Game freezes every few minutes for about 15 secs

[Bob Barnsen]

Yea, wanted to start playing the SS3 addon some days ago and it was freezing every 1-2 minutes for about 15 secs. When i tabbed out of the game, i noticed the whole PC is freezing, not just the game. After the 15 secs i get this error in Windows: “Display driver stopped responding and has been recovered”
I tried changing all three quality settings from ultra to high, but helped nothing.

My hardware:
Gigabyte 7870 OC
i5 2500k
Win7 64bit
8GB RAM

My Sam3.log:

        -------- START OF LOG --------

10:55:44 LOG:   Core version: $Version: distro_Sam3_PC; SeriousSam3-Windows-Final; 181708 2013-04-26 09:59:29 @builder05; Win32-Static-Final-Default$
10:55:44 LOG:   Command:  $
10:55:44 LOG:   Initializing timer.
10:55:44 LOG:   Timestamp: 2013/05/10 10:55:44
10:55:44 LOG:   Binary name: Sam3.exe
10:55:44 LOG:   Binary soft path: Bin/
10:55:44 LOG:   Binary hard path: F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\
10:55:44 LOG:   Application directory: F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\
10:55:44 LOG:   * OS...
10:55:44 LOG:   Name: Windows 7
10:55:44 LOG:   Kernel: WinNT (64-bit)
10:55:44 LOG:   Version: 6.1, build 7601
10:55:44 LOG:   Misc: Service Pack 1
10:55:44 LOG:   
10:55:44 LOG:   * CPU...
10:55:44 LOG:   Vendor: GenuineIntel
10:55:44 LOG:   Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500K CPU @ 3.30GHz
10:55:44 LOG:   Type: 0, Family: 6, Model: 10, Stepping: 7
10:55:44 LOG:   Clock: 3.29 GHz
10:55:44 LOG:   Cores: 4
10:55:44 LOG:   CMOV: Yes
10:55:44 LOG:   SSE: Yes
10:55:44 LOG:   
10:55:44 LOG:   * Memory...
10:55:44 LOG:   Total physical memory: 8155 MB
10:55:44 LOG:   Free physical memory: 5268 MB
10:55:44 LOG:   
10:55:44 LOG:   Loaded "F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\ScriptLua.dll".
10:55:44 LOG:   Loaded "F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\GameEnv_Steam.dll".
10:55:44 INF:   GameEnv API: Steam
10:55:44 INF:   Encoded user ID = 1d2c9af1:64b423df
10:55:44 LOG:   Error getting mixer source line info for microphone. Will not be able to control microphone.
10:55:44 LOG:   Created thread 4128(ResourceLoader).
10:55:44 LOG:   Loading cvars from "$F:/Steam/userdata/10523849/41070/local/SeriousSam3.ini".
10:55:45 LOG:   Trying to set display mode 1680x1050(window)...
10:55:45 INF:   
10:55:45 INF:   * Desktop settings...
10:55:45 INF:   Color depth: 32-bit
10:55:45 INF:   Desktop resolution: 1680 x 1050
10:55:45 INF:   Virtual screen: 1680 x 1050
10:55:45 INF:   Monitors attached: 1
10:55:45 LOG:   Loaded "F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\GfxD3D.dll".
10:55:45 LOG:   Loaded "D3D9.dll".
10:55:45 LOG:   Loaded "D3DCompiler_43.dll".
10:55:45 LOG:   Loaded "D3DX9_43.dll".
10:55:45 LOG:   Loaded "ATIADLXY.DLL".
10:55:45 INF:   
10:55:45 INF:   Gfx API: Direct3D
10:55:45 INF:   Window: 1680 x 1032
10:55:45 INF:   Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
10:55:45 INF:   Driver: aticfx32.dll (0x6818)
10:55:45 INF:   Renderer: AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series
10:55:45 INF:   Version: 8.17.10.1191
10:55:45 INF:   Video memory size: 2048 MB
10:55:45 INF:   Available for textures: 1749 MB
10:55:45 INF:   Active GPU(s): 1
10:55:45 LOG:   Processing file Content/SeriousSam3/Config/CheckDriver.lua
10:55:45 INF:   Driver version: 1191 (required: 1100)
10:55:45 LOG:   Loaded "F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\SfxXAD.dll".
10:55:45 LOG:   Loaded "X3DAudio1_7.dll".
10:55:46 INF:   
10:55:46 INF:   Sfx API: XAudio2
10:55:46 INF:   Device: Lautsprecher (Realtek High Definition Audio)
10:55:46 INF:   Mixer frequency: 48000 Hz
10:55:46 INF:   Mixer voices: 6
10:55:46 INF:   Max sound sources: 30
