Will the most Tech-savvy person...

[xXxGrimmxXx]

please come help me! xD

I'm not going to use this original post to state things I have already done to try and remedy the issue I am encountering with Diablo 2: LOD Single-player. I just want to start over, do it properly, and be done with it..

I've completely uninstalled everything (Except for my characters, I cut the file and moved it to my desktop for safe-keeping)
Getting the game to start up was never an issue, although my computer likes to make a reference to my display resolution upon exiting Diablo and ending up back on the Desktop.

The Issue:

When I play the game, it runs flawlessly (almost..). My max frame rate is 25 when idling in town or when there is very little going on on-screen. I first encountered the issue of dropped framerates and momentary lag when I made it to Act 2 and started killing Scarabs. Once Charged Bolts started appearing on my screen in the tens/twenties/howeverdamnmanytherewere... is when the issue arises.

The Specs:

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium
Computer: Dell Dimension E521
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+ 2.20 GHz
RAM: 3.00 GB
System Type: 32-bit OS

Display Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Computer: ACPI x86-based PC
Internet Connection: Direct Ethernet Cable plugged into my router. I have the best speed offered by Northland Cable, (24MBps? IIRC)

I know most of what may or may not be suggested I have tried, yet I am not satisfied because the issue has not been resolved.

I'm PLEADING, anyone who has experience with getting Diablo 2:LOD SP to run flawlessly on Windows 7, PLEASE, help me. I am willing and able to provide as much information as needed and go through any steps to try and fix this as suggested by whomever.

I will provide in-depth details as to what said suggestions do and how they affect the game, whether it be for better or for worse. All I am asking is that someone show some compassion and help a long-time D2 Veteran reunite with his lost love. I know I don't have a way to provide incentive, so I am at your mercy..

 

[Drystan]

In the D2 start menu or D2 installation folder, run D2Vidtst.exe, and choose different options. Test it on each setting. I believe the "recommended" setting for mine created slow down when certain things appeared, but I've had similar slowdowns to where playing is actually impossible - even hitting "Esc" takes a minute to load the Game Menu/Pause.

I don't know much about it, but the GlideWrapper may, or may not, have been used to help fix certain challenges. There may be something in the stickies about FAM (forum accepted modifications,) and have details on it.

Good luck!

 

[xXxGrimmxXx]

Thanks Drystan, I appreciate your insight. GlideWrapper was the last attempt I made at fixing the issue. While it seemed to help, it really only masked whatever the underlying problem was. I want to eliminate it altogether. Even with GlideWrapper, i'm prone to ridiculous HC deaths due to Charged Bolt lag or other stuff I have yet to encounter with this new Desktop.

 

[coju]

Is the installation folder in /Program Files (or any of it's variants)?
May have to run as admin.
Make sure you have 1.13d patched in (as I cannot get older versions working sometimes).
May need to convert your discs to ISO's and try that.

 

[uglyfred]

A few ideas, none guaranteed to work:

- Did you try messing with the various "compatibility" settings to run D2 as an earlier version of windows?
- Do you have an "active" anti-virus/firewall/anti-malware application that may be "monitoring" D2 while you're playing it? If so, try to set up some form of exception that tells it 'D2 is ok'
- Have you cleaned up your auto start-up tasks to remove the ones that may be eating computer resources unnecessarily? Likewise, do you have much free hard-drive space?
- Is D2 installed/stored in an encrypted format?

 

[xXxGrimmxXx]

@coju: Yes, it was in Program Files, Ran as Admin, and I can only assume my game patches to 1.13d when I connect to Bnet the first time in-game? Or am I only getting 1.13c and I need to download d manually? ISOs are the CD version of ROMS, correct? (Emuparadise for reference..)

@uglyfred:

I've had D2 setup with what most seem to suggest, Windows XP SP2, Disabled Desktop Comp, always run as admin.
Only settings I didn't play with checking/unchecking are :256 Colors, Disable Display Scaling, Disable Visual Themes.

My Windows Firewall doesn't even have Diablo 2 listed, only Battle.Net.
I have no start up tasks (unless hidden). 106GB/139GB available on C: Not sure how to tell if D2 is installed/stored in an encrypted format, but I don't believe so.


I think that covered all the questions...? I'm about to test this strange method of keeping my Screen Resolution settings window opened while I play and see if that actually does anything..

*EDIT* Well, apparently uninstalling/reinstalling D2 was a mistake, now I can't patch to 1.13d via connection to Battle.net OR downloading from Battle.net Classic Game Patches. I'm getting archive file corrupt blah blah 1.13dmpq some shit..

I am about to lose my mind .________________.;

*EDIT #2* Ran the LodPatch.exe I downloaded from Blizzard as administrator, patch successfully installed.. back to being 1.13d. What the hell am I doing? I have no business on a computer... >_>


I've been trying to do some self-diagnosing and I may or may not have found the culprit?

190 Free out of 3006? That doesn't seem right.. I decided to take another screenshot while typing this message. The only applications/tasks I have running are this browser and the Screen Resolution Settings Window..

Free = 0? What the hell!? ;

*EDIT #3*

Maybe the Physical Memory thing isn't the culprit.. from what I researched Windows tries to use all memory because free memory is wasted memory...?

I ran Diablo 2 (As Admin, 3D Video setting (Not 2Ddraw or Glide) and left my screen resolution window open in the background while I played. Immediately went into the Rocky Wastes and rounded up the fattest mob of Scarabs I could. FPS fluxuates between 24-25 (Mostly stays at 25) and a screen flooded with Charged Bolts did NOT drop my FPS this time (At least not clear down to 13, only gone as low as 22 so far) Ping is 0 if I don't do anything, otherwise it's a solid 15. Sometimes bounces up to 31 but that's the most it's been. I assume that's just from the Screen Res. Settings window being open in the background.

More Stats:

Phys 1/1024m, Page: 1025/2048m, Skip is 19-20 constant.


So... fixed? I sure as hell hope so -.- Going to go see if this also solves the MP Latency issue I have (Moreso on Europe than East/West, but I was informed that's merely a matter of distance.)

 

[coju]

Ok, take it out of the program files folders. I have a C:/games folder I install my games.
You may have to reinstall it into that directory, because if you don't, it will save the files in the installed directory until you do some regedit -ing, if you know what I'm sayin'!

 

[xXxGrimmxXx]

Ever since I made my last post in this thread (Plus the ridiculous amount of edits/updates), the game has been running flawlessly.

However, in the event I experience any of the same issues I did that prompted this thread, I will exhaust every option posted here (and elsewhere) until I find a solution.

I'd like to sincerely thank everyone who read this thread, and especially those who took the time to reply with some helpful insight!

I greatly appreciate the advice, and I wish all of you the best on your future endeavors, whether they be in-game or away from your keyboard.

As always, Good luck and happy hunting! ^_~

 

[coju]

Glad to hear it's smooth sailing!