why is the CONNECT version of MicroStation so unstable, compared to the V8i version?

A few more bits of information might be helpful...

What version of MicroStation CONNECT are you using?
Update 14 (the latest release) has improved performance.

What are the specifications of your computers running MicroStation CONNECT?
You need more horsepower than what is listed in the minimum system requirements.

Your problem description of hang/freeze looks graphics related. Try upgrading your graphic drivers to latest. For a test, disable Direct X 11 and reproduce the problem. Create configuration variable QV_DISABLE_D3D11 and set the value to 1 or create a system environment variable.

QV_DISABLE_D3D11 = 1

Kindly log a Service Request and provide the crash logs (exception.log, Minidump.dmp). We will also require the Event Viewer logs.

How to quickly find and collect Exception logs and Minidump files

Event Logs

Please check the event logs for any errors. Kindly save the Application and System logs, email us.

To get the system and application logs:

1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer
2. Expand "Windows Logs" (in XP: "Event Viewer (Local)”) folder.
3. Right-click on "Application" and select "Save All Events As…" (in XP: "Save Log File As...").
4. Give it a name
5. Save it in the evt or evtx file format
6. Repeat steps #3, #4, and #5 for "System" 

If you are accessing files from network, open the Preferences dialog and turn off the following options and Save Settings

Preferences > Operation > Save Settings On Exit

Preferences > Operation > Compress File On Exit

Hi Thomas,

Thomas Metry said:

MicroStation Connect version of CAD is very unstable.

As Rod asked: What version do you use?

The first versions were unstable, but comparing to e.g. performance, it has become better with every update. The current Update 14 is pretty good piece of software. It's true that still many issues have been discussed, but not all can be treated as bugs, and definitely not bad in terms of stability and performance (even when probably not as good as V8i).

Thomas Metry said:

It freezes, is very slow to respond to commands & reports "not responding" requiring a re-start many times throughout the workday.

I have not seen such behavior for at least last year. It's I have some design files that are processed worse than another, but it's not "constant for all files".

Thomas Metry said:

I believe it may be because of it constantly accessing the internet

Based on what you expect MicroStation is accessing Internet. It's more a myth than reality.

MicroStation uses CONNECTION Client to validate and reserve license and it's probably the only Internet access MicroStation requires.

Thomas Metry said:

If this is a result of multiple server ports connecting the Saint Paul office

I do not now know what Sain Paul office, but you can check CONNECTION client for more details, alternatively to ask in Licensing forum when anything is not clear. I think the client also creates log files where its activity is recorded.

Thomas Metry said:

I can no longer open a drawing from the network without MicroStation crashing now.

It sounds more like (A) corrupted installation (B) problem with drivers or (C) not properly configured network.

I agree with Leonard you should provide exception log with memory dump file, because it's the only data that can be used to analyze where and why MicroStation crashes.

Also, I recommend to search this and Administration forum for topics discussing sharing files on network and topics related e.g. to configuring and using VPN.

With regards,

  Jan