SL Just Crashes

Hello Everyone,
I am unable to start SL, I click on the icon and everything starts up then stops and sends a crash report before I am able to log in. I've never had this problem before. I downloaded the latest software, uninstalled my old SL then reinstalled with a clean slate but that did not fix the problem.

AMD Athlon X64 3500
3GB Ram
ATI Radeon 3650HD Video Card
Windows Vista 32bit

I then updated my video card drivers, uninstalled SL and reinstalled and am getting the same problem.

I also made sure that I allowed SL full access to the internet and everything is still set up the way I had it before.

I know that this may be a redundant question but I haven't been able to find a fix for it yet.
Thanks in advance for the help
Aliester Goodman.

Hi

I am getting the same problem and yet it was ok earlier on. I have done everything you had done but still no joy, Eversince that new download - SL has been a pain.

Only way I can log on is to download SL again.

Please let me know if there is an answer to this problem.

Found the problem: You have to download the viewer under the main download on same page. This will give you another SL symbol you click on to start SL.

Ok, I tried the Release candidate viewer but that still does the same thing. I've checked the support pages and made sure everything will work with SL but nothing seems to be working so far. I get as far as the main page starting up then everything gets jumpy and just shuts down. It sends a crash report but I'm stuck for now. I've uninstalled SL and reinstalled both versions of the viewer and nothing works. I'd really like to be able to log in again.
Thanks for the help
Aliester

Aliester, I haven't seen where I have tried updating your video driver. If your problem began after the latest mandatory (or even optional) update to the SL client, it's entirely possible the new software is asking your video hardware to do something it cannot do. An updated driver often fixes that.

Check ATI's website for updates to you card. Be sure to use ATI's driver removal tool before you update to any new driver.

Hey Peggy,

I just updated the drivers after the initial problem. That was the first thing I did. It still just crashes to desktop and sends a crash log.

all i get is a crash log and i really want to try this game i have never been able to log in

There has been an ongoing issue with SL crashing with Vista and Nvidia cards:

http://jira.secondlife.com/browse/VWR-6733?page=com.atlassian.jira.plugin.system.issuetabpanels:comment-tabpanel&focusedCommentId=82702#action_82702

Had not heard of it happeneing with ATIs yet -- Is that a new series ATI card?

What drivers are you running?

8.7 = nice

8.8 = run for your life!

8.9 = they work, but not as nice as 8.7 goodness.

8.10 = two lines up I said run for your life... well, prepare to do it again

Oh yeah, all of the above is the reverse for normal games, the 8.9s are fastest, 8.10s add fan control for single ATI 4000-series cards.



DMC

Ok, I uninstalled my newer driver and installed the older 8.7 driver. I started SL and it just crashed and sent a report. I'm still not able to log in.

I know this sounds way off base but some people have reported that Quicktime was causing crashing problems. SL uses Quicktime so it's not something to ignore. Try uninstalling Quicktime and see if your crashes stop. If they do then install the latest Quicktime. If the crashes continue then I'm as stumped as you are.

Without Quicktime you won't be able to see any video content in SL. That actually is not a problem with me but it might be important for you. It's worth a try anyway.

Thanks for the suggestion Peggy, I tried it but that is not working either. I am still stuck with no SL.

Hi there from Spain.

The same frustrating thing as you have, crashing in the log-in process, and no idea how to solve it.

I've enjoyed SL experience for so long time, everything was smooth and friendly.

Today it is the first time that I have this horrendous feeling of frustration (even anger) when the system oblies me to follow mandatory downloads, graphic cards, drivers and so on, and then crashes!

Microsoft ways!

Please, Linden Labs, help us to have such friendly experience again!! this SL is becoming more and more restrictive every day and quite difficult for us unexperienced computer users.

Cheers
David Caballero aka Lavrent Swindlehurst
http://www.davidcaballero.com

Something else that I've read that would normally seem nonrevelant (at least to me). If you have Microsoft's Silverlight installed, try uninstalling it. I have Silverlight (updated to the latest version just a couple weeks ago from MS Update) and have no issues.......but maybe it's a problem of certain systems and their configurations.

Hi,

I had the same trouble, reduce your ram to 2gb and I think your problem will be solved. Windows 32 bit with more than 2gb and SL causes many crashes, BSOD, etc..

