Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

So, I've read a number of old threads about the performance/lag problems in Zero Hour when you're playing skirmish mode.

I have the same problem. My hardware should be running this game easily, and in fact Generals ran just fine.

Is there a definitive solution on how to fix this problem? I've read that you shouldn't have v1.02 patch, turn AA=0, run with the -nofpslimit switch, etc. But I don't know if any of these are the "real" solution.

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

There is no real solution. My computer should run generals fine too but it doesn't. Um don't waste your time contacting EA either. I think they have a contest at EA to see who can come up with the lamest responses to tech support e-mail. They told me to just know how many units I can build and not go over the limit.

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

That is about the saddest excuse for a tech response I have ever heard. I should be having no problem in skirmish mode either, but I do as well. I have at least one OEM map and several last stand maps that lag to the point I can not finish the skirmish. This has been a problem since I installed Reborn Last Stand. Someone told me that it is caused by the high end codes and graphics they used in the mod but I haven't heard anyone echo this opinion. Instead, many more blame EA.

I am not sure where the blame lies, but I really wish a solution could be found soon.

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

The problem with lag as far as Reborn V5 The Last Stand is due to the advanced coding that was used for the AI. That problem should be fixed when V6 is released. Unfortunatly there is not a release date set for the next version of that mod. According to the nuker it will be released when its done.

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

If you truly need a fix...smash your disk:D you will get some joy out of it.

Give computers 10 years to catch up to Ea's uber 1337 advanced coding:p

I can run it ok with 1 or 2 computers on a small map

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Download this, your lag problem will disappear.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/S...heman-XP.shtml

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Really?? I'll have to try it sometime. That is as long as it doesn't screw up my computer.

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Yep!
Although the settings may need fiddling with, if anyone is still have a problem, post on this thread and I'll try and help.

ED.

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

OK, I'm leaving in about 30 minutes. I'll be back on the 22nd. I'll try it then.

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Unless this program does something revolutionary that I am not awar of, it won't make to much of a difference t most people, all it does is clean your cache and there is way better ways to speed up your pc. many other programs do that and more like:
reg scrub
tune up utilties
registry first aid
boost xp
and many others. I suggest you download all of the above program becasue they will all help your pc in their own way, you will be stunned by the difference if you don't run regular maintaince on your pc. Also don't forget to get spybot seach and destroy, god that program rocks. If your wondering what authority I have on pc maintainence, I work for my school IT dept, I am a+ certified, and in cisco network academy program, training for my CCNA. Hope that helps a little, MAINTAIN YOUR PC AND IT WILL LOVE YOU BACK! Also, even after running all those progs, odds are you will still get lag because generals is coded terribly, their over complicated their AI code, and some of their particle shading sucks, creating more lag. No matter how good the pc, it just can't cope with EA crappy crappy code. Damn you EA your ruin everything you touch. Sorry about getting off on a rant there...

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

I also use:
Spybot
Adaware
F-Secure AV
Supreme cleaner (reg cleaner)
Crap Cleaner (reg cleaner #2)
TweakXP
RivaTuner (overclocking utility)

And none of the above programs have the effect Cacheman has.
Cacheman is a memory manager, for not only your on-cpu cache/s, but your RAM too, it frees up ram and cache memory used by background programs which are not in direct use, also cacheman can be set to recover your ram to give your main application (in this case Generals:Zero Hour) more to play with after a given number of minutes, and it works!
Quite what the problem is with regard to the coding within ZeroHour that eats up your cache and RAM I have no idea, I couldn't play a whole skirmish before installing this, even against one hard opponent as the lag made it unplayable, now I can take on seven hard AI's and not have the slightest problem.

Why don't you try it, then give an opinion?

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Ypu have raised a fair point, with technical knowledge to back it up. I will download the program and give it a shot, hopefully it works as good as you say it does ;)

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Groovy.

Has anybody else found this to be a solution? Or are still having problems?
A lot of people on here do not seem to post...!?

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Kudos to you, you where right. I ran the program on the server computer for the lan game and it played flawlessly. Nice find, I reccomend this to everyone on the forums!

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Nice one.

A few more reports like this it should perhaps be made a sticky...?
Anybody else?

Praise or flame...either is good. http://forums.filefront.com/images/smilies/smilie.gif

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Hmm, it works very well with single player, over LAN it still lagged a little but it was much better.

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

We have a master sticky thread in here with links to my thread about fixing common basic problems, you may want to post it in there. The thread name is tech FAQ: read firs!

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

So do I just let it run in the background while I play the game or what? Do I have to change any settings or anything?

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Yes background running.

