Homeworld (v1.05): Game stop in level 3.

[hivefleet_odin]

Hello, guys, perhaps someone can provide some help or insight into my situation.

I played through Homeworld from start to finish with no problems about a year ago on my computer. Little has changed from my system since then, except for the hard drive and the sound card, and primary operating system, but for the sake of this post, I use Windows 98SE.

Now, I have a 30gb hard drive, 5gb partitioned for Windows, and currently, about 900mb free. I have 128mb PC100 RAM and a fixed 256mb swap file for virtual memory. My CPU is a Duron 750, video card is an ATI All-in-wonder Rage 128 Pro (2nd edition, according to hardware standards), sound card is the built-in SiS 7018 on my motherboard (previously, it was an SB Live!, but I accidentally torched that with current a few months ago). My desktop and the game are set to 1024x768x16, and my homeworld version is v1.05.

Now, with all of that out of the way, the problem! When I reach level 3, everything goes fine until I try to finish the level. Sure, the cryo-trays load up fine, but when the 6th one is ready to disappear into the mothership, instead of hearing the verbal "600,000 people secured" message, I just hear a basic beep (the same beep heard when hitting the focus key or clicking on the buttons at the bottom, such as "Build" and "Launch"), and nothing happens. Fleet intelligence does not let me jump.

I've tried playing through the level again, with no luck. I've also tried using both OpenGL (which I usually use) and Direct3D (DirectX 8 installed), but there is no difference. I haven't yet tried playing through the first two levels again, but I've loaded the game in from the default save to the beginning of level three every time I've tested.

So, has anyone seen or heard of this problem before? Should I axe DirectX 8 and install an older version, or should I buy a new sound card? (I know the answer to that, but, would it solve my problems?) Thanks in advance for any assistance to help me enjoy this great campaign once more!

[Plupp]

I got that problem once when i tested some b5-ships, but i just waited a little and then the objective was completed (actully i started to blow my ships and force them to attack each other), but the first time i played i never had the chance to save the 6th cryo tray. I don't think u're supposed to save all 600'000 people

[ÜberJumper]

Did you salvage a frigate?

[hivefleet_odin]

No, I haven't been playing with mods. The game was recently installed from CD and I let it patch itself from WON.

Yes, I salvaged one of the frigates.

And there shouldn't be a problem with saving all 6 cryo trays, I did it the first time, too. I just send a couple repair corvettes to fix it. I seem to recall the first time I finished, it mentioning about all 600,000 people surviving the journey.

I'll try letting the 6th one die, anyway, tonight, to make sure. Thanks for the input

[hivefleet_odin]

Originally posted by Plupp
I got that problem once when i tested some b5-ships, but i just waited a little and then the objective was completed (actully i started to blow my ships and force them to attack each other)

<laughs> Well, this worked. I didn't get the verbal response to saving the 6th tray, but after attacking my mothership, fleet intelligence was brought back to life and let me jump.

but the first time i played i never had the chance to save the 6th cryo tray. I don't think u're supposed to save all 600'000 people

I did it, I remember distinctly. But, at least I can jump now. As a point of reference, I couldn't force attack the cryo trays. Oh well. Strange errors! <laughs>

Well, thanks guys!

[ÜberJumper]

If I recall correctly, there is no sound file in the system to actually indicate that you rescuse all 600,000. We did a break down of all the sound files in the game a few months back, and there's only 5 reports for completing a cryo tray rescue.

[hivefleet_odin]

Originally posted by UberJumper
If I recall correctly, there is no sound file in the system to actually indicate that you rescuse all 600,000. We did a break down of all the sound files in the game a few months back, and there's only 5 reports for completing a cryo tray rescue.

Strange, but I will take your word for it I must just be remembering wrong, then.

However, the goal to save all 6 cryo trays is possible, as I have no doubt saved all 6 trays several times (try it if you doubt the possibility, all it should take is two repair corvettes, and distract each of the frigates with your fighters). Actually, I'd be interested if anyone else pulls it off and could prove the possible existence of the verification of the salvage (to prove if I'm crazy or not.. as for right now, I am)

My playing style has changed and improved since I originally played, but I know that I did it back then, too (just with more strike craft casualties). So it seems strange that they allowed the tray to be repaired, but didn't expect it to be saved. They probably don't expect you to be so prepared, but after playing through already, I knew exactly what was coming.

Oh well, on to level 4!

[Mac_Bug]

The thing with HW, is that it scales according to your forces.

NO matter how many times I've played through the same mission, or how well prepared I am for what is to come next - the game throws some extra units at me, which really makes it pointless for me to go in with 20 fighters when I can do it with 10 and face less opposition.

I think it was never meant for you to save all 6, simply because you aren't expected to have repair corvettes (they are of little value that early in the game), and the fact that the game scales itself to your forces to ensure total destruction of the trays.

Sure you could save as much as you can, but playing it that way the second or the third time, there is actually no need to try your darnest to save '100 thousand people', when you can just save 2 or 3 of them while conserve your fighters..

That's what's coming outta my head right now anyway.

[ChildOfTheMind]

I slavaged all 6 trays without repairing, I slavaged it in the heat of the battle and then took out the rest of the frigs. It jumped just fine for me. Ive done it twice.

[ÜberJumper]

I know it's possible myself... I've saved all 6 a couple of times... one of the things that does cause this mission to fail is if you don't capture a single frigate.

[Mac_Bug]

Did you guys do it the FIRST time you played the mission?

[Mac_Bug]

jerk

[ChildOfTheMind]

Yep