MA3 closes down after 5 minutes.
 

For the last few versions, (including the installer ver), I've noticed that MA3 closes down and returns to the desktop after just over 5 minutes.
I've checked this out on, one screen, dual screens, with and without panning, and run as a program or run as an auto-start screensaver.
No other screensavers I use, including MA2.6, display this problem.
I can't think what on my computer can be causing this, so assume it is a recent MA3 bug. - Has anyone else seen this effect?
All my Power Options are set to 'Never', and the Logo time setting doesn't appear to be involved.

Turned my power options off and it stays for ever, almost.

Sorry, haven't seen this on any of my systems. Have you tried going through your Task Manager to shut down any other running programs and see if one of them is interfering?

I just recently found out that a CSS editor I use does not play well with MA3. With the editor up and running, I can start up MA3 and everything is fine. When I go to exit out of MA3 though and return to the desktop, MA3 crashes and takes out the editor with it. It's right at the point where MA3's full screen is closed but Jim has the windowed screen pop open momentarily (I forget what particular bug that was designed to get around). Right at that point, MA3 faults and Windows wants to send off an error report. I then have to go into the Task Manager to finish closing MA3 down. When it does close out the rest of the way, I then have an error from the CSS editor and have to close it down (losing any unsaved work) and restart it as well.

At the moment, I'm waiting to hear back on an upgrade for the CSS editor. I'll probably try that out and see if it fixes the incompatibility problem. If not, then I guess I can't use MA3 as a screensaver. At least, not while I'm working web sites. While MA3 is nice to watch, it's not nice enough to let it interfere with my work.

Edit: Oh well... got in the upgrade and MA3 still crashes and takes the editor with it. In case anyone else uses the same editor, it's TopStyle Pro.

I'm continuing my search for possible conflicts that may be causing this close down, but at 5 mins+ for each check, it's very time consuming.

Solved! ..... It's the 'Music'!!.... I unchecked the Music check-box, and the close-down problem is gone! :)

Congrats. :TU:

could be interesting to understand what happens... is it when it changes track? or could it be a particular track is causing the shutdown?

I can explain what appears to be happening on my system using Win2000Pro and a Geforce 7900GS etc, but I should stress that it doesn't necessarily follow that the same will apply to all other systems. - The First Law Of Beta Testing, should probably state something like... "Just 'cause it works on your system, doesn't mean it will work on all systems". :)

My music playlist only contains the default CanonGuitar.sgt - If I remove it from the playlist but still have the Music check-box checked, MA3 doesn't close down. But if I put CanonGuitar.sgt back into the playlist, MA3 does then close down, after the end of CanonGuitar.sgt.... And guess what! - CanonGuitar.sgt is approx 5 minutes 10 seconds long!

I don't normally have my speakers switched on, so I hadn't associated the close-down with the length of the CanonGuitar.sgt music file, - but it looks like that may be the root of this problem. - We must await Jim's comments! ;)

Well, 5 minutes is about when the default track would end, but then it would just play again. It's inconcievable to me that Cliff would have loaded any other track (but then I'm still in shock that he would even have the music enabled at all).

Edit - sorry, Cliff beat me to posting.

Cliff - I have no idea why the system would not recognize the track when playing through the second time. I'll certainly look into it, though.

I just tried on mine and I don't have that problem. Sorry.

I was thinking the registry key in HKCR for the extension .sgt could be corrupted , but there isn't one , so there goes that idea . It's a midi track isn't it ? Maybe you're not set to the default midi player ( control panel -> sounds and audio devices -> audio in windows xp ) . Like you say though Cliff , it's most likely one of those your mileage may vary things and since you don't care for the music anyway ...

Sorry Cliff, mine also works as it should. There is a 1-2 second pause around the 5 minute mark that I assume is caused by the "looping" of the music track. It will continue to play until I turn it off using the menu checkbox.

Does the playlist just say CanonGuitar.sgt - or does it (like mine does by default) show the entire path C:\Documents.........\etc.?

