CTD Constantly; Should I Just Give Up?

[sitruunatee 10]

Hey guys,

I've been reading these forums since I purchased the game some days ago. I had the motivation to actually buy and assemble a brand new computer just in order to play this game. Ironically, I'm so frustrated I may as well just give up.

I experience a CTD every 8 to 15 minutes, usually caused by zooming my view or running for a while without stopping. Sometimes before a crash, I can see textures turn white or objects become blocks (similar to the effect that running without -winxp has). Not only this, the game is pretty choppy. If I stand still, it's 45FPS or so, but if I move it just stutters.

I am running 1.03 on the following specs:

Windows 7 RC 64-bit

Intel Q9550 Core 2 Quad @ 2.83ghz

8 GB DDR2 1033 5-5-5-15

nVidia Geforce GTX 285 with latest WHQL drivers (190.38)

I have tried literally any/every optimization possible. I've disabled PhysX, created a custom profile where it is given 8 pre-rendered frames and NO threaded optimization, to no avail. I've seen posts that mirror just what I've posted; many suggest the game runs better in 7, many suggest running Windows XP. (Please don't suggest Windows 7 isn't "supported" -- it uses the same DX10/DX9 base as Vista, and there's no reason it shouldn't work here. Every other game appears to work just fine.)

I think it's absurd that I paid for a game that barely functions.

Should I just give up, or do any of you have any ideas to help me? I've went from being happy, to being angry, to being sad. Why do I keep giving BIS money? Any ideas if this is salvagable?

Below is my configuration file:

language="English";

adapter=-1;

3D_Performance=93750;

Resolution_Bpp=32;

Resolution_W=1360; (Note: Both are usually set to 1824x1018, the resolution of my monitor, but this was my testing resolution.)

Resolution_H=768;

refresh=60;

Render_W=1360;

Render_H=768;

FSAA=0;

postFX=2;

HDRPrecision=8;

lastDeviceId="";

localVRAM=2138701696;

nonlocalVRAM=2138701696;

[whopper_with_cheese 0]

i agree it should be fine in win7 too

but since it looks like youre getting desperate, are u able to dual boot with XP or Vista to see if the same CTDs occur?

a vista install and putting Arma2 on again should only take u an hour or two.

that'd be my next step if i was in your un-enviable position

[no use for a name 0]

ever check your temps while running the game?

[sitruunatee 10]

ever check your temps while running the game?

Yes, they're all more than reasonable. I built this system with heavy overclocking in mind, but I've not yet overclocked it as I didn't need to.

I can run Crysis or benchmarks or whatever you want all day; it's specific to this game, not temperatures.

[Fiya 10]

I think it's absurd that I paid for a game that barely functions

That annoys me.

Go to hell.

Or try this. 8GB RAM Problem

[no use for a name 0]

well a lot of people say that; but the fact is this game stresses a system more then most other games due to un-optimization, bigger land area, more trees, whatever. Many people have increased their fan speed on their card and found that got rid of crashes.

Also, have you tried older drivers? Most people say the 182.50's are the best so far

[sitruunatee 10]

i agree it should be fine in win7 too

but since it looks like youre getting desperate, are u able to dual boot with XP or Vista to see if the same CTDs occur?

a vista install and putting Arma2 on again should only take u an hour or two.

that'd be my next step if i was in your un-enviable position

I only own a copy of Windows XP 32-bit. It's ridiculous that I need to install a different operating system to get a game to work. I don't NEED or WANT Vista or XP. It runs just fine how it is with every other piece of software known to man.

It's so upsetting to me because I wanted to play this game so badly. I'm debating whether or not to waste my time installing XP on another hard drive, then setting everything up again, and then downloading ARMA2 from Steam again. That's an all day thing where I can't even use my computer how I want to.

No other game in my history of playing video games has caused me this much frustration. This is why people play on the Xbox instead of PCs.

If I really get bored with all the other great games out there, I will install XP. But I'd much rather wait for BIS to fix what should have already been fixed when it shipped.

[Fiya 10]

Also, have you tried older drivers? Most people say the 182.50's are the best so far

My personal favorite so far. I've been told the game was developed with them. (Perhaps the reason for their stability and performance compared to newer drivers?)

I would highly recommend them if you have DRIVER trouble.

[sitruunatee 10]

well a lot of people say that; but the fact is this game stresses a system more then most other games due to un-optimization, bigger land area, more trees, whatever. Many people have increased their fan speed on their card and found that got rid of crashes.

Also, have you tried older drivers? Most people say the 182.50's are the best so far

I'm going to try the older drivers now. As for the heat issue, I repeat, I'm certain this is not a problem.

[Fiya 10]

Or try this. 8GB RAM Problem

Have you even checked this out? Or are you just showing off the glorious traits of mankind that these forums seem to be filled with.

