Worst crash I ever had in any game. - Page 2

Hitperson · 11-26-2006, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [-=IDSF=-]SykloAG

So I was enjoying playing online - really this game kicks ass. The level ended and my team won. Great so far. The next level finished loading, a commander was elected - and I was about to spawn...

Crash boom Bang. Splat. No response. Ok. Ctrl-Alt-Del does not work. Kinda odd (I'm running Win 2003 R2 64-bit), and this is the first time my computer stopped responding.

I press the reset switch. Windows loads, but I get "A device or service failed to start". So I check the event logs - MySQL and Apache failed to load, some stupid error code. Hmm... interesting. I go to try find the Apache logs to see what happened. Hey, where is my E: F: and G: partitions?

Gone - 250GB of 3x 80GB partitions are suddenly missing. Holy crap. This is a first.

Luckily, my C: and D: drives were OK, so I was able to still boot and connect to the Internet. After some time I saw my partition table on Disk 1 had been corrupted. 3 hours of searching later for a really suitable partition tool, I finally got it to work.

Now I'm scared to run this Project Reality again. What the hell could have gone wrong? This was not a hardware failure (no bad sectors). Something was simply writing to my HDD non-stop. The HDD access light was on for 5 minutes b4 I pressed the reset switch. I'm pretty sure it would have stayed on for 5 hours had I given it the chance. Is there anything in your code that could have done this (gone into a file-writing loop)? Or is this just some random BF2 bug?

I have no viruses, spyware or anything like that. Latest DirectX, drivers, a fast stable machine - never any problems.

Two words "power cut" ive had this before when there has been a power outage (or ive knocked the power lead) the only solution is to starts up in safe mode and do a restart (this happend on my old PC and all but 32 meg of ram (a quater of what it had) and 1 drive (out of 3) was left read able. so you have to do a legit restart.

[-=IDSF=-]SykloAG · 11-26-2006, 12:42 PM

Yeah, I fixed em. My partition table was gone, but NTFS specifies that a backup is kept at a fixed location relative to the start of each partition. I was lucky.

Whats with thinking that its a download problem? The installer keeps a checksum of the file to verify its integrity, right? If the file was corrupt in some way, would it not say so? I used Flashget just like I've used for countless other programs. I have never downloaded anything that turned out to be corrupt with Flashget.

I've been disconnected from FTP servers, downloaded crap, etc but never downloaded a file that was corrupted as a result of the transfer, unless the file on the server itself was corrupt. And I'm talking about 100's of GB over like 5 years. Seriously, my service provider loses money on me every month (I am downloading almost constantly unless playing at 300KB/s).

BTW, I have a fixed IP and dedicated business line. Dedicated as far as my ISP is concerned means that they guarantee 99.99% uptime monthly (unless they have a power faliure) and that I get 1st in line for technical support etc.

Still, if its something you think is worth pursuing, here is my download log:

URL: http://65.77.169.78/mods/bf2/prm/cli...0406_setup.exe
Referrer: http://realitymod.com/forum/t11064-p...-released.html

Hitperson, this was not a power cut. Did I not mention I have a UPS? Oh, damn. I did not. Anyways, its a really nice one - ADVICE 1050VA. I highly recommend it. You need a UPS for a reliable system, especially when it is a (albeit lightly used) DB, WWW and email server.

Duckitt · 11-26-2006, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [-=IDSF=-]SykloAG

Whats with thinking that its a download problem? The installer keeps a checksum of the file to verify its integrity, right? If the file was corrupt in some way, would it not say so? I used Flashget just like I've used for countless other programs. I have never downloaded anything that turned out to be corrupt with Flashget.

I've been disconnected from FTP servers, downloaded crap, etc but never downloaded a file that was corrupted as a result of the transfer, unless the file on the server itself was corrupt. And I'm talking about 100's of GB over like 5 years. Seriously, my service provider loses money on me every month (I am downloading almost constantly unless playing at 300KB/s).

I'm not saying the DL was corrupted but perhaps the file itself was corrupted. Or had a virus attached.

[-=IDSF=-]SykloAG · 11-26-2006, 01:46 PM

I sure hope it was not a Virus - that means my NAV corporate edition sucks and that PR is linking to bad hosts

For corruption, again, is there not a checksum??? MD5 hash, or equivalent?

dizzy · 11-26-2006, 01:47 PM

Probably not enough ram and your hard drive was thrashing and caused it to be come corrupt.

