General instability in PT7, looking for help.

[deafguy]

I can't make the problem happen but the crash is always the same, I get a stuttering loop and a complete freeze. No warning, no announcement, must reboot.

It's never happened while tracking, only when in "play".
Things that have tripped it, adjusting a plug, toggling between PT and Reason.

This is since moving to Tiger and PT7. I'm now 10.4.5 and PT 7.1
My Mac is a Dual 1.25 G4 with 2gb ram.

Besides the software here are the other things that are new / different.

some of my RAM is new
I put Tiger on a fresh new drive
I installed two Accel cards, but they were ok in Panther and 6.9
the SSL plugs are new

I've upgraded all my plugs, Soundtoys, Sony, etc.

Anybody suffering with me?

A

[Andre Knecht]

1) Have you followed the troubleshooting steps described in the sticky thread at the top of the page? (“General Troubleshooting - Pro Tools 6 & 7 Mac OS X”)

2) Has the onset of these regular crashes coincided with the introduction of a new element to your rig?

Since you already answered ‘yes’ in your post and listed the new items, I’d investigate those. In the case of plug-ins, start by removing some of the new (and updated) ones and see if the problems vanishes or persists.

Also…

3) Are you using quality RAM from a reputable vendor? Modern Macs are very finicky about that.

4) You may not have enough RAM. Consider adding a couple of GBs, or more, especially if you use virtual instruments and/or RTAS processes.

5) Try to reseat your system’s RAM, cards and cables.

6) Are you recording to an appropriate drive(s)?

IHTH.
.

[badboymusic]

The same thing happened to me yesterday. Out of nowhere it starts playing a looped 4 seconds of song. Had to kill the power. HD3 G5 2.3 with 4.5 Gig Ram Pro Tools 7.1 I do not know what may have triggered it.

[studiojimi]

go to versiontracker.com and download the free versino of REMBER memory test

you will know in about 1/2 hour if you have bad RAM

have you trouble shot the digi trouble shooting procedures?

have you created a new user?

a corrupt user is a real bugger

[studiojimi]

go to versiontracker.com and download the free versino of REMBER memory test

you will know in about 1/2 hour if you have bad RAM

have you trouble shot the digi trouble shooting procedures?

have you created a new user?

a corrupt user is a real bugger

[deafguy]

Andre,
Thanks for the suggestions.

I've read other posts where "mad looping" was mentioned in connection with a crash. I'm hoping there's a known issue with Tiger and G4's and PT7.

3) Are you using quality RAM from a reputable vendor? Modern Macs are very finicky about that.

My first thought was the RAM, which is 'Techworks' brand from OWC. I'll remove it and see if that helps.
Years ago with my Mix rig I had wierd problems due to unfriendly RAM.

4) You may not have enough RAM. Consider adding a couple of GBs, or more, especially if you use virtual instruments and/or RTAS processes.

My machine can only handle 2gb.

5) Try to reseat your system’s RAM, cards and cables.

I'll take this step when I pull the RAM.

6) Are you recording to an appropriate drive(s)?

I'm using drives that have been trouble free previously. I've always had good luck with Firewire drives, I've reformatted a couple in hopes that 'Journaling' would make a difference.
I installed a fresh drive on the internal ATA buss, I haven't tested it sufficiently to know.

As far as removing plugs, what a bitch! Kinda puts a wrench in the whole workflow thing.
Can a plug give you trouble if it's not used in your session but just sitting in the folder?

Thanks for your help

A

[deafguy]

go to versiontracker.com and download the free versino of REMBER memory test

you will know in about 1/2 hour if you have bad RAM

have you trouble shot the digi trouble shooting procedures?

have you created a new user?

a corrupt user is a real bugger

Jimmy,

Thanks for the tips. I've been thru the digi list but I haven't tried the new user thing.
Looking forward to trying the RAM tester.

A

[Andre Knecht]

Andre, Thanks for the suggestions. […] Can a plug give you trouble if it's not used in your session but just sitting in the folder?

You’re Welcome, A.

Yes, problematic plug-ins can be evil-doers even when not instantiated.

.

[deafguy]

I removed the new RAM I had installed when I jumped to Tiger.
I've been crash free for a week.

confidence is high

Thanks for all the input

A

[roberts]

Buying cheap RAM saves you money and costs time.
USE Corsair or OCZ. Get good RAM!