Interesting Crashing Issue

[Rougespear7mm]

Hello all,

So I've been enjoying the recent crashes of TS2009 very much lately. I've now purchased TRS2006, but the same crash is resulting still. I'm beginning to think it's hardware related, but it ONLY happens with Trainz Simulator - no other "graphically demanding" programs that I run on my computer will render a similar problem. The problem occurs randomly, and basically the entire screen will freeze and become pixelated or the the graphics will become all jagged, sharp and pointy. This can happen 10 mintues into a session, or it can happen 80 minutes into a session. It can happen during a "graphically demanding/loading" point of gameplay, or during a quiet switching maneover. The system will freeze, the entire system! I'm unable to ctrl-alt-del out of the game, and the game NEVER crashes to the desktop. Sound will continue to play as per normal. The only way I can recover is to hit the "system reset" button, which I think is bad for the system if I remember correctly??

My system:

Intel Core2Duo E7300 @2.66GHz
Asus P5QL Pro MoBo
2GB DDR2-800MHz RAM
Nvidia 9800GT 512mb
OCZ 700 watt power supply
80GB IDE hard drive

All graphics settings have been maxed out in both game versions, and the problem occurs in both DirectX and OpenGL, in both TRS2006 and TS2009. I have installed the lastest video card drivers. I realize that the hard drive is bloody ancient, and I'm curious if it's the root of the problem? I know it can't keep up with the CPU and the GPU and is constantly "accessing" information. This is slated to be replaced as soon as possible, but for now, does anybody think this is the root problem?

I know that the GPU is not heating up above normal temperatures as I've been closely monitoring the temps of both the CPU and the GPU.

TRS2006 TrainzOptions folder settings:

-DepthBits=24
-StencilBits=8
-AutopilotSignalDistance=300
-AreaLimit=100
-SectionLimit=10
-ResourceMemory=2048
-LoadingTime=1
-KeepParticles=0
-KeepAllResources=0
-Intro=disable
-ForceRealtimeLoad=0
-FramesToAverage=16
-FullScreen
-FreeIntCam
-Jet=bin
-time=0.0
-cabinfov=65
-driverfov=55
-DefaultAutoMip=none
-zfar=2100

TS2009 Trainz Options folder:

-DepthBits=24
-StencilBits=8
-Jet=bin
-cabinfov=50
-driverfov=42
-DefaultAutoMip=none
-DynamicVertexBufferSize=4194304
-DynamicIndexBufferSize=196608
-VBO
-Framerate=30
-freeintcam

Can anybody suggest any changes to my TrainzOptions folders that may remedy the problem? Have any other individuals experienced the same or similar problems? Can anybody suggest any solutions at all? I'm becoming quite frustrated, and I believe that it's not good for my hardware having to constantly "reset" my system. I'd really like to leave this crashing bullcrap in my dust!

Thanks so much for any help!

Cheers, Brent

 

[fran1]

going for the hard drive

I was going to say overheating CPU on first reading your thread but you've been there done that. I agree the hard drive looks like your culprit. The comps been updated apart from that.
Similar problem myself except mine was the CPU, P4 3.4 gig lagging behind everything else slowing it down and causing problems.
When you get the drive partition it, put system drivers in1, trainz 06 in 2, trainz 09 in 3, the rest in 4.
I used disk management to transfer data from 1 hard drive to another, and to my surprise it worked.
Afterthought, leave system drivers in the old drive.
I have read somewhere (john whelan maybe) did a comparison with several people and there trainzoptions settings. the result was the simpler ones gave better frame rates overall. Just a thought. Nothing to do with jagged edges.

 

[whitepass]

First off reset is the same as turning your computer off and on as far as ware and tear goes.
You did not give what OS you have, you may have something running is the background that is doing it like an auto-update. Also some older Nvidia 9000's have had had a problem with the GPU's.
Trainz is more demanding than most other programs by a long shot.

 

[AnalogOldguy]

Another (maybe remote) possibility. When I installed the Trainz newer versions 2006 SP1, Trainz Railwayz, I think my new 2004 was also doing do it. Used to lock up and black screen at many odd times. Requiring a restart of computer.

I almost gave up on Trainz. Weeks later, I found out that Trainz was trying to dial out on my dial-up modem! And even my firewall couldn't stop it.

No pixelation though, like you mentioned.

I searched Google and found that there is a service in Windows XP called autodial or some such thing ... I turned it off and have had no trouble ever since.

Not likely your problem. But figured I'd throw it in.... Bob P.

 

[elgato]

Hi Brent,
As whitepass mentioned, you do not specify if you are running Windows XP or Vista, this could be helpfull.
In your options for TRS2006, you allow, in ResourceMemory, 2048. This is the same amount of memory that your system has. You have to allow some memory for the operating system, thus you should reduce the 2048 to 1024. If this helps, you could then try 1536 and see if this creates problems or not.

In TS2009, you have not specified any value for ResourceMemory but you may have allowed 2048 in Options, Advanced Options. Try the same values as suggested above in TRS2006.
Let us know of your results
Good luck
Gilles

 

[Rougespear7mm]

Well, I'm also beginning to wonder if it's an issue with the OS. I'm running XP-64bit at the moment, but I'm wondering if Trainz would prefer XP-32bit?? Would it be worth trying a reformat with a copy of XP-32? I'm really wanting to find the culprit to this, because I'm almost sure it HAS to be my hardware failing somewhere.

