Changing Switches Lock Up Options

[loqtes]

OK, new question...I have the most current version of AG 4.2.11. I fire up the program and do not load an activity. I click on the button to change the switches to manual and then click on the route and the appropriate TDB file. The response is that the database was successfully back up and then the computer locks up. If I do a control-alt-del it shows AG as Not Responding. It does not matter which route I do this with the result is the same with the exception for some reason of the tutorial route which it seems to work with, without locking up. Any ideas? thanks...dave

[sgdavis]

OK, new question...I have the most current version of AG 4.2.11. I fire up the program and do not load an activity. I click on the button to change the switches to manual and then click on the route and the appropriate TDB file. The response is that the database was successfully back up and then the computer locks up. If I do a control-alt-del it shows AG as Not Responding. It does not matter which route I do this with the result is the same with the exception for some reason of the tutorial route which it seems to work with, without locking up. Any ideas? thanks...dave

Are you sure it is locked up or could it be that it is taking a while to go through the whole route and change all the signals? The fact that it works for the tutorial route seems to indicate that it's working on your machine. What route or routes have you tried this with? Have you tried any of the default routes, like perhaps USA2 (Marias Pass)?

I just tried it with Willamette Pass (Cascade Crossing) and while I have a fairly fast machine it did take a couple of minutes to convert. All the while my cursor showed the hourglass which was how I knew it was still processing. If you break into the loop using control-alt-delete then, because the program is not making any calls to the Windows OS to accept user input, it will indeed show it as "Not Responding". I duplicated this by using ctrl-alt-del while AG was still processing the Cascade Crossing route and got the "Not Responding" indication. It actually is WORKING but it's not RESPONDING to external user input. Now if it takes more than, say, 3 or 4 minutes, please write back, the problem is something else.

Thanks,

Steve

[loqtes]

Oh Boy...Do I OWE you an apology. You were exactly right. My impatience did not allow the program to function. I am greatly enjoying your program but obviously I am new at this although that is no excuse. Both the AG and the AM are terrific programs and I thank you for them. My apologies...dave

[jrmeindl]

Oh Boy...Do I OWE you an apology. You were exactly right. My impatience did not allow the program to function. I am greatly enjoying your program but obviously I am new at this although that is no excuse. Both the AG and the AM are terrific programs and I thank you for them. My apologies...dave

To expand upon Steve's answer, it all has to do with how many signals or switches are contained within the route. Since I have been testing the upcoming Raton Pass 3 templates, I've had many instances where I need to change switches and signals for switching. Comparing Raton 3 to Marias Pass (default) there is a considerable difference in time. Marias Pass is almost instant, where Raton 3 took almost 10 seconds. If you look at sidings alone, Marias Pass has about 100 workable ones compared to Raton 3 which has about 300. Now some sidings can be switched from both ends and then you have all the mainline switches. Rough guess for Raton is probably 700+ switches to change. It will depend on how involved the routes are. The longest one for me was Patrick Wise's Cajon Pass. There are 400 sidings to switch on that route alone.

Jim

[dgionet]

Hi Dave,

To add to Jim's comment about delays encountered in changing the signal or switches mode, some of the route TDB files like the Wupper 11 template (size 15MB) can take close to a minute to see the second window confirming the change.

The TDB file of the upcoming and massive Monon 2 route will probably take as much time. The TDB file is around 14.5MB . The bigger the TDB file the longer will be the time to change the switches or signalling mode.

Cheers

[sgdavis]

Oh Boy...Do I OWE you an apology. You were exactly right. My impatience did not allow the program to function. I am greatly enjoying your program but obviously I am new at this although that is no excuse. Both the AG and the AM are terrific programs and I thank you for them. My apologies...dave

No apology necessary, this is still a programming issue that I should address -- and will, hopefully in the next update. I can't make it go faster, but I COULD put up a "progress bar" while the program reads through, so you could see progress and know the program wasn't locked up.

Thanks,

Steve