Stepmania won't run!!! <----causing disappointment

[masterhickle]

My computer has recently crashed...and since then, everytime I want to play Stepmania, an error comes up after it loads the songs...

Maybe or maybe not linked to Stepmania, but my computer also won't play .mpg(.mpeg) files....or my Final Fantasy XI...

Anyone know what the problem is? I want my d@mn computer fixed just for Stepmania =P Stepmania has some great songs available to it...=P

[b00mbat0wer]

RE: Stepmania won

try reformatting

[super-smashman]

RE: Stepmania won

Well what does the error say?

[masterhickle]

Right now I can't tell you exactly what the error says, I have to re-download....and can't do that right now, I'm leaving in 5 mins for school =X

My main reason for responding right now is to ask....what exactly does it mean to reformat? I'm not really one to know much about computers =P

[super-smashman]

Totally delete everything on your computer and start with a fresh install of Windows.

[masterhickle]

So basically...back up everything to discs....clear my harddrive...reinstall windows -> reinstall everything?

If that is correct...I'll get working on that...but first I have to redownload stepmania to let you guys know what the error is, if there is an easier way to fix this than reformatting

Thanks

[Zuke]

Yeah better to get SM back on and lets us know about the error messages or logs before you try reformatting ESPECIALLY if you're not quite sure on how to go about it.

[masterhickle]

Ok, here's the error, word for word...

There was an error while initializing your video card.
PLEASE DO NOT FILE THIS ERROR AS A BUG!
Video Driver: S3 Graphics ProSavageDDR
Initializing Direct 3D...
Your system is reporting that Direct3D hardware acceleration is not available. Please obtain an updated driver from your video card manufacturer.


Ok, I'm not the best with computers so....anyone explain in simple terms what is wrong and any way that -I- can fix it?

[masterhickle]

YES YES YES YES YES!!!!

Ok...so I was at work (dishwasher/busboy at Eat N Park), a server comes back and informs me that I have a phone call. It was my dad, saying that our computer guy was here, and that he was going to reformat my harddrive. He just needed to know if he should backup any files to CDs, but I told him I backed up what files I wanted. So...I get back home, and my computer is running perfectly again =P

Now to see if it accepts stepmania...I'll be so happy if it does ^^ (accepting Stepmania and Final Fantasy XI are the final tests to see if it is working again =P, about 5 months away from each >_>)

Edit: Stepmania works =P now to get some of my songs back

Would anyone be kind enough to post a list of good songs to download? I'm already going for Quasar and Black Dragon =P

[Moogy]

Good job formatting your harddrive for something completely unrelated. All you needed to do was install new video card drivers.

[Sol_Solis]

That's what I was going to say but I wasn't 100% sure so I deleted my post.

[masterhickle]

Damn I've missed Stepmania...

Anyway, I've accomplished a good bit since reinstalling it last night....1.2k combo on Black Dragon, 1.5k combo on Emerald Sword, AAA Quasar on 1.1 Rate, 7 greats Quasar on 1.2 rate...so much fun =P

Anyhoo...can someone provide a small list of good SM songs? I'm running out of ideas here =P

Thanks in advance