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fracmonk
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« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2012, 07:24:20 PM » |
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Here's an update- Took the long trip to retreive the unreliable XP(3) machine. It goes about 1000MHz, and this AM I set it up to try this and that Fractint version. After 20-30 tries, it was warm enough to boot...First I tried the latest stable version of Winfract- 20.04 and found it running well on this 32-bit machine, but I was unhappy with the fact that it doesn't show the formula you're using, so you have to know in advance how to assign variable values.
I copied a virgin FractintDOS version 20.0 onto it, and imported my formula and map files, and tested its speed. Way faster than DOSBox on the 64-bit machine, and normally. Still testing and comparing. I can do pix there, and store them on the newer machine. Or, use the external drive I have to move my enormous picture library to it. One thing's sure- I won't turn it off before offloading from it, since it might not start again ever!
Interestingly, the 20.99(etc.) unofficial version spoken of previously is a FractintDOS workalike, except for the outside-inaccessible picture folder.
Open to anything enlightening!
Later.
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fracmonk
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« Reply #16 on: January 31, 2012, 07:20:44 PM » |
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I used one picture as a benchmark to speed test: DOSBox, as fast as it can go, running FractintDOS took 37:50 on the 64-bit machine. The flaky xp machine running Fractint 20.0 took 7:57. Back on the 64, the FfW 20.99 that can't save extractable pix took a lightning-fast 3:27.
I speculate that the last example's program was written by someone really GOOD, just showing off his skills, but one who has a seriously creepy cruel streak. It takes all kinds...
...unless you have a better explanation.
Would still love to hear it. (hint)
Later.
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lycium
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« Reply #17 on: January 31, 2012, 07:40:58 PM » |
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I speculate you may be speculating too much  Somewhat more helpfully, I hope you've made DOSBOX use all available cycles instead of trying to perform like a 486 or something (the default CPU cycles allocation). |
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fracmonk
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« Reply #18 on: February 01, 2012, 04:25:06 PM » |
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lycium- It's what I do in lieu of ANSWERS!
I just MAXed DOSBox in the .conf file manually, with no limit, to get the reported speed. I read that that was to be expected, and it was a tough pic. When it's up, MS task manager reports average 25% use or so over 4 cores, varying, and I guess that its CPU temp. management sets that limit. At the same time, DOSBox docs suggest it only makes use of 1 core. I don't want to fool with clocking at all. If I got the stable Winfract installed, I could get a good time, I bet, but it won't run on it by just clicking on the .exe. I get the 32-bit error message.
For the install to happen and be right, I think it requires doing it directly thru the 'net, but correct me if I'm wrong, O.K.?
Thanx again.
Later.
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fracmonk
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« Reply #19 on: February 02, 2012, 07:17:42 PM » |
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more speculation on 20.99.8:
Maybe a commercial programmer wanted to impress a client. Freeware can't be modified and sold, and he won't just GIVE it away...
-or-
Maybe it's a protest against the use of .GIF's. (some do)
...in lieu of answers, one must remember...
Later.
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fracmonk
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« Reply #20 on: February 15, 2012, 07:25:08 PM » |
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Just a little while ago, having moved my new lunking machine to an existing internet router elsewhere, I redownloaded all the latest versions of Fractint from the "Get Fractint" official page, because everyone assured me it would work. NONE of them work on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Instead, you get that msg. box that tells you it's incompatible. As I understand it now, to get any to work as they would on a 32-bit machine, one must PAY EXTRA for an upgrade to Professional, Ultimate, etc.. to get to a 32-bit (XP) emulator, APPARENTLY! OR, in my case, deal with the poor behavior of Fractint in DOSBox I already described. Well, Bill & Co. can go scratch: I have read that all the code for the upgrade versions already exists in every install of this OS, but the extra abilities must be unlocked by paying Microsoft for a unique code for your installation's I.D. Otherwise, it all takes up extra space on your machine for nothing. You cannot get intelligent enough help or directions offline, and online, it's a maze, and not much better. I think I know why people put up with this complete unresponsiveness to customer needs-
MASS DELUSION!
...Linux looking better all the time.
In the middle of composing this message, I used the link to Nahee in this thread to install 20.99.8 again, and I THINK it's the same one I said hides created pix. I'll see, and update.
There IS some good news, however: on the flaky 32-bit machine I mentioned, that between crashes, I can make full screen 1600x900 pix for the new machine, setting the x-mag factor to .75. Can't MAKE them ON the new machine, however, at least, not so far...
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fracmonk
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« Reply #21 on: February 15, 2012, 07:54:22 PM » |
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I checked out that version, and it's identical, and was made available circa 2007, I thought I saw.
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fracmonk
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« Reply #22 on: February 21, 2012, 07:54:08 PM » |
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I've been informed that 20.99.8 was begun by Richard Thompson and never finished. My speculations were in fact partially true, according to one. In every other respect, it was good code, and has my complements. It was still a very cruel thing to leave it so close, but no cigar.
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simon.snake
Fractal Bachius
Posts: 640
Experienced Fractal eXtreme plugin crasher!
 
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« Reply #23 on: February 23, 2012, 12:28:40 AM » |
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I have been using this 20.99.8 version of fractint for windows and until about 2 minutes ago I couldn't access my saved images from Windows Explorer on 64-bit Windows 7, but now I can and hopefully this will help you all too.
I was in windows explorer looking at the installation folder - namely c:\program files (x86)\stone soup group\fractint for windows\" and at the top of the windows explorer window is a (in my case) light blue bar with various options including "Organize", "Share with", "Slide show" and one extra labelled "Compatibility files". Clicking this last option showed all the gif files that had been saved.
All in all, the default setting of the main executable must include some sort of "run in compatibility mode" option and this link on the light blue bar shows the files that have been created while in that mode.
Most satisfying and I can now start to use this version of fractint more frequently without worrying about odd behaviours.
Simon
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To anyone viewing my posts and finding missing/broken links to a website called www.needanother.co.uk, I still own the domain but recently cancelled my server (saving £30/month) so even though the domain address exists, it points nowhere. I hope to one day sort something out but for now - sorry! |
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fracmonk
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« Reply #24 on: February 23, 2012, 06:36:53 PM » |
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Simon,
I'm away, and using a borrowed laptop, that I find pretty awkward compared to what I'm used to. I will look into what you suggested as soon as I get back, but already I suspect that you might be using one of the upgraded Windows 7 versions, and Home Premium might not allow it. Naturally, though, I'll give it a try as soon as I can. Thanx.
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fracmonk
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« Reply #25 on: March 23, 2012, 03:13:33 PM » |
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More relevant (and irrelevant) info on the topic has been lately continued at the FractInt thread (see post 2 in this one) for those interested, who are urged to post there in future. Thanx.
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January 20, 2011, 07:35:00 AM
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