Reflex XTR locking up

[Spaghetti Bender]

I recently updated my XTR to the latest version and now it is very sluggish at best and other times locks up or shows skeleton versions of the models. Sometimes the screen shows the scene as broken up horizontal lines. I uninstalled the program completely and reinstalled the original version from 2004. This was no help. I'm questioning my video card which is an Nvidia GE4 MX440. The operating system is XP with an AMD XP2200+ processor, 1.8GHZ, and 512MB RAM. I'm not real computer smart. Can anyone help?

[rutat]

Got the latest DX drivers?

[Spaghetti Bender]

If you're talking about the the driver for the video card the answer is I think so. About six months ago I had to dump everything and reload the operating system because a virus wiped out the presence of the GEFORCE4 MX440 video card. There was no sign of it under display adapters. After reloading XP downloaded the latest driver from Nvidia. The device manager shows that the device is working properly.

[Malc C]

You've stated all other specifications on your PC apart from the actual memory on the graphics card. GEFORCE MX400 series cards (inc the 440) came in 32Mb, 64MB and 128 MB versions (I have a 64MB version in one of the kids PC's).

Other things to try is to turn off all non essential background services, thus freeing up more of your 512MB ram for the simulator

[Spaghetti Bender]

The card is 64MB RAM. I've loaded quite a few models on the system. Does this take up RAM?

[Malc C]

Things to try if I was in this situation:

1) - Un-install Reflex upgrade completely, then install your original verion with the existing version of Direct X and graphics card drivers - If that works the way it used to then there must be some incompatibility with the upgrade and your system. The only way you will really see if the new upgrade will work on your system without conflicts would be to format the hard drive, re-install XP and then install the update. If this still locks up with just a base XP Os and no other software then you might simply have to stick with the original version.

2) - before you run off and format the hard drive, do a search for "non esential services" or "Freeing up XP resorses" on google or yahoo and try turning off some of the services (MSN is one that takes up a fair chunk of memory). Freeing up as much of that 512MB will help.

3) - Are you running SP2 on your OS? some software is not SP freindly, and although I'm not awear of any specific issue with Reflex and SP2, the varibles of so many different PC / software / drivers / hardware can't be ruled out.

4) - Defrag your drives - don't think this will really help in this situation as Reflex will be using computing power, ram and resorses when running rather that caching the hard drive

Other than than I have no other suggestions - Sorry !

[Spaghetti Bender]

If SP2 means "service pack 2" the answer is yes. I will try some of these suggestions in logical order. Could I simply have overloaded the reflex system and capacity of the video card? I have slightly over 100 models downloaded. How do you delete downloads you don't want or don't work properly.
Thanks Malc C

[rutat]

The files on disc make no diff.

[Malc C]

You can have 1000's of downloads, it makes no odds, Reflex will only load and use one model at a time. This issue is resource useage, not the amount of downloads, The more memory (graphics and system ram), the more processor time, the better the performance should be.

Just thought, the other thing to try - before you do anything else, open up XTR and turn off the V -sync option. You may just find that the fps increases and the simulator works just the way it used too

[Spaghetti Bender]

Ok, I've spent half a day checking compatability, latest driver (which was current), freeing up resources, cleaning out the cob webs, and playing with the display settings. I should be squeeky clean but I still have the same issues even with the original XTR version. The only thing I'm certain of is that this all started when I accidentally loaded the sloap soaring disc over the sloap soaring download I had previously installed.
Thanks for your help.

[piroflip3]

I too have lock up problems with XTR now and then

i have a dual 3 gig with lots of memory and a very good graphics card

i would have to say that although i prefer xtr to g3 (yes, i do have both) it is

not as stable or user friendly. even less so since i upgraded.

regards piroflip

[Spaghetti Bender]

The program is of little good if you can't use it.
Let me know if you come across anything that helps.
Thanks