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Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games

This page is for the original release. For the remaster, see Dark Souls Remastered.

Warnings Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition

For Games for Windows - LIVE on Windows 8 or later, install the latest Games for Windows - LIVE software (https://community.pcgami
ngwiki.com/files/file/1012-microsoft-games-for-windows-live/).

Key points

A port of the console versions of the game with few configurable options.[1] Use DSfix to increase rendering resolution and remove
the 30 FPS cap along with many other options.
Using a controller is strongly recommended over keyboard and mouse controls.[1] If using keyboard and mouse controls, use Dark
Souls Input Customizer (https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/890-dark-souls-input-customizer/) to fix mouse control issues.
Games for Windows - LIVE DRM was removed from the Steam version on February 16, 2015; product keys activate on Steam.[2]

General information

Steam Community Discussions (https://steamcommunity.com/app/211420/discussions/)

Availability • Link
Source DRM Notes Keys OS

Retail Optional Steam unlock.[3]

Developers
FromSoftware
Steam (https://store.steampowere
d.com/app/211420/?utm_source=P Publishers
CGamingWiki&utm_medium=PCGa Bandai Namco Entertainment
mingWiki&utm_campaign=PCGami Japan FromSoftware
ngWiki) (unavailable) Release dates
Windows August 23, 2012
All non-Steam versions require Games for Windows - LIVE DRM.[Note 1][2][4][5] Reception
The game is no longer available for purchase on Steam as of May 9, 2018.[6] Metacritic 85 (https://www.metacritic.com/gam
e/pc/dark-souls-prepare-to-die-editi
on)
Essential improvements • Link IGDB 84 (https://www.igdb.com/games/da
rk-souls-prepare-to-die-edition)
High-resolution textures (https://www.nexusmods.com/darksouls/mods/446/), fonts (https://www.nexusmods.com/darksouls/mods/2
1/), and controller button prompts (https://www.nexusmods.com/darksouls/mods/171/) are available to download (requires DSfix). Taxonomy
Dark Souls Configuration Utility (https://github.com/SeanPesce/Dark_Souls_Config_Utility/releases) is a launcher, mod manager, and Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
configuration tool which bundles many of the following (and other) mods. Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Third-person
DSfix • Link Controls Direct control
Themes Fantasy
DSfix increases the rendering resolution for better visual quality; without it the game outputs anamorphic 1024x720. It also allows Series Dark Souls
the 30 FPS cap to be removed, HD or other alternate textures to be used, as well as giving options for anti-aliasing (AA), screen-space
ambient occlusion (SSAO), depth of field (DOF) blurring, anisotropic filtering (AF) and many other features.
Raising the FPS cap introduces minor clipping problems. It is, however, generally safe to play at 60 FPS, and you will be unlikely to
encounter any issues. See High frame rate for more information.
Dark Souls

Install DSfix[7] Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition 2012

Dark Souls II 2014
1. Disable in-game anti-aliasing. Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin 2015
2. Download the latest version of DSfix (https://www.nexusmods.com/darksouls/mods/19). Dark Souls III 2016

3. Extract DSfix into the DATA folder in the installation folder. Dark Souls: Remastered 2018
4. Edit DSfix.ini to set your resolution (for example, renderWidth 1366 renderHeight 768).
Contents
Notes Availability
Essential improvements [-]
Set a resolution higher than your native display if you want a supersampling anti-aliasing (SSAA) effect. DSfix
A GUI for DSfix (https://www.nexusmods.com/darksouls/mods/45/) is available for inexperienced users Dark Souls Input Customizer
Skip intro videos
Patches
Launch from .exe (STEAM version)
Dark Souls Input Customizer • Link Game data [+]
Video [+]
The Dark Souls Input Customizer (DSIC) (https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/890-dark-souls-input-customizer/) allows full
Input
customization of the controls of Dark Souls. It uses an intuitive input system that allows the rebinding of every action to arbitrary
Audio [+]
combinations of keys or buttons on the controller, mouse or keyboard. Although this can in part also be achieved with existing tools,
Network [+]
DSIC is much more flexible and wraps it all up in an easy-to-use package, with additional functionality that is specially tailored to Dark
Souls. DSIC also fully includes the Dark Souls Mouse Fix (https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/862-dark-souls-mouse-fix/), VR support [+]
which does not have to be installed separately. Get mouse and keyboard prompts (only default settings) here (https://www.nexusmod Issues fixed [+]
s.com/darksouls/mods/1783). Other information [+]
System requirements
Skip intro videos • Link Notes
References
Skip intro[7]
Unmodded and DSfix modded game.
1. Install DSfix.

