Asking for Help (long one)

[Denellrona]

Before I do a Recovery Disk for the third time, I thought I would ask you all for some advice.
First system info: HP Pavilion, 256MB Ram, DirectX9.0a, Windows 98, NVIDIA RIVA TNT2Pro.
About 4 weeks ago started this problem. When I'm in game, everything is perfect. After awhile I will LD from game, when re-loading game I will get past server select, it will load maybe half way then crash with a message. I can also go as far as character select and Pick Dene before this happens.
Error Messages: Your Everquest file has run out of memory and cannot continue.
Please contact Tech support.
To fix this we first did a disk Recovery to clean up computer. Didn't work. I've called Sony, we were talked threw a couple changes. One was update driver, which I believe I have done. The other was Under System Management to change virtual memory settings. I was still having this prob, so off a website I updated Windows... pffttt mistake that was, I, for some reason, couldn't even surf the net without all kinds of error messages. ( Not sure what I did there) So did a recovery disk again to fix windows and reinstalled everything. Changed settings and updated everything as previously told. Also added a line to eqclient file: UseUmbra=FALSE << this seemed to work for me, Until this last patch. Now as of yesterday I'm back to receiving the same error message and not being able to get back into game after a crash.
I sat in Customer Support twice yesterday.. here is text:
You have been connected to CSR Mike L..
CSR Mike L.: Hello Michael, Thank you for contacting Sony Online Entertainment. One moment please, while I read your question. Thank You!
Michael F.: Hi
CSR Mike L.: What have you tried so far ?
Michael F.: they have had us upgrade video and sound
Michael F.: I also added a line to ini file umm
Michael F.: we have also refurbished computer since twice actually
CSR Mike L.: okay have you tried to disable the sound ?
Michael F.: yes always disabled I never use sound
Michael F.: I've added the line useUmbra=FALSE that did help till this last patch actually
CSR Mike L.: Have you tried to change that line back ?
Michael F.: Was running fine today for 4 hours or so then boom this
Michael F.: change it or remove it ?
Michael F.: I had to add that line in there... and no I haven't changed it
CSR Mike L.: Remove it then
Michael F.: ok
Michael F.: ok its removed
CSR Mike L.: You may want to delete the uifiles folder, eqclient.ini, eqgfx_dx8.dll, and any other character name files that start with
UI_name of character_##.ini

Afterwards, repatch, and go into game.
Michael F.: ok Ill try it thank you
CSR Mike L.: Ok Michael, Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Michael F.: hope this does it..if not Ill be back thank you
CSR Mike L.: Ok Michael, Thank you for visiting our SOE Chat line. Take care and have a Good Day!
Michael F.: I'm sorry I cannot find a file named eggfx_dx8.dll is that in eq file folder ?
CSR Mike L.: It should be
CSR Mike L.: If not don't worry about it
CSR Mike L.: Ok Michael, Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Michael F.: ok then trying this thank you


