Windows XP Slow Bootup

[IceHeartLoki]

Hi all,

I posted in another thread that wasn't 100% on-topic, but it seemed like it was either ignored or just not what people were looking to answer. So I'll try it in its own thread...

When I try to boot up Diablo II, it freezes my computer for about 10 minutes on a black screen before going into the intro cinematics. It does this again after I choose my character and try to start playing (all on the basic game, not the online play).

My computer has Windows XP, about 3 GB of memory and more than enough harddrive space, very decent video card. More than enough to run the program with no troubles.

Has anyone else encountered this or have any advice? I know that for some really old games that played via DOS, the computer is too fast to run the game, so you need to go through a program such as DOSBox to slow it down enough to play the game. Might that be the case here, despite it being XP compatible? Or is there something else I'm missing?

[Thyiad]

I have XP on a 2.6 ghz 2Mb ram machine with half a gig of graphics memory. It doesn't do what you describe. Can you confirm you have a store purchased, non modded version of the game?

[ffejrxx]

you could be missing the video codecs d2 uses for the cinematics

try adding ' -skiptobnet' (with the space and without the quotes) to the end of the target line in your d2 shortcut

[IceHeartLoki]

Ayep, store-bought and not burned, came in a box and everything from GameStop. About as sure as I can get.

FFEJRXX, where specifically does that go? I tried adding it in (DII shortcut, Properties, Target, "C:\Program Files\Diablo II\Diablo II.exe", and I tried adding the line you had there after the last " and before it, including the space.

[ffejrxx]

the target line

if it was
"C:\Games\Diablo II\Diablo II.exe"

make it
"C:\Games\Diablo II\Diablo II.exe" -skiptobnet

[IceHeartLoki]

I finally got around to doing so. I'd initially tried this way, and it wouldn't even start up the program, but now it does start... although it still has the same error.

[Stompwampa]

Did you do the full install of the game or just the single player or multiplayer install?
The full install should put all the cinematics onto your hard rive so they won't have to spin up off the CD. You can upgrade your installation by putting the install disc back into the drive and choosing the "Upgrade Installation" option.
Also, check to make sure that all your drivers are up to date for your video card.
If none of that helps, try re-installing the game.

[Larenzo]

:(:(:(:(:(:(:(

[Jaquiezz]

I personally prefer windows mode, which won't play any cinematics. Add this to your target line:
"C:\Games\Diablo II\Diablo II.exe" -w

make sure you add the space before the dash.