Computer Lock Up

[Speed55]

Hi,

I don't really know all that much about computers, but i need some help in finding out why it locks up during game play.
It happens at different times,  in the tower, in a gv or in a plane. Some times once or twice a day, and sometimes it wont happen for 3 or 4 days.

I get this solid blue screen which locks up the computer, and i have to shut it down the from the power botton.
I've searched a bit here, and was wondering if this is the infamous blues screen of death? And if it is how can i find out what's causing it?

I'm pretty sure i have the current drivers for everything.
Soltek Sl-865Pro2-Fgr
2 gig ram
ati 9550 ati2dvag.dll driver 1024x768x60hz
with high resolution texture pack from AHII


If you can help me it would be greatly appreciated, and if you need more information let me know.
Thanks

[Brooke]

Here is a range of stuff I'd try, in rough order I'd try it in. (I.e., I'd check if Aces High runs after each of the steps.) Don't do any of the steps you aren't reasonably comfortable with -- botching the following could mess up your system more than it is messed up now.

Do you have an AMD dual-core processor (not Intel) running Windows XP?  If so, you might need to disable one of the AMD's cores (according to Skuzzy).

Did you overclock your video card or computer? Set it back to normal settings (or even underclock it) and see if things work.

Check that your fan in your computer and on your graphics card (if it has one) are working.

Uninstall any low-quality utilities that might autostart when you boot up Windows and that you don't need. Disable or turn off any other software that is running in the background just while you do a test run with Aces High to see if any of them might be the problem.

Install the latest video driver. Do not get it from your OEM card manufacturer but straight from the Nvidia or ATI site (depending on whose graphics chip you have).

Install the latest sound driver. Again, get it from the maker of the chip (like Creative), not whoever made the card (unless the two are the same).

Flash your motherboard BIOS up to the latest level if that is easy to do (such as if you have a Dell, where Dell makes latest BIOS updates easily available). Especially don't do this if you aren't sure what you are doing.

Uninstall and reinstall Aces High.

If crashes are happening for more than Aces High, unplug your computer, make sure you touch metal case in your computer (to get rid of static on you), and physically unplug and replug all of your cards in your computer (to make sure they are all seated correctly). See if anything doesn't look right. I wouldn't do this, though, unless my computer were crashing in every application, not just Aces High.

If none of that works, for me, it would be time to wipe my computer clean and reinstall the OS and drivers from scratch. Back up whatever you don't want to lose first, of course.

[Brooke]

Any luck with the lockups?

[StarOfAfrica2]

Actually, if he's using a 9550 the latest drivers probably wont work for him, or at least not well.  There's several threads on best drivers for the 9xxx series ATI cards.  Also, he's using the high res texture pack?  I'm betting the video card settings are way to high for that card, and he's using too large a max texture size.

Here's the things you need to post or email to skuzzy for an accurate diagnosis FIRST.

Max texture size selected in your video setup for AH2.

A copy of your Direct X diagnostic report (this shows what drivers you are using and what hardware is installed etc.)

Without any of that its just a crap shoot.  I'm guessing you need to install a driver that works properly with your card, reduce your max texture size to a useable level, and turn down some video settings.  Beyond that you may have other driver issues causing compatibility problems, but those would be my first guesses without more information.

[Speed55]

Thanks for the help guys..
I deleted a bunch of those start up programs, including aol, and I use instant messenger, and internet explorer to check my email now.
All these are from the main screen :
video res =1024 x 768
Max Texture 1024
Max Frame Rate = 60
Textures:
preload in vid memory box is shaded

Hardware vortex processing box

Optimize objects box

Graphic Detail
Both top sliders are  under the o in more "more performance"
                                     
                                   

Ground Detail
Slider is under the i         "3 miles"
                                     
How do i copy my direct diagnostic report, and where do i find it?

So far since i deleted aol, and the other programs, everything has been cool ,  but just in case it does happen again, i would still like to know how to go about doing what you recommend.

Thanks to both of you for your help

[StarOfAfrica2]

As you noticed, AOL does nasty things to your computer.  Still, first step in the right direction.

Direct X Diagnostic report.

Click the Start button on your toolbar, click on Run, and in the dialog box type "dxdiag"  (without the "") and hit enter.  When the Direct X user interface comes up, run the tests for sound and video, and then on the last tab there is an option to save a text copy of the report.  Save it to your desktop.  Then either come here to the BBS, or open an email and copy / paste about the first 1/3 of it (enough so that it gets all your hardware and drivers listed).

