Weird Latency Variation Issues

[SectorNine50]

Hey guys, maybe you can help before I go reformat my computer.  Recently I've been getting TONS of variation in my latency.  The warping has been unbearable and I miss being able to play.

Anyway, I know it's not the internet connection, it did on 3 different connections, hard wired or wireless.  I've tried disabling unnecessary processes and programs to no avail.  I've completely uninstalled (deleted the directory as well) and re-installed Aces High II, no help.  I've also tried shutting off the auto download of skins and all that jazz.  I'm completely at a loss, and have no idea where to look next.  Thanks for your help!

DXDiag:
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 7/20/2008, 18:28:11
       Machine name: JUSTIN
   Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
       System Model: HP Pavilion dv2000 (RM668AV)
               BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBLX
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU         T7200  @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 2046MB RAM
          Page File: 347MB used, 3589MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7200
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce Go 7200
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D6&SUBSYS_30B2103C&REV_A1
   Display Memory: 128.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8464 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 4/26/2006 12:48:00, 3975424 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 4/26/2006 19:48:00, 3659968 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4296-11CF-9C52-B81000C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x10DE
        Device ID: 0x01D6
        SubSys ID: 0x30B2103C
      Revision ID: 0x00A1
      Revision ID: 0x00A1
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
 Deinterlace Caps: {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: All tests were successful.
 D3D7 Test Result: All tests were successful.
 D3D8 Test Result: All tests were successful.
 D3D9 Test Result: All tests were successful.
 
----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: Bluetooth Modem
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: HDAUDIO Soft Data Fax Modem with SmartCP
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM3
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM4
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM6
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider: IPX Adapter 1 - (00000000,001641C614B9)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider: IPX Adapter 2 - (00000000,0016D3100A5A)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider: IPX Adapter 3 - (00000000,0018DE2C325E)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Wireless Network Connection 3 - IPv6 - fe80::218:deff:fe2c:325e
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Local Area Connection - IPv6 - fe80::216:d3ff:fe10:a5a
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface - IPv6 - fe80::ffff:ffff:fffd
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Automatic Tunneling Pseudo-Interface - IPv6 - fe80::5efe:
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Wireless Network Connection 3 - IPv4 -

[The Fugitive]

Go get a free program called PingPlotter. Install it, and type in the address to the game server (you'll find it in a "sticky" at the top of the technical threads) let it ping the server every few seconds for about 10-15 minutes. Then post a picture/screen shot here, or a text out put. It may very well be your connection, but this will proof it one way or the other, and then we can go from there.

[SectorNine50]

Go get a free program called PingPlotter. Install it, and type in the address to the game server (you'll find it in a "sticky" at the top of the technical threads) let it ping the server every few seconds for about 10-15 minutes. Then post a picture/screen shot here, or a text out put. It may very well be your connection, but this will proof it one way or the other, and then we can go from there.

I did it on all 3 connections, didn't save the 2 that weren't home because A) they had no packet loss and the pings were great and B) I thought it was pretty definitive that I got the exact same results on 3 different connections.  All of them were different ISP's and completely different locations.  I live in Portland, OR, and did one in Turner, OR, and one in Bend, OR.  All of which are a good distance from each other.

Now my connection at home IS suspect according to PingPlotter, but not to DSLReports.  The game played absolutely flawlessly on my home connection up until 3 weeks ago.  The pingplotter graph has not changed over this time (I did a pingplotter test when I got home just to see how it compared to my connection in Corvallis, OR.  It was identical btw.), my understanding is that the server that shows packet loss in pingplotter will not give receipt to some ICMP pings due to server load (Main hub for Oregon and Washington).

This also does not seem connection based because of how the Net Graph shows up (in game).  It seems like a program is firing off at a very, very distinct interval.  The graph will hit the top, go flat at the top, drop to center, and do it again.  It will do that a couple times, then it will do it to the bottom.  Every once in a while it will level out and I'll be able to play for a bit, then it starts over again.  This happens identically at all 3 locations!!!

Just for the sake of argument, does anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing this on my computer?  I seem to recall uninstalling Blackberry Desktop Manager and installing ActiveSync at around the same time this started happening...  I couldn't tell you if it was a direct cause-and-effect thing.  However, even with activesync closed, the game still does it.

[WMLute]

Run Hijack This to see what garbage is running that isn't readily apparent.  Do a System Scan and then click Save Log and post that here.

http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.html

You might also try FSAuto Start and turn off all the services you want running, but don't NEED running to fly.  It will turn the off, launch the game, and when you exit AH turns 'em back on again.  It was designed for flight sims.

http://kensalter.com/software/


Also, right click My Computer and pick MANAGE and go to Services/Applications then Services.  Then go to www.blackviper.com and turn off all those garbage services that you really do not want running.  You can also use blackviper to pick what FSAutoStart should turn off/on.

