Everquest II Freezes

[OFPsycho]

<p>I am experiencing an issue with Everquest II where it freezes after approximately 15 to 90 minutes after starting the game. It doesn't matter if I am in a group, soloing, or idle. The game will freeze, my mouse will be unresponsive, and sometimes I a short garbled noise in my headphones. I have been attempted to fix this issue on my own, but I was unsuccessful. Hopefully someone on these forums can help.</p><p>What I have attempted to do so far:</p><p>Update my sound card driver.</p><p>Update my graphic card driver. I also tried several other older drivers.</p><p>Run the game in Dolby Surround Sound.</p><p>Run the game in Miles Fast 2D Sound.</p><p>Update Creative ALchemy.</p><p>Delete UI and other related files in the Everquest II directory (as indicated in other posts in this forum) and have the game redownload them.</p><p>Delete the scan cache so I can run a Full Scan.</p><p>Go to the options within the game and lower the graphical settings down to high performance.</p><p>Disable Voice Chat.</p><p>None of these seemed to help. They didn't increase nor decrease the time it takes for my computer to freeze. It seems to be random within the range of 15 to 90 minutes.</p><p>DirectX Diagnostic Results (I am currently running Catalyst 9.4, but using the updated Catalyst 9.6 has no effect.)</p><p>System Information------------------Time of this report: 6/22/2009, 00:12:10       Machine name: O_0   Operating System: Windows Vista™ Ultimate (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.lh_sp2rtm.090410-1830)           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)System Manufacturer: System manufacturer       System Model: P5E3 Premium               BIOS: BIOS Date: 06/11/08 11:07:24 Ver: 08.00.12          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E8600  @ 3.33GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.3GHz             Memory: 4094MB RAM          Page File: 1416MB used, 6951MB available        Windows Dir: C:Windows    DirectX Version: DirectX 10DX Setup Parameters: Not found     DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode------------DxDiag Notes------------      Display Tab 1: No problems found.        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.          Input Tab: No problems found.--------------------DirectX Debug Levels--------------------Direct3D:    0/4 (retail)DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)---------------Display Devices---------------        Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.        Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor CrossFire Secondary (0x9441)         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)       Device Key: EnumPCIVEN_1002&DEV_9441&SUBSYS_02601043&REV_00   Display Memory: 2809 MB Dedicated Memory: 1017 MB    Shared Memory: 1791 MB     Current Mode: 1920 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)          Monitor: SyncMaster 2493HM(Digital)      Driver Name: atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx64.dll,atiumdva,atiumd64.d ll,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll   Driver Version: 8.14.0010.0655 (English)      DDI Version: 10.1Driver Attributes: Final Retail Driver Date/Size: 3/16/2009 16:11:16, 3837440 bytes      WHQL Logo'd: Yes  WHQL Date Stamp: Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D701-11CF-7C71-6A22A1C2C535}        Vendor ID: 0x1002        Device ID: 0x9441        SubSys ID: 0x02601043      Revision ID: 0x0000      Revision ID: 0x0000      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C  Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) 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_BOBVerticalStretch                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY                    {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive                    {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=                   {3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive                    {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive                    {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) 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_BOBVerticalStretch                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=     DDraw Status: Enabled       D3D Status: Enabled       AGP Status: Enabled-------------Sound Devices-------------            Description: Speakers (2- Creative SB X-Fi) Default Sound Playback: Yes Default Voice Playback: Yes            Hardware ID: PCIVEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_002C1102&REV_00        Manufacturer ID: 1             Product ID: 100                   Type: WDM            Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1368 (English)      Driver Attributes: Final Retail            WHQL Logo'd: n/a          Date and Size: 10/8/2008 01:22:22, 684312 bytes            Other Files:         Driver Provider: Creative         HW Accel Level: Basic              Cap Flags: 0xF1F    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0              HW Memory: 0       Voice Management: No EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, NoSensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No---------------------Sound Capture Devices---------------------            Description: Line-In 2/Mic 2 (2- Creative SB X-Fi)  Default Sound Capture: Yes  Default Voice Capture: Yes            Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1368 (English)      Driver Attributes: Final Retail          Date and Size: 10/8/2008 01:22:22, 684312 bytes              Cap Flags: 0x1           Format Flags: 0xFFFFF            Description: Microphone (2- Creative SB X-Fi)  Default Sound Capture: No  Default Voice Capture: No            Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1368 (English)      Driver Attributes: Final Retail          Date and Size: 10/8/2008 01:22:22, 684312 bytes              Cap Flags: 0x1           Format Flags: 0xFFFFF</p><p>Please help, I would like to be able group, I cannot for fear I will go linkdead (because my computer freezes.)</p>

