Solving Common Technical Issues

[Hex: Self Care]

Introduction

This thread is applicable to both Steam, digital and physical DVD-ROM copies of the game. (Not applicable to Windows Store, Xbox/PlayStation Android or iOS) It includes solutions to the most common issues people experience.

If you follow the solutions and still experience issues, feel free to write a comment, make a new thread or even add me as a friend and provide detail towards the issue.

Grand Theft Auto SA requires at least DirectX version 9.0

This error is greeted to you during start-up and prevents you from launching the game because you are running on a modern OS such as Windows 10 and the the depreciated part of DirectX, "DirectPlay" is disabled.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1465162233
Solution

Press the Windows Key + R to open the "Run..." menu.
Type "OptionalFeatures.exe" and click "OK"
In the window that opens, find "Legacy Components" and expand it by clicking "+".
In Legacy Components, tick "DirectPlay". (If DirectPlay isn't shown in Legacy Components, tick the entire folder. Make sure the box contains a tick and not a square.)
Click OK, the window will close and you have to restart your PC to enable DirectPlay.
If you can't enable DirectPlay due to an error whenever you try to enable it, enable .NET Framework 3.5, you may have to restart your computer after doing this. Once it's enabled, you will now be able to enable DirectPlay.

After carrying out the steps above, your game should now launch and not give this error.

Game Doesn't Launch / Crashing At Start-up

If nothing happens when you launch the game, or it crashes on one of the loading screens leading up to the main menu, your issue is likely due to a corrupted or incompatible settings file. (After a downgrade.)

Solution:

Open the GTA San Andreas User Files folder (Usually found in your Documents folder, if not, check C:\Users\Public\Public Documents.) and delete "gta_sa.set".

After deleting this file, your game should work.

Black Screen Freeze, Can't Swim / Can't Shoot & Move

The game is designed to run at 25 FPS (26 for Steam). As the framerate increases, the game will experience timing-related issues.

Relevant issues:

• Some missions such as Amphibious Assault or Driving School missions are impassable or incredibly difficult.
  
• Vehicles & bicycles handle like brakes are always on, decelerate almost immediately, and seem feathered whenever in-air.
  
• Inability to dive underwater.
  
• Aiming while walking is silly.
  
• Inability to walk while aiming a rifle/desert eagle.
  
• Climbing walls results in sudden deaths.
  
• Vehicles and/or pedestrians move extremely fast.
  
• Crashes when listening to User Radio.
  
• Cutscenes not ending.

Solution:

To fix these timing-related issues, enable the frame limiter in the advances video options. This will cap your framerate to 25/26.

If you can't put up witth the low FPS, I recommend enabling V-Sync using your graphics control panel.

Crashing When Car Explodes

This game has poor support for multi-monitor setups, which causes crashes whenever a car explodes.

Solution:

Disable your other monitors and only have one enabled. Another is to enable compatibility mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 2) for the game.

SilentPatchSA[www.gtagarage.com]also fixes this problem while also allowing you to keep your extra monitors enabled.

Cannot find 800x600 video mode

This issue only occurs on Windows 10. It happens when your game's settings file is corrupted or missing.

Solution:

Find your game install location. This can be done with the following steps: Open the Steam client and click on your library. Look for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, right click it and click "properties", then go into the "Local files" tab on the top and click on "Browse local files".
Look for "gta-sa" or "gta-sa.exe", right click and click "properties", then go into the "Compatibility" tab on the top, "Compatibility mode" should be near the top, tick "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" and then out of the options select "Windows 8".
Click OK. 
After performing the steps described above, your game should launch correctly.

Save File Not Working

Many of the save files on the internet for GTA: San Andreas are for the retail DVD copy or the old steam version, they will not work as it is a different version of the game and will either crash the game on save load or will just load a new game and vice-versa for different versions. Fortunately, there is a solution to this.

