solved It is never the antivirus, until it is (crash/case report but solved)

[DrSparrius]

I recently updated DCS to the latest version, following the phantom F4E release. While updating the game, my computer suffered a BSOD. Upon restarting the computer, I found that I was missing the E: (SSD) drive that DCS had been installed on. After a hard computer restart (disconnect power, discharge power by pressing down the power button), the E: drive was back online. I ran a firmware check through a programme provided by the supplier's website, the E: drive was healthy according to that same check. However, upon trying to start DCS, the application would run for 5-10 seconds before summarily closing. I could only follow this process through the task manager, since I never even got to the log in window. The DCS log error log stopped after checking system and page file memory. I went through the recommended steps but skipped the antivirus step, thinking that it is never the antivirus that causes crashes. I mean, how many troubleshooting procedures for various games have you gone through where it actually ends up being the antivirus that is the cause? I even ran a fresh reinstall of DCS, with no luck, but stopped short of a windows refresh. Finally, I went back to the folder and exempted it from the antivirus, and now I'm in-game again.

 

TLDR: go through the crash troubleshooting steps and the antivirus step! However, I suppose DCS should run even while it is being monitored by the antivirus, for security reasons. 

 

Edited May 25, 2024 by DrSparrius

[silverdevil]

42 minutes ago, DrSparrius said:

However, I suppose DCS should run even while it is being monitored by the antivirus, for security reasons. 

roger that though, normally because of how vector based threats work, smaller files one at a time are scanned. when dcs loads, it checks all of the files which is literally hundreds of thousands. depending on your hardware, this process can take time. one benefit i found was adding exclusions to AV shaved off 90 seconds from load time (down to 30 seconds).

[maxTRX]

So the AV caused the BSOD?  Any dump files?

[DrSparrius]

6 hours ago, oldcrusty said:

So the AV caused the BSOD?  Any dump files?

Not sure if the AV caused the BSOD but obviously the subsequent difficulties with launching DCS. Unfortunately I don't have a dump file, as far as I can tell (have looked in the relevant directory).