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Online Smash/PJ64k Troubleshooting Guide [VISTA GUIDE]

Umbrasquall

Smash Ace
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
504
This is a guide on what to do to solve the various issues that you may come across when trying to play Project64k online. The reason I am making this guide is because I've had so much trouble in the past months trying to get Smash up and running smoothly after I installed Windows Vista. I know that I am not the only person that has been frustrated by the deficiencies of PJ64, so I've compiled everything I know into this post in hopes that it will spare someone else the troubles that I've had. So, on to the problems themselves…

Note: My goal in all this was to make PJ64k online Smash run exactly as it does or as close as possible to playing Smash on the real N64 (provided a decent connection and sufficient RAM).

WINDOWS VISTA GRAPHICS ISSUES:

The Problem:

"While processing graphic data an exception occurred you may need to restart the emulator."

The above is #1 most common graphics issue that most everyone will experience sometime during their encounter with Project64. It appears in the form of an incredibly annoying popup that will jump up in your face, freezing the ongoing game behind it (and if you are online, consequently lagging the game for the other players in the room) and won't disappear until you click "Ok." As far as I can tell, this message is totally random, but tends to happen more often when the screen changes (aka. from menu to character selection or character selection to stage selection). It also pops up whenever your finger or someone else's finger moves onto a different character (in the character selection screen). It also occurs sometimes, although rarely, whenever you do a smash attack in game.

The error by itself is just a small nuisance most of the time, since unless you're unlucky enough to have the smash attack problem, it will only occur up until the characters and stages have been selected. Afterwards, for some reason, the problem will usually disappear for the duration of the game(s). However, I have had times when the problem will just not go away at all and will perpetually bug the hell out of you until you just give up and bash on your keyboard. But enough of the description, and on to the solution.

The Solution:

I will outline several ways to solve this problem, if you are running Aero, read the update at the bottom as well:

Method #1: This is the most complicated method, but is almost guaranteed to solve your problem.
a. Go to the official Project64 site (http://www.pj64.net/main/index.php) and download the latest version that is available to the public there, which should be version 1.6.
b. Install it, and go to the directory you installed it to, and open the "plugins" folder.
c. Copy everything in this folder and paste into the "plugins" folder in your Project64k folder. Overwrite everything necessary.
d. Find the freshly pasted file named Jabo_Direct3D8.dll in your PJ64k plugins folder and rename it to Jabo_Direct3D7.dll. What you're doing here is updating the graphics plugin for Project64k to use the latest plugin in Project64, you need to rename it because PJ64k loads Jabo_Direct3D7.dll and won't recognize Jabo_Direct3D8.dll .
e. That's it. However, I'd recommend not deleting or uninstalling Project64 1.6 from your computer. You might need it later (See Method #2).

NOTE: You may also use any other N64 emulator graphics plugin that you may find online. AS LONG as you name them to Jabo_Direct3D7.dll and put it into your PJ64k plugin folder.

Method #2: This is the follow up to Method #1. I have experienced that Method #1, although reliable, may not solve your problems completely. For me, either because of Vista or just because PJ64k hates my computer, I was still occasionally getting the graphics error. The following is what I did for a while to remedy this problem.
a. I downloaded a clean copy of PJ64k. (It should be in a zipped format if you got it from the official site, btw PJ64k and PJ64 are not related.)
b. I deleted the original Project64k folder on my computer, and unzipped a clean version.
c. I went to the Project64 1.6 plugins folder (See Method #1) and recopied all of the plugins there over to the PJ64k plugins folder, and renamed Jabo_Direct3D8.dll to Jabo_Direct3D7.dll. Then, I copied a fresh copy of Jabo_Direct3D8.dll to the folder as well. (Don't ask me why, it doesn't make sense but it sometimes works.)
d. Restart the game, BUT, load a different version of Smash (aka. NOT Super Smash Brothers U [!]). You can find different versions of Smash online.
e. End emulation after proceeding to the Main Menu, hopefully you haven't experienced the error. Good luck.

Method #3: This final method is the last major change I made. I have not had any problems graphically since.
a. Go into the settings and change the screen resolution to 800x600, 32-bit, 60 HZ. Make sure your computer is running in 32-bit (For WinXP it's: Right-click desktop->Settings->Display. For Vista it's: Right-click desktop->Personalize->Display Settings. You should all know how to check this.) 60 HZ is the usual TV setting, so that's why I picked it. Hopefully this will solve the problem for the people who have gone through the first 2 methods and are still experiencing it.

There's a final tip I have. It's not really a method or solution, but I've found that if you offset the PJ64k window against a light background, for example, the maximized folder, you're less likely to get the error, whereas, if the only thing behind the PJ64k window is your dark wallpaper, you have a heightened chance of agitating the graphics error.

The Problem (2):

There's been a lot of complaints about people not being able to see their hands when they are selecting their character, not being able to see Samus's bolt, the percent damages at the bottom of the screen, having weird shaped shields, Fox's reflector, etc. This Is because your graphics plugin is old. See method 1 from the previous problem to update your graphics plugin. The game should look exactly like it does on the real system.

