*Huge* Problem PLZ HELP

Ok, heres the problem, i used to play GW before playing WoW about a year ago. Ive since quit WoW and want to play GW again. However after loading the game, and logging in sucessfully, the maps wont load. When i stopped playing in March, everything was running perfect, i just wanted to try another game. I have pretty decent specs (1gig of ram, 256 Video card, 2.4 GhZ) but the maps to anywhere take forever to load. Ive been sitting with GW trying to load Ascalon City for about 20 mins now, and its only 10% done. Can someone plzzzzz tell me what might be the problem.

Thanks a million

Just add the -image switch to the end of your Guild Wars shortcut, so it looks like this :-

"D:\Games\Guild Wars\Gw.exe" -image

That's mine, but you get the idea.

Then start the game and let it download everything, go and have smoke and waste half an hour or so (might be longer, depending on your system/internet connection and how much you've missed). Once it's downloaded and decompressed all the files remove the -image switch from the shortcut, otherwise it won't run if you leave it in place, and start the game as normal. That should eliminate all the loading times.

Will do, thanks

it is a HUGE file to download...probably over a Gig. on dialup, its practically suicide

NEVER use the -image switch unless your data file is corrupt, which it obviously is not. You just need to update it. The reason why it's taking so long is because it's downloading all the junk from campaigns you don't have (Factions and Nightfall).

Why would you say that? I run an image after every game update with no ill side effects; in fact, my loading times are much improved since I started doing it.

Is there something you know about the -image switch that would indicate it shouldn't be used frequently?

What a daft thing to say! I use the -image switch after each and every update, no matter if it's small or large. Perhaps you'd be so kind as to furnish us with the same knowledge that you have in regard to using the -image switch.

I also make good use of the -image switch. I've never had a problem with it. It simply downloads everything it doesn't have and then decompresses it. Saves lots of time.

But, if for some reason you don't want to, you can download all the content (decompressing on demand) simply by starting up Guild Wars and NOT logging in. Yep, just let it sit on the Log In screen. You'll see a little lightning-bolt in the upper right with a current download amount. Just let it run several hours until that bolt goes away.

Jeremy

ya i don't know whats so wrong about the -image command i use it everytime there is a update like that other guy saves alot of ingame time and also helps with inpaschient ppl in groups that can't wait for you to load and just run ahead and when your done your all alone so just use the -image command and you should be fine

I also use the image switch after there is any update.

The reason is GW decompression of files (if it needed it) on map warp conflicts with my firewall running causing insane load times.

I did isolated the issue to decompression while the firewall's windows service is loaded. It's the old sysgate personfirewall (no longer support since Norton bought the company).

That and after the insane download Im usually always the 1st to load on a map warps.

Wow ty ty ty.. hjad the same problem I had Gw running Super!!! then after like 6m onths Nightfall update damn so uber slow 10-30 minuts loading time every town, outpost whatever ... But thx ill fix it noW ^^