Troubleshooting Basics for Age of Conan.
Looking for a boost in FPS or just plain wondering why the hell the game doesn't seem to be running well? Well you aren't alone! Many customers, like me, are left confused and baffled as to why this game is not performing up to par on our systems.
Every system seems to have it's own special combination of tweaking that must be done. Don't feel frustrated if you only try one of these techniques.
The navigation below should help people find what they're looking for.
Navigation
- Can I run it?
- The Video Card Bible for Conan
- How to add the codes mammoth/bow/rhino etc
- Texture Loading aka eyballs only
- Improving Framerate/Graphics
- Random things to try
- Windows Vista Tweaks
- Reinstalling DirectX - for crashing, FPS etc
- Error code 103
- Mods to increase game performance
- Hardware
- Upgrades from Newegg
- Upgrades
- Links to my other stuff
- Age of Conan on eBay
- Feedback
Can I run it?
Try the link below and select Age of Conan from the drop down box. At the very least it will tell you the specs of your PC. Can I run it?
The Video Card Bible for Conan
Take from the forums found here by use Alarchy
GAME WILL NOT RUN:
These video cards will not play the game at all.
nVidia
Geforce 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5000 series
The Geforce 5500 series and up to 5900 *may* play this game, but their DX9 support is extremely crippled and graphical errors/crashes should be expected.
ATI
Rage series
Radeon 7000, 8000 series
Radeon 9000 through 9200 series (do not support DX9)
BARE MINIMUM:
These cards work, but will run incredibly slow at lowest resolution/settings
nVidia
Geforce 6000 through 6800 series (ex: Geforce 6200)
Geforce 7000 through 7400 series (basically slight upgrades to the 6 series)
Geforce 8000 through 8400 series (slight upgrades to 7 series)
ATI
All Radeon IGP series (integrated graphics)
Radeon 9500 through 9800 series
Radeon x300 through x700 series
Radeon x1000 through x1650XT series
Radeon 2400 through 2600 series
Radeon HD3100 through HD3650 series
MID-RANGE
These cards may be able to play the game at medium settings with shadows off, and reasonable resolution (around 1280x1024)
nVidia
Geforce 7600 through 7950 series
Geforce 8500 through 8600 series
Geforce 9500 series
ATI
Radeon x800 through x850 series
Radeon x1800 through x1950 series
Radeon 2900 series
Radeon HD3690 series
HIGH-END
These cards should be able to play Conan with most settings on High, and at fairly high resolution (around 1600x1200). Often, these video cards require QUALITY 550 Watt and up Power Supplies.
nVidia
Geforce 8800GS, GTS 320, GTS 640, GT, GTS 512 (G92), GTX, Ultra
Geforce 9600GT through 9800 GT, GTS, GTX
Geforce 9800GX2 (highest performance for nVidia)
ATI
Radeon HD3850, HD3870
Radeon HD3870 dual Crossfire
Radeon HD3870X2 (highest performance for ATI)
ELITE (aka EXPENSIVE!)
These cards will run at maximum settings, at high resolutions. However, they often require more than 750 Watt Power Supplies.
nVidia
8800GT/GTS/GTX/Ultra in dual SLI
9800GT/GTS/GTX in dual SLI
9800GT/GTS/GTX/Ultra in QUAD SLI (this is just silly!)
9800GX2 in dual SLI (can we say, expensive?)
ATI
Radeon HD3870 quad Crossfire
Radeon HD3870x2 dual Crossfire
GAME WILL NOT RUN:
These video cards will not play the game at all.
nVidia
Geforce 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5000 series
The Geforce 5500 series and up to 5900 *may* play this game, but their DX9 support is extremely crippled and graphical errors/crashes should be expected.
