Hi guys!Since around one month my PC resets randomically when I use FS, only FS. Using all other applications (Photoshop, CorelDraw, Office, video and audio apps, etc...) there is no problem. Resets are random because they are generate in each situations: confirming a loaded flight plan, loading a FP by the FMC, loading textures of an airport, setting data in the FMC, opening a window in the panel...Two weeks ago, I've tested my RAM (1GB DDR400 - Dual Channel) using MEMTEST86 (hope to remember right the name) that did find several wrong addresses in a bank. I changed that RAM bank and the PC came back to work right for another two weeks. Two days ago a new reset... So, I've re-checked my RAM four times with no problems. In two days my PC has reset three times. Yesterday I've checked RAM timing in the BIOS setted in AUTO mode. I've not tried to set other modes.It could be an hard disk problem? (sorry but I don't remember the model)My configuration is:AMD Athlon 3000+Motherboard ASUS (sorry but I don't rembember the model - I'm not at home)1GB RAM DDR 440GeForce FX-5700 256Mb VRAMPS: if it could be necessary, this evening I will inform you about the lost hardware informations.Please help!!!Emanuele

Hi Emanuele,I can imagine the frustration. From what you have given, I can immediately think of two reasons: heat and RAM. However, neither of those reasons can explain why your PC resets only with FS and not with any other application. So, I would first isolate whether this is an FS or hardware problem. If hardware, then we can work out whether it's heat or RAM or some other problem.To test whether this is an FS9 problem, I have two suggestions. You may choose either one or better yet, do both:1) Try stress-testing your computer with a computer benchmark program. For example, you may try 3DMark03 or 3DMark05, available for free at: http://www.futuremark.com/With even the free version of 3DMark03, you can set the benchmark to run continuously. I'd test it for 8 or even 12 hours. If your PC resets, then it's likely a hardware problem.2) Try cleaning out your FS9 (including all add-ons) and installing a fresh copy of FS9. Then see if your PC resets. If it does not, then reinstall each add-on one by one, testing after each one to see if your PC resets (yes, this will be a long laborious task.) You will have to do this to isolate which add-on is causing the problem. If FS9 crashes without any add-ons, then it's likely a hardware problem.If you can borrow RAM from somewhere else (that you know to be working fine), then please try using that RAM instead. Also check that all fans in your computer are working fine.Hope this helps.Edwin

Hi Edwin and thank you very much for your help.>From what you have given, I>can immediately think of two reasons: heat and RAM. Yes, I have in mind that could be a temperature problem also, in fact... read at the end of message ;-)>However,>neither of those reasons can explain why your PC resets only>with FS and not with any other application. I think it because FS is the "hungriest of hardware" application that I know! ;-)>1) Try stress-testing your computer with a computer benchmark>program. For example, you may try 3DMark03 or 3DMark05,>available for free at: http://www.futuremark.com/>With even the free version of 3DMark03, you can set the>benchmark to run continuously. I'd test it for 8 or even 12>hours. If your PC resets, then it's likely a hardware>problem.I'll do! Thank you for the link! (8-12 hrs !!!! )>2) Try cleaning out your FS9 (including all add-ons) and>installing a fresh copy of FS9. Then see if your PC resets. >If it does not, then reinstall each add-on one by one, testing>after each one to see if your PC resets (yes, this will be a>long laborious task.) Very very laborious task!!! I had thought to this solution, but it's also true that I have not installed any new add-on in this last month, only some new airports. And in add of this I have not never read of PC resets caused by an add-on problem, but only CTD...>If you can borrow RAM from somewhere else (that you know to be>working fine), then please try using that RAM instead. I've bought a new bank of RAM two weeks ago. The first days all ok, then...>check that all fans in your computer are working fine.In fact yesterday I've seen that there is one fan on a chip (not CPU or video card fan, I have to consult the motherboard manual) that works for some minutes, then it stops, then restart to work... I don't know if this fan is controlled by a temperature sensor... However, my case is always open because it is not positioned in a very open place... but it's also true that when it goes in overheat its warning starts to play! And these days it didn't never play.Many many thanks for your help Edwin, I'll stay you tuned! :-)Emanuele

I've forgotten one point in my previous messages that could not be understood, also caused by my not perfect english (I'm italian :-cool ).PC resets are not so frequently. For example, last night I've begun my flight and after 5 min of cockpit preparation the PC did reset. Then I've re-start immediately my flight and all has gone ok. In an other flight all went ok till the approach, where the PC did reset. And I did other flights with no problems.Bye!Emanuele

Ok guys, mhmm... the problem is more and more strange.I've downloaded and runned 3DMark03 but I don't understand very well this program. I can not set anything and test ends without restarting itself. How can I do to perform an 8 hours test? I also run the demo but the result is the same. However, yesterday I've runned 3DMark03 5 times, then I've done a flight of 2 hours with the 737 PMDG trying to stress the PC (opening other applications, trying to use a lot of panel controls and opening a lot of times the windows panel) without any problem.... So, I'm thinking if the problems could be caused by the chpiset and/or video drivers that don't work perfectly together and/or in combination to the hardware.My motherboard is an Abit NF7-S. Motherboard and video card are equipped with the latest drivers version.Bye bye!Emanuele

Hi Emanuele,It's been a long time since I've used 3DMark03 (or 3DMark05) but I'm quite sure you can set the benchmark to loop continuously. If I remember correctly, you can't set the amount of time but you can choose how many times each test will run. Setting it to a high number (e.g. 50) will give you a very long test run. Try looking in "Project Options"? Sorry I can't be more specific.Edwin

Hi Edwin, I'm using the freeware version that doesn't allow (or I've understood) to set anything. Registered (purchased) version is more configurable. I'll go to Futuramark web site to obtain more info. At now, thank you for your helps!Emanuele