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New Computer Blues...

n4gix

n4gix

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I just took delivery of a new "sim computer" three days ago and have just this afternoon managed to make some time to start setting it up. Gah! What a massive PITA this is going to be, but I sincerely hope the end result will be worth the bother.

My main "development computer" suffered a complete failure of the C drive, and I lost several years worth of archived emails. While this isn't the end of the world, a lot of the information I needed (key, passwords, etc.) to reinstall stuff is now gone.

My plan is to get the new "sim rig" running with at least FSX:SE and P3Dv4 running, then rework the "old sim" to be my new development machine. I got Max2012 installed on it the other day, so that's done at least.

This is the new sim computer's specs:
CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cool SLC8600A Desktop Gaming PC (Intel i7-7700K 4.2GHz, NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti 11GB, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 3TB 7200RPM HDD, 240GB SSD, 802.11AC WiFi, Win 10 Home)
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XGXDXZF/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

At least Steam is proving it's true worth since I don't have to mess with CDs/DVDs (which is good because this new "hot rod" doesn't have an optical drive at all, nor is there any provision for adding one, or any more hard drives for that matter! I bought an external USB DVD drive for those things that I'll have to install from such media.

Fortunately, Win10 so far at least isn't being the PITA I had feared. It took only a few minutes to configure it for minimal spying ability, and sort out which monitor was primary, etc. While typing this Steam is busily downloading FSX:SE and ATS. I'll worry about ETS2 later when I have the "old sim" connected back to my LAN so I can transfer my custom mods and more importantly my profile(s). I really don't want to start all over again... :rotfl:

In any case, I'm anxiously looking forward to seeing how well this new machine is going to run P3Dv4 and FSX:SE! :cool:
 
Nice PC ... would still dream on me. lol
I don't know how to manage physically different drive. in my system (win7) I divide 1 physical drive into 2 system drive ( C: and D:). I move default Document to another drive (other than C: drive), it will automatically store all document saving (by new default) to new drive. so in case C:drive fail, I still have all document in another drive. C:drive only a placement for software installation. it save me several time when I must swept out whole C:drive due to wrong handling and can't recoverable.
 
Crap. This machine lasted all of about three hours before crapping out. I'll check it out some more Wednesday, since I'll be at the Evanston, IL 4th of July celebration all day. 0830 Tue. until 0030 Wed. morning!

...while I was in my front office waiting for Steam to finish downloading/installing ETS2, something apparently happened while my back was turned. I walked in and noticed black screens (no signal). The computer had shut itself off, and now will not reboot at all. In fact neither monitor is even getting a signal so they remain dark.

EDIT:
Well... this is truly embarrasing! When the computer shut itself off (I've got to find that setting and disable it!), unbeknownst to me, my 42" TV/Monitor shut itself off after the signal was lost for X number of minutes (I never knew it would do that)...

...and I didn't notice. Since I'd set it up to be the primary display, of course I couldn't see anything!
 
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kalong said:
I move default Document to another drive (other than C: drive), it will automatically store all document saving (by new default) to new drive. so in case C:drive fail, I still have all document in another drive. C:drive only a placement for software installation. it save me several time when I must swept out whole C:drive due to wrong handling and can't recoverable.
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Fortunately, all of my working files are stored in my Dropbox folder, and mirrored in real time to the off-site Dropbox account. They are also mirrored on all of my teamates local hard drives! It would take an act of war or major disaster of epic proportions to loose those mission critical files! :laughing:
 
Or certain recent malware: it can screw up cloud-based storage too. Not kidding.

Very nice rig, Bill, and rather higher spec than my likely next one - but the current one is now 9 years old so anything is gonna be an improvement. Amused to see W10 made it past your personal firewall - I am Dyslexic of Borg: fusistance is retile, your ass will be laminated as someone posted recently.
 
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n4gix said:
Crap. This machine lasted all of about three hours before crapping out. I'll check it out some more Wednesday, since I'll be at the Evanston, IL 4th of July celebration all day. 0830 Tue. until 0030 Wed. morning!

...while I was in my front office waiting for Steam to finish downloading/installing ETS2, something apparently happened while my back was turned. I walked in and noticed black screens (no signal). The computer had shut itself off, and now will not reboot at all. In fact neither monitor is even getting a signal so they remain dark.

EDIT:
Well... this is truly embarrasing! When the computer shut itself off (I've got to find that setting and disable it!), unbeknownst to me, my 42" TV/Monitor shut itself off after the signal was lost for X number of minutes (I never knew it would do that)...

...and I didn't notice. Since I'd set it up to be the primary display, of course I couldn't see anything!
Click to expand...
off course Bill, latest tv tech has that feature, some kind of eco-mode.
 