ATI
Rage series
Radeon 7000, 8000 series
Radeon 9000 through 9200 series (do not support DX9)
BARE MINIMUM:
These cards work, but will run incredibly slow at lowest resolution/settings
nVidia
Geforce 6000 through 6800 series (ex: Geforce 6200)
Geforce 7000 through 7400 series (basically slight upgrades to the 6 series)
Geforce 8000 through 8400 series (slight upgrades to 7 series)
ATI
All Radeon IGP series (integrated graphics)
Radeon 9500 through 9800 series
Radeon x300 through x700 series
Radeon x1000 through x1650XT series
Radeon 2400 through 2600 series
Radeon HD3100 through HD3650 series
MID-RANGE
These cards may be able to play the game at medium settings with shadows off, and reasonable resolution (around 1280x1024)
nVidia
Geforce 7600 through 7950 series
Geforce 8500 through 8600 series
Geforce 9500 series
ATI
Radeon x800 through x850 series
Radeon x1800 through x1950 series
Radeon 2900 series
Radeon HD3690 series
HIGH-END
These cards should be able to play Conan with most settings on High, and at fairly high resolution (around 1600x1200). Often, these video cards require QUALITY 550 Watt and up Power Supplies.
nVidia
Geforce 8800GS, GTS 320, GTS 640, GT, GTS 512 (G92), GTX, Ultra
Geforce 9600GT through 9800 GT, GTS, GTX
Geforce 9800GX2 (highest performance for nVidia)
ATI
Radeon HD3850, HD3870
Radeon HD3870 dual Crossfire
Radeon HD3870X2 (highest performance for ATI)
ELITE (aka EXPENSIVE!)
These cards will run at maximum settings, at high resolutions. However, they often require more than 750 Watt Power Supplies.
nVidia
8800GT/GTS/GTX/Ultra in dual SLI
9800GT/GTS/GTX in dual SLI
9800GT/GTS/GTX/Ultra in QUAD SLI (this is just silly!)
9800GX2 in dual SLI (can we say, expensive?)
ATI
Radeon HD3870 quad Crossfire
Radeon HD3870x2 dual Crossfire
How to add the codes mammoth/bow/rhino etc
Now I've seen some complaint that people don't know how to add the Age of Conan codes properly or are unable to claim their item.
1) Go into your account. You can get to it from the Age of Conan screen.
2) The 5th item down should be use a key to add a prepaid card, upgrade supscription etc
3) Enter the code in the box and click validate key
4) You should see the item you are entering pop up as a picture. At this point go through the other confirmation steps at the bottom. (should ask you about your payment type that you entered before like credit card etc) This is where I screwed up and didn't follow through with this step.
5) In the game type /claim into the chat window and you shoudl get your items to appear in your inventory
1) Go into your account. You can get to it from the Age of Conan screen.
2) The 5th item down should be use a key to add a prepaid card, upgrade supscription etc
3) Enter the code in the box and click validate key
4) You should see the item you are entering pop up as a picture. At this point go through the other confirmation steps at the bottom. (should ask you about your payment type that you entered before like credit card etc) This is where I screwed up and didn't follow through with this step.
5) In the game type /claim into the chat window and you shoudl get your items to appear in your inventory
Texture Loading aka eyballs only
Anyways. The graphics are murdering me.
I have...
*NVIDA GeFOrce 7900 GT, 512MB graphics card
*Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.66GHz
*2GB RAM
Definitely up there and freaking grass was lagging me up at low graphic settings.
Some trouble shooting suggestions.
1)If you look like
All you see are eyeballs, sometimes hair, sometimes tattoos, no skin etc.
A) Simply mess around in your video settings. Sometimes just going to video and hitting ok works. Sometimes setting it to low, sometimes chaning the shadder.
B) If you have an NVIDIA card follow the instructions found here
For those that can't log in yet.
* Uninstall current drivers
* Do not reboot when prompted
* Run DriverSweeper (guru3d.com) to remove video drivers only Driver Sweeper at Guru3D
* Reboot
* Enter Safe Mode by pressing F8 at Windows boot time
* Run DriverSweeper again in Safe Mode
* Reboot
* Do not allow Windows to install any drivers at boot time
* Check in Add/Remove Programs to see if there is an "Nvidia Drivers" listing, if so repeat the above steps until it is gone.
* Install latest ForceWare drivers (currently 175.16 WHQL at nvidia.com)
* Reboot
nVidia's Latest WHQL Drivers
UPDATE!: NVIDIA released new Beta drivers 175.80. Google it and install the correct one according to your operating system. Many people experienced a small to huge boost in FPS.
Warning: This is a beta driver meaning it is buggy. One bug I have discovered is opentype fonts will no longer work on your computer. (weird huh?) If you experience any strange things after installing this driver then try reverting to the 175.16.
I have...
*NVIDA GeFOrce 7900 GT, 512MB graphics card
*Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.66GHz
*2GB RAM
Definitely up there and freaking grass was lagging me up at low graphic settings.
