pbem hosting hell!

Mordante · #1 June 14th, 2001, 02:42 PM

The task list in windows me does indeed show the program as not responding - but then, it shows that even when processing a turn which does later work. In this case I have tried selectively ignoring player turns and with a couple removed the hosting process does end after around 40mins (in the interim the symtoms are as for whole hosting process). Running the turn on an NT server with tonnes of memory shows the SEIV task at 100% usage at 72% of the process.

If the host program can't be run at this point then what? Abandoning a pbem game after 102 turns because of the processing overload is a bit of a bitter pill to swallow.

I suspect that fighters are the cause .... hundreds of mini-stacks fighting other mini stacks with 1% hit rates and multiple redundant combats ... would explain the length of time it is taking.

Does anyone have a reason to suppose the host program is unstable and wouldn't be able to continue working after 8+ hours btw?

Regards

Suicide Junkie · #2 June 14th, 2001, 02:43 PM

quote:
If you check the task list it will probably tell you Se4 is not responding

WARNING: a "not responding" tag can very easily be a false positive.

"Not responding" will show up if your application does not draw to the screen for 60 seconds or so. If you time it right, you can see NR tags when SE4 is between turns (easier to find when using a slow machine).

Mordante · #3 June 14th, 2001, 02:53 PM

like i said, the "not responding" thing is pretty common whil e processing my current game. At some stage in the process the completed percentage always waits a few minutes (presumably while combat or something is resolved) - I am assuming that in this case the (now) 11 hour freeze on 72% is actually doing something ... there is certainly hd access still ... question is, how long could this take theoretically?

Something I guess only Aaron could really take a stab at?

Nitram Draw · #4 June 14th, 2001, 03:12 PM

Wow thats a long time. It would be a shame if it wouldn't process, sort of like reading a good book and finding the Last chapter is missing.

dogscoff · #5 June 14th, 2001, 03:42 PM

Prhaps you could upload the file and let someone els (not me!!!) with a faster (or at least different) machine have a stab at it - unlss there are scurity issues, it a vs human game.

--
Space Vikings! http://www.sandman43.fsnet.co.uk/viking.htm

Mordante · #6 June 14th, 2001, 04:07 PM

we have a sort of workaround so the game will be able to continue ... it involves one of the players not using fighters in the way he wanted to though

*looks like largescale fighter combat launched from carriers is unviable with the current patch*

... shouldn't really effect the strategic dynamics. It is really working out to be a dramatic clash of fleets though ... surprisingly quick resolution of the conflict beckons.

Thanks for the offer of an alternative computer to resolve the hosting but I don't really think it is that much a matter of processor speed.

Compare ... default turns (with fighter engagement plotted) 13+ hours (still rising) on a fast NT Server...

turns with one player adjusting his fighter strategy to defensive clumps at home ...

hosting takes 3 mins (more or less as usual)

A somewhat significant difference!

dogscoff · #7 June 14th, 2001, 04:46 PM

Hehe - I wasn't offering my computer (P133!). I just thought it might be a problem specific to your machine and so it might be worth trying it on a diffrent computer.