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-   -   2 Boxing on 1 PC (http://www.eqinterface.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11853)

Sthikik 12-24-2003 12:58 PM

2 Boxing on 1 PC
 
I've heard of people 2 boxing, and since I have 3 computers in my house I can do that... but due to space restrictions on my Desk, getting another computer onto it... next to impossible...

HOWEVER WOW... I am able to load up a second account on my same machine... small problem...

How do I make the window smaller than almost full screen so I can see both windows at once, instead of having them both over laid on each other?

I'd like to put them side by side so I can see the action from both perspectives at once. Does changing the screen resolution allow you to make the actual window smaller? I noticed when I spawn both clients they start out nice and small, but when they get to Character Select mode, they go almost full screen.

or.. any one know of a cheap way to have a second monitor hung off the same computer sharing the same desktop space.. i've seen it done here at work with the contractors, but the equipment they have is expensive to do that.

Kudane 12-24-2003 01:16 PM

let me say this is bold.... just for effect

You do NOT want to two box on one PC

even with the 3.0 gig system I have played on trying to run two instances of EQ causes horrid lag in both. As both try to read and write to the Hard-Drive at the same time.. this works to exchange items, but you can not switch between them fast enough to effectively play two characters and 99 time out of 100 one or both of them will die in a fight.. (due to Lag, or not able to swap)... (remember if one dies it will lockup the mouse so you can't move the other till first one returns to bind)

EASIEST SOLUTION:


Click Image to see more info on it

This is what I use.

I can roll it up beside when I need to bring in more than one character, I use a 40$ Logitech wireless mouse/keyboard so I can move it on to the desk by my main keyboard. And when I dont need two characters, I roll it back up against the wall (and put mouse and keyboard back). You zip-tie a powerstrip to the frame and then the only cords are the network cord, and extension cord (I have mine zip-tied togehter).

Hope that helps..

/bow

thelonstormeyes 12-24-2003 01:45 PM

The pic is a broken link.

Inokis 12-24-2003 01:45 PM

If only I had room for even that much in my computer room :)

technica 12-24-2003 01:54 PM

Hello,

Let me offer you an additional solution. I use a Belkin KVM Switch. This is a simple box that allows you to hook multiple computers up to a single Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse. It's a simple little box that will switch between the PC's without having to need two monitors, keyboards and mice. I use a two switch version of this, but have seen them for sale with 4 switches. They may come with more, but I have not personally seen one. I have also knowticed that the same switches are now sold with sound switches too so your able to hear only the PC you are currently looking at. It's as easy as a press of a button. The only disadvantage of this that you still can only see one screen at a time and interact with the one PC at a time, but you would have to be very talented to be using two PC's at the same time IMHO :)

Hope this helps.

Technica

Kudane 12-24-2003 02:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by thelonstormeyes
The pic is a broken link.


works fine for me??? its to officemax.com

odd

Inokis 12-24-2003 02:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by technica
Hello,

Let me offer you an additional solution. I use a Belkin KVM Switch. This is a simple box that allows you to hook multiple computers up to a single Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse. It's a simple little box that will switch between the PC's without having to need two monitors, keyboards and mice. I use a two switch version of this, but have seen them for sale with 4 switches. They may come with more, but I have not personally seen one. I have also knowticed that the same switches are now sold with sound switches too so your able to hear only the PC you are currently looking at. It's as easy as a press of a button. The only disadvantage of this that you still can only see one screen at a time and interact with the one PC at a time, but you would have to be very talented to be using two PC's at the same time IMHO :)

Hope this helps.

Technica

I have something similar to that, one of my computers shares a monitor however the monitor had a build in secondary port, quite handy for the space contraints actually. If you can wing it and the monitor toggle isn't too annoying...its a great solution.

mortis42 12-24-2003 03:06 PM

Quote:
even with the 3.0 gig system I have played on trying to run two instances of EQ causes horrid lag in both. As both try to read and write to the Hard-Drive at the same time.

Create a second EQ directory, preferably on a second HD. Launch one instance of EQ from each directory.
Quote:
this works to exchange items, but you can not switch between them fast enough to effectively play two characters and 99 time out of 100 one or both of them will die in a fight.. (due to Lag, or not able to swap)

To restore ALT+TAB functionality with EQ download the Windows Application Compatibility Toolkit. This is approved by SOE, see: http://help.station.sony.com/esuppo...electtype=match
Quote:
remember if one dies it will lockup the mouse so you can't move the other till first one returns to bind

I have never had this happen that I know. It may be resolved with the ALT+TAB fix. However, I do use my keyboard primarily and have gone for a number of hours without a mouse before and have not ran two instances of EQ on my machine many times with the EQ windowed mode (see later).