Some trouble shooting suggestions.
1)If you look like
All you see are eyeballs, sometimes hair, sometimes tattoos, no skin etc.
A) Simply mess around in your video settings. Sometimes just going to video and hitting ok works. Sometimes setting it to low, sometimes chaning the shadder.
B) If you have an NVIDIA card follow the instructions found here
For those that can't log in yet.
* Uninstall current drivers
* Do not reboot when prompted
* Run DriverSweeper (guru3d.com) to remove video drivers only Driver Sweeper at Guru3D
* Reboot
* Enter Safe Mode by pressing F8 at Windows boot time
* Run DriverSweeper again in Safe Mode
* Reboot
* Do not allow Windows to install any drivers at boot time
* Check in Add/Remove Programs to see if there is an "Nvidia Drivers" listing, if so repeat the above steps until it is gone.
* Install latest ForceWare drivers (currently 175.16 WHQL at nvidia.com)
* Reboot
nVidia's Latest WHQL Drivers
UPDATE!: NVIDIA released new Beta drivers 175.80. Google it and install the correct one according to your operating system. Many people experienced a small to huge boost in FPS.
Warning: This is a beta driver meaning it is buggy. One bug I have discovered is opentype fonts will no longer work on your computer. (weird huh?) If you experience any strange things after installing this driver then try reverting to the 175.16.
Improving Framerate/Graphics
1)Improving Framerate/Graphics if you're dropping into the teens. Note: There is definitely an issue with the game that needs to be fixed in a patch. If these don't help, don't panic and run out to buy new crap for your computer. Just wait it out.
A) Try the obvious of reducing video settings. For my it was especially the stupid grass. I don't need to be able to count blades of grass on "low".
B) Drop the shader from 3.0 to 2.0. Unfortunately Age of Conan Auto bumps it back to 3.0 randomly (seems to be a bug) so you'll have to keep your eye on it.
C) Try the above section on updating your graphics card driver.
D) Disable shadows
E) Defrag your Harddrive. Leave your computer on at night or before you go to work or something because it can take easily 3+ hours to complete
F) Set Anti-alias quality to none in the Age of Conan Video settings
G) Turn off water (if the game actually decides to let it stay at that setting)
H) Delete the shaders.cache file in your AoC root directory
I) Set graphics to High (yes High there is a bug in low). Disable shadows completely. If you are on a laptop, scroll down to the system texture cache bar and maximize it
A) Try the obvious of reducing video settings. For my it was especially the stupid grass. I don't need to be able to count blades of grass on "low".
B) Drop the shader from 3.0 to 2.0. Unfortunately Age of Conan Auto bumps it back to 3.0 randomly (seems to be a bug) so you'll have to keep your eye on it.
C) Try the above section on updating your graphics card driver.
D) Disable shadows
E) Defrag your Harddrive. Leave your computer on at night or before you go to work or something because it can take easily 3+ hours to complete
F) Set Anti-alias quality to none in the Age of Conan Video settings
G) Turn off water (if the game actually decides to let it stay at that setting)
H) Delete the shaders.cache file in your AoC root directory
I) Set graphics to High (yes High there is a bug in low). Disable shadows completely. If you are on a laptop, scroll down to the system texture cache bar and maximize it
Random things to try
1) Update the BIOS of your motherboard. Find the exact make and model and look it up on your maker's website.
2) Overclock. Overclock your computer to try and squeeze more performance out of it. It can be a risky thing to do if you set it to work to hard. Be careful though if you decide to do this. You can destroy parts in your computer by having them burn out though you're more likely just to crash your computer. A good cooling system always helps when overclocking. Wiki How to overclock a PC or A Beginners Guide to Overclocking
2) Overclock. Overclock your computer to try and squeeze more performance out of it. It can be a risky thing to do if you set it to work to hard. Be careful though if you decide to do this. You can destroy parts in your computer by having them burn out though you're more likely just to crash your computer. A good cooling system always helps when overclocking. Wiki How to overclock a PC or A Beginners Guide to Overclocking
Windows Vista Tweaks
Reference- My Vista Tweaks
1. Disable the sidebar.
Right-click in the sidebar area and choose Properties > uncheck Start Sidebar when Windows starts.