Converting save files from Steam (Old) & Retail 1.00 to Steam (New) & Retail 2.00

Go to gtasnp.com.
Upload your downloaded save file.
Open modification tab and find "Script/SCM Version", "IPL Flags Version" & "Binary/EXE Version" fields and select "Standard 2.00" and "v2". (German 2.00 & Austrian 2.00 if either) Leave everything else as it is.
Select your slot of choice and download.
Move the file to your GTA San Andreas User Files. (Usually C\Users\<Your User>\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files)

Converting saves from Steam (New) to Retail

Go to gtasnp.com.
Upload your downloaded save file.
Open modification tab and find "Script/SCM Version", "IPL Flags Version" & "Binary/EXE Version" fields and select "Standard 2.00" and "v2" and select "Standard 2.00" and "v1". Leave everything else as it is.
Select your slot of choice and download.
Move the file to your GTA San Andreas User Files. (Usually C\Users\<Your User>\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files)

Run the game at screen refresh rate

Install Special K by following the Unofficial Special K Guide. Manual local installation is recommended.
Go to the installation folder and rename SpecialK32.dll to dinput8.dll.
Start the game once and close it to allow the configuration file of Special K to be created.
Open <path-to-game>\dinput8.ini.
Change RefreshRate=-1 to RefreshRate=0 under [Render.FrameRate].

Hopefully, these solutions have helped you. If not, feel free to add me!

Resources, sources, credit & thanks to:

• HalfOfAKebab
  
• SilentPL & Lucky
  
• PCGamingWiki
  
• Vadim M
  
• Philips_27 & SaH4PoK

[AlabasterSXS]

Originally posted by HRRoach:

well i didnt see that one. what the control mapping says and steering right / left are not what i would have thought thanks. I guess im just mad that steam is reponsible for making my controller not work. they literally removed support where the game had support for it before. Most likely to try and get people to buy the steam controller, and is a shady strategy.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Steam is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥

[-3xA'Lu©κy the disappearing act]

Originally posted by HRRoach:

Steam removed controller support from the game. (partial or not), It is not a conspiracy. it is a fact. The game previously supported logitech dual shock usb controllers, steam changed it so that it does not. (the steam loader). I have every right to comment on that. It is not an assumption it is the truth. The only fuel to there being some conspiracy is the continued denial from you.

I understand your frustration but Steam just issues the updates - the blame should be levelled at Rockstar Games honestly. San Andreas has been treated rather poorly on PC and each patch seems to screw things up even more.

As for non-Steam versions supporting logitech dual shock usb controllers... I'm fairly sure this is a happy coincidence and not due to Rockstar wanting this to be the case. Prior to NewSteam r1, there was no official controller support and Rockstar only implemented some partial controller support later on. You actually needed to downgrade to v 1.0 and apply a mod to get some decent controller support.

Originally posted by Awsthegamer:

Can Anyone Help Me Get Mods?

Which mods did you want/need help with?

[AgentTelecom]

As soon as I click on "new game", my game crash. Do you have a solution?

[Carl Johnson]

I'm not too sure about Logitech gamepads but there's some official controller support implemented by Rockstar for NewSteam r2 versions of San Andreas (non-downgraded Steam version) but better controller support can be obtained by using GInput (which requires you to downgrade to 1.0 and paste files from Silent's ASI Loader into the game's folder). I've linked GInput and Silent's ASI Loader below (links 1 and 2 respectively):
1. http://www.gtagarage.com/mods/show.php?id=21709
2. http://www.gtagarage.com/mods/show.php?id=24272 - Silent's GInput (download "GInputSA 1.11 (for GTA SA)")

Logitech's gamepad let's you use xinput (xbox input) mode so it should work.

[-3xA'Lu©κy the disappearing act]

Originally posted by Carl Johnson:

I'm not too sure about Logitech gamepads but there's some official controller support implemented by Rockstar for NewSteam r2 versions of San Andreas (non-downgraded Steam version) but better controller support can be obtained by using GInput (which requires you to downgrade to 1.0 and paste files from Silent's ASI Loader into the game's folder). I've linked GInput and Silent's ASI Loader below (links 1 and 2 respectively):
1. http://www.gtagarage.com/mods/show.php?id=21709
2. http://www.gtagarage.com/mods/show.php?id=24272 - Silent's GInput (download "GInputSA 1.11 (for GTA SA)")

Logitech's gamepad let's you use xinput (xbox input) mode so it should work.

