Bad Lag? Try This. - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Inde

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2004

01 Sep 2006 at 02:38 - 1

I have 2 very important threads to bring to your attention if you are experiencing lag. I haven't tried this myself but am curious as to people's results.

EDIT: And a big thanks to heist23 for pointing me in these threads direction

So now you ask,

"How can I properly defragment the needed files?" Simple. The following instructions will help you download the necessary freeware tools to clean up your system and optimize it.

Download Power Defragmenter GUI and save it where you can find it easily (Such as the Desktop).
Unzip PowerDefragmenterGUI.zip. Unable to decompress the zip file? You can use 7-Zip to decompress files with ease.
Download Sysinternals' Contig to the same location you saved Power Defragmenter GUI.
Unzip Contig.zip. Browse into the Contig directory and copy the Contig.exe file into the Power Defragmenter GUI folder. The reason? Power Defragmenter GUI is designed to work extremely well with Sysinternals' Contig.
From the Power Defragmenter GUI directory, double click the Power Defragmenter GUI.exe file.
Click Next, then select PowerMode(TM) Disk Defragmentation and click next. The Contig window will open as your hard drive is defragmented. Once Contig completes, the Windows Disk Defragmenter will open in the command line window and defrag your hard drive as well, putting things in the order it sees best fit for your computer. When everything is complete, Power Defragmenter GUI will tell you that it has completed all of its work. You can click Quit/Finish to exit the program.

NOTE: This process can take anywhere from minutes to hours! It is best to let the defragmentation process complete for optimal performance. If need be, let this run overnight.

The process is all automated and will help your system greatly. Should any questions arise, please contact me.

Kind regards,
Tarun

Alternate ===> Bad lag? Try this.

Quote:

Even if you defrag your drive regularly (and face it, most of us don't), apparently the process often skips your GW.dat file because it is too large, ungainly, doesn't match the algorithms, whatever.

Anyway, Vyk has been suffering from horrible lag with Factions - in fact, increasingly bad lag since she installed the game. So we've been looking for a solution.

Thanks to this thread (see below), I learned that some peoples' lag is due to caching issues from a very large, unwieldy and badly fragmented data file - as we've been downloading all these streaming updates, the problem has only gotten worse.

What to do? A small program called Contig works as a single-file defragmenter, and is quite easy to use.

Download it here.

Unzip the exe to your C:\WINDOWS\system32 directory.

Click Start -> Run -> 'cmd'

At the command prompt, type: contig -a "C:\Program Files\Guild Wars\Gw.dat" (this is assuming you installed it to the default directory). This will tell you how fragmented your file is.

To defrag it, run the same line again but without the -a flag. You might need to do a few passes to get it down to its minimum file size.

I got Vyk's file down from 470 fragments to 3. She's not home yet so I don't know if this will fix it for her, but regardless of whether this is the source of her trouble, it can't be good to be running such a massive and fragmented file, putting your computer through a lot of work. So I thought I'd recommend it anyway.

If you've been having lag troubles, give this a shot, and if it helps let me know.

-----------------------------------------

*WARNING* Major flaw in the client design which they *forgot* to mention.

Quote:

OK, I'm mainly writing this post because I'm mad.

I had a lag problem with GW see. I did EVERYTHING ... installed 3 different drivers of EVERYTHING .. updated the bios, changed net cards, checked my internet connection, whined and complained to my ISP until I found out my laptop had no problems with the connection.

In the end I saw no other way but to make totally sure it wasn't a software issue by installing Windows XP x64 packed with all-new/different drivers.

I still had the same problem.

Finally I tried the LAST THING I ever could have imagined. I uninstalled the game and copied the client from my laptop over to my home computer.

Needless to say ... the lag dissapeared.

Am I stupid? Should I have known that this online game had cache issues like some others... NO NO NO!

EVE ONLINE is a great game which had cache issues. THEY LET PPL KNOW ABOUT IT. I read the support page for GW and NOTHING about any client issues.

SO BE WARNED PPL. IF YOU START EXPERIENCING UNEXPLAINED LAG, REINSTALL THE CLIENT.

This problem took over 24 hours of game time from me, made me bug a lot of ppl and made me need to format my PC before I figured this out.