Second Session:
You have been connected to CSR Mike L..
CSR Mike L.: Hello Michael, Thank you for contacting Sony Online Entertainment. One moment please, while I read your question. Thank You!
CSR Mike L.: 1. Click on start
2. Click on run
3. At the runline type in dxdiag, and hit ok.
4. After your dxdiag comes up click on the display tab at the top.
5. What is the name of your video card under Device, Name: (video card name)
6. On the right hand side where the Driver Version Number is what is the entire number? Version: X.XX.XX.XXXX
7. Where it says Approx. Total Memory: XXMB, how much is available.
Michael F.: Display tab NVIDIA RIVA TNT2/TNT2 Pro
Michael F.: version: 4.13.0001.4109(English)
CSR Mike L.: okay
Michael F.: approx. total memory 32.0MB
CSR Mike L.: what version of directx do you have ?
Michael F.: thought I had directx 9.0 looking for it now
CSR Mike L.: click on system
Michael F.: yes directx 9.0a (4.09.0000.0901)
CSR Mike L.: okay we actually recommend using dx 8.1
Michael F.: ok how would I go about that ?
CSR Mike L.: Well unfortunately the only way is to reinstall windows
Michael F.: not sure if it will overwrite arkkk we just did that ok I can do that then and try it if you think that what is needed
Michael F.: does seem like the problems started since 9.0 truth of it
CSR Mike L.: okay you may also want to try disabling your sound
Michael F.: that is disabled, well in game it is. I am not sure about in my system
CSR Mike L.: You actually need to disable it from the device manager for it to help
Michael F.: which is in my system correct ?
CSR Mike L.: Yes you can get there from system in you control panel
Michael F.: should I try that first, or better to re-do windows and dx.8.1 to be safe ?
CSR Mike L.: Yes try that before reinstallin 8.1
Michael F.: ok thank you
CSR Mike L.: Ok Michael, Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Michael F.: Ill try this first thank you
I have done everything they have told to me and I'm ready to hang it up to be serious. I love the game but this is out of control now. It takes over half hour of rebooting and repatching just to get into game for a couple hours for this to happen all over again.
Ok that about sums it up, not sure what other info you would need. Thanks again for any input.

[BonlainyT]

Well Dene, FYI, I use DirectX 9.0a and haven't had these problems. But I know others have had issues with HP Pavilion as well. At one point certain drivers for NVIDIA cards were causing problems in EQ but haven't heard much about that in awhile. I think on the EQLive website they may have a list of what drivers are recommended for lots of different video cards, you might want to look at that. Also what Windows version are you using? I can't see it in your email, but I know that can cause problems in EQ too. One more thing is to make sure that your network card (if you use one), sound card and video card ARE NOT using the same interrupt, I know that has caused me many, many headaches with LD issues. If they are you might want to move one of the cards, if possible, to get is a new int. Just a few things I have seen or heard about. And don't give up, it will get worked out, just keep plugging.

[PavelCursebreaker]

Personally I've found that 90% of the problems that me and my friends in town have had with EQ has been video card or sound card related. The three of us alone (me, Annir, and Reb) must have a dozen video cards lying around the house, as we've all been forced to upgrade at least twice each. Each time a new expansion comes out, along with graphics "upgrades", at least ONE of our systems goes haywire. I hate to say it, but your card is.. 3 years old? 4 years? You may be be looking at a new video card in order to play well in the PoP zones. I had to upgrade from my TnT2 card just a few months ago when mine took a complete crap on me whenever I tried to zone into a tier2 zone. It just couldn't handle the load anymore anymore.

Just my thoughts on what might be happening. If Dene is in a tier2 zone when you try and log in, that could be part of the reason you are having log in troubles.

Annir had many of the same problems you did not too long ago, and wrestled with them for months. As a matter of fact he ended up taking a month off from EQ 'cause his computer was having so many problems. His solution was to buy a whole new system and toss his old one in his closet, as he never did figure out what the problem was, despite exhaustive work and 6 years working in tech support for a software company.

I wish you good luck. EQ breaks a machine in this house every six months, I hope your record is better than ours.

[Denellrona]

Ok well this isnt like going out and replacing a coffee pot. How about some advice on buying a new video card and I will do that this weekend.
My system is: HP Pavilion
256MG RAM
Main Drive: nvdisp.drv---Version 4.13.0001.4109 (English)
AMD Athlon Processor
........ Windows 98 SE I believe....... not sure if this info is needed or not and I am on my way to Everquest site to look this stuff up. Thanks guys for the input

[PavelCursebreaker]

It really depends on how much money you have to spend.. I know, for instance, when Annir put his new machine together he got the new Radeon 128mb 8xAGP card (9100? 8900? something like that). It has a power plug on the card for hooking to the power supply, and all the bells and whistles. And lemme tellya, he's having NO EQ issues at all anymore..

Unfortunately, since the new card was 8xAGP, he was pretty much forced into buying a new motherboard. Which meant new memory, since the Powers That Be think coming out with new memory every year that's incompatible with old motherboards is Very Cool. So he just blew the wad on a new system, and he's now very happy. If much poorer.

