Thanks to this thread, I realized that the problem was my graphics card temperature. And I should've guess coz my fingers burned when I played WoW. The card was hitting 100-105C !!
For now I play in 1280x800 windowed mode with a game CD box to elevate the screen end of the laptop. I take the CD ROM out for more airflow. Thanks Dell for this facility.
So I got to get the card cooled properly and I am done.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
XFCE Startup
Recently my battery died. Well it was about to die so I got it replaced. But it got me thinking about setting up a bare bone lightweight desktop to use for browsing and coding when battery life is important.
I setup XFCE 4.4.2 with conkeror and emacs, happily ran emacs and type "XS".
Damn Caps_Lock key. I had it remapped to be another CTRL in Gnome. It was a simple option in the settings program. Nothing like that in XFCE, so I scripted it using xmodmap
I put it in the .bashrc but that required starting the terminal for the script to run and Ubuntu does not use bash_profile.
So I was searching for XFCE 4.4.2 specific setup when I came across this post. So if you are looking to autostart anything with XFCE, create a ".desktop" file in the /etc/xdg/autostart folder.
I setup XFCE 4.4.2 with conkeror and emacs, happily ran emacs and type "XS".
Damn Caps_Lock key. I had it remapped to be another CTRL in Gnome. It was a simple option in the settings program. Nothing like that in XFCE, so I scripted it using xmodmap
xmodmap -e "remove Lock = Caps_Lock"So I put it in a file ~/.xmodmap
xmodmap -e "remove Control = Control_L"
xmodmap -e "keycode 66 = Control_L"
xmodmap -e "add Control = Control_L"
remove Lock = Caps_Lockand then started looking for a way to call "xmodmap ~/.xmodmap" at startup. I was directed to ~/.config/autostart by one post. But this is not true.
remove Control = Control_L
keycode 66 = Control_L
add Control = Control_L
I put it in the .bashrc but that required starting the terminal for the script to run and Ubuntu does not use bash_profile.
So I was searching for XFCE 4.4.2 specific setup when I came across this post. So if you are looking to autostart anything with XFCE, create a ".desktop" file in the /etc/xdg/autostart folder.
Flying Fun
As I mentioned WoW keeps dying on my machine lately and I have been doing a lot of testing to find out what goes wrong. This involves doing something in the game for about 10 mins after which the system will start dying.
Killing is impossible in these test runs, coz I am bound to die after the game hangs. So I thought I'd just play with my flying mount for a while.
So I was doing this. (hovering right in front of another hovering toon)
Most of the "hoverers" were AFK. But I found one guy who wasn't.
He started by going higher (hitting space). I responded in the same way. And then we suddenly started on these acrobatic feats... going very high up, diving nose-down, stopping just before hitting the ground, flips (Ins and Del) and turns and keeping track of each other and suddenly stopping to hover in front of each other.
Then we talked a while about mounts and enhancements and how to grind for the 5000G needed for the epic flyer.
Good Fun!
Killing is impossible in these test runs, coz I am bound to die after the game hangs. So I thought I'd just play with my flying mount for a while.
So I was doing this. (hovering right in front of another hovering toon)
Most of the "hoverers" were AFK. But I found one guy who wasn't.
He started by going higher (hitting space). I responded in the same way. And then we suddenly started on these acrobatic feats... going very high up, diving nose-down, stopping just before hitting the ground, flips (Ins and Del) and turns and keeping track of each other and suddenly stopping to hover in front of each other.
Then we talked a while about mounts and enhancements and how to grind for the 5000G needed for the epic flyer.
Good Fun!
Can't play WoW... mysterious CPU hog
Actually the title is really not true. I mean I have had this problem for the past month at least... Just because I have two machines and one of them runs WoW fine, I get to play.
Problem Statement:
Every #$*& 10 mins, some @#&*% processes hogs ##*&%* 100% of the Every #$*& 10 mins, some @#&*% processes hogs ##*&%* 100% of the $&$*%&* CPU and the game %*$(%* hangs. This goes on for 5 mins, after which, I get to play for another 10 mins. It's #$(#*%& annoying.
amp;$*%&* CPU and the game %*$(%* hangs. This goes on for 5 mins, after which, I get to play for another 10 mins. It's #$(#*%& annoying.
Solutions Tried:
Number 1
Getting really frustrated, banging the mouse on the desk, kicking the table, getting up and looking out of the window... (apparently looking for a solution "out there").
Result
Didn't work at all
Number 2
I realized that I am a software developer / analyst and that I can't let this puny process bring me down.