If you're interested in trying a couple of things that might provide a clue:

A. Try checking the "random play" box.

B. Add the CanonGuitar.sgt file in again, so that you have it in the list 2 or 3 times.

Well, Jim's says he's looking into it, - so I'll just leave it at that. - I think I've already covered most of the possibilities of curing the fault at my end. - But don't get me wrong, I quite like Pachelbel's Canon, - I just don't see 'an aquarium', as a music playback device! ;)

But having MA3 close down after playing the default track may actually be a blessing in disguise when you think about it... 'cause who in their right mind wants to constantly listen to the same tune endlessly repeating itself? :erm:

It's probably all a cunning plan on Jim's part to sabotage it because of my dislike for having MA3 turned into an iPod!

But the simple solution of course is to just press the M key.... Oh! - the bliss! :)

..... Or perhaps an addition to this site... http://www.noisefree.org/muzak.php ... would help? ... :)
..... (Ahhh!... If only all purveyors of Muzak had an 'M' key!)

Cliff, have you actually added any other music just to see if it does the same thing? It might help to know if it's either something within the program causing it or something corrupted within the song itself.

If you don't have any other music available on your system to try let me know and I'll get you something for testing purposes.......

Michael, - Yes, I've tested a number of other music files and they all repeat as expected and MA continues to run. - It's just Jim's default track, as downloaded, that for whatever reason, closes down the aquarium at the end of its first run-through.

When I first realised that MA3 was constantly closing down after a set period of time, I never assumed or expected it would be linked with the default music. - After my opinions about having ANY music backing for an aquarium, I think I would probably have expected to get lynched! ;)

Perhaps it IS retribution, - for NOT wanting Muzak! ;);)

I just bought the complete collection of Blackadder on DVD , so this made me smile . Generally I only have the music on when I'm using the program as a screensaver , not when I'm using it as a virtual aquarium .

...but Jim (probably) can't duplicate the problem. So, answering some of the other questions and/or doing some of the other tests that have been suggested, might help Jim look into it. [Or might eliminate possible causes, so that Jim may be able to find the real cause].

That's up to you, of course.

Dale, - I have been doing this for quite a little while now, and I know what is required of us! :)

Michael, - I don't know how long that Jean Michel Jarre file that you sent me in the PM should run for, but after over two and a half hours! - it was still playing and MA3 was still running. But as soon as I changed over to CanonGuitar.sgt MA3 closed down after just one run-through! - It may well be my system, but there must surely be others out there that will think that that tune only runs once, and then the aquarium switches off. - Jim, don't you think you are going to have to change that .sgt file type?

Nicki, - A Blackadder fan!!! ..... Fantastic! :TU: ..... You will have just made Baldrick's day!
https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...461&#post72461

The SGT file type is just a simplified MIDI file. This is a total mystery to me. If it wasn't reading the file properly, then it wouldn't play the first time. I'll keep trying to duplicate it, but no luck so far.

According to Google/Uniblue , sgt file extension is also used by the Hitman game , if that means anything ? And I thought it stood for Sachs guitar track :p . However , in investigating this , I found out that if you start the aquarium , bring up the settings box ( right click OR spacebar ) , click music playlist , add , and then click OK on the music playlist box , not the open media file box , then click on OK to return to the program , it stays paused because the open media file box disappears under the aquarium and stays open waiting for a response . In windowed mode , you'll see it and realise to close it , but in fullscreen , you probably won't . Just thought it worth a mention .

(P.S. Cliff - yes ! I too have a hankering for a great big turnip in the country )

Thanks.

"Baldrick, what would you do with a million pounds?"

"Buy a really big turnip, m'Lord!"

The height of ambition!

Cliff,

That particular one, L' Jonques de Pecheurs au Crepuscule, plays for 9:38 before repeating itself. So at least we know that something passed the 5:10 mark will play. Of course this was a mp3 instead of the other file type, but it's at least more info than we had.

I'm currently trying to see if I can convert that .sgt file into a different file type. - So far without success... :( - Any ideas?

What happens if you just rename it as a .mid? Or does it then just not play at all?

Cliff , you can use the record feature of Jet Audio ( freeware , if you don't have it already ) . You just have to set up the recording levels , where to save it , which format etc , click the start button , start the aquarium , let the music play , then hit stop and it will be saved nicely on your hard drive . The record button is just under the Jet Audio logo near the top of the player . As a WMA9 it comes out to 4.83MB . I'd PM you the copy I just made , but there doesn't seem to be an attach here or on DA forum .