2. Edit DSfix.ini
3. Change skipIntro 0 to skipIntro 1
4. Save your changes.

Patches • Link
A Title Update is available for the Games for Windows - LIVE version. The game should automatically prompt for the update when using Unmodded - Eurogamer Modded at 1920x1080
a LIVE profile; the update can also be downloaded manually (Title Update 1 (http://download.xbox.com/content/4e4d0fa1/tu10000082_1 (http://www.eurogamer. resolution - Eurogamer
0000182.cab), Title Update 2 (http://download.xbox.com/content/4e4d0fa1/tu10000082_10000282.cab), Title Update 3 (http://download. net/articles/digitalfound (http://www.eurogamer.
xbox.com/content/4e4d0fa1/tu10000082_10000382.cab) - extract the contents and run TitleUpdate.msi ).
ry-darks-souls-pc-tech-c net/articles/digitalfound
Launch from .exe (STEAM version) • Link omparison). ry-darks-souls-pc-tech-c
omparison).
The current version of the game can only be launched from the STEAM client. If you want to run it by clicking DarkSouls.exe or a
Windows shortcut, create a text file "steam_appid.txt" with the following content: "211420" (without quotes) and place it next to
DarkSouls.exe.

Game data • Link

Configuration file(s) location • Link

System Location

Windows %LOCALAPPDATA%\NBGI\DarkSouls

Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/211420/pfx/[Note 2]

Save game data location • Link

System Location

Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\NBGI\DarkSouls\
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Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\NBGI\DarkSouls\
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Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/211420/pfx/[Note 2]

For the Games for Windows - LIVE version %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\XLive must also be backed up.

Save game cloud syncing • Link

System Native Notes

OneDrive Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers.

Steam Cloud 95,87 MB available

Video • Link
Graphics feature State WSGF Notes

  (ht
tp
s://
ww
w.w
sgf.
org/
dr/ Video settings.
dar
Widescreen resolution 1280x720 internal resolution. Use DSfix to fix.
k-s
oul
s-pr
epa
re-d
ie-e
diti
on/
en)

  (ht
tp
s://
ww
w.w
sgf.
org/
dr/
dar
Multi-monitor See Multi-monitor.
k-s
oul
s-pr
epa
re-d
ie-e
diti
on/
en)

  (ht
tp
s://
ww
w.w
sgf.
org/
dr/
dar
Ultra-widescreen See Multi-monitor.
k-s
oul
s-pr
epa
re-d
ie-e
diti
on/
en)

4K Ultra HD   (ht Use DSfix.

tp
s://Dark Souls FOV Fix (https://www.nexusmods.com/darksouls/mods/1063) (Steam
Use
Field of view (FOV)
ww
only).
w.w
Windowed sgf.
org/
Borderless fullscreen windowed See
dr/Borderless fullscreen windowed.
dar
Anisotropic filtering (AF) See
k-sAnisotropic filtering (AF).
oul
Anti-aliasing (AA) s-pr an overly blurry effect (disable when using DSfix). See Anti-aliasing (AA).
Creates
epa
Vertical sync (Vsync) re-dForce Vsync.
See
ie-e
60 FPS diti
Capped at 30 FPS,[8][9] see High frame rate.
on/
120+ FPS en)High frame rate.
See

Multi-monitor • Link

3rd party fixes[citation needed]

1. Use DSfix together with Widescreen Fixer (https://github.com/dlrudie/WidescreenFixer/releases).

2. For v1.0.2 & v1.0.3 use the updated Widescreen Fixer plugin (http://3dsurroundgaming.com/WSF.html).

Borderless fullscreen windowed • Link

borderlessFullscreen 1[7]

1. Install DSfix.
2. Open DSfix.ini .
3. Change borderlessFullscreen 0 to borderlessFullscreen 1
4. Save your changes.
5. Select windowed mode in the game settings. If you leave it on fullscreen mode, the game will crash if you alt-tab.

