Second Windows 8.1 OS crash in two months while using TS2017

[drivertime61]

I haven’t seen anyone here with similar issues. Just wondering if you have any thoughts.

The first crash in early November was while loading a Hoboken start scenario in my “NJCL Enhanced” route, a clone of the North Jersey Coast Line. That crash was caused by a failed graphics card and a processor (not sure which). OS had to be re-installed. Computer sent to Dell for repair.

The latest crash on December 29, was while working in my “Sherman Hill Enhanced” route, a clone of SH. I had moved a couple engines to a different location, saved, exited the route editor normally and attempted to start the scenario in Drive, whereupon the computer froze solid and not even Task Manager could be launched. Had to use the power button to shut down. Upon re-starting and booting to the desktop, all the icons were gone and nothing worked, ultimately resulting in OS re-install #2. Repaired with Dell’s help without sending the machine back, thanks to my having a recovery disk available this time.

I have never experienced these problems with TS2016 or prior editions. I’m just wondering if anyone else has had any similar problems in TS2017, including launching clones of routes or scenarios made in earlier versions of the sim?

I’ve also had problems launching some scenarios in my “NEC Freight Ops” Route enhanced version of the NEC in TS2017, with the scenario refusing to load approx. half the time, but no OS meltdown. I’m suspecting this NEC problem may be due to my having made my cloned route and its scenarios in TS15 and TS16, and the current TS17 route has been re-done by DTG. I’d appreciate any thoughts about this NEC issue too.

Thanks.

Dell XPS 8700 Special Ed.; Windows 8.1 64Bit; Intel i7 4770 Quad Core CPU; 225GB SSD; 2TB Data HD; 24GB RAM; Radeon R9 270 Graphics Card – 2GB RAM; Dell Touch 23” WS Hi Def Monitor. Train Sim 20xx is on the SSD.

[trev123]

I could be wrong here. But my first thoughts are that, you have already sent the computer back to Dell for repair, is that they have not fixed the fault or they have but, there is also another fault with it.

[buzz456]

My first question is why are you still on windows 8.1?

[Ericmopar]

My first question is why are you still on windows 8.1?

As someone that has owned and worked with more than one Dell..
They don't update the firmware after about 6 - 12 months and their computers frequently don't work right if you try to install an OS that it didn't sell with.
I used to like Dell, but the more I dealt with their lack of support, even for a measly two years, I lost interest.
Dell's answer when confronted about this lack of firmware support, is to buy a new PC, even if the one you own is only 2 or 3 years old.
I should add that, Dell is notorious for creatively using things like Intel Management Engine for things it wasn't meant to do. So it could be a missing driver, that came with the rig originally, but no one thinks it needs now.


That is why I now build my own.

And Now You Know...
The rest of the story.

[buzz456]

Thank you for that information. Good stuff. Maybe that's why our IT company that used to shill for Dell has now changed to HP. I like you for personal stuff when it comes to desktop build my own.

[trev123]

I would never buy a factory made computer like Dell, HP, Toshiba etc. Had experience with an old HP with XP on it and the HD failed. Put another HD in it and XP on it but, on boot up it said that it required certain HP files to run. Ended up tossing the computer in the dump.

[Ericmopar]

Yes, I surely didn't mean to single out Dell for the above comments. Many OEM pre built PCs have strange issues like the ones mentioned above.
Compaq PCs that won't let a person install Service Packs are another anomaly I've run into.

[drivertime61]

Hey guys I appreciate the discussion about Dell and Windows, but after all, this thread is all about ME. ME ME ME! Seriously, good discussion and insights. And Trev you may be right about the machine not having been completely repaired the first time, but of course I have no way of knowing for sure. Since I still have 14 months on the all-inclusive warranty they threw in with this box as an inducement to buy, I guess I'll just keep re-installing TS and see what happens.

Perhaps for some reason I do need to avoid using some of my "Enhanced" cloned versions of certain routes made with prior versions of TS with TS17. As in make new versions of them using TS17. But again, no one else has expressed a problem here.

I do have a feeling the R9 270 graphics card is not up to the job, even though its specs are good enough and Dell says it should be fine for handling the addiction we all share here. The fans have always revved up considerably and made a whiny racket when I launch the sim. That includes the first R9 270 card that self-destructed and the new replacement R9 270, which whines even more at times. It just sounds like it's "straining." And running the sim in Hoboken and nearby areas of the NJCL route really seemed to be pushing the graphics, including some stuttering while the card whined away. Since I doubt this machine will handle a seriously more powerful card like an nVidia 1080, I'm stuck with this, and especially until the warranty ends and changes can be made without jeopardizing the warranty or I get a new machine.

I've always felt more comfortable with nVidia cards, but the more powerful ones were not available from Dell when they put this package together. Now it looks like NVidia is all they are offering with the XPS towers, as well as the Alienware line. I guess they got a better deal, or maybe too many problems with Radeon cards. I'll never know.

As for Dell reliability - sitting next to my XPS Special Edition is a Dell Dimension 8200, purchased in 2002 to run ol' MSTS and do general duty. The doggone thing still runs fine. My computer guru friend here is itching to get his hands on it to clean it up and clean it out. As for the latest Dell boxes, all he'll say is, "They don't build 'em like they used to." I am a believer.

[buzz456]

Sorry you are right it's all about you you you not us jabbering about stuff that doesn't help you. Go find or maybe 8.1 has one of those temperature monitors. I should be able to tell you when you are running TS if your vid card is getting too hot. Maybe you will have to back off on your settings a bit but I don't think 2017 has anything to do with the problem you are having. I have a couple of monitoring devices on here and 2017 doesn't seem to be greater load than 16 and less than 15.

[jwtheiv]

My inclination is to guess either heat or failing RAM. May want to do memtest or something along those lines.

[drivertime61]

Many thanks for the help guys.

Will look into getting an add-on CPU temp. monitor. 8.1 apparently does not have one built-in. The RAM and everything else passed all the hardware tests I I ran under Dell's direction before the latest OS re-install.

[buzz456]

http://www.gputemp.com/ or http://openhardwaremonitor.org/. There are several out there.

[drivertime61]

Great info Buzz. Thank you as always.

[Ericmopar]

MSI Afterburner also includes the ability to monitor CPU and other temps.
It's in the Riva Tuner Statistics Server part of it.
I don't have Afterburner installed to overclock, but the tools are great for monitoring stuff in real time while in game/sim.

[drivertime61]

OK thank you for the info. Will look at it too. All this "stuff" is new to me.