severe FPS spikes

[xXioXx]

i agree they shouldnt run from boot, nor ever if not requested. launcher is not set to start at start and I just have a spelling issue (also dont know what it means specifically so dont remember what it is specifically) its not malware. atleast not running from malware.

its possible i suppose a scanner of some sort on avast was running or something and i just happened to catch it at that moment. but i dunno seemed strange.

[AZgreentea]

I was thinking about this post as I was walking past the fountain outside House C and the Catacombs. Everytime I walk past that fountain, it freezes my client for a moment. Dosent matter what direction I am headed in.

In patch 2, they said they fixed issues with 3D sound and sounds that repeat, like fountains. I haven't walked past it since the patch. Do you get lag there, XIO?

[Smitey]

I just have a spelling issue (also dont know what it means specifically so dont remember what it is specifically) its not malware. atleast not running from malware.

If you are sure it's a typo and have run a scan using up to date virus checker (I would additionally add the entire DDO unlimited folder to any anti-virus exclusions) then we'll look at making sure pando isn't running as a service:

type 'msconfig' into the start>search box
Under the services tab tick 'hide all microsoft services'
check that pmb isn't listed or is unticked.

With msconfig open also examine the startup tab for any unneccessary programs, especially if you have had various security software previously.

Looking at your second drive:

Drive: D:
Free Space: 76.1 GB
Total Space: 76.3 GB

It's unused and thats where I would place a new system managed pagefile, removing the one from the main drive.

Run Western Digital's diagnostic on your C: drive to check for any issues:
http://support.wdc.com/product/downl...&sid=3&lang=en

and ensure BIOS>HDD Acoustic Mode is set to performance or suggested

You are using the latest BIOS (6 years ago was when Dell stopped providing drivers for your system it seems) but the motherboard does have issues:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NForce4#Flaws

So I would make sure The Nvidia hardware firewall is disabled.

Your current display setting:

Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (75Hz)

should be reduced to 60Hz as per the Acer sepcs:
http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/mo.../X173sp2.shtml

As you asked the question your OS supports dx11 but your card only version 10:
http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/produ...ts_250_uk.html

As you have performance issues I would try selecting Dx9 however.

Are you using the Nvidia motherboard drivers?
http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_vista64_15.23.html

And did you check the jumper settings on your Raptor to ensure it's running SATA II?:
http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/...atadesktopjump
(no jumper or pins 1+2 only)

From another thread you stated:

so after some testing I reverted back to my original settings file because all the buttons were jacked, couldnt even click to attack. and the first time i started the game it crashed popping up some error about failed to login properly or somethin (i remember it doing the same thing right after the new update) but once i tried again it worked.

ddo.keymap has your keyboard mappings so can remain but I would always recommend deleting the userpreferences.ini and using the 'detect optimal settings' button for performance issues on fresh installs, only adjusting once you know the sytem is stable to start with.

Sound Card (this may still be the issue as im using a crappy usb soundcard now, im gonna unplug before i start today to test that though)

Have you tried using the on-board sound your system has instead and removed the USB soundcard?

[mystafyi]

I read the op, and quickly scanned the thread because I remember installing a 250gts xxxx video card. Had insanely crazy issues(see below) that I fixed by replacing my power supply with a ocz 550watt. The card draws a fair bit of power, and my dual rail coolmaster 600watt couldnt handle the peak draw.


crazy issues experienced:
hard drive read/write errors, video artificing, video lag, sound issues, rebooting, ect.

[xXioXx]

If you are sure it's a typo and have run a scan using up to date virus checker (I would additionally add the entire DDO unlimited folder to any anti-virus exclusions) then we'll look at making sure pando isn't running as a service:

type 'msconfig' into the start>search box
Under the services tab tick 'hide all microsoft services'
check that pmb isn't listed or is unticked.

With msconfig open also examine the startup tab for any unneccessary programs, especially if you have had various security software previously.

Looking at your second drive:


It's unused and thats where I would place a new system managed pagefile, removing the one from the main drive.

Run Western Digital's diagnostic on your C: drive to check for any issues:
http://support.wdc.com/product/downl...&sid=3&lang=en

and ensure BIOS>HDD Acoustic Mode is set to performance or suggested

You are using the latest BIOS (6 years ago was when Dell stopped providing drivers for your system it seems) but the motherboard does have issues:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NForce4#Flaws

So I would make sure The Nvidia hardware firewall is disabled.

Your current display setting:


should be reduced to 60Hz as per the Acer sepcs:
http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/mo.../X173sp2.shtml

As you asked the question your OS supports dx11 but your card only version 10:
http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/produ...ts_250_uk.html

As you have performance issues I would try selecting Dx9 however.