Anisotropic filtering (AF) • Link

Set AF override[citation needed]

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1. Install DSfix.
2. Edit DSfix.ini
3. Change filteringOverride 0 to filteringOverride 2
4. Save your changes.

Anti-aliasing (AA) • Link

Anti-aliasing may be forced with the compatibility flag 0x004000C0. Sparse Grid Supersampling gives a blurry effect. Multisampling combined with transparency supersampling seems to
work well (this author uses 4x on each). Some dark diagonal line artifacts are visible on my system occasionally with these settings but aren't obtrusive. DSfix's antialiasing should be
turned off for this.

High frame rate • Link

Make changes in dsfix.ini[10]

1. Install DSfix.
2. Open DSfix.ini .
3. Change unlockFPS 0 to unlockFPS 1
4. Optionally, change FPSlimit 60 to the desired frame rate cap.
5. Save your changes.

Notes

Some side effects affecting gameplay:[11]

Chance to fall through the floor when sliding down ladders
Undead Burg
Short ladder leading to three firebomb throwing hollows warriors.[12][13]
The ladder beneath the bridge with Hellkite Dragon.[13]
Tomb of the Giants
The entrance to Pinwheel's crypt.

Chance to "run" slower than you walk when frame rate is over 60 FPS.[14]
Jump/roll distance is slightly reduced at 60 FPS.
Slope interactions are slightly different at 60 FPS, may cause getting "stuck" on small obstructions from time to
time.[15]
Undead Dragon's "toxic sludge" doesn't render properly when playing at 60 FPS.[16][17]
Sometimes you get stuck at a bonfire and have to force quit game.[18] There is a mod that fixes the issue:
https://www.nexusmods.com/darksouls/mods/1343
Glowing red eyes of some undead merchants and enemies will start flickering when playing at 60 FPS (starts to be
noticeable at 40-45 FPS).

Notes

By default, DSfix includes a hotkey to toggle unlockFPS mid game. Simply press ← Backspace at any time to switch between
30 FPS and your configured FPSlimit .

Ambient occlusion (AO) • Link

Only use one of the below methods; not both at the same time!

Enable ambient occlusion using DSfix

1. Install DSfix.
2. Open <path-to-game>\DATA\DSfix.ini
3. Scroll down to the Ambient Occlusion section and change the parameters as desired.
4. Save and close the file when finished.

Enable ambient occlusion using Nvidia Profile Inspector (Nvidia only)

1. Download and launch Nvidia Profile Inspector (https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/nvidia-profile-inspector-

download.html).
2. Change Profiles to Dark Souls .
3. Set Ambient Occlusion compatibility to one of the following:
Soft AO effect: 0x00000029 (Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)
Stronger AO effect: 0x00000003 (Fallout - New Vegas, Fallout 3)

4. Click Apply changes.

Input • Link
Keyboard and mouse State Notes

Use Dark Souls Input Customizer (https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/890-d

Remapping
ark-souls-input-customizer/) for more remapping options.

Mouse deceleration reported.[20] Use Dark Souls Input Customizer (https://community.

Mouse acceleration
pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/890-dark-souls-input-customizer/) to disable it.

Use Dark Souls Input Customizer (https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/890-d

Mouse sensitivity
ark-souls-input-customizer/) for more sensitivity options.

Mouse input in menus Control scheme tips.[19]

Mouse Y-axis inversion Only accessible in-game, not from the main menu.

Controller

Controller support

Full controller support Entering a name for a new character requires keyboard.

Use Dark Souls Input Customizer (https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/890-d

Controller remapping
ark-souls-input-customizer/).

Use Dark Souls Input Customizer (https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/890-d

Controller sensitivity
ark-souls-input-customizer/).

Controller Y-axis inversion

Controller types

XInput-compatible controllers [Expand]

Use Dark Souls Input Customizer (https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/file [Expand]

DualShock 4 controllers
s/file/890-dark-souls-input-customizer/).

