Dirt2 PC vs NFS Shift PC, which would last longer on replayability?

[purecain]

dirt 2 is a far superior experiance....

[Cpl Ledanek]

...man, I find you a virgin if I can experience it by Friday

[Cpl Ledanek]

sent to STEAM and Codemasters today

reinstalled game again

before reinstalling, I did the following
- turned off anything running in the background (no antivirus, no firewall, no USB attached, no sound)
- defragged C:\ drive (Primary: where my OS is installed)

after reinstalling, I
- checked integrity of download (passed)
- re-enabled sound
- defragged

changes made:
- My Games Folder> Hardware config> audio changed to software & DX9= true
- STEAM>apps>dirt2>systems>hardware config> core8 changed to core2 (since my CPU E8400 per Intel is 2 cores only)
- defragged again

Games for Window Live
- created an offline account
- signed on with offline account

replayed game
- made it to where I create a game profile, I used a default name, game crashed

event viewer log:
Faulting application name: dirt2_game.exe, version: 1.1.0.0, time stamp: 0x4b598827
Faulting module name: dirt2_game.exe, version: 1.1.0.0, time stamp: 0x4b598827
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x009c69c9
Faulting process id: 0x1148
Faulting application start time: 0x01caeecb461c3c64
Faulting application path: c:\program files\steam\steamapps\common\dirt 2\dirt2_game.exe
Faulting module path: c:\program files\steam\steamapps\common\dirt 2\dirt2_game.exe
Report Id: 81a9d5fc-5abf-11df-9ac3-00508db6d9a6

please advice on solution

[Cpl Ledanek]

FINALLY WORKING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not sure what fixed it first. I came home and there was a Games for Windows Live update available for me....installed that.
An email from Codemasters (Rob) about adding a -safemode to my dirt2.exe
"C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\dirt 2\dirt2_game.exe" -safemode
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
or,
C:\Users\XXX\Documents\My Games\DiRT2\hardwaresettings_config

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<hardware_settings_config version="51">
<cpu>
<threadStrategy parallelUpdateRender="true" workerMapFile="system/workerMap2Core.xml" forceFeedbackProcessor="1" dvdStorageProcessor="1" dataSetMonitorProcessor="0" renderProcessor="0" updateProcessor="1" fileStreamProcessor="1" />
</cpu>
<audio_card>
<audio mixing="software" />
</audio_card>
<graphics_card>
<directx forcedx9="true" />
<resolution width="1920" height="1200" aspect="normal" fullscreen="true" vsync="0" multisampling="4xmsaa">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
</resolution>
<gamma level="1.0" />
</graphics_card>
<graphics_detail level="high" />
<shadows enabled="true" size="2048" maskQuality="1" />
<particles enabled="true" wind="true" dynamicRes="false" />
<crowd enabled="true" detail="1" tessellation="false" />
<cloth enabled="true" detail="1" />
<postprocess quality="1" />
<groundcover mode="blended" clutter="true" />
<objects lod="1.25" maxlod="0" />
<trees lod="1.25" maxlod="0" />
<vehicles characterQuality="3" lodQuality="2" />
<envmap faces="6" size="512" forceBilinear="true" />
<water update="true" detail="2" tessellation="false" />
<mirrors enabled="true" forceBilinear="true" width="1024" height="256" car_maxlod="1" car_culldist="300.0" />
<skidmarks enabled="true" />
<dynamic_ambient_occ enabled="true" quality="1" />
<night_lighting volumes="true" lights="0" shadows="true" />
<physics environmentalDamage="true" vehicleDamage="true" />
<input device_type="auto" />
<motion enabled="true" ip="dbox" port="20777" delay="1" extradata="0" />
</hardware_settings_config>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
or
C:\Users\XXX\Documents\My Games\DiRT2\hardwaresettings_info
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<hardware_settings_info>
<systemInfo OS="Professional (Build 7600)" totalMemory="2097151" winPlatformID="2" winMajorVersion="6" winMinorVersion="1" isWinXP="false" isWinVista="false" isWin7="true" rating="3" />
<cpu name="Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz" speed="3060" cores="2" hyperThreading="false" sse2Supported="true" rating="3" />
<graphics_card name="ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series " vendorId="0x1002" deviceId="0x6899" vs_shader="3_0" ps_shader="3_0" memory="2414" rating="3" dx11="false">
<resolution width="640" height="480" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
<refreshRate rate="59" />
<refreshRate rate="75" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="720" height="480" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
<refreshRate rate="75" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="720" height="576" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
<refreshRate rate="75" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="800" height="600" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
<refreshRate rate="75" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1024" height="768" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
<refreshRate rate="75" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1152" height="864" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="75" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1280" height="720" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
<refreshRate rate="59" />
<refreshRate rate="75" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1280" height="768" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
<refreshRate rate="75" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1280" height="800" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
<refreshRate rate="75" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1280" height="960" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
<refreshRate rate="75" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1280" height="1024" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
<refreshRate rate="75" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1360" height="768" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1400" height="1050" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1440" height="900" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1600" height="1200" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1680" height="1050" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1920" height="1080" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
<refreshRate rate="59" />
</resolution>
<resolution width="1920" height="1200" aspect="normal">
<refreshRate rate="60" />
</resolution>
<capabilities a2r10g10b10="true">
<alpha_to_coverage supported="true" method="ATi" />
<multisampling>
<mode name="off" />
<mode name="2xmsaa" />
<mode name="4xmsaa" />
<mode name="8xmsaa" />
</multisampling>
</capabilities>
</graphics_card>
<audio_card audioEnabled="true">
<mixing type="hardware" index="0" reverbs="1" voices="127" />
<mixing type="software" index="1" reverbs="1" voices="192" />
<unsupported type="rapture3D" index="5" reverbs="4" voices="0" />
</audio_card>
</hardware_settings_info>