Are you using the Nvidia motherboard drivers?
http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_vista64_15.23.html

And did you check the jumper settings on your Raptor to ensure it's running SATA II?:
http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/...atadesktopjump
(no jumper or pins 1+2 only)

From another thread you stated:



ddo.keymap has your keyboard mappings so can remain but I would always recommend deleting the userpreferences.ini and using the 'detect optimal settings' button for performance issues on fresh installs, only adjusting once you know the sytem is stable to start with.



Have you tried using the on-board sound your system has instead and removed the USB soundcard?

Sorry about the delay I have had to work all week and havent had much time, I have tried everything you stated. I ended up disabling windows firewall and defender (nvidias is not installed as far as i know) that did nothing.
Changed my HDD acoustic mode in bios from bypass to performance and this did nothing.
Onboard audio has been disabled due to the issues involved with the mobo I have stuck with USB sound, also have attempted with no sound (unplugged before start no sound device in menu) and still had same issues
pando has been gone since i removed it, does not exist in the computer and for some reason even this morning i had issues with svchost running excessively reading ddo folder dat files again. I have added it to the avast exclusion list now and hopefully that was just a realtime scan by avast and this wont happen again, i will find out eventually.

So I have concluded this is probably still not the issue because its still not taking that much resources. I am very sure my power supply can handle it, My crappy one that was in it before was screeching (prior to this graphics card) and still ran this card without issue, I replaced it anyways with a same wattage better psu (went from dell 650 watt **** psu to a 650 watt seasonic 80+ bronze M12II psu thats running smooth as butter) so i really dont think its an issue

So the other day though while the screen saver was up, All of a sudden i glance over to see the blue screen of death. So i go over and reset the computer and then theres no picture.. computer doesnt seem to be running all the way to windows but no service light is appearing on the front (have 4 led lights that pop codes when mobo has issue). obviously couldnt tell for sure because no video.. tried jiggling wires a bit and pushing the card into its slot to verify it was connected properly and kept restarting getting no response... finally i pull the card plug it into the other slot (have 2 graphics slots on mobo) and it starts up perfectly fine.. vista installs same driver and now i still have same issue but in other graphics slot.. maybe the mobo is going out? one slot down hope it survives.

I dont know what the issue was there, might have just been the card weighs like 2 pounds and the slot itself was loose possibly causing a bad connection. hopefully this slot doesnt have the same issue after time, may just sell the card and get another for now till i can get a better mobo/case. I dont know if the mobo is the problem since it has happened with other cards im just assuming after all this work its gotta be the mobo

Also after installing standard resolution textures my fps DROPPED. I cant seem to figure it out I really seemed to get better fps in high res textures.. Its more steady but stays around 35 fps now.. I dont understand whats wrong with it or the card, the settings dont matter whatsoever so im assuming the card can probably handle just about anything something else just isnt letting it. I really am at a loss now especially with a blown graphics slot, confused... we shall see what happens... thanks for your suggestions, hope i can figure it out before it breaks my other slot somehow or burns it up, who knows..

[xXioXx]

also i read about the issues with the mobo and most of them are related to sound cards hooked up to pci, which i had issue with the soundblaster but it doesnt do it with the usb.

I also read into the processor doesnt have memory built in which is why it has a 2 chip chipset with it, one containing the memory for the processor.. i dont know much about chipsets or anything but i never replaced any thermal paste or anything on those cuz they have weird connectors on them but maybe i should look more into the chipset possibly having issues. maybe the memory there is faulty or running too hot it seemed like the north bridge was pretty hot, especially sitting between the processor and graphics card but it seemed quite a bit hotter then the south bridge. As i said i dont know much but maybe i should figure out how to get those off and check for heat damage and replace paste.

[xXioXx]

omg guys look at this right after i start my computer.. massive data being read on ddo files, over 100mb/s ... what is this issue.. check out the screen shots:

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...renia/***2.jpg
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...hrenia/***.jpg
ok i have to rename the images but if u read it now its what the F in short terms.. will change as soon as possible.. sorry adjust link to fix, will edit soon

I really dont understand why it would continually be reading ddo files... its driving me nuts... avast has ddo and open office on the exclude list and i noticed open office was also on the list.. i dont get what the problem is or why these files would be being read right after a start.

[Smitey]

I would make a note of the process ID next time you start your PC using resource monitor (it changes each time)

Then use Process explorer to ascertain the related service:
http://www.watchingthenet.com/how-to...n-windows.html

[xXioXx]

I would make a note of the process ID next time you start your PC using resource monitor (it changes each time)

Then use Process explorer to ascertain the related service:
http://www.watchingthenet.com/how-to...n-windows.html

thanks for the info that program is very useful. I wasnt able to find the hard drive issue yet i really havent had time to mess with it too much but i did notice that while playing ddo nothing is being over-worked, my processor is taking the most sometimes peaking at 90% but generally around 50ish. So i began to look at my graphics card having issues since i installed low res textures and was still experiencing similar fps. I found out my GTS 250 must have had some issues because my 8600 gts 256mb is pushing better fps then the 250. I may have somehow fixed most of the lag spike issues as i didnt experience many.. This old card doesnt perform well enough to properly test the lag spikes but that other card was messing up definetly.

