Why does Inventor crash so much? Its 2011. Can we get it right? 1

[EnginurrUpInHurr]

This is a half rant/half question.

Autodesk Inventor 2011 SP1 64bit and Vault Collab 2011. Randomly crashes 4 to 5 times a day when saving new files. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.

Computer is a Dell Precision T3500 with:
Machine name: WS_3385
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.101026-1503)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Precision WorkStation T3500
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A08
Processor: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU W3503 @ 2.40GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 12288MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 12286MB RAM
Page File: 3027MB used, 21541MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA Quadro 4000
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: Quadro 4000
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06DD&SUBSYS_078010DE&REV_A3
Display Memory: 1502 MB
Dedicated Memory: 2014 MB
Shared Memory: 3583 MB
Current Mode: 2560 x 1440 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: DELL U2711
Monitor Id: DELA057
Native Mode: 2560 x 1440(p) (59.951Hz)

I've done quite a few VBA projects (I know what you're thinking, and this issue pre-dates the start of these projects)and without modifying the code from yesterday, today our assembly program runs halfway, then the model space stops refreshing but the parts list to the left keeps going, and the program runs to completion (up to and including End Sub) and 4 to 5 seconds later crashes entirely.

This is absolutely ridiculous, and naturally I can't get help from Autodesk (hope no one took a heart attack! ). I never had this many problems with SW 2005 (Yes, a 6 year old SW is working better than IV2011). Maybe that's the solution?

I dunno, but if anyone could weigh in or suggest something it would be appreciated.

 

[EnginurrUpInHurr]

hahaha, the uninstall utility doesn't even work!

 

[EngAddict]

Sounds like 95% rant to me, especially since you didn't post anything pertaining to the specific operation that is causing the crash. Perhaps it is the code or a specific operation, such as the order of sequence. Have you stepped through the code to see if it is repeatable at a particular line of code?

I have never found Inventor to crash that much unless you are doing something wrong or there is a software error (but R2011 was pretty error free). We use both Solidworks and Inventor in the office and they are about equivalent for frequency of crashes.

Haven't known the uninstall not to work, perhaps it wan't installed correctly (maybe also causing the other problems), or there is a problem with the windows installer files for Inventor.

Solidworks is actually much worse for installs than Inventor, plus the installation managers are not even close to comparable. I have never even had a problem with Inventor when leaving the AV software on.

Have you tried a repair first?

And have you tried it on R2012 to see if it is a release specific bug?

If all else fails, Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, then clean all file locations manually.

 

[EnginurrUpInHurr]

Yea that was def 95%, this program is going to turn a 4 hour drafting job into 10 minutes and these crashes are so frustrating.

So, crashes are happening randomly off new file saves. Unrelated to anything VBA. Probably 4 times a day. Create a new file, model some stuff, click save and crash.

Now the VBA specific crashes are happening after the code runs. It goes like this: program adds a part by a vlookup in excel and reads its mating and pattern information, it comes to a loop which will add accessories. I can step through the loop line by line and its at a random accessory (ie accessory 1 might do it, next time accessory 6, etc.) will add to the assembly according to the parts list but the model space becomes unresponsive. The rest of the program is responding (toolbars, part selection, vba editor) but nothing in the model space. I'll let the code run and it will run to completion without refreshing model space and 4-5 seconds later, crash!

I've tried everything, just finished reinstalling and updating, same error. I just re-ran the old backup file from last week on the same parts list and the same thing.

I'm sure this is a good product outside of the API but this API is by far the most problematic I've ever worked with.

Still waiting on 2012 to come down the pipes from IS. I'm going to try the prog on my home computer see if that does anything.

Just thought tho, could it possibly have anything to do with how our .ipj file is configured?

 

[mcgyvr]

Well clearly you are on subscription so.. Are you submitting the crash reports and including your email? Autodesk can easily look at those crash reports and tell you exactly why it crashed and offer much better suggestions that you will get here based on guesses. Not sure why you say you can't get help from Autodesk as they are very happy to assist users with frequent crashes.
2011 was VERY stable for me.. I can't remember the last time it crashed. (maybe 2 crashes all year)

Submit a support request.. Give them your details and let them look at the crash reports.

 

[GregLocock]

That doesn't sound as much fun as whining.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[EnginurrUpInHurr]

That definitely isn't as fun as whining lol

I've sent them every report, I get an automated response which I reply to and never get anything back...

 

[btrueblood]

I decided to run down one of those auto-reports once. Had no end of problems with an Autocad file. Multiple calls and emails, and months later...finally got a report back from the help desk with the gist being that the file had been corrupted (never mind that a completely rebuilt model showed the same problems) - the final answer from the Adesk guru was "sh*t happens".

 

[mcgyvr]

I've done it twice.. Got excellent support and both problems solved.

Now I must say that the amount of people with crash problems that also run Nvidia Quadro cards seems to be increasing at an alarming rate..

Update those graphics card drivers and see if your crashing goes down..
Or switch to software graphics mode in the application options..hardware tab (which will rule out a graphics card being the problem as it will not use your card at all).. Note INV will be slower but its a good start

 

[EngAddict]

Can't say I have ever had a good experience with the crash reports. I supply a data set that won't help them with the problem, then they take weeks to get back to me (if they bother to get back to you at all), and finally offer no solution.

Once it took a week and a half, plus numerous emails to tell me that the cause of the problem was a known limitation of the software. If it is a 'known' limitation of the software why did it take them so long to tell me what they already 'knew'?..

I have sometimes got emails saying a new service pack has fixed a problem I reported but that is as good as it gets.

 

[EnginurrUpInHurr]

Oh I thought you had it mcgyvr! Worked all day yesterday without crashing...until this morning. IS hired an outside contractor to figure it out, i'll post back if with what they find.

 

[drewboy23]

10 machines - all identical hardware, drivers, install images, etc. Only one machine would crash at random upon save. Changed setting on Application Options - Display tab from "Use Direct3D 10 Graphics Hardware" to "Use Direct3D Graphics Hardware". No more crash issues. And it's working so I never dug deeper as to why one machine would need this different setting.