Attempt 1 - Location OFFICE
So next morning I go to office, download process explorer and file monitor and start the game with these programs running.
Result
Nothing... it worked smoothly for 2 hours, after which I stopped playing in office out of embarassment more than anything else. (I am on the bench these days. so I was not goofing off on project time, but still)
Attempt 2 - Location HOME
Went back home and found the same behavior again.
Result
This time I caught the process "System" and saw that one of it's threads running "kmixer.sys" was hogging away the CPU. Loads of threads on the internet saying that some viruses disguise as kmixer.sys. I ran scanned and found nothing wrong. Tried in vain to get rid of this process but to no avail.
Attempt 3 - Location OFFICE
Went to office and started playing again, ironically, hoping that the game crashes...
Result
...and it did. Filemon showed me wow.exe trying to set my windows wallpaper!!! Not to any new file but the wallpaper that is set by default, bliss.bmp . I set the wallpaper to "None". The game worked beautifully again.
I went home happily confused. But life is not so crooked :( . The game started hanging again.
Attempt 4 - Location HOME
Started process explorer and filemon and watched
Result
found that DPC (Deferred Procedure Calls) was the process hogging memory this time. I googled it to find that a number of WoW players were facing this issue already. None with concrete solutions though. Here is the thread.
I updated (reinstalled) the drivers, tried to take out all USB devices, played with the nipple mouse for 10-15 mins. Nothing would solve the problem. When the game hung I couldn't even Alt+Tab to the procexp window.
Attempt 5 - Location OFFICE
Went to office next morning read some stuff again. Renamed the file to "Wow-dont-die.exe". Ran in windowed mode with the system performance graph and filemon running besides WoW.
Result
Found that the game didn't misbehave but I was experiencing "jerks" in the graphics. Played for 1 hour without problem. CPU was consistently at 50-60%. Wow-dont-die.exe being the top process.
Attempt 5b - Location HOME
Not really a solution but to make sure that the game dies, I ran it at full resolution. 1440x900 on my D620. I was running at 1280x800 pitying the Quadro 110M card on my machine.
Result
To my surpirse the game started rendering B-E-A-Utifully well. The CPU usage was never more that 15%.
I left the game running for another one and a half hours. I would alt+tab and check if it was working now and then. No issues at all.
Conclusion
None yet. It works well in office but never at home. So I am going to try it out at home again. Unfortunately today is maintenence till 2:00 in the night (in India), so I'll have to wait till tomorrow.
I hope it works... but whether it does or doesn't, I'll probably never know why it screwed up in the first place.
Problem Statement:
Every #$*& 10 mins, some @#&*% processes hogs ##*&%* 100% of the Every #$*& 10 mins, some @#&*% processes hogs ##*&%* 100% of the $&$*%&* CPU and the game %*$(%* hangs. This goes on for 5 mins, after which, I get to play for another 10 mins. It's #$(#*%& annoying.
amp;$*%&* CPU and the game %*$(%* hangs. This goes on for 5 mins, after which, I get to play for another 10 mins. It's #$(#*%& annoying.
Solutions Tried:
Number 1
Getting really frustrated, banging the mouse on the desk, kicking the table, getting up and looking out of the window... (apparently looking for a solution "out there").
Result
Didn't work at all
Number 2
I realized that I am a software developer / analyst and that I can't let this puny process bring me down.
Attempt 1 - Location OFFICE
So next morning I go to office, download process explorer and file monitor and start the game with these programs running.
Result
Nothing... it worked smoothly for 2 hours, after which I stopped playing in office out of embarassment more than anything else. (I am on the bench these days. so I was not goofing off on project time, but still)
Attempt 2 - Location HOME
Went back home and found the same behavior again.
Result
This time I caught the process "System" and saw that one of it's threads running "kmixer.sys" was hogging away the CPU. Loads of threads on the internet saying that some viruses disguise as kmixer.sys. I ran scanned and found nothing wrong. Tried in vain to get rid of this process but to no avail.
Attempt 3 - Location OFFICE
Went to office and started playing again, ironically, hoping that the game crashes...
Result
...and it did. Filemon showed me wow.exe trying to set my windows wallpaper!!! Not to any new file but the wallpaper that is set by default, bliss.bmp . I set the wallpaper to "None". The game worked beautifully again.
I went home happily confused. But life is not so crooked :( . The game started hanging again.
Attempt 4 - Location HOME
Started process explorer and filemon and watched
Result
found that DPC (Deferred Procedure Calls) was the process hogging memory this time. I googled it to find that a number of WoW players were facing this issue already. None with concrete solutions though. Here is the thread.
