Big Box Crash When Idle

[moudrost]

For years I have had the issue where if I left Big Box running in attract mode, it would crash in 18 to 24 hours. I have recently rebuilt my arcade cabinet with the latest version (13.22). To get around the attract mode crash in the past, I usually would just leave the last MAME game running so attract mode wouldn't run. Now I'm getting a system crash in about 24 hours leaving a game running. Windows gets completely locked up and I have to turn off the computer to get it back up and running. Is there anything I can do or look at to get help with this issue? Using Windows 11 with default everything in Big Box. No custom themes.

[C-Beats]

1 minute ago, moudrost said:

For years I have had the issue where if I left Big Box running in attract mode, it would crash in 18 to 24 hours. I have recently rebuilt my arcade cabinet with the latest version (13.22). To get around the attract mode crash in the past, I usually would just leave the last MAME game running so attract mode wouldn't run. Now I'm getting a system crash in about 24 hours leaving a game running. Windows gets completely locked up and I have to turn off the computer to get it back up and running. Is there anything I can do or look at to get help with this issue? Using Windows 11 with default everything in Big Box. No custom themes.

Verify what video playback engine you're using in that version VLC is deprecated and really unstable. You should be using WMP if you want the machine to stay running that long (or longer). Theme use also can determine how stable the app is. Try Default theme and see if you still have the issue. That being said, leaving a game open shouldn't be required. Also if you would like we introduce a new screensaver mode in the latest beta you could try out if you're looking for something better (and more stable) than attract mode.

[moudrost]

Since this was a fresh install, it is using the default theme. WMP is also the playback engine. I haven't even tried leaving attract mode running because of all the past issues.  The crash has happened every day since I started fresh leaving a game running.

I went ahead and upgraded to the beta to try out the screensaver, but wouldn't that not be the issue if attract mode wasn't running?

[C-Beats]

2 minutes ago, moudrost said:

Since this was a fresh install, it is using the default theme. WMP is also the playback engine. I haven't even tried leaving attract mode running because of all the past issues.  The crash has happened every day since I started fresh leaving a game running.

I went ahead and upgraded to the beta to try out the screensaver, but wouldn't that not be the issue if attract mode wasn't running?

Yeah, I admit I'm flying a bit blind as I've never heard of some one leaving MAME open like that for that purpose. You're likely correct, but I also have no idea why BB would freeze if just alt tabbed for that long of time either.

[moudrost]

Thanks for replying. If there is anything I can provide that might help, I'll send you whatever you need. I would love to figure this out. It is frustrating that half the time I go and play I have reboot before I can even start playing.

Back when attract mode was an issue, I stumbled on the "leave a game running" solution. Plus I often play the same game for days at a time, so it seemed acceptable but not that doesn't work.

I have maybe tried 5 different games so far and all 5 have locked up just sitting there. I do have the beta installed now and turned on the new screensaver. I'll see If I'm running into the same issue there, but there is no other way to test other than burning up a day or so.