EQ2: Never Boxed EQ2. Checklist?

[Lokked]

Hi.

I used to 5-Box WoW, but I find the PvE content extremely unfulfilling and the PvP (which is why I played) just not fun anymore.

I wish to 5 box EQ2, using software (IS/ISBoxer I suppose) on my Core2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz machine, with 4gb RAM, GT8800 Vid card, OP: Vista64.

I have an old EQ2 account on Nektulos which I will probably ressurect (to use the money from, and my Guardian as a tank and to mentor).

I would like to know what steps I should take to start up the accounts. I have read a few alarming posts about the erratic functionallity of SOEs RAF program.

At this point, I have not renewed my main account, and have not purchased any alt EQ2 boxes.

I don't need help with macros, API functions, AA distribution, etc. I would just like to know the order/method of creating the accounts.

My team plan is Guardian, Troub, Illusionist, Warlock, Warden. I actually might use a Paladin instead of the Guardian.

Thanks in advance,

Lokked

[Frosty]

Here are the steps I used for RAF, and I had no problems. But, keep in mind, SoE will fix your problem rather quickly if something does mess up (just call them). :thumbsup:

I say this in several spots in the link below, but MAKE SURE you are logged into the account you "think" you are logged into.
And MAKE SURE you only sign up with the link from the email to get the RAF from the pervious account.

EQ2: Best way to use RAF to start 10 new accounts. ('http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Thread&postID=192292#post192292')

Give us a shout if you make it on to Nektulos! :P

[Lokked]

Thanks a lot Frosty!

I saw that post while perusing, but I dismissed it as I thought, "Why would I want 10 EQ2 accounts!?!?" :p

I'm hoping my maching can handle 5 instances of EQ2 with IS running. Repeating specs above (in case anyone has any insight):
Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
4GB DDR2 Ram
GT8800 512MB Vid Card
Vista64
2 LCDs

My new plan for 5-box class setup: Guardian, Dirge, Templar, Illusionist, Warlock
If I can only manage 4 instances, then: Guardian, Troubadour, Templar, Warlock

I noticed that most 6-boxers have 2 healers. If I was to use one of the 6-boxers Class Templates, would you drop a DPS or one of the Healers to make a 5-box setup? I'm hoping I can do all dungeons leading up to lvl 80.

Lokked

[Crayonbox]

Cutting it close. EQ2 is a huge resource hog. My specs are similar to yours and I only run 3 copies and I still get hiccups. I use 2 computers at the moment.

My new plan for 5-box class setup: Guardian, Dirge, Templar, Illusionist, Warlock
If I can only manage 4 instances, then: Guardian, Troubadour, Templar, Warlock

With either of those set ups, you should be able to manage all heroic dungeons with ease. Even the instance sections you shouldnt have too much trouble if you slightly over level the dungeons.

[Frosty]

I won't be as much help on your PC specs as other here, but, since you are running Vista 64, bump up your RAM if you can.
That's probably the cheapest thing you could do to give you a significant boost.

As for the 6 man with 2 healers..I went a little crazy and have 3 healers because I really like the Shadowknight as a tank. :P

Using a Guardian, you should be fine.

[Lokked]

I think I'm just going to order this upgrade kit today i7 upgrade kit ('http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4488089&CatId=4139'). Or I'll keep my current computer and buy the Barebones setup which includes the i7, 12gb Ram, etc.

I'll figure it out after I get a few trial accounts going.

Thanks all,

Lokked

[Lokked]

My Client is patching from Original DVD install. The suspense is killing me.....

Now it is mocking me, as I watch the seconds countdown to find it reloading and installing another set of patches taking an estimated 3 hours. No playtime tonight I guess :(

[Frosty]

My Client is patching from Original DVD install. The suspense is killing me.....

Odds are, it's probably still killing you right now! :P

It took a LOOOOooong time for me to get it all downloaded and patched.

[moosejaw]

You are making the right move going to an I7. I haven't played EQ2 yet since my upgrade but the Quad 6600 (3.0 OC) was a real dog with 6 instances. The performance tool in vista/win7 shows my numbers jumping several digits from where the quad was. I haven't done any other testing yet. If you can squeeze in a new video card get one with 1gb ram to help with the 2 monitor setup. I was going to try and get the 6 to run with 6 gb of ram because that offers me the best OC options. If it won't run with 6 I have another 6 ready to install.

Your upgrade package is the hardware I bought minus the ram. We should have very similar game results. :thumbup:

Have fun!!

[Lokked]

Sadly, my POS current comp can only handle 3 instances while not using innerspace (I just made the trials to test out the capacity).

It runs the processors at ~83% load with 3 windows up. If I minimize 1 it drops to 60%. Too bad the windows have to be up and locked to play :/

That settles it then. I 3-box until my comp comes in!

I didn't even try 4. I have enough RAM, but with the CPU load ramp, I'm sure the 4th window would have brought my load above 100%.

[Frosty]

Are you turning all the graphics way down on the follower windows?
I know you can't completely disable the sound on them, but you can move the slider to allow less sounds and change the distance you hear footsteeps.
Also, you can still do plenty with 3 in a group. :thumbup:

[Lokked]

Alright, I'm not sure if its the way IS tweaks the frame's resolution, or something else, but running IS with the instances cause a HUGE performance increase. I am able to run 4 instances, only being limited by my RAM (each instance takes ~800MB). I only have 4 GB, so I think I'm going to pick up another 2x2GB modules while I wait for my order to come in. At that point, I'll do 3 per machine. I won't need such a beefy video card for the second machine.

I do have 2 issues with IS (if anyone is still reading this thread :p), which I'll do some searching on their forums for:
Background: Main session on 21" Widescreen, 2 alt sessions in the Top Left and Top Right of a 19"
1. It only happened once, but the 2 alt sessions somehow resized their resolution back to 1280x1024 pixels, but weren't shrunk into the IS session frame. So basically, the 2 alt sessions consisted of just the Top Left corner of the game screen (so that I could basically only see the char/party health bars). This is difficult to describe properly, and I'll probably just forget about it and hope it never happens again. It required a full game close and IS restart to fix.

2. When switching sessions (and having them hotswapped to the main monitor), IS never puts them back in the same order. If I switch from Main session to other sessions, then back to main, the other sessions are not in the right order.

[Frosty]

1. It only happened once, but the 2 alt sessions somehow resized their resolution back to 1280x1024 pixels, but weren't shrunk into the IS session frame. So basically, the 2 alt sessions consisted of just the Top Left corner of the game screen (so that I could basically only see the char/party health bars). This is difficult to describe properly, and I'll probably just forget about it and hope it never happens again. It required a full game close and IS restart to fix.
I've had this happen, and it's usually from some Windows application or Virus scanner that decides I'm not "really" using the computer so it should do something.
The only way I've found to fix it is close all windows and re-launch. It hardly ever happens though.



2. When switching sessions (and having them hotswapped to the main monitor), IS never puts them back in the same order. If I switch from Main session to other sessions, then back to main, the other sessions are not in the right order.
How did you set up WindowSnapper in ISBoxer? Did you use the option for each instance to have it's on set place, or set it so all space is always used?

I have mine set to leave an empty slot for the window that is maximized.