Page too large for screen in fullscreen mode (Mac version)

[Curtis]

This is a repeat of a problem I reported for Version 9.

I'm using the Mac version of build 10.2.16. I'm in fullscreen mode, and the game starts up with the screen set low on the page (instead of justified to the top, as it should). After startup the page can be raised, but even when at the top, it's still too tall for the screen, and stuff is hidden offscreen to the bottom (different stuff, depending on which page you're on).

As I said, this happened with Version 9, also. Tech Support was unable to help with that problem, which resolved itself when the final build was released without that problem. This time the game was fine the first time I started it up, which was also with build 10.2.16. I just tried it again, some four weeks or so later, and the too-large screen problem from last year is back.

This is not just a cosmetic problem because (among other things) the 'quit game' button on the initial screen is offscreen, as is the button to start the game when playing out a game in-game. Since I'm not a simmer, this latter is a major problem.

[SteveP]

I have to say that I don't quite understand the problem as you describe it, and I'm sure I've never seen a problem like that on my Mac. Is it possible that the screen resolution in preferences is getting the wrong setting for your display or graphics card?

[Curtis]

To try to say it more simply, the page overflows the screen, but only to the bottom of the screen.

"Is it possible that the screen resolution in preferences is getting the wrong setting for your display or graphics card?"

How could I check that? I just looked at the OotPB preferences, and I can't get the resolution option to show anything but blank. I tried switching from fullscreen to windowed mode, and there still were no resolution options.

My Mac resolution is 1280 by 960.

[SteveP]

What does it say for "window size"? Possibly it says 1280 x 1024, which would explain why the game display is too large for your screen. I'm really speculating here, just giving you some ideas to explore.

[Curtis]

Thanks for sticking with this, Steve.

Again, I'm not being clear. When I said there were no resolution options, what I should've said was that the dropdown menu for window size does not operate. It's just a blank white space, and clicking on it has no effect, whether I'm in fullscreen or windowed mode. By squinting and putting my face inches from the screen I get the impression there's a ghost image that MIGHT say 1024 by 768, but I may be fooling myself.

[SteveP]

It's possible that we're on to something here -- or not.

Go to game preferences and change the display mode to windowed. Click OK. You should now have a drop-down window in the window size box that shows various display options. Pick one that looks appropriate for your display. Click OK again. Then go back and change your display mode to full screen. Click OK. Now see what you've got. The problem here is that I don't know why the window size box would have an effect on full-screen mode, but it seems like, one way or another, the game has the wrong idea about your display and that's the only thing I can think of to do. Hope it works.

[Curtis]

Originally Posted by SteveP

Go to game preferences and change the display mode to windowed. Click OK. You should now have a drop-down window in the window size box that shows various display options. Pick one that looks appropriate for your display. Click OK again. Then go back and change your display mode to full screen. Click OK. Now see what you've got.

Most of that worked. (I had to restart the game after the second 'click OK'.) Unfortunately, it didn't solve the problem.

The problem seems to be at my end. As an experiment I went back to Version 9, (since it had the same problem, but snapped out of it), and it's now doing the same thing again.

I don't get it. This doesn't affect any other game I play, and I play a bunch of them.

As an aside, 1280 by 960 is a standard Mac resolution, so I wonder why the game doesn't support it? the closest I could find in either Version 9 or 10 is 1280 by 800.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by Curtis

Unfortunately, it didn't solve the problem.

Well, it was something to try, and I wasn't especially convinced it would work. I suppose you could try a different resolution on your display (something other than 1280 x 960).

I have 2-3 nagging little things that don't work on my Mac, but which other Mac users say work for them. I've tried all kinds of things, but have never been able to figure out a solution. It's possible that you are in the same boat, but with something more disruptive than the problems I've had. Unfortunately, you may not be able to get much help from the OOTP guys, unless they can figure out how to duplicate what you're seeing.

But someone may join this thread who had a better idea of what to try. Good luck.

[endgame]

Now here's a real newbie question as goes this arena, is it true that Mac OS do not need to update drivers, that video is all self-contained? In addition, somewhere - I'm sorry, I don't remember where - there is a click option as to whether to let a taskbar always stay on top or it'll hide during fullscreen. I know that option was problematic as recently as, at least, v2006, so you might check that out, too.

[SteveP]

Now here's a real newbie question as goes this arena, is it true that Mac OS do not need to update drivers, that video is all self-contained?

That is about 95% true. If the OP had recently installed a new graphics card, that might be something to check. However, I think he'd be seeing problems in other applications.

In addition, somewhere - I'm sorry, I don't remember where - there is a click option as to whether to let a taskbar always stay on top or it'll hide during fullscreen. I know that option was problematic as recently as, at least, v2006, so you might check that out, too.

I'm not aware of anything like that, or even suspected there might be an option like that. If by task bar, you mean the standard Mac menu bar, that disappears during full screen (and gets modified by OOTP in windowed mode -- a typical windows to mac conversion trick ). If the OP is seeing the Mac menu bar while in full screen mode, that would be a clue.

[Curtis]

Thanks for chiming in, endgame.

Steve, I just tried changing my resolution to 1024 by 768, and about half the 'missing' part of the page re-appeared, so resolution might indeed have something to do with it, but I don't know what. The page still appeared low on the screen, and as near as I could tell the resolution of the game didn't change. By that I mean that there seemed to me to be the same amount of stuff on a page, and the printing seemed to be the size I'm accustomed to (while this page got blown up hugely). Of course, I'm notoriously bad at judging that kind of stuff (very little sense of proportion).

I have not installed a new graphics card (it's a very old GeForce2MX card), and I am not seeing the Mac menu bar while in fullscreen mode.

[SteveP]

Do you have a widescreen, or the older style TV shaped screen (like I do, being something of an antiquarian )

[Curtis]

Old CRT screen; it's an eMac.

I'm hoping to upgrade from OS 10.3 to 10.4 next week (tracking says my disk is currently in Houston). It's possible that change might have an effect, if I can pull it off. (I'll need to transfer the OS from DVD to CD before I can run it on my old machine.)

Once the update is either complete or out of the question, I'm going to switch to a newer machine. At that time I'll need advice on how to activate my second license.

The newer machine is still an eMac, but 'only' 4 1/2 years old, with a graphics card that's a generation newer. It'll also be the first computer I've had that'll meet the 1GHz specification for OotPB (1.42GHz), so I may actually be able to sim for the first time.

[endgame]

Originally Posted by Curtis

Old CRT screen; it's an eMac.

In that case, is there a rod-shaped knob in the back that controls the horizontal and/or vertical presentation of your screen?

Kidding, uh, somewhat.

[Curtis]

Nice thought, but no, endgame. Nothing back there but the fan.

[SteveP]

Ok, how's this?

I just just my computer display to 1280 x 960 and I got the exact same problem you reported. I have my display normally set to 1280 x 1024 and I don't have the problem.

I suggest you keep trying different display settings until you find something that works. I think it's possible that your machine is old enough (and -- how shall I put this -- not one of the more upscale Mac brands) that your video card is a limiting factor. So you may not be able to get the best result, but I would think you'd find something that at least showed the entire OOTP display.

Hope that helps.

[Nutlaw]

As we have seen no reply from the original poster in three days, this thread will be closed for housekeeping reasons. If you need any further assistance with this matter, please post once more in Tech Support with a link to this thread and we will do our best to help you figure out a solution.