Curse

Omega X · Apr 15, 2006, 08:51 PM // 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord_shar

I had the compression error hit my PC once. Recreating the profile fixed it. Just sharing my own experiences... you don't have to believe any of it.

That's just great then. Especially when some have reported reformatting and reinstallations of windows and it still does nothing to help decompression.

lord_shar · Apr 15, 2006, 09:02 PM // 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omega X

That's just great then. Especially when some have reported reformatting and reinstallations of windows and it still does nothing to help decompression.

I just went thru most of this thread again and found that you're the only one who reported his CPU type, and it's an AMD. I'm on an older Intel platform on an Asus SiS645 MB and NVidia 6800-Ultra AGP. I'm starting to wonder if what I encountered was the same error that's plaguing your PC now.

Can anyone else suffering the problem chime in on what MB/CPU/Vid-card you are running?

Omega X · Apr 15, 2006, 09:36 PM // 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord_shar

I just went thru most of this thread again and found that you're the only one who reported his CPU type, and it's an AMD. I'm on an older Intel platform on an Asus SiS645 MB and NVidia 6800-Ultra AGP. I'm starting to wonder if what I encountered was the same error that's plaguing your PC now.

Can anyone else suffering the problem chime in on what MB/CPU/Vid-card you are running?

I've troubleshooted my system to HELL on this issue, and GW is the only game with this unique situation. Trust me, this is a PROGRAM ISSUE. No amount of chiming in with specs on the issue will solve it.

The fact of the matter is, Guild Wars will SATURATE the cpu during the process. End of Story. The program DOES NOT need that much of the cpu when doing extra tasks. It leaves no clock time for the decompression.

IT was the same thing with the ATi thread and some graphic glitches, it wasn't limited to just ATi cards. NvIDIA cards also have the same problem. AND it came up around the time GW went DX9. IT IS A PROGRAM ISSUE.

lord_shar · Apr 15, 2006, 09:42 PM // 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omega X

I've troubleshooted my system to HELL on this issue, and GW is the only game with this unique situation. Trust me, this is a PROGRAM ISSUE. No amount of chiming in with specs on the issue will solve it.

The fact of the matter is, Guild Wars will SATURATE the cpu during the process. End of Story. The program DOES NOT need that much of the cpu when doing extra tasks. It leaves no clock time for the decompression.

IT was the same thing with the ATi thread and some graphic glitches, it wasn't limited to just ATi cards. NvIDIA cards also have the same problem. AND it came up around the time GW went DX9. IT IS A PROGRAM ISSUE.

True, but my 2.5ghz P4 CPU gets pegged by GW.exe all the time, yet I don't currently have any huge decompression delays. It's the same application on two different PC's. If it is a program issue only, then why doesn't it affect every system?

My "guess" is that the problem could by hardware, driver, or even firmware related, but we can't summarily dismiss anything. You've already ruled out OS when you mentioned that the problem persisted between complete OS reloads. So, what variables are left?

Omega X · Apr 15, 2006, 09:50 PM // 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord_shar

My "guess" is that the problem could by hardware, driver, or even firmware related, but we can't summarily dismiss anything.

ITs not Driver or firmware related because I keep my system updated. ANd I'm not dismissing anything because I've been through this already a thousand times.

lord_shar · Apr 15, 2006, 09:59 PM // 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omega X

ITs not Driver or firmware related because I keep my system updated. ANd I'm not dismissing anything because I've been through this already a thousand times.

Constant software updates do not dismiss driver nor firmware as potential sources of problems. If anything, constant updates can de-stabilize your PC if they don't go through a QA process with your present specific hardware. I work in a production environment, so I get so see first hand how unmitigated changes can really screw things up.

PS: I'm seriously trying to help... no need to direct anger my way, even if you've already gone through these steps. If you want me to shut up, I won't reply again.

Omega X · Apr 15, 2006, 10:26 PM // 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord_shar

PS: I'm seriously trying to help... no need to direct anger my way, even if you've already gone through these steps. If you want me to shut up, I won't reply again.

I'm not directing any anger. ITs just, this is the exact same song and dance that NC Soft Tech Support did. AND it didn't solve anything.

lord_shar · Apr 15, 2006, 10:50 PM // 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omega X

I'm not directing any anger. ITs just, this is the exact same song and dance that NC Soft Tech Support did. AND it didn't solve anything.

When my company division runs into system problems that defy explanation, the first thing we do is find a reference point that precedes the problem's initial detection. Once that reference point is found, we backtrack through change records to determine what change/alteration caused the system breakdown.

Since most people don't have the luxury of maintaining change records at home, your next best bet is to locate someone on these forums with a similar set up to yours that doesn't have the problem present. From there, you can compare system specs and variable, bios version, etc... and take note of the similarities and differences. I know this isn't easy, but if you've already tried everything short of replacing your PC, then there are only a few options left.

EternalTempest · Apr 19, 2006, 05:41 AM // 05:41

Here is another work around that may work better until the problem is resolved (koneko found this one) use -image switch off of the gw.exe. It will do a forced decompression of all the files in the gw.dat at the connection screen (not in game). Please note this will slam your cpu/memory but once it's done

.

If you keep running this command after every major update won't have to worry about forgetting to minimize the window before warping.

Omega X · Apr 19, 2006, 06:44 PM // 18:44

O.O

OMG!

My savior!

Thanks ET(and Koneko). That is a PERFECT workaround.

