1 minute ago, pstrub said:

Seems the most likely outcome to me too... 🤷‍♂️

I agree, reinstall windows and MSFS, and the problem will instantly disappear. 

I'm sorry but I have to bring up some of the initial comments by Jack to put where Jack was on Day 1 of this thread:

I'm at the point where after 41 years of desktop simulation I'm very close to just donating it all and getting out of the hobby. Words cannot describe how frustrating this is.

Several months ago I spent weeks trying to figure it out after extensive and exhaustive searching.

I'm at the point where I would gladly pay a substantial amount of US $ to anyone who could solve this for me as I'm worn out and frustrated.

Thanks.

Jack

Umm, have you thought about reinstalling OS and MSFS?  It's free and only takes a few hours....😉

Officially resting my case which was:  Jack's enjoying this ritual over and above actually getting the issues solved.  Nothing wrong with this of course, the main thing is that Jack is happier than he was on Day 1!

58 minutes ago, bobcat999 said:

I really admire your perseverance.   

But Rob we do too ! You don't see everyday somebody trying to set up a Guinness World Record ! 

53 minutes ago, bobcat999 said:

If people don't like it or find it frustrating, why don't they just butt-out? 

Don't you forget that it is your country which gave Basil Fawlty to the  world, my friend ! 

Yes at this point, I'd probably just cut my losses (time spent) and format the entire rig and reinstall.   It's really best use of time and aggravation.

I also believe we have a situation where, after a while, one loses track of the objective (fun flight simming) and just focuses on solving the problem no matter what. It's like people who get into a bidding war on Ebay and wind up paying more fo a used item than they would for a brand new product from the mfgr.

Human nature at it's best.

One good thing, IMHO, if Jack can learn how to use ProcMon - he will be way ahead of the game in the future

Reinstalling Windows and MSFS might solve the problem but the cause will never be known. If it should happen again Jack is back to square one.

I did suggest a Microsoft Certified Engineer would probably be able to identify what process is causing this pause. Jack hasn’t mentioned this yet. If you’re willing to pay around 100 USD I’m sure he would fix it. There are plenty around and a Google search will find one close to his location.

4 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

Reinstalling Windows and MSFS might solve the problem but the cause will never be known. If it should happen again Jack is back to square one.

 

That is exactly the point here: this assumption is just plain wrong, he would not be on square one, but in the situation where he knows A LOT more than he ever be able to know without doing this step. Of course this requires close monitoring his install and keeping track of what he added when to his collection. 

The only thing than can happen is that the issue never returns. Which everybody here thinks is the goal of the thread, but actually it seems not the case. Jack wants to find the root cause, so he would actually «hope» that the issue reappears after reinstalling everything. But even then he could probably find the culprit much faster as explained above. His choice in the end, personally I would chose the fast track...

4 hours ago, Jack_Sawyer said:

I don’t go to the marketplace but it will pause while planning routes, yes.

An idea - if you were to "window shop" for aircraft only, then the sim wouldn't necessarily be accessing its database, including world data.  If the pauses happen while doing that, then we can maybe rule out that it's database-dependent.

26 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

Reinstalling Windows and MSFS might solve the problem but the cause will never be known. If it should happen again Jack is back to square one.

I did suggest a Microsoft Certified Engineer would probably be able to identify what process is causing this pause. Jack hasn’t mentioned this yet. If you’re willing to pay around 100 USD I’m sure he would fix it. There are plenty around and a Google search will find one close to his location.

Having troubleshot  digital circuits and software  since the mid 80's, my guess is that the MCE will suggest reinstalling windows and the problematic program. 

Edited February 15, 20233 yr by Bobsk8

24 minutes ago, JabbleWok said:

An idea - if you were to "window shop" for aircraft only, then the sim wouldn't necessarily be accessing its database, including world data.  If the pauses happen while doing that, then we can maybe rule out that it's database-dependent.

That would be difficult as I would need movement such as taxiing or flying.

Here are the next steps I'll be taking.  This is advice I received from someone here at AVSIM for which I'm very grateful.

I understand some people want me to do it their way and do it now, well, I'm sorry, I'm gonna do it my way and in my own good time.

1. Run ProcMon, viewing processes, excluding Flightsimulator.exe to declutter the trace.  Stop the trace after the pause. Note the time on the ProcMon scrolling clock. 

Restart the trace and repeat once or twice.  Now you can examine the trace and compare the time periods that contain the pause.

2.  Roll back recent Windows updates.

3.  Try uninstalling MSFS.  You can leave Steam installed for your other games.  First rename the Community folder so it does not disappear.

4. Install MSFS from the MS Store or from Steam.  Since the Steam version was giving you trouble, I would choose the Store version, but your call.

5.  If you have the saved Community folder on a separate drive, name it back to Community and move it into a folder of your choice (on that drive) suggest calling it MSFS Content.

6. When installing MSFS, it will stop on the Content screen and give you the option of filling in where your content is located (bottom left corner).  Overwrite the default with your drive and "MSFS Content”, eg F:\MSFS Content.

7. The Installer should then add its content to that folder, so you end up with the Official and Community folders on that drive.

Edited February 15, 20233 yr by Jack_Sawyer

40 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

Having troubleshot  digital circuits and software  since the mid 80's, my guess is that the MCE will suggest reinstalling windows and the problematic program. 

He could have suggested that to me with my USB disconnect problem but he didn’t. He was methodical in checking all hardware before deciding the powered USB hub was incompatible with W10.

He’ll be familiar with ProcMon and I’m sure will identify the issue in a few minutes.

50 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

He could have suggested that to me with my USB disconnect problem but he didn’t. He was methodical in checking all hardware before deciding the powered USB hub was incompatible with W10.

He’ll be familiar with ProcMon and I’m sure will identify the issue in a few minutes.

This sounds like very good advice, Jack. As I suggested in my PM to you, maybe we could press the issue with Jetline Systems a bit harder first. Unless the PC is out of warranty, one would hope they value their reputation.  Additionally, they should at least have some unique insight about MSFS since they do install it.  I’ll leave you alone now, but still rooting for you!

2 hours ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

I did suggest a Microsoft Certified Engineer would probably be able to identify what process is causing this pause. Jack hasn’t mentioned this yet. If you’re willing to pay around 100 USD I’m sure he would fix it. There are plenty around and a Google search will find one close to his location.

I also suggested Fiverr pages ago, which has techs all over the world with reviews from other users they've helped. It seems Jack is interested in paying a substantial amount of money to someone only if we send someone to his doorstep.

And that is my issue with this thread... it's taking advantage of the free helpfulness and time of a lot of random people on the internet who feel obligated to help. I've already posted my 2 cents so I'll see the door after this comment, but I'm sure other people are getting the same energy from this thread, hence the negative posts.

1 hour ago, FrankR409 said:

This sounds like very good advice, Jack. As I suggested in my PM to you, maybe we could press the issue with Jetline Systems a bit harder first. Unless the PC is out of warranty, one would hope they value their reputation.  Additionally, they should at least have some unique insight about MSFS since they do install it.  I’ll leave you alone now, but still rooting for you!

Thanks Frank.  Jetline is now in the loop.  Appreciate your help.