I updated (reinstalled) the drivers, tried to take out all USB devices, played with the nipple mouse for 10-15 mins. Nothing would solve the problem. When the game hung I couldn't even Alt+Tab to the procexp window.
Attempt 5 - Location OFFICE
Went to office next morning read some stuff again. Renamed the file to "Wow-dont-die.exe". Ran in windowed mode with the system performance graph and filemon running besides WoW.
Result
Found that the game didn't misbehave but I was experiencing "jerks" in the graphics. Played for 1 hour without problem. CPU was consistently at 50-60%. Wow-dont-die.exe being the top process.
Attempt 5b - Location HOME
Not really a solution but to make sure that the game dies, I ran it at full resolution. 1440x900 on my D620. I was running at 1280x800 pitying the Quadro 110M card on my machine.
Result
To my surpirse the game started rendering B-E-A-Utifully well. The CPU usage was never more that 15%.
I left the game running for another one and a half hours. I would alt+tab and check if it was working now and then. No issues at all.
Conclusion
None yet. It works well in office but never at home. So I am going to try it out at home again. Unfortunately today is maintenence till 2:00 in the night (in India), so I'll have to wait till tomorrow.
I hope it works... but whether it does or doesn't, I'll probably never know why it screwed up in the first place.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Woot!! Flying Mount!!
Today morning saw me earning 400 something gold out of auctions, which made my total 1211G. I needed 900 for the flying mount so off I went to wildhammer stronghold.
The thing with rare gryphons is that you have only 3 options. The Golden Gryphon looks like the public transport gryphon... so no one really buys it. Everyone buys the really cute looking "Snowy Gryphon", which is why I didn't want to buy that. So I got the "Ebon Gryphon" :D
Happy with my purchase, I went off to the Shatari-Skyguard base in Sethkyl Mountains. Remember this can only be reached with a flying mount. I started on the quests and hit my first problem with flying mounts. Not a problem really just something to be wary of.
My machine keeps hanging occasionally for some unknown reason while playing these days. I got the symptoms of this happening and was looking for a good place to wait till the game came back to life. In a hurry, I thought just hovering high in the air would be a nice idea :D
Firstly, I got attacked in the air by the birds flying around. Now that's fair. I had even read about that on some site. But the funny thing is I died in mid-air and I could get to my body from the graveyard coz my body was too high up in the air!!!
So be careful about dying in mid air. I can almost imagine someone dueling me, killing me and then dying in mid air due to one of my DOTs!!! That WOULD be fun :)
The thing with rare gryphons is that you have only 3 options. The Golden Gryphon looks like the public transport gryphon... so no one really buys it. Everyone buys the really cute looking "Snowy Gryphon", which is why I didn't want to buy that. So I got the "Ebon Gryphon" :D
Happy with my purchase, I went off to the Shatari-Skyguard base in Sethkyl Mountains. Remember this can only be reached with a flying mount. I started on the quests and hit my first problem with flying mounts. Not a problem really just something to be wary of.
My machine keeps hanging occasionally for some unknown reason while playing these days. I got the symptoms of this happening and was looking for a good place to wait till the game came back to life. In a hurry, I thought just hovering high in the air would be a nice idea :D
Firstly, I got attacked in the air by the birds flying around. Now that's fair. I had even read about that on some site. But the funny thing is I died in mid-air and I could get to my body from the graveyard coz my body was too high up in the air!!!
So be careful about dying in mid air. I can almost imagine someone dueling me, killing me and then dying in mid air due to one of my DOTs!!! That WOULD be fun :)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The Swift Stormsaber
Woohoooooooooooo... Hit exalted with darnasuss at last and got my Swift Stormsaber.
After yesterday's situation, I was left with two options.
1. Morrowgrain
2. Pristine Yeti Hide
The morrowgrain quest is a waste of time for those seeking reputation. At 70, it gave me 275 for the first 10 morrowgrain and 27-28 for each time then on. I have to mention though that I got 3 morrowgrain consistently for the first 4 harvests, which seems incredible after the posts I have read about the drop rate.
The Pristine Yeti Hide is a good quest for reputation seekers. At 70, it gives 70s and 275 rep every time! The rage scar cave is quite close to the Feathermoon Stronghold. It took about 10 mins for me from Feathermoon to the cave and back with the Pristine Yeti Hide (using my level 40 mount).
I have definitely given up the idea of getting a Dreadsteed now. I don't want to spend 200G more. I'd rather get my gryphon instead... what say?
After yesterday's situation, I was left with two options.