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or
my workerMap8Core was renamed to workerMap8Core.bak
and my workerMap4Core was duplicated to make a workerMap4Core.bak, then
workerMap4Core was re-named as workerMap8Core

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or
running game as Administrator.........dunno what fixed it
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I even tried to crash it by going to fast on my selection and going to Tour and Esc back, just trying to confuse it......then I left it on....before it would get "bored" and hang then crash.....now, after mopping the kitchen, vacuuming the stairs.....it's still running.

Go figure!

anyho screenshot time!






Hope my troubles will help someone here. Many debt of gratitude to everyone who has helped me and others.....stay classy

[Frag Maniac]

LOL, it was probably just updating GfWL. You should ALWAYS make sure you update it for any game you play that uses it, esp if you're having such problems. Funny how they make MS OS updates automatic if you want, but when they literally take over the gaming industry with their crap GfWL format, they leave it up to the customer.

[Cpl Ledanek]

LOL, it was probably just updating GfWL. You should ALWAYS make sure you update it for any game you play that uses it, esp if you're having such problems. Funny how they make MS OS updates automatic if you want, but when they literally take over the gaming industry with their crap GfWL format, they leave it up to the customer.

I think that was it. I remember making an offline profile and those seems to have better...or less chance of crashing...all because there was no saving.

[Frag Maniac]

Well great that you got it running OK. Stop by the official CM forum for DiRT 2 if you have any screens or better yet vids to share.

[Cpl Ledanek]

Well great that you got it running OK. Stop by the Official CM forum for DiRT 2 if you have any screens or better yet vids to share.

Oh I think I will enjoy sharing screenshots

[Cpl Ledanek]

There's something gratifying about beating Tanner Foust and Ken Block in this game :shifty:








then bashing my favorite brand: RedBull

[Cpl Ledanek]

I'm loving DIRT2 more and more now that I finally got it working.
I finally stopped forcing DX9 in the hardware config and now running DX11

I played it on PS3 console and watching it 6-8ft away, you miss everything.

I love seeing the little details Codemaster placed in there, the post processings, the little engine/vehicle parts that moves, etc

just sharing a couple videos I was able to get on FREE FRAPS (30-sec clips edited together with MS Moviemaker

Weasel Run
Downhill and Uphill China
Driver's View

[Mickey Padge]

Shift is unplayable due to the crappy controls and steering lag, even with various mods applied and tested, it still plays terribly

Colin McRae Dirt 2 is rubbish too, there is virtually no Rally stages, and the hill climb events are gone too, which is very strange for a game series famed for the excellent Rallying events. Codemasters dropped the ball and Americanised it way too much, the devs admitted as much themselves. So few tracks and zero replayablity. Hell, even the menu system can leave you nauseous, what's wrong with a 2D menu, why do I have to look around a trailer and get a headache?

Hopefully they will fix everything and release a rally game next time with Colin McRae Dirt 3, otherwise they should drop Colin McRae's name from the game title......

On another note, Milan-based Black Bean Games and Milestone developers are working on a WRC game, with luck they will nail it, as there hasn't been a quality PC rally game for 5+ years, aside from the fun, but arcadey Colin McRae Dirt

[zaraza]

There are alot of NFS SHIFT mods, to modify/extend/make the career mode more realistic. And there are handling mods as well. If you install all the mods, nfs shift will last longer. I like both. I play both, although i took a break, but find myself coming back to DIRT 2 even though nfs shift is also installed.

