Celestia Forums

I have just tried to use ElChristou`s Alantis add on with the flight deck from the Motherlode . It downloaded OK , but as soon as I unzipped the file and checked the contents my computer started to slow right down until it froze completely and I had to reboot . This was before I had even tried to install on Celestia! I thought it might be a one off , so later I had another go and the same thing happened , although I managed to delete the file before things got so bad .
If this is a case of the add on needing a powerful graphics card to work , shouldn`t there be more info on the website ? Now that I have deleted the files from my computer it is working fine again .

I use a Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop with 1.73Ghz , 1014 RAM , integrated Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator for Mobile , 32 bit Vista Home Basic and Celestia 1.4.1 .

Try the Atlantis WITHOUT the flight deck and see what you get.

Could be that you need also to update your drivers, but the Flight
Deck model does take some resources. I've NEVER heard of an add-on
causing a lock-up before you installed it though.

Here we go again...

Works FINE on my machine.

Goonster wrote:I have just tried to use ElChristou`s Alantis add on with the flight deck from the Motherlode . It downloaded OK , but as soon as I unzipped the file and checked the contents my computer started to slow right down until it froze completely and I had to reboot . This was before I had even tried to install on Celestia! I thought it might be a one off , so later I had another go and the same thing happened , although I managed to delete the file before things got so bad .
If this is a case of the add on needing a powerful graphics card to work , shouldn`t there be more info on the website ? Now that I have deleted the files from my computer it is working fine again .

I use a Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop with 1.73Ghz , 1014 RAM , integrated Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator for Mobile , 32 bit Vista Home Basic and Celestia 1.4.1 .

Never heard of this kind of problem... It would be nice if you could determinate what file do the freeze, the readme, the cmod file etc... Sounds strange indeed...

The problems really started when I tried to open the read me file . At first I thought it was because I never had Adobe Acrobat , but I do . Lets hope it was not some sort of virus , although once again , I used a virus checker before I opened it and it was fine .Strange.

Goonster wrote:The problems really started when I tried to open the read me file . At first I thought it was because I never had Adobe Acrobat , but I do . Lets hope it was not some sort of virus , although once again , I used a virus checker before I opened it and it was fine .Strange.

Virus I don't think (the read me is made by me on mac, so I really don't think it's a virus); any Vista user can confirm this problem? What about other ReadMe from other addons of mine?

This is the first one of yours I have used , but the others were fine . Opened them in Notepad though.
Didn`t think it would be a virus , just scratching round for ideas I guess.

Ah ha...

This could be the dreaded MAC vs Windows zip program problem
which I have encountered myself before. Sometimes the MAC-
specific stuff does strange things on a Windows PC when you try to
un-zip it.

Remember we had this discussion before ElChristou?

Don't know what to do about it though. My Vista system simply
sends me a lot of warning messages, but it does let me unzip the
files eventually.

Hope that helps somehow.

Thanks, Bob

Bob, the zip problem is not really a problem, it's just some invisible files under osX that become visible under Microsoft products. Why these Vista warning? I don't know... (anyway, Microsoft products are full of horrible warning...)

Now the problem above seems to be related to the ReadMe pdf. My readme where done with AdobeGolive, so the best I can suppose is some kind of incompatibility with the most recent Adove Reader under Vista...

ElChristou wrote:Bob, the zip problem is not really a problem, it's just some invisible files under osX that become visible under Microsoft products. Why these Vista warning? I don't know... (anyway, Microsoft products are full of horrible warning...)

Now the problem above seems to be related to the ReadMe pdf. My readme where done with AdobeGolive, so the best I can suppose is some kind of incompatibility with the most recent Adove Reader under Vista...

It's those "invisible" files that are causing all of the problems though.
In MY case, I can get around the problems, but I'm wondering if
Goonster can?

You say that the Adobe file causes problems?

