7 replies to this topic

[Roflcore]

Hey,

I had this problem once before and as a result of it had to stop playing. And now it starts again which really bugs me: The game is slowing down/stuttering. Every 3-5 seconds there is a stutter. I have a feeling the farer I progress into the game the worse it gets. I know there was a bug like this in the orginal game, but that it was fixed? I googled all the things you were supposed to do, like turn off eax, ambient sound or not have too many containers (I have one container with like 5 potions in it, but the stutter continues even if I sell it without the potions in it), but nothing helps. I am playing BG1 currently and I am around level 5, maybe 50% of BG1 done and I feel if I continue playing it will become unplayable. It already is very annoying. If I start a new game the lag/stutter is completely gone. I really don't know what to do. Here are some more infos:

I have done a standard installation of big world project, doing everything exactly as described. I had zero errors and no problems until the stutter starts (noticed it slightly at the end of maybe chapter 3 but I think it is chapter unrelated).

My specs are:
Dell Vostro 1500, C2D@2.40GHZ/3GB Ram, Nvidia 8600GTM
I don't have any nvidia associated problems (everything looks fine). I looked through the nvidia error thread, but nothing applies to my situation and trying those things hasn't helped (but I haven't tried it very much as I think it has nothing to do with my error).
The CPU handles the game just fine (mostly uses around 30-45%), the memory seems also be fine (plenty of space left). I tried increasing the memory in the game config tool but it didn't had any effect. CPU-Temperatur is also within normal limits (35-40, at modern shooters like Bad Company 2 it runs as high as 60 without having problems).
I am using a mounted iso instead of a dvd, but I doubt this has anything to do with it.

I really don't know what to do next. I think it has something to do with the old slowdown bug, however I don't think I've ever experienced it while playing BG1/2 (without bwp).

Any advise/tipps what to try?

Thanks in advance

Edited by Roflcore, 12 January 2011 - 09:17 AM.

[Jarno Mikkola]

Any advise/tipps what to try?

Try every one of these... well, maybe not the LStest, but the 20 others should get you somewhere.

Edited by Jarno Mikkola, 12 January 2011 - 07:39 AM.

[Roflcore]

None helped, I am installing the LStest right now. Should I post the logs here or someplace else (in case I don't find anything obvious myself)?

I have finished the installation but I am not sure how I can use the new information, or even if the information is useful at all. Depending on what sector I am in there are one or multiple scripts running all the time. However, I am not able to make anything out of the information, as the linked thread gives little help to anybody who never has worked with LStest before.

I am also confused by the fact that different scripts are run in different parts of the map. There are even maps where no script runs all the time (this seems to be the exception). Yet the lag seems unchanged. Does this mean that while I am at place x nothing scripted runs, but on map y the script I can see while on that map is also running while I am at place x? That would certainly explain why it lags (as there are less maps running no script). I am very confused by all this, especially on how to proceed.

Edited by Roflcore, 12 January 2011 - 10:39 AM.

[Jarno Mikkola]

I have finished the installation but I am not sure how I can use the new information, or even if the information is useful at all. Depending on what sector I am in there are one or multiple scripts running all the time. However, I am not able to make anything out of the information, as the linked thread gives little help to anybody who never has worked with LStest before.

Erhm, well no good info to someone that has never understood the scripting of the game... as it list everything that's happening on and outside of the view field based on the scripts(the games AI).

I am also confused by the fact that different scripts are run in different parts of the map. There are even maps where no script runs all the time (this seems to be the exception)... Does this mean that while I am at place x nothing scripted runs, but on map y the script I can see while on that map is also running while I am at place x?

Well yeah, there might be different objects(creatures etc.) near by and so their scripts are different...

Yet the lag seems unchanged. ...
That would certainly explain why it lags (as there are less maps running no script). I am very confused by all this, especially on how to proceed.

So basically the lag is not caused by any specific script or a group of them ? But you can see at least a minor lag even when there is no scrips detected by the LStest at all. Right? Then it's not a script based problem.
Then answer these...
What Operation System the Dell Vostro 1500 you have runs ? (Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, what Service pack does it have, and is it a 32-bit or 64-bit ? Or is it something else ?
And open the file called baldur.ini that's in the game folder and copy paste it's content to a post.

[Roflcore]

I am also confused by the fact that different scripts are run in different parts of the map. There are even maps where no script runs all the time (this seems to be the exception)... Does this mean that while I am at place x nothing scripted runs, but on map y the script I can see while on that map is also running while I am at place x?

Well yeah, there might be different objects(creatures etc.) near by and so their scripts are different...

What I meant to ask was: Are the scripts I see on map X running (all the time) still running while I am on a different map? They aren't shown in the console/my character isn't saying them as he did on the map X, but I have read that for instance the AI is still running on friendly creatures, even if you leave the map. So I was wondering if this is also true for general scripts.

Yet the lag seems unchanged. ...
That would certainly explain why it lags (as there are less maps running no script). I am very confused by all this, especially on how to proceed.

