DOCUMENT:Q274681  22-OCT-2000  [homegame]
TITLE   :Metal Gear Solid: How to Improve Game Performance
PRODUCT :Microsoft Home Games
PROD/VER::
OPER/SYS:
KEYWORDS:kbdisplay kbsound kbimu msgame

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The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Metal Gear Solid 
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SUMMARY
=======

This article describes how to improve game performance in Microsoft Metal Gear
Solid.

MORE INFORMATION
================

To improve game performance in Metal Gear Solid, use the following methods in
the order in which they are presented.

Check System Requirements
-------------------------

Make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements to play Metal
Gear Solid.

For additional information about the minimum system requirements to play Metal
Gear Solid, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:

   Q274104 Metal Gear Solid: Minimum System Requirements

Quit Unnecessary Programs
-------------------------

Quit all unnecessary programs that are running on your computer before you start
Metal Gear Solid.

To quit unnecessary programs, use the appropriate method for your version of
Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows 98:

1. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.

2. In the Close Program dialog box, click any program except Explorer or Systray
   (which are components of Microsoft Windows), and then click End Task.

   If you receive a message stating that the program is busy or not responding,
   click End Task again.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to quit all unnecessary programs that are running on
   your computer.

Microsoft Windows 2000:

1. Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.

2. On the Applications tab, click any program, and then click End Task.

   Repeat this step to quit all unnecessary programs that are running on your
   computer.

3. Close Windows Task Manager.

NOTE: Some programs start automatically every time you restart your computer. For
information about how to disable these programs, see the printed or online
documentation for the program.

Reduce Graphics Quality Settings in the Game
--------------------------------------------

To reduce the graphics quality settings in the game:

1. On the Metal Gear Solid startup screen, click Options.

2. Click "Video/sound options".

3. Click Advanced.

4. Under "Graphic resolution", click 640x480.

5. Click Back.

6. Click Apply.

7. Click Exit.

Configure the Game to Use Software Rendering
--------------------------------------------

To configure the game to use software rendering:

1. On the Metal Gear Solid startup screen, click Options.

2. Click "Video/sound options".

3. Click Advanced.

4. Under "Rendering device", click Software.

5. Click Back.

6. Click Apply.

7. Click Exit.

Obtain and Install an Updated Video Driver
------------------------------------------

Contact your hardware manufacturer to inquire about how to obtain and install the
latest version of the video driver for your video adapter.

For information about how to contact your hardware manufacturer, click the
appropriate article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge
Base:

   Q65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

   Q60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

   Q60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

To identify the manufacturer and the model of your video adapter:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click System.

3. If you are using a Windows 95 or a Windows 98-based computer, click the
   Device Manager tab.

   If you are using a Windows 2000-based computer, click the Hardware tab, and
   then click Device Manager.

4. Click the plus sign (+) next to "Display adapters" to expand the branch.

5. Under the "Display adapters" branch, note the manufacturer and the model of
   your video adapter, and then click OK.

6. Click Cancel until you return to Control Panel, and then close Control Panel.

Additional query words: msgame mgs choppy slow frame rate skip

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Keywords          : kbdisplay kbsound kbimu msgame 
Technology        : kbGamesSearch kbMetalGearSearch
Version           : :
Issue type        : kbhowto

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