Hoster screen flashing on & off with 3.313

[gd123]

I set the custom page size to 4096, and the max size to 4096. If you set it to a variable or a difference it will slow down the system. You actually used to have this in the manual. and that is the way I have it on all of my machines except my big system.

Changed Virtual Memory to FIXED 4096 X 4096.

No effect.

Same slow redraw that ADMIN verified in POST #5, which states:

I only noticed a slow redraw when the Search dialog covered the Hoster control screen, and the slowness was only when a song was playing (i.e. the Preview window was active).

[mindonstrike]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

Sam, would you post what your virtual memory settings are? The amount is listed but it doesn't tell you whether it variable controlled by XP or set to a constant amount. Also what settings do you have on the Performance tab?

I don't know why they were different but on my show Shuttle it was (custom - not computer managed) initial and max 2048 per drive (2 drives) for a total alocation of 4096. On my backup Shuttle it was set to initial 2048 on my C: drive only with a max of 2976. I made all these changes on the computers at the same time, I don't know why they ended up screwy.
Manual suggest 2X physical memory.

Originally Posted by Admins DXDIAG

Page File: 376MB used, 2087MB available

And here I've been struggling to keep my pagefile usage to as close to 100 MB as I can

[ddouglass]

Admin, I don't think the pagefile actually clears with shutdown and less you have it set to do so. I just can't remember where it is you are supposed to set it, but can probably be found in the registry if nothing else. Mine is set to Windows XP controlling it and for some rewason I haven't noticed it on this computer. However, my girls have said that it does seem a little bit slower, but only after I asked them. If it really was bad they would have told me to fix it.

Sam I did notice that all of your video cards are 64mb or less. this could also cause some slight slowdown.

[mindonstrike]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

Sam I did notice that all of your video cards are 64mb or less. this could also cause some slight slowdown.

True but others with faster cards (including Admin) are having the same symptons.

2 things I've always attributed to the slower cards is that since at least 3.303 (which I keep as a backup on my show machines) is that when writing a KMA from a singer disk (after the import process) and when performing a database search, the lyrics on the monitor and the TV will get jerky and even stop momentarily if the next page/screen is in the process of being drawn. (And finally my point LOL)This has not changed, it did not get worse one iota after upgrading to 3.313 while seemingly other aspects of the cards function has deterierated.

Sam

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by mindonstrike

True but others with faster cards (including Admin) are having the same symptons.

2 things I've always attributed to the slower cards is that since at least 3.303 (which I keep as a backup on my show machines) is that when writing a KMA from a singer disk (after the import process) and when performing a database search, the lyrics on the monitor and the TV will get jerky and even stop momentarily if the next page/screen is in the process of being drawn. (And finally my point LOL)This has not changed, it did not get worse one iota after upgrading to 3.313 while seemingly other aspects of the cards function has deterierated.

Sam

Agreed. However, in your case it can be a contributing factor as to why you started seeing the problem sooner than most of us. The virtual memory is also a contributing factor. It takes my computer longer to shutdown but I have it set to clear the virtual memory on shutdown. (I know they are going to ask and I am racking my brains trying to remember where that setting is...rack....rack....grind!!)

[admin]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

I know they are going to ask and I am racking my brains trying to remember where that setting is...rack....rack....grind!!

Originally Posted by admin

Click Start > Settings > Control Panel > System (scroll down) > Advanced Tab > Performance section (click Settings button) > in Performance Options dialog, click Advanced > in Virtual Memory section, click Change button > Custom Size radio button > enter (this is a wild guess, but Windows also gives a minimum recommended size) 1.5x your total computer RAM in the first field and 3x in your second field > Click OK > OK > OK.

REBOOT YOUR COMPUTER before running Hoster again.

Here is how to set the Virtual Memory page size.

[ddouglass]

I was trying to remember how to clear it on shutdown. There is a setting in XP to force the computer to do that. Much slower shutdown but will clear out any thing left in pagefile to start fresh.

[kedmison]

Update. I too changed my virtual memory to the advised settings and it made no change to the "redraw" problem that several of us were having. I tried it on my older MTU laptop and on my new Dell. No difference in either computer.