Not for me... None whatsoever at my end. It's all the other stuff
that gives me problems. The thumbs and invisible files. <shrug>

Thanks, Brain-Dead

BobHegwood wrote:

ElChristou wrote:Bob, the zip problem is not really a problem, it's just some invisible files under osX that become visible under Microsoft products. Why these Vista warning? I don't know... (anyway, Microsoft products are full of horrible warning...)

Now the problem above seems to be related to the ReadMe pdf. My readme where done with AdobeGolive, so the best I can suppose is some kind of incompatibility with the most recent Adove Reader under Vista...

It's those "invisible" files that are causing all of the problems though.
In MY case, I can get around the problems, but I'm wondering if
Goonster can?

You say that the Adobe file causes problems?

Not for me... None whatsoever at my end. It's all the other stuff
that gives me problems. The thumbs and invisible files. <shrug>

Thanks, Brain-Dead

I didn`t know about these Mac problems . I think can be the only logical answer , although if you are running Vista as well and had no problems is there some other reason ?
When I went back the second time to try to install Atlantis I did not even open the `read me' file and it STILL affected my machine . As soon as I opened up the main folder I started slowing down again .

Goonster wrote:...
When I went back the second time to try to install Atlantis I did not even open the `read me' file and it STILL affected my machine . As soon as I opened up the main folder I started slowing down again .

Your Vista must be VERY advanced... fro sure it must consider the files as ALIENS and begun all kind of countermeasure to avoid the extermination of it's whole inner word!

Indeed your problem is not cool, but if no one can confirm it, then there must be something from your side that is causing the trouble...

Have you tried just trashing the ReadMe?

When a computer seems to slow down to a crawl, that usually means one (or more) of several things:

0. You have blocked the air flow outlets so that the computer is overheating. Its protection logic has slowed down the CPU so it doesn't generate as much heat. Too much overheating will cause permanent damage. A related possibility is that there is an internal problem causing the CPU to overheat for other reasons.

1. One or more programs are running full tilt, using all of the available CPU time.

Fix: open the Task Manager, select "Processes", click twice on the column heading "CPU" so it shows the busiest program(s) at the top of the list. Find out what they are and why they are running. (A web search for their names will tell you this.) Stop running those programs, if possible.

2. Too many, too large programs are running so that they don't all fit into main memory. This causes your computer to use virtual memory (a disk file), moving some of them out of main memory so one will fit and run, but then moving those programs right back into main memory again so they can run.

Fixes:
a. exit from all programs that you don't need to be running. -- shut down your mail and web browsers, for example.

b. purchase and install more memory. (If your computer is still under warranty, you may need to have a repair shop do this so you don't void it.)

c. turn off Aero -- Vista's fancy 3D desktop software.

3. Some programs are reading or writing to disk as fast as they can, interfering with each other or with #2. (often an anti-virus program doing a system scan will do this, for example) Fix: exit from those programs or be patient until they finish.

4. Your computer is infected with a virus, which is doing all of the above.
Fix: install and run a modern anti-virus program. Enable real-time checking and also run a full system anti-virus scan.

If you don't already have an anti-virus program installed and running, the nastier viruses will prevent you from installing one. You may need to take your computer to a repair shop.

Goonster,

First of all, there are absolutely NO viruses or spy ware attached to
ElChristou's files. Of this, I am absolutely POSITIVE. I am using a very
advanced - and PAID for - setup for my spy ware and virus protection
schemes. Also, I have three different sets of detection routines which
I can run on any object, and on any file downloaded, and I can assure
you that there are NO problems with the file itself.

Let's get back to the basics here... Remember the problem you had
when adding the Nix moon to Pluto? Was a very simple problem which
ANY of us could easily have helped you with - IF WE HAD KNOWN
about it.

If you would, please explain the EXACT procedure you use up to the
point where you encounter a problem.

Then, maybe we will see something. As I said, I have no problems
unpacking and using this add-on.

