TrainMaster™ 4.3
Frequently Asked Questions
This document provides answers and solutions to the most frequent problems encountered when running TrainMaster™. They are divided into the following areas:
Sound Issues
The manual includes instructions for turning on sound (click on 'Configure > Environment' in the main menu, then check the 'Play Sound' box). If sound still does not play, check your sound volume, Windows settings, and installed version of DirectX. In Windows 98, click on the 'System Information' icon, then the 'Tools > DirectX Diagnostic Tool' icon. You should have Version 7.0 or higher. In order to download the most recent version of DirectX, please go to http://www.microsoft.com and select the downloads page. Choose the appropriate DirectX for your version of Windows, and then follow Microsoft's instructions from there.
Freezes, Crashes, and Video Display Issues
Ninety-nine percent of freezes, crashes, error messages and display problems (other than screen overflow) are caused by incompatibilities between video drivers and the TrainMaster™ software. These incompatibilities are either due to buggy drivers (especially with new video cards), or to old video drivers that do not recognize video instructions issued by TrainMaster™ or Open GL.
Make sure your monitor color settings are on high color (16-bit). You can go to 'Start > Control Panel > Display > Settings' to verify these settings. TrainMaster™ will not run in the true color (32-bit).
The quickest way to confirm a likely video driver problem is to go to the main menu, then the 'Configure > View Quality' menu. Uncheck the two boxes ('Enhance Distant View Quality' and 'Load Entire Track File Into Memory'), move the two sliders to about 70-80%, and select 'Average View Quality.' If that does not solve the problem, your video card drivers and/or Open GL drivers likely need to be updated.
Many manufacturers make it easy to update video card drivers. In Windows, go to 'Start > Control Panel > Display > Settings,' then under 'Settings,' click on 'Advanced.' Under a tab such as 'General,' the manufacturer may provide a website for updating your drivers. If not, you will need to consult your video card manual for instructions on obtaining updates. Some also provide update support for factory-installed video cards on their web page.
Once you've downloaded the update, execute the program by directly clicking on it, or from the 'Start > Run' menu. Once installed, you may have to reboot your machine.
Open GL drivers are a second set of drivers used by TrainMaster™ to help send instructions to your video card. If you still have problems after updating your video card drivers, proceed to update your Open GL drivers by going to http://www.glsetup.com. Read the choices carefully to select the proper download. If in doubt, contact your video card producer. Updated drivers should also improve performance with other programs.
Assuming that minimum hardware specifications are met, and current and appropriate video and Open GL drivers are installed, TrainMaster™ is not aware of any video boards or computers that cannot run or display TrainMaster™.
Q. When I close or move the profile window, why does it leaves a gray box where it used to be?
A. Try panning left or right with the F7 or F8 key then hitting the zero key to restore. If that doesn't work, exit and restart TrainMaster™. If that doesn't solve the problem, follow the driver update recommendations in the above section. If none of these options correct the issue, please feel free to contact us.
Q. Why does the land cover the track in places?
A. This may be a video driver problem. See the above section to correct this. You may also want to adjust your settings under 'Configure > View Quality.' See the same section for recommended settings. No land should cover the tracks in any of the track files.
Q. Why do signals not display proper colors?
A. This is a video driver problem. See the above section.
Q. I'm not getting good video performance (frames per second). Do I need to replace my whole computer?
A. Obtaining a good frame rate is a function of many things: CPU, video card, video card drivers, TrainMaster™ settings, and Windows drivers. You should make sure you have updated video card drivers and that Windows and TrainMaster™ are optimized at the best settings for your video card. Make sure you have the latest Open GL drivers. Also, go to 'Start > Control Panel > Display > Settings > Advanced > Performance.' The 'Hardware Acceleration' slider should be maximized. Less will reduce frames per second. You may also adjust the settings under 'Configure / View Quality' to improve performance. Finally, verify no other programs are running in the background. TrainMaster™ is a computationally-intensive program and requires as much power as can be allocated to it.
If all else fails, you may need to replace your video card with a new graphics accelerator card. This is the most cost-effective step you can take. Check our website for performance reported by users of different video cards. The best video performance we've seen is on cards using the nVidia GeForce chipset. Video cards that use an AGP slot outperform those that use a standard PCI slot. Expect to pay $150 – $250 for a quality card. Make sure the card is returnable for a better one if you do not get satisfactory performance.
Q. Why do I get a blank, colored screen instead of scenery?
A. This is caused by a graphics incompatibility between TrainMaster™ and your video card or its drivers. See the instructions in the above section.