On the other hand I have an NVidia GeForce2 MX 400. It's.. umm, a year and a half old? Something like that. I have to have most of my models off in PoP zones, but I manage to get by. No crashes, but I do get the occasional video hiccup for a second or two, especially during raids. No spelleffects for me either.

It really depends on your budget. Get a card like Annir got, and you're out about 300 bucks. I wouldn't go that way unless you are gonna get a whole new system. In for a penny, in for a pound and all that. There's also the point that if it turns out that the video card WASN'T your problem, spending 300 bucks and still not being able to log in would not be fun.

My personal advice is to go get an 64meg NVidia 4xAGP card, spend about a hundred bucks or so doing it, and see if that fixes your problem. Make sure you get it from someplace with a good return policy, so that you can take it back if that isn't what's causing your troubles. If it's within your budget, I'd also look into a whole new systen, perhaps assembling it yourself, as yours appears to be starting to show it's age. You can get a good system these days (if you are willing to put it together yourself) for about 500 bucks (in California anyways), assuming you don't buy a new monitor. It won't be top of the line, but it should play EQ just fine..

Hope all that helps.

[Bashdur K]

HP Pavilion strikes again.

I know this may seem silly, but I've talked to several people with this computer (I have 2 myself). Mine was doing the same thing as yours, I also recovered my computer 2 or 3 times, only to get into the game for a period of time and BOOM, kicked out.

Try this once just to say you did:
After you crash, feel the back of the box where the power supply is. Is it hot? Mine was so I ended up removing the cover and putting a 9" kitchen fan blowing in the box when I play EQ. Sounds crazy but I know of 6 or 7 people with the same symptoms who starting using a fan and ever since things have been fine. If I forget to turn on the fan before I play EQ, I crash (and BTW in order to reboot you should unplug the computer until the little green light on the back of the box goes off). EQ apparently maxes out something in the box making it heat faster than the internal fan can cool.

Good Luck !!!

[Annir Vazaelle]

Bash - seems silly but it works. I have not had the heat problem myself but I have read about it, including some people specifically saying it fixed their EQ crashing issues. Definitely the cheap solution and the first thing to try.

Dene - I was having nasty crash issues a while back and I went through all kinds of hoops trying to fix it, including working with the EQLive tech support people many times. Upgrading video cards or drivers did not help me (and in one case made the matter worse), and I figured there were only so many times I could take back opened boxes with receipts before the stores banned me, so I took the Big Step and upgraded my system.

It sucked, but buying things on sale (and waiting for the right things to be on sale) and putting it together yourself can save some money. I hadn't spent money on computer stuff in several years, so it was about time anyway I suppose.

Anyway, about the video card. I would try the fan like Bash suggests before this, but if you are going to try a new card I would go with Pavel's suggestion. Find one for about 100 bucks, 64mb card, I would recommend ATI (works fine for me). Definitely check on the return policy. I brought home several pieces of computer equipment and had to return them when my problems did not go away, so it could happen.

Good luck ">

-Annir

[PavelCursebreaker]

Ah, someone who has experience with her type of machine, yay. I'm afraid me and my roommates have put together all our machines. None of us have package machines, and haven't had one in years.

[Tylandi]

You can get the new Gforcefx 5200 for 99 bucks at Best Buy...might be worth checking out )

[Spazz]

Didn't read the whole deal but Get more RAM. . .512 at least.

MORE RAM
MORE RAM
MORE RAM

[Denellrona]

Aye Kel, neither will we. Looking at other pc's but thats a near Christmas time thing. I have to make due here w/ what I have.

[Denellrona]

Woot !! new video card coming home tonight, Wish me luck. (forgot which one we picked up though) heeeh

[Kelticbaeb]

I'll never buy another HP. Pavilions are the sux. Good luck with yours.

[Kelticbaeb]

I'm waiting for my income tax return to buy a new one myself, currently not playing EQ because of it.

/taps her foot impatiently