elbekko
Your lord and master
+36|6630|Leuven, Belgium
Hey all,

I've noticed that to not have BF2 run slow/crash I have to shutdown my Apache webserver. Probably due to a memory error.
This is annoying for me as I'm a web developer and I kinda need it =/ Also, when I don't shut it down and return to Windows, I can't even type in something due to the huge memory leak somewhere.

Now, I've been shutting it down, but when I forget it I'm quite screwed.

And no, it isn't my PC, just to be sure, here are the specifics:
CPU: AMD64 3500+
RAM: 1.5GB PC3200
MB  : ASUS K8N-SLI Deluxe
GPU: GeForce 6600GT 256MB ViVo
Running BF2 1600x1200 with highest settings (goes smooth without Apache).

If you guys know of any fix so that I can let my dear test server run, it'd be appreciated =P

Thanks,

-- Bekko
EvilMonkeySlayer
Member
+82|6881
I just want to make sure i'm correct, you're running the Windows version of Apache (2 right?) on the same machine that you're playing BF2 on?

Here's your fix, use either VirtualPC or VMWare and setup Apache in a virtual machine.

You're running Apache just for local dev yeah? You've not got port 80 open or anything have you?

EDIT: You have to remember BF2 is a memory whore and Apache was designed more with unix type operating systems in mind like Linux, *BSD, Solaris etc.
Are you also making sure to be running the latest version of Apache AND that you've not got any other webserver software running?  For example the nvidia firewall nforce stuff actually runs an instance of Apache, the memory bloating whore that is activearmour.

Last edited by EvilMonkeySlayer (2006-10-24 05:11:43)

elbekko
Your lord and master
+36|6630|Leuven, Belgium

EvilMonkeySlayer wrote:

I just want to make sure i'm correct, you're running the Windows version of Apache (2 right?) on the same machine that you're playing BF2 on?
Correct.

Here's your fix, use either VirtualPC or VMWare and setup Apache in a virtual machine.
It's less of a hassle to just start/stop Apache =/

You're running Apache just for local dev yeah? You've not got port 80 open or anything have you?
Only locally, I'm behind a NAT-protected router

EDIT: You have to remember BF2 is a memory whore and Apache was designed more with unix type operating systems in mind like Linux, *BSD, Solaris etc.
Are you also making sure to be running the latest version of Apache AND that you've not got any other webserver software running?  For example the nvidia firewall nforce stuff actually runs an instance of Apache, the memory bloating whore that is activearmour.
I noticed that BF2 is a memory whore... my PF goes up from ~700MB to >1.5GB =/

I'm not running the latest version of Apache, but I'm running something that didn't require a special DLL (Apache 2.0.55 with PHP5 and MySQL5, which I keep running as it does no harm)


Ah well, I guess I'll just keep it this way then
EvilMonkeySlayer
Member
+82|6881
Ah, so you're running other stuff too?

Ok, your problem is the other applications are taking up too much memory. Out of curiosity how much memory is in use normally before you run BF2?

I'd hazard a guess at 400MB or more probably, the simple fact that BF2 runs fine when you close them down indicates they free up the necessary processor time and memory to make it playable.

Your only option is a. stop them before running BF2. Or b. Get more memory.

Last edited by EvilMonkeySlayer (2006-10-24 13:55:45)

elbekko
Your lord and master
+36|6630|Leuven, Belgium

EvilMonkeySlayer wrote:

Ah, so you're running other stuff too?

Ok, your problem is the other applications are taking up too much memory. Out of curiosity how much memory is in use normally before you run BF2?
As I said, about 700MB in the pagefile. I find it quite alot but still doable.

I'd hazard a guess at 400MB or more probably, the simple fact that BF2 runs fine when you close them down indicates they free up the necessary processor time and memory to make it playable.

Your only option is a. stop them before running BF2. Or b. Get more memory.
I have 1.5GB memory, I'd suspect it to run fine -.-
Oh well, I'll just keep closing stuff
EvilMonkeySlayer
Member
+82|6881
Hold on, you have 700MB of memory in use before you start BF2?

At my last check on a 64 player server BF2 typically uses 800MB of memory here.

Free up more memory dude.
elbekko
Your lord and master
+36|6630|Leuven, Belgium

EvilMonkeySlayer wrote:

Hold on, you have 700MB of memory in use before you start BF2?

At my last check on a 64 player server BF2 typically uses 800MB of memory here.

Free up more memory dude.
When I close things I don't need while gaming I have about 500MB
EvilMonkeySlayer
Member
+82|6881

elbekko wrote:

EvilMonkeySlayer wrote:

Hold on, you have 700MB of memory in use before you start BF2?

At my last check on a 64 player server BF2 typically uses 800MB of memory here.