Generic/other controllers
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Generic/other controllers

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Additional information [Expand]

Steam Input [Expand]

Audio • Link
Audio feature State Notes

Separate volume controls

Surround sound Up to 7.1 output[21]

Subtitles

Closed captions

Mute on focus lost Can not be disabled.

Localizations • Link

Language UI Audio Sub Notes

English

Traditional Chinese

French

German

Hungarian Fan translation (http://www.trc-playground.hu/forditasok/#darksouls).

Italian

Korean

Polish

Russian

Spanish

Japanese

Fan translation, download (https://tribogamer.com/traducoes/291_tra

Brazilian Portuguese ducao-do-dark-souls-prepare-to-die-edition-para-portugues-do-brasil.
html).

Ukrainian Fan translation (https://toloka.to/t116990).

Network • Link
Online features in non-Steam versions require a Microsoft account (https://live.xbox.com/Account/Signin) (optional for offline play).

Multiplayer types • Link

Type Native Players Notes

Co-op, Versus

Local play 4 Use Nucleus Coop (https://github.com/lucasassislar/nucleuscoop/releases) &

Unofficial mod (https://github.com/ZeroFox5866/nucleuscoop).

LAN play

Online play 4 Co-op, Versus

Ports • Link

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)

TCP 53,80,443,3074

UDP 53,88,3074

This game supports Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) for automatic port configuration.
UPnP is working in the Games for Windows - LIVE version if the Games for Windows - LIVE Network Settings says "UPnP is available, in use"; if not, refer to this guide (https://web.archive.o
rg/web/20150619095758/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2902926).

Dark Souls PVP Watchdog • Link

BitBucket (https://bitbucket.org/infausto/dark-souls-pvp-watchdog), Main thread (https://www.reddit.com/r/darksouls/comments/2qug03/and_were_back_in_business_ds_pvp_watchdog_
can_now/), Download (https://bitbucket.org/infausto/dark-souls-pvp-watchdog/downloads)
Dark Souls PVP Watchdog is a tool designed to prevent some common forms of cheating and tampering in online sessions, and gives the player the ability to ban offenders from their
worlds.
Disclaimer: read the overview in the first link.

Installation of DSPVPWatchdog[7]

1. Download the tool from the link above

2. Extract it in Dark Souls DATA folder
3. Launch Dark Souls as usual
4. Should an offender invade your world (or should you invade the world of a cheater), press F1 to disconnect the offender, or
press F5 to ignore the warning.

Dangerous effects like curse, petrify, egg head, and teleport are disabled and prevented during invasions and don't need any
user interaction.

Dark Souls Connectivity Mod • Link

Developer's Site (http://wulf2k.ca/), Download (http://wulf2k.ca/PC/DaS/DSCM.html), NexusMods (https://www.nexusmods.com/darksouls/mods/1047/)
The problem: Recent versions of Dark Souls have trouble connecting to other nodes, making Multiplayer difficult or even impossible.
Dark Souls Connectivity Mod is a tool that attaches itself to Dark Souls process, allowing it to connect to player nodes.
A side-effect of being able to choose a node, Co-Op and PvP with select players becomes possible.

Install DSCM[citation needed]

1. Download and extract DSCM (http://wulf2k.ca/PC/DaS/DSCM.html) to a folder of your choice.

2. Simply run DSCM whenever you play Dark Souls.

By default DSCM should already connect you to DSCM-Net, improving multiplayer connectivity.
DSCM and Dark Souls do not need to be started in any specific order. You can run DSCM before starting Dark Souls, or you
can run DSCM after the game is already open DSCM will "just work" no matter when it is started
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can run DSCM after the game is already open. DSCM will just work no matter when it is started.
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VR support • Link
3D modes Native Notes

Nvidia 3D Vision See Nvidia 3D Vision.

G3D

vorpX Officially supported game, see official vorpx game list (https://www.vorpx.com/support
ed-games/).

Nvidia 3D Vision • Link

The game suffers from poor Nvidia 3D Vision support.

3D Vision fix by Helix[citation needed]

Use together with DSfix.

3D does not work with borderless fullscreen.

