Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: dkff49 on April 03, 2008, 03:50:31 PM
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I still have some problem with playing on my laptop. After doing a lot more testing I found the framerates increasing more than they should. I have alreaddy been through Skuzzy about this. We have tried the vert sync and I have checked the box in game that tells it to play at 60 fps. I have come to realize that things are probably as good as it gets. But I have one question I tested the game with the task manager up and also the resource monitor. What I found is that with the game running my memory usage never goes over 50%, my CPU usage rarely goes over 50%, however network goes to and remains close to 100% (I realize this could be my problem but also could be from using a wireless network connection which is what I use on my desktop when I play at home).
And now for the my main question here
When I looked at disk usage it rarely went below 100% while running game. Is this referring to the harddrive? I am not sure what this is referring to. I am no computer guru. The last time I had anything to do with the inner workings of a computer was in 1991 and that was in high school when you had to run dos before running any programs (kind of scary how far these things have come isn't it). I thought I was on top of the world then, when I did a little programming in turbo paxil. Gone are the days.
computer has
dual T83 2.4 ghz processor
4 Gigs RAM
256 nvidea video card geforce Go 8600
160G 5400 rpm harddrive
just wondering because I really thought this would work better than it does and kind of wondered why. Skuzzy had told me earlier that mostly it is because of runnging the vista on laptop. So again probably not alot I can do other than maybe at some point take Vista off and run XP. But that won't be for some time.
thanks for any time given here.
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playing on my laptop
That is the problem.
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thanks for your incite there dragon. I realize that a laptop won't play as well as a desktop and I spend most of my time playing on my desktop however when I am at work I have alot of time downtime at work and laptop is only way for me to play at work. What I want to know is what part of my laptop is causing the problem but thanks anyway.
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google "fsautostart". cpu usage should be near 100% with game running. vsynch is controled in the Nvidia control panel, not the game, it should be set to "force on".
NOT
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Your only using 1 processor on a 2 processor CPU. If you go to task manager you should see an option or it should default to show you graphics for both CPU's...if it doesn't then your only using 1. If it does and only 1 is maxing out then AH isnt using the other.
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google "fsautostart". cpu usage should be near 100% with game running. vsynch is controled in the Nvidia control panel, not the game, it should be set to "force on".
NOT
yes the v-sync is already set to force on for aces high and I did change that in the nvidea control panel. thanks for the fsautostart I will try that.
there is an option in the video settings in game that says "max frame rate" that is what I have checked to amx at 60 (thought maybe that would help)
my CPU usage almost never goes over 50% though except when I first start game. I took and opened game and went on line to DA and every 10-20 seconds went back to resource monitor and checked usage and the only things that maxed out were "disk" and "network"
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don't know if this helps or not but I have pics of what the resource monitor looke like at specific times
this is what it looks like when I first enter the DA
[urlhttp://files.filefront.com/resource+viewjpg/;9944517;/fileinfo.html][/url]
this is when I take off and head into the furball area and first see the problem
http://files.filefront.com/after+noticingjpg/;9944513;/fileinfo.html (http://files.filefront.com/after+noticingjpg/;9944513;/fileinfo.html)
couldn't get image to post sorry but here is the link
edit because not getting pics to post
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instead of using your resource monitor use con/alt/delete to start the task manager. Check to see if your laptop is showing both processors or not.
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I do check that from time to time and it is always the same (since I don't change anything I guess it would be)
The CPU display shows 2 windows (I assume that means it is showing both processors). one of them is always flatline though and the other goes up to 75% at the highest time.using the same process that I did with the resource monitor. I just figured the resource monitor was the same thing only more detailed (I could be wrong and probably am though). The CPU percentage idles between 0 and 1% and more on the 0%.
The memory usage is usually idling around 25% and at peak times around 50% again using the same process as I did with the resource monitor.
