To fix missing lava textures on Therum *************************************** If, when you land on the planet Therum, you're seeing

a bunch of black spaces, t here is any easy task you can do to fix this. Cause of Problem: Mass Effect compiles and caches shaders into special files as needed while the g ame is running. The first patch for the game included some shader changes that n ecessitated the shaders being recompiled for the Therum textures to show up corr ectly. To recompile the shaders, you simply delete the cache files. For whatever reason (probably just a simple accident) when you download the Steam version of the game it already includes cached shader files built on the pre-patch version of the game (it shouldn't include them at all). To Fix: There's an automatic and manual way to correct the problem, they both ultimately have the same result of deleting the cached shader files. To Automatically Delete the Files On Windows XP: Assuming you have Steam installed to the default directory, navig ate to folder: C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\mass effect\Binaries\ and run MassEffectConfig.exe. On the left hand sidebar, select the Repair option. C lick the Delete Local Shader Cache Files button. That's it, you can close the co nfig program and start the game normally. On Windows Vista: For some reason the Repair option is not available by default in Vista. Navigate to the same folder listed above, and right click on MassEffec tConfig.exe and select properties. Go the Compatbility tab activate the checkbox to run in compatiblity mode for Windows XP. Select OK and double-click the EXE as normal. Select Repair and Delete Local Shader Cache Files as above. To Manually Delete the Files The file you need to delete is in two different locations. Delete the file named LocalShaderCache-PC-D3D-SM3.upk in the following directori es: <your user directory>\My Documents\BioWare\Mass Effect\Published\CookedPC\ C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\mass effect\BioGame\CookedPC\

Should also add that when your first launch Mass Effect after deleting the shade rs, it will take a few minutes longer to load. Mass Effect needs to recompile th e files, but it's a one time process. Don't get nervous if you hear your hard dr ive thrashing for a few minutes. you should remove the file LocalShaderCache-PC-D3D-SM3.upk noted above from the Steam install of the game. The reason of the bug is in one file named "LocalShaderCache-PC-D3D-SM3.upk" To fix the bug you need to delete this file in two places : 1) in Program files/ Mass Effect/BioGame/CookedPC 2) In your documents/Bioware/Mass Effect/Published

I just did and it worked for me. :) There's also a problem with Configure Utilities crashing immediately after hitti ng "Play". I understand there are a few different ways to fix this. 1. Right click >> Properties on MassEffect.exe (and/or Configure.exe) and enable it to run with XP Service Pack 3. 2. Right click MassEffect.exe and run as Administrator. vc++ and physx BOTH ARE REQUIRED TO PLAY. 1. If you hit any missing dll like Xaudio*.dll or d3d*.dll etc. You need to inst all DirectX 2. If you hit error on missing PhysX.dll, install PhysX (Even if you have a ATI card, you still need PhysX) 3. If you hit side to side configuration is wrong or general protection, install VC++ 2005/2008/2010 depend on your OS version. 4. Games For Windows Live keep login, you need to create local/offline profile. 5. Missing xlive.dll, install Games for Windows Live 6. Most games now require framework 3.5 to play, please update your framework, e ven you are on XP SP3. Hope all that helps as it should all work perfectly. If you want to get the best grunt/speed out of your machine you can try GameBoos ter, again Free!!! Get it here:http://www.iobit.com/gamebooster.html To fix missing lava textures on Therum *************************************** If, when you land on the planet Therum, you're seeing a bunch of black spaces, t here is any easy task you can do to fix this. Cause of Problem: Mass Effect compiles and caches shaders into special files as needed while the g ame is running. The first patch for the game included some shader changes that n ecessitated the shaders being recompiled for the Therum textures to show up corr ectly. To recompile the shaders, you simply delete the cache files. For whatever reason (probably just a simple accident) when you download the Steam version of the game it already includes cached shader files built on the pre-patch version of the game (it shouldn't include them at all). To Fix: There's an automatic and manual way to correct the problem, they both ultimately have the same result of deleting the cached shader files. To Automatically Delete the Files On Windows XP: Assuming you have Steam installed to the default directory, navig ate to folder: C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\mass effect\Binaries\ and run MassEffectConfig.exe. On the left hand sidebar, select the Repair option. C lick the Delete Local Shader Cache Files button. That's it, you can close the co nfig program and start the game normally. On Windows Vista: For some reason the Repair option is not available by default

in Vista. Navigate to the same folder listed above, and right click on MassEffec tConfig.exe and select properties. Go the Compatbility tab activate the checkbox to run in compatiblity mode for Windows XP. Select OK and double-click the EXE as normal. Select Repair and Delete Local Shader Cache Files as above. To Manually Delete the Files The file you need to delete is in two different locations. Delete the file named LocalShaderCache-PC-D3D-SM3.upk in the following directori es: <your user directory>\My Documents\BioWare\Mass Effect\Published\CookedPC\ C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\mass effect\BioGame\CookedPC\

