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

Gorebrex

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2006

13 Nov 2006 at 15:33 - 121

Quote:

Originally Posted by YornStar

I'm running it again, the 4th or 5th time, I don't know.
And everytime I do it, I get a random number, but always around 17000-19500
Like now:

C:\Documents and Settings\Admin>contig "c:\programas\guild wars\gw.dat"

Contig v1.53 - Makes files contiguous
Copyright (C) 1998-2006 Mark Russinovich
Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com

Summary:
Number of files processed : 1
Number of files defragmented: 1
Average fragmentation before: 19491 frags/file
Average fragmentation after : 19491 frags/file

C:\Documents and Settings\Admin>contig -a "c:\programas\guild wars\gw.dat"

Contig v1.53 - Makes files contiguous
Copyright (C) 1998-2006 Mark Russinovich
Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com

c:\programas\guild wars\Gw.dat is in 19121 fragments

Summary:
Number of files processed : 1
Average fragmentation : 19121 frags/file

Thats the problem. Youre telling Contig to show fragmentation only. In order to defrag, you have to retype it as is, but without the -a. I had only 627, Contig didnt touch it, but thats alright.

pukiman

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jan 2006

R/Mo

13 Nov 2006 at 20:08 - 122

Meh, I don't think the defragment gonna help any one.
I use Perfect Disk 8 weekly and don't have any defragment problems with the dat file.

Only thing that helped me, was re-installing the game and let it only decompress the needed stuff (Meaning: Don't run the game with -image. Just let it decompress when you get to new zone, or such).

Meridan Navalok

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Oct 2006

i like jumpers

E/Mo

14 Nov 2006 at 10:11 - 123

Thank you guys so much for at least trying to solve the lag issue... i used the links you provided and had 0% fragment and 67gb free LOL!! so i guess that is not the issue for me, if any other solutions come up keep posting them here, because obviously this lag people are experiencing is not isolated to particular isp's or i guess there wouldn't be so many reports...

awesome sauce

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

16 Nov 2006 at 04:12 - 124

This didnt help me at all...

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>contig -a

Contig v1.53 - Makes files contiguous
Copyright (C) 1998-2006 Mark Russinovich
Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com

c:\program files\guild wars\Gw.exe is defragmented

Summary:
Number of files processed : 1
Average fragmentation : 1 frags/file

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>contig "c:\program files\guild wars\gw.exe"

Contig v1.53 - Makes files contiguous
Copyright (C) 1998-2006 Mark Russinovich
Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com

Summary:
Number of files processed : 1
Number of files defragmented: 0
All files were either already defragmented or unable to be defragmented.

zamial

Site Contributor

Join Date: Apr 2006

Usa

TKC

N/

22 Nov 2006 at 04:54 - 125

I wanted to say I have read ALL the posts to here,downloaded the GUI power defrag and contig.It apears that the gw.dat file is not able to be made into a contiguious file as neither windows defrag/contig can get it to be contigious.The contig seems to get it down more than the windows defrag,I am at 5 fragmented files now(and yes I have 15 gigs of free space and currently) gw.dat is about 6.14 gigs).So ,my question is:IS the gw.dat file always fragmented? or is it possible to get it to be contigious?

Now for some other lag fixes that seems to have been over looked:

ad-ware and spyware,these will massively slow the game and create lag spikes on YOUR comp.A standard anti-virus program(ie.norton,symantec,ect.)claims to scan and remove ad-ware and spy-ware but this is very misleading,as anti-virus programs will almost NEVER find these things.Good news is (for those that don't have anti-spyware and ad-ware programs)there are free programs that are available for download that work perfectly.They are called 1:spybot seek and destroy(or spybot s&d) and 2: ad-aware se.due to the fact that I don't wish to give links to these for security and peace of mind for all. I am suggesting you google(or whatever search engine you use) the names listed to find the download for yourself.They are free.I suggest that use use BOTH programs about 1 time a week to help keep your comp clean.They are easy to use and completly free of any charges.I run 1 at a time,probably unwise to run both simultaniously,and what 1 misses the other gets.

Also, the -heapsize icon mod is a nice way to asign ram to run guildwars,i'm sure that you can find info on this in the forums.

The last thing is comp ram(not your vid card ram)but the actual ram in your comp. The game seems to have lost a dramatic amount of lag when i upgraded from 512 to 1 gig.I also use the -image mod for getting all those pesky files at once.I load into areas faster than people with cable (i have a bare bones dsl).

Well thats my findings..........

Detheroc

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Sep 2006

23 Nov 2006 at 00:04 - 126

In the long run, it doesn't matter what you do because you really can't fix Anet's lag issue. Anet has a horrible lag issue that is an internal problem and your connection and cpu probably has nothing to do with it. This game has a serious habit of disconnecting you at random times which is probably due to the fact that is after all, a "free" ORPG.

