Labroisse crashing

[Vonrd]

@Labroisse it was apparent tonight that you are still having issues with your machine crashing when on DCS online. I put this in the public area in hopes that someone maybe has experienced a similar black screen crash and might have a solution.

So, you have a fresh install of DCS. I assume that you are not running any mods. You disabled Discord tonight. Not running SRS. What about VoiceAttack? Are you running any 3rd party software for your controllers / peripherals?

Since it only seems to happen when online could it be anti-virus? Try disabling Windows Defender and any other security software just for the time that you are online in DCS. It's unlikely to be attacked in that short time. Are ALL drivers up to date? Are other games OK? 

Finally, submit a ticket to DCS. Even though there are no DCS crash logs, they might have some ideas / instructions for TS. They have been VERY helpful for me when I was having crash issues. They certainly want to get you up and running in order to sell you more modules but they are also game nerds and genuinely want to help, in my experience.

Hoping that you find a resolution... we miss flying with you!

[Labroisse]

Thanks Von.  It's so incredibly frustrating, it puts me in a pissy mood every time it happens. 

Only happens with DCS, more often (but not always) online.  As you said, I completely uninstalled DCS and reinstalled, no luck (but, aside from the game crashing intermittently, when it is running it seems to run smoother since I reinstalled and got rid of the DCSbeta folders, etc.).

I've tried isolating the problem by turning off voiceattack, discord, srs, but it keeps happening.  Other than Windows defender I don't have any other security or 3rd party software except the normal drivers for joystick and VR headset etc.  I uninstalled and reinstalled the VR driver just to make sure it wasn't that, but still happens.  Also, I run all those things with IL2 and it works fine with no crashing.

I've run DISM restorehealth, scandisk /r, memtest several times, all come back clean with no system file, disk or memory corruption.  It's not overheating and I checked voltages with HWMonitor, all good.

Yesterday I completely uninstalled the Nvidia driver and then did a deep clean with Driver cleaner DDU, then reinstalled.  I don't do that with every driver update because I had some issues in the past with Driver Cleaner DDU corrupting system files.  But, played about an hour on Warbirds without crashing so fingers crossed.

All suggestions welcome.

Ferd

 

[Vonrd]

25 minutes ago, Labroisse said:

All suggestions welcome.

I would still post a ticket with DCS.  

[Moxy]

Ferd

Are you crashing "Blue screen"? The reason I ask...if you have "blue screen" set to reboot, or hold on the blue screen.

Blue screen will give numbers and codes....if it doesn't go into reboot.

[Wittmann]

Stick to IL2 ?

 

 

[Labroisse]

Well, when I returned from travel, my system started blue screening at the desktop, and eventually, my boot disk got corrupted and was unrecoverable.  So, I had to reformat the disk (I've got everything backed up), but it updated to Win 11 v. 24H2.  Consequently, my Reverb G2 is now a very unattractive paperweight.

I ordered a Crystal Light, but won't be here for a bit.  I'll be back when I can.

Ferd

[Klaiber]

5 hours ago, Labroisse said:

Well, when I returned from travel, my system started blue screening at the desktop, and eventually, my boot disk got corrupted and was unrecoverable.  So, I had to reformat the disk (I've got everything backed up), but it updated to Win 11 v. 24H2.  Consequently, my Reverb G2 is now a very unattractive paperweight.

I ordered a Crystal Light, but won't be here for a bit.  I'll be back when I can.

Ferd

That's terrible news, Ferd.  

[Flyboy]

5 hours ago, Labroisse said:

Well, when I returned from travel, my system started blue screening at the desktop, and eventually, my boot disk got corrupted and was unrecoverable.  So, I had to reformat the disk (I've got everything backed up), but it updated to Win 11 v. 24H2.  Consequently, my Reverb G2 is now a very unattractive paperweight.

I ordered a Crystal Light, but won't be here for a bit.  I'll be back when I can.

Ferd

Did you order the better speakers, thicker face plate and comfort head strap? These were essential and after I got my headset without it it took an additional couple weeks to get these. 

[Flyboy]

Patriot said even the latest Win 10 update made his G2 unusable and he’s back to his Quest 2 for now. 