This may be completely out in left field but I'm going to throw it out there to you "brains" to see if there is any relation.

As another past time; I play on line gaming. Mainly COD2 (Call of Duty-WWII) This game incorporated a program called Punk Buster. Utilized to make sure that one did not cheat. From time to time they would update this program. When the last update came out, MANY begun experiencing a "lag" issue in their video. This problem has gotten so bad many have given the game up for the time being.

What was and still is weird, is that it seems to have effected the newer more advance computers that are out there. I would say those that are at least 2- 2 1/2 years old. Computers older than that are not experiencing this problem. Curious about those of us who are having this "redraw" problem; How old is your computer. Are any of you with "older" computers experiencing anything. As I said, this is probably a stretch in thinking but video problems in both cases seem to be with newer end machines.

Thanks,

Kelly

[admin]

Mine is a 1.5yo laptop w/WinXP-Pro we sold in 2005.

We know there is some form of memory leak in Hoster 3.313 and probaby prior. We are in the depths of a massive development upgrade right now (Microstudio 3.100 Beta 1 just got posted for testing), and we can't fix Hoster yet. We should be able to get to Hoster 3.314 next week. We were hoping to get more "factual" feedback, but this is one of those "what do you look for".

So Kelly, your post is appreciated, and as good a finger pointing as any other. I just don't know why reversing my Virtual Disc settings didn't revere the slowness. I was bragging that I didn't see the slowness, and now I stuck. Better be careful what I say in the future.

[bryant]

Sorry if I am double posting here as this came up in another post as well. But I think this really belongs here.

Last week I had changed some video resolution settings and noticed the redraw disappeared. But last night the redraw returned but very infrequently, few and far between. Again, my problem occurred only when closing the search screen; it took a few seconds and then Hoster would sort of blink in and out for a second.

These are the settings I use that seem to improve the situation greatly:
Set computer at 1024 x 728 16 bit color.
Set second display at 800 X 600 16 bit color (sometimes it sets itself back to 32 bit, depending on your sound card).

The other thread also mentioned to leave the DXDiag box open during Hoster as a pretty good cure.

I'm gonna test with both tonight.

[gd123]

There is a difference in number of files in the Hoster Folder between v3.312 and the two subsequent PROBLEM versions v3.313 and 3.314.
What changed?

Hoster's Folder for v3.312 has these files:

mtu.dll
pfc.dll
pfc1033.dll
zlib1.dll
hoster.exe
pfc.ini
End User License Agreement.txt

and requires MFC71.dll in the system32 folder to work.
Remove any ONE DLL File and Hoster.exe won't open.


Whereas, v3.313 and v3.314 have these files:
zlib1.dll
Hoster.exe
End User License Agreement.txt

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by bryant

Sorry if I am double posting here as this came up in another post as well. But I think this really belongs here.

Last week I had changed some video resolution settings and noticed the redraw disappeared. But last night the redraw returned but very infrequently, few and far between. Again, my problem occurred only when closing the search screen; it took a few seconds and then Hoster would sort of blink in and out for a second.

These are the settings I use that seem to improve the situation greatly:
Set computer at 1024 x 728 16 bit color.
Set second display at 800 X 600 16 bit color (sometimes it sets itself back to 32 bit, depending on your sound card).

The other thread also mentioned to leave the DXDiag box open during Hoster as a pretty good cure.

I'm gonna test with both tonight.

Bryan why do you have a different setting for the TV monitor and computer screen. I run both of mine at 1024x768 and have never had the redraw problem. How much video card memory do you have?

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by gd123

There is a difference in number of files in the Hoster Folder between v3.312 and the two subsequent PROBLEM versions v3.313 and 3.314.
What changed?

Hoster's Folder for v3.312 has these files:

mtu.dll
pfc.dll
pfc1033.dll
zlib1.dll
hoster.exe
pfc.ini
End User License Agreement.txt

and requires MFC71.dll in the system32 folder to work.
Remove any ONE DLL File and Hoster.exe won't open.


Whereas, v3.313 and v3.314 have these files:
zlib1.dll
Hoster.exe
End User License Agreement.txt

Big difference is because the drives are handle by a new code set and no longer requires those files.

[gd123]

Well, that covers the "Drive" info, which I didn't inquire about.