Thanks. Even the silent "Cortana" was useful for quickly finding the power options. I'm perfectly capable of turning things on/off by myself. I don't need that to be automated... :stirthepo

@Tom - I had no choice in the matter since all new confusers (er, computers) come with Win10 pre-installed. That said, there are many sources to still buy certificated, original Win7 Professional (or Home) OS. I've ordered three copies to keep on hand just in case. :coffee:
 
n4gix said:
Fortunately, Win10 so far at least isn't being the PITA I had feared. It took only a few minutes to configure it for minimal spying ability, and sort out which monitor was primary, etc.
Click to expand...

That's what I've been saying since it was released. :tapedshut


Does ATS have a complete map for North America by now?
 
Get a 512GB SSD HD, like a Samsung 850. 500/500 read/write+plus and use that for your C: drive.

I just went through this... Lost so much. sigh... Took me a month to get things smooth again and still finding things missing that I need to get, like FSPS, FS Sound Studio, etc, etc. ARRGH!
 
Very nice, Bill.
Though you'll like it even better if, down the road, you can slip a bigger SSD into it.
 
the same here, recovering of total hard disk failure. about the SSD disk I think is enough, always the things can be installed the D: drive. programs , user data (this was what save me of a total lost of data and lessen the disaster). Anyway it's a good advice. I think the total hard disk failure came from the disk got full, it's my guess. Surpraisingly Windows 10 is working great. Fsx is running better than ever, though a insistent warning about the program is not compatible appear as soon as you close the simulator ( I had to deactivate this feature ). The only problematic thing is his Windows Update system is driving me nut. I think the fact a I got a Limited mobile broadband conexión is messing a Little. I had to download his last new Creator Update. 4 GB and three hours to update.
Something I noticed too is that W10 have add many features to keep the data safe. as mirroring folders and disks. etc.
 
Yup, 240 gb SSD is a lot, but can fill up quickly. Sure less important software can be installed to to the HHD. In my case anything important, that I want to happen as fast as possible, that can have long loading and rendering time, that's on the SSD. I have FSX, music notation (40 gbs worth) and video editing software on the SSD.

Bill, how much space does your development software need?

I don't recall getting an incompatibility warning, but then my computer is not a commercial build. I have no complaints about W10. I didn't have any problem with Vista, W7, or W8 either. For all the problems FSX has, I find it interesting that it continues to run on newer hardware and OS's.
 
Its horrible when C: drive is full... I lived with that for a year and a half. Constantly trying to empty it of hidden things to downloaded needed updates and things (like P3D). When rebuilding Windows last month, I had my new 500 Gb SSD half filled in just several days, and I wasnt trying to put all things on it. I have 7 drives. So I love to put things on alternate drives, but man... half full in several days... So glad I was blessed with getting a 500 GB drive for C:... Turned into a blessing.
 
bobbyjack said:
Yup, 240 gb SSD is a lot, but can fill up quickly. Sure less important software can be installed to to the HHD...

Bill, how much space does your development software need?
Click to expand...
In my case I am installing all programs on my hard drive, and reserving the SSD primary for the OS and files over which I have no practical control over, such as everything that gets saved to my DropBox folder locally, and the darn Package Cache files P3Dv4.x insists on installing on the root C drive.

With 3TB of secondary HD storage, I doubt I'll see too much congestion any time soon at least.
 
You can choose where you want your dropbox folder to be located Bill. Right click on your dropbox tray icon, select preferences->Account and use the Move button to control where you want the main dropbox folder to be located.
 
I'm no expert, but, as I understand it, FSX has so many bottlenecks that the more you can eliminate, the better. When I started running FSX on my SSD, it was much better. Anything where files and data have to be swapped out fast, probably needs to go on the SSD. It's not just an oddity drive, it's a real tool. How much of an improvement? There's the rub. My Windows boots to the desktop in less than 20 seconds. Other stuff is faster, too. I foresee HDDs going the way of the optical drive. Why do you suspect you got a 3TB HDD for so cheep?
 
The new machine is up and running. Thus far I have FSX:SE, Prepar3Dv4.x, FSW, and all of my SCS games installed. I also have Max2012 installed, just in case I need it later.

All of them run really, REALLY well, but I have noticed that the 1080Ti does seem to have a problem handling the intense graphical demands. I need to invest some time in learning how to tweak the fan settings to keep it from screaming in agony...

The overtemp "screech" is rather annoying!
 
Naruto-kun said:
You can choose where you want your dropbox folder to be located Bill. Right click on your dropbox tray icon, select preferences->Account and use the Move button to control where you want the main dropbox folder to be located.
Click to expand...
Oh wow! Thanks for that information. I haven't begun converting the "old" sim machine to become my new dev machine yet, so I'll keep that in mind.
 
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