Several days ago, we reported about Need for Speed : Undercover leaking to BitTorrent networks right on the game’s release date. I’ve played the game for around 1 hour so far and I can’t say it’s impressive. Looks like EA tried to do a remake of NFS : Most Wanted and didn’t do a very good job of it. Anyway this post is not a review of the game but a discussion of various problems you may encounter with NFS : Undercover. I have presented with several possible solutions which will hopefully solve your problems once and for all.

Cannot change display settings or stuck with auto detected settings

Sometimes, you may not be able to change NFS Undercover display and graphics settings using in game menus. Common problems seem to be users not being able to change screen resolution and disable motion blur. Screen resolution can be set manually by editing the registry:

Run registry editor (regedit) and locate the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA Games\Need for Speed Undercover

Screen resolution can be set by editing the following two keys: g_Width = 1024 g_Height = 768 (For a screen resolution of 1024x768)

You can change several other game settings manually using the other keys located here. Be careful with editing registry values – always backup first.

Cannot run NFS : Undercover in Windowed Mode

Here is how to run Undercover in Windowed mode. Create a shortcut to the game exe on the desktop. Add –w switch to the end of target name (leave a space after the closing quotes and add –w and press ok). Run the game from the shortcut.

EDIT: The -w switch does not seem to be working for some users. No worries. Download NFS : Undercover Window Mode Fix from GameCopyWorld and extract all files to your NFS Undercover Directory. Edit the d3d9.ini file to set the Windowed mode as below:

  • fullscreen=0 to run in Windowed mode
  • fullscreen=1 to run in full screen

Slow framerate issues, sluggish performance, stuttering, crashes to desktop (CTD)

From what I have read in the forums, this game is not very well optimized. But a lot of performance issues with the game seem to be connected to cracked versions. As with any other game, groups from the warez scene and individuals have released various cracks for NFS : Undercover that bypass or remove the DRM protection in the game. These cracked exes are used by pirates as well as by legitimate users who don’t want the DRM on their systems. Unfortunately, some of these cracks are not very stable. Cracks by NoGrp, WARG, DarkC0der (Dakcoder) and 0x0008 seem to be merely bypassing the SecuROM protection and may cause the game to run sluggish, slowly and crash often. RELOADED and UNLOADED versions however seem to have protection and triggers completely removed and seem to work just fine.

If you are running on budget hardware / on a low end machine and getting slow performance, try tweaking game settings till you get an acceptable framerate. You may get a considerable performance boost if you disable motion blur. There is no option to do this directly but setting the world effects to medium would remove most of it.

Other notes

As usual, updating to the latest version of sound card and graphics card drivers will help too. ATI Catalyst 8.11 WHQL drivers can be found here and latest nVIDIA display drivers can be found here.

If I discover any more solutions, I will update this page.

Related Articles


31 Comments

  1. JesuZ // 11/21/2008 10:59:00 PM  

    -w doesn't work for windowed mode?

  2. Lightning_Struck_Tower // 11/22/2008 12:14:00 AM  

    Jesse,
    I have updated the article with a link to NFS Undercover Window Mode fix. Try that it should work.

    Cheers.

  3. JesuZ // 11/22/2008 12:50:00 AM  

    Thanks!

    That fix works just perfectly!

  4. Unknown // 11/22/2008 12:54:00 AM  

    Fixed my resolution problem thanks a lot. Your troubleshooting articles, private torrent tracker updates and game leaks articles are really great. I visit this site daily keep up the good work XOXOXOX

  5. Unknown // 11/22/2008 01:26:00 AM  

    The screen resolution fix doesnt work for me. I want 1360 x 768 but changing the registry keys doesnt help.

  6. Lightning_Struck_Tower // 11/22/2008 01:33:00 AM  

    Fred,
    That may be because the game or your hardware does not support that resolution. You can try a lower resolution such as 1280x720 and see if it works.

  7. psychomatic // 11/22/2008 09:51:00 AM  

    Very nice article.
    Too bad for me, the game defaults any changes made to the registry keys. It's really annoying since I wanna play at 85 Hz.
    For anyone interested the key for Vista x64 is:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\EA Games

  8. siljak // 11/23/2008 10:52:00 AM  

    Hey i made into the windowed mode..but i can't see nothing on the screen only hear the sound..the screen goes from black to white..can anybody help..also it does the same if its not windowed mode.

