Seems like this issue that has been around since launch still affects some users. I wanted to see if internal QA was able to replicated the problem, so I'll post some more details on it.
Basically, on a system that can run the game with all video detail settings maxed, for some reason the game will halt while loading Sol System.
I reproduce this by turning all options to lowest possible detail settings, and set the World texture detail slider to 88%. The loading bar will fill, but then the game goes nowhere. The computer will not hard lock, nor does the game client, as the hints and story bits at the bottom of the screen still update and change. This occurs in both windowed client mode and full screen, at any screen resolution. I normally run at 1680x1050.
Task Manager shows physical mem usage to be locked at around 194,000k, virtual mem also locked, CPU usage pegged at 97-99%, page faults increase without stopping, but I/O writes frozen.
Alternatively, if I max every other detail setting except World texture (8xAA, 16xAF), the game loads fine. In addition to this, the game loads most areas even if world texture is set to 200%, but I can never get into sol system without dropping that setting to 75%, and this remains consistent.
This issue has been mentioned before and the workaround was to either lower world texture detail or start the client in safe mode, then increase the graphics settings once in game. I have to say though, after having to do this for a couple months, it's gotten annoying.
If anyone needs a dxdiag or more details, please PM me or post here. I would really like to see this problem get looked at, since I tend to enjoy the game on the highest possible detail settings and it's sad that I miss out on the Sol System when doing so, or have to monkey around with video settings every single time I go there.
some computer details. fairly older rig but still strong enough for most modern games
Athlon64 3700
msi K8N neo platinum (7030) mainboard
3GB DDR2
winXP Sp2 5.1, 2600 (32bit mode)
directx 9.0c
ait HD3850 agp 512mb, 10.4 catalyst drivers
I tried to test this out some more and I can't really attribute it to anything on the computer end, as once I get into Sol System, I can turn the details back up to 200%. It's really strange. I may end up buying a new hard drive and sata cable to try and fix this, I need to upgrade it anyway. It's an older Western Digital 10k raptor. And I was wanting to also update to Win7 so maybe doing that will clear up this problem.
Anyway back to the loading problem. I checked the network traffic data during the loading hang, and it's not like the server is dumping me because it takes too long to load into the system. Maybe it has something to do with the number of high detail objects (i.e. space shipyards, player ships, sol station) in that area?
Even more strange, I can go max detail and load into Sol Station on Tribble fine. So I suspect it's just a problem with loading so many players in that area simultaneously when logging onto Holodeck.
Last thing to note was that there was ONE time I was able to load into Sol System with max details, and it was after server maintenance. The server was rebooted, and I came on, forgetting I had my details still set to highest, but I didn't freeze up while loading. This was the only time I was able to do that. An hour later, once more people had come online, I again would get the hangup while trying to load into Sol.
I would imagine that since it is basically where all new players start, where everyone transwarps to, and the fact that there a limited number of character slots and instances, that the hang is simply the system trying to allocate you to a free space in the stack.
of course, it it's hanging for a few minutes and not changing, then it may be another problem somewhere along the line.
my mahcine at work hangs for longer, but it's a much lower spec machine and runs windows XP, whereas my home machine is very high spec and runs windows 7.
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Used to be IT for a game company, so I've done the drivers/settings tango, I know my comps are solid.
Anyway back to the loading problem. I checked the network traffic data during the loading hang, and it's not like the server is dumping me because it takes too long to load into the system. Maybe it has something to do with the number of high detail objects (i.e. space shipyards, player ships, sol station) in that area?
Even more strange, I can go max detail and load into Sol Station on Tribble fine. So I suspect it's just a problem with loading so many players in that area simultaneously when logging onto Holodeck.
Last thing to note was that there was ONE time I was able to load into Sol System with max details, and it was after server maintenance. The server was rebooted, and I came on, forgetting I had my details still set to highest, but I didn't freeze up while loading. This was the only time I was able to do that. An hour later, once more people had come online, I again would get the hangup while trying to load into Sol.
Hope that helps.
I would imagine that since it is basically where all new players start, where everyone transwarps to, and the fact that there a limited number of character slots and instances, that the hang is simply the system trying to allocate you to a free space in the stack.
of course, it it's hanging for a few minutes and not changing, then it may be another problem somewhere along the line.
my mahcine at work hangs for longer, but it's a much lower spec machine and runs windows XP, whereas my home machine is very high spec and runs windows 7.