Curse

Relambrien · Jan 07, 2007, 04:06 PM // 16:06

Hey guys, having a bit of trouble here :P

Sometimes, when I'm playing GW, the game will freeze for upwards of 15 seconds, while any sound in the background will repeat like a broken record. Sometimes, the computer resets on its own after several seconds of this. This problem has started recently, along with a couple minor graphics errors that are usually fixed by minimizing and maximizing the game.

Another problem, happening at the EXACT same time as this, is that when I turn on the computer, it goes through the normal boot sequence until it reaches the Windows XP loading screen. Normally, it would load, then go to a black screen for one or two seconds, and show the logon screen. Now, it goes to a black screen for upwards of 30 seconds before showing logon, and sometimes doesn't show it at all.

I had a similar problem before with freezing, though it was limited to GW. I used the -dx8 switch to fix it, but I've become accustomed to GW's max graphics so I want to see if there's anything else I could do. I am also inclined to believe that the problem is not in GW due to the other problem with logging into XP mentioned above.

My relevant computer specs are as follows (nothing is OC'ed):

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4 Ghz
2x1 GB Corsair XMX DDR2 800 dual-channel RAM
XFX GeForce 7900GT (cooled by a Zalman VF900 fan)

I have run several malware scans so I know the error is not in a virus, spyware, or adware. I have come up with several possible causes and possible solutions, and I am asking here preemptively for anything else I could do, in the event none of these work.

1) Dust buildup on the card fan is resulting in overheating, which would explain both the freezing and minor graphics card issues, but I cannot connect this to the XP login problem. While my computer's temperature hovers at around 33 degrees Celsius, I cannot be sure of my card' temp while playing. Cleaning the computer is the obvious thing to do.
2) The card drivers need to be updated, which also explains everything but the login issue. If this is the case, I just need to update the drivers (however I always freak out when I do that...I'm not exactly confident I'm not screwing it up).
3) The computer was somehow jarred so that something came loose, and its "disconnection" from the computer is causing the freezing. Discovering what came loose and reconnecting it would solve the problem.

If anyone has any other ideas or solutions, please post here with them. I'm eager to get this fixed, and I'll keep you all updated on what I've tried.

Relambrien · Jan 21, 2007, 04:05 AM // 04:05

(Sorry for double post, but I felt it was necessary)

Alright, here's an update. The game freezing is still prevalent and an issue, but the long black screen on boot is gone.

Attempted fixes:
1) Graphics card cleaning. No effect.
2) Graphics driver updating to 91.47 from 91.37. No effect.
3) Reseating card. No effect.

I have also verified my card's normal load temp is 57C, so it's not overheating.

Something I recently noticed, however, was that around the same time this started, I downloaded a DirectX update via the End-User runtime thing from Microsoft. Is there a way to roll back DirectX to before the update to see if it has any effect?

Other than that, the only thing I can think of is that a cable's going bad or the card is going bad.

krichter · Jan 21, 2007, 05:25 AM // 05:25

Im having probs with this also- it only started yesterday though, so I'm chalking it up to the test weekend. My computer doesn't restart or anything like that, it just freezes. How long ago did this start? If it was around the last week or so, there were game updates that might've screwed up your firewall.

Relambrien · Jan 21, 2007, 06:50 AM // 06:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by krichter

Im having probs with this also- it only started yesterday though, so I'm chalking it up to the test weekend. My computer doesn't restart or anything like that, it just freezes. How long ago did this start? If it was around the last week or so, there were game updates that might've screwed up your firewall.

Actually several months ago in September I had one day with freezing, but it didn't persist past that. And this started oh...maybe two weeks ago? It was like the day before I posted this...so yeah, about two weeks ago.

So I can say with confidence it's not a firewall problem...if it was a firewall problem, I wouldn't be able to connect in the first place. This is just freezing in-game.

myst1k · Jan 21, 2007, 07:42 PM // 19:42

ya the big problem is your not alone man, thousands of guildwars gamers have the same, but after all the complaints we still dont hear nothing from Anet.

Relambrien · Jan 21, 2007, 08:22 PM // 20:22

After increasing problems and a new startling discovery--explorer.exe having issues after an error reboot--I have taken to reformatting my hard drive and reinstalling Windows. We'll see if this works.

myst1k · Jan 22, 2007, 09:41 PM // 21:41

bump this, does it work ?? i think is my pc, since i ran guildwars on my old pc and i didnt notice any lags, so its hardware compatibilty with the game.
both PCs run the same windows.

Relambrien · Jan 23, 2007, 04:20 PM // 16:20

After a reformat and reinstall, the long black screen came back. Haven't frozen in GW yet, but the problem was most prevalent on Frozen Isle, so I'll see next time my guild GvG's.

Oh, and the other graphics errors I was having still occur, so I'm assuming the freezing will too.

So I've ruled out Windows and the hard drive by reformatting...as well as DirectX...drivers aren't the issue...overheating isn't an issue...and considering there's other graphics problems, I'm going to have to assume my card is dying Q_Q.

Ah well, hopefully it'll last long enough for me to buy Vista and a DX10 graphics card :P