How 'bout the "Slowness" issue.

[bryant]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

Bryan why do you have a different setting for the TV monitor and computer screen. I run both of mine at 1024x768 and have never had the redraw problem. How much video card memory do you have?

256 mB 256 bit on the show shuttle machine; test machine is on my signature.

I got the idea from a DJ program I use that utilizes videos and video-mixing, requiring high end graphics cards w/plenty of memory and ram. I followed a suggestion, but it didn't help too much with the video mixing problem I was having, but others said it cleared up most of their problems with video's.

I often use message-oke w/Hoster and that works well with 800 x 600. Killed two birds w/one stone, you might say. It worked completely on the shuttle, but one redraw Sunday night returned (just one time though) with the laptop. But didn't have the DXDiag on either.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by gd123

Well, that covers the "Drive" info, which I didn't inquire about.

How 'bout the "Slowness" issue.

Its still there. No exact solution has been found as far as I know yet. Besides the answer above was the reason for the files difference.

[bryant]

Slowness is really funny, sort of happens randomly, but not very often anymore. And always with no other programs runnung. I do remember my g/f saying when it started; it was right after 3.312(or somewhere around there). It would get really bad at first too. Real slow redraw every time the search box was closed, either using "close" of the right corner "x" buttons.

I think we need more evidence of redraw, slowness, and precise conditions from others and maybe we can get this figured out.

[kilith]

I have not seen this slow redraw. I have used 3.312, 3.313 and just used 3.314 last weekend at a show.

I use a Radeon 9250 PCI 256mb vid card. I run an RCA cable from the back port on the video card to an RF Modulator to split out into COAX cables. Maybe it has to do with me runing through a powered RF Modulator. My vid settings are set at:

Primary Display 1280 by 1024
Secondary Display 1024 by 768 (connected through COAX)
Both run in True Color (32bit)
and then I extend my desktop to the secondary display which are the TV's

Even on 3.313 I never had a redraw issue and have not seen anything wrong in 3.314 yet either. Maybe it is how I run my connections and my vid card is not doing all the work.

An RF modulator is very cheep but you would need to have an RCA output (video out like on your VCR or DVD player) on your video card. I have never played with an S-Vid connection but looking at it they look to go from an s-vid output to s-vid input? I also use a desktop at all shows as well. I am also using win2k but I am unsure if that would make much of a difference.

[gd123]

No one is referring to a slow redaw on the singers monitor...so rf modulators and such have nothing to do with it.

We are talking about Hoster's MAIN Screen having several issues WHEN a Song is PLAYING, which are:

1. When the SEARCH BOX is OPEN and the SEARCH BOX is positioned somewhere near the TOP where the SEARCH BOX covers some or ANY PART OF Hoster's CONTROL BUTTONS, and then, the SEARCH BOX is CLOSED, you will see Hoster's CONTROL BUTTONS SLOWLY REAPPEAR or "REDRAW." The CONTROL BUTTONS DO NOT Instantaneously appear, as with all versions PRIOR to v3.313.

2. If another program is OPEN and in front of Hoster, and that program is minimized so that Hoster becomes the program viewed, Hoster REAPPEARS SLOWLY as ALL the CONTROL BUTTONS start REDRAWING from left-to-right, instead of Instantaneously appearing.

3. If you click STOP, to stop a Playing Song, then, immediately click PLAY, to start a Song Playing, Hoster will freeze because Hoster doesn't seem to have time to react completely by turning the STATUS to READY before reacting to the PLAY command. Hoster just sits there...stuck.

Among other issues.

[kilith]

And like I said... 3.313 and 3.314 neither of these versions have done this on my system. I am pointing out everything that is possibly different from my system to yours. However, your yelling in bold letters does not help your situation. How the powered RF modulator helps is that my video card is not pushing out more then it has to and I am not eating up video card resources powering multiple monitors from my card.

I have never had a problem with buttons not redrawing... I use SAMS2 Party DJ for my DJ program along with Hoster running as well. So yes i do go back and forth from them and i do use the search tool and after 5 hours of runing karaoke I have no problems. So if you are yelling at me for telling you that I have no problems and what could be different on how I run my system.