Multi-Boxing

Chrono · #1 02-23-2009, 11:20 AM

Hi,

I used to play 6 characters on EQEmu on a single machine using EQplaynice/normal EQ window on PEQ about a year ago. The specs I think were roughly: E6600, 3GB Ram 666mhz pc6400, 8800GTS 320mb.

I've now come back with a better machine, and it seems when I load 3 characters, I can't even get a 4th to load. I'm using WINEQ this time around since it has EQPlayNice embedded into it. When I load the 4th character, I try loading him to world and it just hangs then eventually just closes the window with no error message. The specs on this machine are: E8600, 4GB Ram 1066mhz pc8500 (3.5 cause of XP), and ATI 4870. This machine should surely be able to handle 6 still?

Sometimes after trying to load a 4th I get some graphical like errors, for example an icon going all multi colored/purple, or models turning white/black. So I tested my GFX Card for Artifacts using ATI Tool at stock speeds which I run it at anyway, tested for about 4 hours and nothing. Tested one stick of ram 4 hours again and nothing. I will test the other stick later, but does anyone else have any ideas what it could be?

Yeormom · #2 02-23-2009, 11:41 AM

WinEQ2 should be able to handle that with no problems. The only thing I can think of quickly is your configuration. For each of your screens, are you using different directories or at least different ini files?

Chrono · #3 02-23-2009, 12:01 PM

Yeah, I have different profiles set up for each client. All using the same EQ directory though, does that make much difference?

Also, what about Windows Paging File? Would that make much difference as well?

Yeormom · #4 02-23-2009, 02:59 PM

They are all using the same directory but are they all using the same eqclient.ini file? I believe that is the name of the configuration file but it's been awhile. It is a configuration option in WinEQ2.

**trevius** · #5 02-23-2009, 06:13 PM

RAM is the biggest limiting factor for multi-boxing. With the amount you have, 6 boxing should be no problem depending on your settings. If you have Luclin models turned on and other effects and settings turned up, then yes, you won't be able to load very many sessions. If you turn all of the settings down and set models to use the old ones, it will let you load up to 2X as many boxes normally. You don't even need WinEQ to do that, it basically comes built into Titanium anyway. Though, WinEQ can be tweaked to probably increase performance overall.

Yes, the paging file can make a difference. If you have it set very small or disabled, you will run out of memory much quicker. For boxing, I recommend turning it on if you have disabled it (it is on by default).

As far as I know, everquest always uses the same eqclient.ini file, so I am not sure what Yeormom is talking about. Maybe WinEQ lets you use multiple or something, I dunno.

The only other thing I can think of is maybe you have a multi-core CPU issue causing your problems. The FAQ in my sig has some suggestions for solutions if so. It also lists some common symptoms you would see while single boxing to tell if it is a multi-core issue or not.

The last thing to consider is to make sure that you have disabled sound for EQ from the configuration menu options before you log into the server select screen. If sound is enabled, you are bound to have crashes after loading more than a couple of issues unless you have a very nice sound card that can handle all of that.

Yeormom · #6 02-24-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevius

As far as I know, everquest always uses the same eqclient.ini file, so I am not sure what Yeormom is talking about. Maybe WinEQ lets you use multiple or something, I dunno.

The primary reason to use WinEQ2 would be for it's ability to maintain separate client settings with one directory, which is where the multiple ini files comes from. You can have say 5 copies of the eqclient.ini file where different windows have different models, sound on/off, etc. The days of needing EQPlayNice are over as the client will now use one copy of graphic files in memory among multiple clients natively, which is what Trevius is pointing out.

Chrono · #7 02-26-2009, 09:59 AM

Still can't figure this out, tested both sticks of RAM the other night for 8-9 hours with memtest. 0 errors.

I lowered the settings on the clients, made sure sound was turned off etc. I tried it with just normal client + EQPlayNice. And when I try and load that 4th client, it just hangs out and closes the window without an error.

Each window seems to be taking up 290k memory with the EQPlayNice/Normal windowed mode. Can't remember if this is about right or not. but the thing is in task manager with 3 clients open my CPU usage is at about 15-20 and the memory usage at the bottom says like 1900/7000..and the 4th window sitll closes.

I think I may test out another graphics card..unless anyone else has any ideas?