This is why I was wondering what it is a laptop (more specifically mine since everything that is in this laptop is more than the recommended on the home page for Vista). Not that I think I can change it or make it better but thought there has to be something that makes laptops bad for gunning games.What is the main difference between my laptop and a desktop with same values for components. I work at several different ambulance stations and at one of them I installed AH on their desktop which has half the RAM, has a smaller CPU and a 128 video card(compared to my 256), and is also running Vista but plays game much better than my laptop. This confuses me as to exactly what is different between these 2 systems (specifically not just the old one is a laptop and one is a desk top). There has to be something specific (right??).
Just trying to clear up my confusion
Any help is appreciated
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If you are running the game in win98 mode your only going to see one cpu running, because thats what it does, it turns off one cpu.
I don't understand what your problem is.... your frame rate is to low? ....frame rate moves around?
by hitting cntrl, alt, delete, check to see how many processes you have running (lower left hand corner of the window). Laptops are NOT gaming machine and so they are NOT really strong enough to run a game like a flight sim. Add to that vista being a power hog and you can run into trouble quick. You want to get your processes down to under 30
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If you are running the game in win98 mode your only going to see one cpu running, because thats what it does, it turns off one cpu.
I don't understand what your problem is.... your frame rate is to low? ....frame rate moves around?
by hitting cntrl, alt, delete, check to see how many processes you have running (lower left hand corner of the window). Laptops are NOT gaming machine and so they are NOT really strong enough to run a game like a flight sim. Add to that vista being a power hog and you can run into trouble quick. You want to get your processes down to under 30
My frame rates do both they drop low for awhile and then they jump up and sometimes they go as high as 90-100 which was happens most and that is when the most warping occurs. I have checked the processes and I know it is high around 60 (this changes alot too but mostly stays there). I went through the list of services that Skuzzy said could be disabled and set to manual and made the changes and still have a hard time getting it down below 30. I have looked through the processes and to tell the truth I am leary of changing the because I do not know which ones can be stopped and which ones should not. But if you are willing to help I will PM you the list and get your opinion.
Also I have heard this before about laptops not being strong enough to run AH but this is still kind of a vague answer. I though that the main things to look for was a big processor, lots of RAM and a big video card. Once you have those three things there wouldn't be much else to hold up you from running any software. I was kind of wondering which part of having a laptop is the downfall (if there is a specific part or parts that are different from desktops).
I know I am a pain and it is hard to answer a question for somebody that knows very little about this, but I do appreciate all those that are trying to help.
<S>
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Just as a reference, I'm betting "disk usage" refers to the page file, aka "backup RAM" on the hard drive. With 4GB of memory, that shouldn't be maxing out unless you don't have enough space specified for it to run Windows (Windows usues the page file instead of RAM for some internal things). Right click on My Computer, select Properties, Advanced tab, the button under Performance, then another Advanced tab. It should have the page file listed at the bottom.
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Just as a reference, I'm betting "disk usage" refers to the page file, aka "backup RAM" on the hard drive. With 4GB of memory, that shouldn't be maxing out unless you don't have enough space specified for it to run Windows (Windows usues the page file instead of RAM for some internal things). Right click on My Computer, select Properties, Advanced tab, the button under Performance, then another Advanced tab. It should have the page file listed at the bottom.
just checked it says that file size
minimum 16mb
maximum 5371
corrently allocated 3881
should this be changed or would it not even help
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Seems fine. More is better (to the point of being ridiculously huge, of course). I have mine at 2GB (2048).
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I found the framerates increasing more than they should. - The framerate going above 60 is a bad thing? If you can get a higher framerate running on 50% of one processor and 50% of the memory, you've got a great laptop. The 100% usage of the network is normal as it is sending and receiving to and from the servers at HTC as fast as it can. The 100% usage in the disk usage is the hard drive, and that is also normal, for the same reason as the network being maxed.
Usually, warping is caused by the network, not the hardware.
When you notice the warping, are you on your home network, or someone elses?
This is fine:
minimum 16mb
maximum 5371
currently allocated 3881
As to why laptops are not as good, it's a voltage and heat issue.
