Need some advice here

[Tinkles]

Been trying to figure out why my computer is suddenly so laggy all the time. If under 5 are in the area I'm OK (barely). But if more than 5 are in the area I start lagging like I'm carrying the world.

I understand my computer is older (by older I mean ancient). But I am trying to preserve it as long as I can. I am getting a new computer in April 2014, but right now can't get anything (period, no parts, components, or even hello-kitty stickers  )

I've played Aces High for almost 6 years now, and have never had these problems. Problems like this started roughly after January 2013, and I haven't been able to fix it. I was wondering if you guys recommend anything, or if I could do anything to make it so I can at least play a little longer. Otherwise I won't be able to do much except go in the 88 and look at the ground.


I was also wondering if connection = frame rate. From what I know, it doesn't. My connection has been fine ping at 50s-120s with no issue.

The videocard said that it was using 117.2/256MB    Less than half. Is this normal? Or should it be able to handle more before having issues?

If someone is able to help please respond.

Tinkles

<<S>>

[Bino]

Post the output of the "dxdiag.exe" program, and maybe some specs on your rig.

[Bizman]

Posting a dxdiag would help.

But if I understand your posting correctly, you only have 256 Mb of video memory, which is the minimum for AH. You don't tell if you're using a laptop or a desktop, or if you're having a separate video card or a built-in one. If you're running on a built-in video circuit, it'd be using your computer memory which is much slower than that of a video card.

Most likely you're suffering from too little resources. I don't remember any exact dates, but the latest bigger update raised the minimum requirements.

[Tinkles]

Posting a dxdiag would help.

But if I understand your posting correctly, you only have 256 Mb of video memory, which is the minimum for AH. You don't tell if you're using a laptop or a desktop, or if you're having a separate video card or a built-in one. If you're running on a built-in video circuit, it'd be using your computer memory which is much slower than that of a video card.

Most likely you're suffering from too little resources. I don't remember any exact dates, but the latest bigger update raised the minimum requirements.

Figured the dxdiag would help *facepalm*

Desktop

Separate video card.

Here is the DxDiag

Tinkles

<<S>>

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/21/2013, 13:57:43
       Machine name: RACHEL-DESKTOP
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_qfe.130503-0418)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.40GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 2046MB RAM
          Page File: 1080MB used, 2857MB 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
  DxDiag Previously: Crashed in system information (stage 4)

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce 7600 GS
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0392&SUBSYS_06221462&REV_A1
   Display Memory: 256.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0013.0783 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 2/8/2013 05:03:00, 4494336 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: n/a
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 2/8/2013 05:02:44, 12648960 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-40D2-11CF-DD74-2F2600C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x10DE
        Device ID: 0x0392
        SubSys ID: 0x06221462
      Revision ID: 0x00A1
      Revision ID: 0x00A1
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
 Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) 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
                   {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) 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: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run

[gyrene81]

did you run that dxdiag from a fresh boot? that paging file is half of your available memory and unless it's a laptop, winxp shouldn't use more than 7-800mb of memory on a fresh boot with no apps running.

if you're running higher than 512 texture size with a lot of advanced graphics options enabled, you need to drop some settings...

[Brooke]

Not sure if it would help, but can you get more RAM for your system?  RAM is cheap enough that I would try it in your place.

crucial.com has RAM for lots of types of older machines, and even if your RAM slots are full, you might be able to throw out your old RAM and buy a couple modules of RAM with more MB per module.

First, though, I'd check what's running (ctrl-alt-del and look at processes in task manager) to see if there is anything running, hogging up CPU that doesn't need to be there.   CPU usage without AH running should be in the 4% or less range.

Then I'd try updating my video-card driver (get the latest for your OS from NVidia).

I'd also check to make sure all of my cooling fans are spinning and that nothing inside the case is clogged up with lint.

Then I'd try more RAM.

[gyrene81]

he's running winxp with 2gb on board now Brooke...i don't think 512mb more ram is going to make that much difference for his system. a video card with 512mb onboard might do some good...not sure how much though.

[Tinkles]

did you run that dxdiag from a fresh boot? that paging file is half of your available memory and unless it's a laptop, winxp shouldn't use more than 7-800mb of memory on a fresh boot with no apps running.

if you're running higher than 512 texture size with a lot of advanced graphics options enabled, you need to drop some settings...

It was after a fresh boot. No apps running that I know of.

512 texture size, no eye-candy on whatsoever.

[ink]

that system is better then mine

how many processes running?

with XP you should be able to get it down to 14/15.....

I use Hires textures...but everything is off except detailed water and terrain.

I get 60 FPS even in furballs. it does drop a bit if there are lots of cons but not noticeable.

[Brooke]

he's running winxp with 2gb on board now Brooke...i don't think 512mb more ram is going to make that much difference for his system. a video card with 512mb onboard might do some good...not sure how much though.

I was thinking going to 3 GB or 4 GB -- 2 GB seem skimpy these days.  But I don't know if that would help.

[Tinkles]

that system is better then mine

how many processes running?

with XP you should be able to get it down to 14/15.....

I use Hires textures...but everything is off except detailed water and terrain.

I get 60 FPS even in furballs. it does drop a bit if there are lots of cons but not noticeable.

Stats without anything running (steam, aces high internet all off)

Processes 51
CPU Usage bounced between 1% and 3%

Commit Charge (assuming this is what Gyrene meant by paging file?)

Commit charge was 634/3938

Stats with ONLY Aces High (while at the arena choice screen/lobby)

Processes 53
CPU Usage 8-50%
Commit Charge 930/3938


If the commit charge isn't the paging file, does anyone know what it is?

Also... if that's true ink (which is scary   ) What is your setup?  


Thanks for the responses guys.

Tinkles

<<S>>

[guncrasher]

on xp you can lower the number of processes to around 35. if you want to go lower than that then you better know what you are doing as if you run into a problem windows itself wont fix it.  for example if your network wont connect to the internet then you gotta do it manually and you better know how.


check this site.  it has a lot of good info on what you can disable.

http://www.blackviper.com/


semp

[ink]

AH is more CPU intensive as far as I heard....

I do have 4 gigs of ram...not sure if that makes the difference.

Stats without anything running (steam, aces high internet all off)

Processes 51
CPU Usage bounced between 1% and 3%

Commit Charge (assuming this is what Gyrene meant by paging file?)

Commit charge was 634/3938

Stats with ONLY Aces High (while at the arena choice screen/lobby)

Processes 53
CPU Usage 8-50%
Commit Charge 930/3938


If the commit charge isn't the paging file, does anyone know what it is?

Also... if that's true ink (which is scary   ) What is your setup?  


Thanks for the responses guys.

Tinkles

<<S>>

I have 2.9 GHZ Athlon

1gig ATI 4830
and 4 gigs of ram

you have WAY to many processes running....you can cut that down bigtime.

when I was running xp on this same system I had 15 running processes.

[ink]

on xp you can lower the number of processes to around 35. if you want to go lower than that then you better know what you are doing as if you run into a problem windows itself wont fix it.  for example if your network wont connect to the internet then you gotta do it manually and you better know how.


check this site.  it has a lot of good info on what you can disable.

http://www.blackviper.com/


semp

excellent site...I used that when running XP

now that I have 7 I cut it down a bit but I think i am at 53 processes running.

scratch that with this window open and AH minimized I am at 43.

[Brooke]

My view is that it doesn't matter how many processes are running -- only how much CPU is being used.  If it's 5% or less by everything else, that isn't going to impact things significantly.  When you run AH, check your CPU usage (via task manager).  It probably isn't stuck near 100% while running AH, so a few percent devoted to other background things won't matter.