Constant but random freezing

[Kirianna1]

<p>Ever since I switched to the streaming launcher I've been experiencing these weird freezes in-game. I have no idea if the streaming launcher is to blame but I thought I'd start there.</p><p>Basically what happens is I'll be running around and suddenly the game will freeze and lock up my whole computer. My hard drive will be grinding loudly, the mouse pointer will turn into the wait cursor, then it all comes back as if nothing was wrong. I have no other lag or any other graphics issues, just this constant but seemingly random freezing that drives me nuts and kills game play when it happens during crucial moments.</p><p>It happens most often during public quests but not JUST during those. It also happens every time I load the broker the first time.</p><p>Sometimes the freezes last several minutes, sometimes just seconds. The game never full on crashes though... it recovers after the freezing and I can move on and be find for hours sometimes.</p><p>I tried deleting EQ2 completely from my computer and getting a fresh install but it hasn't fixed it. It ONLY happens when I have EQ running and no other time.</p><p><p>------------------</p><p>System Information</p><p>------------------</p><p>Time of this report: 5/25/2011, 07:47:20</p><p>       Machine name: CAPRICA</p><p>   Operating System: Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.110408-1633)</p><p>           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)</p><p>System Manufacturer: System manufacturer</p><p>       System Model: System Product Name</p><p>               BIOS: BIOS Date: 02/05/10 19:13:52 Ver: 08.00.10</p><p>          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.4GHz</p><p>             Memory: 4096MB RAM</p><p>Available OS Memory: 4078MB RAM</p><p>          Page File: 4693MB used, 3459MB available</p><p>        Windows Dir: C:Windows</p><p>    DirectX Version: DirectX 11</p><p>DX Setup Parameters: Not found</p><p>   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI</p><p> System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)</p><p>    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled</p><p>     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode</p><p>------------</p><p>DxDiag Notes</p><p>------------</p><p>      Display Tab 1: No problems found.</p><p>      Display Tab 2: No problems found.</p><p>        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.</p><p>        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.</p><p>        Sound Tab 3: No problems found.</p><p>          Input Tab: No problems found.</p><p>--------------------</p><p>DirectX Debug Levels</p><p>--------------------</p><p>Direct3D:    0/4 (retail)</p><p>DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)</p><p>DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)</p><p>DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)</p><p>DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)</p><p>DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)</p><p>DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)</p><p>---------------</p><p>Display Devices</p><p>---------------</p><p>          Card name: AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series</p><p>       Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.</p><p>          Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x673<img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>           DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)</p><p>         Device Key: EnumPCIVEN_1002&DEV_6738&SUBSYS_00D01002&REV_00</p><p>     Display Memory: 2794 MB</p><p>   Dedicated Memory: 1012 MB</p><p>      Shared Memory: 1782 MB</p><p>       Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)</p><p>       Monitor Name: NEC LCD92VX</p><p>      Monitor Model: LCD92VX</p><p>         Monitor Id: NEC66AF</p><p>        Native Mode: 1280 x 1024(p) (60.020Hz)</p><p>        Output Type: HD15</p><p>        Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,at icfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64 .dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a. cap,atitmm64.dll</p><p>Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1077 (English)</p><p>     Driver Version: 8.850.0.0</p><p>        DDI Version: 10.1</p><p>       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1</p><p>  Driver Attributes: Final Retail</p><p>   Driver Date/Size: 4/19/2011 19:07:46, 795648 bytes</p><p>        WHQL Logo'd: Yes</p><p>    WHQL Date Stamp: </p><p>  Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-2478-11CF-8777-DA20BEC2C535}</p><p>          Vendor ID: 0x1002</p><p>          Device ID: 0x6738</p><p>          SubSys ID: 0x00D01002</p><p>        Revision ID: 0x0000</p><p> Driver Strong Name: oem27.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTamd64.6.1:ati2mtag_NI:8.850.0. 0:pciven_1002&dev_6738</p><p>     Rank Of Driver: 00E62001</p></p>

[TSR-JoshuaM]

