HL2DM Problem. Lag? Choke? Burp? Any help, please?

[Scruloose]

I have a problem running HL2DM, and request any help at all. When playing, every minute or so, the game sort of freezes for a few seconds. Looking at the net_graph, there is an actual gap in readout as this happens. It's very frustrating. A few things:

It seems to happen in any server, with any amount of people. It also seems to happen whether there is "action" going on around me or not.

Also, when it happens, my weapons inventory will briefly appear on the right side of the screen.

My system is a P4 3.0 GHz w/512MB RAM. Video card is an ATI Radeon 8500DV. I had no problems with the HL2 game. My internet connection is a DSL.

Things I've tried:
Reinstalled the game (again!)
Gave low priority to steam.exe
set cl_smooth 0
set cl_cmdrate 40
set cl_updaterate 40
set rate 9999

(the last 3 I've tried various settings, all to no avail!)

Also, I've noticed this error pop up in the console screen on occasion:
Performance warning: Mark bone 'ValveBiped.Anim_Attachment_RH ' in model 'Combine_Soldier.mdl' as being used by bone merge in the .qc!

Any help? Any help at all???

 

[Scruloose]

Anyone...?

 

[BlackMesaDude]

I have the same problem, this totally blows... nothing seems to help.

 

[Cogar]

It may be related to your video card, which will only support Direct X 8 something in hardware. If it is running in software mode (unknown), you might occasionally have slowdowns while information is processed.

 

[Scruloose]

I have the same problem, this totally blows... nothing seems to help.

What video card do you have? On another board, there's a guy with the same problem (sounds like). He's got a Radeon 9600. I have a Radeon 8500.

 

[Cogar]

What video card do you have? On another board, there's a guy with the same problem (sounds like). He's got a Radeon 9600. I have a Radeon 8500.

Well if this also happens with a 9600, chances are it is not related to DirectX. You mentioned that it happens on all servers. Does it happen on all maps as well?

Additionally, does the hard drive become active (light on) when you get these freezes? You may be running out of video memory and the card has to load new textures, causing a pause as it gets them from your hard drive.

 

[Scruloose]

Well if this also happens with a 9600, chances are it is not related to DirectX. You mentioned that it happens on all servers. Does it happen on all maps as well?

Additionally, does the hard drive become active (light on) when you get these freezes? You may be running out of video memory and the card has to load new textures, causing a pause as it gets them from your hard drive.

First - thanks for taking the time to look at this.

I just checked the HD light, and there's no light before, during or after these freeze ups. These have happened on every map, every server, every DM game I've played.

When these freeze ups occur, everything aound me stops - except that I can still look around - can't move or shoot though. (And I usually end up dead, as everyone else is, of course, still playing). Second, the net_graph reports a huge jump in "loss" numbers immediately after the freeze (up to 35 or so). Plus a huge gap in the graph readout. Otherwise, my loss and choke are often 0.

 

[Cogar]

First - thanks for taking the time to look at this.

I just checked the HD light, and there's no light before, during or after these freeze ups. These have happened on every map, every server, every DM game I've played.

When these freeze ups occur, everything aound me stops - except that I can still look around - can't move or shoot though. (And I usually end up dead, as everyone else is, of course, still playing). Second, the net_graph reports a huge jump in "loss" numbers immediately after the freeze (up to 35 or so). Plus a huge gap in the graph readout. Otherwise, my loss and choke are often 0.

You are welcome. Well, this is starting to go over my head, but working through the possibilities, it does not seem to be related to your video card, and especially since single player looks OK, but all online games are not, I am beginning to think it is related to your ISP or your DSL provider. Of course, one unknown (to me, at least) is if it is a game bug. If that is the case, Valve will have to solve the problem.

There is one other thing to consider. If you have an unknown trojan, or similar unauthorized program running on your computer, it may be broadcasting every minute or so and your bandwidth may be interrupted while unknown program(s) do their work in the background. Further, some legitimate programs, even antivirus programs, also check every minute or so for an update. If any do, you will want to check into the configurations of various programs and disable that feature or set the time span to a longer time period--once a day or something.

 

[Scruloose]

You are welcome. Well, this is starting to go over my head, but working through the possibilities, it does not seem to be related to your video card, and especially since single player looks OK, but all online games are not, I am beginning to think it is related to your ISP or your DSL provider. Of course, one unknown (to me, at least) is if it is a game bug. If that is the case, Valve will have to solve the problem.

There is one other thing to consider. If you have an unknown trojan, or similar unauthorized program running on your computer, it may be broadcasting every minute or so and your bandwidth may be interrupted while unknown program(s) do their work in the background. Further, some legitimate programs, even antivirus programs, also check every minute or so for an update. If any do, you will want to check into the configurations of various programs and disable that feature or set the time span to a longer time period--once a day or something.

I wouldn't rule out an ISP problem, but I don't think it would explain why my weapons inventory appears after many of these freezes. Also - others are having this same issue.

Using MSCONFIG, I'm booting up no startup items - only system files. No av software - nothing. I've run scans, and nothing malicious is found. I've disabled my firewall. I'm really at a dead-end here, and Valve and Steam are so inundated with user problems and complaints, I'm not holding my breath to hear from them regarding my issue.

Ah well, back to the search.

 

[Cogar]

I wouldn't rule out an ISP problem, but I don't think it would explain why my weapons inventory appears after many of these freezes. Also - others are having this same issue.

Using MSCONFIG, I'm booting up no startup items - only system files. No av software - nothing. I've run scans, and nothing malicious is found. I've disabled my firewall. I'm really at a dead-end here, and Valve and Steam are so inundated with user problems and complaints, I'm not holding my breath to hear from them regarding my issue.

Ah well, back to the search.

Very interesting. The fact that it affects some people and not others makes me wonder (along with you, no doubt) what triggers this problem. Hardware, OS configuration, software interactions? The ISP may be the issue since not all of them will handle packets equally well. A "strange" packet could request "strange" information from the server. Who knows? (I should add that packet checking is different for streaming media and online gaming compared to regular Internet applications like browsing websites. Dropped and otherwise nonfunctional packets are often ignored, since volume, not accuracy is important for such online applications.) Further, some DSL providers offer different levels of service, so higher bandwidth customers may get preferential treatment.

 

[Scruloose]

Update

It appears I've found the culprit causing my problems: the wireless broadband router for my home network. Here's my thread at Steams board for details:

http://www.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=205565

 

[Cogar]

Interesting--a conflict between your DSL modem and wireless router. As a solution, can you get a gateway that contains both the modem and router? I use one of those, and with them being in one box, so to speak, the hardware conflicts do not exist. (At least, I have not noticed any. )

Congratulations for locating the problem. :thumbs: