Strange fps-lag/compter crashes issues...

[Afran]

(yes I know I mispelt the title but I can't edit it now x<)


Recently, (started occuring in the past two days) I have been experiencing constant 'red' FPS in DAoC. Also, when I port/release to somewhere far away (example; frontiers at bledmeer bridge to forest sauvage) my computer crashes and I have to reset it. NOTE this doesn't only occur whilst playing DAoC.


I've done a few tests myself to see what the problem could be, but haven't managed to solve it. I've tried:

1: Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool, I tested DirectDraw. The results of this were fine until It came to the full-screen tests, which is when the objects used in the test began lagging then my computer crashed. The results of the Direct3D test were exactly the same, crashing when it gets to the full-screen test(s).

2: Ran DirectDraw test also in Safe Mode, which goes fine (including the full-screen test(s)), though I don't have the option to run the Direct3D test there.

3: Reinstalled DirectX, no change though.

3: Since it seems to only be occuring when running things in full-screen, I tried DAoC windowed and it seems to run fine at the moment, no lag at all.

Due to the test running fine in Safe Mode I think it's pretty safe to say the problem isn't hardware related, but I'm no expert hence why I'm posting here.


My specs if it helps:

OS: Win XP
Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2600+, ~2.1GHz
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Graphics card: ATI Radeon X700
DirectX version: 9.0c


Thanks in advance.

 

[Nate]

run a defrag? have u installed something big recently? end task any unnecessary(sp) running programs

 

[Afran]

run a defrag? have u installed something big recently? end task any unnecessary(sp) running programs

The only thing I've installed in the past 1-2 weeks is McAfee Firewall/Virusscanner, etc.

I don't have any running applications and/or processes that shouldn't be running, I've double check all of them on google

Also I have no idea how to defrag, never done it before. If I don't get it sorted some easier way, I'll get my brother to defrag it for me


Edit: Would running two firewalls cause any problems? I'm using McAfee and ZoneAlarm together atm, guess I'll test it a bit.

 

[Aiteal]

Also I have no idea how to defrag, never done it before. If I don't get it sorted some easier way, I'll get my brother to defrag it for me

Right-click on the harddrive on the left hand plane in explorer
Goto the Tools Tab
Click the Defragment Now button

Then highlight the hard drive in the window that pops up and click the defragment button

Basically, very large files can be written across multiple areas of your hard drive
This means that to access those files, the OS jumps back and forward alot to read all the file
Defragmenting places all parts of a file in one area (if possible), making it easier and faster to read

 

[Afran]

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[MaCaBr3]

This hasn't anything to do with defrag, if you computer restartes during a directdraw test, u probly have a problem with either the drivers of ur card or direct x.

I would uninstall ur card completely and reinstall it again with new or even older worknig drivers.

So: uninstall card->reboot pc->nstall drivers->reboot pc.

 

[Afran]

I ran the Directdraw test in Safe Mode, and artifacts appeared on the screen, so it must be the graphics card.

I tried all the tests with an old card (radeon 9600), which works fine.

This hasn't anything to do with defrag, if you computer restartes during a directdraw test, u probly have a problem with either the drivers of ur card or direct x.

I would uninstall ur card completely and reinstall it again with new or even older worknig drivers.

So: uninstall card->reboot pc->nstall drivers->reboot pc.

You think that would work? (See above)
Am looking to send the card back for a new one at the moment.