Ah okay. You learn something new everyday on this hub haha.

[Ogm1os]

у меня пустое окно компонентов виндовс! все способы с ютуба не работают. включение установщика модулей виндовс в первую очередь пробовал че делать бл

[water]

Hi.

When I start my game saved in Carl Johnson house sometimes the mouse stops working, I can only move with the keyboard. and if I try to minimize or close the game I can not, the screen gets stuck and I need to restart the windowns.

The game at the beginning was working perfect, but now not anymore.

Can someone help me? My saved game is in "Sweet's Girl" mission.

Laptop Lenovo
I3
4GB RAM
HD Grapchs
Win 10

[Hex: Self Care]

Originally posted by nog:

Hi.

When I start my game saved in Carl Johnson house sometimes the mouse stops working, I can only move with the keyboard. and if I try to minimize or close the game I can not, the screen gets stuck and I need to restart the windowns.

The game at the beginning was working perfect, but now not anymore.

Can someone help me? My saved game is in "Sweet's Girl" mission.

Laptop Lenovo
I3
4GB RAM
HD Grapchs
Win 10

Issue with Windows 8 & 10.

Either set the the core affinity to 1 core in task manager, install SilentPatch or download DInput8.dll and put it into your games directory.

[ptedstory]

CANNOT RUN ON 800x600x32 solution doesnt work Thanks for stealing my 15 dollars

[Hex: Self Care]

Originally posted by ptedstory:

CANNOT RUN ON 800x600x32 solution doesnt work Thanks for stealing my 15 dollars

I didn't steal your 15 dollars, I'm not associated with this game at all. Steam refunds exist btw.

[ptedstory]

Originally posted by $teamedRevenge:

Originally posted by ptedstory:

CANNOT RUN ON 800x600x32 solution doesnt work Thanks for stealing my 15 dollars

I didn't steal your 15 dollars, I'm not associated with this game at all. Steam refunds exist btw.

IM not saying YOU did im just pissed that i wasted money on a game that doesn have a solution for a resolution problem

[HRRoach]

Originally posted by -3xA'Lu©κy:

Originally posted by HRRoach:

Steam removed controller support from the game. (partial or not), It is not a conspiracy. it is a fact. The game previously supported logitech dual shock usb controllers, steam changed it so that it does not. (the steam loader). I have every right to comment on that. It is not an assumption it is the truth. The only fuel to there being some conspiracy is the continued denial from you.

I understand your frustration but Steam just issues the updates - the blame should be levelled at Rockstar Games honestly. San Andreas has been treated rather poorly on PC and each patch seems to screw things up even more.

As for non-Steam versions supporting logitech dual shock usb controllers... I'm fairly sure this is a happy coincidence and not due to Rockstar wanting this to be the case. Prior to NewSteam r1, there was no official controller support and Rockstar only implemented some partial controller support later on. You actually needed to downgrade to v 1.0 and apply a mod to get some decent controller support.

Originally posted by Awsthegamer:

Can Anyone Help Me Get Mods?

Which mods did you want/need help with?

Steam is 100% responsible for the loader not loading the files for the game, not rockstar. I am amazed you stil deny this.

[Silent]

Originally posted by HRRoach:

Steam is 100% responsible for the loader not loading the files for the game, not rockstar. I am amazed you stil deny this.

What are you talking about? What "files for the game"? It's Rockstar who issued an update which changed DirectInput controllers to XInput. Steam has nothing to do with it - and your USB controller probably used DInput, so it does not work as expected now that the game doesn't support that API anymore.

Now, the only thing Steam can possibly do about it is provide custom mappings for controllers. No need to be salty about that one though, since as far as I am informed this thing is totally configurable.

[-3xA'Lu©κy the disappearing act]

Originally posted by ptedstory:

CANNOT RUN ON 800x600x32 solution doesnt work Thanks for stealing my 15 dollars

Applying Silent Patch will sort this out for you. It may not be ideal, but I can promise it'll work.

[mandi]

Anyone wanna be a helping hand and buy a stranger San Andreas?