So many issues

[enjikari]

(first off, thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this)
I've been suffering from some FFXIV issues for the past 2 months or so. First off, lemme list some basics:

Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 1 (build 7601)
4.33 gigahertz AMD FX-8350 Eight-Core
Board: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. M5A99FX PRO R2.0 Rev 1.xx
16284 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
AMD Radeon R9 290
Asustek Computer / RT-AC66U 3.0.0.4.374 (router)
CableOne 50+mbps internet, wired

There are a few issues that are crippling my gaming. They happen at random times, so I cannot point to a specific time/time of day/area/instance/etc that they occurred. I can say that as of typing this, they happen 2-3 times a day:

- random game crashing
Out of nowhere, game just stops. Crashes. Can open it back up, sign back in,a nd get back in, but the game will just crash, for who knows what reason.

- random, unexplained BSODs
Same as above just happens out of nowhere. Game crashes to a BSOD screen with “STOP: 0x0000007E” and “dxgmms1.sys” errors. I've done some basic troubleshooting for this (read: google), and have 1) downloaded/installed all the most recent Windows updates, 2) completely wiped my GPU's video drivers, then downloaded/installed the most recent ones from the manuf, 3) went ABOVE AND BEYOND with changing the game's graphics settings (I have it set to “Standard Laptop”, and have damn near every option unchecked or set to the lowest settings), 4) and this goes for all issues: have run a few spyware/malware/etc programs, cleaned out any/all potential issues. 5) probably other tips/hints/fixes/tweaks here and there. Nothing has worked permanently; I still get 1-3 BSODs daily.

- random/sporadic lag spikes causing banding issues
This is the most recent, and the worst culprit. Started around Jan 9th/10th (I think). This happens mainly in dungeons and instances (doesn't really lag in the overworld, except for when I'm retrieving retainers...?”. Take today for example: was running Turn10. No other PT members (all on my server) experienced any lag. Yet, throughout the fight (notably when the adds spawn) I will get lag spikes lasting 3-10 seconds (everything will stop on the screen, then speed up and catch up; “banding”). We did ~10 runs total, and this happened 7-8 of them. Random time during the fights, random downtime durations, etc. Also, went running an EX dungeon, had banding issues all throughout. Then capped the night with a ShivaEX farm, but kept banding all over the fight.

On my end, I have: 1) cycled the power on my router, the modem, and the PC. 2) Have connected the ethernet cord directly from the modem to the PC. 3) Called my ISP 3 times, trying to get them to check my connection as soon as I start seeing the spikes (they monitored, but found no issues on their end). This issue happens to not only me, but my wife who plays next to me on PS4. She gets lag spikes the same times I do. And, we both have seen our wired AND wireless connection lag when browsing the internet on PC and laptop, but only when I play XIV.

Seriously, these issues are degrading my XIV experience, big time. Can't play a whole day without either game crashes, BSODs, or SEVERAL lag spikes (which are the worst b/c they happen DURING important fights where I'm needed (Coils and EX fights, etc). Seriously putting a damper on the otherwise fun I experience daily with this game. Does ANYone have ANY idea on what I can do/try? Any help would be greatly greatly appreciated.

[Ruri]

The BSOD might be a memory or video card issue, as far as lag which ISP do you use?

[Squintina]

When your computer crashes, it creates a dump file of what caused it to crash. You can open that up in a program and see. It might not be your graphics card.

[enjikari]

The BSOD might be a memory or video card issue, as far as lag which ISP do you use?

Could be. I ran two different memory tests, both passed fine. As for the card, idk how to test it other than running furmark, which I did for 2 hours and it never crashed/failed. As for the ISP, I referenced it in my OP: "CableOne 50+mbps internet, wired"

When your computer crashes, it creates a dump file of what caused it to crash. You can open that up in a program and see. It might not be your graphics card.

Where is this dump file? Is it just a text file, or does it need a specific program to open it with and if so, what program do I open it with? Also, is there a similar thing available for when XIV just crashes by itself?

[Squa11_Leonhart]

BSODS are hardware or driver issue
Crashes to desktop are a known AMD driver issue (in this game). Textures are not invalidated and continue to accumulate in memory until the process crashes.

