Recently I have noticed a great influx of complaints pertaining to lag/fps issues in the Forest (and other zones). I had a bit of free time and decided to write this tutorial on the solution(s) to this issue. I have assisted quite a lot of players with this issue; resolving it 100% of the time thus far.
- If Lillu's post http://www.thehiddenforest.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13605 does NOT solve your fps/lag/shuttering issue, please try these steps provided herein and lighten the load on Lillu's shoulders. This, in all accounts I have dealt with, is a Client-Side (your side) issue and in no-way an issue on Lillu's end. I would like to make clear that all of the following resolutions are acute calculated conflict/resolution scenarios and not some shot-in-the-dark guess.
NOTE:Please complete the resolutions in the order written then test your results in-game (Without Third Party programs such as MQ2 running) after each resolution. (for example if Resolution #1 fixes the issue, you may cease advancing to any further resolution steps.)
Let's get started. There are 3 (3.5?) potential causes/resolutions to the problem that I have discovered and we will start with the most common.
ISSUE/RESOLUTION #1: DirectX Compatibility/Missing DLLs
(Even if you have DirectX 11, 12 or whatever 'newest' DirectX update you wish to attest is already better, complete this step anyway as it contains "essential" DLL's for correct EverQuest Functionality)
Please use the following link and click 'Download' in the center of page to download 'DirectX9.0c Redistributable End-User Runtime' then follow the step by step tutorial as I have written it.
DirectX9.0c Redistributable: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8109
***It is recommended that you temporarily disable your Anti-Virus and/or Windows Defender during this process to prevent installation issues. PLEASE NOTE; Disabling Anti-Virus software and/or Windows Defender leaves your PC more vulnerable to cyber attacks and other threats. Do so at your own risk.***
STEP 1.) Create a 'New Folder' on your Desktop (or wherever you'd prefer) for easy access.
(Note: you will delete Folder and Contents afterward)
STEP 2.) Right-Click the 'directx_Jun2010_redist.exe' installer you have just downloaded and select 'Run as Administrator'
(When prompted 'Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?' (JUN10 DXSDK REDIST) Select 'Yes')
STEP 3.) READ the 'DirectX June 2010 SDK License Agreement' using PAGE DOWN key or Mouse Scroll Wheel to scroll through the agreement.
(If you 'agree' to the terms therein please click 'Yes' at the bottom of the window)
*(If you 'DO NOT' agree to the terms please click 'No' and discontinue any further proceedings in this tutorial)*
STEP 4.) You will now be prompted to select a location for file extraction. Select 'Browse' then scroll to and select the 'New Folder' you created in 'STEP 1.' Now click 'Ok'.
(You may briefly see a progress window appear as the installer extracts the corresponding files to your chosen location)
STEP 5.) Once extraction has finished please go-to your 'New Folder' and open it. Locate the 'DXSETUP.exe' (if file extensions are hidden it will appear as 'DXSETUP' with a file type of 'Application') Right-Click and select 'Run as Administrator'.
(When prompted 'Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?' (DirectX SDK) Select 'Yes')
STEP 6.) AGAIN you will be prompted with a software license agreement, select 'I accept the agreement' (or 'I don't accept the agreement') based upon advice given in 'STEP 3.' Select 'Next >' to continue (or cancel to cease proceeding). To start installation of DirectX Runtime components click 'Next >' again.
(The installer will begin installing necessary DirectX9.0c End-User Runtime Redistributable components; NOTE: ALL APPLICABLE COMPONENTS WILL BE INSTALLED TO THEIR APPROPRIATE DIRECTORY(IES) WITHOUT ADDITIONAL USER (you) INPUT!)
STEP 7.) A final Window should indicate 'Installation Complete'. Click 'Finish'
STEP 8.) Close any windows that remain(ed) open from this tutorial process. Go-to; Desktop (or chosen 'New Folder' location) and delete the 'New Folder' with all of it's contents.
NOTE: DO NOT forget to turn on AntiVirus/Windows Defender Security Application Services again!