Thanks, Brain-Dead

Sorry, I wasn't clearer.

Your system can get infected by a software virus (or by many viruses) if you aren't running anti virus software. Simply having anti-virus software on your computer isn't enough: it has to be configured and then be *running* at all times.

Viruses can come from many places.
They're caused by reading infected email messages, downloading unknown software from disreputable places, browsing disreputable Web sites or Web sites that have been infected by viruses or even by simply inserting an auto-run CD into your computer. Although they try their best, sometimes CDs included with magazines can be infected, too.

Hi . As far as having an infected machine is concerned I have Norton anti-virus which I have just checked and says my computer is secure . The Windows Defender is saying I`m in the clear , and I have Threatfire ( which according to reviews is safe to use alongside other protection software ) which does a live scan and has not detected any malware or unusual activities .
Bob , you want to know the EXACT process I used with the Atlantis files so here goes- 1- Downloaded to desktop
2- Scanned with Norton Quickscan for viruses
3- Opened zipped files and sent them to My Documents
4- Opened main folder with ssc, read me etc
5-Opened read me to see how to install add on
It was at this point the problems started . I did not have a chance to copy the files anywhere .

Question...

HOW did you open the zip file?

Ignoring that for the moment though, can you look at the
other files if you don't look at the read me?

Thanks, Brain-Dead

No . As I said , when I went back again to try a second time I just opened up the main file to see the contents and straight away I had probs . That is why I deleted it from the computer entirely . Now I`m fine .
To unzip the file , when it is on the desktop I just click on it as I would any other file , a window opens asking if I want to extract all files , which I do , and save it to the desktop . From there the unzipped file is sent to My documents to be used . Nothing wrong with that is there?

I suspect that your problem may be the hidden files from mac. Your virus scanner may be trying to scan the files when the folder is opened and since Vista and your virus scanner do not know what kind of file the hidden files are, Vista tries to identify them for the virus scanner. But it can't so there may be an endless loop running at full tilt.

EDIT: I noticed from one of your previous posts that you use Norton. I used this in the past and it caused all kind of problems for me. It used a lot of the computer's resources. So I stopped using it and started using Avast.
Actually I'm in the process of not using Microsoft at all. When XP is out dated, I'm going to use Linux full time.

Anyhow,

5-Opened read me to see how to install add on
It was at this point the problems started . I did not have a chance to copy the files anywhere .

It may also be a pdf file that requires a different version of adobe reader that you currently have. Did you try to update the reader?

cartrite

Goonster wrote:No . As I said , when I went back again to try a second time I just opened up the main file to see the contents and straight away I had probs . That is why I deleted it from the computer entirely . Now I`m fine .
To unzip the file , when it is on the desktop I just click on it as I would any other file , a window opens asking if I want to extract all files , which I do , and save it to the desktop . From there the unzipped file is sent to My documents to be used . Nothing wrong with that is there?

Okay, like Cartrite has explained, you MAY have problems with
Norton, but of this I'm not certain. I can tell you that I got my new
PC with Norton installed, and I threw it away in favor of a freeware
program called AVG. I have since paid for the full version, but even
the free version does a much better job than Norton does. (Just my
opinion, so please let me get away with it willya?)

At any rate, when I unzip a folder, I right-click on the file and
tell it to extract all to a special folder I use for downloads. I stay
as far away from the desktop as I can get, but that's just me
again.

Best I can do right now is have you follow Cartrite's advice. The
MAC-specific files DO cause me some problems, but nothing like
you're describing.

Hope this all helps.

Take care, Bob

Frankly I think you are right about AVG . I had Norton when I bought the laptop but intend to change as soon as it`s finished . I thought the Adobe might have needed updating , so I did this as well and it was up to date .
As you said , it must have been those hidden Mac files . I `ve had no problem with the Norton with the other downloads .
I know different computers react differently . Maybe mine is particularly allergic to Mac !