What's more .. this lag only ocurred during peak hours so it deffinetly described itself as a network problem, but it WASN'T.

I was playing 5 minutes before I changed out my old client version for the one from my laptop. Instantly .. I was lag free .. so there's no problem here where the problem lay.

SPREAD NEWS OF THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. We need ppl to know about the possibility of a corrupt client before they start messing with everything on their computer.

Preacher

P.S .. BTW .. the only reason why I'm so mad is that no other game, including EVE ONLINE didn't get such an unexplainable and undetectable error from a simple cache overflow or other silly client error.

If ANET knows they should TELL!!

heist23

Journeyman

Join Date: Jul 2005

R/Mo

01 Sep 2006 at 02:52 - 2

Tried it, did a minor test, seems to have fixed the problem XD

Dralspire

Retired

Join Date: Apr 2005

01 Sep 2006 at 03:00 - 3

So I defragment my hard drives at regular intervals. Regardless, my gw.dat was slightly

fragmented:

I went from 2346 to 3 fragments.

Inde

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2004

01 Sep 2006 at 03:15 - 4

LOL, here's mine:

And mine is still processing so I'm sure it will be down to 3 as well.

EDIT: Hit 38 fragments. Running again to see if I can get to 3.

heist23

Journeyman

Join Date: Jul 2005

R/Mo

01 Sep 2006 at 03:25 - 5

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dralspire

So I defragment my hard drives at regular intervals. Regardless, my gw.dat was slightly

fragmented:

I went from 2346 to 3 fragments.

That is pure insanity.

As I didn't know how to screenshot Windows (and still don't know now), I don't have an image of mine...but, I do remember that I went from 877 to 3. Trying it again gave me a message stating "The file has already been processed as much as possible" or something or other. In other words, not much more I could do.

porkchopjr

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jun 2006

01 Sep 2006 at 03:32 - 6

I have experiencing the err7 lag that has started up over the last week or so. That being said, contig might work for some people who were experiencing lag due to their system not being in top shape.

I just ran contig and it says my average fragmentation is 1 frag/file - "C:\Program Files\Guild Wars\Gw.dat is defragmented". You can't get much better than that.

Those who have gotten the lag to go away by re-installing their client obviously were experiencing lag because of a problem with their PC not being optimal.

So again, there is no way changing anything on the client side will solve the recent err7 lag issue that everyone is talking about.

Sol_Vie

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Boston, MA

Blood Of Orr [BoO]

01 Sep 2006 at 03:38 - 7

Holy Christ on a crutch. I haven't been having that bad lag but I've noticed that it's run slower as of late. I just followed the directions and found that the file had 3153 fragments. I'll edit the post when it's done defragging. o_o' Thanks for this. I imagine it will help.

Well it just finished the first defrag (looks like I'll have to do more than one). It went from 3153 fragments to 509. Much better, I imagine. *runs it again* I'll let you know the results.

Defrag 2: 478

Processing C:\Program Files\Guild Wars\Gw.dat...C:\Program Files\Guild Wars\Gw.dat is as contiguous as possible.

It ended at 478. I'll try again later. Thanks guys!

manitoba1073

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

ManitobaShipyards Refit and Repair Station

(SFC)Star Fleet Command,(TDE)The Daggerfall elite,(SOoM)Secret order of Magi

01 Sep 2006 at 03:54 - 8

damn ppl time for a new comp for u just ran mine and havent done nothing to it it was alrdy 1:1 frag ratio

TheSonofDarwin

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2005

The Black Hand Gang [BHG]

Mo/

01 Sep 2006 at 04:07 - 9

Wow, I defrag about twice a year and my fragments were only 236. Will definately try the reinstalling the client thing too though.

Gorebrex

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2006

01 Sep 2006 at 04:08 - 10

That Contig sounds great, but dont forget to also check your connection staus, before, during, and after running GW, to see if there are any network problems. I see alot of people saying. "Get a new video card/processor, faster(or more) memory, ect", and that isnt always the problem, so check connection too, see if theres anything there.

Celab

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2006

[VENT]

W/

01 Sep 2006 at 06:08 - 11

Question, how long does contig usually take to defrag the files?

Nvm.

Pretty cool though, went from 264 frags per files to 1 frag per file.

