Tech Problem; freezing / locking upFollow

Hello all,
First of all I really hope someone comes by here and can answerthis post as alot of the DAOC forums I have found seem to be rarely visited these days.

I have reinstalled DAOC and added Minotaur and Darkness and am getting back into DAOC. I last played a few years ago after catacombs was released and after a spell at WOW and others I am back in DAOC as I found it the most friendly over all.

However this time round I have a new PC and I cant make DAOC work.

I have the latest drivers and DirectX but after 1- 5 mins max after entering the game, it all freezes and I have to physically switch off the PC and reboot to get the PC back.
There is no noticable sound problem such as a sound effect sticking and playing in a loop, no error messages. IT simply freezes and will not respond. Ctrl - Alt - Del does not reboot or allow anything / response from the system.

I have tried it with all sound off. No change.

Below is some DXDIAG stuff that might help help me. If I forgot anything you need just ask.

=================================
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 4/19/2008, 19:43:09
Machine name: WAXYMUD-HOTVHN7
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Language: French (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4600+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 326MB used, 3613MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: The file ALCXWDM.SYS is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 7600 GS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0392&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: SyncMaster 177N/710N,SyncMaster Magic CX711N
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6921 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 12/5/2007 01:41:00, 5773568 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 12/5/2007 01:41:00, 7435392 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-40D2-11CF-B978-0B2000C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0392
SubSys ID: 0x00000000
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_822C1043&REV_A2
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.6120 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: No
Date and Size: 6/27/2006 11:42:14, 3972672 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 8000, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 26, 25
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 26, 25
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.6120 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 6/27/2006 11:42:14, 3972672 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xFFF

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
Realtek AC97 Audio, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Mappeur MIDI Microsoft [Émulé], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SynthÚ. SW table de sons GS Mic [Émulé], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run
===============================================

Thanks for any help.

On the driver side of things, does anyone know which driver set works best?

I am currently using the latest ones from nvidia. The set that came with the card did not work well either, same problem.

On another train of thought, does anyone know if Norton anti-virus software and XP firewall / security features effect the game in this way?

<<edit>>
I have tried disabling the XP firewall and disactivating as much of norton as possible. No change still locking up the PC.
Tried all sound off; still locking up.
Tried lower draw distances, windowed mode and lower resolution screen sizing; still locking up.
I can however last a few more minutes if I hang around the small village centres. As soon as I go out into the wilds, even by a short distance, then I start to get more lock ups. Having said that, an amour merchant locked me up as soon as I opened his menu when talking to him in the village centre.
<<end edit>>

Thanks.

Edited, Apr 20th 2008 9:24pm by kartiya

For the above poster;

I have system works installed. The latest version has the anti-virus included in the downloadable software bundle.

I have tried disabling everything possible in Norton anti-virus and system works; no change.

I have been up grading every driver i can think of including AMD dual core drivers and optimisers, no luck so far :(

I have checked devise manager and the graphics card tab shows my nvidia 7600 GS and that one only.


Edited, Apr 23rd 2008 4:15pm by kartiya

Ok, finally after a few days with no net connection at home, I ran the speed test.

ISP; Tiscali France.
Ping 249
distance ~100mi
Download 1697 Kb/s,
Upload 164 Kb/s.


So is that the problem? I dont recall having any problems last time I played Daoc a couple of years back. and the ISP would have been slower then as well.

Any ideas?

Internet is via "Alice" ADSL. Formally Tiscali before they were bought out. I have no problems with connection or problem level lag in either WOW or BF2/BF2142 with this connection.
As I mentioned, I was playing DAOC 2 years back with a slower connection and did not freeze.
Last week I was able to run DAOC for 2 sessions, both just over an hour each, voluntarily quitting the game.
Today I am freezing again every 1 to 5 mins after entering the game.

[IMG]http://www.speedtest.net/result/265318376.png[/IMG]

All help and suggestions greatly appreciated.

Edited, Apr 29th 2008 4:07pm by kartiya

Further when I tried to make sure my Video card drivers were updated I experianced greater problems;
I used the device manager to remove mt graphics driver, rebooted, then reinstalled the updated drivers. This worked okay i thought. I played DAOC twice. both times freezing as normal, but the second time, upon rebooting I was unable to load my desk top. It started playing the windows "welcome" tune as you dt loads then got stuck and looped this music till the screen went an multitude of different colour dots and the music completed. No amount of ctrl0alt-del would reboot, only physically turning off the machine would end this.
I restaured to before the driver update and can now boot again to windows normally.
I think that might be an indication of some sort of driver, hardware problem but have no idea how to check and clean out the errors....


Edited, Apr 29th 2008 4:35pm by kartiya

I actually had a very similar problem to yours, with a similar computer build. I had a 7600 GT rather than a 7600 GS, but the same sound and motherboard. I would play for 20 minutes or so, then my game would freeze or lock up for about 20-30 seconds, and finally make a crunching sound at the end, and then would be fine for another short period.

I found out the problem was, after weeks of extensive troubleshooting.. my 7600 GT being 'faulty'. It did this similar freeze in all other MMO's I played, but DAoC was the worst. It did not however, have any problem with First person shooters, or any other type of game, strangely enough.

I just ordered a 8600 GTS and hopefully that fixes my problem.. I know its not the same, but maybe it will help a bit.