Good Luck.

It's more likely that that stick of memory you removed was the problem.......it was defective or damaged. Reducing RAM to solve an issue with crashing is something I've never heard of. Removing a faulty stick of memory is something I have heard of. I would replace that stick with a new one. Vista 32 can handle 3 gigs of RAM runing SL just fine.

It was not defective ram, as the laptop will run with either module. It is a well known and documented issue that any 32 bit operating system can have issues with addressing more than 2gb ram. The fact that it works with some applications is down to the memory addresses that are used, sl happens to be an animal in terms of that, and utilises just about everything.

If you want to run more than 2gb ram (reliably), then you should use a 64 bit operating system. This has nothing at all to do with faulty memory, and was posted purely to help people who may be having the same issue. Can't guarantee it will work for everyone, but there is a good chance it will work for many.

For all you people experiencing issues with Second Life crashing, you may want to get http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=745 and remove your ATI Drivers thoroughly then reinstall them. ATI is notorious for having poor drivers.

It's not that well known......I've never heard of such a thing. But, I'm not expert so I could be wrong.........a link to that documented issue would be nice. As of now, I'm not buying it.

32-bit address space comes out as 4096 megabytes, or 4 GB exactly. (2 ^ 32 / 1024 / 1024 = 4096 )

so your 32 bit hardware (or software) could support 4gb of ram and no more, but heres the snafu, its called (drumroll please) design!



which depending on your system is going to leave you with 2-3.2gb usable while in 32bit addressing mode (ie running a 32 bit os)

2gb is the less common awnser, most decent chipsets within the last few years will let you do the full 3.2 gb, even my old beater's mobo states will will handle a max of 4gb but only 3.2 gb will be available, and all software instability has been long since patched (uless your running windows 98 or something, but 2000 with all the service packs or better)

Thank you Osgeld.

I have heard that.............a long long time ago. I'm pretty sure that was resolved way back about the time XP sp2 came out. But, it certainly not an issue with today's computers. Unless, of course, your computer is 5 or 6 years old. And it is not an issue with Vista.

I guess I wasn't aware we were supposed to be talkng about a 5 year old issue that has been resolved.

The fact remains that a system that can run Vista 32 bit can address 3 gigs of RAM. That hasn't changed.

Know how you all feel ive been having issues ever since i downloaded the new sl.

1. Freezing in the middle of wa king or just moving.
2. running for no apperent reason and can't stop.
3. crashing trying to tp


Im so frustrated with it i just want to pull my hair out.
anyways i feel your frustrations also.


Your sl groupie

Keelin mc millan

Ahhh, well, see, my laptop happens to be a new laptop purchased in May this year. Anyhow, I was only trying to help people here, sorry for even trying. The simple matter is, it is no hardship pulling some ram out to see it it solves the issue. I still have not crashed since doing this.

For the record, I am a professional computer repairer, but will bow to your superior knowledge of course. I visit some 20 to 30 people a week, resolving their issues, whether hardware or software, The reason I said 2gb, is that all devices have to be allocated addresses etc. This includes any memory on the graphics card, the various caches etc. Vista 32 bit has a maximum "stable" memory of 3.12gb. This can be verified by reading Microsofts own document http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605.

As mentioned by another poster, it is somewhat down to design. But, being as most people will not be aware of the "design" it is worth noting the paragraph from the above document,

"If a computer has many installed devices, the available memory may be reduced to 3 GB or less. However, the maximum memory available in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista is typically 3.12 GB."

So my comments were, and still are sound. If you are having these unexplained crashes in SL, try reducing to 2gb ram. There is no noticeable performance hit between 2gb and 4gb of ram for most people.

Finally, just because you have not heard of something, does not mean it does not exist. Maybe you should make your comments in a little less argumentative way? I am done here, just wanted to share what IS a problem for others, in the hope they would resolve the issue as I have. If you want further evidence of the Microsoft memory issues, including from Microsoft itself, go google.

I did try with only 2gig's of ram and it still won't start. It used to run fine with 3 before the latest viewer but now won't run at all.

do me a favor, download this (link below) tool and tell us what it says under the mainboard tab, and the section called chipset, it might be something with a out of date chipset driver

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

altho to be honest those things are usually really stable, but its worth a stab