That's it for graphics.

~

CONTROLLER ISSUES:

When I first got my PSX/N64 to USB adapter I was understandably excited about the whole thing. I was going to be able to play online like the real system! Unfortunately, much to my dismay, after plugging in my carefully preserved 64 controller into the slot, I found that it handled like Donkey Kong on codeine.

I searched around for solutions, and messed with the deadzone, but even with it set to 0%, the controls still felt sluggish. I had problems dashing or falling down through platforms without having to smash very hard on the joystick. It was causing me pain because the controller that I had so carefully preserved (I got it with my original N64 purchased more than 10 years ago) was wearing down fast.

So after I looked around, I found this site:
http://www.sitesled.com/members/myztek/index.html

It is quite amazing the solutions you can come across on the Internet. The site above is very well written and I suggest taking a thorough look at it. But in case you don't want to bother reading the entire thing, it basically says that you need to be using N-Rage's plugin and not the default Jabo controller plugin. The deadzone settings on this are much more liberal and will allow you to set the sensitivity super-high, to the extent that ghost-movements actually become a problem.

Unfortunately, if you try to use the N-Rage plugin online, you will experience more problems, big surprise. If you're hosting the game, you will find that no one else can move their hand in the Character Selection Menu, or if you are joining someone else's game, you will not be able to move your hand. To top that off, if you're able to somehow get a game started, it will desynchronize within seconds. Annoying isn't it?

To fix this new troublesome issue, you will need download from here: http://www.emulator-zone.com/doc.php/n64/n64plugins.html the latest N-Rage plugin, it'll be the version 1.83 one. Put this into your PJ64k plugin folder (Overwrite if necessary).

Now go into the controller settings and make sure that all the other controllers are set to "Unplugged." Then make sure that under Controller 1, Pontroller Pak, "RawData" is unchecked. Also in the main controller 1 screen, uncheck "Real N64 Range" to be safe. Now everything should work out! Just play around with the deadzone settings and soon your controller will also work exactly like you're playing on the real system!

NOTE: The above solution should be of aid to people who are having problems with 3rd party controllers, aka Xbox 360 controllers, Logitech PS2 style controllers, etc.

~

KAILLERA ISSUES:

I personally never had problems with connecting/hosting/playing on Kaillera myself. To be honest I think that if you have a decent Internet connection and the latest version of PJ64k, there shouldn't be a problem. But just in case, below is the link to get the latest Kaillera files for your PJ64k folder.

http://www.anti3d.com/dl/anti3d_kailleraclient_1.1.zip

~

**** that took a long time to write. I'll probably think of something else later, but that's all I'm doing for now. If you have any issues that I didn't mention here, post them, and the solutions if you know it. Good luck everyone, and happy Smashing.

EXTRA TIPS:

1. To activate Item Switch, activate the "Have Mushroom Kingdom" cheat built into the ROM. It doubles as the Item Switch cheat. I have no reason why they made it this way, and it took me forever before someone told me this.
2. Don't pick RANDOM stage while playing online. It will cause a desynch.
3. The official Nintendo website still sells brand new controllers(~25$), as well as replacement joysticks (8$). As we all know, the joysticks on the 64 controller wear out faster than patience while playing Isai in a Link ditto.) (On a side note, why is it called "ditto" anyway? It should be "mirror.")

UPDATE:

If you're running Aero (You'll know you are if your windows are translucent/seethrough) then you must do the following in addition to the above graphics solutions:

1. Right-click PJ64k, and go to properties.
2. In the compatibility tab, select Run this program in compatibility mode for: and choose Windows 98/ME (XP will probably work here as well).
3. Check the following: Disable visual themes, Disable desktop composition, Disable display scaling on high DPI settings, Run this program as an administrator.

When you run PJ64k, Windows will jump back into Basic mode, and Aero will be restored again when you exit the program.
 

Nephiros

Smash Ace
Joined
Jul 17, 2005
Messages
754
Awesome guide, now lets just hope noobs will actually check it before posting their "OMGHALPICANTPLUH" topics
 

Umbrasquall

Smash Ace
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
504
Update:

I've confirmed that Windows Vista causes the following problems:

1. The graphics error (GFX problem #1 above) can still be a nuisance. The current solution I have is to open up PJ64k, run the ROM a few times, closing and opening the emulator until it doesn't give the error right off. Then you can proceed to play on Kaillera.

2. For some reason, playing on Vista will lag your game about 0.3-4 seconds behind everyone else. I'm still currently trying to resolve this problem. I hope someone else who has Vista can help. For now, don't play this game on Vista.
 

Umbrasquall

Smash Ace
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
504
I started using Def's input plugin too. It works pretty well.

Also, update on the Vista situation. I still haven't found a solution, but I've partitioned a few gigs of my hard drive and installed XP lol. At least now I can play without the lag and record some matches.
 

