This has suddenly started happening to me, I've spent hours googling and tweaking and nothing I do seems to make it go away. No new addons, although it's *possible* that I've tweaked something in the cfg that has started it.

It also happens with all traffic turned off.

It's just a tiny little *glitch* for about half a second and I loose frames. It happens anywhere from every 10 seconds to every few minutes. It's damn annoying. Everything is as smooth as silk otherwise.

Has anyone else experienced this or is this fairly normal for FSX? It's driving me nuts.

Need more information. Such as what in-game terrain detail settings. Also what are your system specs, including CPU speeds, RAM amount, video card and how much video RAM, and what kind of hard drive (so we can figure on data transfer speed).

I have the exact same issue...so you are not alone out there ;-)
I have tweaked and tweaked but not been able to solve it either.


My specs
E6600, 4Gb , 8800GTX 768mb, Western digital SATA 400Gb
Vista premium 32-bit

FSX SP2, accelaration
Addons: FSGlobal 2008, UTX Europe, ASX and XGraphics

settings:
SOUND]
AmbientUIMusicVolume=-6.000000
SOUND_FADER1=0.500000
SOUND_FADER2=0.500000
SOUND_FADER3=0.500000
SOUND_FADER4=0.500000
AmbientUIMusic=FSX01
SOUND=1
SOUND_QUALITY=2
SOUND_LOD=0
UISound=1
AmbientUI=0
PrimaryDevice={C9348D07-F232-42F7-9FD8-1A540453A76D}
VoiceDevice={C9348D07-F232-42F7-9FD8-1A540453A76D}
[Display]
ChangeTime=4.000000
TransitionTime=4.000000
ActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255
ActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=0,28,140,64
NonActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255
NonActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=24,33,87,64
InfoUpperRightTextColor=255,0,0
InfoUpperRightBackGroundColor=0,0,0,0
InfoLowerLeftTextColor=255,255,255
InfoLowerLeftBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128
InfoLowerRightTextColor=255,255,255
InfoLowerRightBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128
InfoBrakesEnable=True
InfoParkingBrakesEnable=True
InfoPauseEnable=True
InfoSlewEnable=True
InfoStallEnable=True
InfoOverspeedEnable=True
BLOOM_EFFECTS=0
SKINNED_ANIMATIONS=1
TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=40
UPPER_FRAMERATE_LIMIT=30
WideViewAspect=False
[Main]
User Objects=Airplane, Helicopter
SimObjectPaths.0=SimObjects\Airplanes
SimObjectPaths.1=SimObjects\Rotorcraft
SimObjectPaths.2=SimObjects\GroundVehicles
SimObjectPaths.3=SimObjects\Boats
SimObjectPaths.4=SimObjects\Animals
SimObjectPaths.5=SimObjects\Misc
Maximized=1
Location=120,124,1160,900,\\.\DISPLAY2
HideMenuNormal=0
HideMenuFullscreen=1
ProcSpeed=8359
PerfBucket=5
FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION=0.33
[PANELS]
IMAGE_QUALITY=1
QUICKTIPS=0
PANEL_OPACITY=100
PANEL_MASKING=1
PANEL_STRETCHING=1
UNITS_OF_MEASURE=0
DEFAULT_VIEW=1
[Weather]
WindshieldPrecipitationEffects=1
MinGustTime=10
MaxGustTime=500
MinGustRampSpeed=1
MaxGustRampSpeed=200
MinVarTime=5
MaxVarTime=50
MinVarRampSpeed=10
MaxVarRampSpeed=75
TurbulenceScale=1.000000
WeatherServerAddress=fs2k.zone.com
