Windows 8.1 - Massive Crashing Issues

[amcneish]

I first look for Windows 8.1 drivers/software... failing that I use 8 drivers...

Interesting that I have had no crashes since I have stopped using Windows Media Center and VirtualBox... The WMC will kick in tonight to record some programs... so I will be interested to see if things crash tonight

[barnabas1969]

Ah, I missed the part about VirtualBox being run concurrently with Media Center. That might be it.

[amcneish]

I am not sure the last time if they were concurrent... Interesting...

I am now using WMC and it is causing the system to take another GB of memory... 5515mb of 18gb total... Before WMC.. the memory was 4300mb...

The test virtual system needs around 5GB... (but is not running right now...)... I will run like this for another 24 hours to see if the system stays stable...

[amcneish]

I am not sure the last time if they were concurrent... Interesting...

I am now using WMC and it is causing the system to take another GB of memory... 5515mb of 18gb total... Before WMC.. the memory was 4300mb...

The test virtual system needs around 5GB... (but is not running right now...)... I will run like this for another 24 hours to see if the system stays stable...

[barnabas1969]

Your system uses 4GB of RAM before you even start Media Center? What else do you have running on it?

[amcneish]

Well... WMC has done a recording.. back to 3977mb

Other things running..
Outlook
ITunes
Storagecraft - System protect(backup package)
Norton Internet Security
desktop gadgets
Catalyst control software for Video
HP software for All in One printer...
to name a few...

Interesting... the apps stay resident after you "Kill" them using the gui... on the metro screen...

so far so good

[barnabas1969]

Well... WMC has done a recording.. back to 3977mb

Other things running..
Outlook
ITunes
Storagecraft - System protect(backup package)
Norton Internet Security
desktop gadgets
Catalyst control software for Video
HP software for All in One printer...
to name a few...

Interesting... the apps stay resident after you "Kill" them using the gui... on the metro screen...

so far so good

Outlook? Server or client?
iTunes... others have problems with this interfering with the remote control.
Norton... anything... Warning, Warning, Danger!, Danger! Wil Robinson!

[barnabas1969]

Eddie Murphy knew all about Norton, long before the computer virus had even been thought of...

Ralph Kramden to Ed Norton:

"Norton, my friend! How would you like to <bleep> me up the <bleep>?"

"I know you wanna <bleep> me, Norton!"

"And you know that I know that you know that I know that you wanna <bleep> me!"

"Now I'm gonna bend over, and when I do, start <bleep>in'!"

[amcneish]

Outlook -- It is the client... (Exchange.. would be the server)
Norton... You know it is much maligned.. it has worked not badly for a few years now.. (an worked great in Windows pro 8.0)
iTunes... it has at times been problematic with USB... and wanting to take over all audio files.... (at one time it fought a bit with WMC)... but also worked in W Pro 8

WMC is continuing to record... nice .. I am still going.... (so maybe this is a virtualbox interacting with WMC problem OR just a virtualbox problem... tomorrow may tell)

mind you if I crash with virtualbox.. I would rather go back to W Pro 8.0.... and try W Pro 8.1 later when it is ready...

[amcneish]

So.. I am now running crash free... Back to being happy as a clam with Windows 8.1 ... The problem turned out to be a Virtualbox 4.3 and Windows 8.1 compatibility issue when running multiple CPU's.. If you change the setting to one CPU... no crashing... There is a test Virtual 4.3.1 version which fixes the problem... (or you can run with one CPU as I am for now)....

So at this point I am calling things fixed...

Life is good once again!

Andy