computer locks up FSX and FS9

[Dougx]

Starting this morning my computer locks up completely with either 9 or X. This happens in less than 60 seconds after starting flight. The sound begins to sputter and the a/c jerks for a few seconds and freezes. No cursor movement no ctrl/alt/ del no escape. I can only reboot computer. All other computer functions .... internet,mail,printing all ok. Performed virus and malware scan no problems found. I am lost without FS! Any suggestions much appreciated.

Win 7..32bit
Intel i3@3.1GHZ(4cpu)
mem 4096MB
GE force GT545

[scalper_new]

Do you have a demo product installed?

[alrot]

I had once the same exactly problem and after a long while digging everything ,I discover the power supply was failing ,Tried to test Using another power supply source +5 +12 v
Dont buy a new one just take borrow it from another computer ,It could be also the Fan cooler of the CPU or the video card too..

check the temperature of these things

[Daube]

Indeed Alejandro, this looks like a hardware issue :/
It might be the power supply, or the memory sticks. It could also simply be overheating...  DougX, have you cleaned the inside of your computer recently, as well as the various fans inside ? (CPU fan, video card fan etc... they accumulate dust quite fast).

[Dougx]

I cleaned the inside of the computer a few weeks ago. What is puzzling to me is the day before I flew for about three hours in the morning, turned off the computer until this morning and the problem appeared. No demos or anything else installed, so just sitting overnight both fs9 and x are freezing the computer. I thought about overheating but it happens so quickly I don't think there is time to overheat. In the morning I will reseat graphics card and check temps also cpu

[alrot]

as Daube recall It can be a Hardware failure ,Can be dust in the memory sticks bases because of the cleaning

[Bass]

I agree with Daube and alrot. One little bad connection and you're lost. To rule out hw issue, you can try to pull anything out from the pc, clean every connection, ex with eraser and use some air to get the dust out. (Be carefull using air on the propeller, hold them with a finger.)
Good luck.

[Flying Trucker]

Hope you get it up and going soon DougX...

I was about to vacuum mine and just read the good advice about holding the propeller with a finger...bass reply

It is great we can all learn something from someone else...

[Dougx]

My apologies to all, I was sure problem was related to FSX only but after several re-boots I tried FS9 yesterday, same thing. Now I was a little confused, this morning while reading a news site my comp locked up and then the blue screen of death. Therefore this problem does not belong in this forum. I want to thank all who responded to my post you are the best. The collective talent in Simviation is unparalleled, the membership cost is the best investment one could make. I will follow all suggestion to resolve my problem,  Doug

[Bass]

I thinks its ok posting it in here. 

To me it looks like a clear ram problem.
You can find some test programs here

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofth ... rytest.htm

[Groundbound1]

Certainly sounds like heat to me too. Overheating wouldn't take long at all, if the fans aren't turning. Boot your machine with the side panel off and check that they are all turning.

Another possibility might be a corrupted driver install. Any changes to those lately?

[Dougx]

Problem appears resolved, flew for three hours yesterday, no freezing. I removed covers and checked for dust, bad connections etc. Everything looked ok as I cleaned for dust not long ago. I removed graphics card to check and clean contacts. While inspecting the card I noticed a build up of dust in the opening to the fan/heat sink. The heat sink is encased in a plastic cover except for the end to allow air to pass. I realized that removing dust from computer earlier did not include the graphics card effectively due to mounting configuration. It is more effective to remove and clean card separately. Thanks much, you guys were spot on with your analysis (plural?)   Doug

[Bass]

Thats the way to go 

[Fozzer]

One thing I always do, is to keep my Tower/Desktop Computers sitting, reasonably dust-free, on my Computer Desk, and not on the floor, collecting dust from the carpets, etc!... ...!

Paul...with a small paint brush, for the occasional dusting... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!

[alrot]

[quote] it happens fast