WeatherServerPort=80
WeatherGraphDataInDialog=0
AdjustForMagVarInDialog=1
DynamicWeather=2
DownloadWindsAloft=1
DisableTurbulence=0
CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=5
DETAILED_CLOUDS=1
CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=6
THERMAL_VISUALS=0
[CONTROLS]
Controls_Default=Standard
Controls_Current=Standard
KBDAIL=64
KBDELEV=64
KBDRUD=64
[TextInfo.1]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6
[TextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2
AverageFrameRate=1,3
[TextInfo.3]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6
FrameRate=2,1
LockedFrameRate=2,2
GForce=2,3
FuelPercentage=2,4
[SlewTextInfo.1]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
[SlewTextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2
AverageFrameRate=1,3
[SlewTextInfo.3]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
FrameRate=2,1
LockedFrameRate=2,2
[DynamicHeadMovement]
LonAccelOnHeadLon=-0.020000
LonAccelOnHeadPitch=-0.010000
RollAccelOnHeadLat=0.010000
YawAccelOnHeadLat=-0.100000
RollAccelOnHeadRoll=0.100000
MaxHeadAngle=5.000000
MaxHeadOffset=0.300000
HeadMoveTimeConstant=1.000000
[VirtualCopilot]
VirtualCopilotActive=0
[GRAPHICS]
SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED=1693500672
TEXTURE_MAX_LOAD=1024
NUM_LIGHTS=8
AIRCRAFT_SHADOWS=1
AIRCRAFT_REFLECTIONS=1
COCKPIT_HIGH_LOD=1
LANDING_LIGHTS=1
AC_SELF_SHADOW=1
EFFECTS_QUALITY=2
GROUND_SHADOWS=0
TEXTURE_QUALITY=3
IMAGE_QUALITY=0
See_Self=1
Text_Scroll=1
SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED_10=1693500672
D3D10=1
[USERINTERFACE]
PageID=1
ShowAllACPaintSchemes=0
SelectAircraftManufacturer=All
SelectAircraftPublisher=All
SelectAircraftType=All
OpenATCOnCreate=0
SHOW_MISSION_CAPTIONS=0
PAUSE_ON_LOST_FOCUS=1
PROMPT_ON_EXIT=1
SITUATION=c:\users\conny\documents\flight simulator x files\Ronneby default.FLT
Map_Orientation=2
[Trusted]
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\KingAir.DLL.iwuhthwqwclibkwklnkaazchbcncowrewhlqnlew=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\Cessna172.DLL.cqkniirhtqochoawoioerkikoaebhtqheqnllrtk=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\KingAir_Radio.DLL.bizkkttuuhwnnwotoqbaortqeeqrquhcuhulhlro=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\Magnetic_Compass.DLL.wahkhnchroolcqiqqclaeolkaohatenetuwalnkq=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\Bendix_King_Radio.DLL.nkwiqoznberoozkukkcqnwuewbtirknnzzowwqwl=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\Magnetic_Compass.DLL.oletalboztbtzhrzablnkobezenulnuoezuowluq=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\Cessna.DLL.zukweurbhwckqilkhinakrrbuahubqhowblwziaw=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\Cessna172.DLL.crcaahhqznlhkhzaiwwatteqewuzzruziqqlrilk=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\Cessna182s.DLL.tatqiwhklerllrunzwhuoqnqzcbntlboeizbnbkz=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\CessnaWAlpha.DLL.uwhozetbwuuctunekhklrueairnolwzaozrhnorb=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\Bell_206B.DLL.uebhkocorqoqrwoububbelwacwekcioareulrhaw=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\EH101.DLL.trwrwtkcuukqquboilwrqaobquctwrcotqunlhle=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\fa-18.DLL.ncbtbcbauizawqeqoerewrrikwnirhbbkilobkeh=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Modules\FSUIPC4.dll.tchizhliokhrkowtiwhnzcikhczqzecukznacabb=1
