TS2019 will be 64 bit!

[ashgray]

The only niggling problem is that try as I might, I cannot get TS2019 to run from a desktop icon, having to always fire it up from within Steam.

Does that apply to both 32 and 64bit versions Ash?

Well, sort of... With either the 32 bit or 64 bit versions, the desktop shortcut would not fire up TS2019, and loading from Steam, using either version, would take around 4-5 attempts before it would work (previous attempted would end in an Access Violation error). However, after repeated attemts, once I could get it to load the sim would happily carry on working until I deliberately closed it, whereas before the upgrade, it used to crash on exiting whatever scenario I had run. That's a definite improvement for me.

You'll note that I said "would" - I seem to be onto something. On searching through the threads, I read a post (can't recall whose) that caused me to wonder whether or not the sheer number of scenarios and routes in my installation might be causing or contributing to the problem, so I've been thinning the scenarios out and removing again the seldom-used routes that I had added back in after the upgrade. The sim now fires up every time, both from the shortcut and from within Steam. Very odd.... I'm not sure that anyone has ever really established whether there is a limit to the number of routes or scenarios before the sim becomes unstable, although Bob Latimer had some very interesting ideas. Unfortunately, Bob is no longer on the forums and I'm not sure how far he'd got, but but I'll carry on working on his theory and see if I can find any limits.

Ash

[chrisreb]

I do know I had to split my Routes into 3 folders. First sign of limit being reached is whenh any scenario caused a crash when exiting. Shortly thereafter you would get crash on start screen when game was saving scenario database.

As far a I know nobody found the absolute limit and DTG were no help at all.

[holzroller]

Likewise I had to split my contents folder into two, renamed as required. This has been mentioned on here a couple of times over the years, but of course the threads get lost with the new threads being posted. Nobody knows the exact number, people who have asked DTG have said that the response has been that there is no limit. However myself and others certainly disagree with this and splitting the contents folder works, or simply deleting a load of scenarios.

[Drogba11CFC]

I'm starting to think that my processor (Intel i5-3350 Quad core 3.10GHz) can't handle 64bit, as playing two Rosgar scenarios (First Deltic over Chat Moss and Torbay Tornado) both threw up the access violation error. However, the first one crashed on 32bit as well in the exact same place, and seeing how much a new processor would cost (even a secondhand version of the recommended one) meant that the second scenario crashing barely five minutes in caused me to feel physically sick.

Sent from my TA-1020 using Tapatalk

Rosgar have mentioned on their Facebook page that they have had problems with some of their scenarios using stock from a company no longer trading. That may be the problem you're seeing with those scenarios.

Neither scenario used any content from the developer.

Sent from my TA-1020 using Tapatalk

[yerkes]

Well, after successfully running it on 64-bit a few times and playing through a few scenarios, it crashed on me a few times (just outside Euston on WCML5 and somewhere on a route of my own making - same spot in each case, after several tries) with no error message. No idea what's going on there. And as of late last night it hangs at 'Updating Scenario Database' so I can't even get it to run any more Have done a verify, tried offline, renamed the existing Scdbcache files to force new ones to be created - all to no avail.

May have to do a completely fresh installation.

[gptech]

If it's failing when loading the SDB, and a new SDB doesn't help, then perhaps one of the scenarios has become corrupted following one of the crashes. Cut the scenarios for the routes that you had the crashes on out of the game and see if it loads then.

[Springer6]

Likewise I had to split my contents folder into two, renamed as required. This has been mentioned on here a couple of times over the years, but of course the threads get lost with the new threads being posted. Nobody knows the exact number, people who have asked DTG have said that the response has been that there is no limit. However myself and others certainly disagree with this and splitting the contents folder works, or simply deleting a load of scenarios.

I have had the problem that "chrisreb" describes above i.e. "scenarios causing a crash when exiting". Recently I put a lot of my little used third party routes into a separate folder named "archived routes " within the "Contents " folder and the problem seemed to lessen considerably.

Now I am getting very excessive start up and scenario loading times in 64 bit. Even though this is probably more due to my low end hardware, I still wonder if it would be worthwhile splitting up my real "routes" folder further.

If so, how exactly is this done ? Is it a question of putting them into re named routes folders and transferring them into the real "routes" folder as and when required (as I have already done) ? If this is so, how would any routes in the re-named folders be automatically updated ( or is it best to transfer out only non Steam supplied routes) ?

Thanks for any advice.

[chrisreb]

Hi Springer

I just move routes into 3 different Route folders Titled RoutesUK/RoutesUS/RoutesEU and when I want to use one I simply do a rename to Routes. As you use a route set TS2019 creates a SDBCache.bin file to go with it. Again I renamne these SDBCacheUk.bin etc etc and have them paired with their respective Routes folder so I have 3 Route folders and 3 SDB bin files. Swapping just takes a few secs amending the names if these.

