Topic: Autocad locking up incredibly too much

[Atook]

All these problems on the same drawing? You tried previewing the drawing on a different machine?
 Does it happen on old versions of the drawing pulled from backup? You plotting to PDF? Updated those files? Seriously what have you updated, think about that, and don't dismiss anything.

Lastly, have you tried closing your eyes and counting down from 15 while you envision birds chirping while you hit the preview button?

[T.Willey]

This is the virus scan I use at home.
housecall.trendmicro.com

[Guest]

IMO:

Free Antivirus
Adaware

Should do the trick

I've been running AVAST (www.AVAST.com) for a few months and haven't had ANY problems with it.  It updates virus defs auto-magically and prompts you to install new updates when they become available.

[Josh Nieman]

  Did you try a different mouse?

  Did the mouse you used previously have software installed for it?  (Intellipoint e.g.)

  Anything else change a couple days ago other than the mouse?  Drawings from a different company?  When did McCafee subscription go away?  Did you try shutting that down and trying what has been hanging?

The mouse I'd been using has been with this computer for a number of months.  The mouse I switched to is a plain 'ol USB Dell Mouse that came with the computer.  Mcafee sub went away about... i dont know really.  It had been bugging me to be updated since I started with the company over a year ago, but when I told the boss I need the login information way back then he said he'd email it, never did, and eventually i stopped bugging him about it.  This time today he just said he needs to go in and re-purchase it.  He has the server protected, just not the PCs.

The drawings are stuff I've been working on for about a month, made from scratch from our own stuff that has caused no problems before, and no external drawings have been referenced or copied into these files at all.

I've tried restarting a number of times, and it only allows me to work for a short period of time before going ape-$#!+...

I'm going to try scanning with some more updated software and see if there's anything on my computer I'm not aware of.

[Josh Nieman]

Thank you everyone for the prompt, detailed, helpful information.  I had no idea if it was Autocad, Windows, Random, whether it was software or hardware... or what...

I have some leads now that I'm going to try and see what I can do.  Thank you much!

[Atook]

If it's fairly consistent, try pulling one stick of RAM out. If it still happens, replace it and pull the other. RAM can go bad, but rarely both sticks at once.

If it's not a virus, it is sounding like a memory problem.

[Maverick®]

G'luck


Don't use your CPU as a plant stand for real plants anymore. Ya know... the ones you have to water....

[Greg B]

Do you keep drawings on the server and work off the server or transfer them to your PC?

Has the server been rebooted recently?

Has your PC?

[Josh Nieman]

Well, I'm calmer about the topic, but I have to say I am more bewildered and confused than before.

Before I could even try cleaning anything up (avast! is still virus scanning my system with nothing detected so far) I have not had Autocad crash, although I've not been working on 3d intensive stuff yet.  Mostly cleaning up 2d site plans that need to go out quick like.

I have a video card that is not recommended for use with Autocad, and I wonder if that has something to do with the hang ups, since it happens normally during 3dclip and other dynamically changing 3d views, though I always use 2d-wireframe while working.  My boss suggested that as being the problem as well, in case I need a new one, but I don't know if I would suggest wasting money on a high-end graphics card if it isn't the culprit.

[Josh Nieman]

....SPOKE TOO SOON.

Froze up when I tried a 3dclip within an active viewport.  The 3dclip window doesn't even pop up.

Memory usage of note:

Outlook: 90,120 kb
Firefox: 69,076 kb  (this is the only tab I have open in it)
acad.exe: 215,948 kb
explorer: 39,448 kb
wmplayer: 24,604 kb
excel: 23,884 kb
WINWORD: 50,024 kb

CPU usage is listed as 00 on all processes except task manager (02-03) firefox (08) acad (bounces around 50) explorer (02) and system idle process (24-31)


I just don't get it... it's consistently during either a 3dclip or a print preview (not pdf) with hidden viewports.  Does video card have anything to do with print previews?  I thought that would be processor computations and drivers creating the file, but I don't know this.

[architecture68-raff]

Out of curiosity, what video card are you using?  Have you tried checking for updated drivers?  Couldn't hurt.

[Josh Nieman]

Out of curiosity, what video card are you using?  Have you tried checking for updated drivers?  Couldn't hurt.

NVIDIA Geforce 6800 and I'm downloading the drivers now, but I am pretty sure I've kept it up to date.

[architecture68-raff]

Also, if you were concerned about your memory but didn't want to crack open your case you could download a prog like
memtest86 and let it burn in overnight while you are at home

[DaveW]

Josh,

It is possible that the end command event is firing in SmartLister.
There is no progress meter and because you are such a new user you probably forget about when it fires.

If it has anything to do with SmartLister type sset and take the chck out of automatic updating of ORIE data.

It is possible that this may help.

[sinc]

I've been running AVAST (www.AVAST.com) for a few months and haven't had ANY problems with it.  It updates virus defs auto-magically and prompts you to install new updates when they become available.

FWIW, the IT consultant we bring in from time to time says she's seen things slip through Avast, and recommends AVG instead.