Even though you have 2 gigs you seem to be running your PR client on a server. And you are running apache and mysql which take ram . Not sure what else is running.

Also you say "I've been overclocking since 1994" and as you know whenever you overclock it can make problems that wouldn't come up under normal circumstances appear. It puts more strain on your hardware and if there is a slight flaw it can be multiplied many times over.

[-=IDSF=-]SykloAG · 11-26-2006, 02:23 PM

Yo, dizzy, easy man

With BF2 in a map, I can alt-tab and I see I still have like 400MB free physical RAM on even the largest crazy custom levels. MySQL only takes 4-12MB pyhsical RAM, same with Apache. I've stopped many other services. When my system boots, all the server software and Windows together take less than 400MB, and even less after unused components get moved over to the swap file.

My system is NOT overclocked. I said I've been overclocking since '94 to insinuate that I am not a noob PC user, before people start suggesting that I check settings in my BIOS, defrag or some other bull.

My computer does not thrash unless an app leaks its guts - which brings the question - could PR cause thrashing? As a result, say of mismanaging objects/lists of pointers, or something to that effect?

dizzy · 11-26-2006, 02:37 PM

Maybe it was a one time fluke event that had to do with many variables coming together to produce this weird effect? Maybe some extra strain on the hard drives plus some extra heat plus whatever + whatever...

My vote is fire up PR again and see what happens!!!

Also, I dont think you are a noob PC user as most people that have taken the time to download a mod for a game are slightly above the average game user.

[-=IDSF=-]SykloAG · 11-26-2006, 03:34 PM

Damn, I sure hope it was a one time fluke event. Hell I know computers can be as sensitive as a 16 **** ***'s ***** (I'm censoring myself so I don't get banned), but its still kinda odd that it happened with a new mod. So, ok, I've played a bit since the event, and so far so good. If it happens again though, I'm gonna MAKE IT KNOWN that something weird is up.

Anyways, as I have no clue about BF modding, is the mod logic contained in compiled DLLs or is it text files with Python that gets interpreted at runtime? I ask cause I want to look into the source code to see what is cooking there (purely for educational purposes until I can really understand it).

KingofCamelot · 11-26-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [-=IDSF=-]SykloAG

Anyways, as I have no clue about BF modding, is the mod logic contained in compiled DLLs or is it text files with Python that gets interpreted at runtime? I ask cause I want to look into the source code to see what is cooking there (purely for educational purposes until I can really understand it).

The mod code is contained in zip files, using CON files and TWEAK files. BF2 uses a very simplistic scripting language that is all about filling in variables for the templates, there are no custom written functions or anything like that.

Python is more advanced and is more like actual code, but this only runs server side when playing online, and it doesn't have any lower level access to hard drives anyways.

Python is added on top of the core logic of BF2, and so its not really something you should focus on. It has very limited access to the BF2 engine and is only really used for gamemodes, and in our most recent build, kit limiting.

[-=IDSF=-]SykloAG · 11-26-2006, 06:15 PM

Thanks for the response KingofCamelot. It seems that based on your explanation, the MOD does not do any client-side scripting. If this is correct, then it aint the mod directly that caused the crash.

Unless it happens again this case is closed in the meantime. Still puzzling to me how this happened. Damn PCs. I miss DOS

and booting from 360KB floppies - NOT!

Now in the meantime I am going to look at these CON and TWEAK files and the server-side python. I remember Quake had QuakeC that was quite powerful. It was possible to do anything with the engine. Is that not the case here?