  9. TEAM FILEnetworks // 11/23/2008 11:32:00 AM  

    sijak,
    What's your video card. If possible please post system specs.

  10. siljak // 11/23/2008 12:05:00 PM  

    Windows: Windows XP5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2
    Internet Explorer: 6.0.2900.2180
    Memory (RAM): 3583 MB
    CPU Info: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
    CPU Speed: 2397.0 MHz
    Sound card: Realtek HD Audio output
    Display Adapters: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT | NetMeeting driver | RDPDD Chained DD
    Monitors: 1
    Screen Resolution: 1680 X 1050 - 32 bit
    Network: Network Present
    Network Adapters: Realtek RTL8168/8111 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC - Packet Scheduler Miniport
    CD / DVD Drives: D: LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1L
    COM Ports: COM1
    LPT Ports: LPT1
    Mouse: 16 Button Wheel Mouse Present
    Hard Disks: C: 74.5GB | E: 128.0GB | F: 337.8GB
    Hard Disks - Free: C: 62.8GB | E: 72.6GB | F: 333.6GB
    USB Controllers: 8 host controllers.
    Firewire (1394): Not Detected
    PCMCIA (Laptops): Not Installed
    Manufacturer: Award Software International, Inc.
    Product Make: P35-DS3L
    AC Power Status: OnLine
    BIOS Info: AT/AT COMPATIBLE | 11/29/07 | GBT - 42302e31
    Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time
    Battery: No Battery
    Motherboard: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. P35-DS3L
    Modem: Not detected

  11. Lightning_Struck_Tower // 11/23/2008 07:20:00 PM  

    sijak,
    Did you try lowering your screen resolution from the registry?

  12. psychomatic // 11/24/2008 02:20:00 AM  

    Solved my earlier problem with permissions

  13. ArtInt // 11/24/2008 06:45:00 PM  

    hey i installed the game and the crack...but as soon as i start the game it says it needs to connect to the internet and there is no connection...though my computer is always connected to the internet...please give me a solution...i have waited long enough for UC but havn't been able to play ...abhishek.total@gmail.com

  14. Unknown // 11/24/2008 10:21:00 PM  

    hey!
    Please help.
    as soon as i run the game the intro video runs with a white screen followed.. as i move the mouse some sounds assure that i am on the home screen.

    i have an intel G33 chipset!
    do i need to upgrade my graphic card or any driver?

  15. Eccy // 11/28/2008 05:19:00 AM  

    Ellow lads any1 help me out ime gettin a white sreen every time i load need for speed undercover and itz makin me well mad now ive tryed most fings like that window fix no gud and loads of diffenrt cracks any1 help me out pleaseeee

  16. Eccy // 11/28/2008 05:21:00 AM  

    OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Ultimate
    Version 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1 Build 6001
    Other OS Description Not Available
    OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
    System Name ECCY-PC
    System Manufacturer Dell Inc.
    System Model Dell DM061
    System Type X86-based PC
    Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz, 2793 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
    BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. 2.4.0, 24/05/2007
    SMBIOS Version 2.3
    Windows Directory C:\Windows
    System Directory C:\Windows\system32
    Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
    Locale United Kingdom
    Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.0.6001.18000"
    User Name Eccy-PC\Eccy
    Time Zone GMT Standard Time
    Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 1.25 GB
    Total Physical Memory 1.24 GB
    Available Physical Memory 590 MB
    Total Virtual Memory 2.74 GB
    Available Virtual Memory 1.64 GB
    Page File Space 1.53 GB
    Page File C:\pagefile.sys

  17. dri4z // 11/28/2008 08:55:00 AM  

    when i click on the nfs.exe file, it goes to a full black screen, then becomes a smaller black screen covering one quarter of my screen then says that nfs.exe has stopped working and needs to close.
    Can you help me with this??
    cheers

  18. Unknown // 12/01/2008 12:19:00 AM  

    dri4z I am having the same problem. I will post if I find a solution.

  19. Rale // 12/11/2008 07:49:00 AM  

    Problem:
    in the left upper coner I am haveing video of a game but like negative.
    It's drive me crazy!!!!
    Please help!

