RDSS MAJOR problems (resolved pending update)
 

Folks, as of sometime this morning Monday February 19, 2018 - Several RDSS 2.1 users are reporting significant problems with all kinds of normal operations of RDSS.

The symptoms are simply - the 'non responding' message in the program header and the little 'wheel' spinning indicating that something is happening. This happens so frequently - for example in moving between Tabs, or selecting pacelines, even doing Downloads in the Data Centre - that RDSS V2.1.045 (and I suspect many other RDSS Versions) effectively grinds to a halt.

This appears to be related to specific Windows 10 versions, specifically so far - Windows 10 Version 1709, Build # 16299.xxx where xxx is a further 3 digit sub-build number which varies. I don't know if the problem is the 1709 update version, or the 16299 Build version, or what :confused:

While I drop everything to investigate this - could I please ask everyone who sees this and is having this problem to please post here (or send me by email) your current Windows 10 Version info. Here's how to find that.

Use the Search bar to type the program winver. This displays the Windows Version which looks like this (on my computer). We're interested in the red highlighted version info:

Attachment 45514

My Windows version info is an earlier version than the one which several folks have reported using while experiencing the RDSS problem.

I am trying to find out which Windows Versions are responsible for the problem, and THEN try to find out how to solve the problem after doing some research.

I would be VERY interested in knowing if anyone using the older RDSS 2.0 also has the problem on Windows 10 Version 1709.

In the meanwhile, I can suggest that people try to roll back their Windows 10 Updates to a previous version to see if that solves the problem, and if so - WHICH version is still stable for RDSS. If you get a satisfactory solution, please report here (or by email to me) what eventually worked for you, with as much detail as possible - thank you!

Sorry about this latest problem. I am now working with a few people to do some testing with this system roll back attempt to (temporarily) correct things.

Please stay tuned.

Ted

Windows version
 

Hi Ted,

1709

Also older version also had problem

Ted I have windows 8.1 and have the problem
Tim

Ted
 

I am using Windows 7 Pro.

Dick

1709 (OS Build 16299.248) is mine, and I have the problem.

Checked Windows update, and its been over a week since I had an update, and RDSS worked fine just yesterday.

And ... how's working for you?

Ted

version 1709 (os Build 16299.248) I have the problem

Ted my last update was 2-14. There was 1 today at 1144am but well after problem surfaced.
Tim

FWIW, I loaded up another computer (an old MS Surface 1) which had been updated to the current Windows 10 1709 16299.125. On that computer I can duplicate the reported problems in BOTH RDSS 2.1.045 and the older RDSS 2.06.

However as stated initially, on my other Win 10 Ver 1703 Surface 3 computer I continue to have NO problems.

I people are reporting that they have this problem on Windows versions earlier than Windows 10 (Win 8.1, Win 7) that's a whole new wrinkle. Can I get a re-confirmation please that the 'not responding' message, interminable 'wheel' icon appears when trying to do mostly ANYTHING in Rdss 2.1 occurs when using Win 8.1 and Win 7 or any Windows earlier than Win 10 Version 1709. If that's the case, then something OTHER than the Windows version is the culprit.

Anyone running RDSS on a Mac - could you please report your experience using any RDSS version - but please state specifically which WIndows version you are running on the Mac.

Thanks ...

Ted

Ted
 

All I get is a blank screen.
Tried to contact Trackmaster but no one is available today.
Had this problem off and on for several days now.

Might not be just a Windows 10 problem.
Dich

It may not be just a Windows 10 problem, but it's NOT a TrackMaster problem (because I can download file, and if you wait long enough, you can still download files from TrackMaster).

Everyone - please don't call TrackMaster about this: it's not their fault. I have called them to tell them the same thing and refer folks to this discussion.

Ted

Ted
 

Hi Ted
I just got home. I worked 3 races before I saw your message here.

So far I see no problems.


Attachment 45516

version 1703 (OS build 15063.909)
(Not Responding)

I downloaded SA yesterday. It works fine if I don't log on to the internet.

Carl

Carl
 

I tried not logging onto the internet but still only get a blank screen with a not responding message.
Rmath

Carl - VERY INTERESTING! I confirm that if I unplug my RDSS non-functioning computer (my old Surface1) from the internet, things run smoothly again (so far, after 5 minutes of testing).

Could I get others to test this behaviour as well. Unplug or disconnect your computer form the internet. Please test you have successfully disconnected from the internet by opening your browser and trying to connect to a site: e.g. paceandcap.com or Google or whatever. (Please try that a few times to make sure you are not just fetching a page from your browser cache).

Then restart RDSS and see if the sluggish, non-responsive behaviour persists. I'll appreciate folks reports.

FWIW - RDSS does NOT check the internet every few seconds !! and you should be able to use it just fine without an internet connection.

