Disable Advanced Graphics

[Bino]

Hi Skuzzy,

The ATI sound driver cannot be permanently un-installed: it's embedded in the video driver.  I can, however, disable the device, which I've done.  No joy.  Can you give me any more details about the "local resource allocation problems" I'm trying to find?  It's kinda hard to know what to look for.

Also, I see that some WD 10K RPM SATA-3 drives are *really* cheap (well under $100).  Would it make sense to try this: add one to my rig, and have *only* the AH files on it?

I did go to the initial "video setting" and select "no AA" and also "512" textures.  That, in combination with the "default" in the advanced video options, seemed to hold up a *little* longer before the game froze and then disabled the advanced options.

Current PC setup: kenshelby.us/docs/pc-parts.htm

[Skuzzy]

I could be your Internet connection causing it.  If it takes too long to get all the data, the same problem can happen.

By the way, if check the "custom" install option for the ATI drivers, it gives you the option of what components you want to install.  I always leave out the sound driver and the Catalyst Control Center.  I may even drop a couple of other things related to development.

Sound cards sharing IRQ's with other devices can cause it.
Wireless connections can cause it.
Running other programs using the network connection can cause it.
Routers needing to be power cycled can cause it.
Other computers on the LAN with sharing enabled can cause it.

Those are but a few of the many, many things that can impact how your computer will run.

[Bino]

Sound cards sharing IRQ's with other devices can cause it.
Wireless connections can cause it.
Running other programs using the network connection can cause it.
Routers needing to be power cycled can cause it.
Other computers on the LAN with sharing enabled can cause it.

1.) According to ASUS doc (http://kenshelby.us/images/asus-irq-doc.jpg), my sound card is on ICH IRQ "B" which is shared with a PCI slot, but that slot is not populated.  Network card is on ICH IRQ "A", but neither the PCI slot nor the USB port that share that IRQ are populated.
2.) No wireless on this PC.  I do have two laptops in the house using the wireless side of my router.  An issue?
3.) No other programs running on this PC (that I know of) using network.
4.) I will trying cycling the power on my router.  It did get power-cycled recently, during Hurricane Sandy.
5.) You may rest assured that none of PCs on my home notwork use any of that verdammt Windows sharing (hock-pitoooooie!)

[Skuzzy]

1.) According to ASUS doc (http://kenshelby.us/images/asus-irq-doc.jpg), my sound card is on ICH IRQ "B" which is shared with a PCI slot, but that slot is not populated.  Network card is on ICH IRQ "A", but neither the PCI slot nor the USB port that share that IRQ are populated.
2.) No wireless on this PC.  I do have two laptops in the house using the wireless side of my router.  An issue?
3.) No other programs running on this PC (that I know of) using network.
4.) I will trying cycling the power on my router.  It did get power-cycled recently, during Hurricane Sandy.
5.) You may rest assured that none of PCs on my home notwork use any of that verdammt Windows sharing (hock-pitoooooie!)

I ave seen mobile phones saturate a wireless router.  Laptops should be better behaved, but one never knows.

[Bino]

Well, I still can't find what recently changed to make Aces High - and nothing else - perform differently (i.e., worse) on my computer.

It's a bit frustrating to be told that it could be *anything*.  Hard to know where to look, armed with so little information.

[Skuzzy]

Well, I still can't find what recently changed to make Aces High - and nothing else - perform differently (i.e., worse) on my computer.

It's a bit frustrating to be told that it could be *anything*.  Hard to know where to look, armed with so little information.

All I can do to narrow it down is to tell you what triggers the issue.

If the computer takes too long to allocate the resources the game needs, it will trigger it. 

What can cause a computer to take too long is varied.  Obviously, if the game settings are such that there are simply not enough physical resources it will take too long.

If the CPU is too busy to give the game its undivided attention, that can cause it.

If the video card is too busy to give its undivided attention to the game, that can cause it.

If it takes a really long time to get the data from the server, it could trigger it as the game code has no way of knowing the issue is network related.

As to what can cause either to be too busy, is where things get gray.  Every computer is different.  It is impossible to duplicate the circumstances of every computer configuration, which only leaves me the option to point out what can trigger certain events and hope that triggers something in the users thought process which will lead to the source of the issue.

[Bino]

Thanks, Skuzzy.

Offline I can crank all the graphics details up to max, all across the board.  The *only* time the game freezes and I see that disabling message is when I run Aces High on-line.  So, is it logical to conclude that the game has some sort of network connection issue?

I have looked closely at the processes running on my machine.  I do not see anything unexpected grabbing a network connection. I run the "AlacrityPC" utility on my machine before each online session, to shut down about 35 various Windows processes including the print spooler, background intelligent transfer, Windows update, etc.

With that, I am out of ideas.

[Skuzzy]

Resource demand is higher online, than offline.  If the game was the issue, I would be flooded with reports of the problem you are having with your computer.

As it is, you are the only one having this issue, that I have an open report of.

Be careful with software that disables processes and such things.  That can lead to other "unintended consequences".

[Bino]

Skuzzy, offline I can crank all the graphics details up to max, all across the board.  The *only* time the game freezes and I see that disabling message is when I run Aces High on-line.  So, is it logical to conclude that the game has some sort of network connection issue?

[The Fugitive]

Run and post a ping plot to the game servers is the only way to tell if your connection has an issue. I had mentioned this earlier....

It takes too long to load the game, so it switches over. My guess is your connection might be a bunch slower due to the election crap we have on the US. It my settle down after that. Also Skuzzy is working on a new server setup for the LW arena. You can test it by logging onto a MW atna and see if your computer switches the graphics there to.

You seem to have eliminated the hardware on your end, the connection might be the next place to look.

[Bino]

Skuzzy, offline I can crank all the graphics details up to max, all across the board.  The *only* time the game freezes and I see that disabling message is when I run Aces High on-line. 

So, is it logical to conclude that the game has some sort of network connection issue?

[Skuzzy]

Skuzzy, offline I can crank all the graphics details up to max, all across the board.  The *only* time the game freezes and I see that disabling message is when I run Aces High on-line. 

So, is it logical to conclude that the game has some sort of network connection issue?

Online requires more resources than offline, to start with.  If the network connection has a lot of packet loss, then it will impede getting all the data the game needs to start in the online arena.

As far as what is logical, it all depends on the configuration of your computer.  Have you ruled out the network connection as being a contributing factor (i.e.run Ping Plots...)?  If not, then you need to.  If you have ruled that out, then I would look at your computer configuration.  Remember, any software you install on a Windows computer CAN impact the operation of all other software installed.  Windows is stupid that way.

[Bino]

Skuzzy, here are the files from PingPlotter.  Thanks!   

The full data file:  kenshelby.us/docs/aces-high-ping.pp2

The PNG image: 

[Skuzzy]

Was that taken at a time when you were having the problem?

[Bino]

Was that taken at a time when you were having the problem?

I can re-create the problem at any time by clicking on that "default" button in the graphics options.  And yes, this trace was run shortly after running into the disabling message.