350Z

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2006

Bender's Corner

W/Mo

23 Nov 2006 at 15:13 - 127

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detheroc

In the long run, it doesn't matter what you do because you really can't fix Anet's lag issue. Anet has a horrible lag issue that is an internal problem and your connection and cpu probably has nothing to do with it. This game has a serious habit of disconnecting you at random times which is probably due to the fact that is after all, a "free" ORPG.

My PC Specs:
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 3582MB RAM ( 4Gb RAm here )
Hard Disk: 320Gb space
Page File: 338MB used, 5125MB available
Card name: RADEON X600 256MB HyperMemory
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: RADEON X600 (0x5B62)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)

I'VE DONE:

1)Install/reinstall GW
2)DYNAMIC IP RESET FROM MY ISP NUMEROUS TIME
3)HOPING TO USE "STATIC WAN IP FROM THE ROUTER" BUT FAILED TOO...
4)FORWARDED PORT USING 6116,6112, 6112-6118 AT THE ROUTER
5)ADWARE/SPYWARE/VIRUS-REMOVED CLEANED, DONE IN SAFE MODE
6)DID CONTIG...PERFECT TO 1
7)UPGRADED MY ATI RADEON WITH THE LATEST ONE(AS OF TODAY)
8)CCLEANER & REGISTER CLEANER - IN SAFE MODE
9) -heapsize ? TRIED -heapsize 2Gb WORTH OF RAM

10)GUI POWER DEFRAG? DONE IN SAFEMODE

WAITING FOR GUILDWAR SUPPORT REPLY EVEN NOW..SIGH..TOLD ME TO READ ALL THE REPEATATIVE STEPS THAT I'VE DONE BEFORE I READ THEM

I'M AN IT GEEK,THE ONLY IT THINGY THAT I'M WEAK AT IS PROGRAMMING..THE REST ARE EASY

AGREED WITH DETHEROC, ITS THE ANET NETWORKING ISSUE/ROUTING CONFIGURATION

BTW IF I CANT GET IT FIXED BY THE WEEKEND..THERE WILL BE MAJOR HIGH END SELLING NEXT WEEK..CONSIDERING QUITING ( HAPPENED TO ME WITH MY PAST MMORPG )

Feel Free to Flame my 2cents...( some people are lucky to be lagg free

)

awesome sauce

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

24 Nov 2006 at 17:07 - 128

Try getting a dedicated video card. Hypermemory just wont cut it in nightfall, which can be very graphically intensive at times.

fatherlewis

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jun 2006

Guild Nirvana

Mo/

24 Nov 2006 at 19:37 - 129

Ok I'm having a lot of trouble with this.

I have followed all the instructions; copying it to the right place: C:\WINDOWS\system32 directory, got the programs and tried it but I keep getting the same error over and over which is:
"contig" is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

I have typed it correctly and my Guild Wars is exactly at the location that is default which is C:\Program Files\Guild Wars\Gw.dat.

I understand this problem was addressed before on the first page but I am not a pro at the computer and I hardly understand what changing it to a "Path=" is and I don't understand the third option where you set up the contig in the gw.dat folder, which i did and then type something specific...but where do I type that? It just ends there...so I'm lost.

I know you were trying to help but to me it was just incomprehensible.

Charrbane

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2005

Canada

W/E

27 Nov 2006 at 18:58 - 130

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwiggit

There is an easy way to defrag such a large file such as gw.dat.
Just copy it to a different directory, delete the old file, and move the new one back to the guid wars folder.

The act of copying moves the file into a contiguous segment, as long as your hard drive has a large enough contiguous space available.

Dwig

Thanks Dwiggit. I couldn't get these programs listed in this thread to defrag my gw.dat file (might be that I'm using win2k) and it had some 1200 fragments.... so I used your method and got it down to 12.

skie88

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Feb 2006

Ex-CIS

Me/N

01 Dec 2006 at 14:59 - 131

hmmm how large gw.dat must be now that nfall is out. Thanks.

dribbler

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

Eire

Legion Of Heavens Order[Good]

Mo/

02 Dec 2006 at 00:33 - 132

stupid question but where do i find contig nd when found how do i use it step by step pls thanks in advance

dribbler

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

Eire

Legion Of Heavens Order[Good]

Mo/

02 Dec 2006 at 01:27 - 133

i got power defragmenter nd config put them in the 1 folder but the cmd thingy wont work would i need to do that now that i have power defrag oh nd ive lost it cant find it on my comp could some 1 give me directions lol im not totally computer literate yet

dribbler

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

Eire

Legion Of Heavens Order[Good]