Wrath Of Dragons

Burninate Stuff

Join Date: Aug 2005

New Mexico

E/Mo

01 Sep 2006 at 06:24 - 12

Bummer. i was hoping that was a problem i was having

Kool Pajamas

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2005

Maryland

Mage Elites [MAGE]

01 Sep 2006 at 07:24 - 13

When I enter that line and run it the screen dissapears as fast as it comes up. How do i get the screen to stay up?

Alberic

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2006

United States

[AB]

R/

01 Sep 2006 at 07:43 - 14

780 frags down to 4 frags. Sounds good to me!

Thanks for the heads up!

McMullen

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Oct 2005

R/W

01 Sep 2006 at 08:10 - 15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kool Pajamas

When I enter that line and run it the screen dissapears as fast as it comes up. How do i get the screen to stay up?

I did the same trick as you.. type cmd when you clicky on start and run, then type "contig -a "C:\Program Files\Guild Wars\Gw.dat"" into the cmd window

samifly

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

Girl Power [GP]

Mo/Me

01 Sep 2006 at 08:30 - 16

Mine is only 85 fragments. This might help some peoples lag though, just doubt its the source of the problem.

Moakieuk

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2006

KENT, UK

Demi-Gods UK

01 Sep 2006 at 08:31 - 17

Would you be able to use the -image command switch to decompress the gw.dat file? Then, a standard defrag would work on the individual files OK.

As long as you have the space on your HD, that is.

either way, I'll try contig and see how far it gets.

majoho

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2006

Denmark

01 Sep 2006 at 08:39 - 18

I had no fragments at all.

But I also use a real defragmenting program called "Perfect Disk" on a weekly basis and it defrags both free space and files.

But this is nice for people stuck with the windows default defragger.

onerabbit

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Thanks to all the guru [mods]

01 Sep 2006 at 08:49 - 19

Keeps saying not recognised :\

'contig' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file

Zubie

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2005

Ireland

W/Mo

01 Sep 2006 at 09:37 - 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by onerabbit

Keeps saying not recognised :\

'contig' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file

You need to do 1 of these things

1) Copy contig to someplace that is on your "Path=" list
2) type the full address of where you have contig e.g. c:\blah\contig -a c:\....\gw.dat
3) (and easiest) copy contig into the folder where you have gw.dat. Go to that folder and type "contig gw.dat"

Hope that helps

Ado

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Den Haag

[cute]

Mo/Me

01 Sep 2006 at 09:50 - 21

Quote:

Originally Posted by onerabbit

Keeps saying not recognised :\

'contig' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file

Type exactly whats written in the OP's post including the "

Without the " it wont work

Xanatas

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2006

Holland

Ave

01 Sep 2006 at 09:51 - 22

Quote:

Originally Posted by onerabbit

Keeps saying not recognised :\

'contig' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file

U sure u unpacked the file to the correct directory? C:\WINDOWS\system32

If u use W2K its: C:\WINNT\system32

Xanatas

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2006

Holland

Ave

01 Sep 2006 at 09:56 - 23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ado

Type exactly whats written in the OP's post including the "

Without the " it wont work

Nope that's not his problem, if you miss the ""'s, windows should at least start executing contig, then come up with the message "No Files found that mach ....."

The message he gets says, windows cant find contig period, and that probably means he didn't put it in correct folder.

*EDIT: I'm with Zubie's nr 3 solution! ^_^ *Slaps own face*

Poison Ivy

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

Toronto

Hopping

Mo/A

01 Sep 2006 at 14:53 - 24

http://img327.imageshack.us/my.php?i...etethisxa2.png

Same problem, except mine's in D:\

My internet just sucks, but I'm normally up for anything to fix my bad

Also, here's a thread by Techie on keeping your compy clean so you wouldn't exprince any lag issues coming from your computer

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=76027

Eldin

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2005

America. How about you, commie?

Fellows of Mythgar [FOM]

R/Mo

01 Sep 2006 at 17:07 - 25

A great find! I got mine from 909 fragments down to three! My GW.dat file is like 3GB big, so I see why normal defragging does nothing. If I were a computer, I wouldn't try to defrag something so monstrously big.

Oh, and -image is supposed to do the same thing, but it takes so long (300k+ files), I couldn't bear it.