Free up more memory dude.
When I close things I don't need while gaming I have about 500MB
What the hell do you have running in the background to have 500MB of ram in use?
elbekko
Your lord and master
+36|6630|Leuven, Belgium
Windows

Here are my processes sorted by Peak Memory usage:
https://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8441/tmprocessesrv4.png

Last edited by elbekko (2006-10-27 06:29:11)

Twist
Too old to be doing this sh*t
+103|6752|Little blue planet, milky way
Dude... You gotta learn to clean up your processes. There's LOADS of shit there that I doubt you'll ever need.
If you DO need the stuff, I'd highly recommend that you create a small script that will close down the apps, processes and services you dont need while playing, and another one to start them up, because as I see it, it's NOT just apache that's going to be a problem for you.
You may be able to PLAY on that config, but I can't imagine it will be fast loading and enjoyable.
elbekko
Your lord and master
+36|6630|Leuven, Belgium
Myeah, could be.
It runs quite fine with just Apache closed (it's the main problem).
I guess I could throw out InCD and stop MySQL too.
EvilMonkeySlayer
Member
+82|6881
If I were you i'd go through everything with a fine tooth comb removing all the crud that has amassed on your machine.

I bet you have stuff running in systray that you rarely if ever use and I bet your registry start-up has loads of pointless stuff in.

Seriously dude, 596MB of ram in use. And you expect to be able to play BF2 with all that running in the background?

You don't need the incd stuff etc. I've got Nero 7 here and it works perfectly fine without it.

Also, the theme.. are you simply using the modified uxtheme.dll so you can use unsigned windows xp themes or are you using a program like windowfx? (eating up even more memory and processor time)

You have to remember since you're using a single core processor all those processes have interrupts on the processor, more processes = generally slower for everything.
elbekko
Your lord and master
+36|6630|Leuven, Belgium

EvilMonkeySlayer wrote:

If I were you i'd go through everything with a fine tooth comb removing all the crud that has amassed on your machine.

I bet you have stuff running in systray that you rarely if ever use and I bet your registry start-up has loads of pointless stuff in.
Myeah, a bit maybe. I tend to clean up all that junk from time to time.

Seriously dude, 596MB of ram in use. And you expect to be able to play BF2 with all that running in the background?

You don't need the incd stuff etc. I've got Nero 7 here and it works perfectly fine without it.
I know, I kick InCD out when I think of it But generally it runs quite fine when Apache is off

Also, the theme.. are you simply using the modified uxtheme.dll so you can use unsigned windows xp themes or are you using a program like windowfx? (eating up even more memory and processor time)
Modified uxtheme. Nothing memory-eating there


I'm planning to make myself a small program in C# that will turn off all the services I don't need while playing BF2 and run it before I go and play But my VS2005 is acting up so I'll just keep doing it all manually untill then.
De_Jappe
Triarii
+432|6756|Belgium

Yeah 56 processes is a lot, I have 23 when I start my computer (XP), and now with msn/googletalk/irc/browsing/music, it's 29. It might help a bit, but apache is a high priority program I think so it will not take away all your problems.

Ever thought of buying some PII computer (or something else cheap, maybe just ask the old computer a friend wants to dump) to run your apache server on. That way you can use this pc for gaming and other stuff while the older pc runs the server.
elbekko
Your lord and master
+36|6630|Leuven, Belgium
Mmmh, I still have my old comp (a P4), but my mom won't like me running two PCs here =/

I'll get along just fine this way
Thanks for the help ^^
reefl3x
Member
+72|6631|United States
Why are you running 1600x1200 on a 6600GT? I bet its the res thats messing up your system.
A 6600GT was never meant to play anywhere near that res. I cant imagine Bf2 being all that enjoyable on 64 man servers or even 32 man with a 6600GT at that res. Reduce the res a notch or two, never know if it might fix your issue.

I have 21 processes running when I start BF2. The only processes under user name running should be taskmgr.exe and explorer.exe...PLus with Bf2 being as big of a system hog as it is, its definately not a game where you want other programs open while your playing it.

How the hell is it possible to max out BF2 with a 6600GT anyway? Its only got 8 pipelines.

Last edited by reefl3x (2006-10-31 11:55:42)

elbekko
Your lord and master
+36|6630|Leuven, Belgium

reefl3x wrote:

Why are you running 1600x1200 on a 6600GT? I bet its the res thats messing up your system.
A 6600GT was never meant to play anywhere near that res. I cant imagine Bf2 being all that enjoyable on 64 man servers or even 32 man with a 6600GT at that res. Reduce the res a notch or two, never know if it might fix your issue.
Because everything looks like crap on a lower res. It's my screen's mative resolution.
And it runs VERY enjoyable without Apache

How the hell is it possible to max out BF2 with a 6600GT anyway? Its only got 8 pipelines.
Well, it seems possible enough as I do it without that many problems =/
EvilMonkeySlayer
Member
+82|6881

elbekko wrote:

Also, the theme.. are you simply using the modified uxtheme.dll so you can use unsigned windows xp themes or are you using a program like windowfx? (eating up even more memory and processor time)
Modified uxtheme. Nothing memory-eating there


I'm planning to make myself a small program in C# that will turn off all the services I don't need while playing BF2 and run it before I go and play But my VS2005 is acting up so I'll just keep doing it all manually untill then.
A few things, the theme service and themes in general do use more memory than classic mode.

If you write a C# program it will need to then load the .NET runtime into memory to run your C# program, which in itself is a memory and processor eater.
You don't even need to create a program to shutdown services anyway, just create a simple batch file. Call it something like stopservices.bat and have a list of stuff you want to stop, for example:

net stop apache
net stop mysql

And so on.

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