Scenarios suddenly very slow to load.

[drivertime61]

All of a sudden starting today I am getting a black screen for approx. 1 ½ minutes before any selected scenario on any installed route begins to load. After that, the scenario loads and runs normally.

I have been doing route and scenario editing on my free roam freight version of the NEC Philly-NY for several days, including today before the problem developed. I have run the edited route and scenarios with no problems.

My only thought as to what may have caused this is that today I changed the start location of a scenario by creating a clone of the original scenario, renaming it and doing the gizmo to gizmo copy paste technique in the scenario files for changing start locations. I did this in order to quickly add the assets of one scenario to the other scenario, which I have done successfully before. But I did not check to see if I needed to add DLC (the little blue box in the scenario editor) to the new scenario with the newly combined assets, before I loaded it. I think I had to do that the last time I tried this technique, but I forget.

I honestly can’t remember if I was loading that new scenario when the problem began, but I may have been.

I’ve moved all the route and scenario files of my freight route out of TS15 to another drive, but the lengthy black screen when loading scenarios continues. Is it possible the sim has become corrupted and needs to be re-installed? I can also do a computer system restore, but that may interfere with other things on the computer.

I've done the usual Verify Cache and everything is OK. Also did the in-game Clear Cache.

Except for this TS15 problem, the computer is working normally at its usual rapid speed in other programs. I can supply the specs., but I doubt the computer itself is at fault here.

I hope I’ve explained this in an understandable way. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Chacal]

Run TS2015 with Logmate.
Look at the log for clues.

[drivertime61]

Thank you Chacal. Can you tell me how to go about running Logmate? This is all a continuing learning process here.

[drivertime61]

OK I finally figured out something for myself - how to use Logmate. My apologies for not researching it a bit before asking for help. I loaded a working scenario on the original NEC. It gave me the usual 1 1/2 minutes of black screen before it began loading, after which it ran fine, as do all the other scenarios on all the other routes I have after impatiently waiting through this new black screen phenomenon.

Here is what Logmate reported. I hope it's OK to be posting this long report here. If it isn't, more apologies are in order, this time to the Mods. I of course have no clue how to interpret this report, other than problems appear to be evident. Thanks again for your patience and offer to help.