10:55:46 INF:   Max total volume: 3
10:55:46 INF:   Speaker config: 5.1 (surround with subwoofer)
10:55:46 INF:   Environment FX: enabled
10:55:46 INF:   Current environment: Padded cell
10:55:46 INF:   
10:55:46 LOG:   Loaded "F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\SeriousSam3_Project.dll".
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/All_01.gro: 6414 files, signature: OFFICIAL
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/All_02.gro: 5133 files, signature: OFFICIAL
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/All_145562.gro: 2565 files, signature: OFFICIAL
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/All_147686.gro: 835 files, signature: OFFICIAL
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/All_150406.gro: 627 files, signature: OFFICIAL
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/All_170136.gro: 703 files, signature: OFFICIAL
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/All_181708.gro: 104 files, signature: OFFICIAL
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/CachedShaders_PC.gro: 4391 files, signature: OFFICIAL
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/DLC3_Models.gro: 1 files, signature: OFFICIAL
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/DLC_Sam3Extended.gro: 1161 files, signature: OFFICIAL
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/DLC_Sam3Extended_181708.gro: 37 files, signature: OFFICIAL
10:55:46 LOG:   Loading translation tables from Content/SeriousSam3/Locales/enu/.
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/Locales/enu/translation.tbl
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/Locales/enu/translation_All.tbl
10:55:46 LOG:     Content/SeriousSam3/Locales/enu/translation_DLC_Sam3Extended.tbl
10:55:46 LOG:   Loaded "F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\CodecAudio_Vorbis.dll".
10:55:46 LOG:   Module 'Bin/CodecAudio_Vorbis.module' loaded in '0.00' seconds.
10:55:46 LOG:   Loaded "F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\CodecVideo_Null.dll".
10:55:46 LOG:   Module 'Bin/CodecVideo_Null.module' loaded in '0.00' seconds.
10:55:46 LOG:   Loaded "F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\Input.dll".
10:55:46 LOG:   Loaded "xinput1_3.dll".
10:55:46 LOG:   Module 'Bin/Input.module' loaded in '0.01' seconds.
10:55:46 LOG:   Loaded "F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\Game.dll".
10:55:46 LOG:   Module 'Bin/Game.module' loaded in '0.00' seconds.
10:55:46 LOG:   Loaded "F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\ProcRender.dll".
10:55:46 LOG:   Loaded "F:\Steam\steamapps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\Shaders.dll".
10:55:46 LOG:   Module 'Bin/Shaders.module' loaded in '0.00' seconds.
10:55:46 LOG:   Module 'Bin/ProcRender.module' loaded in '0.02' seconds.
10:55:46 LOG:   Module 'Bin/Shaders.module' loaded in '0.00' seconds.
10:55:46 INF:   Using cheats will invalidate your score for this level and achievements won't be awarded for the remainder of the game.
10:55:46 LOG:   Skipped assigning to prj_strMultiplayerSessionName because the saved version (0) is different than the current version (2).
10:55:46 LOG:   Alienware LightFX is not installed.
10:55:46 LOG:   Module 'Bin/SeriousSam3_Project.module' loaded in '0.69' seconds.
10:55:46 LOG:   Processing file Content/SeriousSam3/Config/autoexec.cfg
10:55:46 LOG:   Created thread 2860(GameDataJobs).
10:55:46 ERR:   Error opening wave in!
10:55:46 LOG:   Found 0 script(s) in 'Content/SeriousSam3/Scripts/CommandTable/'.
10:55:46 LOG:   Found 0 script(s) in 'Content/SeriousSam3/Scripts/DefaultBindings/'.
10:55:46 LOG:   Found 0 script(s) in 'Content/SeriousSam3/Scripts/DefaultBindings/'.
10:55:46 LOG:   Found 0 script(s) in 'Content/SeriousSam3/Scripts/DefaultBindings/'.