<p>I do want to cover the basics here.  You do mention that you are working with a fresh install so we can skip clearing out any file corruption.</p><p>While I am incredibly jealous of your incredible setup, there is an update available for you!  Service Pack 1 has been released for Windows 7 and it does address many issues that would affect our game as well.  I can't say with certainty that this is your 'fix' but we do want to get you up to date regardless if a problem exists or not.</p><p>Now, with the consistency and pattern you describe it does lean me towards a possible hardware issue.  Let's rule out an overheating situation.  I do recommend obtaining ATI's utility, I believe it is called ATITool, which has a stress test built in as well as temperature monitoring.  Record your temperatures during the time of these lock-ups and post them here.</p><p>Finally, I have come across a handful of ATI users with drivers later than 10.12 reporting a variety of issues big and small.  If all else fails, I recommend obtaining driver version 10.12 or earlier and testing with them to rule out a driver issue as well.  To build on that, I've also included an update for DirectX 9.0.</p><p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=3b170b25-abab-4bc3-ae91-50ceb6d8fa8d" target="_blank">[DX9] June 2010</a></p>

[Kirianna1]

<p>Thank you, Joshua.</p><p>I may have narrowed it down to a graphics setting. But I'll try your suggestions as well.</p><p>I started putting the game into raid mode for display settings and it stopped completely. I've bumped it up each setting and it starts happening on "High Quality". So there's something in there causing it. I've turned off shadows to see if that was the culprit and so far I've only froze once and for a very short time since. It's so hard to troubleshoot stuff like this!</p><p>I'll continue messing around with things and try your suggestions as well and let ya know. </p><p>Thanks again!</p>

[TSR-JoshuaM]

<p>On my much lesser spec'd work PC I can operate at Extreme Quality without experiencing what you describe.</p><p>If you do narrow it down to a specific setting we can help you find out why it isn't playing nice on your system because it should.</p>

[Kirianna1]

<p>Did service pack 1.</p><p>Updated DirectX.</p><p>No luck.</p><p>If I'm in anything but performance settings, I freeze up randomly (especially during PQ's) for anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.</p><p>When I first got this machine, I was using an older copy of EQ2 (using the old launcher) and I don't recall ever having these issues. It wasn't until I switched to the streaming launcher.</p><p>Haven't figured out how to monitor the temps yet. Will get my hubby to help with that and I'll let you know...</p>

[Kirianna1]

<p>I've tried all of your suggestions. Reverted the drivers (10.12) and monitored the temps (stays in the green) and still no luck.</p><p>Last night I ran an alt through The Sundered Frontier and it was exceptionally bad. Freezes every few minutes, random.. sometimes I'd go an hour with no issues. The worst area was Paineel.</p><p>Never full on crashed, though... just locks up/freezes for a few seconds to a few minutes, then comes back. It's maddening!</p><p>My husband monitored my system for a long time on Sunday trying to see what was causing it. The only thing that ever spiked was the network usage. Could this be a streaming issue? I keep going back to that possibility as it's the only thing that I've changed as far as EQ2 goes. I used to use the old patcher and when I got this system, I switched to the streaming client. But I'm not thrilled about downloading the whole game the old fashioned way just to test, especially if it doesn't fix it. So .... opinions??</p><p>Another point to note: I always run in windowed mode and have a dual monitor setup. But this shouldn't be an issue at all.</p><p>Any other suggestions?</p><p>Is anyone else using an AMD Radeon HD 6800 and having issues?</p><p>It really frustrates me that this system is having these issues with this game. That I can sometimes go hours on full graphics without a single issue, and other times I'm freezing up every few seconds.</p>

[TSR-JoshuaM]

<p>Can you give me the exact temperatures you recorded?</p>

[Oparis]

<p>I have the same issue on the following machine:</p><p>DELL XPS M1730</p><p>Intel Core2Duo T9500 3,6 GHz</p><p>3 of 4 GB RAM used (Windows XP Pro SP 3)</p><p>2 x NVidia GeForce 8800M GTX</p><p>No DX errors.</p><p>The game needs a longer time to start while working on harddrive. Sometimes it hangs while running, crafting etc. for 1 or 2 minutes while working on harddrive. A few times I discovered the frozen "download dragon" in the right upper corner <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Regards,</p><p>W3bwatcher</p>

[TSR-JoshuaM]

<p>Could you post your DXDIAG info too?  Feel free to open a support ticket as well.</p>