclaimers) to help.htm?

just some guy · 05-01-2002, 12:35 PM

.

04-30-2002, 01:36 AM	#1
Billyboy Registered Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Santa Clara Posts: 3	Mode Switching I was wondering why the SereneScreen version included with the Windows XP Plus Pack doesn't cause my monitor to mode switch while the retail version does? In both cases, the screen goes black before SereneScreen starts running, but with the retail version there is an additional pause and click as the monitor changes resolution (which it shouldn't since both the screen saver resolution and desktop resolution are set to 1600 x 1200, 32 BPP). This also occurs when SereneScreen is interrupted by mouse movement. I hope that was clear. The transition is a lot quicker and seamless with the Plus Pack version. Thanks in advance for any help with this.

04-30-2002, 08:54 AM	#3
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,938	Mr. Tang is right. The plus pack is written in DirectX 8 code, so it can run at 32bit color. The mode changes are normal for the deluxe/registered version of the Aquarium. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

04-30-2002, 12:51 PM	#5
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,938	It's also probably changing from 85 Hz to 60 Hz. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

04-30-2002, 05:23 PM	#7
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,938	If you have DirectX limited to 60 Hz (which it does by default). Go to the Start menu, Run... Type DXDIAG Click the "More Help" tab at the top. Click the "Click this button to override DirectDraw's refresh rate" button. Type in the same refresh rate you are presently using for Windows, such as 75 or 85. Make sure you put a value that your monitor is capable of handling!! I've just accepted the # of clicks. You should have seen the first beta of 1.0. It clicked a dozen times and took 20 seconds before I saw anything. I can report that on my GeForce 2 MX 400, with the monitor refresh synched to 75 Hz in Windows and in DirectDraw (as described above), and with my desktop bit depth set to 16-bit, there are no "clicks". The Aquarium pops up in less than 2 seconds. However, I cannot run in 16-bit color since the photos I deal with are 24-bit. But for 95% of people, 16-bit is quite acceptable. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman Last edited by feldon34; 04-30-2002 at 05:26 PM.

04-30-2002, 05:50 PM	#9
Swede Registered Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Karlskrona, Sweden Posts: 172	Thanks for the info! Now the aquarium looks even better! I have noticed a tiny flickering before, but now it's crystal clear! (at 85 Hz!) No clicks! Desktop at 32 bit! Super! BTW, what is the clicking sound coming from anyway? Seems to be somewhat straining for the monitor. How many clicks can it last, eigentlich? 4x / F C Am G F C Am G // Chorus: 3x /F C Am G F C Am G// Last edited by Swede; 04-30-2002 at 06:04 PM.

04-30-2002, 02:46 AM	#2
Yellow Tang YT Join Date: Jan 2002 Tournaments Won: 1 Location: Germany Posts: 729	Try to use 16bpp for your desktop instead of 32. The (retail version) screensaver uses 16bpp, so your monitor must not change it's mode anymore.

04-30-2002, 11:10 AM	#4
Billyboy Registered Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Santa Clara Posts: 3	I tried switching my desktop to 16bpp, but the mode switching still happens.

04-30-2002, 02:52 PM	#6
Swede Registered Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Karlskrona, Sweden Posts: 172	I have the same clicking... Why would it need to change from 85 to 60hz? 4x / F C Am G F C Am G // Chorus: 3x /F C Am G F C Am G//

04-30-2002, 05:45 PM	#8
Billyboy Registered Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Santa Clara Posts: 3	The "DXDIAG" setting worked! Agreed that the clicking is a minor nit for such an incredible and beautiful product, but the Plus Pack version spoiled me. Thanks again!

04-30-2002, 07:01 PM	#10
MegaHertz Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 73	The clicks are caused by the monitor switching resolutions and frequencies, at least that is my understanding. Read it somwhere once, but can't remember where now. Hello...Welcome to the Police 9-1-1 Hotline..." If you are obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly. If you are codependant, ask someone to press 2. If you are a multiple personality, press 3, 4, 5, and 6. If you are paranoid, we know who you are and we are tracing this call. If you are schizophrenic, a little voice will tell you what to do. If you are depressed, it doesn't matter which # you push it will be wrong anyway.

04-30-2002, 07:19 PM	#11
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,938	Google rocks From http://www.adiusa.com/faq.html#6 Q6: Why do I hear a clicking sound each time I change the resolution? A6: The clicking sound is caused by a mechanical relay switch which increases or decreases the high voltage when changing a resolution. Different resolutions will require different voltages. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

05-01-2002, 10:27 AM	#12
Tiny Turtle is pleased Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 7,365	Morgan, nifty tip (not needed for my ancient vid card, but anyway). Perhaps you should add it (with some disclaimers) to help.htm? Thanks to Morgan, Tiny Snapshots is up and running again with "Tiny Järvafält" as the latest addition – Go have a look and tell me what you think. "We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad-Gita. Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and to impress him takes on his multi-armed form and says, 'Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.' I suppose we all thought that, one way or another." /Robert Oppenheimer on witnessing the first thermonuclear detonation in history.

05-01-2002, 12:35 PM	#13
just some guy Banned Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: South Cakalaki Posts: 110	. . Last edited by just some guy; 05-11-2002 at 12:09 PM.