[Mickey Padge]

I went and re-installed Dirt, starting from scratch again, this time at 1920x1200 all maxed out, still looks good and is fun too, plus surprisingly for a rally game, there are plenty of rally stages, which is nice

[Hell Hound]

I chose Shift,any one that has seen a WRC race knows dirt 2 is not a rally game.Stick to Richard Burns Rally.

[JamesBong420]

+1 Dirt 1.... dirt 2 and shift are shams!!!!!! or any other old colin mcrae rally games out there are good..

[Mickey Padge]

I chose Shift,any one that has seen a WRC race knows dirt 2 is not a rally game.Stick to Richard Burns Rally.

The problem is that Dirt 2 should be a rally game though, as it is part of a long and successful rally game series

However, it's just a totally arcadey track based game, as JamesBong420 said, a sham. I just hope the devs realise the multiple mistakes they made for next time round. Dirt 1 with Dirt 2 or better visuals would be sweet after all

[Frag Maniac]

I agree, but I'm not really upset that they added in off road racing to the first DiRT, because it was done well there. Nice long RAID tracks, challenging buggy races, and good hill climbs. You had more realistic damage too and had to be careful how you set the cars up.

I wouldn't mind if they even added some motocross and supercross tracks to DiRT 3, or maybe just make a separate game in conjunction with DiRT 3 called DiRT BiKE or something.

In DiRT titles though, since Colin's name is still associated with them, rally should be a good percentage of the game, at least 40% maybe. They could have easily made rally 40% of DiRT 2 had they not wasted a LOT of racing on reusing Landrush tracks for Domination and Last Man Standing. My God some of the venues it seems you're at the Landrush track 60% of the time because of that alone.

[Cpl Ledanek]

just playing devil's advocate:

I wonder how many RBR amateur/rookie racers are happy that DIRT 1 or 2 is not...hmm...tedious/difficult??? need a Thesaurus ATM to find the word I'm looking for.

I had to admit, it took me probably months to "get by" with RBR...with real life getting in the way of our gaming

after trying out UTAH in Dirt2, I immediately wished, RBR's Australian or what's the USA desert track again??? was that beautiful

[Hell Hound]

There will never be a replacement for RBR,my first Scandinavian flick got me so excited lol.

[Cpl Ledanek]

There will never be a replacement for RBR,my first Scandinavian flick got me so excited lol.

Amen to that
I don't think DIRT2 have that....I was at Fry's trying out a DIRT2 set up they had, and when I did the flick, people were WTF was that?....then again, it was a staff and a bunch of 12 y/o

[demonkevy666]

I'm playing serious and I can get at least 3-6 secs ahead on most small events but world tours seems cheat against me :/

I had to literally ram them off the road to slow them down (Kate Justice and Dave Mirria)

I'm not a big fan of the rally cross and the complaining driver that cuts me off when I go on the out side to inside of a turn >_>

also happen in baja too the lose control and you ram in them cause you have two people on your other side and they're complaining it's annoying as hell.

anyone noticed the hacked world records in L.A 20 sec lap lol ? someone needs to delete those.

I might try shift again with my Agiea PPU I have. For the record I got threw most of shift on the keyboard but now have a 360 controller which I've been using for dirt 2.

[Hell Hound]

I can tell you exactly what dlls and driver # you need for the ppu.

[Frag Maniac]

....then again, it was a staff and a bunch of 12 y/o

From what I've seen at the store in my area, most of the staff themselves at Fry's act like 12 yr olds, esp the last hr the store is open.

Yeah, the flick is cool in RBR. I had to uninstall the game though because I was getting lots of CtDs and I couldn't even save after races. I don't know if it was a bug in the stock game, my spec, or the 2009 RSRBR mod I installed, but I decided to wait until I build a new PC and get a wheel. It was a bit too hard on KB anyway.

I never have trouble with the multi vehicle races in DiRT 2. They're a bit more challenging if you force yourself to race them clean on Hardcore, but still easily winnable. Besides playing with settings to force more challenge (max light, soft, high & strong on downforce, suspension, height & differential), I've been letting the AI get a head start on Throwdowns in Landrush and Rallycross. It's ridiculous on some tracks. Even on Hardcore you can give them as much as 6 sec and still win.

[Mickey Padge]

I don't mind the other events, if they had added them in conjunction with a large, multiple track rally section within the game, that would be fine, but they added them instead of the rally events! Rally events make up well under 20% of the games content, a complete reversal of content when compared to the previous game.....

In Dirt 1 you can do really well and get really far within the game by just doing the Rally stages, you can still unlock enough events to continue right to the end

I tried Shift with a 360 controller, the lag and playability was horrendous, that is one game that will never be re-installed, what a waste....

[Hell Hound]

What are your specs ,game plays very nice to me using I'm using a MOMO Racing Force steering wheel.