Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Tinkles on September 18, 2013, 02:25:47 PM
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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 :P )
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
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Post the output of the "dxdiag.exe" program, and maybe some specs on your rig.
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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.
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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
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System Information
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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)
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DxDiag Notes
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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
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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
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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
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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that system is better then mine :old:
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.
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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.
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that system is better then mine :old:
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 :P ) What is your setup? :devil
Thanks for the responses guys.
Tinkles
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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
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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 :P ) What is your setup? :devil
Thanks for the responses guys.
Tinkles
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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.
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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 :aok
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.
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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.
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It sounds to me like you installed something about the time this started that's running in the background. It might even be a virus or some type of malware/adware.
If you can remember what you might have installed just uninstall it and see if that works. If you can't remember anything then I'd try a complete system tune up (run anti virus, system cleanup, defrag, etc.). If that doesn't work you can try to roll back to a previous good configuration but you'll lose anything new since then. If all else fails I'd go with a fresh install of the OS and all your applications but you'll want to back up all your data first.
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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.
windowsxp, 32bit version at that...jumping to 3 or 4 gb won't help.
Ink has a much better video card, it can handle graphical processes that the 7600gs can't. and having windows tweaked to minimal running processes before starting ah keeps his system from running out of resources and having the cpu occupied by background processes. with Tinkles system running 51 processes on a fresh boot, BaldEagl might be on to something...
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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 :P )
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
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It could be anything, even a windows update causing it. If your computer used to be able to run AH, a reinstall will probably fix it. Many people routinely reinstalled every year when they had XP. You can do a reinstall without formatting the drive so you keep all your files (or if you're like me and partition own data files to a separate partition as a rule).
Reinstall scares of many people and I never understood why. It's so much better to start from a fresh start again. Sure you need to copy files and/or install a program or two but so what? You get rid of all the crud cumulated along the years.
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It sounds to me like you installed something about the time this started that's running in the background. It might even be a virus or some type of malware/adware.
If you can remember what you might have installed just uninstall it and see if that works. If you can't remember anything then I'd try a complete system tune up (run anti virus, system cleanup, defrag, etc.). If that doesn't work you can try to roll back to a previous good configuration but you'll lose anything new since then. If all else fails I'd go with a fresh install of the OS and all your applications but you'll want to back up all your data first.
That's what I thought at first too..
However, I just ran a full scan with Avast, but it didn't find anything. So I am not sure why it has so many processes. When I look in Processes (after ctrl+alt+delete) Most of them are SYSTEM processes. There are only a handful of non-system listed processes that are a necessity (like explorer, which apparently is the start menu and all that, found out the hard way on that one).
So, I am not sure of what to shut down in terms of processes.
Tinkles
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Check you power management profile settings. I was having this exact problem a few years back, and somehow my power profile settings were switched in some sort of upgrade/windows stuff install, and the symptoms were similar to yours. I would get huge spikes in ping to the HTC game server while playing, resulting in much lag and warp on my end, yet my connection at the time was 20mbit and very stable so far as other general net related tasks.
Go into your power profile, and see what you settings are. I remember when I was having this trouble Skuzzy told me that in laptops this was a very common problem as the power management stuff was a nightmare back in the xp/vista days, and it turned out my OEM cheapy desktop at the time had the exact same issue. Once I put it into a gamer/full power profile, all my trouble went away.
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That's what I thought at first too..
However, I just ran a full scan with Avast, but it didn't find anything. So I am not sure why it has so many processes. When I look in Processes (after ctrl+alt+delete) Most of them are SYSTEM processes. There are only a handful of non-system listed processes that are a necessity (like explorer, which apparently is the start menu and all that, found out the hard way on that one).
So, I am not sure of what to shut down in terms of processes.
Tinkles
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1) Malware/virus scanners do not find all infections. They're not reliable.
2) The cause of the slowdown can be anything from a incompatible windows update to recent driver update (did you upgrade your graphics drivers or something?)
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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.
The CPU usage of now doesn't tell the full truth. Running processes can occupy future CPU usage, like table reservations in a seemingly empty restaurant. I've also read that alongside with the direct percentage of CPU cycles, the amount of handles a process uses can significantly affect performance. Someone more savvy might be able to tell what the handles are for, for me it's enough to know that shutting down a process will free the handles it uses.
@Tinkles: Not all processes under the username SYSTEM are actually Windows related. My process count at the moment is 30 (XP Pro) which I cut down to 20ish before gaming. Among the SYSTEM labeled ones are things like TomTomHome, NitroPDFReaderDriver, GoogleUpdate etc. which definitely are no Windows services. There's also a bunch of Windows services that you can safely disable like Wireless Zero Configuration if you don't use wifi. Blackviper, as has been said, has several options to reduce processes, from moderate to hardcore.
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The CPU usage of now doesn't tell the full truth. Running processes can occupy future CPU usage, like table reservations in a seemingly empty restaurant.