Sorry about that first post, was having a bad day.
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Also I have heard this before about laptops not being strong enough to run AH but this is still kind of a vague answer. I though that the main things to look for was a big processor, lots of RAM and a big video card. Once you have those three things there wouldn't be much else to hold up you from running any software. I was kind of wondering which part of having a laptop is the downfall (if there is a specific part or parts that are different from desktops).
ALL 256 meg video cards are not equall, the same with CPUs and ram. In laptops they use "weaker" componetes, slower clock speeds and such to save power. Laptops are made to run off battery power so they have to use stuff that doesn't eat them up so fast.
So even tho your specs read "good" they are not up to the same power as desk top componates. Your laptop might run 4 hours as it is now on batteries, but if it was the same stuff as in a desk top, you might get 30-40 minutes.
FR will jump around depending on what is displayed. In the tower it seems to suck up juice good and frames will drop. Get in the sky with nothing around and they climb, get close to a furball and they go down. The stronger the system, the less they fluctuate.
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I found the framerates increasing more than they should. - The framerate going above 60 is a bad thing? If you can get a higher framerate running on 50% of one processor and 50% of the memory, you've got a great laptop. The 100% usage of the network is normal as it is sending and receiving to and from the servers at HTC as fast as it can. The 100% usage in the disk usage is the hard drive, and that is also normal, for the same reason as the network being maxed.
Usually, warping is caused by the network, not the hardware.
When you notice the warping, are you on your home network, or someone elses?
This is fine:
minimum 16mb
maximum 5371
currently allocated 3881
As to why laptops are not as good, it's a voltage and heat issue.
Sorry about that first post, was having a bad day.
Don't worry Dragon I understand about the bad day. I have those on a regular basis. I just kind of brushed it off anyway because I get that at least 5-6 times when I ask questions about how to make things better.
In response to the questions you asked though.
It happens on both my home network and on others. I currently use 3 different networks (not all at once of course). One of them is my home which I have no problems with on my desktop (XP) but I do get warping on laptop (vista). I did notice though (at least at home) if I connect to network via ethernet port it does seem to warp less but still does warp. I have not been able to test this theory at work yet though.
I also keep the laptop connected to AC power whenever I am playing AH anyway and the laptop is always elevated just because I know I need to keep the airflow as high as possible. Do you think the heat and power may be causing some of my problem or were you just saying that running these high usage applications are just hard on laptops?
Thanks for your assistance.
I do appreciate you writing back to try to help and don't worry about your first post here.
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Prior to switching over to a home built, I used an eMachine laptop for 3+ years and never had an issue. Your specs are are considerable higher than what mine were. Here's a few suggestions you might try though I'm not a guru by any means. Run a system evaluation on www.pcpitstop.com I'm curious as to how your hard drive checks out. Consider purchasing a laptop cooling pad. They're constructed with a couple of small fans which will lower internal heat. Do a search for FSAutostart...a program which allows you to turn off non-essential programs/services when booting up AH. If you're still having issues, install XP Pro. Microsoft is compelled to support Pro for a number of years beyond its support of XP Home.
Wish I could zero in on something more specific but that's all I got :cry
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Check Fugitives post, the hardware is physically smaller and just can't compete with the larger desktop components.
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ALL 256 meg video cards are not equall, the same with CPUs and ram. In laptops they use "weaker" componetes, slower clock speeds and such to save power. Laptops are made to run off battery power so they have to use stuff that doesn't eat them up so fast.
So even tho your specs read "good" they are not up to the same power as desk top componates. Your laptop might run 4 hours as it is now on batteries, but if it was the same stuff as in a desk top, you might get 30-40 minutes.
FR will jump around depending on what is displayed. In the tower it seems to suck up juice good and frames will drop. Get in the sky with nothing around and they climb, get close to a furball and they go down. The stronger the system, the less they fluctuate.
