Align MFD + F8 = CTD

[DrJonez]

Hi,

I'm running some missions with the DGIV, and I really enjoy it. Thanks Dan for the great addon

The problem I'm having is that I seem to get random CTD's with it. It always seem to happen either when I switch into the
DGIV from another vehicle and press F8 to get the DGIV hud back on screen instead of the usual green one, or when I press
control + an arrow key to change which part of the control panel I'm looking at.

I've recently had a few instances where I pulled off a tricky maneuver only to have Orbiter crash on me when I pressed one of
those combinations of keys

Anyone know what might cause this, or how to fix it? I can post screenshots, .log files, or anything else you might need to
diagnose the problem!

Thanks



Post Edited ( 11-11-07 05:35 )

[James.Denholm]

Step 1: Are you using the newest Orbiter (2006 + Patch 1)
Step 2: Are you using any other addons (MFDs, etc)?
Step 3: Have you tried re-doing the installation for Orbiter?
Step 4: If all else fails, re-download Orbiter and everything else (skip if you have dial-up).
Step 5: Post the stuff here (do this anyway, even if you fixed it. We are interested! It may help).

[DanSteph]

Unfortunately I almost never heard of this problem, so this is machine related.

Either one other addon that cause problem ?
Either local drivers (graphic card ? other?)
Either something messed in installation ?

I don't have any solution for that sorry, try to install on a fresh Orbiter2006+P1
and install carreffuly other addon until you see the same problem= culprit.
If the problem come even on a fresh install it should be driver or other things
related.

Let us know...

Dan

[DrJonez]

So, I've done some extensive testing with this since my original post. You can read parts of it at
http://www.orbitersim.com/Forum/default.aspx?g=posts&t=17112

Originally I thought the problem might have had to do with the complexity of the scenario I was using, or with some of the
other addons I had installed. I made a clean install of Orbiter, installing only the DGIV on top of the base installation. As
a test, I loaded up the default "Docked to ISS" scenario.

Now, the crash seems to happen when pressing F8 to switch between the graphical DGIV HUD and the default Orbiter transparent
green HUD. When you switch focus to a vehicle that doesn't have a graphical HUD, it uses the transparent green HUD, so when
you switch back to the DGIV, it's still on the transparent green HUD and you have to press F8 to switch it back to the
graphical one.

So, once I load the "Docked to ISS" scenario (or any other scenario with a DGIV) I can't make it crash initially. Everything
seems fine at first. I can toggle the graphical HUD on and off, switch to other vehicles and back, and everything is fine.
The problem occurs once I start trying to use the Align MFD. If I bring it up, select a target, then switch to another
vehicle, then switch back to the DGIV, then press F8 to switch to the graphical HUD, Orbiter crashes every single time. It
won't do it until I use the Align MFD, and the crash is always triggered by F8.

I've also seen some crazy readouts on the Align MFD, as seen in this screenshot I took:
http://www.deskbreaker.com/drjonez/images/orbiter/wtf.jpg


Now, as to this being a hardware issue, let me explain. I do IT for a living, and I'm very familiar with both computer
hardware and software. I built this PC myself, as I've done with every system I've ever owned. I can assure you that it's not
overheating, I'm not running outdated drivers, I don't have a hardware instability issue (I've yet to see a single blue
screen of death on this system, and crashes are extremely rare in dozens of games and other applications that I use), and I
haven't installed Orbiter incorrectly or anything silly like that. I'm not offended that you would suggest it might be a
hardware issue, I just want to make it clear that I'm not a computer newbie, and I'm %99.9 sure that this isn't a hardware
thing

I'd greatly appreciate any help you can offer in fixing this, and I'd be happy to help with any testing if needed. I can post
screenshots, scenario files, log files, or anything else you might need to figure this out.

Thanks

[DanSteph]

DrJonez a écrit:
It won't do it until I use the Align MFD, and the crash is always triggered by F8.

Then the culprit is align plane MFD

I have exactly the same CTD using the Orbiter stock DG, or ShuttleA without any DGIV
in scenario while following your procedure. I saw also sometime garbage into it
as you showed. Target->ISS,Focus to ISS, Back to SH-01 or GL-01, F8, switch panel->CTD

Align plane, that's it. Simply don't switch focus when using it.

I'll add that in the FAQ "aligne plane CTD" it seem very rare anyway because align
plane is often used for one align manoeuver, people do it and then switch to another
MFD and don't change focus during this time.

Thanks for submitting.

Dan



Message modifié ( 11-11-2007 14:22 )

[DrJonez]

Ahh, I see. I'd forgotten about the Shuttle A and stock DG. DGIV is what I fly most of the time, so it was the only one in my
head that has a graphical hud that I could switch with

Should I post this over on the Orbiter Sim forums then? Perhaps Martin would care to have a look!

Just glad I finally tracked this screwy bug down. Sorry for accusing the DGIV of being buggy, I love your addon, I'd hate to
insult it! :P

Thanks for your help!

[DanSteph]

DrJonez a écrit:
Should I post this over on the Orbiter Sim forums then? Perhaps Martin would care to have a look!

I've posted in the "DGIV FAQ".

If you want. you canl submit this "align plane" bug in the M6 forum using the regular form.

Thanks

Dan

[Simonpro]

As I've already said several times on m6, installing the latest beta fixes this problem. I'm sure this was brought up as a
bug report early in the year, and Martin had already fixed it.

[DanSteph]

Simonpro a écrit:
As I've already said several times on m6, installing the latest beta fixes this problem. I'm sure this was brought up as
a bug report early in the year, and Martin had already fixed it.

Thanks for info Simon. always good to know.

Personnaly I can't advise to use a beta with the risk to bring more problems.
Beta is meant for testing purpose only not for regular use.

Dan

[DrJonez]

Thanks Dan

[n122vu]

Just a side note...

If you happen to have Yahoo! Widgets installed, be sure to close it down using the taskbar icon before running
Orbiter.  F8 is the key in Y!Widgets that brings up the "Heads Up Display" (ironic).  If you have Widgets running while
running orbiter and press F8 to switch to VC/external, you will likely have a CTD or else have your widgets HUD show
up in your cockpit until you click the screen and bring (Windows) focus back to Orbiter.  

Regards,

n122vu

[James.Denholm]

n122vu wrote:
If you happen to have Yahoo! Widgets installed, be sure to close it down using the taskbar icon before running
Orbiter.  F8 is the key in Y!Widgets that brings up the "Heads Up Display" (ironic).
n122vu

Handy if you want to search yahoo or something in the middle of a complex manuver, but not much else.

Seriously now, I just changed the Heads Up Display hotkey for Yahoo Widgets in the prefrences (actualy, I may have
disabled it). Easy Peasy!

[DrJonez]

The day I let any piece of bloated Yahoo software on my system is the day I reformat and reinstall Windows

[n122vu]

*Steps down off of his Linux soapbox before he gets started*

Windows is bloated by default anyway.  But Yahoo software does gobble the memory when loaded.  Always good to
just unload Widgets (and any other memory hogs) before running any intense apps anyway.  

James.Denholm wrote:
Handy if you want to search yahoo or something in the middle of a complex manuver, but not much else.

I don't use it while flying.  I always close it down before loading any games or simulators.  I just happened to have
forgotten on a couple of occasions so I thought I would spare someone else from the mind-splintering frustration just
in case...