  20. walter // 12/22/2008 10:53:00 PM  
    This comment has been removed by the author.
  21. walter // 12/22/2008 10:53:00 PM  

    Problem:
    when i play the game,
    the default resolution is 1280x720

    my monitor is a normal screen(not wide screen)

    how shoult i change the game resolution to normal resolution but not wide screen resolution

  22. meonk // 1/25/2009 11:38:00 PM  

    ------------------
    System Information
    ------------------
    Time of this report: 1/26/2009, 01:54:51
    Machine name: MEONGZ
    Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp.060315-1524)
    Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
    System Manufacturer: INTEL
    System Model: P4I45Gx_PE,
    BIOS: Version 1.00
    Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.26GHz
    Memory: 1280MB RAM
    Page File: 324MB used, 2729MB available
    Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
    DX Setup Parameters: Not found
    DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
    ---------------
    Display Devices
    ---------------
    Card name: RADEON 9250
    Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
    Chip type: RADEON 9200 Series AGP (0x5960)
    DAC type: Internal DAC(500MHz)
    Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5960&SUBSYS_2C921048&REV_01
    Display Memory: 128.0 MB
    Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (70Hz)
    Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
    Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
    Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
    Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6467 (English)
    DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
    Driver Attributes: Final Retail
    Driver Date/Size: 8/3/2004 21:37:08, 208896 bytes
    WHQL Logo'd: Yes
    WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
    VDD: n/a
    Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 8/3/2004 21:36:50, 768512 bytes
    Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-1A20-11CF-BB6A-980CA0C2CB35}
    Vendor ID: 0x1002
    Device ID: 0x5960
    SubSys ID: 0x2C921048
    Revision ID: 0x0001
    Revision ID: 0x0001
    Video Accel:
    Deinterlace Caps: n/a
    Registry: OK
    DDraw Status: Enabled
    D3D Status: Enabled
    AGP Status: Not Available
    DDraw Test Result: Not run
    D3D7 Test Result: Not run
    D3D8 Test Result: Not run
    D3D9 Test Result: Not run

    this is my computer Info..
    i can't play this game when i open nfs.exe there was crash anyway i was put the paul.dll,exe crack, and windows fix but the problem still doesn't fix,anyone can help me?

  23. Valerian Morier // 5/05/2010 07:30:00 PM  

    Man i got a problem with the game!
    maybe you can help me!
    it does not save my custom graphic settings, every time i want to play i gotta change the settings all over again...this is getting annoying..please man you gotta help me if you know the solution :(

  24. Unknown // 6/28/2010 05:37:00 AM  

    My need for speed undercover is not starting at all,it tells me I hv to connect to internet but my PC is offline I'm using my Blackberry cell phone even now,inorder to tell u my problem.please help

  25. Unknown // 6/28/2010 05:45:00 AM  

    My undercover just says I must connect to the server first,nd I can't because my computer is offline,plz help I've played most wanted nd loved it,I want to try undercover now,or this means I go want my refund than from the store I bought it from.please respond on my e-mail www.mfanelom@gmail.com thank you!

  26. Unknown // 9/29/2010 11:17:00 AM  

    i downloaded nfs undercover, everything went fine, i mean installing ad stuffs but when i started it, then a white screen appeared but the sounds are all there, please help me, it cost me for downloading lol.. is there any problem with my graphics card or the game, i think i have to buy a graphics card cuz the sound's working fine. pls help me. you can email,
    suclatter@yahoo.com, or suclatter@ymail.com, suclatter@hotmail.com..
    please help me...

  27. Unknown // 9/29/2010 11:18:00 AM  

    did anyone get a solution for my problem???/

  28. Unknown // 9/19/2013 09:56:00 PM  
    This comment has been removed by the author.
  29. Unknown // 9/19/2013 09:59:00 PM  

    edit the registry g_refresh to 85 this fix resolicion prebelm.

    it all depends on the refresh rate of the screen

  30. Nguyễn Minh Triết // 8/29/2014 04:37:00 AM  

    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Windowed mode with d3d file works
    But editting registry for custom resolution(I tried 1280x600 with Dword)doesn't work
    I editted in WOW6432node since my windows is 64-bit.

  31. Unknown // 10/22/2014 01:21:00 AM  

    I downloaded NFS Undercover from Bittorrent but if i want to extract the files it asks for a password, they gave me a link where a should support adds by subscribing to something like "fun wallpapers" for 7 rand a day, did that also but still no password, can any1 plz help to get that password?