There is an option to recover ram after a certain amount of time. I set this to 15mins. There are some other things I fiddled with I think, I'll have a look tonight .

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Its ok, It has locked my comuter up once. Helps to free up about 200mb of ram so I get a good 768mb of ram free:D I don't think It will fix it though.

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

I just tried it out and I wouldn't say that it works "very well". I did not notice any difference at all actually. My game got very laggy (what I would consider "unplayable") after about 5 minutes in Twilight Flame with 7 hard armies. Is there some settings that I need to change to make it work better?

EDIT: I had my graphics on high and resolution at 1024x768.

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Strange... the only lag I get now is when cacheman does it's job every 15mins, for about 10-20 seconds, then it's smooth again.
Try setting it up to recover your RAM when used RAM reaches 50% or so. (256MB in my case, 512MB RAM).
Turn off defrag at startup option.

Oh by the way, I have my resolution set at 800 x 600 as I only have a 15" monitor, but i've edited the ini file to allow the camera to zoom out further..

There may be some other thinks to tweak, didn't get chance to look last night, will do over weekend.

Also: I wonder if EA's new patch will help things?!?

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Yes, I think I'll see if the patch fixes the lag before looking into cacheman anymore.

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Greetings! I have downloaded this program. Are there any baseline settings that should be used to eradicate the lag problem? Also, should I have the program activley running in the background or has downloading it simply been enough to fix the lag?

Thanks,
Chris:D

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Greetings all! I've tried the new patch as werll as cacheman with no spectacular results in ZH Reborn Last Stand. I tried playing a map entitled Southeast Asia. Within five minutes, the game lags to a virtual standstill.:(

Also, did you install the shareware version or the purchased version? I see the latter has other utilities the shareware version does not.....

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Hey all - I just read another thread that suggested setting the option.ini antiailiasing file from "1" to "0". I tried it. My first boot up of the game took several minutes. However, once it did come up, I was able to play some of the most recent maps that were lagging with no problem. I am going to go back and try some of the older maps that lagged to see if this is the cure. Keep in mind that I just downloaded cacheman today as well. Perhaps the combination is the ticket - I don;t know as I didn't try the option.ini suggestion before installing cacheman.


Hope this works for eveyone else and I will post an updated report on my testing of the old maps.
:naughty: :KTA:

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Try fins solution, I think some User made maps force on Antialiasing, some cause more bother than others depending on their content.

It seem there is more than one solution to this problem afterall, and everybody is different.

If the cacheman solution works for you, then you only need the shareware version, defrag at startup: off, recover RAM every: (# of minutes, depending on how long it takes before lag makes game a pain), recover ram when used ram reaches: 256-350(512Mb total ram) or 512-700(1Gb total ram), etc...

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Are you using the shareware version of cacheman or the purchased evrsion?

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Sorry all. Many of the maps still lag significantly, even with cacheman installed and the options.ini antialaising set to zero. :bawl:

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

I'm not even sure if the SLi 6800's with 4ghz processors and 4gb of ram can run this correctly:p

I run alot of beta user made maps that use alot of scripting. My buddy scripts them and knows ways to optmize the scripts to make it lag alot less. I can riun it with 8x Af and 4x AA:D

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

I don't suppose there is any way to "share the weath" on that optimization? :D

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

Lol.

I'm just running it with -nofpslimit and no -shellmap :D

The omega drivers, nuff said, they own with a %20 to %25 boost in speed:D

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

I have the same problem with the reborn last stand mod too. I even tried lowering details and it still persists with the laging. I also noticed a few bugs and errors on the game but thats for another story.
Even with me playing the regular Zero Hour it lags so bad with just me and 3 computers that i go eat and come back and its still building something. Also found that occasionaly found that one of the computers have been defeated but are still there. there buildings when u try to attack hilight like a civilian structure. they really need to fix this. There is no excuse!!

Re: Definitive Solution to Zero Hour Lag Problem
 

AI units getting stuck cause enormous amounts of lag, the command string fills up and delays other commands.
This is clearly rubbish coding on EA's part. Come to think of it, red alert did it also to a certain degree.

Most annoying is units without commands sit there and block the route of those with commands, the AI isn't smart enough to find a way around (they try to push though or order blockingunit to move out of the way, which often, they cannot).
The AI units with no commands sit ouside the war factory blocking the paths of others and this adds to the lag.

To try to get around this you need to use maps which have the maximum amount of possible build space, with no thin paths which can be easily blocked.
To be honest this ruins the game for me completly (as only the most boring and crappy maps fall under this category) and have since moved on to another (non-EA) game.

When is Act of War out again?!? ;p