11-26-2006, 01:47 PM	#15
dizzy Retired PR Developer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 697	Probably not enough ram and your hard drive was thrashing and caused it to be come corrupt. Even though you have 2 gigs you seem to be running your PR client on a server. And you are running apache and mysql which take ram . Not sure what else is running. Also you say "I've been overclocking since 1994" and as you know whenever you overclock it can make problems that wouldn't come up under normal circumstances appear. It puts more strain on your hardware and if there is a slight flaw it can be multiplied many times over.
	Project Reality League Admin

11-26-2006, 02:37 PM	#17
dizzy Retired PR Developer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 697	Maybe it was a one time fluke event that had to do with many variables coming together to produce this weird effect? Maybe some extra strain on the hard drives plus some extra heat plus whatever + whatever... My vote is fire up PR again and see what happens!!! Also, I dont think you are a noob PC user as most people that have taken the time to download a mod for a game are slightly above the average game user.
	Project Reality League Admin

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11-26-2006, 12:42 PM	#12
[-=IDSF=-]SykloAG Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Israel Posts: 404	Yeah, I fixed em. My partition table was gone, but NTFS specifies that a backup is kept at a fixed location relative to the start of each partition. I was lucky. Whats with thinking that its a download problem? The installer keeps a checksum of the file to verify its integrity, right? If the file was corrupt in some way, would it not say so? I used Flashget just like I've used for countless other programs. I have never downloaded anything that turned out to be corrupt with Flashget. I've been disconnected from FTP servers, downloaded crap, etc but never downloaded a file that was corrupted as a result of the transfer, unless the file on the server itself was corrupt. And I'm talking about 100's of GB over like 5 years. Seriously, my service provider loses money on me every month (I am downloading almost constantly unless playing at 300KB/s). BTW, I have a fixed IP and dedicated business line. Dedicated as far as my ISP is concerned means that they guarantee 99.99% uptime monthly (unless they have a power faliure) and that I get 1st in line for technical support etc. Still, if its something you think is worth pursuing, here is my download log: URL: http://65.77.169.78/mods/bf2/prm/cli...0406_setup.exe Referrer: http://realitymod.com/forum/t11064-p...-released.html Hitperson, this was not a power cut. Did I not mention I have a UPS? Oh, damn. I did not. Anyways, its a really nice one - ADVICE 1050VA. I highly recommend it. You need a UPS for a reliable system, especially when it is a (albeit lightly used) DB, WWW and email server.

11-26-2006, 01:46 PM	#14
[-=IDSF=-]SykloAG Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Israel Posts: 404	I sure hope it was not a Virus - that means my NAV corporate edition sucks and that PR is linking to bad hosts For corruption, again, is there not a checksum??? MD5 hash, or equivalent?

11-26-2006, 02:23 PM	#16
[-=IDSF=-]SykloAG Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Israel Posts: 404	Yo, dizzy, easy man With BF2 in a map, I can alt-tab and I see I still have like 400MB free physical RAM on even the largest crazy custom levels. MySQL only takes 4-12MB pyhsical RAM, same with Apache. I've stopped many other services. When my system boots, all the server software and Windows together take less than 400MB, and even less after unused components get moved over to the swap file. My system is NOT overclocked. I said I've been overclocking since '94 to insinuate that I am not a noob PC user, before people start suggesting that I check settings in my BIOS, defrag or some other bull. My computer does not thrash unless an app leaks its guts - which brings the question - could PR cause thrashing? As a result, say of mismanaging objects/lists of pointers, or something to that effect?

11-26-2006, 03:34 PM	#18
[-=IDSF=-]SykloAG Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Israel Posts: 404	Damn, I sure hope it was a one time fluke event. Hell I know computers can be as sensitive as a 16 ** 's **** (I'm censoring myself so I don't get banned), but its still kinda odd that it happened with a new mod. So, ok, I've played a bit since the event, and so far so good. If it happens again though, I'm gonna MAKE IT KNOWN that something weird is up. Anyways, as I have no clue about BF modding, is the mod logic contained in compiled DLLs or is it text files with Python that gets interpreted at runtime? I ask cause I want to look into the source code to see what is cooking there (purely for educational purposes until I can really understand it).

11-26-2006, 06:15 PM	#20
[-=IDSF=-]SykloAG Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Israel Posts: 404	Thanks for the response KingofCamelot. It seems that based on your explanation, the MOD does not do any client-side scripting. If this is correct, then it aint the mod directly that caused the crash. Unless it happens again this case is closed in the meantime. Still puzzling to me how this happened. Damn PCs. I miss DOS and booting from 360KB floppies - NOT! Now in the meantime I am going to look at these CON and TWEAK files and the server-side python. I remember Quake had QuakeC that was quite powerful. It was possible to do anything with the engine. Is that not the case here?

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