Curse

Shift Limits · Aug 25, 2007, 09:25 AM // 09:25

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6410753

Whenever i try to select my characters, the game just refuses to load... And its not just with my characters in GW: EN areas... it's happening with them all... Can anyone help?

Shift Limits · Aug 25, 2007, 09:34 AM // 09:34

......... anyone?

stoo · Aug 25, 2007, 09:55 AM // 09:55

*de-lurks to contribute*

I have a very similar problem, though it does download, albeit *very* slowly. (5 hours now and only about halfway there). I sent a support ticket and got my reply a few minutes ago, essentially they told me to use the -image tag to forcibly download the data, though I don't know if that will be faster than just waiting out the rest.

can anyone else shed light on the speed of the -image command over the in-client update?

wilderness · Aug 25, 2007, 12:43 PM // 12:43

I use -image on all major updates. All it does is force the download of all available and need files. If won't increase your speed over the one you get downloading IG without it.

It's just a nice and tidy way to snap everything you need up at once and doing away with more waits every time you zone.

No word here on the log-in issue, not at my PC so can't check for you. Hope it work out soon.

stoo · Aug 25, 2007, 01:54 PM // 13:54

I tried waiting it out (8 hours!) and it did finish and connect - but when i exited the zone and it had to load more, it resumed its very slow update mode.

I've ended up doing the -image, which *so far* seems to be pulling the files down at a much more normal rate - so I have no idea where the problem lies. I do know it's not local, since there's another computer with another account on the same network which is doing just fine, it's just my client it seems.

Here's hoping the -image works *crosses fingers*

Shift Limits · Aug 25, 2007, 05:32 PM // 17:32

Yeah, this is probably gonna sound stupid.... But what's an -image?

lordpwn · Aug 26, 2007, 12:05 AM // 00:05

-image is a command line parameter that makes Guild Wars redownload the entire gw.dat file from the Anet servers.

You can use it by opening a command prompt and giving the command "gw -image" (no quotes) in your Guild Wars directory, or altering the Guild Wars shortcut on your desktop to include the parameter; just don't forget to remove the parameter from the shortcut after it's done or it'll start all over again when you try to run the game through it.

It may take a while but it should fix any crashes or weirdness resulting from a corrupted gw.dat. The resulting file may be a little smaller since it won't contain any old data that's been obsoleted by patches, and areas may load slightly faster than with an old gw.dat with dozens of patches messing it up.

stoo · Aug 26, 2007, 12:30 AM // 00:30

It did take a while (about 6 hours on my 512 DSL connction) but the issue appears to have been resolved, though I won't know for sure until the next update.

For the OP, here is the step-by-step email that support sent:

There is a way to force Guild Wars to download all available data when launching the game instead of waiting to download it when it is needed. If you wish to do this, please start the game in the following fashion-

1. Click Start and then click Run

2. Click Browse and select your gw.exe program. It will be in "C:\Program Files\Guild Wars" by default.

3. The Run window should now read-

"C:\Program Files\Guild Wars\Gw.exe"

Modify the line in the run window to read

"C:\Program Files\Guild Wars\Gw.exe" -image

4. Press OK to run the game.

This will download all available game data before allowing you to play. Please be aware that you should have at least 4 GB of free space on your hard drive before starting this. The download will take a while. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Regards,
Guild Wars Technical Support

Ryudo Skywing · Aug 26, 2007, 02:06 AM // 02:06

They wont be of much help honestly. I've been having so much trouble and they told me the same thing to do, it didn't fix my issues.

All in all, it will take a few hours to do.