With fewer routes to load TS2019 starts up faster

[Springer6]

Hi Springer

I just move routes into 3 different Route folders Titled RoutesUK/RoutesUS/RoutesEU and when I want to use one I simply do a rename to Routes. As you use a route set TS2019 creates a SDBCache.bin file to go with it. Again I renamne these SDBCacheUk.bin etc etc and have them paired with their respective Routes folder so I have 3 Route folders and 3 SDB bin files. Swapping just takes a few secs amending the names if these.

With fewer routes to load TS2019 starts up faster

Thanks Chris,

What about updates to Steam supplied routes ? If they don't happen to be in the folder labelled "Routes" when the updates come through, I presume that they will not be applied ( until they are in the Routes Folder ). Is that correct and has it caused any problems ?

springer

[rosgar]

I'm starting to think that my processor (Intel i5-3350 Quad core 3.10GHz) can't handle 64bit, as playing two Rosgar scenarios (First Deltic over Chat Moss and Torbay Tornado) both threw up the access violation error. However, the first one crashed on 32bit as well in the exact same place, and seeing how much a new processor would cost (even a secondhand version of the recommended one) meant that the second scenario crashing barely five minutes in caused me to feel physically sick.

Just tried Snacktime No 124 - Torbay Tornado, and sadly had an access violation message as well.
Swapped the JT 7MT Britannia out for the previous incarnation (you can guess which) and voila all seems well again....

I'll test the Deltic one in the next few days, but that one was always a fussy beast, will have to check we have the latest route version first.
We've just moved house and only recently had internet again and chance to get some of our assets updated
For the record our system is no world beater either, so don't think that's your issue.

[gptech]

The "access violation" is more a system issue than an in-game one. The game could be trying to access a memory location (it's not always about you accessing something you shouldn't, the terminology is misleading) that's flagged by Windows as for system use.
Loads of reasons for this, it's a pretty generic error message which covers viral infection; faulty hardware; DEM (though you can't apply exceptions to 64bit apps); system/program configuration.....the list goes on and on.

How many having bother have Steam/the game in the default location?
Is anybody with the game outside of the default location having bother?
Is anybody with a completely fresh instance of Steam/TS having bother?

Those are some of the avenues to look into, NOT specific assets or scenarios.

[rosgar]

Whilst you make a lot of sense, the simple fact that removing that engine and replacing it with another alternative similar to it does suggest that a part of the problem lies there....
Regarding location, we have always ensured our Railworks folder is in a custom location, that's a well known solution for many.

Unfortunately due to our house move we've only had the last two or three days within the last couple of months to even load Steam up, nevermind TS2018/9, with more building works due next week, so it'll be some time before we can thoroughly investigate this and other issues.
A good hint for people, don't wait until you pass your 60th year to move home.....It's a real nightmare

Though being just 5 mins from the beach has it's compensation

[rosgar]

I'm starting to think that my processor (Intel i5-3350 Quad core 3.10GHz) can't handle 64bit, as playing two Rosgar scenarios (First Deltic over Chat Moss and Torbay Tornado) both threw up the access violation error.

The route used for this pair of scenarios has now been updated by the authors and now known as "South Lancashire and North Cheshire v2.1. These scenarios have duplicates within the latest version, and the route can now be found at: "https://www.wotawallysbits.co.uk/liv-man-br-blue-route"

These should work as intended, sadly we are unable to test the originals as the earlier version of the route has been uninstalled, but remain on file for those who have yet to update..

[chrisreb]

Hi Springer

I just move routes into 3 different Route folders Titled RoutesUK/RoutesUS/RoutesEU and when I want to use one I simply do a rename to Routes. As you use a route set TS2019 creates a SDBCache.bin file to go with it. Again I renamne these SDBCacheUk.bin etc etc and have them paired with their respective Routes folder so I have 3 Route folders and 3 SDB bin files. Swapping just takes a few secs amending the names if these.

With fewer routes to load TS2019 starts up faster

Thanks Chris,

What about updates to Steam supplied routes ? If they don't happen to be in the folder labelled "Routes" when the updates come through, I presume that they will not be applied ( until they are in the Routes Folder ). Is that correct and has it caused any problems ?

springer

I have to keep an eye out for orphan updates and move them to respective folders. RW Tools is good to list what routes are active so you can see those out of place. Bit of a pain but otherwise you have to use RS Store to move routes back and forth from an archive. Doesnt cause any issues but if you miss one for a bit just means you are playing a route without latest tweak.

[holzroller]

In my case I have two installations of TS, one unmodified and one working copy. I simply rename them new/old as necessary. Generally I will allow the unmodified copy to update and then transfer the new files across to the working copy. If I get caught out, I just do a search for the newly updated files and move them to the relevant section if necessary.