I'm hoping that I can just get rid of this IDE POS hardrive. I'm looking at a 320GB 16mb cache drive... I was planning to partion as follows, in this order: 40GB for TRS2006, 40GB for TS2009, 20GB for operating system 1, 20GB for operating system 2, 10GB for drivers, 210GB remaining (approx). I realize this is a lot of partioning, but my ultimate goal is to purchase a 80GB hardrive to install and run the OS's and drivers from, dual-booting of course.

Would it be a shot to contact Nvidia customer service? The GPU is less than 3 months old, never been overclocked, and shouldn't be doing this! On that note, maybe I should fiddle with the clock settings on the GPU; perhaps it's unhappy with the factory settings... but this is highly unlikely!

P.S. TRS2006 is build 3335. TS2009 is build 38599.

 

[jjqburch]

I realize this is a lot of partioning, but my ultimate goal is to purchase a 80GB hardrive to install and run the OS's and drivers from, dual-booting of course

Mate, get a Raptor for this job, it'll really boost your system.

Jonny

 

[elgato]

Hi Brent,
Since you are running Windows XP 64 bits, have you tried running TRS2006 in Administrator mode? To do this, right-click on your TRS2006 icon on the desktop, click properties, then Compatibility, then Run this program as an administrator and validate. I never used XP 64 bits but I have been using Vista 64 bits for over a year now and TRS2006 worked beautifully provided you run it in Administrator mode. Try it and see if it cures the problem. Let us know.
Good luck
Gilles

 

[Euphod]

The problem occurs randomly, and basically the entire screen will freeze and become pixelated or the the graphics will become all jagged, sharp and pointy. This can happen 10 mintues into a session, or it can happen 80 minutes into a session. It can happen during a "graphically demanding/loading" point of gameplay, or during a quiet switching maneover. The system will freeze, the entire system!

Sounds more like a bad piece of content than anything else...

 

[mikeaust]

I think this is just a Trainz thing.
I have had it on different units with different versions of Trainz.
2006 was really bad with it, 2004 not so often. I have just learned to live with it. Can be annoying sometimes, but that's life.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[JCitron]

I would suspect an overheating GPU. The 9xxxx series from NVidia had problems. Contact the manufacturer of your video card i.e. EVGA, PNY, etc. Check on the forums related to NVidia and see if anyone else is having similar problems with high-end graphics intensive programs.

http://gizmodo.com/5035980/inquirer...8800-9600-and-9800-graphics-card-is-defective

To our eyes, Trainz isn't system intensive, but to most computers it sure is. This program will bring out any underlying hardware problems not found with any other application. RAM, GPU, CPU, and motherboard issues all come to a head with this program.

In the past I have replaced RAM and a video card due to system-related problems that happened only with Trainz.

John

 

[meatloaf747]

A few things you can try; - Download & install CCleaner. http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ - Tick all the boxes except; Autocomplete Form History, - Start Menu Shortcuts, - Desktop Shortcuts, - Custom Files and Folders & Wipe Free Space. - Then run the top two left hand icons "Cleaner" & "Registry".
Then run Scandisk just incase you have any lost clusters or crossed linked files. Then Defrag C:\ drive (& the drive that has Trainz's on it).

Your problem might be that your old existing hard drive is starting to fail. (Bad sectors)...

Do you have a lot of unnecessary stuff running in the background that loading up at "start-up" ?????
A couple of other things you can try is to re-set your "Trainz settings" back to the default settings and seeing if that makes any difference. (Also try turning the resolution down).
I would also recommend you increase your total RAM up to either 3 gigs or 4 gigs... Trainz seems to run better if you have ATLEAST 2.5 gigs of RAM (or more).
Try running a smaller, less detailed route with only a few trains and see if the problem still occurs.
Hope this helps...
Cheers, Mac...

 

[Rougespear7mm]

Hello all! Thanks so much for the help.

After extensive testing, I've set my "ResourceMemory" to 1024mb. I have since been unable to recreate the problem!

Just for sake of curiosity, can someone please explain what the resourcememory is? My computer has a total of 2GB of RAM, but I'm going to put in another 2GB for a total of four - can I up the "resourcememory" setting after installing more RAM? What effect will this have on Trainz... or should have??

Cheers!

 

[Tiger313]

For performance purposes, you can change the size of your virtual memory to a larger number. From what I recall, standard XP settings are at 512MB initial size. I've got my virtual memory set to 4096mb initial size (which is double my RAM) and the maximum size to 8192 (double the initial size). I've been called crazy for doing so but I don't care as it helps me run several very demanding programs very smoothly, that otherwise would stutter like you wouldn't believe.

 

[fran1]

resource memory

it's amount of RAM used before having to go to the hard drive to access data.
You have 2 gb so you allocate in (512mb lots) 512 or 1024 or 1536 to resource memory. If OS is XP it needs 512 itself so your max is 1536.
Xp will only see 2.5 gb. Vista sees more (dont know) but I believe its OS needs near 2gb for itself.
I leave myself open for correction on all the above but I'm not far out.

 

[elgato]

Hi Brent,
Using Windows XP 64bits or Vista 64bits allows the system to use more physical memory than Windows 32bits. By increasing your physical memory to 4 Gb, you should be able to set "ResourceMemory" to 2048. This is the setting I use with Vista 64bits (and I have 8 Gb of physical memory) and it ran beautifully. Same with TC3 and TS2009.
By allowing 2048 in ResourceMemory for TRS2006, this reduces the number of times the system will need to access the swap file (virtual memory) and this is a good thing as physical memory is much faster than a hard drive.
Hope this helps
Gilles