Millisecond Forums

Hi, 
We are running a large longitudinal trial with many different tasks batched together at each timepoint. We are experiencing infrequent crashes, at seemingly random times during the study. The program crashes at different times, during different tasks, and usually runs fine after restarting the batch file. 
We've made sure we're using the latest version of Inquisit, have updated the graphics drivers, and are using a new computer (we experienced the same issue on older computers so we upgraded, but the issue is still there). The task also sometimes lags while we play videos, and sometimes only plays the sound but not the image.
I've attached error screenshots, the log printout, and details of our drivers. I can share the script and stimuli privately if that's useful.
Thanks in advance for any advice!

+x

 

Lizzy - 2/2/2025

Hi, 
We are running a large longitudinal trial with many different tasks batched together at each timepoint. We are experiencing infrequent crashes, at seemingly random times during the study. The program crashes at different times, during different tasks, and usually runs fine after restarting the batch file. 
We've made sure we're using the latest version of Inquisit, have updated the graphics drivers, and are using a new computer (we experienced the same issue on older computers so we upgraded, but the issue is still there). The task also sometimes lags while we play videos, and sometimes only plays the sound but not the image.
I've attached error screenshots, the log printout, and details of our drivers. I can share the script and stimuli privately if that's useful.
Thanks in advance for any advice!

Sounds like excessive (graphics) memory fragmentation, about which there is little you can do. The graphics driver does not look up to date, I would recommend you obtain the latest one directly from the manufacturer's site, i.e. AMD.

https://www.amd.com/en/support/download/drivers.html

The driver you're using appears to be the one distributed via Windows update, and those are often outdated and capped in terms of performance.

+x

 

Dave - 2/3/2025

+x

 

Lizzy - 2/2/2025

Hi, 
We are running a large longitudinal trial with many different tasks batched together at each timepoint. We are experiencing infrequent crashes, at seemingly random times during the study. The program crashes at different times, during different tasks, and usually runs fine after restarting the batch file. 
We've made sure we're using the latest version of Inquisit, have updated the graphics drivers, and are using a new computer (we experienced the same issue on older computers so we upgraded, but the issue is still there). The task also sometimes lags while we play videos, and sometimes only plays the sound but not the image.
I've attached error screenshots, the log printout, and details of our drivers. I can share the script and stimuli privately if that's useful.
Thanks in advance for any advice!

Sounds like excessive (graphics) memory fragmentation, about which there is little you can do. The graphics driver does not look up to date, I would recommend you obtain the latest one directly from the manufacturer's site, i.e. AMD.

https://www.amd.com/en/support/download/drivers.html

The driver you're using appears to be the one distributed via Windows update, and those are often outdated and capped in terms of performance.

Let me add one thing you can do to potentially reduce memory load and associated fragmentation issues:

Check that any images and videos you are presenting have only the resolution they need to have, not more. For example, it does not make sense to have images at, e.g. 5000 x 5000 pixel resolution when they end up occupying just a fraction of a screen that has e.g. a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. The image will end up occupying maybe 600 x 600 pixels, but its memory footprint will be huge (all 5000 x 5000 pixels must be loaded) and then downscaling to 600 x 600 pixles adds processing and memory cost on top. The more unnecessarily large stimuli you have, the likelier memory fragmentation becomes.

The same applies to any videos you may be using. Here, too, ensure that they have the resolution they need to have, but not excessively more than that.