Aces High crashes continuously

[sparow]

Hi chaps,

I hope you may help me out with this problem. Since the new "windowed" version of AH was implemented that I am suffering these random crashes where the game shuts down to windows keeping the looped sound and showing nothing more than a black window... All I can do is reboot the machine, mouse and keyboard beeing completely useless.

Lately this is becoming more frequent. Tonight, for instance, it happened 3 times in less than 3 hours. I am turning off some looney apps that sometimes pop-up like the printers auto-update routine and others... I even have resorted to turning off my anti-virus completely, although I see so many processes still running in Task Manager that I feel that its like taking a barrel of water from a cargo ship to try to make it lighter... useless.

I know that my sistem is on it's final throwes but it still pulls the load if we don't push it too hard. The new GC I bought works just like you predicted... not very well. The older one was not that bad. This one loads polys very slowly, sometimes a long time after I spawned...

Anyway, as I said before, maybe you can help me out. I am having a few days off so I have a bit more free time to fiddle around with the old box. Here's the relevant part of my DxDiag for your information:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/1/2011, 22:37:52
       Machine name: P-8TMHIOS2TOAKS
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
           Language: Portuguese (Regional Setting: Portuguese)
System Manufacturer: VIA
       System Model: K7VT2
               BIOS: Default System BIOS
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2000+,  MMX,  3DNow, ~1.7GHz
             Memory: 1024MB RAM
          Page File: 200MB used, 1491MB 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.
        Sound Tab 1: 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: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5500
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce FX 5500
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0326&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
   Display Memory: 256.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (85Hz)
          Monitor: Philips 109S (109S1)
  Monitor Max Res: 1920,1440
      Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7516 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 5/3/2008 06:46:00, 6108160 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: n/a
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/d
         Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 5/3/2008 06:46:00, 6554496 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4066-11CF-EC7E-0B2000C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x10DE
        Device ID: 0x0326
        SubSys ID: 0x00000000
      Revision ID: 0x00A1
      Revision ID: 0x00A1
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
 Deinterlace Caps: {212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFilteri ng
                   {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
                   {212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFilteri ng
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFilteri ng
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFilteri ng
                   {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: VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio (WAVE)
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_3059&SUBSYS_41611106&REV_50
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: viaudio.sys
         Driver Version: 5.12.0001.3670 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: n/a
          Date and Size: 3/11/2002 18:57:00, 43776 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: VIA Technologies, Inc.
         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: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio (WAVE)
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: viaudio.sys
         Driver Version: 5.12.0001.3670 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 3/11/2002 18:57:00, 43776 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
                  VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio (WAVE), Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
                  Mapeador MIDI da Microsoft [Emulado], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulado], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
        Registry: OK
     Test Result: Not run

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

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

      Device Name: T.Flight Stick X
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x044F, 0xB106
        FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
         Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ Concentrador raiz USB (usbport)
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x1106, 0x3038
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/4/2004 07:08:42, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 11/20/2001 13:00:00, 4736 bytes

Thank you,

[Getback]

Lower your hardware accelerator to 3/4 or less.

[sparow]

Thank you Getback!

Will do as suggested and report the outcome.

Cya later,

[Getback]

Thank you Getback!

Will do as suggested and report the outcome.

Cya later,

You're welcome. Hope that works for you.

[Skuzzy]

You really need to reduce everything in the game to take the load off of the computer.  The CPU is barely fast enough to run the game, the video card is in the same shape and the computer only has 1GB of system RAM.

1)  Set the "Maximum Texture Size" in the "Video Settings" to 256, and no higher.
2)  Make sure the only option in the "Options->Graphic Details->Advanced" panel checked are "Bump Mapping".
3)  Yes, you need to make sure your system is running as little as possible in the background, due to the low amount of system RAM available.  In the Windows Task Manager, under the "Processes" tab, the total should be between 19 and 21.  The CPU usage MUST be at 0%, 99% of the time and NEVER spike above 1%.

[TequilaChaser]

If you drop your Philips 19" Monitor down to 1024 x 768  res...... Philips claims it will run flicker free at 88Hz

The 109s supports horizontal frequencies up to 70kHz offering a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 with a flicker-free display of 1024 x 768 at up to 88Hz.

overall maximum is 1920 x 1440

maximum for 70 Hz is 1280 x 1024

recommended for your monitor is 1024 x 768 going by the specs

edit: also, wouldn't XP SP3  help him some?  and also updating his  2002 audio driver?


hope this helps


good Luck


TC

[sparow]

You're welcome. Hope that works for you.