Right, - Since my last post I've succeeded in producing a MP3 Audio file from the CanonGuitar.sgt file... Yes! - It works and repeats! - Without closing down MA3. - Then, whilst MA3 was still open, I ran the .sgt file again and the aquarium closed down after a single run-through.

So to me that's conclusive that my system can't repeat files with the suffix .sgt - Next thing is, WHY? :(


Edit,
Mark, - I did just rename it as a .mid, (which didn't play), but would then convert to a MP3 in a prog that I'd downloaded.

Nicki, - The prog I just used is, 'Switch Sound File Converter'. - It seems to have done a similar thing. (4,950 KB).

Where did you get the Canon.sgt file to convert?

Sorry, Jim, - didn't see your post, - I've just put that info in the above edit.

What I'm trying to determine is how any of you are seeing a file called CanonGuitar.sgt. It's an internal file within MA3, and is only used when no other music or Playlist exist.

This is just the file I was about to do a search for.. In trying to duplicate Cliff's problem I deleted ALL of my music.. BUT the CanonGuitar.sgt still plays (with music checked).. So.. I wondered if the file is in some other location.. seems not if it is an internal file within MA3

CanonGuitar.sgt is with MA3Logolist.lst and MA3Playlist.lst in my :/Documents and Settings/My Name/Application Data/Marine Aquarium 3 folder.
I don't think I put it there, - but I have been doing a lot of moving files around!


ps, - Just found this..... https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...98&#post111698

pps, - Ralph, - just seen your name in the "Birthdays" .... Quite a youngster aren't you? ;) ........ Happy Birthday! :)

Thanks.. The big 64... came a lot sooner than I had hoped.. Would have gladly waited another 20 or so :)

But back to the missing CanonGuitar.sgt.. There is nothing in my C:\Documents and Settings\Ralph\Application Data\Marine Aquarium 3 folder except the altlogo.png; MA3.log MA3Logolist.lst (which has one reference inside); MA3Playlist.lst (which is empty) and openserenescreen.js (which does not seem to reference and playlists)

However... MA3 is quite able to find and play this piece.. even though it is absent and NOT listed in any place I can find

Ralph,
If you do what Jim says in that above link I gave, you will find the CanonGuitar.sgt file. :)

I do seem to recall that in very early versions I was actually copying the file to the computer. Maybe those are still hanging around on some people's computers.

Everyone should just delete CanonGuitar.sgt if found.

Thanks cliff.. Deleting the whole file as opposed to the contents was the trick.. But... I can not bring MA3 to its knees trying to duplicate what you do..sorry

Some inconsistencies though.. perhaps..... declaring "stop" in the music dialog box has no effect if CanonGuitar.sgt is listed and the play music check mark is checked in program settings. And... if there is no listing at all (all deleted) then CanonGuitar.sgt will still play.. if the play music check mark is checked to play. I would think that the list should have priority over the play music button.. possibly with a "if list empty then uncheck play music check box"

But fix the clams (and add more features..) first, please:D

Ralph - I'm not quite clear on what you're saying. Here's what's supposed to happen (and does on all my machines): Starting from a clean installation (Playlist has been deleted), bringing up the Music Playlist requester shows CanonGuitar.sgt as the only entry. Pressing Play allows me to preview it, and pressing Stop stops the preview. Neither of these buttons is supposed to have any effect on whether the piece plays during the program - that's what the Music checkbox and M key are for.

The default music is designed to play anytime no other music source is specified, but the user chooses to play music (by either checkmarking the box or pressing M). It initially shows up on the list, and can be shuffled in with other tracks, or deleted. But you can't kill it - anytime there is no other source, it will come back to life.

In my XP system,
In C:\Documents and Settings\Myname\Application Data\Marine Aquarium 3
I have a file CanonGuitar.sgt

Note that I asked "cjmaddy" a related question [Does the playlist just say CanonGuitar.sgt - or does it (like mine does by default) show the entire path C:\Documents.........\etc.?