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\XGauge.DLL.arabcocbwkbabbwbcktqweekauiezzhkkcrbblqc=2
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\737-400.DLL.ezrnwehutrecteokbohcnkiqebwaekqkctqrqowc=2
[ATC]
ShowATCText=1
COMM_MSG_NONE_COLOR=FFFFFFFF
COMM_MSG_ATC_USER_COLOR=FFB6FFB6
COMM_MSG_USER_ATC_COLOR=FFFFD21B
COMM_MSG_ATC_AI_COLOR=FF00FF00
COMM_MSG_AI_ATC_COLOR=FFFF7840
AutoOpenAirTrafficWindow=1
UsePilotVoice=1
PilotVoice=0
[PointOfInterestSystem]
CycleSetting=0
[SCENERY]
LENSFLARE=1
DAWN_DUSK_SMOOTHING=1
IMAGE_COMPLEXITY=5
[TrafficManager]
AirlineDensity=7
GADensity=7
FreewayDensity=0
ShipsAndFerriesDensity=10
LeisureBoatsDensity=10
IFROnly=0
AIRPORT_SCENERY_DENSITY=1
[TERRAIN]
LOD_RADIUS=4.500000
MESH_COMPLEXITY=75
MESH_RESOLUTION=20
TEXTURE_RESOLUTION=26
AUTOGEN_DENSITY=3
DETAIL_TEXTURE=1
WATER_EFFECTS=4
[AContain]
ShowLabels=1
ShowUserLabel=0
ShowLabelManufacturer=0
ShowLabelModel=1
ShowLabelTailNumber=0
ShowLabelDistance=1
ShowLabelAltitude=1
ShowLabelAirline=0
ShowLabelAirlineAndFlightNumber=0
ShowLabelFlightPlan=0
ShowLabelContainerId=0
ShowLabelAirspeed=0
ShowLabelHeading=0
LabelDelay=1000
LabelColor=FFFF0000
[INTERNATIONAL]
ASLAT=2
ASLON=0
MEASURE=0
[REALISM]
PFactor=1.000000
Torque=1.000000
GyroEffect=1.000000
CrashTolerance=1.000000
General=1.000000
UnlimitedFuel=False
TrueAirspeed=False
AutoCoord=False
RealMixture=True
StressDamage=True
GEffect=True
ManualLights=True
GyroDrift=False
CrashWithDyn=True
CrashDetection=True
AutoTrim=False
AllowEngineDamage=False
[SIM]
SYSCLOCK=1
[STARTUP]
DEMO=0
SHOW_OPENING_SCREEN=1
STARTUP_DEMO=
LoadWindow=1
[FACILITIES]
COUNTRY=
STATE=
CITY=
GTL_BUTTON=1336
[Misc]
Com_Rate=7
[AccelerationPack]
ControlsFirstRun=0
HomePageFirstRun=0
[DISPLAY.Device.NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX.0.0]
Mode=1280x1024x32
Anisotropic=1
AntiAlias=1
MipBias=6
[DISPLAY.Device.NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX.0.1]
Mode=1680x1050x32
Anisotropic=1
AntiAlias=1
MipBias=6
[MAPVIEW_MAP]
SHOW_AIRPORTS=1
SHOW_VORS=1
SHOW_NDBS=1
SHOW_APPROACHES=1
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=0
SHOW_VICTOR=0
SHOW_JET=0
SHOW_AIRSPACE=1
SHOW_FLIGHTPLAN=1
SHOW_WEATHERSTATIONS=1
SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=1
SHOW_DATATAGS=1
SHOW_TERRAIN=1
show_flight_history=1
[FlightPlanMap]
LineWidth=2
SHOW_AIRPORTS=1
SHOW_VORS=1
SHOW_NDBS=1
SHOW_APPROACHES=1
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=1
SHOW_VICTOR=0
SHOW_JET=0
SHOW_AIRSPACE=1
SHOW_FLIGHTPLAN=1
SHOW_WEATHERSTATIONS=1
SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=1
SHOW_DATATAGS=1
SHOW_TERRAIN=1
show_waypoints=1
show_airways=1
show_markers=1
show_volume_boundaries=1
show_ac_twr=1
[BufferPools]
PoolSize=8000000
[MULTIPLAYER]
condAccoutPassword=0