[Labroisse]

2 hours ago, Flyboy said:

Did you order the better speakers, thicker face plate and comfort head strap? These were essential and after I got my headset without it it took an additional couple weeks to get these. 

I ordered the head strap.  I'm going to see if I can use it with my headphones first, if not I will order the upgraded speakers.  I don't wear glasses so I'm hoping the stock faceplate will work.

[Flyboy]

36 minutes ago, Labroisse said:

I ordered the head strap.  I'm going to see if I can use it with my headphones first, if not I will order the upgraded speakers.  I don't wear glasses so I'm hoping the stock faceplate will work.

With or without glasses the stock face pad is extremely uncomfortable. I think there are also places online you can order comfort kits to custom fit. 

[Vonrd]

I got this since I hate the bare foam on my skin. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTZG3TQ3/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0CTZG3TQ3&pd_rd_w=NYxVN&content-id=amzn1.sym.8c2f9165-8e93-42a1-8313-73d3809141a2&pf_rd_p=8c2f9165-8e93-42a1-8313-73d3809141a2&pf_rd_r=PPB8NB6QZ679E15SGNPQ&pd_rd_wg=Nx7V8&pd_rd_r=18dfd32d-9fe4-4908-9721-94c518091983&s=electronics&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

I used this cut to fit to build up thickness where needed. I just added strips until I got the best sweet spot distance. Easy to remove if you go too far. The 2" wide.

https://www.amazon.com/Matenf-Double-Sided-Self-Gripping-Fastening-Organization/dp/B0C45X4X21/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.140400a7-1208-46ad-8d2a-eb6e8eac81b5%3Aamzn1.sym.140400a7-1208-46ad-8d2a-eb6e8eac81b5&cv_ct_cx=double%2Bsided%2Bvelcro%2Bwide%2Btape&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.njrAb3i-TatJY7F-kxC9tjFR64o8wo0eTK6-6wej-J15ucE7Jt7hU4UuF5__maSFh6XL9t_YkxKgLUqKGbQiAw.8VZIn4dFmE2CcWo4X4pMJ3m5P_RX1aUSpPj8PNgQrVI&dib_tag=se&keywords=double%2Bsided%2Bvelcro%2Bwide%2Btape&pd_rd_i=B0C45X4X21&pd_rd_r=471291e1-065a-433e-ab31-ee870101c477&pd_rd_w=IX1jp&pd_rd_wg=bUOEL&pf_rd_p=140400a7-1208-46ad-8d2a-eb6e8eac81b5&pf_rd_r=Y0RBBAQHVTQS7ZA2GSR1&qid=1729726735&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=1-5-6024b2a3-78e4-4fed-8fed-e1613be3bcce-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

 

[Labroisse]

Well I got my Crystal on Friday.  Was away this weekend so didn't get to try it until yesterday.   Followed all the install/setup instructions on the Pimax site, Pimax play immediately updated the firmware.  But, it isn't recognized by the computer.

Red light on the headset stays red even after pushing the headset power button, and Pimax Play isn't detecting anything connected.  All my usb ports are working fine but it just doesn't show any devices.  However, the Pimax Audio device and the Pimax camera sensor loaded and show up on device manager, so the computer is detecting something. Tried changing to different USB ports and tried the 2nd DP port on the graphics card.  Uninstalled and reloaded Pimax Play and the drivers, nothing.  It's plugged into the wall socket correctly but I can't tell if its adequately powering the headset.  The headset has power from somewhere so I think its working but could be just the USB supplying enough to turn on the red light. All the cables seem tight.

I tried everything I could find on the Pi,ax site and Web to fix, but no go.  I put in a ticket but any thoughts would be appreciated, .... 'cause this sucks.

Ferd-

[Vonrd]

Is it the Crystal Light or the higher priced one with battery? I'm assuming the Light. Does it use the Pimax powered USB adaptor? It's crap. Get rid of it and run that cable through a good powered USB hub if you have one.

EDIT: I see that the Light doesn't use the powered USB adaptor so the above doesn't apply.

Another thought... there is a light sensor right where your nose is in the headset. I have mine taped off to make it think that the HMD is still on my head even when I take it off in order to stop it from going to sleep. Try blocking that little rectangular slot with your thumb while slightly moving the headset to fool it into thinking that you're wearing it. You can then watch the Pimax Play display while block / unblocking that sensor. Hold about 10 seconds each and see if there's any change on the display.

