[TestCase]

First off will say You have to get your Rig up to fighting strength.
Look Here if you do not understand what I am saying. Defrag often this game fragments your HD fast.

http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=13390

Next, I have had problems including random crashing, Lock ups, Frame rate issues, I can say that I have been over the various threads in these forums since Open Beta and Early Access. Due to my issues.

I will try and simply tell you what I have to do in order to stay in the game. Then post the links to several posts that have helped me out. And thank those that paved the road for many of us to get in this game! and stay in longer than 5-10min!

1. Reboot my system If I have crashed or see that my video is about to go out.
2. Deleting the d3dx9_36.dll and reinstalling Directx9.0C As I am running XP32
3. Delete the Shader files Here c:/program files/funcom/age of conan
4. Run the patcher and restart the game.


Now I can run Full graphics, AAx2, 3.0 shader etc. But there are times when I simply go into another instance and the video will crap out on me. So I simply run the fix again and play for another 5 hours or so till it happens again.

However I am only doing part of the fix that involves reinstalling of DirectX. Not some of the more radical ideas here.
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=2064

The other thing is I Delete the shader.cache, and shader.cache.local, and shader.cache.bin files in the AOC folder. c:/program files/funcom/age of conan Yes it takes a bit more to load for the first few sec. But it gets me back in game and running smooth. I noticed this fix is now on one of the stickies at the top of the forums.

Several good posts by players just like us that are trying to help.
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=30390

I had to do this as well in order to ensure my video drivers were running properly.
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=18051

Always read the stickies, Funcom is updating them NINJA style. They do not always post what they changed in the main thread. This one told me to delete all of the shader.cache files. Not just the 1.
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=4512

Probably the biggest help I have seen yet. Answered Most of what I was seeing happen. As well as helped to understand why I had problems and others did not with similar set up.
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=7508


Again I will say these are not my ideas. I simply posted what worked for me and several of the threads that I have been following. I thank those of you that have posted similar threads with helping ideas. IT is getting better. And FUNCOM is helping to fix the problems as fast as they can. We must do our part and make sure our computers are up to speed and running well.

[TestCase]

Edit, with new info. June 2nd, 2008

I am not sure it was necessary to reformat. But for me it is working out.

Well, I finally broke down and Reformatted my HD. Tired of the crashing, figured I had nothing to lose by trying it. Results are I have been in game since early this morning. I have gone from lvl 22 up to lvl 35. No major lock ups or problems. I have been in game for 2 days all day with smooth play. I am not saying this will work for every one but it worked for me.

1. Reformat
2. Install drivers for sound and NIC card.
3. Upgrade Windows SP 2 and 3
4. Install directx 9.0c redistribution I use XP32
5. Install video drivers Nvidia 170.16
6. upgrade Nforce Chipset
7. Defrag
8. Run CCleaner
8. Install game
9. Patch game
10. *New* Played in new area on Sunday, a PVP Dungeon, inside Noble district. Had 2 crashes, and 1 BSOD. Lowered to 2.0 shaders, was able to play another hour before heading to bed.

I am sure it was due to several PVP exchanges that left me respawning several times. Never take your lvl 37 into a lvl 50 dungeon on apprentice and expect to live long LOL.

Still running well, However needed to defrag my HD. DO this often especially if you crash often.

Will continue with updates.




Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6400 @ 2.13GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 281MB used, 4674MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8800 GTS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Display Memory: 640.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7516 (English)

[Mensoro]

I don't think its reasonable to expect people to have to do this.

Fix your game funcom.

[TestCase]

I did 4 things, The rest are for INFO only, because I did not come up with the fix.


OH ya Shader 3.0 causes the problem to occur much faster. Found in shader version 2.0 while yes not as pretty helps me zone many more times before I have to reboot and run the 4 steps listed above.

Good luck.

[dasterdly]

Bump - because we can never have too many links to helpful posts. Thanks TestCase

[Arjy]

I think the people at Funcom are just taking the "Micky" as if these problems werent going to be apparent in post and final production. Seriously you have alot to answer for Funcom, make us all play your bugged out to F*** game get us hooked and expect us to come up with the answers.

Your answer to all of this is... well look what happened to the other MMORPG's its a fact of MMORPG life "blah blah blah".

You had your chance to make it work you just took the easy street imo.

You sound like Kevin Rudd blaming the Liberal Government for all the crap he has to deal with on a daily basis running a government.... Kevin Rudd HELLO YOUR THE LEADER NOW DEAL WITH IT YOU NUB!

Dont do a Kevin Rudd here Funcom.

:O

[TestCase]

Another bump for what helped me and to thank those that helped me get back in game.

GL all

[Xeldt]

Nice post TestCase, I'll sticky this one.

[Obey]

Are you kidding me, NICE POST...what kind of answer is that Dervs...Are you guys not working on this problem???????? Its been 10 days..and you guys have not officially said, your game is **** up..sorry we thought everyone is buying NEW 6k dollars computers to play our game.

[furyx52]

Umm, this is pointless. These problems should be fixed by Funcom, not by us.