Should also add that when your first launch Mass Effect after deleting the shade rs, it will take a few minutes longer to load. Mass Effect needs to recompile th e files, but it's a one time process. Don't get nervous if you hear your hard dr ive thrashing for a few minutes. you should remove the file LocalShaderCache-PC-D3D-SM3.upk noted above from the Steam install of the game. The reason of the bug is in one file named "LocalShaderCache-PC-D3D-SM3.upk" To fix the bug you need to delete this file in two places : 1) in Program files/ Mass Effect/BioGame/CookedPC 2) In your documents/Bioware/Mass Effect/Published I just did and it worked for me. :) PINNACLE STATION COMBAT SCENARIO ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ By talking to Ochren you can access several combat training scenarios. There are twelve scenarios in total (four combat modes to choose from, each available in three different environments). -> In Time Trial mode you must defeat all enemies as quickly as possible. -> In Capture mode you must capture all designated objectives as quickly as possible. -> In Survival mode you must stay alive as long as you can against an increasing number of enemies. -> In Hunt mode the timer counts down, and you gain extra time by killing enemies. Below is a list of the top times or scores you need to beat in order to place first in each scenario. Time Trial - Warehouse Time Trial - Tropical Time Trial - Volcanic Capture Capture - Volcanic - Tropical - 1:24:67 (to kill 20 hostiles) - 1:20:94 (to kill 25 hostiles) - 1:54:61 (to kill 20 hostiles) - 2:00:53 (to capture 3 objectives) - 1:58:67 (to capture 4 objectives)

Capture Survival Survival Survival Hunt Hunt Hunt ~~~~~~~~~~

- Subterranean - Volcanic - Tropical - Subterranean - Subterranean - Volcanic - Tropical

- 1:29:47 (to capture 3 objectives) - 1:31:83 - 1:46:43 - 2:20:57 - 35 - 43 - 50 (with :25 to start) (with :10 to start) (with :25 to start)

2 - The First Eight Missions To progress in the simulator you first have to get the high score in eight scenarios. In Hunt, Capture, and Time Trial modes, just move as fast as you can, and use your radar to locate enemies. In Survival mode find a corner to hole up in and use the scenery to funnel your enemies into a small fire sector. Once you learn the terrain of each environment the challenges aren't too difficult. 3 - The Final Four Missions Once you've beaten the first two scenarios in each mode, a third scenario in each mode becomes available. This is very much the same as beating the first eight missions. 4 - Ahern's Challenge When you've placed first in all twelve scenarios Ahern will approach you and offer a special challenge. He has designed a scenario in the simulator based on an actual mission he took part in during the First Contact War. Talk to Ochren to start the mission. When the mission begins, head down the steps and go straight for the Data Bank in the middle of the arena. Once you retrieve the data all you have to do is hold off the turian mercenaries for five minutes. There are two Surface-to-Air Defense Turrets on the north side you can activate, though they won't be much help against moving enemies. From here you can retreat to area in which you started the mission, or head to the south and pick off the enemies as they cross the two bridges. Completing this scenario finishes the assignment. ++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++ Assignment: Pinnacle Station: Vidinos Given by: Vidinos on Pinnacle Station in the Argos Rho System Location: Pinnacle Station Requirements: Spectre Status, DLC "Pinnacle Station" installed 1 - Assist Lieutenant Bryant After placing first in an event you exit the combat arena to find two of your fellow competitors arguing. Guard Captain Vidinos is accusing Lieutenant Bryant of tampering with the simulator to get higher scores. However, he agrees to leave Bryant alone if you can prove that a human is capable of beating his high scores. 2 - Beat Vidinos You will find that Vidinos has the first or second highest score in each scenario, so you will need to do extremely well in the simulator to beat him. In Hunt, Capture, and Time Trial modes, just move as fast as you can, and use your radar to locate enemies. In Survival mode find a corner to hole up in and use the scenery to funnel your enemies into a small fire sector. Once you learn the terrain of each environment the challenges aren't too difficult.

3 - Your Reward Once you've bested Vidinos in the first eight scenarios he withdraws his charges against Bryant and lets you take one of his weapons. Based on your choice, a leveled sniper rifle, shotgun, pistol, or assault rifle will be placed into your inventory.