Some other things to note:
Always be sure that both windows are located in exactly the same spot on your desktop. The way that I did this was to set up everything on one instance before setting up my second EQ directory. Every setting in both directories are identical that way.
Turn off all Options. i.e. Luclin models, socials, dynamic lighting, use low textures, and most importantly sound. Be sure that your computer is set up for Best Performance, especially your graphics card.

Now, I mentioned earlier that I do not use the EQ windowed mode. What do I use? It is an application that has been around since before running EQ in windowed mode was approved called EQWindows (http://www.eqwindows.com/)**. I find that it runs moch more stable than the windowed mode that EQ uses.
My only complaint is that you cannot restore fullscreen with it. Since I run EQ at a lower resolution than Windows, this is annoying at times. I usually ahve to know when I was to box on one computer so that I can change my desktop resolution to the same resolution that I run EQ in so that I can have pseudo-fullscreen.

Now for EULA. There has never been to my knowledge any official word as to the legality of using this program. Unofficially it is legal to use this program since it does not alter anything ... etc.


My guild <Arma Viresque> is 90% boxers. We have a couple people that quad-box regularly, and one of them does it on 2 computers that I knoew. There is another member that plays his own 6-person group on 4 machines. We have discussed boxing on single machines regularly.

** This program is STILL against the EULA and can cause you to be banned even now, they reversed banning on it before, but they did NOT say it was ok to use it... use at your own risk --- Admin

Ladred 12-24-2003 03:46 PM

I've got an athlon xp 2600, with 1 gig of ram. My desktop resolution is 1600X1200. I've often double windows everquest (with a single hard drive, and single everquest folder), using two 640X480 everquests. It ran fine as a cleric and warrior, I was leveling myself up.

The biggest problem was UI selection. I just ended up creating a custom UI for when I two box on my one PC. It works, and the lag wasn't game breaking or unbearable. I leveled my warrior from 40 to 45 without a problem.

I think I also changed the shortcut for releasing the mouse from ctrl+shft+r to something a bit easier.

moix5th 12-24-2003 04:17 PM

Actually this is kinda funny, just yesterday i was trying to do the same exact thing, after many hours i finally got my setup just right. i am currently running my computer in 1600x1200 resolution, while eq(i use eqw) is in 800x600 mode.
1) Make 2 Everquest Directories 1 for normal/1 for 2boxing
2) Make As many eqw directories as accts u will be playing at once.
3) Download MiniVert2box
4) Unzip UI into your EQ/Uifiles/Mini Directory
5) Play EQ and Enjoy
6) Also i have found this EQ Preformance Tweaks to be helpfull.

Otosan Ameotoko 12-24-2003 04:54 PM

2boxing
 
Well...
I am a twoboxer, have been for a while, and it isnt really that hard you just have to get used to it.

Right now I can run up to 3 instances of EQ on my computer:
3.0ghz AMD athlon
512DDR
GeForce FX 5900 ultra
and **2** 80gig seagate HDs.

EQ is a memory and a HD hog, period.

All you need to do (this is what i did) is create a partition just for EQ on one drive and then put the other in your main partition (most people with 2 harddrives squish them together so they dont lose stuff) Install EQ on your main drive partition then copy all the files (minus the character files i.e. bobtheshaman_bristle.ini) to your "EQ partition"

Some people recommend using EQWindows, which i frown upon, especially since EQ is Alt tab-able now. And some recommend turning the sound completely off in your client.ini file (i recommend this for at least one of your instances). Zoning can be slow, and you NEVER want to have EQ windows side by side, not even 64bit highend systems can run stuff like that, DirectX just goes insane and explodes. Overlay one window over the other with a little bit of both window able to show when you are active in the other and youre fine.

ps. Load one version of EQ, get chars in same zone or whatever, THEN load the other character, have 2 characters loading zones at the same time is almost a garaunteed crash unless you have a lot of ram 1gig+

Kahomn 12-24-2003 05:03 PM

alternative
 
If you can't branch out horizonatlly (sp?), you can always go vertically.. i have 3 terminals on my bingo table set up, and i have the top part of my cart (plastic rollcart) holding a TV above my main character's monitor.. i could have added another monitor to run 4 but... im not that addicted.