Omega X

Ninja Unveiler

Join Date: Jun 2005

Louisiana, USA

Boston Guild[BG]

W/Me

01 Sep 2006 at 17:12 - 26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eldin

Oh, and -image is supposed to do the same thing, but it takes so long (300k+ files), I couldn't bear it.

-image only downloads all files and decompresses them. IT has nothing to do with defragging them.

Also, I suspect LAG has something to do with network conditions and NOT the DAT file.

onerabbit

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Thanks to all the guru [mods]

01 Sep 2006 at 17:35 - 27

Ive done exactly what it says, but nothing :\ anymore help

Omega X

Ninja Unveiler

Join Date: Jun 2005

Louisiana, USA

Boston Guild[BG]

W/Me

01 Sep 2006 at 17:40 - 28

http://support.plaync.com/cgi-bin/pl...i=&p_topview=1

http://support.plaync.com/cgi-bin/pl...i=&p_topview=1

Kool Pajamas

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2005

Maryland

Mage Elites [MAGE]

01 Sep 2006 at 18:47 - 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by McMullen

I did the same trick as you.. type cmd when you clicky on start and run, then type "contig -a "C:\Program Files\Guild Wars\Gw.dat"" into the cmd window

Thanks. Missed that part.

Anyway mine was already 1:1

So I dont know whats causing my lag.

Shokzi

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jun 2006

01 Sep 2006 at 18:56 - 30

Great find Inde! This will probably help me with the frequent lockups ive been having.

Despondency

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

[kF]

W/E

01 Sep 2006 at 19:28 - 31

Great guide, thanks. I got mine down from 8, to 1.

Omega X

Ninja Unveiler

Join Date: Jun 2005

Louisiana, USA

Boston Guild[BG]

W/Me

01 Sep 2006 at 19:35 - 32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kool Pajamas

Thanks. Missed that part.

Anyway mine was already 1:1

So I dont know whats causing my lag.

http://support.plaync.com/cgi-bin/pl...i=&p_topview=1

http://support.plaync.com/cgi-bin/pl...i=&p_topview=1

TreeDude

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2005

Buffalo, NY, USA

Dragon Storm

E/Mo

01 Sep 2006 at 19:38 - 33

I've been using the -image after every update. I just keep a shortcut on my desktop named "Update GW". I don't get much lag, but I'm always up for a boost in performance. I'll try this when I get home.

I think everyone should use the -image, makes loading nearly instant.

VanDamselx

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

Buffalo, NY

[TTBH]

01 Sep 2006 at 20:16 - 34

This should be stickied for a little bit since it can be very helpful to some. Mine was only 24 frags to begin with, not as bad as 2k+

CrashDummy

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jun 2005

Me/N

01 Sep 2006 at 20:29 - 35

1300 to 27, cant go lower

EternalTempest

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

United States

Dark Side Ofthe Moon [DSM]

E/

01 Sep 2006 at 20:35 - 36

This should help, its a front end easy to use gui for contig (you still need to get)

Power Deframenter GUI
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Power_Defr...GUI_d4647.html

Lord Aro

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2006

/wiki user:aro

DBU

E/

01 Sep 2006 at 20:37 - 37

465 down to 5.

Yup, removed a fair amount of lag.

cannonfodder

Tech Monkeh Mod

Join Date: May 2005

Good Old North East of England

Mo/Me

01 Sep 2006 at 20:44 - 38

Good idea to sticky it, let's see how this goes.

Good find Inde.

mode06

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Sep 2006

01 Sep 2006 at 21:22 - 39

hi, i was looking over this and mine was at 3000+ when i first started, but now i can't get it any lower than this:

does anyone have any ideas on how to get it any lower, seeing as you guys are getting amazingly low in comparison? it's going down very slowly and i've run it 4 times doing 2 defrags each time, because the first time i ran it, i did the defrag 5 times and it started going up =/

any help would be much appreciated =D

johan the destroyer

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Nov 2005

The Spirits of Vengeance [TSoV]

W/Mo

02 Sep 2006 at 00:19 - 40

Ive played this game for 16 months...have had the same client installed since then...have never defragged my HDD (Yeah, I know, I should but I have 4 HDD at 750 GB each...and that takes a while), and its 1 frag/file....is this possible? No fragmentation in 16 straight months...?