Trying to come back to AH - but computer rebelling

[Simaril]

After several years away, trying to come back to the game. When left in ~2008, AH2 was running fine. Of course, multiple version updates - and switch to Miles sound system - have intervened. When I reloaded and tried again, started having serious problems.

The game will load up fine, and I've made it to the tower - and even gone to runway - without problems. However, after several minutes the screen will freeze and windows goes into an unrecoverable hard lock. Can't get to task manager, can't operate windows/u/u keystrokes to blindly shut down. Only way out is to hold the power button down till powers off. And I HATE having to do that!

Each time there's been a hard lock, there's been some kind of sound running, for what it's worth. The screen continues to show uncorrupted video, and the sound that was last running will continue to play (or loop). Just nothing else works.

For what it's worth, the desktop has not had any other problems with any other software. However, the most aggressive game its been used for in the last several years has been Bejeweled on Facebook. (My daughter took over the machine....)

The drivers are final retail as far as I can tell.

I'll post my DxDiag next.

[Simaril]

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 12/12/2010, 16:34:28
       Machine name:
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.100427-1636)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC
       System Model: P5W DH Deluxe
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 07/14/06 19:20:07 Ver: 08.00.12
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU          6600  @ 2.40GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 3072MB RAM
          Page File: 309MB used, 4651MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: The file ati2dvag.dll is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL).  You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: Radeon X1900 Series
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x7249)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_7249&SUBSYS_0B121002&REV_00
   Display Memory: 512.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1600 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6925 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 2/10/2010 23:45:14, 325120 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: No
  WHQL Date Stamp: None
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 2/11/2010 02:38:10, 3565056 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-3109-11CF-BF68-182BA1C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x1002
        Device ID: 0x7249
        SubSys ID: 0x0B121002
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_B ModeWMV8_A ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
 Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: SB X-Fi Audio [8C00]
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00311102&REV_00
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
         Driver Version: 5.12.0001.1201 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 6/18/2007 02:01:28, 514560 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Creative
         HW Accel Level: Full
              Cap Flags: 0xF5F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 1, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 128, 128
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 128, 128
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: Yes
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: Not run

            Description: Realtek HD Audio output
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0882&SUBSYS_1043E601&REV_1001
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
         Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5247 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 4/17/2006 03:31:26, 4262912 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
         HW Accel Level: Full
              Cap Flags: 0xF5F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 8000, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 33, 32
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 33, 32
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: SB X-Fi Audio [8C00]
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
         Driver Version: 5.12.0001.1201 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 6/18/2007 02:01:28, 514560 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x41
           Format Flags: 0xFFF

            Description: Realtek HD Audio input
  Default Sound Capture: No
  Default Voice Capture: No
            Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
         Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5247 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 4/17/2006 03:31:26, 4262912 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x41
           Format Flags: 0xFFF

[Simaril]

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
        DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
     DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
    Acceleration: Enabled
           Ports: SB X-Fi DMusic Synth [8C00], Hardware (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
                  SB X-Fi Audio [8C00], Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  SB X-Fi Synth A [8C00] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  SB X-Fi Synth B [8C00] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
        Registry: OK
     Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
      Device Name: Mouse
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Keyboard
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Saitek Magic Hotkey Device
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x06A3, 0x5081
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Microsoft® SiderWinderTM X6 Keyboard
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x074B
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: CH PRO PEDALS USB
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x068E, 0x00F2
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Saitek X52 Flight Controller
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x1
Vendor/Product ID: 0x06A3, 0x0255
        FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
         Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x27CB
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 4/13/2008 13:45:37, 59520 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 2/28/2006 07:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ HID Keyboard Device
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| Service: kbdhid
| Driver: kbdhid.sys, 4/13/2008 13:39:48, 14592 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 13:39:47, 24576 bytes
|
+ HID Keyboard Device
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x074B
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| Service: kbdhid
| Driver: kbdhid.sys, 4/13/2008 13:39:48, 14592 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 13:39:47, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 4/13/2008 19:13:20, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 13:39:47, 24576 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 13:39:47, 23040 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 2/28/2006 07:00:00, 12160 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC044
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 13:39:47, 23040 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 2/28/2006 07:00:00, 12160 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 4/13/2008 19:13:20, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 13:39:47, 23040 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Local Area Connection - IPv4 -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
      Drive: C:
 Free Space: 86.9 GB
Total Space: 238.5 GB
File System: NTFS
      Model: WDC WD2500KS-00MJB0