So basically the lag is not caused by any specific script or a group of them ? But you can see at least a minor lag even when there is no scrips detected by the LStest at all. Right? Then it's not a script based problem.

As far as I understand it, it doesn't seem to be caused by any specific or group of scripts. I have rather major lag everyhwere. However, I went to xvar village map where 2 or 3 different scripts ran all the time and it was far worse than before. So I'd say the majority of lag is caused by something else, but the scripts on different maps contribute to it. However, if the scripts run silentely in the background, like I theorized above (by assuming what counts for AI counts as well of scripts, without knowing if this is true), than this could be the main cause, as there are one or two scripts that run all the time on most maps (and I have at least entered 50%+ of the areas in BG1).

Then answer these...
What Operation System the Dell Vostro 1500 you have runs ? (Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, what Service pack does it have, and is it a 32-bit or 64-bit ? Or is it something else ?
And open the file called baldur.ini that's in the game folder and copy paste it's content to a post.

I run Windows 7 Professional with latest updates (so I have Servicepack 1 I believe?). It is a 32bit version.

Here is the content of baldur.ini:

[Program Options]
Installing=0
Install Type=3
GLSetup Driver=0
16Bit Textures=0
Resolution=1024
BitsPerPixel=32
3D Acceleration=1
Maximum Frame Rate=30
Path Search Nodes=400000
Translucent Shadows=1
Force 50 Percent Transparent=0
Disable Brighten=1
Display Subtitles=0
Full Screen=1
SoftMirrorBlt=0
SoftBlt=0
SoftSrcKeyBlt=0
Disable Vertex Padding=0
Volume Movie=100
Volume Music=100
Volume Voices=100
Volume Ambients=100
Volume SFX=100
Font Name=
Double Byte Character Support=0
Drop Capitals=1
Display Frequency=60
Tooltips=60
Sprite Mirror=0
Gamma Correction=0
Brightness Correction=0
Backwards Compatible 3d=0
SoftSrcKeyBltFast=0
SoftBltFast=0
Strref On=0
First Run=0
Logging On=0
Cheats=0
Debug Mode=0
Screen Position X=133
Screen Position Y=0
[Alias]
HD0:=D:\Spiele\BGII - SoA\
CD1:=D:\Spiele\BGII - SoA\CD1\
CD2:=D:\Spiele\BGII - SoA\CD2\;D:\Spiele\BGII - SoA\CD2\
CD3:=D:\Spiele\BGII - SoA\CD3\
CD4:=D:\Spiele\BGII - SoA\CD4\
CD5:=D:\Spiele\BGII - SoA\CD5\
[Local]
Language=German
Language25=English
Zip=
Country Code=
[Uninstall]
Uninst_dir=C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{8DAE4336-2B71-11D4-9A6C-006067325E47}
Uninst_dir_25=C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{B8C3B479-1716-11D5-968A-0050BA84F5F7}
[GameSpy]
Enabled=0
Location=
[Game Options]
Difficulty Level=2
Automated Speed Adjustment=1
Enhanced Path Finding=1
Critical Hit Screen Shake=1
Low End Machine=0
Low End Machine 2=0
Footsteps=1
Attack Sounds=1
Low Mem Sounds 1=1
Low Mem Sounds 2=0
Pausing Map=0
Extra Feedback=1
Duplicate Floating Text=1
Disable Casting Glows=0
Disable VEFVidCells=0
Mid Level Brighten=1
High Level Brighten=1
Tiles Precache Percent=100
All Learn Spell Info=1
Automated Translucent Shadows=50
Automated Very Low Performance=30
Automated Low Performance=60
Automated Disable Brightest=40
Automated Limit Transparency=40
Automated Disable Casting Glows=40
Automated Disable VEFVidCells=30
Automated Mid Level Brighten=60
Automated High Level Brighten=80
Automated Foot Steps=70
Automated Attack Sounds=50
Automated 3D Animations=80
Automated Disable VVC Sounds=60
Automated Faster Blur=60
Disable Statics During Combat=0
Disable Footsteps During Combat=0
Disable Placed Sounds During Combat=0
Disable VVC Sounds=0
Faster Blur=0
Use 3d Animations=1
One Time Popup=1
Current Loading Hint=7
Mouse Scroll Speed=36
GUI Feedback Level=5
Locator Feedback Level=3
Bored Timeout=3000
Always Dither=1
Subtitles=0
Keyboard Scroll Speed=36
Command Sounds Frequency=2
Selection Sounds Frequency=3
Effect Text Level=63
Infravision=0
Weather=1
Tutorial State=1
Auto Pause State=0
Auto Pause Center=1
Quick Item Mapping=1
Environmental Audio=1
Heal Party on Rest=0
Terrain Hugging=0
HP Over Head=0
Hotkeys On Tooltips=1
Area Effects Density=100
Filter Games=1
Never Show Nuisance=1
Memory Access=100
Never Show Nuisance SOA=1
Memory Level=1
[Config]
General=1
Graphics=1
Sound=1
CacheSize=3000
ConfigWidth=800
ConfigHeight=600
[MOVIES]
BISLOGO=1
BWDRAGON=1
WOTC=1
INTRO15F=1
INTRO=1
BGINTRO=1
RESTCAMP=1
DEATHAND=1
FRARMINN=1
RESTINN=1
BEREGOST=1
NASHKELL=1
GNOLL=1
RESTDUNG=1
CAMP=1
WYVERN=1
SOAINTRO=1

I have disabled
Logging On=0
Cheats=0
Debug Mode=0
Disable Vertex Padding=0

in the hope that it would help. However, it didn't and didn't seem to have any effect (I think I will turn it on again).