Like i said.. Vertical is a way to go:)

Neiloch 12-24-2003 05:09 PM

Its not too hard for me, I got a 3ghz pc with about 1500mb of ram. 2 different directories is a must. I use EQWindows as well since it seems to lag less then if both EQs are windowed without it. I have every extra feature possbile turned to off on one character. Including having the clip plane all the way down and 3dsky off. And in most cases with my caster hes looking down the whole time.

The key to it all for me was to make a whole set of macros for the caster specifically for my other character for duoing. I havent done it too much in groups but since I'm not doing every job like in duoing I dont need such elaborate macros. I hardly ever play them both at the same time though unless I need just little bit more exp or an item. otherwise it feels like work.

Kudane 12-24-2003 05:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mortis42
Now for EULA. There has never been to my knowledge any official word as to the legality of using this program. Unofficially it is legal to use this program since it does not alter anything ... etc.


It states quit clearly that you may not use ANY program that BYPASSES the Everquest frontend. They have banned accounts for the use of this program (I know 2 people personally). Though they DID un-ban those accounts to give people a second chance.. please know you use this program at your own risk. I won't say not to use it or you should use it. but any mention of it needs to have a footnote that it does break the EULA..

/bow

Aranash 12-24-2003 07:23 PM

I two box all the time...... Using 1 computer... I have read a lot say you need a huge system.

Not really. I am using 900mhz Athlon, 512megs of ram, (1) 80gig hard drive, and a 32meg Radeon 7000.

Have no problems 2 boxing unless in the bazaar =p

threeflies 12-25-2003 07:26 AM

I think youll find your ok as long as your not using a programe unatended.

guice 12-25-2003 12:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kudane
It states quit clearly that you may not use ANY program that BYPASSES the Everquest frontend. They have banned accounts for the use of this program (I know 2 people personally). Though they DID un-ban those accounts to give people a second chance.. please know you use this program at your own risk. I won't say not to use it or you should use it. but any mention of it needs to have a footnote that it does break the EULA..

/bow


I seem to recall them unbanning the accounts and saying nothing else.

This was done at the time they added windows mode and said nothing about "a second chance".

Quote:
As a part of this change, the account bans related to the use of third-party EverQuest windowing applications have already been reversed.

(I found the quote)

Personally, I think SOE has no viable grounds for banning you for using an application that has proven to perform better than thier own internal system's version. EQW is nothing more than EQ in a window. It's exactly the same thing you get when you hit 'Alt-Enter', but it's (much) more stable.

EQW happens to be a great way to two box on 1 system. I know plenty of people that 4 box using this method (two systems with two accounts on each). I just two box, but I do have two computers to allow me to do so (But, I do use EQW on my alt box to allow me to search/research while playing).

Sorry to bring it up. I just think it would be outright childish of SOE if they decided to start banning accounts cause of the use of EQW again. After all they said it themselves -- Cause of the new EQ Window mode they are lifting all bans from using EQW (Third party apps).

Neiloch 12-25-2003 12:35 PM

1. You will not get banned. Like said before EQWindows does exactly what EQ can already do but better.

2. They unbanned the accounts when they came out with the feature for EQ and stated that no more people will be banned for using "third party software that puts everquest in a window"

ramzeva 12-25-2003 12:46 PM

As mentioned earlier in this thread, KVM switch rocks for 2box. I use IOGear KVM, all I have to do is hit Scroll Lock key 2x to switch back and forth rapidly between 2 computers on 1 setup.

Aedaen Darklaef 12-27-2003 02:29 PM

All good valid points, the KVM switch by far is the best solution. But a FYI, for simple PLing of an alt, if both characters are in the same zone, I had absolutley no problem 2 boxing on one machine, with each instance in a 1024x768 window, with minimal reduction in framerates. This was on a Slot A Athlon 850Mhz with 512 MB PC100. I personally could not believe it worked. I wouldnt recommend it for raiding or anything that strenuous however. Oh and I was not using the EVIL (=p) EQW

OneDeadlyBum 12-28-2003 08:51 AM

I successfully 'two-box' on one PC, and these are my specs:

1.6 GHZ P4 Processor
512 MB of SDRAM
ATI Radeon 9600 PRO (running in 4x AGP mode, quality texture settings, no AA/AF)

I've only got one hard-drive, but heres some things to point out about 'two-boxing' on one PC:

1) Turning off ALL Luclin models is a MUST, unless you happen to have a horse, in the case turn on ONLY the luclin models you need (your race, and only your gender, + horse/elemental models)

2) Turning off sound is HIGHLY suggested, unless you want to put up with echoing, and if your processor isn't that good you'll get plenty of slow-down.