      Drive: D:
 Free Space: 36.4 GB
Total Space: 152.6 GB
File System: NTFS
      Model: ST316081 5A SCSI Disk Device

      Drive: E:
      Model: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-H10L
     Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.5512 (English), 4/13/2008 13:40:46, 62976 bytes

[FLOTSOM]

i got a test for you,

when i was running SB i had multiple conflicts and issues with AH so now when i load the game i disable the services for SB and i no longer have the issues you are now having.

do you know how to disable services?

i use a program to shut a buch of things off when i load the game, but you can test this by manually shutting off the SB services and then playing the game to see if it is where you conflicts are arissing.

[Simaril]

Yeah, I'll try that. Will go to hardware devices and deactivate SB, use on board for sound...pretty sure my mobo has sound but no video... (and not the other way around..) 

[FLOTSOM]

even if you disable the card itself make sure you turn off the services for its programs.

also make sure that you DO NOT disable windows audio! i found out the hard way that even with another sound board and drivers installed that AH must have windows audio active in order to run.

[Simaril]

Went to what should have been on board audio, but there were no sounds available. Looked like the onboard chipset was working, and the user control panel looked OK, but no sounds till I reactivated the SB. Then on a hunch made sure the onboard Realtek was shut down, and let SB do its thing - had a hard lock again.

I'm done for the day. So far invested about 4 hours over last two days, between configs and TIR and stick settings....but not made it off end of the runway. Sigh.

And - lol - discovered my CH pedals likely need a new potentiometer, with massive jumps in the center setting. And something is very odd with the X52 joystick, as even recalibrated my plane immediately begins rolling to the left slowly and continues despite efforts to stabilize or reverse the roll.

The gods of AH are sending me a message, methinks...
Dave
Simaril

[FLOTSOM]

restart the realtek and shutdown the SB. make sure you plug your speakers and mic into the onboard plugs and not into the SB cards. when you shut it off your sound is now coming from the MB not through the card.

good luck with all of your griefers, hope to see you in the air soon!

[Skuzzy]

Disabling a sound device, without removing the drivers and all associated software is not going to gain you much due to how Windows polls all interrupt routines when an interrupt occurs.

That needs to be addressed before anything else can.

[Dichotomy]

The gods of AH are sending me a message, methinks...


Spit in their eye and don't give up Sim!!!!

Skuzzy and the gang will get you sorted.  I have faith in them.

[Simaril]

Disabling a sound device, without removing the drivers and all associated software is not going to gain you much due to how Windows polls all interrupt routines when an interrupt occurs.

That needs to be addressed before anything else can.

Roger that. Will hit that problem first, and take things from there.

What puzzled me was that I had no problems at all with this exact same setup when playing AH2 from 2004 - 2008. Suspect the new sound system uncovered latent conflicts...

[Simaril]

Update - and thanks Skuzzy et al for the help.

Well, turns out the problem wasn't just the SB card. Still had problems after physically removing that and the drivers - turned out the Realtek drivers had been corrupted. When I reinstalled the same drivers, problem disappeared.

Which left the controller problem. After some test flights and calibration tweaking, the solution became obvious. Turns out, it can be confusing to fly when the elevators are mapped to the airelon axis and vice versa. 

Now trying to get couple other issues resolved, including a temperature management problem that's just cropped up. Couple years' worth of dust apparently can have a deleterious effect on thermal performance....

[AKH]

Which left the controller problem. After some test flights and calibration tweaking, the solution became obvious. Turns out, it can be confusing to fly when the elevators are mapped to the airelon axis and vice versa. 

Welcome back.