topic Re: Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD in Archive

Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD

idata — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:39:58 GMT

While I'm playing a specific online game(LOTRO), my screen will freeze. The sound and cursor are sill operational and usually after a few secs(10-25), it will unfreeze and I can resume playing. After hours/days of troubleshooting numerous items this is what I have found:

- A new windows 7 install on the WD 640GB HDD and no game freezes.

- A new windows 7 install on the Intel SSD and game freezes.

The SSD has the latest firmware and is using AHCI. It only appears to happen on this game. I've played numerous other games on this drive with no apparent issues. I've been working with LOTRO support and have finally narrowed it down to this as the cause. Would appreciate any help on resolving this. Thanks

Re: Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD

idata — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:09:25 GMT

try this - http://www.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/x25m/sb/CS-031542.htm

hope this helps.

Re: Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD

idata — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:28:49 GMT

Thanks for the response. Most of the settings this article refers to I had already set. A couple of days ago after posting this I decided to try updating/replacing the Microsft AHCI controller driver with Intels new RST driver which supports Trim. So far the results look promising. I'll post an update once I finish testing.

Re: Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD

idata — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:47:49 GMT

I just wanted to update this in hopes that it will help someone else with this problem. The problem has been fixed by replacing the Window 7 default msahci drive controller with the new Intel RST driver.

Re: Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD

idata — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:40:54 GMT

Thanks mthortsen, I've been investigating the same issue on my machine today and your solution solved it for me too.

Does anyone know if Intel and/or Microsoft are aware of this problem?

Here's a screenshot from Windows 7 Resource Monitor showing a 1000 ms (or 1 second) delay when trying to write to a save game file, it didn't happen on every write but it happened enough that the game would keep freezing.

Re: Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD

idata — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:42:10 GMT

Glad this solved your issue. I spent days troubleshooting this problem with LOTRO support, from updating graphics and sound card drivers to replacing hardware and checking Internet connections setting. None of us suspected a drive issue. Only after setting up a dual boot configuration and 2 fresh installs did it become apparent. I have not contacted Microsoft or Intel directly. I was working directly with LOTRO support. I'll pass on your additional information to them.

Re: Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD

idata — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 06:21:36 GMT

You are awesome! I had this exact same problem and thanks to you I got it fixed with a google and 30 minutes.

I registered for this page just to thank you. I even wrote this message twice because my power went out before I hit post the first time around!

Thanks again!

Re: Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD

idata — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:17:53 GMT

Glad I was able to help someone else. I worked weeks on this issue before I figured it out. Good luck to ya!

Re: Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD

idata — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:17:33 GMT

Ya, I fully expected I'd be spending weeks to track it down myself. I was really disappointed when I installed to my SSD and performance was horrible. The first hits google gave me were junk. Then I came across your post with the exact problem and answer.

Thanks again!

Re: Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD

idata — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 23:33:30 GMT

I've been experiencing a similar problem with DDO and since they use the same engine I've decided to give your solution a shot. I will post back once results are in.

Re: Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD

idata — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:08:54 GMT

I have not experienced the aforementioned freeze at any point in the last 2 weeks. I'm convinced that this solved my problem.

Re: Intermitent Game Freezes with SSD

idata — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 20:53:35 GMT

This also fixed my problem in World of Warcraft! Thanks to all those that actualy took the time to come back and let us know this works. It's rare to see! Thanks!