But this might point me to look at new (though delayed) Windows Firewall settings, or something related ...

Ted

Ted I'm confirming problem on windows 8.1.
Tim

I just downloaded 02/20 PRX and it's working fine.

Carl

WiFi internet disconnected
Seems to of corrected the non responding issue

Lawrence

disconnected my WIFI on win 10 laptop using using RDSS, and that corrected the issue with the (not responding) problem.

Debugging Update news (just posting all this as I discover it ...):

On one of my Win 10 computers which showed the problem -

I unplug the internet cable (literally a cable which connects the computer to my router) and I can move quickly and freely in RDSS, as normal. I confirm my browser has no connection to the internet.

I then plug the cable back in - now browser connects to internet again AND RDSS resumes its sluggish behaviour! No Internet connection - RDSS = fine. With Internet connection - RDSS slow and non-responsive. Even in the same session of RDSS, and with both new and old versions.

I would appreciate it if others experiencing today's problem would confirm that a disconnection from the internet (and test the disconnection please) - solves this problem. It would point in a particular direction.

Investigating further.

Ted

Thanks guys!

This suggests a TEMPORARY workaround:

- download from Trackmaster by waiting however long it takes to download files (i.e. you need the internet). In the Data Centre, check Download but uncheck Convert (you can do convert later when not connected to internet) Get your download cards.

- Then disconnect from the internet, uncheck Download and check Convert.

- While disconnected from the internet - do your handicapping.

Of course, this would be the method if you have not yet downloaded data for today. If you HAVE downloaded cards, simply disconnect from the internet and do your work.

IF you have multiple computers - you could disconnect ONE of them from the internet to do your work with RDSS and keep the other connected to watch races or place wagers with your ADW.

Just some quickie operational ideas while we work on the source of this problem ...

Ted

Hi Ted,

Windows 10 ver 1709 build 16299.248. Been an interesting day

Best
Ken

You're telling me!! :eek: Ken, please let us know if the 'disconnect from the internet' trick temporarily works around this problem for you. A lot of fine races running today ... I know RDSS has a bead on many of them.

Ted

Now focusing on checking the differences in Windows Firewall permission settings among my RDSS-working and RDSS-non-working computers.

Perhaps something there got changed this morning (by Gawd knows what 'universal' Microsoft update method ... :confused::confused:)

Ted

Thanks Bill! You're lucky! If need be, maybe later we can connect and squeeze out the differences in your Windows Firewall (or other :confused:) settings. You are obviously using the same Win 10 version as others who have this problem. Good luck today!

Ted

Windows XP Pro 2002 on a Mac.

-Internet connected-Feb 19 is a blank. Nothing comes up after downloading and converting. Previous days and Feb 20 work fine. Both old and new versions of RDSS.

-Internet NOT connected all dates work, but slowly. Both old and new versions of RDSS.

Pook

Thanks Pook. So - with internet disconnected, RDSS works but more slowly than usual, in your observation. Correct?

FWIW - several more private reports that with internet disconnected (using Win 10 on PC) RDSS runs apparently as fast as before this problem.

Narrowing the focus. (Need more coffee ... ;) )

Ted

Yes. By slow, I mean slow. Sometimes selecting another pace line will take over 30 seconds.

Pook

windows 10......... 1709......build 16299.248
unresponsive

Works
 

When I disconnected from the internet everything worked fine.
As soon as I reconnected the problem came back.
rmath

I turned computer off and restarted. Opened RDSS without going on to internet but problem still persist. Running windows 8.1 on HP Pavilon 15.
Tim

Using Win 7. Same problem....ok if turn off internet.
Zim

Tim, how do you know you are not connected to the internet? Did you turn some network connection setting off? Did you test you were not connected to the internet by opening your browser and trying to connect to different websites?

My suspicion is that even if you did not use your browser to go to a website, you are still connected to the internet - and thus have the same problems we're discussing.

Ted

Thanks Zim.

Ted

Did not download todays card from gulfstream,but have the card for the 21st and it is running fine. v1709 build16299.248

Thanks Charlie. So - it has nothing to do with Windows Version. Everything to do with some setting (newly changed today) other than Windows version.

I'm checking:

- Windows Defender (firewall) - turning it OFF (not recommended): no effect.

- no other security anti-virus or malware software installed.

- explicitly adding RDSS2.EXE to Apps permitted through the Windows Firewall - no effect (and previously not required).

Only thing that works so far is:

-disconnect the computer from the Internet.

That said, I still have 2 computers which work fine. Not sure what's different about them ...

I am about to compose a message to Microsoft Tech support Forum, describing the behaviour and what's been tried so far: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/

Ted

Ditto - disconnect the computer from the Internet.
No outside interference

hi chief! here is mywinver 1709 osbuilt16229.15