Long delay during Retrieving Server Info screen when loading Source mods

Tek7

Tek7

CGA President, Tribe of Judah Founder & President
Staff member
When I load up a Source engine game (e.g. Counter-Strike: Source, Fortress Forever, Insurgency), it halts on the Retrieving Server Info screen for over a full minute. This definitely dampens the mood as it happens every time I join a server or the server changes maps.

Here are my computer specs:
  • Dell Inspiron E1705
  • GeForce Go 7800
  • Windows XP Pro SP2
  • 1GB RAM
  • Intel Core Duo (T2300 @ 1.66GHz)

Does anyone know what might be causing this?
 
The Source engine. It's been months since I've loaded it, but I remember it doing that to me every time I tried to play a game as well.
 
It was running fine in Wine before I b0rk3d the install to where it wouldn't start anymore. I know some anti viruses tap in and scan files before they can be opened. When I ran windows I had the AV configured to ignore the game directories because it would cause some lag when they kicked in.
 
This is a known issue with source right now. There's no workaround and no ETA for repair. I have already been in contact with valve about it..:(
 
Hescominsoon said:
This is a known issue with source right now. There's no workaround and no ETA for repair. I have already been in contact with valve about it..:(
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/cry

vibrokatana said:
I know some anti viruses tap in and scan files before they can be opened. When I ran windows I had the AV configured to ignore the game directories because it would cause some lag when they kicked in.
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/nod

I'll try that and see if it helps.

Kidan said:
The Source engine. It's been months since I've loaded it, but I remember it doing that to me every time I tried to play a game as well.
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/cry again

SirThom said:
Just for grins: have you tried defragging your .GCF files?
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Nope, sure haven't. Didn't even know people did that. I'll check out the thread...err, when I can pull it up. Seems either my connection is loopy right now or the Steam forums are down. :(

Thanks to everyone for their input. If anyone thinks of other potential solutions, please post it here.

On a side note, I played Fortress Forever last night and had a stopwatch handy when I joined a server. It took just over 3 minutes from the Retrieving Server Info screen to when I started the game. After the round ended, it took just over a minute and a half to load the next map.

Oy.
 
Seems either my connection is loopy right now or the Steam forums are down.
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It's the Steam website -- the forums are buckling from all the traffic thanks to the n00bs posting all the "WHERZ TEH TFC2 BETA?!??!!1!oEN!" threads.
 
Here are my computer specs:

* Dell Inspiron E1705
Click to expand...

Isn't that a Laptop?

Have you tried those games on a Desktop computer?

Also, are you using a wireless connection?

wireless = bad for games
 
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I use wireless and I game and have no issues whatsoever, about 20 yards separating me from the AP also.

You could always try messing around with the settings on the network card. Of course going over dandy will probably result in horrible performance network wise. It may be an issue with packet size or something, it may be worth trying atleast.
 
Corpfox said:
What game do you play that doesn't give you issues?
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umm, CSS, GW, Eve Online, Vendetta Online, C&C3, anything ive played. The difference is that I am using a dedicated AP instead of those el cheapo thingies you stick in the usb or pci that can barely talk across the room,

I can browse halfway down the street with my laptop, lol. And the AP gets about the same signal strength.
 
SirThom said:
Just for grins: have you tried defragging your .GCF files?
Click to expand...
Defragged all my .GCF files last night. I plan to load up Fortress Forever this afternoon and see if the defragging made any difference.

Corpfox said:
Isn't that a Laptop?
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Yes, but it's a laptop with a GeForce Go 7800.

Corpfox said:
Have you tried those games on a Desktop computer?
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My desktop computer isn't as powerful as my notebook. It's also been sitting next to boxes since I moved a month ago.

Corpfox said:
Also, are you using a wireless connection?
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Yes, but the connection is solid.

Corpfox said:
wireless = bad for games
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Unreliable wireless, yes, but a solid wireless connection should be fine for gaming.
 
A good wireless connection is < 1 ms of latency with a nowhere near being filled up. Once you start having connection issues and dropped packets the avarage latency can go up to 25-100ms and "stuttering" as the connection can't keep up with the data stream.
 
vibrokatana said:
umm, CSS, GW, Eve Online, Vendetta Online, C&C3, anything ive played. The difference is that I am using a dedicated AP instead of those el cheapo thingies you stick in the usb or pci that can barely talk across the room,

I can browse halfway down the street with my laptop, lol. And the AP gets about the same signal strength.
Click to expand...

Hmm...whats an AP?

Ah, thats why it gave me 1/4 internet speed, I was using a "cheapo" pci. :o
 
vibrokatana said:
The difference is that I am using a dedicated AP instead of those el cheapo thingies you stick in the usb or pci that can barely talk across the room
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VK, what's the make and model of the wireless AP you use?

SirThom said:
Just for grins: have you tried defragging your .GCF files?
Click to expand...
I defragmented my .GCF files and loaded Fortress Forever the night before last and it seems to have had minimal impact. It still takes over 2 full minutes to load--when it loads. I had to kill the hl2.exe process twice, then I rebooted and was able to successfully join a server.

So joining a server for any game based on the Source engine is still a game of chance.
 
I have some el cheapo belkin connected to the cable modem. My AP is a WRT54GS running DD-WRT configured as a bridge. My average latency in CSS is usually < 54ms, never over 100 unless im downloading something.
 
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