Umbrasquall

Smash Ace
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
504
Update again:

Apparently the lag was partially caused by me using the most up to date graphics plugin. My computer doesn't have a good graphics card and it makes it lag by a few more milliseconds then everyone else. I fixed this now and the game runs a lot smoother.
 

drummer_kid

Smash Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
54
hey, Umbra heres my latest problem

when i play a match after having done all the right stuff in the set up my emulator mysteriously crashes off and on when im online. should i just delete and try agian? or what?
 

Umbrasquall

Smash Ace
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
504
You're using Vista? If you are realize that PJ64k still very glitchy despite all the things you do to tweak with it. After all it's not designed for the OS.

Which input and gfx plugins are you using right now? Sometimes they can cause problems too.
 

drummer_kid

Smash Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
54
Graphics
Jabo's Direct3D8 1.6

sound
Jabo's Direct sound 1.6

Contoller
N-Rage`s Direct-Input8 V2 1.83
 

Umbrasquall

Smash Ace
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
504
I hope the error doesn't happen all the time, because it looks like you are using the same setup that my XP system I am using. You renamed the gfx plugin to 3D7 right? Try it again with the original gfx plugin that came with the PJ64k files (the one with flat shields etc) and see if that makes a difference.

My only other guess is that it could be a networking problem. Sometimes there'll be a data overload which will freeze the program.
 

ShoeThief

Smash Apprentice
Joined
Jul 20, 2006
Messages
140
Ok, a problem I've been getting with pk64 is an error message that keeps popping up and ending my emulation. It usually occurs after about 20-30 minutes of play, reading "Max Codes Blocks Reached." I don't think it's the game because I has occurred to me while playing star fox as well
 

Nesco

Smash Rookie
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
4
PROBLEM:

You have no sound card installed on your computer. You can only use P64k when you choose the "No Sound" audio plugin. Net Play does NOT accept this.

SOLUTION 1:

Install a sound driver

SOLUTION 2 (Lazy *** solution):

Copy-paste No Sound.dll 3 times in your "Plugins" folder, and replace the copies with everything that has 'Sound' or 'Audio' in the filename. This way, whatever 'plugin' is chosen, it will work as the No Sound plugin. Worked for me.

(Solution 1 worked for me afterwards)
 

Umbrasquall

Smash Ace
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
504
ShoeThief: It sounds like the likely cause originates with your system. Try playing another game and see if you have the same problem as with Starfox and Smash. Then try it on another, preferably newer computer.

Nesco: It's probably a lot easier to just install the sound driver. :p
 

flaco

The Terminator
Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
3,105
Location
Springfield Mass
um project 64 ask for alot of a good pc to play alot of ram and a good internet connection also a nice sound card and video card but remember that does not matter how much things u have your computer lags due to internet and the server
 

Umbrasquall

Smash Ace
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
504
1. Are you running Vista?
2. It's most likely a problem with your graphics plugin. Try out the solution I posted in the original thread.
 

Rupus

BRoomer
BRoomer
Joined
Feb 10, 2005
Messages
868
Location
Salisbury, England
It's true, it does. Umbra, when I had that problem, I couldn't find the solution on your thread either, but after looking again I see that it's under a different thing (The first graphics issue), while it's impossible to know it's a problem with the graphics if you've only just started. How about making a section for Vista problems? Could be an idea for some of us Vista users (Reluctant as we are.....).
 

Umbrasquall

Smash Ace
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
504
Alright thanks meow, I made it clearer about the graphics issue section.

Originally, I made this guide specifically for Vista problems, seeing that pj64k usually works fine on XP.

Vista does suck. But it has it's positive points. :p
 

TheShagohad

Smash Rookie
Joined
Apr 16, 2007
Messages
8
I've tried what you've mentioned and I still can't fix my graphics. I'm using XP and still have the flat shields and the disappearing icons.
 

Umbrasquall

Smash Ace
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
504
You got the wrong graphics plugin then. Make sure you get the latest one, and rename it to replace the older file.
 

ShoeThief

Smash Apprentice
Joined
Jul 20, 2006
Messages
140
Nesco, is your answer to me?

I also have further info for my problem. It doesn't seem to happen on Mario Kart, SM64, or Banjo Kazooie, if that helps clear up the problem
 

epidiOn

Smash Cadet
Joined
Jun 6, 2007
Messages
52
Update again:

Apparently the lag was partially caused by me using the most up to date graphics plugin. My computer doesn't have a good graphics card and it makes it lag by a few more milliseconds then everyone else. I fixed this now and the game runs a lot smoother.
How exactly did you fix it? I'm getting a lot of lag when trying to play online, but it's fine when I'm not on Netplay.
 

Umbrasquall

Smash Ace
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
504
If you're not running Vista, switch to the older plugin. If you are running Vista, you're out of luck. In any case you shouldn't be running Vista in the first place if you don't have a good enough computer.
 

Umbrasquall

Smash Ace
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
504
Wow usually schools use browser-based blockers. I never heard of blocking ports. Are you sure?
 

RedYoshi92

Smash Lord
Joined
Oct 14, 2006
Messages
1,561
thank you so much for making this thread.I was always wondering why I couldn't get to play other players online because of my plugin settings but I now why and I fixed my problem because of this thread.
 
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