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Post by Tom Constantine on Jan 8, 2009 14:14:25 GMT -5
I've rarely ever suffered from Computer problems, but I have a weird one now and I hope someone has an idea.
When I start FSX everything is fine and I am getting a solid 20 fps. Everything is smooth and fluid. Then for no apparent reason after a few minutes, fps drops to 1-2 and the whole exercise is like a slide show. Control movements are delayed for 10-15 seconds and the sim becomes unflyable. FS9 is about the same and I have had 30fps on this computer.
Any ideas?
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Post by beana51 on Jan 8, 2009 15:14:37 GMT -5
Hi Tom,it appears some phantom program may be tasking your computer.I had a similar experience once,.some virus detectors,or some auto DE fragger ,kicks in ,and drains power.At least that was my problem..once I removed all auto,and phantom programs ,it was OK......I hope you find the soulation quickly......."Stay warm" ,or should I say "Stay Cool" with this...regards Vin
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Post by jhefner on Jan 8, 2009 16:29:39 GMT -5
I don't know what flavor of Windows you are running, but how about pulling up the Windows Task Manager, going to the Processes tab, and sorting the list of processes by CPU and Mem Usage. If it is another program stealing memory or cycles; it will show you which one it is; you can then use the End Process button at the bottom of the Windows Task Manager window to kill the offending process.
If FS seems to be the only thing soaking up CPU and Mem Usage; that will tell you that something internal to FS is bogging down. If that is the case, it sounds like it is falling hopelessly behind in it's housekeeping for some reason; I would try pausing it, letting it sit there until the disk access light stops blinking, unpause it, and see if the frame rate goes up and then falls down again.
-James
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Post by Dan on Jan 8, 2009 16:46:09 GMT -5
Yup - Vin and James are right . . .
I had that problem awhile back and a couple of years ago. Used the Windows Task Manager and found out one time it was a spyware/virus program kicking in/out. Another time, it was Microsoft's automatic update program updating something something . . . turned it off to where I control when it downloads/updates and turned off the 'auto' spyware feature when I'm flying.
These may not be your problem, since it just started to occur, but somewhere 'recently' something changed - added, downloaded, infected, etc. . . .
Dan
…it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by reddog on Jan 8, 2009 16:47:30 GMT -5
FSUIPC was causing that with me and finally running me out of memory. That was with the 1st 3 versions of it for FSX.Took it out and haven't had aproblem since.
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Post by Roger on Jan 8, 2009 18:23:33 GMT -5
Sorry to hear this Tom. If it isn't a software problem maybe check to ensure your processor, psu and video card fans are fully operational and not failed or clogged with dust as a problem there will cause similar problems to the ones you describe.
Hope you sort it soon.
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Post by bhk on Jan 8, 2009 19:29:58 GMT -5
The first question I must ask is: does this only occur with FSX?
If the answer is "yes", then it points strongly to an FSX-related matter. If the answer is "no, it happens with xxxx too" or "no, it happens with everything", then it points to something else.
Bruce
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Post by Tom Constantine on Jan 8, 2009 22:11:15 GMT -5
I'll take a look at FSUIPC. I think I just updated that. I'll see if I can do without it. That seems a logical villain since the only thing using the 4 CPUs is FSX and it is slamming the top of the performance window for 5 seconds, then dropping then slamming again. It happened on one test of FS9 as well. I suspected the video card at first but I can play HD videos with no problem. I have defragged the hard drive and that made no difference.
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Post by Kofi on Jan 8, 2009 23:24:59 GMT -5
Hope you get it sorted out Tom...
Funny thing is that I've never used FSUIPC in FSX....
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Post by Tom Constantine on Jan 9, 2009 0:49:43 GMT -5
Removing FSUIPC didn't help. I did a flight in FS9 and the frame rate bounced between 2 and 30. Irritating. I shut down all my security and it has had no effect. Default Cessna sitting idle on a runway at KOLD and something is pushing the CPUs to 100%. Looking at processes in the task manager, ONLY FSX is using the CPUs. I would reinstall (and may still do that) but since FS9 is having similar problems, I doubt it would fix anything.
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Post by jhefner on Jan 9, 2009 10:33:24 GMT -5
Have you taken a look at your CPU and video card, and verified that the fans don't have a dust buildup underneath them?
My original computer did this for years -- would be running along fine, but when things became processor intensive, it was like the computer kept "downshifting."
Looked at the programs that were running, video card settings, defragged the hard disk, ran antivirus scans, etc. all to no avail. Wife and kids were insisting the computer was no good, or that my stuff had somehow "broke" it. FINALLY took a look at the CPU, and found the space under the fan was packed with dust bunnies. Apparently, the CPU can somehow detect when it is getting too hot, and slows down to keep from frying it's brains out. I gave it a good cleaning, and is well once again.
It could be one of those things that will get incrementally worst; FS just happens to work the CPU harder than anything else, and is the only software that it is making it "downshift" right now. The fact that both copies of FS are slowing down also makes me think it is a hardware and not a software problem.
-James
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Post by Tom Constantine on Jan 9, 2009 22:13:55 GMT -5
No answers yet. Real life has intervened in the form of a lost passport so I will be preoccupied with that for a couple of days. If I don't find it by Sunday, I have to take a bus to Boston on Monday and pay extra for a quickie replacement. I leave for Central America on Saturday. FSX will have to wait.
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Post by Tom Constantine on Jan 10, 2009 15:36:21 GMT -5
It appears that the fan on the video card does not work, so that should identify the problem. The genius who assembled this computer put the video card right next to the video capture/TV Tuner card. I seperated them by one slot and noticed the TV card has a nice round ring burned on it. Clever people those Gateway guys. I'm going to swap in an older video card until Tax Return Time and see what happens.
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Post by Tom Constantine on Jan 10, 2009 18:55:52 GMT -5
Well, I had an nVidia GeForce 7600GS in the closet and tho it's 2 generations old it is giving me a solid 24 fps with fairly high settings. That'll hold me until I get my tax return. Now if only my missing passport had been in the same box...
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Post by bhk on Jan 10, 2009 20:18:12 GMT -5
Good to read that you've overcome the glitch, Tom.
And all the best for your South American trip, too.
Bruce
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