**You may now choose to store the provided DirectX 9.0c Redist Application and this Tutorial on your PC or Removable Media or safe keeping or discard it at your leisure**
ISSUE/RESOLUTION #2: EQClient.ini Corrupt/Incompatible
(Often times after a fresh installation of EverQuest, Windows etc we (Myself Included) like to copy our UI's and EQClient.ini to the new installation. Issue is, it often has compatibility issues or corruption)
STEP 1.) Locate/follow your path-to your EverQuestTHF installation. (Example; C:\Program Files (x86)\Everquest )
STEP 2.) Locate your 'eqclient.ini' in the root of the folder. Using search may help. (NOTE: If known file extensions are hidden it may just show as 'eqclient' with a file type of 'Configuration settings') Make a copy of this file to a safe location (I like to put it on my Desktop) then DELETE the 'eqclient.ini' from your EverquestTHF folder.
(Alternatively one could just 'Cut" and 'Paste' the file to a new location.)
STEP 3.) Load EverQuestTHF and see if the preceding has resolved the lag/shuttering issue. If it has you may delete that backup of your 'eqclient.ini' as the loader will have automatically compiled a new one in your EverQuestTHF directory.
(NOTE: YOU WILL NEED TO READJUST VIDEO AND/OR UI SETTINGS AGAIN. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO COPY THEM FROM OLD .INI)
STEP 3.5.) If this DID NOT resolve lag/shuttering issues, you may choose to replace the newly compiled 'eqclient.ini' with the original you made a backup of.
ISSUE/RESOLUTION #3: GPU Driver(s)
(This one is straightforward but can be tricky as each system is different; I can not provide a proper step-by-step explanation of conflict/resolution. However I will do my best to make a few focal points)
STEP 1.) If you have an Expansion Slot GFX Card (i.e.: PCI, PCIE, AGP) you may wish to apply a fresh install of drivers and updates from your provided Driver Media (Disk Typically) supplied with the Card. Alternatively (Or if your GPU is integrated and/or provided without media) you could download the latest drivers from the Manufacturer's/Brand's website.
STEP 2.) *ONLY IF 'STEP 1.)' is NOT A VIABLE OPTION as Windows update tends to be the #1 problem with Graphics Driver(s) issues*
Allow Windows to check for newest drivers by;
- Right-Click 'START'
- Select 'Device Manager'
- Expand 'Display Adapters'
- Right-Click 'Your Listed Video Card Here'
- Select 'Update Driver Software'
- When prompted 'How do you want to search for driver software?' Select - 'Search automatically for updated driver software'
NOTE: If neither of these steps resolve the issue there is one other rare instance issue to try: In your video card settings (I.e.: NVIDIA Control Panel / ATI Catalyst Control Center) if these options are available (Typically under 3D Settings Category)
Turn OFF;
- Anisotropic Filtering - OFF
- Antialiasing FXAA - OFF
- Antialiasing Mode - OFF
ISSUE/RESOLUTION #3.5: RE-DOWNLOAD and REINSTALL a FRESH COPY of 'EVERQUEST'
This issue, while the least common; occurs when a file within the 'EverQuestTHF' folder becomes corrupted which can happen in a multitude of ways. (If one wishes to research this theory while you await your fresh copy to finish downloading, within your EverQuestTHF folder there will typically be a '0kb' file(s) somewhere and that (typically) is the corrupted file(s))
-PREFERRED-
The 'UNDERFOOT' Download is listed in the link(s) below;
You can also view a complete list of links and an installation tutorial here:
http://www.thehiddenforest.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1763
Everquest Underfoot client - mirror1 (Chicago, Illinois, USA).
http://mirror1.thehiddenforest.org/downloads/EQ_Underfoot.zip
Everquest Underfoot client - mirror2 (Henderson, Nevada, USA).
http://mirror2.thehiddenforest.org/downloads/EQ_Underfoot.zip
-Optional-
Reinstall Everquest from your Retail disks: Make sure our client version is one of the listed compatible clients in the following link and then follow Lillu's tutorial for proper installation.
http://www.thehiddenforest.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1763
-- If any of the points made, steps advised, or explanations are unclear, or if any of the links provided are not working or files are unattainable..feel free to PM me (or preferably /tell Draklarr in-game as I don't always log into the forums) for any and all further assistance in this matter.
~This tutorial has been written, amended and provided by; Draklarr Hollowsoul of 'The Hidden Forest'
(This tutorial and executable application(s) linked here-in have been provided to you as-is and on an 'at-your-own-risk' basis.)
**(I am in no way affiliated with nor endorsed by Lillu or 'The Hidden Forest' Team.)**
~Drak