10:55:46 LOG:   Found 0 script(s) in 'Content/SeriousSam3/Scripts/DefaultBindings/'.
10:55:46 LOG:   cvarShowDiffs()
10:55:46 LOG:   cli_iMaxBPS = 11000 (12000)
10:55:46 LOG:   crm_fDensityBias = 1.05 (1)
10:55:46 LOG:   crm_fDistanceBias = 1.1 (1)
10:55:46 LOG:   dcl_ctMaxNewTrianglesPerFrame = 3072 (2048)
10:55:46 LOG:   dcl_ctMaxTrianglesPerGroup = 6144 (4096)
10:55:46 LOG:   efx_bDownsampleHQ = 1 (0)
10:55:46 LOG:   efx_bSharpStreaks = 1 (0)
10:55:46 LOG:   efx_fOcclusionBufferScale = 0.9 (0.5)
10:55:46 LOG:   efx_iMaxRippleSources = 20 (10)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bAllowArmorItems = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bAllowHealthItems = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bAllowJoinInProgress = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bAllowPowerupItems = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bAllowSeriousBombItems = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bAmmoStays = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bArmorStays = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bAutoCycleMaps = 0 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bCustomizedDifficulty = 0 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bExtraMPEnemies = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bFriendlyFire = 0 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bHealthStays = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bInfiniteAmmo = 0 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bPowerupsStay = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bRankedMatch = 0 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bRespawnInPlace = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_bWeaponsStay = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_ctFragsLimit = 20 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_ctGoalsLimit = 10 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_ctMaxPlayers = 12 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_ctMinPlayers = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_ctPrivateSlots = 0 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_ctRoundLimit = 10 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_ctTimeLimit = 10 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_gdDifficulty = 3 (0)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_iExtraEnemyDamagePerPlayer = 0 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_iExtraEnemyStrength = 0 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_iExtraEnemyStrengthPerPlayer = 0 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gam_iInvulnerableAfterSpawning = 1 (-1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_bFullScreen = 0 (1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_bRequiredShaderReload = 1 (0)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_bRequiredTextureReload = 1 (0)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_iAntiAliasingSamples = 2 (4)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_iFXAA = 3 (1)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_iWaitVSyncs = 1 (0)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_pixLastGoodResHeight = 1050 (480)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_pixLastGoodResWidth = 1680 (640)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_pixLastGoodWinHeight = 1050 (480)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_pixLastGoodWinWidth = 1680 (640)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_pixResHeight = 1050 (0)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_pixResWidth = 1680 (0)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_pixWinHeight = 1050 (480)
10:55:46 LOG:   gfx_pixWinWidth = 1680 (640)
