Fix for DATA.OVL

[earnolmartin]

DATA.OVL Solution

Looks like someone has tracked down the infamous data.ovl issue and provided a solution.  Apparently, the issue pertains ONLY to AGP video cards.  I received an email with the following information:

It's a DirectDraw issue, presumably with an AGP graphics card, so just do this: 1)START/Run... "dxdiag" 2)Display Tab (in dxdiag) 3)Disable DirectDraw 4)Enjoy! No need to uninstall your graphics drivers! Good day!

Basically, all you need to do is:

• Click on the Start button
• Click on "Run..." which is located on the bottom right side of the Start Menu.
• Type "dxdiag" without quotes.
• Press enter or click on OK.
• Once the DirectX Diagnostic Tool page opens, click on the Display Tab at the top left next to the "System" tab.
• Disable DirectDraw 4, apply the settings, and exit.

Secondary Solution

• Download and install the Microsoft Compatibility Toolkit.
• If you're using Vista, right click on the game's executable fastfood2.exe, and click on run as admin.
• Launch "Compatibility Admin".
• At the bottom you should see "New Database (0)"... Right click on this database, select Create New, and then Application Fix.
• Locate the game's executable "fastfood2.exe", click next, then next again to access the compatibility options.
• Locate "ForceDirectDrawEmulation", check this box, and then click next.
• After finishing the wizard, click on "Run", and Fast Food Tycoon 2 should now work without any data.ovl problems.

Post your results, and thanks to Rodney and Ian for a solution!  

Third Solution

Mikko has informed us of another fix.  This one deals with lowering the settings for hardware graphics acceleration.  There's even a screenshot attached to his post, and it reduces the lag effect from following the methods listed above.  

Hardware Acceleration Fix

[Bulldozer]

Well this wasn't my problem but I did it and it fixed my need for DX7 !! WUHU NOW I CAN PLAY IT !!

[pagosapunk]

it doesn't work on mine

=[

[earnolmartin]

You have the DATA.OVL problem?  Are you using an AGP video card?

[pagosapunk]

I think its an ATI radeon Express 200m

but idk...

I've noticed this problem when a game gets super intense

lots of gangs on the hardest mode with the max population

starting a new game fixes it

and it never happens on the campains because there not that intense...

I think it has something to do with my computer not being able to comprehend so much data

but idk...

[earnolmartin]

I think its an ATI radeon Express 200m

but idk...

I've noticed this problem when a game gets super intense

lots of gangs on the hardest mode with the max population

starting a new game fixes it

and it never happens on the campains because there not that intense...

I think it has something to do with my computer not being able to comprehend so much data

but idk...

Weird.  That's not the data.ovl problem though.  Yeah single maps are intense, and I like to play them on Godfather, give the other computer plays the max amount of money, give me the least amount, and beat them.   What kind of computer/laptop do you have?  Specs? 

[pagosapunk]

Nah it will freeze up and DATA.ovl pop-up comes up

have you ever had your opponents bomb or shoot up your resturants ?

The worst i've ever had is a level 1 gangster demand money

or a cockroach...

kinda bores me

cuz I can have 4 resturants

and make 4 mil per quarter

I wish someone elses gang would pick on me

lol

haha its not that nice...

but I got a Laptop
 
Win XP Home Edition SP2
Amd processer
512Mb Ram

I've had it forever haha

what kinda specs you want ?

[earnolmartin]

what kinda specs you want ?

That's all I needed to know.  Usually the DATA.OVL error will interfere immediately and leave the user without the ability to even play the game.  Can you take some screenshots?  That would be interesting, and perhaps it could help someone else track down the issue.  I failed in tracking it down. 

Of course, I still think the above fix should fix the error 9 out of 10 times.   

[pagosapunk]

sure

next time it happens ill take pics...

I can play the game for like 5 hours

until the city gets intense

then it happens

[wkw427]

Hi. Does this fix work or not? I'd try it but my FFT2 cd is at my other house =p

BTW I love the game. I'm surprised that this is the first fansite

[earnolmartin]

I've received an additional solution, and I will update the first post of this thread with a new solution.

[earnolmartin]

Does the second method work anyone?  I'm not sure, as I received an email from ian telling me what to do to fix the data.ovl problem, but I don't think he was as clear or specific as he could have been. 

Let me know.   

[wkw427]

I just tried the first option and it worked

[earnolmartin]

I just tried the first option and it worked

Glad it worked.  This guide should fix the data.ovl problem for everyone!   

[wkw427]

I just tried really playing the game, and the second solution, but under the first, it was playable but a little bit laggy when scrolling.

The second one didn't even help at all =\