Frame Skipping In Multiplayer

[goatsenator 1]

System Specs

GTX 580

8gb RAM

Core i7-2700k

I can run single player fine on the highest settings, but when I join a multiplayer game, even one that is empty, my framerate will skip as if the game is loading all of the terrain. However, this is not what it is doing. The framerate will not stop skipping. It will run smooth for two seconds, then my screen will just freeze for about two seconds, and then it will go back to normal where everyone will appear where they would be had the frame not frozen. This is not server lag or client lag. I play every game, including regular ArmA II fine. ArmA II multiplayer has no issues. I've tried changing settings in the ArmA2.cfg, new drivers, low video settings, windowed mode, and restarting the computer. None of this has worked. Can anyone help me solve this problem?

[.kju 3244]

Does it also happen if you host a server yourself or play on a local dedicated server?

[goatsenator 1]

I didn't try that. I uninstalled and am currently reinstalling to see if that will fix it.

[goatsenator 1]

Okay the reinstall didn't work. I hosted my own coop game and I don't get this issue. I tried updating directx but it says I have the newest version. I forgot to mention I have the steam version of ArmA2 and OA. I verify the integrity of the game cache and it keeps telling me one file is missing and will be downloaded, but if I verify the cache again right after I've already done it, I keep getting the same message. So apparently something is missing and steam isn't downloading it.

[.kju 3244]

can you please post your rpt:

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/arma.RPT

also a file list of your game folder would be useful - best with hashes:

http://code.kliu.org/hashcheck/

[goatsenator 1]

Alright here is the game folder:

http://www.filedropper.com/arma2operationarrowhead

Here is the .rpt:

http://www.filedropper.com/arma2oa_1

[goatsenator 1]

I've done some more research and everyone is saying the file that is "missing" each time is the installscript which shouldn't be a problem. So now I'm at a dead end. I even tried to install directx through the directx folder in the ArmA2 directory. What's strange is that after I did that directx install, I entered a game and spawned and the problem was gone. Then I "teleported" to the AO and it magically came back and won't go away. I tried playing with it but it's just impossible. This is a game breaking bug. My drivers for the gtx 580 are nvidia 295.73. Last resort is to try rolling back my drivers. I believe I've tried everything in the sticky thread about nvidia cards but I'll double check.

EDIT: Here is a video of what's happening in game. This doesn't stop and those long pauses are quite common.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqFXE_FOiTY&feature=youtu.be

Edited February 24, 2012 by goatsenator

[.kju 3244]

Can you please use a different temp host like:

http://www.file-upload.net

http://rapidshare.com

dropbox etc

The download fails in FF here and chrome downloads 0 KB files.

[goatsenator 1]

Okay here is the RPT: http://www.file-upload.net/download-4144522/ArmA2OA.RPT.html

Here is the cache: http://www.file-upload.net/download-4144526/arma-2-operation-arrowhead.md5.html

[.kju 3244]

Thanks

Here a few tips - they may not help with this problem though:

1) You seem to run OA only - either get CO lite or buy A2 for CO (full) (see)

2) Don't connect on ACE2 ("aka addon servers"), if you dont have it. :)

3) Your startup line looks bad - best to use a modlauncher

4) Did you check your windows event log yet?

Does/did that help?

[goatsenator 1]

Yeah I'm not sure how all the mods work and how best to optimize it but I did fix the problem. I have ZoneAlarm and ArmA2 was not set to "super trusted". Somehow that was interfering with the game and caused the frame skipping. It runs perfectly now. I've never had that problem before with any game so it didn't occur to me until just now.

Thank you for taking the time to help me!

And if anyone sees this and has the same problem: check your firewall settings if none of the above works.

[.kju 3244]

Glad to hear mate. You should still get CO/CO lite.

You could try SIX Updater for addons and game launch.

There are guides and tutorial videos floating around for it.

[Dwarden 1125]

Yeah I'm not sure how all the mods work and how best to optimize it but I did fix the problem.

I have ZoneAlarm and ArmA2 was not set to "super trusted". Somehow that was interfering with the game and caused the frame skipping.

It runs perfectly now. I've never had that problem before with any game so it didn't occur to me until just now.

Thank you for taking the time to help me!

And if anyone sees this and has the same problem: check your firewall settings if none of the above works.

thanks for sharing this important tidbit with us