[RunTimeError 6:27:00 PM] Trace mdump.cpp : 422 = error handlers have been set
[Content 6:27:01 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : Kuju, RailSimulatorCore
[Content 6:27:01 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Cameras\EditCamera001.xml
[Content 6:29:13 PM] Trace cNetworkRibbon.cpp : 1984 = Ribbon not found while loading curves, are all network files in synch? Ribbon ID :{31272a3a-7b90-41b0-bbcd09518467d77a}
[Content 6:29:13 PM] Trace cNetworkRibbon.cpp : 1984 = Ribbon not found while loading curves, are all network files in synch? Ribbon ID :{95163569-7912-4073-8e33df818d74fb96}
[Content 6:29:13 PM] Trace cNetworkRibbon.cpp : 1984 = Ribbon not found while loading curves, are all network files in synch? Ribbon ID :{1ec4b37c-bae4-4d8a-9c4db9af01f4d524}
[Content 6:29:13 PM] Trace cNetworkRibbon.cpp : 1984 = Ribbon not found while loading curves, are all network files in synch? Ribbon ID :{96a8e15a-d4b9-4053-938217811cff49e9}
[Content 6:29:13 PM] Trace cNetworkRibbon.cpp : 1984 = Ribbon not found while loading curves, are all network files in synch? Ribbon ID :{199d5621-5e4d-4127-87d4ebb4d2543837}
[Content 6:29:13 PM] Trace cNetworkRibbon.cpp : 1984 = Ribbon not found while loading curves, are all network files in synch? Ribbon ID :{c6e7b1bb-470e-4d51-8ba1949745b20b88}
[Content 6:29:13 PM] Trace cNetworkRibbon.cpp : 1984 = Ribbon not found while loading curves, are all network files in synch? Ribbon ID :{dd5d95b1-88ad-42b4-891535ce4430fbab}
[Content 6:29:13 PM] Trace cNetworkRibbon.cpp : 1984 = Ribbon not found while loading curves, are all network files in synch? Ribbon ID :{f9fc37d3-4930-4b43-8d6b17e3982e9019}
[Content 6:29:13 PM] Trace cNetworkRibbon.cpp : 1984 = Ribbon not found while loading curves, are all network files in synch? Ribbon ID :{1a939689-293a-4f6b-a0350df19858e41e}
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM] Track Rule missing: ////
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM] ASSERT(mTrackRule != 0);
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM] Network::iTrackNetworkTrackRule::cPropertyValue::setTrackRule()
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM] C:\build\CoreRelease\Code\\PublicInterfaces\iTrackNetworkProperties.d.h : 84
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM] Track Rule missing: ////
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM] ASSERT(mTrackRule != 0);
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM] Network::iTrackNetworkTrackRule::cPropertyValue::setTrackRule()
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:29:14 PM] C:\build\CoreRelease\Code\\PublicInterfaces\iTrackNetworkProperties.d.h : 84
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 417 = Blueprint set not found : NEC, NorthEastCorridor
[Content 6:29:18 PM] Trace cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 448 = Blueprint set not found for: Scenery\Procedural\wall_hex_01.xml
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Verify failed:
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] cGBuffer.cpp : 517
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Expression: (count = mSurfaces[eSurfaceAccessibleDepth]->Release()) == 0
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Verify failed:
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] cGBuffer.cpp : 523
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Expression: (count = mSurfaces[eSurfaceDiffuseColour]->Release()) == 0
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Verify failed:
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] cGBuffer.cpp : 529
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Expression: (count = mSurfaces[eSurfaceViewSpaceNormal]->Release()) == 0
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Verify failed:
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] cGBuffer.cpp : 535
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Expression: (count = mSurfaces[eSurfaceAux]->Release()) == 0
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Assertion failed
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] ASSERT(count == 0);
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] cHcDisplayManager::shutdown()
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Pc\cHcDisplayManagerPc.cpp : 698
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Verify failed:
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] DxCommon\cHcDrawInterfaceDx.cpp : 178[size=50]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Expression: (count = mPlatform.mD3D->Release ()) == 0
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] Blueprint being deleted with non-zero ref count
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] ASSERT(mRefCount == 0);
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] cBlueprint::~cBlueprint()
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM]
[RunTimeError 6:31:03 PM] C:\build\CoreRelease\Code\\PublicInterfaces\../Libs/Blueprints/cBlueprint.d.h : 65
[/size]

[drivertime61]

UPDATE:

I had some difficulty when shutting down the computer last night. .NET Framework kept advising of a problem. When I looked at it, it was showing the same Logmate file I posted above. I got it to Quit and then was able to shut down the computer normally.

Today, an hour ago I turned the computer back on and fired up TS15. No problems! No black screen delays. Everything loaded and ran normally. Amazing, since yesterday I did try shutting down the computer and restarting twice, which did not help the black screen issue.

Tomorrow I will try to develop the courage to load my freight ops. route and its scenarios back into the game and see what happens. I will not, however, leave in the route the scenario I think I may have corrupted per my comments above.

Chacal or other expert, if you can give me an idea what the Logmate file is saying, I would still like to know. I'm anxious to learn what I can about this sim.

Thanks.

Al

[Chacal]

All I can say is the game engine is reporting a lot of missing stuff that is referenced in blueprints but it can't find in your files. This cam mean missing files (duh) or corrupted blueprints referencing non existing assets.
The content of each message gives more clues, e.g."Ribbon not found while loading curves, are all network files in synch?" means some network (i.e. track network) files are corrupted.
These are content validation messages, which means they may or may not be a big problem, but do not necessarily cause an engine failure.
Runtime errors are more serious and you had some of those, which may be caused by content errors mentioned before.
In your cases the errors occured in verification routines and did not cause a crash , which explains why you experienced a huge delay but no crash.

