VPU recover?

[karinations2008]

<span class="postbody">Not even sure what that means, im a computer idiot.This is a gaming system/juxebox for me.Oh and I know how to use Myspace, other than that I'm astoopid.I did post in the help forum already but no one answered figured i'd try here.Came back to the game in November and have had no problem with the game at all on pretty high graphic settings (no shadows though) and then within the last 2 weeks, every time I try to play the game crashes and my card does a "VPU recover".My card is a Radeon x600 256 MB Hypermemory.It works fine on the other MMO's I play (4 different), only have this problem all of sudden with Eq2.I tried minimal settings and that doesn't help, after the first VPU recover all the water becomes rainbow pixilated, after the second the screen just goes black and I ahve to re-boot.Any suggestions?And why now it was fine for almost 5 months, was it something in a recent update?</span>

[Frijoles]

<p>What you're experiencing sounds very familiar to me - I've always used ATI based video cards and this used to happen to me when I played EQ and the first time I played EQII, back in '05 (although it hasn't this time around, thank heaven), with an ATI 9600PRO in an older macine I used back then. The odd thing is that the problem mysteriously cropped up after a 'routine' update, iirc, just as you've indicated). </p><p>The solution for me (at the time) was to access my ATI utilities (via properties) and just disable the 'VPU Recover' function altogether. I never missed it after that and it helped out tremendously.</p>

[karinations2008]

Hi yeah actually when I first played the game back in 2005 it would happen to me (I think that might be why I stopped?) but yeah all of a sudden after the last few updates it's back again.Maybe the next patch will undo it.Maybe....Thnx!

[karinations2008]

That didn't seem to do it either.Maybe a game re-install?If that doesnt work i'll just do a game "un-install" and come back some other time down the road.I play too many of these games as it is (4!) it might be a blessing in disguise<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> 

[Kaliguwra]

Either get the newest/stable drivers for your card... or even some tweaked beta. However, I grabbed some tweaked/beta drivers last night and it crashed my network card. I had to recover to when I installed Vista SP1. Try disabling VPU recover as well, as the person above you did. Or, if you feel that it is too much... move on?

[HexCaliber]

The most likely cause is an overheating graphics card, in ati cards this causes a pixelated screen or polygon tearing. Open your case and check the graphics card fan and ensure it is not gummed up with filth, do the same for any fan intakes on the case, while you are at it also check the cards are correctly seated in their respective slots, memory too. The constant heating and cooling + vibration from fans can cause cards to work loose after a while. Gently clean away any muck you find, there are small vacuums available specifically for this purpose, although a small paint brush is just as effective if handled carefully. Assuming you have done the above and all drivers are up to date and there are no conflicts, you may be suffering from a failing power supply. Have you installed any new or additional hardware recently that could have increased the systems power drain, disconnect any cd/dvdrives and try the game again, if the problem clears its time to replace the power supply. There are a number of other potential causes but these are the easiest to address or track down.***edit*** just re read your original post and realized you may not be happy opening your system, leave the cd/dvd drives alone if you are not comfortable messing about with them. If you feel up to the task of cleaning out any fans ensure the system power is off at the mains but do not disconnect the cable and be mindful of where you touch anything inside the case. Even small static discharges to components can fry them. If that statement increased your heart rate don't worry, just keep one hand in contact with the case this will deal with any static build up provided the system is earthed(plugged into the mains)

[Kaliguwra]

If you do not feel comfortable opening up your case, find a friend of above average intelligence and see if they will help you.