1. Download the fix from Helix Mod's web site (https://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/08/dark-souls-prepare-to-die-edition-3d.ht

ml).
2. Extract the content to <path-to-game>\DATA

Issues fixed • Link

Performances issues • Link
General fixes • Link

DATA.exe Priority[citation needed]

Reportedly working with Nvidia cards.[22]

1. Open Task Manager.

2. Set priority of DATA.exe to a higher value.

Processor affinity[citation needed]

Set processor affinity to only 2 of the available processors.

Lower-spec machine fixes • Link

Adjust settings in DSfix[citation needed]

Disable anti-aliasing (aaQuality 0)

Use lowest quality SSAO (ssaoScale 3)
Set a resolution lower than your native display to improve performance on older machines, at the cost of up-scaled
blurriness and aliasing.

Adjust settings in game[citation needed]

Disable motion blur.

Certain areas of the game are more demanding on your hardware causing slowdown in-game. It seems that the engine, when faced with an area where it struggles to render 30 FPS, will
cut down to 15FPS. The most famous is Blighttown, but large animated characters can also produce this slowdown.
Unlock the FPS cap with DSfix (unlockFPS 1), set the frame cap at 30 (FPSlimit 30) and enable Vsync (enableVsync 1) For the most part you will have the same experience, but where the
game would usually dip to 15FPS it will only drop as far as it needs to (results depend on your machine).

ATI/AMD-specific fixes • Link

Appears that ATI/AMD graphics cards are underutilised.

Set Catalyst Control Center 3D Profile[23]

1. Enter Catalyst Control Center and 3D Application Settings (advanced view).

2. Tweak settings by unchecking 'Use application settings' and switching sliders to the left.
3. Apply the 3D profile to Dark Souls.

Disable AMD Cool'n'Quiet[citation needed]

Disabling AMD Cool 'N Quiet in your BIOS can also fix the issue with low FPS.

Nvidia Optimus-specific fixes • Link

Force Optimus To Use Nvidia Instead Of Intel Graphics[citation needed]

1. Go to Nvidia Control Panel (Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Nvidia Control Panel).
2. Go to Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings.
3. Add both executables ( DARKSOULS.exe and DATA.exe ), and set the preferred graphics processor for both to Nvidia graphics
instead of auto.

Crashes • Link
Lifting FPS-cap using DSFix • Link

Fix Data Execution Prevention setting[citation needed]

Ensure Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is set to the default (Windows programs and services only).

VSFilter.dll • Link

Crash occurs after start screen.

Rename VSFilter.dll[24]

Monitor refresh rate • Link

Crash when accessing in-game settings[25]

Option 1: Use borderlessFullscreen and set RefreshRate = 60 in DarkSouls.ini. This setting is ignored when Dark Souls is
not in true fullscreen- your desktop refresh rate will not be changed and the game won't crash when accessing the settings.
Option 2: Make sure your monitor is set to 60Hz before attempting to access in-game PC Settings .

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Other frequencies may Explore

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like 58Hz
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is not,Tools
About
nor are 120Hz, 144Hz Search PCGamingWiki Talk Contributions Log in
The crash only happens when trying to access the in-game PC Settings ; it is safe to use any frequency after you have
finished adjusting in-game settings.

Option 3: Don't even try to access the in game PC Settings , just edit DarkSouls.ini by hand.

When creating your first character, the settings may automatically be accessed.

Windows 7 • Link

Crash on startup

Run DARKSOULS.exe under Windows Vista SP2 Compatibility Mode[citation needed]

Windows 8 • Link

Reinstall gfwlivesetup.exe[26]

1. Uninstall Microsoft Games for Windows – LIVE Redistributable.

2. Uninstall Microsoft Games for Windows Marketplace.
3. Install the Games for Windows Marketplace Client (http://www.xbox.com/en-NZ/Live/PC/DownloadClient).
4. Uncheck compatibility mode.
5. If none of this works, try downloading the latest windows essentials and signing in.

Steam Compatibility settings fix[citation needed]

1. Go to <path-to-game>\DATA .
2. Right click DATA and go to Properties .
3. Go to the Compatibility tab and uncheck Run as Administrator .
4. Click Apply .

