Game Freezes and sound loops ? FIX !

Erick-EZ · November 24th, 2008, 11:58 AM

Every once in a while, about every 10 minutes my game freezes, and the sounds start looping. Then, after 5-15 seconds it just continues like nothing happened.

I have a AMD 5600+ X2 @ 3 Ghz. (Dual core), XFX 8800 GT 1024 gfx card, 2 GB DRR400 G.E.I.L. ram.

I know there are more people with steamgames who have these problems, and i know how annoying this could be. Not being able to help your fellow survivor because your game freezes up, missing the boat or the plane, etc.

Hoping this could help a few more gamers, i dedicate my first post to try and help them.

First try in the console: mat_queue_mode 0
This could help solve the problem.

If not, try the following:

http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/cont.../DCO_1.1.4.zip

(AMD users only, NOT Intel !!!)

Run that, and then get this:

http://www.amdzone.com/files/WinXPdualcorehotfix.exe

Then edit your registry to enable the HOTFIX, follow these steps.
1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Right-click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Session Manager, point to New, and then click Key.
3. Type Throttle for the new key name.
4. Right-click Throttle, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
5. Type PerfEnablePackageIdle for the value name.
6. Right-click PerfEnablePackageIdle, and then click Modify.
7. In the Edit DWORD Value box, type 1. In the Value data box, make sure that Hexadecimal is selected, and then click OK.
8. Quit Registry Editor.

Make sure your BOOT.ini has this command in it, /usepmtimer to check, right click on My Computer go to properties, click on the ADVANCED tab, then under startup and recovery click on settings, then click on EDIT....

Now install the NEW AMD Dual Core Optimizer from here: http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...1_9706,00.html

Your Boot.ini should look something like this now:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /usepmtimer

If you wonder how to rollback this installation, do this:

1 - Uninstall the Hotfix, go into add/remove programs, click on show updates and remove update numbered KB896256

2 - Reverse the registry entry.

3 - Uninstall the AMD drivers.

4 - Uninstall the AMD Dual Core Optimizer.

Landstriker · November 24th, 2008, 12:17 PM

I'm sure the guys that has the same issue as you will read this and hopefully get it fixed. Good work dude.

Ruune · November 25th, 2008, 05:57 PM

Thanks for the fix, Erick. The mat_queue_mode 0 completely fixes my issues with the game. Is there any way I can permanently change that function so that I don't have to type it in every time I start my game? I'm not even really sure exactly what mat_queue_mode 0 does.

And if anyone's curious, I have a real similar setup to the OP. AMD Athlon x2 6400 (3.2 ghz/core) with a geforce 8800 GTS

viglen · November 26th, 2008, 01:11 PM

http://www.amdzone.com/files/WinXPdualcorehotfix.exe

This link is broken can someone host it to rapidshare or something

Fantasised · November 26th, 2008, 01:16 PM

I had this problem as well, and updating all my drivers to their latest version fixed it.
I would try that first, updating drivers is never a bad idea anyway.

General_Jah · November 27th, 2008, 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by Erick-EZ

Every once in a while, about every 10 minutes my game freezes, and the sounds start looping. Then, after 5-15 seconds it just continues like nothing happened.

I have a AMD 5600+ X2 @ 3 Ghz. (Dual core), XFX 8800 GT 1024 gfx card, 2 GB DRR400 G.E.I.L. ram.

I know there are more people with steamgames who have these problems, and i know how annoying this could be. Not being able to help your fellow survivor because your game freezes up, missing the boat or the plane, etc.

Hoping this could help a few more gamers, i dedicate my first post to try and help them.

First try in the console: mat_queue_mode 0
This could help solve the problem.

I just wanted to say thank you, this fixed my problem. I have a high end rig with intel chips and was having this same issue. The mat_queue_mode 0 worked for me.

Would you mind explaining what this does exactly and why it works, thanks.

lighterrrr · November 27th, 2008, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by General_Jah

I just wanted to say thank you, this fixed my problem. I have a high end rig with intel chips and was having this same issue. The mat_queue_mode 0 worked for me.

Would you mind explaining what this does exactly and why it works, thanks.

i have the same problem but how do i use the console thing to type that thing , you mean the chat, im playing left4dead and i didnt find the console thing.

thanks for help in advance

Fantasised · November 27th, 2008, 07:28 AM

Go to Mouse/Keyboard options ingame, and turn on the 'Developers console'.

Then press the '~' button.

N40.Oz · November 27th, 2008, 02:54 PM

I will kiss you if this works.

Mr0zzmaN · November 28th, 2008, 05:23 PM

I had the same problems. I updated my graphics driver and it solved my prob.

Hysteria · November 28th, 2008, 05:49 PM

Get a Jar of Mayo
Get a Knife
Go to CD-Drive
Insert knife with mayo on it
Problem fixed

ReknapS · January 3rd, 2009, 04:35 AM

Just wanted to chime in that I had the latest drivers (nvidia 178.24) and it was freezing up on me.

I did the mat_queue_mode 0 code and it fixed the problem beautifully!

Thanks!

Hydra · January 3rd, 2009, 06:44 PM

I was trying to play this game with AMD 64 3000+ with a Geforce 6800.

it kept on displaying funny textures after awhile, but this fix seems to have fix the issue now thanks for the info!

Mytheral · January 4th, 2009, 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by Hydra

I was trying to play this game with AMD 64 3000+ with a Geforce 6800.

it kept on displaying funny textures after awhile, but this fix seems to have fix the issue now thanks for the info!

Update the drivers to 178.24s and you wont have that problem, still using a 6800 ultra till Monday or Tuesday. Heh

Left 4 Dead: Common PC Fixes

AMD XP 2400+ | 2GB DDR 3200 | Audigy 2 ZS | Nvidia 6800 Ultra