Mo/

02 Dec 2006 at 05:42 - 134

found it but the path you guys have given for the cmd doest work for me ne suggestions?

dribbler

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

Eire

Legion Of Heavens Order[Good]

Mo/

04 Dec 2006 at 03:57 - 135

sorted out guys tnx for the info

rjforman

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

W/Me

12 Dec 2006 at 03:05 - 136

ive tried everything posted here defrag is down to 1 file/defrag virus sweep spy sweep for the last week this game has become unplayable because of lag been playing for over a year

Venus was her name

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Feb 2006

Cornwall, UK

W/N

13 Dec 2006 at 22:09 - 137

i get lag sometimes at peak times, i ran contig i was 1:1 i tend to de-frag about once a month.

tbh i put it down to my computer being a bit old and that i only have 512 ram, ive been told i load areas slowly by people with good computers but i quite often sit and wait for others to load up so....

i notice that GW does lag up lots at certain times of the year.

edit: looking back at others posts it seems to be widely accepted this is an Anet issue, and it makes sense to me. if i ever have lag i ask my guild/alliance and usuually a few others are also lagging. 350Z's computer blows mine to pieces and if hes getting lag...then theres no hope for me, then again i seem to get it only at busy times and i like playing later than that anyway.

anet sort it out

do games like WoW have this problem? i know eve doesn't becuase ive played it and anarchy seemed ok also...

GreatLich

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2005

14 Dec 2006 at 20:30 - 138

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venus was her name

i notice that GW does lag up lots at certain times of the year.

September?

Hellz™

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jun 2006

California

rddt

Mo/

15 Dec 2006 at 09:52 - 139

No offense but we have a lot of crybabies here,

no one has said anything along the lines of "yes the defragmentation of the gw.dat file has improved the lag issue or computer speed in nightfall and/or graphically intensed factions areas."

I mean yes defragmenting does help your computer run better but what would that do versus a lag issue which is a network layer issue not a hardware issue dealing with your harddrive.

Just curious... btw. I love this game

adlondo

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jun 2006

London!

W/

15 Dec 2006 at 19:35 - 140

mine is at 16149 frags, i run it proper without the -a flag, but it doesnt change after running o_0 it doesnt say anything about it not being able to go down any ideas?

thomass

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2006

Guardians of the Cosmos

W/Mo

22 Dec 2006 at 06:24 - 141

I've run contig.exe about a dozen times. Alternately, it take 10-20 secs to run, then 10-20 minutes the next time. But the number of fragments increases by 1 almost every time I run it. 118>119>119>120>121>121>122. It makes me think my gw.dat file might be stuffed.

My lag is inconsistent.. I'll be fine for a while (30+fps), then drop to <1 fps. Whenever this happens it appears that my HD is really busy doing something but I don't know what.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Also, beware : soundblaster/ creative labs may secretly install a program called newsupd.exe. This program loads at login, and stays in background, silently running and sending info whenever to creative labs. These kinds of programs may also be a source of unexplained lag.

KindredPhantom

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

Wolf Pack Samurai {WPS}

W/Mo

23 Dec 2006 at 22:40 - 142

Now let's see if this makes much of a difference.

Shendaar

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2006

P4n드4k트 F0rm4710n

W/

23 Dec 2006 at 22:48 - 143

Ran it once and got down to 1 fragment immediately.

thomass

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2006

Guardians of the Cosmos

W/Mo

23 Dec 2006 at 23:05 - 144

sooooo frustrating, and time wasting. Defrag (either windows or contig) just doesn't want to do the complete job. They DO defrag, but don't move unfragmented files. So I never generate a big enough contiguous space for the complete gw.dat file, even though my disk is only 60% full.

Is there a way to force defrag to move compact the disk so that unused space becomes contiguous?

theubernewb

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2006

25 Dec 2006 at 06:51 - 145

I ran contig and the like and cant get it down past 80 some.

-.-

Banned

Join Date: Oct 2006

25 Dec 2006 at 08:18 - 146

Hmm, most of my files and even Gw.dat were already fragmented to 1. But the Power Defragmenter did speed up my computer a bit.

theubernewb

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2006

26 Dec 2006 at 00:35 - 147

I think i might give up and not bother playing guild wars any more. I've tried everyting from uninstalling the game and then reinstalling it (three times, once directly off of the cd.) I've tried defragging it several times with several different apps. Im kinda mad at Anet for making this happen. Its a shame because GuildWars was a fun game and i have many friends on it but i dont see any point in playing if I cant even get the lag down low enough to even move properly...

necrosfeelyaks

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2006

Error Seven Opperators [Call]

Mo/

26 Dec 2006 at 20:08 - 148

I got mine down to 746 (from like 2,600).... and i cant defrag it anymore than that... anyone know why? do u need a certain amount of HD space?