3) Low-resolutions and UIs with little screen clutter are your friend. Make special hotkeys that you can press, and quickly alt-tab to another character while the other does his thing. (generally only works with casters, but i imagine with some creative positioning and hotkeys it could work with any class)

4) Get your characters/UIs/etc setup just right, and then if you currently use luclin models OR want different settings when your not playing two characters, make a copy of your EQ directory. While this will eat up more disk space, you'll save a significant amount of time (no luclin models = uber fast loading), and if you don't have to cache your textures every other time you play, its less waiting time and less RAM/processing cycles wasted.

5) Make sure that your EQ windows are directly on top of each other. This is a MUST, otherwise you'll get garbage performance. Yes, it'd be nice to have both windows next to each other, but that just isn't gonna happen unless you have a super-computer (or sony changed a few things since last i checked and it performs good that way now)

That covers...just about all the basics. Don't forget to group with other people every now and then :P

bobbarkersoup 01-04-2004 09:20 PM

Running a 1.5ghz with 512 ram and a Geforce Ti4200 I have NO problem running tow copies of EQ from the same directory in 800x600 resolution, sometimes I can get away with one copy being full screen and still no problem, ---JUST MAKE SURE SPELL EFFECTS ARE OFF--

Oh, and never go to POK either heh, I can do bazaar ten times better than POK for some reason when 2 windowing EQ, not sure why, considering bazaar lags ten times worse when I have one copy going.

Email 04-26-2005 10:32 AM

Following setup works good...
 
PIV-2.8GHz @ 3.2GHz
1-GB DDR500
4-80GB Drives (Two EQ Folders) in Raid 0
BFG 6800 GT OC
-----EQW-----
Zoning is fairly fast
Lag is minimal
All effects on is playable
Just wish I had 1 more GB of DDR500 though....

ArcherPhate 04-26-2005 10:49 AM

well with a 200+ graphics card id hope so email

yoblleh 04-26-2005 08:26 PM

Ok i have to disagree with everyone that says you shouldnt 2 box on 1 pc im not saying anyone is wrong because a switch is an awsome thing to use and if you can use one then use it but if your only 15 like me and may not have the money for one or whatever the reason, then try 2 boxing on one pc i have 4 computers running a laptop if i need it and a grave yard of computers but no switch and the computer i use to play EQ is downstairs the rest of the comps up up stairs and its kinda hard and a hassle to run cables from downstairs to upstairs so try 2 boxing on one pc works for me just peachy now if your computer is older and maybe dosnt run eq vary well already try and get a switch but try 2 boxing on one pc works for me great and it works for my brother too i have a gig of ram no more is needed you could even try a little less and a 64meg nvidia Geforce 4 and cable internet thos should be all that you need thank you for your time remember to never forget you have a toon logged on in another window you could die that way i know iv done it :p so have fun

be well

Zzayn

Eci server/ soon to be tunar

Lertz 04-26-2005 09:10 PM

2boxing
 
Well i had just gotten dsl (previously 56k) and i can tell aload of difference and with eqwindows2 its alot easier because u can switch screens while zoning.

i have a 3.0 gh HT processor and it helps alot along with 500 ddr 2700 mgb and 128 msi graphic card which ain't all to great, but i barly have lag problems and if i do i just turn down the clip plane or the lvl of which u can see spells, that seems to do the trix

Lorendahl 04-26-2005 10:28 PM

2 Boxing on 1 Box
 
If you have the opportunity, just hook up a second hard drive and copy all the EQ files to the other drive, no installation is necessary.

I do that to keep the traffic down on the primary HD.

Also, you should turn down ALL unnecessary models. I ran 2 instances on a PIII 733 w/512Megs of memory, and an NVidia GeForce Ti4600. No major problems...

soran 04-27-2005 04:53 AM

The last thing Sony wants to do, is start banning accounts for people using EQWindows. They are already losing enough money as it is and are hardly gonna ban someone running 2 accounts on 1 computer.

They don't even do anything about people running MacroQuest and using exploits to cheat. Just tonight my guild found someone in Tacvi killing a Boss from the zone in, solo.

The true number of people running eqwindows, and wineq would probably shock you. I wouldn't worry about it.

Soran

Yaldiar 04-27-2005 05:50 AM

I two box on one computer occasionally and have no problem at all with lag. My main character in normal eq and then the boxed in EQWindows, runs fine. My system isn't all that great either.

Raduus 04-27-2005 10:08 AM

01-05-2004 01:20 AM
bobbarkersoup

Yesterday 03:32 PM
Email

Just wonder what possessed you to bump an 16 month old thread out of nowhere. :)


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