Repairing Data Archive? - Guild Wars Forums

tuna-fish_sushi · Jun 27, 2009, 04:11 AM // 04:11

Sometimes when I start Guild wars it says Repairing Data Archive and takes like 3 minutes before I can play. What exactly is causing this error?

the pretender · Jun 27, 2009, 05:53 AM // 05:53

One problem could be, that a corrupted packet(not just network wise) makes it to the gw.dat file if that that happens the MFT gets corrupted. There by the game tries to fix the corrupted file(packet). No other problem I can really think of just re -image your data file when your are about to go to sleep. Get a fresh start.

MisterB · Jun 27, 2009, 06:36 AM // 06:36

Run chkdsk on your hard drive, and/or memtest on your RAM.
If you have faulty RAM or a bad sector on disk, either or both can cause data corruption, which requires the client to run in repair mode before it may launch.

Zebideedee · Jun 27, 2009, 08:07 AM // 08:07

It's the WoW ad. on a GW's forum thats causing the error

Seriously tho, I got it a couple of times of late, it usually happens if I reset my comp. mid game, or sometimes when I get the d/c error message then reconnect. Once a month-ish tho, if it happens everytime you start the game it maybe worth re-installing?

Spiritz · Jun 27, 2009, 10:45 AM // 10:45

ok fast fix methods - 2 versions

Usually it attempts to repair itself - sometimes it works sometimes the damage is bad enough to cause continual repairs when running gw.
Please read full post to the end so you dont miss anything

Method 1 -
Copy and create a 2nd shortcut of gw shortcut.
rename this to gw-image
Rightclick and select properties of the gw-image shortcut ( i`ll call this GWI )
on its target box add right at the end of the line and after the " [space] -image
eg "c:\Guild Wars\Gw.exe" is the original line
"c:\Guild Wars\Gw.exe" -image
note there is a space after the " and before the -image
when run you will get a gw box like the update box but it will only repair the datfile then exit - gw wont be run auto buy this and you have to run the original shortcut to play

now you have a shortcut which will when run do an image and download needed files.

on the even of having constant repairs or even ingame probs - say it crashes on a map then attempt method 2

method 2 uses same as method 1 with 1 exception - go into the gw directory and find gw.dat you cant miss the file as its around 3.5 to 4gig in size.This is what the image file writes to.
Before you do the following step please ensure you have anywhere from a few hrs to say 4 hrs depending on internet speed.
delete the dat file and run the gwi shortcut ( the image shortcut made )
This will totally rebuild the datfile and as stated take a few hrs - so its best to do either just before bed and it willbe done rdy when you get up.

Re-installing gw can work but the -image file will usually download all available maps etc and sometimes will speed up loading - especially when going into a new zone for the first time.

This has been covered before on guru and has been widely used but as the search functions offline it may help new players etc.

Jun 27, 2009, 04:11 AM // 04:11	#1
tuna-fish_sushi Desert Nomad Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Profession: E/A	Repairing Data Archive? Sometimes when I start Guild wars it says Repairing Data Archive and takes like 3 minutes before I can play. What exactly is causing this error?

Jun 27, 2009, 05:53 AM // 05:53	#2
the pretender Academy Page Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Largo, Florida Guild: United Aussie Warriors[AUS](1) Profession: Mo/A	re One problem could be, that a corrupted packet(not just network wise) makes it to the gw.dat file if that that happens the MFT gets corrupted. There by the game tries to fix the corrupted file(packet). No other problem I can really think of just re -image your data file when your are about to go to sleep. Get a fresh start.

Jun 27, 2009, 06:36 AM // 06:36	#3
MisterB Furnace Stoker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Planet Earth, Sol system, Milky Way galaxy Guild: [ban] Profession: W/	Run chkdsk on your hard drive, and/or memtest on your RAM. If you have faulty RAM or a bad sector on disk, either or both can cause data corruption, which requires the client to run in repair mode before it may launch.

Jun 27, 2009, 08:07 AM // 08:07	#4
Zebideedee Jungle Guide Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 55?? 57' 0" N / 3?? 12' 0" W Profession: N/Me	It's the WoW ad. on a GW's forum thats causing the error Seriously tho, I got it a couple of times of late, it usually happens if I reset my comp. mid game, or sometimes when I get the d/c error message then reconnect. Once a month-ish tho, if it happens everytime you start the game it maybe worth re-installing?

Jun 27, 2009, 10:45 AM // 10:45	#5
Spiritz Forge Runner Join Date: Apr 2007 Guild: DMFC	ok fast fix methods - 2 versions Usually it attempts to repair itself - sometimes it works sometimes the damage is bad enough to cause continual repairs when running gw. Please read full post to the end so you dont miss anything Method 1 - Copy and create a 2nd shortcut of gw shortcut. rename this to gw-image Rightclick and select properties of the gw-image shortcut ( i`ll call this GWI ) on its target box add right at the end of the line and after the " [space] -image eg "c:\Guild Wars\Gw.exe" is the original line "c:\Guild Wars\Gw.exe" -image note there is a space after the " and before the -image when run you will get a gw box like the update box but it will only repair the datfile then exit - gw wont be run auto buy this and you have to run the original shortcut to play now you have a shortcut which will when run do an image and download needed files. on the even of having constant repairs or even ingame probs - say it crashes on a map then attempt method 2 method 2 uses same as method 1 with 1 exception - go into the gw directory and find gw.dat you cant miss the file as its around 3.5 to 4gig in size.This is what the image file writes to. Before you do the following step please ensure you have anywhere from a few hrs to say 4 hrs depending on internet speed. delete the dat file and run the gwi shortcut ( the image shortcut made ) This will totally rebuild the datfile and as stated take a few hrs - so its best to do either just before bed and it willbe done rdy when you get up. Re-installing gw can work but the -image file will usually download all available maps etc and sometimes will speed up loading - especially when going into a new zone for the first time. This has been covered before on guru and has been widely used but as the search functions offline it may help new players etc.