[drdeathx]

here check these tips out to tune ur box up


http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,241726.0.html

[Skuzzy]

What is the in-game 'Variance' line in the 'Net Status' chart look like?  If it is hopping all over the place, then the CPU is off doing other things not related ot the game.

If you are running with power management enabled then the behavior will be as you described as well.

[WMLute]

i've talked to 'em in game Skuzzy.

He said his variance is all over the place.

What was odd was it would spike up, and go flatline at the top, then spike down, and flatline there.

For me, either my var. looked like a heart monitor, or was all over the place, but I don't recall it ever doing HIGH flat to LOW flat.

Something is firin' up on 'em, and he swears he has "Everything turned off", why I wanna see that HijackThis log.

(I've told 'em to email you a pingplotter and full directX diag)

[SectorNine50]

We may have figure it out.  I'm gonna hop on in a second to see if it's truly fixed, or I just got lucky last night.

I had my Windows Firewall enabled even though my Linksys router has a SPI firewall as well.  I disabled the windows firewall and it seemed to help.  If it doesn't I'll let you guys know.  The theory is that this problem started up randomly because of a windows update I downloaded that probably changed security settings in the firewall.

I'll keep you fellas updated.  Thanks for the help!

[SectorNine50]

It seems that it's not fixed, but incredibly sporadic.  I actually just had someone "record and report" me today because they thought I was cheating (Although, when he got mad at me, my net graph had been completely flat the whole time).  I can go for hours of completely flat net graph and smooth sailing, but it seems sometimes it just goes NUTS.  Sometimes I can't even tell that I'm warping, but people around me (like today) will get very angry with me.

I'm using a program called "EndItAll" to kill any processes that I can while keeping windows stable.  I'll also give FSAutoStart a shot, although I'm really starting to wonder if it's hardware, not software, related.

Skuzzy, I'll e-mail you my full DXDiag and the PingPlotter results.  I'm absolutely dumbfounded as to what it could be.

[SectorNine50]

Skuzzy!  I have a really weird development!  I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter.

So I was doing some tests in-game, screwing around with different settings n' such after I had tried re-installing my video drivers.  I started noticing that every time the FPS went above 59 FPS, the net graph would jump down...  I started thinking about it, and realized that I had set a 60 fps in-game FPS cap one day.  Well just for you-know-whats and giggles, I put the FPS limiter back to unlimited.  Instantly I noticed a difference, the Variance graph was flat nearly all the time with minor slow, steady raises and lowers.  I also remembered that the only two refresh frequencies compatible with my monitor were 59Hz and 60Hz.  I remembered I was goofing around one day and picked 60Hz just to see what would happen.  So I set it back to 59Hz and went back in-game and I don't think I've ever seen a net graph so flat in my life!!!

I'm hoping this isn't just a coincidence, I'll keep playing around and letting you know what I find.

[SectorNine50]

Of course, it was just a coincidence.  I ended up reformatting my computer, fixed the problem.  However, after I either installed a certain driver (I'm suspicious of my dial-up modem's driver since it, based on it's name, is attached to my sound card for one reason or another) it started happening again.  I used system restore to go back before that point and it stopped warping.  I'm now installing windows updates one at a time to see if it could be one of those as well.  So far it doesn't seem to be, so I guess it's just that damn dial-up modem I don't use.

[republic]

I might have found a solution.  It works for my crazy latency variation.  I had tried the power settings, no help.  System worked fine under XP, everything else works great under Vista except Aces High.

My solution: 

1.  When you start up Aces high, hit control alt delete and bring up the task manager
2.  Then click on the "Processes" tab and find the aceshigh exe
3.  Right click on it and set priority to "Above Normal". 

Worked like a charm for me.  Crazy lag gone for good.  Dunno why I have to do that, but hey...it works so I'm happy.


My system:

Gateway 6860-FX
4gb ram
8800m GTS
Vista Ultimate 64bit

[SectorNine50]

There is a line you can type in on the shortcut to make it do that automatically when the game starts up.  However, it's currently escaping me...  That is a great idea though, I'm going to do it even though I'm no longer having issues as a safe-guard!

I'm gonna look up that line and if I find it, I'll post it up for ya!

EDIT: Alright here it is.  In the Aces High II desktop (or any other) shortcut, right click, go to properties, then in the "Target" line add "cmd c/ start /10" (w/o the quotes, but leave the quotes around the file location.) before the file location with a space after the 10.

[republic]

Hey thanks m8!

[republic]

Actually for some reason that only fixes AH for a little while, the crazy variance comes back.  Not sure what else to try...