2. Adjust visual effects
Press the Windows + Pause Break keys > in the left pane click on Advanced system settings. Then Click on Performance > Settings.
In the visual effects pane uncheck all except:
Enable desktop composition
Smooth edges of screen fonts
Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop
Use Visual Styles on windows and buttons
Click apply.
3. Change desktop environment away from Aero.
Right click on your desktop and choose Personalize > Window Color and Appearance > click on Open Classic appearance properties for more color options > under Color scheme: choose Windows Vista Basic > click Apply and Ok.
4. Turn off indexing
This will slow down(not shut down) Vista's "Search" ability.
Start > Computer > right click on your C: > select properties > In the general window un-check Index this drive for faster searching > click Apply, in the new window choose Apply changes to drive C:\,subfolders and files, click Ok, click Ok or Continue for any pop-ups, and ignore all for any error messages.
5. Turn off System Restore
Have a backup handy before you do this, if something happens and you get into a bad situation re-installing windows will be the only option left after we do this.
Press Windows + Pause Break > in the left pane click on Advnaced system settings > choose System Protection. Un-check all drives. When asked if your sure click Turn System Restore Off, then click Apply.
6. Turn off Remote Assistance
Press Windows + Pause Break > in the left pane click on Advnaced system settings > choose Remote. Un-check Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer.
7. Disable Select Services.
Press the Windows + R keys, type services.msc
To disable a service right-click on the service, select properties, in the Startup Type box choose Disabled. Click ok.
I've disabled the following services:
DFS Replication
Diagnostic Policy Service (change to manual)
Distributed Link Tracking Client
OPsec Policy Agent
KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Offline files
Remote Registry
Tablet PC Input Service
Windows Error Reporting Service
Windows Search (if you do a lot of searching on your computer then leave this alone)
1. Disable the sidebar.
Right-click in the sidebar area and choose Properties > uncheck Start Sidebar when Windows starts.
2. Adjust visual effects
Press the Windows + Pause Break keys > in the left pane click on Advanced system settings. Then Click on Performance > Settings.
In the visual effects pane uncheck all except:
Enable desktop composition
Smooth edges of screen fonts
Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop
Use Visual Styles on windows and buttons
Click apply.
3. Change desktop environment away from Aero.
Right click on your desktop and choose Personalize > Window Color and Appearance > click on Open Classic appearance properties for more color options > under Color scheme: choose Windows Vista Basic > click Apply and Ok.
4. Turn off indexing
This will slow down(not shut down) Vista's "Search" ability.
Start > Computer > right click on your C: > select properties > In the general window un-check Index this drive for faster searching > click Apply, in the new window choose Apply changes to drive C:\,subfolders and files, click Ok, click Ok or Continue for any pop-ups, and ignore all for any error messages.
5. Turn off System Restore
Have a backup handy before you do this, if something happens and you get into a bad situation re-installing windows will be the only option left after we do this.
Press Windows + Pause Break > in the left pane click on Advnaced system settings > choose System Protection. Un-check all drives. When asked if your sure click Turn System Restore Off, then click Apply.
6. Turn off Remote Assistance
Press Windows + Pause Break > in the left pane click on Advnaced system settings > choose Remote. Un-check Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer.
7. Disable Select Services.
Press the Windows + R keys, type services.msc
To disable a service right-click on the service, select properties, in the Startup Type box choose Disabled. Click ok.
I've disabled the following services:
DFS Replication
Diagnostic Policy Service (change to manual)
Distributed Link Tracking Client
OPsec Policy Agent
KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Offline files
Remote Registry
Tablet PC Input Service
Windows Error Reporting Service
Windows Search (if you do a lot of searching on your computer then leave this alone)
Reinstalling DirectX - for crashing, FPS etc
Credit: Testcase
1. Reboot my system If I have crashed or see that my video is about to go out.
2. Deleting the d3dx9_36.dll and reinstalling Directx9.0C As I am running XP32
3. Delete the Shader files Here c:/program files/funcom/age of conan
4. Run the patcher and restart the game.
----------------------------
Credit: Huesos reformatted to legibility
*****KEEP the d3dx10_36.dll in game folder this may have other prblems if you delete that one. This one doesn't affect your OS
1) From Start menu use search for file d3dx9_36.dll delete it
2) download and install newest directx 9.0c.
here also try here
It will then re-install/update directx and correct files and fix corrupted ones. Since somehow a ways ago directx used to have a repair or install over the top , and they haven't added any other patches.
