Guild Wars 2

Hi!

Not sure if this is the right forum but I could really use some help.
My girlfriend has a computer “model older”, with a gt 220 graphics card.
The computer can run most games she likes to play (sims, cod, WoW, overwatch) on decent settings, but whenever she tries to run GW2 it only takes a few minutes before the computer “freezes”, the screen disconnects/turns black and the speakers give off a buzzing sound (probably a very short loop of the sounds playing on the compuer). I’ve tried to find a solution, but since it’s only an issue when running GW2 it’s hard to get tech support. If anyone has a clue what might cause this porblem we would both be very grateful.

Best.

Wow, that GPU is ancient (in PC terms) :P

Some other info that’ll be useful to know for us to help:
What CPU? And is it overclocked?
What is the CPU and GPU temps? Both idle and in-game. (Use HWmonitor or similar)
Drivers up-to-date?

HWmonitor: http://www.cpuid.com/downloads/hwmonitor/hwmonitor_1.30.zip
Just open the ZIP and run the executable from there. No installation required.

Probably a bit futile as the system crashes, so no way to check the temperatures. Maybe check while running another game. If CPU and graphics card are already cooking there, GW2 might be too much. What CPU?

It may be overheating, but this does also sound like the ancient sound bug from the beginning of the game. Game settings → Sound options → Sound quality slider to Fastest. Maybe it’ll help.

Graphics options are most likely lowest already on a GT220.

If you’re not sure about updating drivers (not sure how much you know about that stuff), ask a friend who does or be careful with what you download. Searching for “update drivers blah” leads to shady websites more often than not that want you to install their driver updater super pro™.

If you select your sound device in the Windows device manager, I think there is an “update driver” button. It will download from Microsoft servers. Try to find that one first before you download stuff manually.

If nothing helps you can also contact anet support http://en.support.guildwars2.com/

Is the computer clean? As in the actual physical components inside the case.

I had a similar problem a few years ago. To begin with it was only playing up when I played GW2 and I’m still not sure if it’s because I was playing that more than other games and for longer in a single session or if it’s because the game itself was somehow more demanding. But over time I started to get similar problems in other games too.

Long story short the root of the problem was dust coating some components (particularly the CPU) and causing them to overheat and had I known that earlier it could have been fixed with a careful cleaning.

I now realise this is a common problem and it’s important to keep the inside of a PC clean. But that was the first time I’d had a PC that was actually mine. Before then I’d used old (often virtually obsolete) PCs my dad had gotten cheap and the advice I was given was a) never open the case or poke around inside it because you will break something, and b) when a PC stops working you get rid of it and buy a new one because it will cost just as much to repair it.

I’ve since learned quite a bit about both building and maintaining PCs, that even though graphics cards are expensive they’re still cheaper than an entire machine and that my dad does not actually know as much as he thinks he does about computers.

Danikat.8537:

I’ve since learned quite a bit about both building and maintaining PCs, that even though graphics cards are expensive they’re still cheaper than an entire machine and that my dad does not actually know as much as he thinks he does about computers.

Lol…
As a dad myself, I believe my knowledge of [Add field of knowledge here] is supreme and irrefutable. Now go do your homework.

Previous reply discarded, I agree it could be a case of dust buildup, but it could also be the case of outdated components. Excess dust can cause certain components to not disperse heat optimally. What the OP described is a classic example of such overheating.

Not only dusty components, but components that fall below minimum requirements. Excess strain can cause overheating even on a well-maintained machine. And while upgrading can be a little wrenching, even in less-than-inevitable situations it’ll help not just being able to play the game, but even presenting it nicely.

Seeing you can play Overwatch, I wager the problem might be either dusty components or faulty cooling mechanism at the CPU as the scenario described most certainly sounds like an overheated processor.

Thank you for all the replies!

The CPU is an AMD Athlon II x2 215 @2.7ghz. Neither of us are any kind of computer-wizes but I’ve made sure the components are dusted off and properly connected, however I’ve noticed a slight miscoloring on the cpu itself – a whiteish (almost transparent) stain. I’ll install the temperature meter as soon as I have the time – what would be a favorable temperature? The problem has been such a headscratcher since other games work fine most of the time, so thank you all for all your help!

Best.

I should add that this computer was my first and I got it as a gift under the same circumstances Danikat mentions – opening the chassi was a biiig no-no
Also, the drivers are updated very recently, so I doubt that’s the issue.

