Please help!

[flightstrike]

G'Day everyone.
Im having some issues with FS2002. At anytime during the game, the screen suddenly goes completly black. The only way out is to restart. It used to run fine, but now it crashes all the time. Does anyone have CFS3 and FS2002 installed on the same system and running dx8.2? This is what I am running and I think dx8.2 may be the problem.
Also, Ive herd that Dx8.2 has cause grief for many people. So maybe this is the cause.
Does anyone know how to go back to dxv8.1? Is it possible?
Thanks to anyone who can help.

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d11ec706a0f5188.jpg

[jackhall]

I have both sims on my FS computer, running 8.2, with no problems. As I read any number of posts here, I may be lucky; I don't know. I can say my system is stable, I get good frame rates, etc. And to answer your other question, DX is not reversable that I am aware of.

You don't say it, but from reading what you've posted I presume you can get into and run both FS2002 and CFS3. If that is so, then you get a crash 5-10 minutes into the program, it sounds as though you may have a heat build-up issue. What is your CPU? If you have an AMD, they can be especially demanding for adequate cooling.

A lot of potential issues to check out. Post more info, or send me an email, and we can try and sort through.

Regards,

Jack Hall

[flightstrike]

Hi sorry it took so long to reply.
Its mainly on the more detailed aircraft. Such as the Meljet 777 and POSKY 747 series. As for CFS3. They are all detailed so it wil mainly crash when I get shot down or even when the game loads.
Im running:
AMD Athlon 1.67Ghz
512MB DDR Ram
80GB HD
Winfast GeForce2 MX400/64MB

Cheers,
Ryan
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d11ec706a0f5188.jpg
ryanmurray@dodo.com.au

[jackhall]

Ryan, I hope I don't get fragged for this, but I would consider a new video card. The MX400 is a bit weak for today's flight sims. That's not to say it may not work. However a GeForce4 Ti4200 with 64 MB is relatively inexpensive (I got mine a while back for $110 new), and will work miracles for you. The 128 MB version may offer some improvement over the 64 MB - I do't know. The Ti4400 and 4600 cards are superior, but not worth the quantum leap in cost. IMHO, the 4200 hits the cost/performance sweetspot.

Make sure all your drivers are installed, and are the latest versions available. Don't forget the mobo chipset drivers, get the latest BIOS, video and sound card drivers, etc.

With an AMD CPU, cooling is very important. Make sure you have decent airflow into and out of your case. Fans on the power supply, CPU and video card can be augumented with a muffin fan on the front sucking air in, and maybe another on the back of the case blowing it out. Make sure the cables inside your case are neatly routed which will enhance airflow inside your case.

Finally, I don't know what peripherals you have installed in your computer, but make sure your power supply is healthy enough to supply the demands of your system. I have a 340W supply, which never misses a beat. A strain on the supply could cause a blip in power, causing a system reset. Just another item to check.

Good luck. Let us know how you are doing.

Jack

[jorike]

I had a similar problem on FS2002 but it was because I updated the graphic drivers. Going back to the older drivers helped.
27.24 I seem to remember or something like that.

[flightstrike]

Yeah, Ive herd that AMDs can over heat easily. The only fans in the comp are:
the one in the power supply box. Over the heatsink and on the graphics card.

As for the new card. I am in the process of finding a new card. I want a GF4 Ti 128MB. I just dont know which one, lol.
I updated my drivers and that was not a good idea. It complely stuffed my system. I had to reformat. I couldnt even load windows.

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d11ec706a0f5188.jpg

[BillKing20]

To test the heat problem, just remove one side panel from the tower case temporarily for a few days, although it should be put back on later, to help keep dust off the boards.

There might already be a circular set of holes on the back panel (with four screw holes surrounding it) where another fan can be attached in 5 minutes.


http://pweb.jps.net/~wasatch/_uimages/cessna.gif

[zoynyne]

On some cases though pulling the side panel can actually increase the temp - the case wants the airflow going a certain way for max cooling.

On quite a few motherboards you get a processor temp reading during the bootup, or there'll be a place within the BIOS that displays the temp and even the fan rpm too.