Topic: Lumion (not responding)

[Derekw]

Since installing ver 2.1 (build 3) Lumion regularly freezes on my computer (not responding). This didn't happen with previous versions of Lumion. I don't recall it ever crashing despite hundreds of hours of use. I did a BitTorrent download so the install files shouldn't be corrupted.

My system is as follows: i7-2600, 8GB RAM, GTX 570.

Every half hour or so my computer just locks up and I am forced to shut the program with Windows Task Manager. All other programs continue to work. The problem occurs regardless of the size of the file I am working on. I have looked at memory and cpu usage when Lumion fails to respond and both seem to have ample reserves.

The problem usually occurs when panning or copying objects. Has anyone else reported this issue? Any ideas on how to fix it?

[peterm]

The problem usually occurs when panning or copying objects. Has anyone else reported this issue? ...

Not that I recall.  Runs OK here on a GTX560.

Here's a few questions as checklist:   

Have you manually updated or auto-updated the Nvidia drivers some time between 2.0 and the current?  Also check you mouse drivers are up-to-date with maybe forcing an update by downloading and installing whatever is the current for mouse on MS web site.

Presume you have plenty of H/D space left on C: after the install.

Check your Windows Event Viewer for entries around the time of crash see if it inidcates some possible clues.

Has there been an auto-update of recent of Win7 or other app that perhaps did not fully and correctly install

Sometimes actual RAM goes astray and even though it will work with many vanilla Office and Win type apps is still an issue with more demanding 3D apps, even though you most lkely with an i7 have recent RAM.  Do a RAM check.  Regular freezing sort of suggests RAM.  Might also pay to do a spot physical hardware check that all RAM and cards are secure in their slots.

Only other thing might be some some other app running at same times that is in conflict, but Win7 is supposed to manage and prevent that sort of thing these days, but anything else recently installed also around or after the Lumion install?

Finally, or maybe after GPU driver check, uninstall and re-install Lumion from a new download.

[Derekw]

Hi Peter,

Many thanks for your your fast response and list of suggestions for resolution.
RAM doesn't seem to be at fault (Using Windows 7 Memory diagnostics). My computer also scores 7.6 out of 7.9 on the Windows Experience Index. I have around 40GB free on SSD C:\

As I mentioned my other software all work fine. I regularly work on Sketchup files of between 50 and 100MB and my computer doesn't miss a beat!

The only newly installed programs are BitTorrent and Lumion.
I have always found Lumion to be incredibly stable software, handling huge files with ease, but this latest build is causing problems. I didn't experience any of the problems that others did in the past. I guess it's my turn!

I did re-install Lumion from the setup file I had already downloaded (since the BitTorrent file should be error free) - but still having the same issue.

Is it worth downloading the file and reinstalling again?

Many thanks again for your help.

[peterm]

Hi Derek

All guess work given your descrip, and matter of narrowing down the possibilites I suppose.

I would then start with a new download to an alternative H/D if possible and try re-install (yet again).

After that, mmmmm, sometimes the events are purely coincidental, but if it gets to still not working then RAM again but with some other mem tool, then swap GPU if possible to test with another one, then change motherboard to test.

How's the power supply for your system?  With a GTX570 you probably need at least 800.

A good clean out of any dust in the GPU to control heating might also help.

See if anyone else has issues with 570, there's a few users in the community.

That about exhausts the list  

[Derekw]

Thanks again Peter. Yes, always frustrating when computers and / or software stop working properly. Unfortunately, I know just enough about computers to get myself in trouble!

I'll try another download (yipee), and install again.

If I don't have any luck (I'll go for a surf to cool off), then I'll just have to persevere and wait for another update and hope things correct themselves. As I said everything else on my computer works just fine.

[Morten]

Do you mean to say that it isn't responding when you check the task manager?

Or does it not respond to button clicks, key strokes etc?

If it's the latter, there's a small chance that it might be the new user interface upgrade that is causing it.

In very rare cases, Lumion might get stuck on a particular mode, and you're unable to click on any buttons (but the program is still running normally when you look at the task manager).

The next time it happens, could you try to right-click to see if you can get it to "snap out of it" again?

[Derekw]

Hi Morten,

Windows Task Manager indicates that Lumion is 'Not Responding'. (see screen shot) Lumion simply stops working and 'hangs'. The screen turns white opaque and the mouse pointer turns into a circular wait icon.

Neither the mouse buttons, screen menu items or key strokes work within the Lumion session.

All other programs continue to work. A check of system processes while Lumion is frozen indicate that the CPU and RAM still have plenty of capacity.

[Morten]

Hmm, as far as I know, it's the first time that a problem like this has been reported in the forum, and the fact that it only occurs on your PC makes it difficult to diagnose the cause.

I'm discussing this case with Arthur at the moment, and will get back to you as soon as possible.

[Morten]

Can you post a screenshot of the Settings menu please?

[peterm]

Probably nothing to do with the prob, but can you check/post screencap of NVidia drivers version.  NVidia Control Panel Settings -> Performance -> View System Information, or use a GPU caps viewer to show the info such as the Geeks3D Caps Viewer (dl the installer version), or TechPowerUPs GPU-Z.

Mine shows 285.62 last Nov drivers but I see there's a new 295.73 driver available from NVidia from today.

[Derekw]

Hi Morten,

Screen shot of Settings menu as requested.

Thanks Peter. I'll check for new drivers as well.

[Derekw]

Thanks for your advice Peter. I have now updated my NVidia driver from ver 266.58 to ver 295.73.

Reading the Nvidia website it seems there are some pretty big improvements with the new 500 series driver.

Not sure if this will help, but good to upgrade anyway. I'll keep you posted if the problem persists.

[Derekw]

Hi Morten / Arthur

I upgraded my graphics driver today but Lumion continues to stop working about 10 minutes into each session. I have attached 2 screen-shots from the Windows Resource Manager captured soon after Lumion stopped working. As you can see Lumion.exe is coloured red in CPU tab and says 'not responding'. Does this mean the issue is with my CPU? (Intel i7 - 2600, 3.40 GHz)

I'm not sure if these screen-shots will provide you with any further insight as to what is happening on my computer but I thought I would send them anyway. If there is any further information I can send you please let me know.

[Ferry]

If Lumion is not responding this often implies that some calculation is done that never stops. If this is a bug on our side then the method to get it to freeze is always the same. So if it is time based like 10 minutes then other people should also get this problem. If it is because you are able to trigger a problem then you should try to find out a certain action you do in the editor with a certain scene that makes Lumion freeze.

If you find anything that you can do to make Lumion freeze it is really easy for us to try to reproduce that and fix the problem.

I would not think your i7 has a problem. What does sometimes happen in software is that an external tool like a dvd driver might to an action to a Lumion sound etc. But we tried to avoid technology in Lumion that would suffer from this so I do not think that is the problem here.

[Derekw]

Hi Ferry,

Thanks for the advice. I think from memory I was copy plants (azalea shrub) using the 'alt' key.

Anyway, I've been waiting for a crash for an hour now. Wouldn't you know it, it's just not happening.

I've tried everything and it's behaving perfectly. I'll try to take note next time it happens.

Thanks again.