DSfix[citation needed]

1. Go to <path-to-game>\DATA .
2. Right click DARKSOULS.exe and go to Properties .
3. Go to the Compatibility tab and check Run this program in compatibility mode for: .
4. Select Windows 7 from the drop down list.
5. Click Apply .
6. Repeat steps 2-5 for DATA.exe (not present in the Steam version)

RivaTuner • Link

Turn off Custom Direct3D support[citation needed]

Reading summon sign • Link

Reading a summoning sign causes Dark Souls to crash to desktop.

Make sure the user placing the summoning sign has a Steam profile name consisting of less than 16 characters[27]

1. Open Steam
2. Open the Friends/Chat window
3. Click the dropdown arrow next to your username
4. Click Edit profile name
5. Change your username to something less than 16 characters
6. When done, click confirm

Controller issues • Link

Controller not working • Link

Make your controller the 'first' one[28]

Game detects 'first' controller driver.<

1. Uninstall controller drivers.

2. Reinstall controller drivers. If using Xbox 360 Controller, use these drivers: Wired and wireless drivers (https://www.microsof
t.com/hardware/en-us/p/xbox-360-controller-for-windows#support)

Disable any non-360 controller[29]

1. Open device manager

2. Disable any other HID-compliant game controller

DirectInput controllers have wrong mapping • Link

Use X360ce (https://github.com/x360ce/x360ce) to fix the issue by emulating the official Xbox 360 Controller.

Use X360ce[citation needed]

1. Download X360ce (https://github.com/x360ce/x360ce).

2. Put xBox360ce.exe into <path-to-game>\DATA\
3. Start xBox360ce.exe and confirm creation of all DLLs.
4. Controller should be detected. Test all buttons and sticks.
5. Close X360ce.
6. Open x360ce.ini .[30]
7. Go to section [InputHook] .
8. Add a line HookCOM=1 after HookMode=1 .
9. Save.
10. Open Dark Souls, which should now detect the non-Xbox 360 Controller as an official Xbox 360 Controller.

Miscellaneous • Link
Jittery mouse controls • Link
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Mouse controls feel veryExplore

jittery, with unintuitive
Editing  results when
Community the camera
About Toolscollides with a wall or the floor. Search PCGamingWiki Talk Contributions Log in

Use raw mouse input fix[citation needed]

Use Dark Souls Input Customizer (https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/890-dark-souls-input-customizer/).

Xbox button prompts always shown • Link

Add keyboard/mouse icons[citation needed]

Use Modern keyboard interface icons (https://www.nexusmods.com/darksouls/mods/840/).

Run the game at screen refresh rate • Link

Fullscreen mode defaults to 60 Hz, even if the screen refresh rate is set higher than that.

Set refresh rate through DSfix[31]

1. Install DSfix.
2. Open DSfix.ini .
3. Change forceFullscreen 0 to forceFullscreen 1 .
4. Change fullscreenHz 60 to the screen refresh rate.
5. Save your changes.

Set refresh rate through DarkSouls.ini[31]

1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.

2. Open DarkSouls.ini .
3. Set RefreshRate to the screen refresh rate, e.g. RefreshRate = 120 .

Black screen on startup • Link

The game's window remains black after launching and is "Not Responding" if clicked on.
The issue can also occur when a USB DAC is plugged in i.e. Fiio E17K.[citation needed]

Nvidia drivers: Create a profile in Nvidia Control Panel[32]

1. Start the Nvidia Control Panel.

2. Navigate to Manage 3D settings .
3. Select the Program Settings tab.
4. Click Add and navigate to <path-to-game>\darksouls.exe . No profile changes are necessary.
5. Click Apply , then run the game.

Disable HID Game Controller[33]

1. Plug in your controller.

2. Make sure the game isn't running.
3. Open the Device Manager.
4. Under Human Interface Devices disable HID-compliant game controller .
5. Run the game.

Disable HID-Compliant consumer control device[citation needed]

1. Plug in your USB DAC.

2. Make sure the game isn't running.
3. Open the Device Manager.
4. Under Human Interface Devices disable HID-Compliant consumer control device .
5. Run the game.

If the above fails, try unplugging the controller and then running the game[citation needed]

Minimize with multiple monitors • Link

Fix binds the mouse to a single screen (DSFix has this feature built in).