[sitruunatee 10]

Have you even checked this out? Or are you just showing off the glorious traits of mankind that these forums seem to be filled with.

Try? Try what? Looking at his problem? It's unlike mine. I fixed that with -winxp.

Also, I have read this thread. I'm using -maxmem=2048, and the game runs in 32-bit anyway.

Will you please explain what you want me to try? I'm not going to skim through the entire thread when that doesn't appear to be my problem at all.

Finally, will you please improve your attitude? I'm not insulting you, so please grant me the simple courtesy if I may have missed something critical and I'm not seeing it. I'm asking for help, not to be belittled.

[kklownboy 43]

increase your ram voltage

[sitruunatee 10]

increase your ram voltage

It's at 2.1v, as suggested by G.Skill.

[kklownboy 43]

...-maxmem=2048....

-maxmen=2047. Need room for the buffer.

[ebmorgan 10]

Hey guys,

I've been reading these forums since I purchased the game some days ago. I had the motivation to actually buy and assemble a brand new computer just in order to play this game. Ironically, I'm so frustrated I may as well just give up.

I experience a CTD every 8 to 15 minutes, usually caused by zooming my view or running for a while without stopping. Sometimes before a crash, I can see textures turn white or objects become blocks (similar to the effect that running without -winxp has). Not only this, the game is pretty choppy. If I stand still, it's 45FPS or so, but if I move it just stutters.

I am running 1.03 on the following specs:

Windows 7 RC 64-bit

Intel Q9550 Core 2 Quad @ 2.83ghz

8 GB DDR2 1033 5-5-5-15

nVidia Geforce GTX 285 with latest WHQL drivers (190.38)

I have tried literally any/every optimization possible. I've disabled PhysX, created a custom profile where it is given 8 pre-rendered frames and NO threaded optimization, to no avail. I've seen posts that mirror just what I've posted; many suggest the game runs better in 7, many suggest running Windows XP. (Please don't suggest Windows 7 isn't "supported" -- it uses the same DX10/DX9 base as Vista, and there's no reason it shouldn't work here. Every other game appears to work just fine.)

I think it's absurd that I paid for a game that barely functions.

Should I just give up, or do any of you have any ideas to help me? I've went from being happy, to being angry, to being sad. Why do I keep giving BIS money? Any ideas if this is salvagable?

Below is my configuration file:

language="English";

adapter=-1;

3D_Performance=93750;

Resolution_Bpp=32;

Resolution_W=1360; (Note: Both are usually set to 1824x1018, the resolution of my monitor, but this was my testing resolution.)

Resolution_H=768;

refresh=60;

Render_W=1360;

Render_H=768;

FSAA=0;

postFX=2;

HDRPrecision=8;

lastDeviceId="";

localVRAM=2138701696;

nonlocalVRAM=2138701696;

I'm with you,Bro. This is F&@KED! I have the exact same setup as you but with 4GB RAM and an AMD 64 X2 5600+ (dual-core 2.8GHz). I had no stability or performance issues UNTIL I installed the 1.03 patch.

Here's my scathing rant about the ineptitude of Eastern Block development...:D

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=82802

[kklownboy 43]

It's at 2.1v, as suggested by G.Skill.

Yeah but its 8gb on a intel (p45?) 2.2, 2.25. Or lower for now to 800 speed. When you CTD , does it hangup too? Do you ever get blue screens? Is your 285 have a factory OC? And dont take this wrong but give it a good Defrag. Edited August 6, 2009 by kklownboy

[sitruunatee 10]

Yeah but its 8gb on a intel (p45?) 2.2, 2.25. Or lower for now to 800 speed. When you CTD , does it hangup too? Do you ever get blue screens? Is your 285 have a factory OC? And dont take this wrong but give it a good Defrag.

The crashes just drop to the desktop straight away. There's a period of maybe 1-2 seconds where I see the last image, but I assume that's the program dumping in action. No blue screens. The 285 is not factory OC'ed. And the defrag shouldn't be an issue because I have Windows 7, Steam, and ARMA2 installed. That's it; it's a new system.

The system is rock solid with essentially any other game.

---------- Post added at 08:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 PM ----------

-maxmen=2047. Need room for the buffer.

Right on, thanks. I'll give this a shot.

[PositiveG 0]

"created a custom profile where it is given 8 pre-rendered frames"

Nvidia. Try lowering this to the default, I think it's 4, fixed an online friends game for him.

[sitruunatee 10]

well a lot of people say that; but the fact is this game stresses a system more then most other games due to un-optimization, bigger land area, more trees, whatever. Many people have increased their fan speed on their card and found that got rid of crashes.

Also, have you tried older drivers? Most people say the 182.50's are the best so far

No go. Same sort of thing, albeit the game had no stutters. Unfortunately, the old drivers don't recognize my new HDTV like they should, and so switching back was all I could do.

Thanks for the tip though; was worth a try.