Here are the specs for that CPU. It is quite old. The temp should be around 55C+.

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Athlon%20II%20X2%20215%20-%20ADX215OCK22GQ.html

My first computer was a Jupiter Ace, in 1983. I still have that, though it hasn’t been on in over 25 years.

There is nothing wrong with old computers, if they do what you want them to. I have a small laptop from 2008, which is very slow. But it is very useful for Skype. I have almost all non essential services turned off and regularly ignore complaints from Skype.

The problem with computers is, when a new series comes out, programmers immediately treat the new facilities as their’s to be used.

Example. In the late 80s, in the days of the 386 PCs, there was an excellent suite called WordPerfect. It was a word processor with brilliant spell checking, good grammar, good language translation, brilliant graphics and so on. It cost a bomb and filled a 100Mb hard drive. Those being the largest available at the time.

Today, a word processor program with those facilities would take up over 100Gb. 1000 times more space for what is essentially, the same product.

The point is, since the largest HD was about 100Mb, (actually, it was 70Mb but the technology to chain several drives was available), so the programmers presumed they could could use it all.

Your old PC will be fine for programs that don’t push its limits. But graphics games like GW2 will probably be the death of it.

If overheating is ruled out, I’d run a memory test (memtest86). Most similar issues I’ve had in the past were because of malfunctioning memory (either unbalanced overclocking or just faulty dimms). The slight discoloration on the cpu is most likely normal and caused by the thermal paste, that’s my guess at least..

The white-ish stain could be the thermal paste. But if your CPU isn’t overheating, then as Nordom pointed out your next step on the list would be to test the memory. Programs such as memtest86 would be worthwhile, however in order to get results you might not be using the computer for the duration of the test.

I agree, the memtest should be the next step. If all checks out with memory I would try a complete uninstall and re-install of GW2. Could be an issue with the game files. You might also run a HDD (assuming you don’t have an SSD) diagnostics to see if your HDD is going bad (bad sectors). I believe Seagate has a free one called “Seatools”.

Keep an eye on those temps. It has been years since I have built anything with an AMD CPU but you shouldn’t be able to see the actual CPU unless you remove the heat sink. If you aren’t able to see the CPU you shouldn’t be able to see any thermal compound. Not sure what part you are referring to when you mention the transparent white stain.

What OS are you using? Windows 7, 8, 10?

Also if it’s overheating, check the fans in the computer to make sure they’re spinning. Fans can die, causing overheating and possibly damaging components.

As nobody mentioned, temp range should be under or around 80c at most.

Check this out. http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/whysoslow.html?utm_source=tr.im&utm_medium=www.facebook.com&utm_campaign=tr.im%2F1oYlP&utm_content=link_click

It will analyse your setup and indicate bottlenecks.

I’ve used MajorGeeks for a number of years. It has an excellent reputation for checking everything, I’ve never had any reason to complain about any of their stuff.

It’s freeware.

If you are having problems running Guild Wars 2, the data archive may have become corrupted. Please follow these steps to verify and repair the archive:

Locate your Gw2.exe file.
Right-click on the file and select Create shortcut.
Rename this new shortcut to Guild Wars 2 Repair.
Right-click on Guild Wars 2 Repair and select Properties.
Locate the Target line and add –repair to the end. (Example: “C:\Games\Guild Wars 2\gw2.exe” -repair)
Click OK.

Double-clicking Guild Wars 2 Repair will begin the repairing your game client. The game will launch when it is complete.

Note: Keep in mind that the verification and repair process will run each time you double-click the Guild Wars 2 Repair shortcut. If you would like to play the game immediately without repairing the archive, double-click on Gw2.exe or another shortcut without the -repair command.

Source: Anet Support

This is your best bet imo.

Most likely components to edge towards failure in n old computer are the HDDs followed by the PSUs.

You can obtain very cheap ex-business PSUs – 7 GBP cost – which are highly likely to be better than your current PSU – business PSUs are rarely driven hard and in general are extremely reliable. This is actually worth doing anyway since if the PSU blows it can take other components with it – unlike a HDD!

The other thing that happens is that the thermal paste for the CPU dries out, just re-seat it – cost is very low.

Another option to look at are your display drivers. Updating is a must of course, but removing the old drivers first is frequently a good idea.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/display_driver_uninstaller.html