Trinitron6_03 · Apr 29, 2006, 03:27 AM // 03:27

cool, could you tell us how to do the image thing, also

now this may be a lil different, but.

i have no anti virus running, my paging file is fine, i have 2 gigs of ram, i have an AMD 3200+, now. the game runs excellent. and here is the prob.

if i run winamp(listen to music while playing GW), it takes FOREVER to decompress. as soon as i shut off GW, and go into a NEW AREA, its almost instant for decompressing, ..something with winamp, and GW are wrong. i contacted the support, and they told me.

dont run winamp while playing GW.

simple as that

what great support they have eh?.. how about you guys any probs running winamp with it. and its 5.21 is what i have for winamp.

Trinitron6_03 · Apr 29, 2006, 04:10 AM // 04:10

ok, i was looking at the switches for this, and i did the -image one, and it worked wonders, i can run winamp and have no prob

now.. thats just a temp solution.

i wanted to know what you all thought about this winamp prob.

EternalTempest · Apr 29, 2006, 02:43 PM // 14:43

My issue causing this was my firewall software, not it blocking anything but the fact it was running...

This sound like the situation where GW and Winamp work by themselves but as both are running ><. When it comes to this best you can do is bug Winamp tech support (and they will most likely say bug GW support). If were lucky one of them will get it fixed on there end. This is common in the software industry sad to say.

Winamp has a compatibility issue before with another software (not GW)

Omega X · Apr 29, 2006, 09:10 PM // 21:10

Forget Tech Support and their cookie cutter replys. I hate that entire department.

Anyway, from my experience, Winamp only has a problem with Guild Wars only after something else messes with DirectX. Like for example, When Runnign GW and Winamp and something like the screensaver kicks in, the sound will mix through GW's channels, giving it a echo effect.

NOW as for Winamp messing with GW during Decompression, it depends on what skin you were using at the time. Winamp only uses excess CPU clocks if you are using different kinds of skins. From what I saw is, If you use Winamp Classic skins, then the CPU spikes 5% but if using certain types of Modern Skinns, the CPU remains 0% and the memory usage goes up about 7MBs. Since GW is only using about 2-400MB on a 1GB system, its only a drop in the bucket.

Chris1986 · Apr 30, 2006, 05:42 AM // 05:42

What else are you running in the background. How much RAM do you have and what speed? (unless I overlooked that on the first page).

Running Guild Wars windowed and switching back and forth between processes (IE/Firefox, AIM, etc) takes up a TON of resources, as I've noticed. If you're NOT running windowed, check your task bar and close any unused processes.

I've noticed slowdowns with popups and flash ads running in the background, even when not in windowed mode

Other then that, I'm decompressing pretty fast on a 2500+ overclocked @ 3200+, and a 9800Pro, 1GB PC-3200 overclocked at some kind of weird timing, lol.

-Chris

EDIT: Also, excuse me if this is just a repeat post of someone elses. I didn't exactly read every page

Handicrap · Apr 30, 2006, 07:59 AM // 07:59

I just have two shortcuts. One with the -image and one without. Just run the -image first to see if there was a new update before I play.

Me and my brother both have this problem. And it only happened sometime around the preview event for factions.

Trinitron6_03 · May 01, 2006, 10:04 PM // 22:04

i have 2 gigs of ram(corsair if you must know, 2 x 1gb )

i have winamp 5.21 with classic view

nothing but necessary services in background(yes im a computer tech myself, and i know what services need to be ran, heres a good link www.blackviper.com)

and i have contacted winamp, and GW support, both were no help(like usual)

i have found a workaround its the switch -image

i can run winamp, modern skin and classic skin, and run gw no problem.

thats my suggestion to fix the prob.

paul8811 · May 03, 2006, 01:41 PM // 13:41

Hi...purchased & installed Factions yesterday & having this problem take about 20 minutes everytime I enter a new area. I do run Sygate firewalll so will try disabling that first when I get home as my spec is more then up for the job. Ws just wandering if anyone recieved any acknowledgement from Tech Support that there is a problem?

Opty [email protected], 1g OCZ LE, 7800GT, DFI Ultra-d.
ADSL 8000/1200

EternalTempest · May 03, 2006, 04:14 PM // 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul8811

Hi...purchased & installed Factions yesterday & having this problem take about 20 minutes everytime I enter a new area. I do run Sygate firewalll so will try disabling that first when I get home as my spec is more then up for the job. Ws just wandering if anyone recieved any acknowledgement from Tech Support that there is a problem?

Opty [email protected], 1g OCZ LE, 7800GT, DFI Ultra-d.
ADSL 8000/1200

I had to kill Sygate from even loading at startup (not just disabling it) or try un-installing it.

What I'm going to try tonight in fact is right a batch file that does the image command 1st, then launch gw.

koneko · May 03, 2006, 06:23 PM // 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by EternalTempest

What I'm going to try tonight in fact is right a batch file that does the image command 1st, then launch gw.

Messy, written in 30 seconds (copy-paste into notepad, save as gw.bat):

Code:

:: batch file to force decompression of compressed data in gw.dat
@echo off
:: change the following line if game is installed in a different directory
cd \program files\guild wars
:: force decompression/download if compressed data still exist within gw.dat
gw.exe -image
:: start guild wars normally; needed since -image causes the program to exit
:: use your own value for heapsize if you use it
:: remove -perf and -heapsize xxxxxx if you don't use them
start /d "\program files\guild wars" gw.exe -perf -heapsize 512000
:: reason for using start /d above is so we can exit cmd.exe
:: kills batch file/cmd.exe
@exit

Do things work if you kill Sygate through taskmgr.exe (Task Manager)? If so...hm.

Oh, Winamp users: foobar2000. I'll install Winamp later just for kicks to see if the same problem happens over here, but I doubt it...