[Wullail]

<p>a Freezing PC points towards heat problems to me.</p>

[OFPsycho]

<p>That could be the reason, but the freezing seems to be specific to Everquest II. I am able to run other games without issue. My graphics card runs at 39C/32C idle and is between 50-58C/39C under load. That doesn't seem hot to mefor a 4870x2. My CPU runs at 29C idle and 36C under load.I have an fairly well ventilated case, a Antec Twelve Hundred with 7 case fans. Anything else that could explain the freezes and why they are specific to Everquest II?</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>Araenak@Butcherblock wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>That could be the reason, but the freezing seems to be specific to Everquest II. I am able to run other games without issue. My graphics card runs at 39C/32C idle and is between 50-58C/39C under load. That doesn't seem hot to mefor a 4870x2. My CPU runs at 29C idle and 36C under load.I have an fairly well ventilated case, a Antec Twelve Hundred with 7 case fans. Anything else that could explain the freezes and why they are specific to Everquest II?</p></blockquote><p>Have you run a memory test like memtest86 for a number of hours?</p>

[TSR-KenC]

<p>Well I'm unsure what games you might play other than EQ2 - But EQ2 can be rather graphics intensive and will push your graphics card further than most programs normally would, which might explain why you only freeze up with playing EQ2.</p><p>Otherwise what Wingrider mentioned may give some better insight to the situation.</p>

[OFPsycho]

<p>I realize Everquest II is very graphically intense, but I have played other comparable games including Vanguard, Crysis, Bioshock, Unreal Tournament III, Fallout III, all of which are equally graphically intense. Also I was able to run Everquest II during GU 51. So I thought maybe GU 52 may be partially responsible.</p><p>When I ran memtest86, it reported I had at least 9200 errors. Upon testing each DIMM individually no errors were found. When testing both DIMM again it found no errors. Perhaps the RAM wasn't seated properly on the motherboard. Hopefully, my RAM was cause of my problems with Everquest II. It is interesting that only Everquest II was affected. I will update my post if my issue has been resolved.</p>

[TSR-DanielH]

<p><cite>Araenak@Butcherblock wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I realize Everquest II is very graphically intense, but I have played other comparable games including Vanguard, Crysis, Bioshock, Unreal Tournament III, Fallout III, all of which are equally graphically intense. Also I was able to run Everquest II during GU 51. So I thought maybe GU 52 may be partially responsible.</p><p>When I ran memtest86, it reported I had at least 9200 errors. Upon testing each DIMM individually no errors were found. When testing both DIMM again it found no errors. Perhaps the RAM wasn't seated properly on the motherboard. Hopefully, my RAM was cause of my problems with Everquest II. It is interesting that only Everquest II was affected. I will update my post if my issue has been resolved.</p></blockquote><p>Since so much of the processing in Everquest 2 is/was done on the CPU, your RAM will get used quite a bit for the game.  In games that put more strain on the graphics card there will be less work for the RAM and more work for the memory on the graphics card.  It makes sense that a RAM issue would manifest in Everquest 2 before some other games.</p>

[OFPsycho]

<p>It looks like the issue has been resolved, I have been in-game for 1.5 hours without it freezing. Hopefully the issue doesn't reoccur. Thanks for the help, especially Wingrider01 for suggesting running memtest86.</p>