10:55:46 LOG:   men_iMaxGlows = 4 (3)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_bDebrisCastShadow = 1 (0)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_bSkippableIntroScene = 1 (0)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_ctMaxCorpses = 40 (20)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_ctMaxCorpsesCoop = 15 (8)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_ctMaxDebris = 150 (50)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_ctMaxDebrisCoop = 80 (20)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_ctMaxMovingCorpses = 8 (4)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_ctMaxMovingCorpsesCoop = 4 (2)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_ctMaxMovingDebris = 80 (50)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_ctMaxMovingDebrisCoop = 30 (20)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_fDebrisScreenSizeRatioCull = 0.0025 (0.01)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_fDebrisScreenSizeRatioCullCoop = 0.005 (0.015)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_iCPUSpeed = 3 (2)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_iFlashlightType = 3 (2)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_iGPUMemory = 3 (2)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_iGPUSpeed = 3 (2)
10:55:46 LOG:   prj_strLastAutoDetectSetup = "gfx_iPixelProgramVersion=40,gfx_ctConcurrentGPUs=1,sys_iGPUVendorID=4098,sys_iCPUFamily=6,sys_iCPUMHz=3292,sys_iGPUDeviceID=26648,sys_strCPUVendor=GenuineIntel,gfx_ulVideoMemoryMB=2048," ("")
10:55:46 LOG:   prt_fParticleBias = 1.1 (1)
10:55:46 LOG:   ren_fLODBias = 0.75 (1)
10:55:46 LOG:   ren_fMax3DRenderingMPix = 1.5 (0)
10:55:46 LOG:   ren_fMirrorQuality = 0.75 (0.5)
10:55:46 LOG:   ren_iMirrorLevelBias = 1 (0)
10:55:46 LOG:   sfx_fMasterVolume = 1 (0.9)
10:55:46 LOG:   sfx_iMaxActiveSounds = 30 (25)
10:55:46 LOG:   sha_bShadowTrilinearDithering = 0 (1)
10:55:46 LOG:   sha_fFilledHighlightingDistance = 40 (30)
10:55:46 LOG:   sha_iMaxShockwaves = 20 (8)
10:55:46 LOG:   sha_iParallaxMappingQuality = 1 (2)
10:55:46 LOG:   shb_fCascadedStepFactor = 5 (4)
10:55:46 LOG:   shb_pixMaxShadowSize = 2048 (1536)
10:55:46 LOG:   shb_pixShadowDensity = 64 (16)
10:55:46 LOG:   snd_fVoiceCommVolume = 0.7 (1)
10:55:46 LOG:   tex_iAnisotropy = 8 (4)
10:55:46 LOG:   tex_pixMaxSize = 4096 (2048)
10:55:46 LOG:   vo_bVoiceEnabled = 0 (1)
10:55:46 LOG:   Processing file Content/SeriousSam3/Config/AutoDetect.lua
10:55:46 INF:   AutoDetect: Hardware values unchanged, nothing to do.
10:55:48 LOG:   Created thread 4920(SyncWorkshop).
10:55:49 LOG:   Steam workshop sync operation finished in 1.05 seconds.
10:55:49 LOG:   Found 0 script(s) in 'Content/SeriousSam3/Scripts/Startup/'.
10:56:04 LOG:   Started loading world "Content/SeriousSam3/Levels/Menu/Intro.wld"
10:56:04 LOG:   Finished loading world. (process memory: 1238 MB)
10:56:04 LOG:   Timestamp: 2013/05/10 10:56:04
10:56:04 INF:   Started simulation on 'Content/SeriousSam3/Levels/Menu/Intro.wld' in 0.51 seconds.
10:56:04 LOG:   Created thread 3624(WorkerThreadPool).
10:56:04 LOG:   Created thread 4848(WorkerThreadPool).
10:56:04 LOG:   Created thread 5004(WorkerThreadPool).
10:56:04 TRC:   2 sound channels reinitialized.
10:56:04 LOG:   Created HDR render-target of 1552x952.
10:56:26 ERR:   Failed to precache texture Content/SeriousSam3/Models/Vehicles/FrontLoader02/Textures/Wheel_01_CM.tex; it doesn't exist in memory
10:56:56 ERR:   [Direct3D] Device lost - waiting for reset.
10:56:59 LOG:   Created HDR render-target of 1552x952.
10:57:07 LOG:   Saving cvars to "$F:/Steam/userdata/10523849/41070/local/SeriousSam3.ini".
10:57:07 LOG:   Timestamp: 2013/05/10 10:57:07
10:57:07 LOG:   Core is shutting down