Unfortunately, after about one hour of good gameplay, it crashed again... Lowered everything as you told me to do... must be something else...

[Skuzzy]

The description you are giving is classic resource starvation of the computer.  Easy to do with the limited amount of system RAM, along with the fairly slow CPU and video card.

[sparow]

You really need to reduce everything in the game to take the load off of the computer.  The CPU is barely fast enough to run the game, the video card is in the same shape and the computer only has 1GB of system RAM.

1)  Set the "Maximum Texture Size" in the "Video Settings" to 256, and no higher.
2)  Make sure the only option in the "Options->Graphic Details->Advanced" panel checked are "Bump Mapping".
3)  Yes, you need to make sure your system is running as little as possible in the background, due to the low amount of system RAM available.  In the Windows Task Manager, under the "Processes" tab, the total should be between 19 and 21.  The CPU usage MUST be at 0%, 99% of the time and NEVER spike above 1%.

Thanks Skuzzy, will check everything as you recommend. Will get back to you ASAP. Maybe the Resource Starvation issue has become more visible since I converted to GVs. I have not flown a plane in months. It happened with planes but it was not so often, IIRC...

Cheers,

[sparow]

If you drop your Philips 19" Monitor down to 1024 x 768  res...... Philips claims it will run flicker free at 88Hz
edit: also, wouldn't XP SP3  help him some?  and also updating his  2002 audio driver?

Another sound advice, thank you TC, I will check that. I believe I have the monitor in AH set up for the resolution you recomend. But not on Windows... going to check it.

About SP3, well that is a too big adventure for me to fiddle with that... But I am going to try to update the Sound Card driver. A bit old, really...

Will tell you all about the evolution.

Cheers,

[Getback]

Try reducing the number of background processes. If you have itunes, take it out of the startup along with any related programs.

Hope that works out.

[sparow]

Gentlemen, thank you! Problem solved!

I had to go back to 256, 1024x768, lowest possible hardware acceleration, all graphic effects unchecked.

Funny, felt no negative impact on graphics. Polys upload slowly, sometimes, thats all.

Intervention results: 3 hours of continuous game play without a glitch.

Ah, BTW, ran the game with the anti-vírus on, without problem. Can't reduce background processes... They are 31! The processor takes a good beating... sometimes it goes as low as 4% usage but that's on a good moment if you get my meaning... Oh well, it works fine for me, I'm beeing used as AI target drone in MA target range, lol! I'll check the sound driver update later. Gee, 2001, this is a reaaaly old machine. Almost as old as myself!

Thank you all very much for your help.

Cheers,

[TequilaChaser]

Glad you was able to get back to playing online without an issues, sparow


if you want to really try and cut down those processes to 19 or 18.........

check out www.blackviper.com  and www.processlibrary.com

these (2) websites will help you figure out what can be turned off ( disabled ) or what can be left on in either manual or automatic mode .......... and what doesn't need to start automatically at start-up


I used to be able to use my old athlonXP2800 with 1 Gig pc3200 and an Ati 850 Pro 256 meg AGP  and could run 1280 x 1024 and  sometimes even use the hi res pkg ( that was in feb 2009 before I retired the parts ) I could run solid 59/60 fps for most part back then with Windows XP SP3........ but I was only using 18 processes and that included Aces High & CH Control Manager running..........

I got some old DDR1 1 Gig & 512meg  DIMMS you are welcomed to have and I also have the AthlonXP 2800+ cpu  and iirc, think I might still have an AthlonXP 3200+ cpu ...... you are welcomed to have as well........ including aftermarket heatsink/fans

until you are able to upgrade to newer stuff or build you a newer PC

<S>

TC

[Getback]

Good to hear sparow!

I don't know your financial situation but you can probably get a new 3 ghz duel core amd, MB, and memory for less than 200 bucks. I purchased an amd Micro board, 3 ghz amd chip, 4 gigs of DDR3 memory, dvd burner, and 500 gig HD for 197 including shipping. I don't recommend the micro board for gaming but others here have used them. You may not need the HD and the dvd burner so who knows how low you can go.

Happy hunting!