That's why it's good to look at CPU usage over a period of time. True, a given process could possibly hog 100% of CPU, but that is true if you are running 2 processes or 100 of them. Rather than cutting down number of processes, I think it's a better use of time just to look into what is hogging down the cpu at the time your computer goes from running OK to starting to chug. Then you pop up task manager and see which process is hogging the cpu.
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Yeah, well... I was rather thinking about eliminating processes that might go through a daily updating routine in the middle of a furball... It's funny how device manufacturers think that if someone installs their device, they wouldn't do anything else but using that given gadget. Multifunctional printers are among the worst. Not only do they want to install a floating thingy on the desktop, they also want to check for updates daily. Come on! Who has ever needed to update printer drivers even semi-annually?
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Multifunctional printers are among the worst.
Oh, yes! I wasn't even thinking of that until your post. I remember HP software for their Photosmart series being almost criminally horrible. Not only for updates, but it would sit there and hog CPU in just polling the device! HP hardware is great, but they have some of the most inept, horrendous software I've ever seen, and it's been that way for 20 years.
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Tinkles, have you allowed Windows to update any of your hardware drivers?
My brothers laptop was having all kinds of problems until I had him roll back a driver update that he got courtesy of Windows update. I made him turn off HW updates in the future and he hasn't had a problem since. It seems to me his timeframe coincides with yours and could be the same problem.
The only problem is I can't remember what piece of HW it was but you could check the dates of all your HW drivers.
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What about your harddrive? How full is it, especially the system drive c: ?
Have you cleaned-up and defragmented the c: drive recently?
BTW a Dxdiag crash in system information is strange.
If your system acts weird, please check for dirty fans/heatsinks on your CPU and graphics and carefully look into the PSU (another fan) as well.
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Tinkles, have you allowed Windows to update any of your hardware drivers?
My brothers laptop was having all kinds of problems until I had him roll back a driver update that he got courtesy of Windows update. I made him turn off HW updates in the future and he hasn't had a problem since. It seems to me his timeframe coincides with yours and could be the same problem.
The only problem is I can't remember what piece of HW it was but you could check the dates of all your HW drivers.
It says all drivers are up to date. Including the graphics card (GeForce 7600)
What about your harddrive? How full is it, especially the system drive c: ?
Have you cleaned-up and defragmented the c: drive recently?
BTW a Dxdiag crash in system information is strange.
If your system acts weird, please check for dirty fans/heatsinks on your CPU and graphics and carefully look into the PSU (another fan) as well.
I take apart my computer once a week and clean it out with a large salvo of Q-tips :D
Hard drive is 180GB used 98GB remaining.
Hasn't had a defrag in about 3 months.
Tinkles
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do you have films saved up in your film folder?
semp
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It says all drivers are up to date. Including the graphics card (GeForce 7600)
Yes, that is what it would say although MS update is notorious for intalling incompatible "up to date" drivers. You need to find the installation dates and if one corresponds to the time your problems started then roll that driver back.
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you should check so graphics card are not on same IRQ as somethng else , typically ATA interface drivers.
Has been a big issue for me in xp hstorically, but never in the win7.
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if you find you're graphics card IRQ collide, you can either reassign it manually, if that don't work, take card out, start machine, stop it after OS loads, button off, card in, power on.
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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.
That is actually not quite true. DirectX is designed to use 100% of the CPU. It is the only system in Windows designed to do so. If you are getting steady usage above 0%, when nothing is running, it will impact game performance.
That's what I thought at first too..
However, I just ran a full scan with Avast, but it didn't find anything. So I am not sure why it has so many processes. When I look in Processes (after ctrl+alt+delete) Most of them are SYSTEM processes. There are only a handful of non-system listed processes that are a necessity (like explorer, which apparently is the start menu and all that, found out the hard way on that one).
So, I am not sure of what to shut down in terms of processes.
Tinkles
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Avast is not going to detect malware/spyware. It will miss most all of it.
If you allow Microsoft to update those video card drivers, then you might as well bne prepared to do a complete reinstall of Windows. 1) The latest drivers are NOT the best drivers for that old video card. 2) Microsoft updater does not clean out the old drivers before installing new ones, which WILL cause problems when changing from some versions of drivers to others.
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As Skuzzy just posted and MrRipley posted earlier, you might be better off backing up your Aces High game settings folder
and any other files / folders you may want....
Then reformat and do a fresh install of winxp, be sure to do a regular format ( I personally never recommend anyone using the quick format option ), also winxp will ask you which file type you want to use! Use/Select the NTFS file structure!!!
Don't select the FAT32 file structure option....
As for your current winxp dxdg report, a normal clean regular winxp should be showing your pagefile used at or around 180mb or less with processes in the 35 down to 28 running, before any tweaking of the processes/pagefile
A well tweaked winxp OS with very little effort can get a person's system to around 25 processes running and a pagefile used of 125+/-mbs....
An extreme tweak , people can get down to 18 or less processes running(including Aces High) and a pagefile of100 mbs or less used
Hope this helps
TC