Lights pulsing after flying a long while

[Cjayster13]

Today I came across a bug again which has been a problem with this aircraft for a long time. 

After flying a while (over an hour or so) all light on the aircraft will pulse dim then bright. the battery voltage will also fluctuate and generator light flash in time. After landing this seems to stop. The track file is too large to post.

Thanks!

[MAXsenna]

Today I came across a bug again which has been a problem with this aircraft for a long time. 
After flying a while (over an hour or so) all light on the aircraft will pulse dim then bright. the battery voltage will also fluctuate and generator light flash in time. After landing this seems to stop. The track file is too large to post.
Thanks!

Faulty generator and batteries?

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[Cjayster13]

I see where you're coming from - but no it happens every mission i fly a long while and there no list of any failures in the action report. I would say this is a bug.

[MAXsenna]

I see where you're coming from - but no it happens every mission i fly a long while and there no list of any failures in the action report. I would say this is a bug.

I apologise. Was trying to make fun of the bug.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[Terry Dactil]

It could be a memory leakage problem.

Here is what ChatGPT has to say about it.

Me:  What are the symptoms of a memory leakage problem in DCS? Could it have a pulsing effect occurring after an hour?

ChatGPT reply:

Yes, memory leakage in DCS (Digital Combat Simulator) could cause performance degradation, including the symptoms you describe, such as a "pulsing effect" after prolonged usage. Memory leaks occur when the game does not release unused memory, leading to increasing memory consumption over time. Here’s how this might manifest:

Symptoms of Memory Leakage in DCS

1. Pulsing Effect:

   • This may occur as periodic stuttering or frame-rate drops, especially noticeable during gameplay after an hour or more.
   • The "pulses" could coincide with the game's attempts to reclaim memory or perform garbage collection.

2. Gradual Performance Degradation:

   • Frame rates may start high and slowly decline as the system's memory fills up.
   • You might notice delays or freezing when transitioning between menus, maps, or missions.

3. Increased System Memory Usage:

   • Memory usage for DCS may grow continuously over time when monitored in the Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS), even if the game state remains static.

4. Crashing or Forced Exits:

   • After prolonged sessions, DCS might crash to the desktop or trigger errors related to insufficient memory.

5. Longer Load Times:

   • Mission loading, reloading, or returning to menus could take increasingly longer as memory fills.

6. Unresponsiveness:

   • Input lag or delays in rendering textures and objects may appear as the system struggles to manage memory.

---

What Causes the "Pulsing" Effect?

• Resource Reallocation: The game engine may attempt to offload unused resources (e.g., textures, models) periodically, leading to frame drops or stuttering.
• Paging to Disk: If memory is exhausted, the operating system might start using the pagefile (virtual memory), causing a noticeable "pulse" of lag when data is swapped between RAM and disk.
• GPU Overload: If memory leakage also affects VRAM usage, it might cause irregular GPU performance, resulting in visible stutters.

---

Troubleshooting and Solutions

1. Monitor Resource Usage:

   • Use tools like Task Manager, MSI Afterburner, or a performance overlay to track memory and CPU/GPU usage.

2. Reduce Graphics Settings:

   • Lowering settings like texture quality, terrain details, or draw distances can reduce memory consumption.

3. Update Drivers and Software:

   • Ensure GPU drivers and DCS are updated to the latest versions, as patches often address memory-related issues.

4. Modify System Settings:

   • Increase virtual memory (pagefile size) to help mitigate memory exhaustion.
   • Use utilities like RAM cleaners to free up memory during gameplay.

5. Check for Known Issues:

   • Consult DCS forums and patch notes for information on unresolved memory-related bugs.

6. Test Mods and Scripts:

   • If you use mods or custom scripts, disable them to rule out compatibility issues that could contribute to memory leaks.

---

If the problem persists, it could be a deeper issue with the game's engine or a specific system configuration. Reporting detailed observations to DCS support or forums might help identify the cause.

[Terry Dactil]

@cjayster13    How much memory do you have installed on your system?

 

I checked how much memory gets loaded on my system if all my DCS options are available (12 aircraft modules, 8 terrains and tech packs and 9 campaigns).

Started the Mosquito's V for Victory mission 3, along with auxiliary programs Simshaker, OVGME, Voice Attack / Vaicom, and Pimax VR ...

Wow !  27.4 GB

If you are running a 36 GB system for an hour or so, then  memory leakage from one of the running programs seems quite plausible.

 

[Slippa]

Blimey, can you ask it for the lottery numbers Terry? 

I’ve got loads of questions for it. I’d best not look it up, might never get away from it.

Me: ”What goes on in Mrs Slippas’ head”

Chat reply: “Does not compute, does not compute”. CTD