CursorLock[28]

1. Download CursorLock (https://www.snakebytestudios.com/projects/apps/cursor-lock/).

2. Open CursorLockSetup.exe
3. Shortcut > Program Mode.
4. Set DARKSOULS.exe in the 'Open Program' field.
5. Set DATA.exe in the 'Lock Program' field.
6. Click 'Create Shortcut', and run the game using this shortcut.

Progress bar stuck during installation • Link

Problem may be caused by setup utility getting stuck whilst installing DirectX and Games for Windows - LIVE.

End Install Processes[citation needed]

1. Make sure DirectX and Games for Windows - LIVE are individually updated.
2. Open the Task Manager ( Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Esc ) and go to the 'Processes' tab.
3. When dxsetup or gfwlsetup show up, cancel the processes. Note: the gfwlsetup may appear only briefly.
4. This should allow installation to continue.

Manual Save Game conversion from GFWL version to Steam version • Link
Useful if the automatic conversion fails. However, this will only transfer your game state WITHOUT your achievements.

Manual save game conversion[citation needed]

1. Open the save game folder located in %USERPROFILE%\Documents\NBGI\DarkSouls\ .

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07/01/2022 20:35 Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition - PCGamingWiki PCGW - bugs, fixes, crashes, mods, guides and improvements for every PC game
2. You will find a folder named after your GFWL profile. Open it and copy the file named DRAKS0005.sl2 .
Explore Editing  Community About Tools Search PCGamingWiki Talk Contributions Log in
3. Go back one level and paste said file into %USERPROFILE%\Documents\NBGI\DarkSouls\ .

Game only uses part of the screen • Link

Using DSfix with in-game anti-aliasing enabled causes the game to only use part of the screen.

Disable the in-game anti-aliasing[citation needed]

Steam requesting UAC on every launch • Link

The issue is that Steam is trying to install Gfwlivesetup.exe but Steam also stopped supplying the executable with new downloads.

UAC fix[34]
DSfix anti-aliasing conflict

1. Copy %WINDIR%\System32\Notepad.exe to <path-to-game>\REDIST\GFWL\

2. Rename Notepad.exe to gfwlivesetup.exe
3. Launch the game and it will ask for UAC one last time.

UAC fix using Regedit[citation needed]

This method will force Steam into thinking it's installed already

1. Make a txt file

2. Copy the following code into it
3. Save it as a .reg file
4. Run it & Merge it

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Valve\Steam\Apps\211420]

"directx"=dword:00000001

"gfwlivesetup"=dword:00000001

Fog/color/color-banding graphical issues • Link

The graphics (mostly the color) looks very weird. Example image here (https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/273970711323415827/EA5990D3FF9BA5C5BAB99AA26B08E16E46EB1BD
5/).

Set anti-aliasing to FXAA in dsfix.ini[35]

1. Make sure that you have installed DSfix

2. Make sure anti-aliasing is disabled in the game options
3. Make sure the game isn't running
4. Open <path-to-game>\DATA\DSfix.ini
5. Set the option aaType to aaType FXAA
6. Run the game

Can't override language using DSfix • Link

Language override is being ignored on some Windows 10 systems

Use executable compatibility mode[citation needed]

1. Right click DARKSOULS.exe and go to 'Properties'.

2. On the 'Compatibility' tab tick Run this program in compatibility mode for: and choose Windows 7 .

Other information • Link

API • Link

Technical specs Supported Notes

Direct3D 9

Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes

Windows

Middleware • Link

Middleware Notes

Physics Havok

Audio FMOD

Cutscenes Bink

Steamworks,
Multiplayer Games for Steam version uses Steamworks, non-Steam uses GFWL.[2]
Windows - LIVE

System requirements • Link

Windows

Minimum

Operating system (OS) XP, Vista, 7

AMD Phenom II X2 545 3.0 GHz

Processor (CPU)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.0 GHz

System memory (RAM) 2 GB

Hard disk drive (HDD) 4 GB

ATI Radeon HD 4870

Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 9800 GTX+

DirectX 9.0c compatible

Notes • Link
1. Games for Windows - LIVE DRM features: Legacy+ZDPP activation, supports local profiles.
2. File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit (https://wiki.winehq.org/Regedit) to access Windows registry
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