When I try to run FSX gold on anything but the most basic graphic set ups(eg 1280x768 &15fps) my machine crashes completely, no errors, no blue screen, just straight to a re-boot. So not really a CTD and not triggered by any particular action like activating a menu.This has never happened before on this machine which has been happily running other demanding tasks for over a year. It would be nice to be able to run full screen (2560x1440) and preferably multi screen with some decent detail levels.I’ve Googled a lot and tried swapping uiautomationcore.dll, re-installing to a separate HDD, but neither have made any difference. FSX goldWindows 7 64bit (fully patched)Intel Quad core Q6600 2.4ghz with 8gb DDR2 ramNvidia GTX285 1gb cardFast HDDs(yes, I do know this isn’t a perfect system for running FSX, but changing it isn’t an option) From what I’ve read I’m guessing that my problem is that fsx.cfg needs some careful editing and additions to get the GTX285 running optimally.Can anyone suggest a good accessible resource for getting this right and preferably some sample code to work from please ? I did see mention of a utility for automatically carrying this out, but can’t find it again on the web. Any clues ? Thanks in advance Paul

If you have made any changes to your fsx.cfg file then delete it, start FSX and let FSX build a new one. The fsx.cfg you want to delete will be at:C:\Users\Your Name (PC Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSXWhat Nvidia drivers are you using? If you are using the drivers that Win7 loaded you should update your drivers. When I had a GTX285 I was using driver 197.45 WHLQ. If you update your drivers I recommend that you use this procedure.In Control Panel Add/Remove Programs uninstall Nvidia PhysxIn Controls Panel Add/Remove Programs uninstall Nvidia SteroscopicFrom Device Manager uninstall the Nvidia drivers, choose the remove completely option when it pops up.Deleted all the Nvidia and Nvidia Corp folders on C:, these can be in multiple program folders depending on the OS you are using so do a search of C: for Nvidia and delete all folders that you findRebootFrom Safe Mode run Driver SweeperRebootInstalled Nvidia driversRebootYou can tune your OS and FSX for better performance, it starts at the post by NickN on 4/11/10 @ 4:31 PM:http://www.simforums.com/forums/topic34141_post198187.html#198187

What Nvidia drivers are you using? If you are using the drivers that Win7 loaded you should update your drivers. When I had a GTX285 I was using driver 197.45 WHLQ. If you update your drivers I recommend that you use this procedure.

As far as I'm aware all hardware is using the latest drivers;Nvidia properties is showing driver version 260.99, DirectX 11I haven't messed with FSX.cfg since the re-install on a different HDD.TaPaul

When I try to run FSX gold on anything but the most basic graphic set ups(eg 1280x768 &15fps) my machine crashes completely, no errors, no blue screen, just straight to a re-boot. So not really a CTD and not triggered by any particular action like activating a menu.

Shot in the dark here, Paul, but my experiences with spontaneous system reboots similar to what you describe have been traced to either an inadequate power supply or a faulty RAM memory module. FSX puts a large load on the power supply because it is running both the CPU and the graphics card at almost full capacity most of the time. It is not unusual for a weak component to show up when running the flightsim while all other applications appear to be running without issues. This could also explain why less demanding graphics settings in FSX are fine.Rick

spontaneous system reboots similar to what you describe have been traced to either an inadequate power supply or a faulty RAM memory module.

Thanks Rick.That makes sense.I'm pretty sure RAM isn't an issue because I do a lot of very RAM hungry graphics work normally(but I'll try running memtest). The PSU may be a consideration, but I've done a fair bit of HD video rendering with Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 which uses the GPU very heavily without problems.Given the crashes sometimes have occurred immediately the sim starts, before much graphics heavy action is displayed, I'm not entirely convinced the GPU would be drawing full power when the crash happens.Paul

Thanks Rick.That makes sense.I'm pretty sure RAM isn't an issue because I do a lot of very RAM hungry graphics work normally(but I'll try running memtest). The PSU may be a consideration, but I've done a fair bit of HD video rendering with Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 which uses the GPU very heavily without problems.Given the crashes sometimes have occurred immediately the sim starts, before much graphics heavy action is displayed, I'm not entirely convinced the GPU would be drawing full power when the crash happens.Paul

Paul, In Nick's tuning link referenced above pay attention to the video card part where Nick talks about the GPU fan stuck on one speed and his method to correct it. I have the same processor, same video card and same OS as you. I also had the same problem you describe after updating my video drivers. I found that the GPU fan speed was stuck at 40% no matter what the temperature. Once the GPU got over 85C, the system rebooted. I followed Nick's suggestion of adding the MSI afterburner software. My GPU temperatures do not exceed 60C now and the reboots and lockups went away. If all else fails, try that.Ted

I have the same processor, same video card and same OS as you. I also had the same problem you describe after updating my video drivers. I found that the GPU fan speed was stuck at 40% no matter what the temperature.

Thanks Ted, it's always helpful to find someone with the same hardware and problem.I've d/l'd the MSI software and the 'locked fan speed' did seem to be an issue. Using the utility it was possible to speed the fan up to 100%, a sound I've never heard here before!I'll see if that makes a difference. I've also enabled some data logging through the utility too, so that might help diagnosing any further issues.Using 2560x1440 at 16bit colour depth as a separate window, rather than full screen seemed reliable last night, I'll slowly try some other settings and see how I get on.Paul

Having tried the MSI software and memory test, I'm still getting spontaneous re-boots. Logs and monitoring software aren't showing incipient problems like rising temperatures on GPU or heavy CPU loads.After more testing, most problems seem to be when dealing with weather conditions. Set everything up for calm weather with no clouds or rain and it all seems to work fine.

Having tried the MSI software and memory test, I'm still getting spontaneous re-boots. Logs and monitoring software aren't showing incipient problems like rising temperatures on GPU or heavy CPU loads.After more testing, most problems seem to be when dealing with weather conditions. Set everything up for calm weather with no clouds or rain and it all seems to work fine.

Have you let FSX rebuild its config file after adding the msi burner software and your last spontaneous reboot? After I did that I was OK, even with lots of stormy weather.

Have you let FSX rebuild its config file after adding the msi burner software and your last spontaneous reboot?

Yes, I'll have another try soon to get further, but turning off weather seems the only way to run it reliably at the moment.What puzzles/amazes me is that the load doesn't seem spread across all the processor cores evenly. One will be running at 100% and the others will be almost idle most of the time, not great utilisation IMHO.Paul

Yes, I'll have another try soon to get further, but turning off weather seems the only way to run it reliably at the moment.What puzzles/amazes me is that the load doesn't seem spread across all the processor cores evenly. One will be running at 100% and the others will be almost idle most of the time, not great utilisation IMHO.Paul

I noticed that there is a thread at simforums on the very same issue. You might be able to get some help from it. Wish I had solution for you.http://www.simforums.com/Forums/nickn-i-need-your-help-again_topic37320.htmlTed

Yes, I'll have another try soon to get further, but turning off weather seems the only way to run it reliably at the moment.What puzzles/amazes me is that the load doesn't seem spread across all the processor cores evenly. One will be running at 100% and the others will be almost idle most of the time, not great utilisation IMHO.Paul

Try turn the 100%´s off then and see what happens...

Try turn the 100%´s off then and see what happens...

What do you mean by that ?

Yes, I'll have another try soon to get further, but turning off weather seems the only way to run it reliably at the moment.What puzzles/amazes me is that the load doesn't seem spread across all the processor cores evenly. One will be running at 100% and the others will be almost idle most of the time, not great utilisation IMHO.Paul

That's normal - FSX runs mainly on core 0 and uses the other cores to load tiles, etc.Vic