Thanks for your help!

/e On the subject of scripts again: here is a screenshot of me on the map dragons run/ar5500(pretty empty map). from unpause to pause it was 10 seconds where I didn't do anything. the lag (which is also hindering my mouse movement) is gone as soon as I pause, so I would think that scripts are causing it..

Edited by Roflcore, 12 January 2011 - 12:21 PM.

[Jarno Mikkola]

/e On the subject of scripts again: here is a screenshot of me on the map dragons run/ar5500(pretty empty map). from unpause to pause it was 10 seconds where I didn't do anything. the lag (which is also hindering my mouse movement) is gone as soon as I pause, so I would think that scripts are causing it..

Well, you do have the Near Infinity ?
If you don't, read this(the 11 & 11.1, you don't have to do the 11.2) and download and the set it up, or if you have the DLTCEP, you can use that too.
Now then, the 'running block 3 of AR4600' is stypidly alarming, so open the ar4600.bcs(it's in the in the BCS folder or in the OVERRIDE folder when you open it Near Infinity) and preferebly export the Source code of the file(Export -> Source at the lower part of the NI's interface, it's printed as ar4600.baf file) of the file to somewhere and then package it to a .zip file and upload it. Or you could just take a screen shot of the source that the Near Infinity prints when you open the file.
Why it's 'stypidly alarming', is because the file is the area 4600's script and it should be running in areas that have nothing top do with it, unless you used the CLUAConsole:MoveToArea which doesn't brake the bondages like the use of the actual Worldmap...

The block #9 of the other file is less alarming as it could be an encounter check the SCS does or the BGT Spawns mod, but you probably should do the above to it too.

Edited by Jarno Mikkola, 13 January 2011 - 10:04 AM.

[Roflcore]

Hey,

I don't have it yet but I will install it and see whats up.
I really don't see how I messed this up. I haven't even been to the sector that this script is referrring too. But I do have Dynaheir in my party and I think her modded personal quest has something to do with that sector. BUT this script was only showing in that sector (ar5500). In the sector it refers to (ar4600) it doesn't run that script, but something else (refering to ar100 - I am not even sure if this exists). The most important point: In almost every sector some scripts run constanstly, but so far I never have seen two sectors running the same script all the time. This confuses me alot, since I did a standard installation and had no errors, so why would there be a lot of scripting errors? I doubt that the mods are that badly coded, so the error must be somewhere on my part.

Anyways, I guess I make a list of scripts that run all the time for every sector, than use NE as descriped and post (here or someplace else?) zips and jpgs. That may take a while..
First I think I will finish chapter 4, as there are a lot of "quests" regarding bandits (every single bit of information about bandits has been added as "quest"). So my guess would be that a lot of those perma running scripts have something to do with the bandit quest (as I finished almost all quests). I will keep a savegame of my game right now. If indeed the bandit quest is responsible I can reload the chapter and do the analysis so that the bug can be found & fixed.

/e hm, how very strange. Yesterday night I finished two quests in AR1400 and now it seems that almost alll of the stuttering/slowdown is gone. I am not even sure if it is related. I don't have any older savegame anymore, so I can't really test. I'll see how this develops, if the stuttering/slowdown returns I shall analyse the scripts..

Edited by Roflcore, 13 January 2011 - 03:21 AM.

[Jarno Mikkola]

(here or someplace else?)

Well, you started here, so keep it here, someone might wish to move this eventually, but that's their business...

Anyways, I guess I make a list of scripts that run all the time for every sector, than use NE as descriped and post zips and jpgs. That may take a while..

You might wish to include the area cordinates that you get by pushing the x button while in the pause state.

how very strange. Yesterday night I finished two quests in AR1400 and now it seems that almost alll of the stuttering/slowdown is gone. I am not even sure if it is related. I don't have any older savegame anymore, so I can't really test. I'll see how this develops, if the stuttering/slowdown returns I shall analyse the scripts..

Well, when you reach the limits of what you can bear of the Stuttering, there's generally multiple reasons why the game does that, unless it really sudden spiral, so that one of the reasons why "Complete all the quests you are given" is part of the help post I keep.

And to comment the baldur.ini, there's not really anything obvious on that front... except that I think you have not disabled the Ambient sounds:

Low Mem Sounds 1=1
Low Mem Sounds 2=0

They might still be on !!!! As those should be:

Low Mem Sounds 1=0
Low Mem Sounds 2=1

If I check this right...

Edited by Jarno Mikkola, 13 January 2011 - 10:37 AM.