PMDG737 FMC Freeze

[EricLilly 6]

Was hoping someone might know what my issue is..

Windows 10

P3D 3.4

PMDG 737

Using Virtual Cockpit

Default Scenery

AS2016

 

A few times now while at cruise altitude I expand the FMC and try to change a altitude crossing for a fix..

 

Example - I was on the RIICE7 Star going into IAH.. The charts told me to cross RIICE at 9000.. When I checked the FMC it showed I would cross RIICE at 9600.. I simply tried to change RIICE 240/9600 to 240/9000.., When I clicked to enter the new information the SIM froze.. I could not do anything in the SIM.. I could minimize the SIM to the desktop and bring it back up but still could not do anything.. Nothing worked.. No menu items.. Nothing in the cockpit.. It was frozen in time.. The sound was still on but it was also frozen.. I let it sit for 15 minutes hoping it would come back but it never did.. Nothing would work in the virtual cockpit.. This exact thing has happened three time.. Trying to change a fix in the FMC.. Sometimes it lets me make the change.. Most of the time it lets me.. Three times out of about 30 flights it has crashed this way.. Help is appreciated..

[downscc 1,327]

You are describing an operation I have done many many times, the charts actually reads "EXPECT 9000 LANDING EAST," and I will also enter the appropriate expected constraints because I fly without ATC.  I probably would have just entered 9000 because the FMS will presume 240 below 10000 automatically, but what you did enter was not wrong.  I am assuming your scratchpad read 240/9000 before pressing the right side LSB for RIICE.

 

Can you reproduce the same problem?  PMDG would need the exact steps it takes to do so before the problem can be reproduced and tracked as a bug for later resolution.  The steps leading up to the event are important.  Even little things like using the tab key for keyboard entry or mouse clicks on the CDU keypad are important.

 

Also important is if any error message is recorded by windows in the event viewer.  An appHang (the common name for an application that stops working but does not close) can be many things.

[EricLilly 6]

Sure...

 

In normal virtual cockpit view

I don't use ez dock or anything like that

I use my Logitech Joysticks hat view to look towards the FMC

I click on the FMC to make it bigger..

I then use my mouse only.. I click what I need on the FMC.. I do not use the type feature..

I click on LEGS

I click on NEXT PAGE

I then see RIICE at 240/9600

I want RIICE at 240/9000

So with my mouse I click each character I need on the FMC

I click out with my mouse 240/9000

I then press the LSB button to the right of RIICE

That is when it sticks.. It does not enter the info into the FMC.. and from that point nothing else can be done inside the sim.. Its dead in the water..

[downscc 1,327]

Here is the problem.  Users have been doing exactly or very similar steps to do the same thing for years with this product with no problem.

 

This is why I asked for enough information to reproduce.  How did you set the flight up?  Did you use a saved panel state or saved flight? If you are having to go to next page on LEGS that could mean you are not yet past TOD but I don't know when in the flight you are making changes.  Did this happen just once or can you reproduce it?

 

My guess is that there is either something wrong with the panel state that you started with or less  likely the flight plan, which you imported from or entered manually??  This is not a know bug in the NGX so what we are looking for is why this is happening to you.

[EricLilly 6]

I'm sorry.. I thought I gave you the information that you asked for..

 

I set the flight up from scratch...

Default Short Panel State..

No saved routes..

Navigraph 1611 was used..

Everything entered manually thru the FMC without using the text keyboard feature.. I enter everything from start to finish with mouse clicks on the CDU 

Yes, I think I can reproduce it.. It has happened three times out of thirty flights as mentioned in original post.. Every time this occurs it is in mid flight / cruise altitude / when trying to make a change to the LEGS portion of the flight..

 

I had a successful flight today but avoided making any changes in the FMC once I was in the air..

[Djembe 6]

 

 

 When I clicked to enter the new information the SIM froze.. I could not do anything in the SIM.. I could minimize the SIM to the desktop and bring it back up but still could not do anything.. Nothing worked.. No menu items.. Nothing in the cockpit.. It was frozen in time.. The sound was still on but it was also frozen.. I let it sit for 15 minutes hoping it would come back but it never did.. Nothing would work in the virtual cockpit.. This exact thing has happened three time.. Trying to change a fix in the FMC.. Sometimes it lets me make the change.. Most of the time it lets me.. Three times out of about 30 flights it has crashed this way.. Help is appreciated..

 

This problem i think have something to do with this problem: 

http://www.avsim.com/topic/488993-lost-functionality-of-most-systems-after-toga-was-it-me-or-fsx-partially-crashed/

 

And with the problem i report here:

http://www.avsim.com/topic/464666-fsx-freezes-after-go-around/

 

I experience exactly the same crash as you described, but in diferent time.

There is some problem with the CDU that can make the sim freeze in my opinion. But will be very dificult to find this bug unless you are the guy that program the CDU.

 

pmdg support need you point the bug with precision.

But you can not point with precission the bug because you do not know how they program the CDU.

 

Good luck

 

 

Robert Rodriguez

[Firstpon 0]

Now after few test I've found a solution that seems to works very well for me. I've tested this method with C&D startup and with other panel situations. The fix is this one: Use exactly this order to insert route / parameters in CDU 1) Load the panel state you want 2) Set fuel & payload Ok this is the most important part 3) Align the IRS and insert the pos init. 4) Insert your route WITHOUT SID AND STAR 5) Insert GW etc... 6) Set the N1 page 7) Set the takeoff page 8) NOW and only now insert dep/arrival runway with sid & star and delete discontinuity with legs page. 9) A message will tell you that Vspeed are deleted just reinsert it. With this sequence, i had no freezes also in the route where i had CDU freeze without patches or tricks in file. The thing that i think will save from freezes is to insert sid and star at last thing just before takeoff Tell me if it works, Have nice flights My installation : FSX + Acceleration pack, Active sky evolution, fsuipc full, 737 NGX, win7 

 

credit:marcon8122

Hope this work

[downscc 1,327]

Vichayut, would you please copy this information to a trouble ticket and submit it to PMDG Product Support at http://support.precisionmanuals.com

 

This is a user forum, and things posted here do not necessarily end up  where they are needed in the PMDG bug tracking system.  If it is your first visit you will need to create a support account, they are separate from sales accounts.

 

I am glad you found a solution. I wonder if the same problem would happen if you were using the keyboard entry method rather than mouse pointer on keypad??