[real77]

i'm addicted to a game in java, and my 3 day old laptop already freezing up in it alot. at first it was worse, then i realized i needed the latest version of java. but it still freezes up some. why would this be? dell vostro 1500 laptop.
i have
avg7.5
dell automated pc tuneup
spybot s and d
windows xp firewall enabled

cable modem

thanks

[spot]

Perhaps you could describe what "freezes up" means. The clock stops and the caps lock doesn't toggle any more? Caps lock toggles the light on and off but the keyboard and mouse are dead? The machine comes back to life on its own two minutes later? There's flickers in the game but it keeps running? You have to unplug from the wall and take the battery out before you can get the laptop to reboot?

[real77]

not too serious like that. just the game really. i have to exit the game, then come back in. sometimes its slow enough that i have to leave the site and start over again. sometimes i can see that its starting to slow down and know that the game will freeze up very soon.

[spot]

Unless it's really really embarrassing like Knock Down Ginger or Pacman, if you give us a URL to the game we can see if there's a reason at that end.

This is a game that you download a java package to your hard drive, and run it with the JRE, and it logs you into a game site and then you sort of... game on it. I've heard of the concept. And you're reaaly sure already that there's no glitches that another million people worldwide have been having all week there, like msn had for example. So it has to be your end that's screwing up.

Okay, you've done ping time checks? dropped packets?

[real77]

asobrain.com
the game is called toulouse
not embarassing at all. great strategy boardgame (called carcassonne in the real world).
i do know that other people freeze up some too. i've played the game tons on many different computers. but even now with a new computer, i seem to freeze up more than opponents generally.
don't know what ping is or packets, but if you think i should do it, i'll figure it out.
thanks.


Unless it's really really embarrassing like Knock Down Ginger or Pacman, if you give us a URL to the game we can see if there's a reason at that end.

This is a game that you download a java package to your hard drive, and run it with the JRE, and it logs you into a game site and then you sort of... game on it. I've heard of the concept. And you're reaaly sure already that there's no glitches that another million people worldwide have been having all week there, like msn had for example. So it has to be your end that's screwing up.

Okay, you've done ping time checks? dropped packets?

[Carbon]

What processor do you have?

[real77]

here's all the possibly relevant info including processor-
Vostro 1500 - Intel® Core蒂 2 Duo T5270 (1.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache), Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
-- Vostro 1500 --
-- Intel® Core蒂 2 Duo T5270 (1.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
-----------------------
-- LCD Panel --
-- 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA LCD Display

-----------------------
-- Memory --
-- 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
-- Video Cards --
-- 128MB NVIDIA® GeForce蒂 8400M GS
-----------------------
-- Hard Drive --
-- 160GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
-------------------------
-- Operating System --
-- Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
-- Integrated NIC and Modem --
-- Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem

-- Wireless Cards --
-- Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Wi-Fi Mini Card
-- [430-2731]
-- 1st Software --
-- No Pre-installed Anti-Virus/Security Software

-----------------------
-- Primary Battery --
-- 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
-----------------------
-- Limited Warranty, Services and Support --
-- 1 Year Basic Limited Warranty plus 1 Year Mail-in Service
-- -----------------------
-----------------------
-- Automated PC Tuneup --
-- 1 Year Dell Automated PC Tuneup
---- Network Assistant --
-- Dell Network Assistant

-------------------------
-- Processor Branding --
-- Intel Core 2 Duo Processor

[evilfantasy]

A few ideas.

Clear the Java Cache

Go to Start > Control Panel and double-click the Java Icon. (looks like a coffee cup )

• On the General tab, under Temporary Internet Files, click the Settings button.
• Next, click on the Delete Files button
• There are two options in the window to clear the cache - Leave BOTH Checked
  • Applications and Applets
    Trace and Log Files
• Click OK on Delete Temporary Files Window
  Note: This deletes ALL the Downloaded Applications and Applets from the CACHE.
• Click OK to leave the Temporary Files Window
• Click OK to leave the Java Control Panel.

Run CCleaner
Run a good defrag utility

Also what version of java do you have? The current version is Java 6 Update 5

[real77]

i have java 6 update 5. it was much worse day one before i realized i need 6,5. still some trouble though.
under start, control panel i don't have java listed. found it by searching. indeed it is in control panel, just not listed there under control panel. about 50 other things java related came up searching for java too. though none else in control panel. that's normal?
i'm going to cclean now.

Originally Posted by evilfantasy A few ideas. Clear the Java Cache Go to Start > Control Panel and double-click the Java Icon. (looks like a coffee cup ) On the General tab, under Temporary Internet Files, click the Settings button. Next, click on the Delete Files button There are two options in the window to clear the cache - Leave BOTH Checked Applications and Applets Trace and Log Files Click OK on Delete Temporary Files Window Note: This deletes ALL the Downloaded Applications and Applets from the CACHE. Click OK to leave the Temporary Files Window Click OK to leave the Java Control Panel. Run CCleaner Run a good defrag utility Also what version of java do you have? The current version is Java 6 Update 5

[real77]

went to majorgeeks.com link, and did the scan computer for driver updates, it came up with 15% problems. all these options to download. do that?
and do O&O defrag prof?

[evilfantasy]

O&O is good defrag software as well. Running CCleaner be sure that under the Applications tab that Sun Java is checked (should be by default). I forgot that CCleaner will clear the Java cache as well.

The rule of thumb for updating drivers is to go to the makers site and download them from there. Even though driveragent.com is trust worthy it is best to not take chances.

You can also go to http://secunia.com/software_inspector/ click Start Now to check if everything is up to date.

[real77]

did secunia.com
did the microsoft updates deal.
secunia does mention sun java as one of my problems. yet i have the latest version and java.com says i'm up to date. secunia mentions that Older versions of Sun Java are not removed from your system when downloading and installing new versions from Sun. Therefore, if you have the latest Sun Java version installed, then you should consider removing all older versions of Sun Java from your system.
in "Add/Remove Programs" in the Microsoft Windows "Control Panel i see java(TM)6 Update 5 and J2SE runtime environment 5.0 update 6. not sure if the latter is an old version?

[real77]

adobe flash player is the other problem showing up in secunia that me downloading the latest doesn't solve the problem it seems.

[real77]

ok, seems O&O is all for purchase. i think i'll skip that.

[evilfantasy]

Updating java is not really updating java. That made no sense at all did it.

Each new version is a complete new build. In other words it is a separate program. They do this in case there is problems with the new install and you need to uninstall it and keep the old version. They aren't "rolling updates" so the old version isn't overwritten by the new one.

See my post here to see all of the old versions to look for and uninstall in add/remove programs as wall as program files to delete. This has to be done every time you install a new version of java.