For Xp only.
1) search for d3dx10*.dll,(located in C:/windows/system32 folder Delete them all. Xp cannot use Directx 10 .">
1. Reboot my system If I have crashed or see that my video is about to go out.
2. Deleting the d3dx9_36.dll and reinstalling Directx9.0C As I am running XP32
3. Delete the Shader files Here c:/program files/funcom/age of conan
4. Run the patcher and restart the game.
----------------------------
Credit: Huesos reformatted to legibility
*****KEEP the d3dx10_36.dll in game folder this may have other prblems if you delete that one. This one doesn't affect your OS
1) From Start menu use search for file d3dx9_36.dll delete it
2) download and install newest directx 9.0c.
here also try here
It will then re-install/update directx and correct files and fix corrupted ones. Since somehow a ways ago directx used to have a repair or install over the top , and they haven't added any other patches.
For Xp only.
1) search for d3dx10*.dll,(located in C:/windows/system32 folder Delete them all. Xp cannot use Directx 10 .">
Error code 103
Credit: Houman
1) Go to your AoC Root folder , go to RDB Folder and delete the following file:
RDBHashIndex.bin
2) Run the patcher again
1) Go to your AoC Root folder , go to RDB Folder and delete the following file:
RDBHashIndex.bin
2) Run the patcher again
Mods to increase game performance
1)AOC FPS Boost Launcher
A known thing since the days of WoW was to open windows media player to increase FPS. Seriously. And yes there is an explanation for it I just didn't care to read it. This mod is mostly for single core CPU's but give it a try anyways. Some report it working. It did nothing for me.
2)AOC Quick Start
Current features:
- skip all intro movies
- adjust Windows scheduler timer settings to improve framerates (FPS boost)
- delete local shader caches before startup
- adjust process priorities and enable dynamic thread boosts
- adjust Age of Conan's processor affinities
A known thing since the days of WoW was to open windows media player to increase FPS. Seriously. And yes there is an explanation for it I just didn't care to read it. This mod is mostly for single core CPU's but give it a try anyways. Some report it working. It did nothing for me.
2)AOC Quick Start
Current features:
- skip all intro movies
- adjust Windows scheduler timer settings to improve framerates (FPS boost)
- delete local shader caches before startup
- adjust process priorities and enable dynamic thread boosts
- adjust Age of Conan's processor affinities
Hardware
If you feel you really need an upgrade
1 Pop in some RAM if you don't have 4GB yet. I was told though that Windows XP will only recognize 3GB
2 Upgrading the operating system to Vista. I know alot of people are avoiding Vista... like me but its an option if you want to try it.
3 Upgrading the graphics card. To like some form of the NVIDA 8800 maybe 1 or 2 I've seen people using.
2 Upgrading the operating system to Vista. I know alot of people are avoiding Vista... like me but its an option if you want to try it.
3 Upgrading the graphics card. To like some form of the NVIDA 8800 maybe 1 or 2 I've seen people using.
Upgrades from Newegg
The best place for Computer Hardware for Gaming. They have excellent customer support and extremely fast shipping. This is where all the parts to my computer come from. I seriously recommend buying form here over amazon because they're probably cheaper and it'll definitely be shipped faster.
Upgrades
EVGA 512-P3-N802-AR e-GeForce 8800 GT 512 MB DDR3 Superclocked Edition PCI-Express Graphics Card
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2008) 
eVGA e-GeForce 9800 GX2 1 GB DDR3 PCI-Express 2.0 Graphics Card-Lifetime Warranty
Amazon Price: $499.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
PNY XLR8 2GB (2x1GB) Dual Channel Kit DDR2 800 MHz CL 5-5-5-15 PC2-6400 SLI-Ready Desktop DIMM Gamer Memory Modules D22GX64XL-5
Amazon Price: $64.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
Thermaltake W0131RU ToughPower 850W SLI Cross-Fire Ready Modular Power Supply
Amazon Price: $259.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
Links to my other stuff
- The Life of a Gamer Girl
- Articles, comments, and excerpts from the life of a gamer girl. Hopefully I am entertaining while I'm able to bring about a perspective from girl in a male dominated hobby.
- Is it worth the hype?
- Talk of the early days of Age of Conan and my initial review
Age of Conan on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
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