It's hard to tell why the problem was persistent yesterday but seemed to solve itself today.
On first impression I'd say gremlins, but it could be trolls.

[drivertime61]

Thank you very much Chacal for sharing your expertise.

Yes I've done a heck of a lot of track editing, mostly adding new sidings, spurs, etc. to facilitate freight ops. Also track infrastructure objects like cranes and coal loaders. And a few times I had to undo what I done did, because it caused problems. Perhaps vestiges of that remain, although everything worked OK after I fixed the mistakes and saved.

As for the missing assets, I don't know how of course, but I suspect this was triggered by my attempting to load my new "combined" scenario, in which I attempted to add more assets to existing assets without first actually installing those added assets in the scenario via the little blue assets box. Not an exact description of what I did, but something like that. I had done it before successfully, but I think I had remembered to add the assets to the scenario immediately upon its creation and before attempting to run it, which I failed to do here. Anyway, just a theory.

Tomorrow I'll attempt to put the freight ops. route I was working on when disaster struck back into the sim, without that suspect scenario file. BTW, I do have another backup of the route pre-black screen that I will resort to if I get the problem again tomorrow. Rather not resort to it though; I've done so much work since that earlier backup. We shall see.

And yes, I also have a presumably pristine backup copy of TS15 made right after it was released by DTG. But if I ever have to go back that far, they'll be carrying me out of here in a straight jacket.

Again my sincere thanks for your assistance.

Al

[drivertime61]

UPDATE II:

After removing the suspected corrupt scenario file I re-installed my NEC freight route back into the sim. All is back to normal and working well. Memo to self: keep your wits about you when you're working in the editors.

Even though the black screen problem spontaneously cured itself yesterday without my doing anything other than running Logmate, I appreciate the support here. Perhaps Chacal's gremlins and trolls were frightened off by an especially aggressive Easter Bunny.

[OldProf]

Frankly, I find that the time TS takes to begin loading, much less reach its opening menu screen, varies considerably. It seems to take the longest amount of time the first time that I launch it after a cache verification. The time also gets longer after I've selected new Steam Workshop items. Now, what I'd like to hear explained is why after I've hunted down, loaded, and played a standard scenario on a given route, loading a second scenario from the very same route takes so long to load. I blame all of these delays on the irritation quotient built into the basic code and designed to distract us from whatever else may be wrong.

[buzz456]

You need a faster computer and you wouldn't have these problems. It ain't the program, it's your machine. There is a lot of computing going on to set up any scenario and that's what takes all the time, not the route.

[Chacal]

To find out what's going on, run TS with Logmate and look at the log as the scenario is loading.
As Buzz said, a lot is going on, especially, pathing computations, loading rolling stock, etc.
The more complex your scenario, and the more assets it uses, the longer it takes to set up.

[drivertime61]

Once I hit Start or Resume, normally there is no delay. The scenario begins to load immediately and, depending I guess on the amount of scenario content, it's usually player-ready in approx. 10-20 seconds. There are occasional exceptions, but I haven't studied them to try to determine if there are any patterns or commonalities. The rare delays are not in getting to the loading process, rather they are during loading > the little thingie showing loading activity that goes back and forth toward the bottom of the screen may pause for a bit.

FWIW: Dell XPS 8700 Special Ed. Windows 8.1 64Bit; Intel i7 4770 Quad Core CPU; 225GB SSD plus 2TB Data HD; 24GB RAM; Radeon R9 270 Graphics Card – 2GB RAM; Dell Touch 23” WS HiDef Monitor.

[buzz456]

DT, Is your TS2015 on the SSD or the other drive?

[drivertime61]

The sim itself is on the SSD, which is the C drive. All the backups are stored on the D hard drive.

[drivertime61]

Re my statement above....."it's usually player-ready in approx. 10-20 seconds"..... My memory was a tad optimistic. I tested it and it's more like 20-30 seconds most of the time. Occasionally a little longer, but not much and not often. Just trying to keep it real here.