Map Freezes when loading

Ok, ok, I finally decided to try and finish a map of mine. Well, technically the map is finished, but I need someone to help with an error I keep having...

The problem I seem to be having, is whenever I compile the map, people I want to test the map with sometimes freeze when trying to connect to the server, and have to exit steam. I don't know what causes the error, since I myself can test the map fine, MOST of the time, hence how I was able to finish mapping it, kind of.

Any ideas?

Heemmm.... Well, considering that you are a Sven-Coop mapper (right?), then I would think of that steam is rebuilding the node grid? I read that steam/won will sometimes hang when building a new node grid -- so you have to wait for a long time.

You using info_nodes, or monster roaming?

I do use nodes, and never thought about that people may not be frozen due to the node building. I'll try including the node file with the .zip and see if it works... hopefully it will. Thanks for the input.

Arrgh, nope, I sent it to my friend, and it didn't work... anyone else have any ideas?

So, no one gets an error message, Steam just hangs? And can everyone else connect to regular servers over steam just fine, to the same mod even?

If so for those questions, then it's the server. As most problems exist with the server in any online scenario.

if (<----- points to word for clarification) the map is error free, it will play on anyones machine, try doing so without the use of a server, see if your buds can look at the map as if they built it..

if it loads, its a server issue..

Orpheus said:
if (<----- points to word for clarification) the map is error free, it will play on anyones machine, try doing so without the use of a server, see if your buds can look at the map as if they built it..

if it loads, its a server issue..

As far as I know, Sven-Coop is multiplayer only -- you need a server to play it.

/me has to go on WON LAN everytime I tests my map :\

G.Ballblue said:
As far as I know, Sven-Coop is multiplayer only -- you need a server to play it.

/me has to go on WON LAN everytime I tests my map :\

inserts eyeroll here

Orpheus said:

G.Ballblue said:
As far as I know, Sven-Coop is multiplayer only -- you need a server to play it.

/me has to go on WON LAN everytime I tests my map :\

inserts eyeroll here

No.

You don't need to join a server, just start up your own (sv_lan 1, deathmatch 1). See if your friends can run it that way.

Its not the server... If I create the server, I can play, which leads me to believe I have something they don't... because if they try and join, they freeze. If they make their own server, they freeze.

The compile logs says its fine, nothing in VIS or RAD that it mentions, but as someone said, SC is multiplayer only, but I'll ask them to type in sv_lan 1 before they create their own.

Any other ideas? (If your a SC mapper, and know the entities, I'll toss the map your way)

ask yourself, what causes a map to fail loading..

1) lack of models
2) lack of textures
3) different fgd's
4) a multi-textures failure, such as a sky texture on a world solid thats exposed
5) different versions of the server

i am betting its #3 but there you go..

I ran the RESGEN on the map, and .zip'd everything it told me. Textures are compiled into the map. Only used SC / HL (But I'll look into it). Skys fine, as far as I know. Dunno what you mean by that last part, but thanks for the input.

The fgd makes me wonder, but I believe I'm using the most up-to-date verison there is.

Fortune, you say that paople sometimes freeze when joining a server. do you mean that sometimes those same people can join the game? or can anyone else other than you even load the map on their own comp?

Everyone but myself seems to freeze.

Fortune2 said:
Everyone but myself seems to freeze.

makes me think "fgd"

ok, answer me this, can the join a server, you don't create?

if not, its a version clash of some kind.

Orpheus said:
ask yourself, what causes a map to fail loading..

1) lack of models
2) lack of textures
3) different fgd's
4) a multi-textures failure, such as a sky texture on a world solid thats exposed
5) different versions of the server

i am betting its #3 but there you go..

FGD's can be edited, and accepted to multiplayer (it appears). Sniper gave us instructions on how to edit an FGD -- add a new entity. I assume that he knows that the game will work fine if we add the new entity.

He IS the lead programmer you know.

They have all the files right? You know how the RE maps have all those files? Well, the new RECO won't load for me. I don't have ANY of the files, but instead of getting
"Cannot continue without blah blah blah file, disconecting." Steam just sits there and hangs. So, erm, do they have all the files assosiated to the map?

Also, a borked sound replacement .txt file can cause steam or WON to stop dead. But since you say you can play the map, I don't think this is it.

Give us an oral?

Last time I checked, I can join servers. Becomes paranoid

blue, i admit i am shooting in the dark, but what the hell are you talking about??

i didn't say edited fgd, i said version.. if versions were not important, why would they change them ever so often?? they could just edit the existing ones for christ sakes..

i am trying here, but it seems like you are seeking out my replies, JUST to annoy me..

if i am imaging it, so be it, but, i am getting suspicious :sad:

If your friends can load the map, as well as yourself, I think you can
assume that the problem lies with the server or with the Sven Coop
code. It would be really helpful if Steam would display the debug
information like in the WON version, instead of a progress bar that
displays little-to-no debug information. Oh well.

Make sure you don't have too many "active" entities, like
func_conveyors, func_trains, etc. I think those cause quite a bit of
lag, which might be creating an unstable situation for the server.
Maybe too many sound and model replacements? Other than that, I can't
really imagine what the problem could be. These kinds of problems are
typically the worst, but keep on trying for a solution. Good luck! :smile:

Campaignjunkie said:
If your friends can load the map, as well as yourself, I think you can assume that the problem lies with the server or with the Sven Coop code. It would be really helpful if Steam would display the debug information like in the WON version, instead of a progress bar that displays little-to-no debug information. Oh well.

Thing is, friends can load the map, to a degree, at which point, they'll hang there.

Fortune2 said:
Thing is, friends can load the map, to a degree, at which point, they'll hang there.

i think what you need to clarify is this comment.

do they hang, as in the PC locks up during startup near the end, or does the map load completely and they are frozen in place like the old ping freezes i used to have on 56k?

that is the distinction that may solve your problem.

Most people just say it freezes; I'll check with my normal testers to see if it does anything after 5 minutes. (I used "hang there" for lack of a better synonym)

G.Ballblue tried the map, and told me it froze for him also.

so it froze while loading.. well it narrows it a bit

Yea... now if only some other people have had this problem before myself, and fixed it...

This also makes me think missing stuff.
T models
Resgen doesnt pick up on these, add these to your zip, and try again.

I do have the modelnameT.mdl's in the zip, but good thinking.

I got it to work... and I can't explain how. I just don't know =\