To some extent I get what you are saying. Is there any settings that can be changed to change from a "power conservation" mode to a higher performance mode? The reason I am askin g is because though I am on a laptop, when I get to work there is AC access there for me and I don't need to be so concerned with power usage. Also the framerates jump around even if I am sitting on the runway with engine off and no one around.
on a side note what is the use in buying the upgrades if they are not going to run at full capacity.
thanks for help guys. I guess I will have just use it offline against the AI. Still fun though and I will have lots of time to make missions.
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Actually, there is, though I'm not sure it'll help much. Physically, the components are made to run softer.
There's one under Right click desktop>Properties>Screen Saver tab>Power... but I'm not sure that's the one that would help at all...I thought there was another one.
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I hope that I am not getting on anybody's nerves too bad but I have another question to ask.
If I can get a hold of XP (since my budget is kind of limited after buying the laptop) would it be possible to put this on my laptop without losing the software that I have on here including the free software that came with the laptop. I was told by the salesman at Dell that I would lose all the free software that came with it if I "upgraded to XP". I keep hearing about some people doing dual boots. I am guessing trying to do this would probably worsen my situation (not that I know and please tell me if I am wrong) because it sounds to me like I would be trying to run 2 OS instead of one. Is this what would happen? Thanks for all your help.
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Wow, I feel retarded. Everything I said was for XP, forgot you had Vista... :D
In order to do a dual-boot, you'd most likely have to erase the drive anyway. There are programs that can "scrunch" a partition down so you can fit another on the drive, but they're pretty hit-or-miss and if they miss, the drive corrupts. Last I heard, Vista does it's best to screw up a dual-boot with XP (I'm not sure if I remember that right).
Go to the Dell website and look up the laptop in the downloads section. They may have the utilities you want for download and they might work on XP. If not, you'll have to purchase or simply lose them if you format the drive.
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thanks ooz662. Thought it might be worth a try. I guess for now I will have to just use the laptop for offline, which plays very well and now is lots more fun than it used to be. I can play offline with everything turned way up and FR stay between 55-60. Things don't get messed up until I go online anyway. As an update to those that asked earlier i have gotten the processes down to 32 using the fsautostart. Thanks for all the info guys and sorry if I am such a pain.
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Not a pain at all; I love working with stuff like this...hoping to persue a career in it (no, not as a tech support monkey :D) so it helps to learn. Feel free to click the AIM button next to my posts if you'd like more help; I'm usually online when at the computer and not gaming. :)
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Make sure your power setting is set to "Always On". I used to have similar issues and this cured a lot of it.
Striper
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Make sure your network properties look like this (if you're in domain or sharing folders you should enable the sharing and microsoft networking also).
(http://tweakhound.com/vista/tweakguide/noshare_nonet.gif)
100% network activity is a sign of some serious problem, even spyware/trojan activity. HD crunching is created by a virus called Vista. You can get rid of it by disabling superfetch and indexing services which are 100% unnecessary resource hogs.
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Make sure your network properties look like this (if you're in domain or sharing folders you should enable the sharing and microsoft networking also).
(http://tweakhound.com/vista/tweakguide/noshare_nonet.gif)
100% network activity is a sign of some serious problem, even spyware/trojan activity. HD crunching is created by a virus called Vista. You can get rid of it by disabling superfetch and indexing services which are 100% unnecessary resource hogs.
thanks for posting this. it did help some now the network doesnot peg out all the time. I also did a scan with yahoo's anti-spy (can't remember which one it is that they use) and also a virus scan with mcafee i gained a little more. however thing are still too messed up to fly anything but i am able to drive gv's though since most of this done while sitting still and does not require the computer to update as often. I did also make sure as was stated by striper that the computer was set to always on (this was already set to that from following one of the sticky's from skuzzy in tech support forum.
thanks all for help
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Are you running AH in any compatibility mode? If you are, which one?
In any case you can try to change the mode and see how it reacts. It's not normal that your second core shows 0% activity when using Vista. If you're using WinXP compatibility mode, try to disable the mode all in all. If you're not using it, try enabling it. The 1 cpu running only seems to point to some problem with the settings.
