Rendering Issue

cfolsom wrote on 10/8/2005, 3:06 AM

I need to update my computer information, however, it only slightly different, but NEW.

I tried to render an .avi file to .wm9 (in V6) and the entire computer simply shut down after rendering a good portion of the file. Tried it again, same thing. Tried to render a seperate project to mpeg2, same issue. However, rendering to an .avi, no problems.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Chris

Comments

MarkWWW wrote on 10/8/2005, 5:14 AM

This sounds to me like CPU overheating.

One of the most CPU intensive things a PC can be asked to do is render to MPG (or to a slightly lesser extent WMV) and it is quite possible for a PC to behave perfectly OK in normal usage but fail through overheating when doing a long MPG render.

Install a temperature monitoring utility and have a look at the CPU temperature while you do the MPG render - you should be able to see if the CPU temperature is reching an excessive level. If so then the solution is clear - improve the CPU cooling.

As a temporary, diagnostic, measure you could consider removing the cover from the case of the PC and setting up a large domestic fan to blow a steady stream of cool air at the motherboard while you are rendering - if this allows the render to complete then it will prove beyond doubt that cooling is the problem.

The cause of, and solution to, the poor cooling (if indeed this is the cause of the problem) my be any of:

1. inadequate CPU cooler (heatsink+fan) - replace with more suitable design
2. improper thermal connection between CPU and heatsink - reseat heatsink if not correctly seated, replace thermal pad with very thin layer of suitable heatsink compound
3. inadequate airflow within case - move cables, etc, so they do not obstruct the airflow around the CPU, make sure an adequate number of case fans are installed and positioned so as to ensure a sufficiently high rate of flow through the case and across the CPU, make sure air intakes and exits are not obstructed, make sure an accumulation of dust has not reduced the efficency of the heatsinks and fans.

There may be other explanations for your symptoms, but in my experience a thermal problem is the most likely explanation.

Mark

Grazie wrote on 10/8/2005, 7:31 AM

cfolsom - Have you recently updated to Vegas 6c? - G

epirb wrote on 10/8/2005, 7:48 AM

I also had a bad driver install do this.It would start to render then suddenly reboot. I had installed the drivers for my Firewire 410 a couple of days earlier. Something got messed up during the install.
If I remember correctly I uninstalled the driversa and made sure all was removed from the registry. reinstalled and never had a problem since.

Edit: heres the thread> http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?Forum=4&MessageID=403772

cfolsom wrote on 10/8/2005, 3:27 PM

Actually, I've just installed 6c this morning. I haven't rendered anything since.

I will give it a try and see what happen. I'll let evryone know soon.

Chris

GlennChan wrote on 10/8/2005, 9:22 PM

Reboots:
Driver issues can cause a critical error, which normally appears as a blue screen of death.
Windows will automatically reboot instead of showing the BSOD.
You can disable to check for BSODs.

Shutting down:
That's probably a hardware error.
You can monitor your CPU temperature by downloading your motherboard manufacturer's temperature monitoring utility, or using programs like Motherboard Monitor. Some motherboards may not work with these tools.

If the CPU is overheating, re-installing the heatsink should do the trick. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS to avoid damage.

Check that the fan is spinning beforehand, and that air is moving over the CPU heatsink/fan.

Do watch out for static, you need to ground yourself beforehand to prevent damage.

2- Computers are designed with lots of headroom, so it's not normal that your computer is shutting down.

3- Another way to check for hardware problems is to run "Prime95" in its torture test mode.
http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm
Do not join GIMPS as you want to be stress testing.

If it runs overnight, your computer is probably ok. If you want to double-check your RAM, you can use memory diagnostic programs like Memtest86 or microsoft's memory diagnostic tool.

I hope this helps.