Unknownhacka

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2006

W/Mo

28 Dec 2006 at 00:50 - 149

Rofl. My Gw.dat = 12,308 Frags....

carbajac

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2006

The Medicine Cabinet [PILL]

E/

29 Dec 2006 at 09:26 - 150

Here's a tip when you defragment: set your virtual memory to zero before you defragment, this will let your computer defragment the drive without having to shuffle memory into and out of the virtual memory. After you've defragged, set your virtual memory back to what you normally use.

Another idea is to do a complete redownload instead of just reinstalling the client. Click "Run" in the Start menu and run the game like this:

"C:\Program Files\Guild Wars\Gw.exe" -image (include the quotes)

which is what it normally is set as. After you've done this, then defragment your drive.

Other causes of your lag could be hardware related. Clean the inside of the computer using those compressed air cans. Clean the fans, the cards, all that stuff. You could consider installing a network card in your computer. It would take load off of your processor and a good network card can net you upwards of 10 fps. Unlike things like your sound card, you're gonna want to disable the on-board network card when you install another one.

Just some ideas to improve your computer without having to spend too much money.

Rockby Quickfoot

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Nov 2006

Raptor Five [Five]

Me/Mo

29 Dec 2006 at 19:44 - 151

Mmmkay, well I have a question about the Contig thing in the first post. Keep in mind I'm not very computer smart and try to dumb down anything confusing so that I can understand, if you will please.

Ok, I ran the contig thing and it came up with 1630 fragmentations/file. So then I tried running the second thing and it came up with the following:

There is not enough room on the disk for a defrag of this file

Number of files processed: 1
Number of files defragmented: 0
All files were either already defragmented or unable to be defragmented.

And, just for reference, that disk think it was talking about, I didn't use a disk at all for this whole procedure. So, anyone got any advice?

BFG

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Feb 2006

Lost

DCSB

29 Dec 2006 at 20:16 - 152

Disc: CD or DVD

Disk: Hard drive

The error you're receiving is indicating that there is not enough room on your hard drive to allow for you to defragment. Simply put, the defragment tool (contig in this case) needs a place to store files as it's rearranging things, so creating some free space should eliminate the problem.

sevendash

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2006

Flaming Turtles [FT]

E/R

29 Dec 2006 at 23:39 - 153

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omega X

-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.

You sure it has nothing to do with it? I use -image whenever we get a bunch of new stuff in a short amount of time, and looks like my data file isn't fragmented at all. I'm guessing it's because of -image, but if you have anything to disprove it...

Plushie Penguin

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2006

That plushie penguin on a shelf in your bed room

Rt/E

30 Dec 2006 at 01:00 - 154

I only had one fragmented file...... any other known fixes?
[ever since factions has came out, I get droped to 1 fps in the first fight of a zone/mission and with nightfall, with all these NPCs in some missions, my lag spikes when I turn!]

Aqualung

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2007

07 Jan 2007 at 23:25 - 155

You guys think that 12k is much?

Look how it download the first time:

From 66k frags to 1 piece. But the file was like 8gb, so I deleted and re-downloaded it, the new file was 9gb long.

shinrinningu

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Nov 2005

Behind you

I was exiled

R/Me

14 Jan 2007 at 04:38 - 156

I've been trying to say this for a while now(I keep forgetting) but if you're getting consistent lag and whatever tips mentioned here aren't helping, it also might have to do with your RWIN(TCP receive window). It could be that it's either too large or too small. Also, I think a lot players often confuse choppiness with lag.

If you were to go to a place like broadbandreports.com and do a tweak test to test your connection, they'll give you alerts on a few things to help with your connection. Of course, you have to sign up for an account.

If this doesn't help, continue to find answers and good luck.

OnlyRowan

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Nov 2005

Oklahoma

Heroes Incorporated

R/N

18 Jan 2007 at 17:15 - 157

This has really helped a lot! Thanks!

zsoltcc

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2005

Mo/W

20 Jan 2007 at 21:29 - 158

Well i did all the above stuff and it helped a little. Then i downloaded the new firewall and thanks to that i noticed how many times my Mcafee antivirus is accesing the internet. After i disabled Mcafee my Guildwars lag dissapeared.

Xen Zi

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Feb 2006

Order of the Immortal [Vamp]

Mo/

29 Jan 2007 at 01:10 - 159

I just did the contig thing to my laptop and went from 1072 frags/file down to 1 frag/file. don't know if it helped the lag but we'll see.

Backspace496

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2007

29 Jan 2007 at 01:43 - 160

wow this is nice thx a lot!!! got mine from 586 to 1!!!!!! tyvm inde!