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Are you running AH in any compatibility mode? If you are, which one?
In any case you can try to change the mode and see how it reacts. It's not normal that your second core shows 0% activity when using Vista. If you're using WinXP compatibility mode, try to disable the mode all in all. If you're not using it, try enabling it. The 1 cpu running only seems to point to some problem with the settings.
After reading this post from one that Fugitive posted earlier inthis thread:
If you are running the game in win98 mode your only going to see one cpu running, because thats what it does, it turns off one cpu.
I checked to see what compatability mode I was running it in because I could not remember and saw that I did have it set to run in windows98. After changing that to XPthe computer started using both processors to run game and my CPU usage only jumps to 100% when computer first starts game the rest of the time it is between 50%-75% of both CPU's. Game is still warpy not sure if disabling the compatability mode will help or not but I will try that (kind of thought of this after I signed off last night. I am also going to try to connect directly to the router using the ethernet port to see if maybe my remaining problems are from a poor wireless connection since I was at work last night and I that isnot a router that I have worked much with and the crew before me had a hard time with it as well. One of them said that he had a hard time connecting with his PS3. Man I have a hard job :lol :lol :lol.
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Maybe your computer is stronger than what this game requires. I have found the same situation. My frame rates are about 60 and I am not using all my available resources. They didn't make this a heavy game, they have a much larger market if they don't.
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Maybe your computer is stronger than what this game requires. I have found the same situation. My frame rates are about 60 and I am not using all my available resources. They didn't make this a heavy game, they have a much larger market if they don't.
I was hoping when I bought this computer that, that would be true. However it is not that just that my framerates go up as much as it is when they do it the warping starts and my framerates jump around even when sitting still. Maybe this will run things properly but if not when I need to use the laptop to play I will just have to stay on the ground in GV's or play offline. These are fun things to do too.
thanks
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After reading this post from one that Fugitive posted earlier inthis thread:
If you are running the game in win98 mode your only going to see one cpu running, because thats what it does, it turns off one cpu.
I checked to see what compatability mode I was running it in because I could not remember and saw that I did have it set to run in windows98. After changing that to XPthe computer started using both processors to run game and my CPU usage only jumps to 100% when computer first starts game the rest of the time it is between 50%-75% of both CPU's. Game is still warpy not sure if disabling the compatability mode will help or not but I will try that (kind of thought of this after I signed off last night. I am also going to try to connect directly to the router using the ethernet port to see if maybe my remaining problems are from a poor wireless connection since I was at work last night and I that isnot a router that I have worked much with and the crew before me had a hard time with it as well. One of them said that he had a hard time connecting with his PS3. Man I have a hard job :lol :lol :lol.
If warps are your only problem now (did the framerate problem go away?) the culprit is almost certainly your wireless connection. Wireless is just not good for online gaming especially if your signal is less than optimal.
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the framerate issues are still there they are still jumping around from the very high to the very low. I just assumed that the framerate issue and the warpiness is the same problem.
***update***
connecting directly into the router via ethernet was of no help
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Right click your AH clipboard and pick the option that has to do with Net Status (haven't seen it in so long I don't remember what the real title is). Two line graphs should swing out on the tab. If the Variance in Delay graph is wigging out, it's generally local. Something's taking CPU time away; spyware, adware, viruses, Vista, auto-updaters, ect. None of that stuff is actually needed. If the other graph is losing it, it's a network issue.
Maybe someone here can help you go through the startup list in msconfig to get rid of background processes and updaters.
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it is the variance delay that is jumping around the most. i have searched for everything i can find to stop from running using the fsautostart and ran mcafee antivirus and the anti-spyware from yahoo to clean things up with no to little improvement. maybe just stuck with what i got i guess.
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I'd start looking up (or asking about) Vista optimization guides. Using difference features of Vista (especially the Aero interface) can dump a computer.