So basically my graphics card went out and was making the testing virtually impossible since it was already broken.

I did however change the thermal paste on my north and south bridge chipset and the paste was crusted on there. It was burnt up and not happy, didnt see signs of damage but its better now, im thinking that may have been my issue before i wont really know till i get a better card but i really havent experienced the ongoing lag spikes, still seem to have the minor ones when something quest related happens or slayer count goes up. Ill be getting a new ATI card or a better geforce to find out later whether it fixed it for sure or not, i dont expect the 8600 to handle (although getting 60 fps down to 15 just like with the gts 250)..

So anyways thanks for the info smitey i appreciate it that program will def help me figure out the hard drive read issue when it arrises again and i have time to tinker.. I have noticed the heatsink on the north bridge is still pretty hot gonna try to attach a fan somehow aswell.

thanks to everyone who has attempted to help me through this process, hope the problem is fixed now, will post again when i either fix my other card or get a new one to properly test.

[xXioXx]

So i re-checked the thermal paste on the gts 250 and it seems to be ok, i checked on nvidia control panel and it says for the 250 on ddo to disable video post effects due to unable to render some, i tried and no difference still issues. Also still performing almost the same as the 8600 gts. theres no reason this shouldnt outperform the 8600 by atleast double. I didnt notice any hardware issues and it seems to work fine everywhere else.. i guess i will try to play another game and compare to see what happens but it doesnt seem to be acting up and only has an issue in ddo.. if the cards still good i could atleast sell it to someone who can play a different game and i can find a card that works good for ddo.. but still shouldnt have to why should i even need to disable video post effects on a card that ran max settings prior? i just dont get it anymore im going back to the old card cuz its slightly better performance sadly, just need to know whether i should sell this one i dont want to screw anyone over.

[xXioXx]

ok so after some stress tests (3dmark06) and running need for speed world on max settings for an hour i have determined the card seems to work fine... also i noticed the settings i was referring to earlier from nvidia control panel were for 3d stereoscopic view. So there was no recommended post graphic effect removal otherwise. Im thinking this may just be an issue with ddo and this specific card. I really dont understand as it was working for awhile OK but now its ****, really worse then the 8600 although on higher settings it may look prettier the 8600 runs at high settings (standard res textures) at better fps then the gts 250 even at the same or lower.. tried every setting possible this card performs the same at max as it does at low settings (some minor fps improvement but not much) .. seems like its being held back by something and just wont perform.. i cant figure it out will test another game or 2 and see what happens but i dont think its the card itself like i was starting to think.

[xXioXx]

ok so i believe i have found what is causing my issue in the hard drive department on vista. The reading from scvhost was from a service called superfetch. Over time this service is supposed to improve pc performance. I disabled the service and it instantly fixed my issue there. Im assuming its loading the files for being used more often and keeping them "handy" on the hard drive. I will see if this effects the gaming but i doubt it just thought id mention that issue was resolved and not ddo related.. just vista related.. lag still continues updating to beta driver been discussing with nvidia to try to fix the problem will get back with nvidias solution

[My2Cents]

Oh Superfetch........

Short version: Omg, I'd disable that thing so fast it would set a new world record.

Lonver version:

I have seen -many- discussions about superfetch. I was trying to solve a high disk/cpu usage problem on my machine (turned out to be related to a cloud storage application) but I read article after article about superfetch.

It's supposed to "preload" your most-used applications into RAM for you to improve system performance, and I -think- it "re loads" them after background tasks are run and as I understand it it completely fills your usable RAM. If I read the articles correctly,that means each time you load something big like DDO or part of DDO, the PC has to clear some RAM...does that mean saving more in virtual memory (disk files)? Anything that keeps your RAM full is bound to cause performance issues for large applications. The resource usage potential here boggles my mind.

If I were using a PC for just a few apps, say a word processor, email, etc, it might be useful, but if I am using the PC for RAM intensive applications (such as DDO) and/or many different applications, I know I'd disable it. There are so many things that could go wrong with that whole idea if the PC environment isn't simple and straightforward. Also, on a laptop or notebook some people have run into battery and heat issues when superfetch goes crazy trying to do its thing.

If I think about it, an application like DDO might need to load separate large parts of itself into RAM for different purposes (i.e. textures for different zones, etc.) Does that mean Superfetch will try and load everything I've used recently about an application rather than just what I need? That's scary to me.

I love Process Explorer by the way (still learning how to use it), although my XP Task Manager with the IO tracker enabled can also give some basic quick clues.

If that was causing all sorts of disk and RAM havoc on your system I'd bet disabling it will make your life *MUCH* easier.