As I said, their power supplies have a history of being crap. Hopefully the ticket gets a response.

[Vonrd]

You've probably already seen this but just in case...(do you have an error code in Pimax Play?)

https://support.pimax.com/en/support/solutions/articles/60001425685-trouble-shooting

[Flyboy]

Just a couple things to try. Make sure to have the headset up and in the light. It wouldn’t work when I put it on my lap so now I put it on my shoulder when I start it. 
 

You can also try different usb ports and also try the reset headset option in the software. I remember when I first got mine it didn’t work right away but after a few tries it suddenly worked (I think prob because of the shoulder thing). 

[Labroisse]

2 hours ago, Vonrd said:

You've probably already seen this but just in case...(do you have an error code in Pimax Play?)

https://support.pimax.com/en/support/solutions/articles/60001425685-trouble-shooting

Didn't work with the sensor.  No error code, I think because Pimax play doesn't detect any device attached at all.

[Labroisse]

1 hour ago, Flyboy said:

Just a couple things to try. Make sure to have the headset up and in the light. It wouldn’t work when I put it on my lap so now I put it on my shoulder when I start it. 
 

You can also try different usb ports and also try the reset headset option in the software. I remember when I first got mine it didn’t work right away but after a few tries it suddenly worked (I think prob because of the shoulder thing). 

Nah, positioning doesn't help.  Also tried all my USB 3.0 ports, makes no difference.  Can't click the reset headset option, none of the options on that page work at all, I think because it doesn't detect any device connected.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I press the small forward button near the light, it is supposed to turn it on, right?  The manuals don't say anything about these buttons but from reading on the forums seems like the short forward button is power and the rear longer button is volume up/down

[Vonrd]

1 hour ago, Labroisse said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I press the small forward button near the light, it is supposed to turn it on, right?  The manuals don't say anything about these buttons but from reading on the forums seems like the short forward button is power and the rear longer button is volume up/down

Yes, sm fwd button is on/off. I've never used the volume buttons. To turn on, I have to press the power button once to get the light off then press and hold until the blue light comes on. I think that means battery is charged for me but you don't have a battery. Once connected the light is green.

[Vonrd]

1 hour ago, Labroisse said:

Didn't work with the sensor.  No error code, I think because Pimax play doesn't detect any device attached at all.

So none of the troubleshooting tips will work then. It's looking like you got a lemon. Raise a BIG stink. Are you on their Discord? Complain heavily there. The Devs are always looking there much more than their forum or Reddit.

https://discord.gg/MvmyW6Et

[Labroisse]

Well, PiMax support couldn't figure it out but I think I got it fixed.

I had noticed from the Main.log that the error relates to this command in C:\Program Files\Pimax\PimaxClient\pimaxui\resources\regedit\vbs\reglist.wsf:
         
           <script language="VBScript" src="util.vbs" />

I researched a little and saw that MS deprecated VBScript as of October 2023.  
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/vbscript-deprecation-timelines-and-next-steps/4148301

So, since this this was a fresh install of windows v. 24H2, the VBScript feature now appears to be completely optional and must be specifically added with this procedure:  
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/install-or-uninstall-vbscript-feature-in-windows-11.13095/#One

VBScript will eventually be completely phased out of windows,  and probably everyone's headset will stop working until Pimax fixes it.

Now I just have to get it all set up.  I'll try and be on tonight.
 

[Vonrd]

1 hour ago, Labroisse said:

VBScript feature now appears to be completely optional and must be specifically added with this procedure:  
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/install-or-uninstall-vbscript-feature-in-windows-11.13095/#One

I went through this procedure for both the add and delete VBscript. It was not on my installed apps list nor would it show up on the list of apps available to install. However, a search in windows explorer for .vbs found it based in C:\Windows\WinSxS with lots of hits in amd64. Looks like it's used in Pimax as well as my Virpil programming software (and potentially other stuff considering the large number of hits shown in windows explorer). 

Fckin Windoze! Why are they deprecating stuff that impacts users use of hardware. Why can't they leave well enough alone. 

If this actually does fix your issue (and I really hope that it does) you should post in applicable places as a Public Service. Nice work!