[DEN [CT]]

Ok, this might be hardware (GPU) related...
Just for testing purposes, can you please set all performance items to "medium" and then play to see whether the issue will occur then.
Thanx in advance.

[Arkist Guardian]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2665946

just saying tho. I have came about with that problem as well. the expensive fix is to replace the Graphic Card. Not saying Bob Barnsen should replace his. usually that message means alot of issues even including under-voltage on the gpu itself. It all depends on the level of what the GPU needs and the lack of resource in receiving it. (Not receiving enough voltage, over heating, driver issues etc etc.)

Goodluck Bob Barnsen on this.

[Bob Barnsen]

Okay, i experimented a bit. Fullscreen/Windowed, VSync on/off. These cause no problems.
Then i changed the three quality profiles from high to medium, and it worked.
I then started raising CPU Speed first to high, and it kept working. But as soon i changed GPU Speed from medium to high, it started freezing again.
Problem is, there are so many options to change, it's pretty hard to try out every option under it.
Does anyone has an idea now, what could causing this?

[Bob Barnsen]

Any ideas which option under "GPU Speed" could cause the freezing?

[zwan]

Do you have CPU hyper-threading disabled?

[Bob Barnsen]

Is that option ingame? Because i didn't find it there.

[Bob Barnsen]

Well, i tried around a bit with the options under GPU Speed. It seems when i enable MSAA i get the freezings. With the ultra profile and MSAA disabled it works without problems. FPS should be at least 60 too.

[AoEKiller]

Your system goes out of sync at 10:56:04 TRC: 2 sound channels reinitialized. Locate your SeriousSam3.ini mine is under Steam\userdata\45516333\41070\local and add these lines:
ren_bFixFastLightsEdges = 0;
gfx_iFXAA=0;
tex_pixMaxSize=512;

and change the value sfx_bAllowEAX = 1 to 0;

Also make sure you have an empty line at the bottom of your ANSI config file.

10:56:26 ERR: Failed to precache texture is also a problem, do you have 2gb DDR5 GPU or 1GB, 1GB is not enough to cache all texture with MSAA enabled.

If your using an ATI GPU, disable PowerPlay with MSI Afterburner.

[Bob Barnsen]

I have a 7870 HD like mentioned, and it has 2GB RAM.

Also PowerPlay is not activated, if you mean that in the Afterburner .cfg.

The .ini fixes i will try in some hours!

[zwan]

right, it's got nothing to do with hyperthreading, it's clearly something to do with the gfx, apparently with the 7870. Maybe the drivers or a bug from a game update.
It's gotta be something like that because I wasn't having any crashes a few months ago and the only things that have changed are the AMD drivers (I've updated them to the latest version) and the game updates.
I will try to disable MSAA and leave FXAA on and vice versa to see if it helps.

[zwan]

Bob Barnsen님이 먼저 게시:

I have a 7870 HD like mentioned, and it has 2GB RAM.

Also PowerPlay is not activated, if you mean that in the Afterburner .cfg.

The .ini fixes i will try in some hours!

Are you still having this issue? I've got the exact same problem and also the same specs (bar CPU which is 2600k.)
I've ruled out CPU Hyperthreading and MSAA in the options. Could it be the FXAA implementation? I might give it a try without FXAA then.
All I know is that I didn't have this problem a few months ago, and the only things that changed are the newer graphics drivers (currently AMD 13.4) and game updates.

[Bob Barnsen]

Yes i still have the problems, IF i enable MSAA ingame.

I googled a bit before, and it seems to be a problem with the later AMD drivers.

[zwan]

Just retried with any kind of AA disabled in the performance settings, same thing, game freezes after a few minutes (message in the logs: [Direct3D] Device lost - waiting for reset.)
AA settings in CCC are Use application settings.
I was testing the level Into the Spider's Nest.

Must be the AMD drivers...