Welcome to NASCAR Thunder(TM) 2003 Read Me file September 23, 2002 This README.txt file contains information on issues not covered by the manual and install guide. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ System Requirements +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Minimum System Specs CPU: PIII 500MHz or equivalent RAM: 128MB Video: 32MB Direct3D capable video card with DirectX 8.1 compatible driver Space: 740MB free hard disk space plus space for saved games and saved replays Audio: DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card Controller: Keyboard, Mouse Recommended System Specs CPU: PIII 900MHz or equivalent RAM: 256MB Video: 32MB Direct3D capable video card with DirectX 8.1 compatible driver Space: 740MB free hard disk space plus space for saved games and saved replays Audio: DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card Controller: Steering Wheel, Analog controller Required Operating Systems: Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows XP or Windows 2000 Note that Windows 95 is not supported. ** The NASCAR Thunder 2003 CD is required in the CD-ROM drive in order to be able to start and play the game. This applies to both single and multiplayer games. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Known Video Issues +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - ATI Xpert128 Video Card and Graphic Anomalies Some users may experience graphical corruption when using the ATI Xpert128 video card with Compressed Textures enabled. This is a driver issue and is not a problem with your copy of NASCAR Thunder 2003. To resolve this issue you can disable Compressed Texture support from the Display Properties found in the Windows Control Panel. - Matrox Millennium G400 and Graphic Anomalies Windows XP users who have the Matrox Millennium G400 and run at a resolution of 1600x1200 with a 32bit color depth will notice that textures are missing from some objects. This problem can be fixed by lowering the resolution and color depth in your Display Properties. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Known Sound Issues +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - Cracking and popping audio If your audio cracks, or pops, try lowering the Hardware Acceleration option in your Sound Properties. The Sound Properties are found within the Windows Control Panel. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Other Known Issues +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - Alt+Tab NASCAR Thunder 2003 does not support the Alt+Tab functionality. Although task switching functions work properly in most cases, it may cause problems under certain conditions and is therefore not recommended. - Alt+F4 If you exit the game by pressing the Alt+F4 keys you may experience problems restarting the game. This problem can be resolved by rebooting your system and launching the game again. To avoid this problem you must exit the game by pressing the ESC key or clicking on the Exit icon from the lower left of the Main Menu. When prompted to quit, press the Y key to exit the game. - Force Feedback devices and Fatal Errors When using the devices that support Force Feedback it is highly recommended that you do not turn the power off to these devices while in game. In some instances this may cause you to receive a Fatal Error message and/or lose the ability to control your car. If for some reason power is lost to your Force Feedback device immediately turn the power back on to prevent any of the above listed problems from occurring. - Full Scene Anti-Aliasing Support (FSAA) Full Scene Anti-Aliasing is not a supported feature for NASCAR Thunder 2003. If you encounter problems where the screen does not properly refresh, check your Video Display Properties found in the Windows Control Panel to ensure that the FSAA feature is disabled. - Mouse Pointer Trails and Texture Drop-out Users may experience texture drop-out in the NASCAR Thunder 2003 interface when mouse pointer trails are enabled. To resolve this issue, disable the "Show Pointer Trails" feature in the "Mouse" options found in the Control Panel. - Swap File NASCAR Thunder 2003 requires 150MB of swap file space. If you have less than the required 150MB you will need to increase the swap file size. Please refer to your Operating System manual for instructions. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Improving Performance +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - 3D Setup and Optimal Settings The 3D Setup application will determine optimal Audio and Video settings for your PC based on the current hardware configuration. Adjusting these options may adversely affect performance in game. - High Resolution Support The option of 1024x768, 1280x960 and 1600x1200 resolutions should only be used on high-end systems. These settings require a great deal of resources. Only high-end systems are recommended with Direct3D and resolutions higher than 800 X 600. - 32-bit Color Selecting 32-bit color will cause a huge performance decrease on older video cards. Use 16-bit color options if you find that you are getting slow frame rates or graphical problems. Graphical problems range from cars and tracks not having textures to corrupted textures on in-game banners. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Late Additions +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - Race icons Pressing the F9 key will display various race icons that will visually indicate events such as flags, network disconnects, session changes and car status. While none of these icons are necessary, these will be most useful in multiplayer games and during any race where all rules are enabled. When there are two flag icons on the left side of the display, the top flag icon represents the track flag, while the lower, indented flag icon represents the player flag. Icons directly under the player's flag will further describe the meaning of the player flag. Blue Flag with Yellow Stripe : Icon of blue flag with yellow stripe. Indicates a user should move over, faster cars are trying to lap you. Black Flag : Icon of a black flag. Indicates a user has broken a rule. User must serve the penalty or be disqualified. Black Flag with White X : Icon of a black flag with white X. Indicates a user is disqualified and is no longer being scored. Checkered Flag : Icon of checkered flag. Indicates a race is finished. Green Flag : Icon of green flag. Indicates the start of the race, or resume racing after a yellow flag. White Flag : Icon of white flag. Indicates the final lap. Yellow Flag : Icon of yellow flag. Indicates a Caution. Follow Indicator : Icon of car with arrow behind it. User should stay behind the car indicated. Longest Line : Icon of cars in two rows. User should move to the back of the longest line. Low Fuel : Icon of gas can with yellow flare. Indicates fuel levels are low. *Network Problems : Icon of disconnected network cable with yellow flare. Indicates the network connection has been lost. *Next Session : Icon of curved arrow and stop watch. Indicates the Host has advanced race sessions. *Next Track : Icon of curved arrow and oval. Indicates the Host has changed tracks. *Pass Through : Icon of car with dotted lines passing through pits. Indicates user should pass through pits without stopping. Pit Closed : Icon of gas can and wrench crossed out. Indicates that pit road is closed. Pit Open - Gas can icon : Icon of gas can and wrench. Indicates that pit road is open. Stop/Go : Icon of traffic light. Color determines whether player should stop / go. "*" represents multiplayer only. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Customizing NASCAR Thunder 2003 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ** WARNING: EA and EA Sports are not responsible for any damage incurred while modifying the game. Users who modify the game files may not be eligible for Technical Support. ** CAUTION: Please note that before editing any game files, it is highly recommended that you make backups of the files you intend to edit. - Removing Cars To remove drivers rename the "*.VEH" file of the driver you wish to remove to "*.BAK". The .VEH files are located in the "Season03\Vehicles\" directory found in the installation path of NASCAR Thunder 2003. - MP3 File Support To listen to your own MP3's while in the front end, place the MP3 files in the "\Sounds\Music" directory found in the installation path of NASCAR Thunder 2003. Please note that some MP3's may not properly loop or continue to the next song. - HDV Mismatch When playing NASCAR Thunder 2003 online you may see the message " *.HDV mismatch" as another player joins the game. This indicates the player has joined the game with an .HDV file that differs from the host machine. Modifications to this game file may allow some users to have an unfair advantage while racing. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Useful web sites +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - Gravis If you are using a Gravis control device make sure you are using the most recent drivers. Available at http://www.gravis.com - Logitech If you are using a Logitech control device make sure you are using the most recent drivers. Available at http://www.logitech.com - Microsoft Sidewinder If you are using a Microsoft control device make sure you are using the most recent drivers. Available at http://www.microsoft.com/sidewinder - Thrustmaster If you are using a Thrustmaster control device make sure you are using the most recent drivers. Available at http://us.thrustmaster.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thank you for your purchase of NASCAR Thunder 2003! Copyright 2002 Electronic Arts Inc. All Rights Reserved. Archived by OldGamesDownload.com on 10th August 2019