[Roscoroo]

you should have a higher frame rate then 60 while in the sky

my 9550 256mb  with 4.7 cats avg's 60-80 ... 35 is lowest in furballs /nuke explosions.


my sliders are at full 3 miles and about 1/2 to 2/3's towards the High detail end.

max text is 512 ,  1280x1024 screen

[ALF]

Originally posted by Roscoroo
you should have a higher frame rate then 60 while in the sky

 

If he has an LCD panel and has correctly choosen to match the game refresh rate with his monitor, he will max out at 60FPS   Since the LCD refresh rate is 60Htz.

[StarOfAfrica2]

I missed that in his original post.  He does have the refresh rate set at 60hz.  Just going to assume that vsync is on and there's the answer to that question.

[Speed55]

Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 2046MB RAM
          Page File: 344MB used, 4622MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: No problems found. DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.
        Sound Tab 1: DirectSound test results: All tests were successful.
          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 9550
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: ATI RADEON 9550 AGP (0x4153)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4153&SUBSYS_2084148C&REV_00
   Display Memory: 256.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6599 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 1/24/2006 22:52:48, 255488 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: n/a
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 1/24/2006 22:52:31, 1478656 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-0213-11CF-FB6E-8E00A1C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x1002
        Device ID: 0x4153
        SubSys ID: 0x2084148C
      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
                   {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: All tests were successful.
 D3D7 Test Result: All tests were successful.
 D3D8 Test Result: All tests were successful.
 D3D9 Test Result: All tests were successful.

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_10051919&REV_02
        Manufacturer ID: 65535
             Product ID: 65535
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
         Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5490 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: n/a
          Date and Size: 2/18/2004 10:51:08, 610988 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
         HW Accel Level: Full
              Cap Flags: 0x0
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: Yes
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: All tests were successful.

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
         Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5490 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 2/18/2004 10:51:08, 610988 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x0
           Format Flags: 0x0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
        DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
     DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
    Acceleration: n/a
           Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
                  Realtek AC97 Audio, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No 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: CH Pro Pedals USB
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x1
Vendor/Product ID: 0x068E, 0xC0F2
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Saitek X52 Flight Stick (USB)
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x06A3, 0x0255
        FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
         Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x24DE
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/4/2004 07:00:00, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/4/2004 07:00:00, 4736 bytes
|
+-+ Saitek X52 Flight Stick (USB)
| | Vendor/Product ID: 0x06A3, 0x0255
| | Location: Saitek X52 Flight Control System
| | Matching Device ID: usb\vid_06a3&pid_0255
| | Service: HidUsb
| | OEMData: 03 00 88 11 22 00 00 00
| | Driver: hidusb.sys, 8/17/2001 13:02:20, 9600 bytes
| | Driver: hidclass.sys, 8/3/2004 22:08:20, 36224 bytes
| | Driver: hidparse.sys, 8/3/2004 22:08:18, 24960 bytes
| | Driver: hid.dll, 8/4/2004 07:00:00, 20992 bytes
| |
| +-+ Saitek X52 Flight Stick (HID)
| | | Vendor/Product ID: 0x06A3, 0x0255
| | | Matching Device ID: hid\vid_06a3&pid_0255
| | | Service: SaiH0255
| | | OEMData: 03 00 88 11 22 00 00 00
| | | Driver: SaiH0255.sys, 10/22/2004 04:00:36, 121984 bytes
| | | Driver: SaiC0255.Dll, 10/22/2004 04:00:36, 311296 bytes
| | | Driver: SaiI0255.Dll, 10/22/2004 04:00:36, 159744 bytes
| | | Driver: SaiD0255.Dll, 10/22/2004 04:00:36, 81920 bytes



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

Ok.. Now i really have no idea what alot of this stuff means, but so far i havent gotten any lock ups since i deleted those programs.. I also do a disk cleanup and defrag before every log on.
If you see anything that you think i could do to increase performance, feel free to let me know..  Thanks again guys

[StarOfAfrica2]

As long as everything is running and you have no issues with gameplay, I'd leave it alone.  If it aint broke dont fix it.

If you want higher fps than 60, you'll have to change the refresh rate on your monitor.  You are hardware limited to whatever the refresh rate of your monitor is set at.  We all are.

If you experience any further lockups, you can try turning down the hardware acceleration on your sound in Direct X to 3/4 instead of full.  AC97 sound is notorious for causing that problem, but if yours is working right now I'd leave it alone until you DO have a problem.  

I really think you should knock your max texture size down to 512 also.  Thats up to you.  If there are no odd glitches or hangups then leave it alone too.