[Squintina]

Where is this dump file? Is it just a text file, or does it need a specific program to open it with and if so, what program do I open it with? Also, is there a similar thing available for when XIV just crashes by itself?

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html

Or download WinDbg, locate the dump file in C:\Minidump or C:\Windows\Minidump (or whatever drive you're using)

[Dunncan]

I was about to create another thread, since OP is having a lot of issues, but I'll just try to focus on one:

- random/sporadic lag spikes causing banding issues
This is the most recent, and the worst culprit. Started around Jan 9th/10th (I think). This happens mainly in dungeons and instances (doesn't really lag in the overworld, except for when I'm retrieving retainers...?”. Take today for example: was running Turn10. No other PT members (all on my server) experienced any lag. Yet, throughout the fight (notably when the adds spawn) I will get lag spikes lasting 3-10 seconds (everything will stop on the screen, then speed up and catch up; “banding”). We did ~10 runs total, and this happened 7-8 of them. Random time during the fights, random downtime durations, etc. Also, went running an EX dungeon, had banding issues all throughout. Then capped the night with a ShivaEX farm, but kept banding all over the fight.

Same problem, started last week. It's not new for me, sometimes it happens but usually it's not so often and agressive as it's beeing this week.

And I can't figure out the reason, since:

1st Suspect, Internet: I play on my Notebook and my Girfriend on a PS4. Same internet connection, only I was having the problem;
2nd Suspect, Hardware: A friend from my static was having the same problem on his PC, and tried to switch to PS4. Same problem.

Anyone have experienced this issue? It cost us or training on T13 last night =/

[Kiara1]

I was about to create another thread, since OP is having a lot of issues, but I'll just try to focus on one:



Same problem, started last week. It's not new for me, sometimes it happens but usually it's not so often and agressive as it's beeing this week.

And I can't figure out the reason, since:

1st Suspect, Internet: I play on my Notebook and my Girfriend on a PS4. Same internet connection, only I was having the problem;
2nd Suspect, Hardware: A friend from my static was having the same problem on his PC, and tried to switch to PS4. Same problem.

Anyone have experienced this issue? It cost us or training on T13 last night =/

This is happening to me too, only in dungeons, or instanced zones. Started about a week ago or so. My sister is having the same issues but we aren't getting them at the same time (she doesn't live here). The game stops for around 2-3 seconds and then fast forwards. It happens around 5-6 times in a dungeon, and I just did ST where it happened around 3 times.
It can get vexing sometimes when I'm playing my tank with not that high ilvl and fighting aggro from 2 double flareing blms.

[Dunncan]

This is happening to me too, only in dungeons, or instanced zones. Started about a week ago or so. My sister is having the same issues but we aren't getting them at the same time (she doesn't live here). The game stops for around 2-3 seconds and then fast forwards. It happens around 5-6 times in a dungeon, and I just did ST where it happened around 3 times.
It can get vexing sometimes when I'm playing my tank with not that high ilvl and fighting aggro from 2 double flareing blms.

We, it's very annoying and, even beeing not new to me, it's getting wrost from about a week or two. Monday we could not give a single try on t13 since it was happening from the very start of the fight until first GigaFlare. I was like doing my rotarion from memory only, and watching my GF screen to see if I got marked or something. Lol. After 2 tries and no improve, we gave up =/

What frustrate me more is that I can't figure out the problem (and then a solution) =/

[enjikari]

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html

Or download WinDbg, locate the dump file in C:\Minidump or C:\Windows\Minidump (or whatever drive you're using)

011315-20451-01.dmp 01/13/2015 1:25:25 SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED 0x1000007e ffffffff`c0000005 fffff880`1239ce2f fffff880`020cd568 fffff880`020ccdc0 dxgmms1.sys dxgmms1.sys+1dff7 DirectX Graphics MMS Microsoft® Windows® Operating System Microsoft Corporation 6.1.7601.18126 (win7sp1_gdr.130409-1534) x64 dxgmms1.sys+20e2f C:\Windows\Minidump\011315-20451-01.dmp 8 15 7601 276,240 01/13/2015 1:26:28

This is what I copied. This is the last one from the last BSoD I experienced.