Since you say you have 4GB RAM, what OS and 32bit or 64bit?

You are not alone. I recently started getting the same stutter/pauses and have yet to find the source. There is a thread on it at AVSIM Forums also but no-one seems to have any ideas as to the cause. And since it is so sporadic it is hard to pin it down.

My system :AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core 6400+
4 G RAM
WD Raptor 150G HD
WD Raptor 75G HD (not RAID)
GForce 8800Gt 512
Viewsonic VX924 LCD Monitor
550 W PS
Windows XP Home SP-2

My FSX: SP1 &SP2 No Acceleration
GEX enhanced
UTX
FSGenesis Terrain Mesh/Landclass
Ultimate Traffic
3 payware aircraft
No config changes made by me, can't speak to those that have been made when the
add-ons were installed.

You find the source let me know. I fly mostly out of Winslow AZ in desert/mountain terrain that is very rural and has very little autogen taking place. Clouds or no clouds certainly affect Frame rates but have no effect on the stutters. I'm at a loss and certainly do not want to do an uninstall and start a piece by piece rebuild as I'm certain I'll only make matters worse. Good luck on this one.

First place to start would be perfmon.msc to see if it is memory and/or disk I/O related. Watch your Commit Charge, and since you're using a 32bit version of Windows, see if it gets close to topping memory out (so somewhere between 2.5 and 3.5GB, depending on your version of Windows).

Also watch the FSX process to look at the Virtual Bytes (2GB is the upper limit) and Working Set. Next, load the Physical Disk counters and load the Avg Disk Queue, Split IO/Sec, Disk Read Bytes/Sec, Disk Write Bytes/Sec.

You can make all of these a Counter log, so you can play a long flight and store the values. This is an extremely low-impact process to run. If you just watch it via the System Monitor section of perfmon, that only shows you the last 1min 40s worth of data.

Wow thanks for all the responses and I'm glad to see that I'm not alone.
I am 99% certain that this is not a config issue.
Here's the problem with monitoring CPU/memory/page file load - my CPUs both report at 100% when FSX is accessing the disk, which is *constantly*. However I can fly for several minutes nice and smooth without the glitch occurring even with this disk access still going.

I read somewhere on a forum that somebody had this exact same glitch and that installing SP3 for WinXP actually cured it - SP3 is only in release candidate and I'm gonna leave that as a last option. I can't find the post again.

I have just found and removed StarForce drivers from my system which I didn't even know where there and I have read cause all sorts of problems - I think I got them from a game demo.

I've also just set up a fixed size swap file instead of a dynamically managed one to see if that helps.

It's late now so I'll let you all know tomorrow if this has made any difference.

-Starforce Drivers
-device manager, view, show hidden drivers, expand 'non plug-and-play', if you see starforce drivers download and run the removal utility http://www.onlinesecurity-on.com/protect.phtml?c=55

-swap file
-right click my computer, advanced, performance options, advanced, change, custom size, enter the same value in both fields. 2059 if you have 2Gb physical RAM should be enough.


Specs:
P4D dual core 2.66ghz (oc to 3.16ghz)
2Gb RAM
GeForce 7600GS 256Mb
Maxtor SATA 300Gb
WinXP Home

FSX SP2 (no acceleration) 20fps locked
MyTrafficX
XGraphics

I have a sneaking suspicion that its Windows #%&*$# file handling that's at fault here.

FSX and other D3D/OGL titles will typically use at/near 100% CPU time, hence why I didn't ask you to measure it (it is pointless).



No, it won't. If you were using even a fraction of the minimum page file size, you'd be playing an absolute slideshow. So



don't do this.

Thanks for the information!

Here's a problem: I barely understand what you are saying here, and really I have next to NO knowledge of where to start with doing what you describe there. I'll bet that I'm describing not only myself, but 99% of FS owners. And 99.9999996 % of the computer general population.

I mean, SERIOUSLY... does MS really expect us to do all that?!?!?!?! Has MS really forgotten what it's like for the AVERAGE customer?!?!


I'm starting a new company, I have ZERO time to do the steps you describe. I just wanna fly FS9 when I can, and since FSX takes so much setup steps, that knocks it right out of the running, IMO. At least for now. I barely have time for ANY recreational computer time, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna spend it buggering around with all those steps you kindly provided.

Rilex, thanks for taking a bite out of this one.

I will do a full log later today but here are the bullet points from a quickie perfmon.

The glitch seems to coincide with a 2-4% DROP in the %committed bytes in use counter which is otherwise steady. I'm unsure if this is the commit charge counter you asked for but the drop in this counter is a damn good hit for the glitch.

Disk read bytes/sec cycles from zero to peaking out every 2-4 seconds. Length of each peak out is about 1 sec. (Could this be the source of the stutter? Am I trying to buffer too much? Poolsize=4000000)

Disk writes stay around 0-20%.

Avg disk queue length tops off around 85%, I haven't seen it peak out.

I'm an audio engineer, I'm well used to monitoring things for peaking out, never thought I'd be doing it with my PC for playing FSX...

Rick 50cal is right, but if Rilex is willing to guide me with what tests I need to throw at this sucker to find the killer tweak that cures it then I'm happy to spend at least a couple of nights on it.