Hey. New here. Adjusted graphics to run Black Mirror 2 and it's fine...until I get to Bates' room. I get nothing but blackness. I get sound but nothing else. If I leave the room, I see the rest of the mansion just fine.
Why this? Why now?
I have even started Black Mirror III. It runs slow, but does give me graphics.
It's just Bates' room.
Any ideas?

Hi Spyque, and to GameBoomers.

Until the techies come along to help you, it would be good if you could let us know what your video card is and what driver version you are running; that will be useful information for them. While you are at it, you could also mention what version of Windows you have (XP, Vista, or Windows 7) and how much RAM in your computer.

I know I meet the minimum requirements for the game. (I've gone to Staples and checked) I have Windows Vista on a HP Pavillion slimline 7700n

Trying to figure out if I need to upgrade graphics card and if I can. (I think it's integrated)

Sorry I'm not much help.

Thanks, Spyque. If you have an integrated graphics card that could account for your problem with Black Mirror 2, but let's await more input from the techies. They could also help you figure out whether or not you could upgrade your graphics card, if needed.

(Are you the same Spyque that I see on the Big Fish forums?)

Guilty as charged! It's me!

(thanks for the welcome)

Hey, spyque, it's me. Do you have a computer repair shop nearby in your town to help you identify what's going on, and perhaps add a graphics card to your computer, if possible? (I know I took mine in last week, because I didn't feel comfortable taking a screwdriver to my computer's vital parts.) I'm not familiar with HP or very techy, but from what I searched real quick, it seems that maybe a graphics card could be added. Do you have a "Manual" on your desktop to read through? My Dell does, maybe yours does, too?

I had written all my info on a paper and took it to Staples (and compared it to the requirements of the game) The clerk told me that ..something (graphics card or the like) was integrated and wasn't something you could just install.

but, there are repair shops in the phone book.
this was just such a strange thing to happen after all I went through to GET the game running.

Come Monday I may give a few places a call.
Thanks for the advice!
(btw, I love it here!)

If this is the older Slimline 7700n, it will only have 1 GB of RAM and a GeForce 6150 LE video chip. According to the specs, due to it being a Slimline, there are no expansion slots, so you wouldn't be able to upgrade.

If you only have 1 GB of RAM and the video chip and the processor are sharing what little memory there is, that could be your problem. I'm sure Jenny and Inland will have more information for you.

And, yes, welcome to Gameboomers!

Thank you Draclvr. Maybe it's time to invest in a new computer?

Well, I always says it's only time to invest in a new computer when your current one won't do what you need it to do! If you want to play newer games, that may be the case. But I'd wait and see what Jenny and Inland have to say...

If your video card is using shared memory instead of discrete video memory, that's why it's slow -- especially if your computer only has 1 GB of RAM total, like Draclvr thought might be the case.

Okay, I updated my graphics stuff (via HP site). I pulled all the requirements back (anti-ailising, etc.)
I still get nothing in Bates' room. I can access my inventory and my top bar (where the save/load icons are) and I get sound, but NO hotspots and nothing but black! I even tried clicking to see if I'd hear Darrin move about. Nothing.

This is weird and terribly annoying!

Spyque, if the problem with the game is due to your integrated video card, downloading updates isn't going to fix your problem; rather, you are going to have to think about physically replacing your existing video card inside your computer case with a newer one. Folks here can give you some advice about that and help you investigate your options.

Thanks. I believe my video card or whatever is integrated. I've talked to people at Staples before and they have said that it would be easier and cheaper to just get a new computer.

thanks for the info.

You are welcome. The folks at Staples are probably right. Often when a video card is replaced with a newer one, a better power supply is also needed. You need more RAM too, so getting a new computer looks like the optimal solution.

As I noted in my post above, this Slimline model cannot be upgraded because it does not have any expansion slots.

Before you spring for a new one, I would ask the folks here to recommend something first. Many of the new computers that are available at retail stores such as Staples or Best Buy also have integrated graphics.

So you did, Drac; I'm sorry I missed your post. And Drac gives good advice about asking folks here to recommend something first.

Anything to help out fellow gamers, Marian!

I appreciate the comments and help.

Sadly, I think the only way I can finish Black Mirror II is with a new computer.
I'll work on Black Mirror III until it does something wonky.

Guess I've got one big wish for Christmas!

thanks.