Applications exit suddenly: no crash detected

  • Thread starter Thread starter tshort
  • Start date Start date
T

tshort

I have a newer PC with Windows XP Media Center installed.
Normally, when a Windows program crashes, or you terminate
it through task manager, Windows recognizes the abnormal
termination, and asks if you want to send information to
MS for analysis.

However, I have run into a very different situation.
Applications will suddenly exit without warning. Windows
does not notice a crash. I am not asked to save anything,
and I didn't do anything (i.e. I didn't press Alt-F4 or
Alt-F Alt-X) to cause the programs to exit. The programs
it has happened to me are:
* Pinnacle Studio 8
* SimCity 4, Rush Hour/Deluxe
* Civilization 3

I have the latest XP Service Packs/Patches, ditto with the
above application software. These are programs that I tend
to use for long durations. Does anyone have a clue as to
why this is happening, or can point me to something within
XP that can tell me why these programs are suddenly
exiting?

Thanx,

tshort
 
You're not alone on the SimCity 4 and Civilization games. This happened to me
too, when I play those games. I took them off my computer, which is no real
solution. I don't have the Pinnacle game, but I bet its the same problem.

I don't intend to be negative, but my outlook on this situation is grim. The
problem is probably with the games, not with Windows XP. The games are probably
sloppily written. They probably make illegal calls to APIs or some such hooey,
so Windows XP flinches and jerks, resulting in the bizarre reboot we've both
experienced.

Maxis and the makers of Civilization 3 are probably not going to do anything
about it. And Microsoft has switched from what I call "the total compatibility
model" to the "stability model" in writing its Windows OS, so it's not likely
that Microsoft will be fixing these games.

I admit, I could be totally off on this, but it's my intuitive hunch.


| I have a newer PC with Windows XP Media Center installed.
| Normally, when a Windows program crashes, or you terminate
| it through task manager, Windows recognizes the abnormal
| termination, and asks if you want to send information to
| MS for analysis.
|
| However, I have run into a very different situation.
| Applications will suddenly exit without warning. Windows
| does not notice a crash. I am not asked to save anything,
| and I didn't do anything (i.e. I didn't press Alt-F4 or
| Alt-F Alt-X) to cause the programs to exit. The programs
| it has happened to me are:
| * Pinnacle Studio 8
| * SimCity 4, Rush Hour/Deluxe
| * Civilization 3
|
| I have the latest XP Service Packs/Patches, ditto with the
| above application software. These are programs that I tend
| to use for long durations. Does anyone have a clue as to
| why this is happening, or can point me to something within
| XP that can tell me why these programs are suddenly
| exiting?
|
| Thanx,
|
| tshort
 
The machine doesn't crash... the executing program goes
away. No warning... nothing.

This never happened on my other XP machine.

Pinnacle Studio 8 is a video editing program.
 
tshort said:
I have a newer PC with Windows XP Media Center installed.
Normally, when a Windows program crashes, or you terminate
it through task manager, Windows recognizes the abnormal
termination, and asks if you want to send information to
MS for analysis.

However, I have run into a very different situation.
Applications will suddenly exit without warning. Windows
does not notice a crash. I am not asked to save anything,
and I didn't do anything (i.e. I didn't press Alt-F4 or
Alt-F Alt-X) to cause the programs to exit. The programs
it has happened to me are:
* Pinnacle Studio 8
* SimCity 4, Rush Hour/Deluxe
* Civilization 3

I have the latest XP Service Packs/Patches, ditto with the
above application software. These are programs that I tend
to use for long durations. Does anyone have a clue as to
why this is happening, or can point me to something within
XP that can tell me why these programs are suddenly
exiting?
Click to expand...

Have you checked the temperatures inside your case, especially the video
cards? Also check to be sure that the power supply is not failing.
Video programs and games put a much greater load on the video card and
power supply. If the card gets too hot or if it doesn't get sufficient
power it may crash to the desktop without any warnings or error messages.
 
-----Original Message-----


Have you checked the temperatures inside your case, especially the video
cards? Also check to be sure that the power supply is not failing.
Video programs and games put a much greater load on the video card and
power supply. If the card gets too hot or if it doesn't get sufficient
power it may crash to the desktop without any warnings or error messages.


.
Click to expand...
Temperature and power supply are probably your reason
 
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