Hard Drive Speed issues

[ZWarrior]

OK, as some of you noticed, I found a solution to the issues with BattleField2 crashing, and it was caused by hard drive speed.

But trying to explain this to you has been trying at best.

Here is the thread and page I got the first clue from:
http://www.forumplanet.com/planetbattlefield/topic.asp?fid=13392&tid=1694192&p=4

Here is the entry:

I FIXED IT! I F-ING FIXED IT!

the problem is the harddrive.

if its too slow at verifying client data or even while playing!! it can couse trouble and get u that annoying "connection lost" message!

ok following things to do.

first check your dma mode!

- go to the system status by pressing the windows key and the pause key at one time.

go to ehm.. lol what is it in english something like advanced settings. xD

now to something simiular to system performance. you go to advanced again and choose the virtual ram section. you should get your vRAM one something like 1,5 GB (1536mb)

this will get your harddrive gettin tasks handle better.

after this you go to your system status again (windows key + Pause)

after this check your device manager (something like that) and search for an entry called: IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller

now check the settings on your primary IDE channel (right mouseclick - on the advanced settings you will see the hard drive transfer mode! choose DMA if possible (DMA 2, 5 etc.)

same on secondary IDE channel.
after this you should clean up your hard drive..

- defrag
- hardrive data cleaner (on the same directory of defrag!)
- clean registry etc.

(open google and search for regseeker great programm!)

do anything that makes your harddrive faster!

close all unneeded background tasks like any messangers, file shares etc. u know! deactivate your ANTI VIRUS while playing. this can be couse trouble when playing (but do how u like) i personally let my firewall on if its configured the right way.

DONT use any programs to take acces on the internet! couse its another program which takes data capacity.

use the windows network assistent to create your network assistent by using your ISP username blablablah all this stuff (helped for me!!)

my bf2 runs great now. (try to hold your virtual ram under 300mb whithout using BF2! couse it will get up to 900~100 while playing)

sorry for my bad translations for that tasks and programms..

for more (and better details) you can ask me if you are german. then i can give your better advices

I REALLY - YES - I REALLY HOPE I COULD HELP YOU! good luck for ur fixing and have fun with the game. im just happy that i made it!
fix

You notice that he is talking about the mode the controller is in?  Well, I did a bit more digging and found another link that will help all of you experiencing slow drive speeds. This one will help you in tweaking the drive controller speeds.

ATA
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/45

SATA
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/27

Use these well, and speed up those drives!!

[Edited on 9-13-2005 by ZWarrior]

[Morpheus]

Thanks!!!

I ran the HD Tach utility again, just to make sure.  Both my drives are running as they should be.  In fact one is a little bit faster than their included bench test on the same drive.  Good to know that when I get BF2 that this should not be a problem.

Here are my drives
C:\ Maxtor 80GB SATA 150 6Y080M0 This has my OS and office type apps and my swap file.

D:\ Maxtor 80GB ATA133 6Y080P0 This has my games and data files on it.

[snauzberries]

i did all that and its still slow....i need a upgrade..

[ZWarrior]

That we are VERY sure of.

[JollyRoger]

Snauz, You've need an upgrade for a very long time.
You need to save up your Cash and start building a new system.

[Mr_Anderson]

You could first stop buying all of those moives!