Q. Why does the scenery fills the screen, yet I get no control panel?
A. Your Windows pixel setting is smaller than the TrainMaster™ setting. Either increase the Windows setting or decrease your TrainMaster™ setting. See your manual for adjusting TrainMaster™ screen size.
Q. Why won't TrainMaster™ run well, or at all, on my notebook?
A. Only the newest, higher end notebooks have the graphics acceleration required to run TrainMaster™.
Error Messages
Two types of messages and error messages may occur. The first are those built into TrainMaster itself. These messages and error messages are as follows:
ERROR MESSAGE |
EXPLANATION |
Excess speed, derailed. Press any key to continue. |
Unrecoverable mistake. |
Can't add helpers on run. |
Helper engines cannot be attached to train while it is moving. Stop train first. |
Engine or train over speed. Brakes applied. |
Can recover after a time delay. |
Helper engines on. |
Train has helper engines attached. |
Pause. |
'P' key pressed to pause the simulation. |
Ran signal. License revoked. Removed from service. Hit key. |
Unrecoverable mistake. |
Track or train file not found or specified. |
File specified not available, is an incorrect format, or is corrupted. |
Train in emergency. |
Initiated emergency braking. |
Insufficient number of triangles. |
Memory issue. |
TM4 caused a Page Fault in … |
Memory or video driver issue. |
Out of available memory. |
Insufficient free RAM memory. |
Failed to load panel display. |
Memory issue. |
Failed to load panel bitmap. |
Memory or video driver issue. |
Invalid TM4 simulation file. |
Attempted to load defective .tm4 file. |
Failed to initialize DirectSound, error: [message]. |
Couldn't initialize DirectSound for given reason. Possibly unavailable sound card. |
Any other error messages you may encounter are operating system errors. Refer to questions below if the cause is not clear. If the error cannot be corrected by following these steps, please contact us with the details, and we'll do what we can to help. Be sure to specify details about your hardware and video card, as well asthe steps you took to try and correct the problem.
Q. Why do I get the message 'Run out of triangles to display,' and the program crashes?
A. This is a video memory problem. Go to 'Configure > View Quality' under the 'Environment Options' in the main menu. Moving the 'Scene Quality' slider to the left should solve the problem. If not, move the 'Viewing Distance' slider to the left.
Q. Why do I get the message 'Missing default.bmp file?'
A. Normally this file is not required, and you can ignore the message by hitting enter and proceeding. If this does work, contact us for a copy of default.bmp.
Q. Why do I get the messages 'Missing GLU32.dll file' or "TM4 has caused an error in NVOPENGL.dll?'
A. Messages with 'GL' or 'Open' indicate that your Open GL drivers are not up-to-date. See previous section for instructions on updating your Open GL Drivers.
Q. Why do I get the error message 'TM4 caused a Page Fault in' or 'Invalid page fault?'
A. This is a memory usage problem typically associated with drivers or inadequate free memory. Refer to previous section to resolve this problem.
Q. Why do I get the error message 'TM4 has caused an error in KERNL32.DLL?'
A. This is a memory problem. Often, setting the fog setting to 'No Fog' in the 'Configure > Environment' menu will solve the problem. Otherwise, see the previous section to resolve this.
Other Miscellaneous Issues
Q. Why can't I back my train up?
A. Road freight and passenger trains normally do not back up en route. Your train may drift backwards, however, if brakes are released and the train is on an ascending grade.
Q. Do trains really behave the way TrainMaster™ simulates them?
A. Performance is quite close to the 'real thing,' except TrainMaster™ does not attempt to replicate dynamic longitudinal forces within the train. Otherwise, experienced enginemen attest to the realistic behavior of the model in comparison to similar, real trains. We've tried to make everything about the model, from locomotive fuel consumption, power, resistances, and car and brake characteristics as real as reasonably possible in a PC consumer program.
Q. Why can't I share this program with a friend, especially if I am not using it at the same time?
A. It is a violation of federal copyright laws to do so. If your friend likes the program, encourage him to acquire his own version in order to receive the full benefits of ownership and upgrade privileges.
Q. Why don't you have sounds for locomotives other than a SD40?
A. We apologize, but we will not be adding any different engine sounds to TrainMaster™, or making further improvements to the existing sounds.
Q. Can you provide more information on train handling?
A. Additional information is available from the Railway Educational Bureau (1809 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102), the Association of American Railroads (50 F Street, Washington, DC 2001), the Federal Railroad Administration (400 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20590), or other publishers.
Q. I would like to see something fixed in a future release of TrainMaster™. How should I provide this information to you?
A. At this point in time, there are no plans for the future release of a consumer version of TrainMaster™. As much as we appreciate your assistance, we are unable to respond to any information you may provide.