1. Morrowgrain
2. Pristine Yeti Hide
The morrowgrain quest is a waste of time for those seeking reputation. At 70, it gave me 275 for the first 10 morrowgrain and 27-28 for each time then on. I have to mention though that I got 3 morrowgrain consistently for the first 4 harvests, which seems incredible after the posts I have read about the drop rate.
The Pristine Yeti Hide is a good quest for reputation seekers. At 70, it gives 70s and 275 rep every time! The rage scar cave is quite close to the Feathermoon Stronghold. It took about 10 mins for me from Feathermoon to the cave and back with the Pristine Yeti Hide (using my level 40 mount).
I have definitely given up the idea of getting a Dreadsteed now. I don't want to spend 200G more. I'd rather get my gryphon instead... what say?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Darnasuss Reputation
I have not paid too much attention to reputation while leveling up. I am not even exalted with StormWind... Now that I am at 70 and everything is about reputation, I set off on my new journey.
As I mentioned in the last post, I don't have an epic mount yet. I also really want the elven tiger mount. Now I have wasted about 200G on the materials I collected for the DreadSteed Quest. I am supposed to spend another 200G for the next set of materials. I thought I'd rather build up my reputation with Darnasuss and get the tiger mount... although I'll have to spend on training.
With this in mind, I set the darnasuss reputation as my experience bar and started right from shadowglen... I worked my way upto Auberdine and ended up increasing my reputation from 4500+ to 18700+ in a couple of days. Now there's not much to do since I had done the higher level quests for the Night elves while leveling.
This left me with two options
1. Cloth Donations
2. Yeti Hide
I started with the cloth donations and spent 20G on the wool, silk and mageweave. I didn't want to spend on runecloth so I started farming. First the blood-elves of Azshara and then at the expedition armory. Expedition armory is the best spot for farming runecloth. I had 7 stacks in 25 mins. The Knights and the Footmen drop 2-3 runecloth most of the times.
The first runecloth donation gives 57s + 385 reputation for 60 runecloth. But the repeatable quests give only 82 reputation for 20 runecloth. That leaves me with 19361 reputation. Don't know where I am going to get the remaining 1700.
As I mentioned in the last post, I don't have an epic mount yet. I also really want the elven tiger mount. Now I have wasted about 200G on the materials I collected for the DreadSteed Quest. I am supposed to spend another 200G for the next set of materials. I thought I'd rather build up my reputation with Darnasuss and get the tiger mount... although I'll have to spend on training.
With this in mind, I set the darnasuss reputation as my experience bar and started right from shadowglen... I worked my way upto Auberdine and ended up increasing my reputation from 4500+ to 18700+ in a couple of days. Now there's not much to do since I had done the higher level quests for the Night elves while leveling.
This left me with two options
1. Cloth Donations
2. Yeti Hide
I started with the cloth donations and spent 20G on the wool, silk and mageweave. I didn't want to spend on runecloth so I started farming. First the blood-elves of Azshara and then at the expedition armory. Expedition armory is the best spot for farming runecloth. I had 7 stacks in 25 mins. The Knights and the Footmen drop 2-3 runecloth most of the times.
The first runecloth donation gives 57s + 385 reputation for 60 runecloth. But the repeatable quests give only 82 reputation for 20 runecloth. That leaves me with 19361 reputation. Don't know where I am going to get the remaining 1700.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Ding 70!!!
Well if you play WoW you'll understand.
For those of you who don't... I am level 70 now.
For those of you who still don't get it... This is the highest level possible in the game until 3rd Nov.
First priority, get a mount.
Being a warlock is uber-cool. The only thing that sucks is no one does Dire Maul anymore so you don't get a group for your level 60 mount. At level 70, I might be able to do the instance by myself, so I am going to give it a try. Meanwhile I am also building reputation with the Night Elves for their gorgeous NightSaber mount :D
Second Priority, gear up.
I am off to find the best way for locks to get gear... PvP / Arena / Reputation? If any of you have ideas, post a comment.
For those of you who don't... I am level 70 now.
For those of you who still don't get it... This is the highest level possible in the game until 3rd Nov.
First priority, get a mount.
Being a warlock is uber-cool. The only thing that sucks is no one does Dire Maul anymore so you don't get a group for your level 60 mount. At level 70, I might be able to do the instance by myself, so I am going to give it a try. Meanwhile I am also building reputation with the Night Elves for their gorgeous NightSaber mount :D
Second Priority, gear up.
I am off to find the best way for locks to get gear... PvP / Arena / Reputation? If any of you have ideas, post a comment.
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