Quality Control

ActionVR

Hey Nick,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. The computer that crashed essentially said that it wasn't shut down properly and was trying to restore. This has happened to other computers, but the computer always boots up in the end. In this case, it didn't. Instead, we got other options, including restoring a save point, which is what we did and it seemed to do the trick. We put the computers to sleep at night to allow overnight updates and to save us the added work of turning them on each day since they are mounted 8 feet up. My guess is that the computer somehow shutdown in the middle of the overnight update and restoring a save point rolled back that update. We've been able to work through all the issues as they come up, but the concern is that these issues will continue to come up, which would be a nightmare at this rate. I'll be returning to work soon while my partner takes over the day-to-day operations and he will have no clue how to diagnose and work through these issues, so we are glad to hear that within a month or two, these issues should eventually go away as we hone the settings. Your suggestion to log the issues is great. I have a habit of fixing and moving on, but I really do need to log everything and document what I did to fix it, so if it happens again, it's eliminates some of the diagnostics. Thanks again! Joe and Jenn Dunne, ActionVR

NickFSVR

ActionVR

You're very welcome, as Conor said it is something that will start to get better as you fix the problems, from my experience it's something that everyone has had to deal with at the beginning!

The shutdown does sound very odd, you'll find an odd issue with shutting down is that SteamVR will prevent a proper shut down, I am in the habit now of turning off SteamVR before shutting down the computer each night which has fixed the issues. I am at a point where I shut down fully each night and turn on each morning very easily.

Are you using Wake On Lan to turn on your computers? And are you using any remote access software for your computers? These two things will make your life a lot easier as will learning how to setup some basic AutoHotKeys. Also with the Base Stations don't bother turning them off at all, there are plenty of operators who have had them running for years non-stop without any problems, I've had mine running almost non-stop the last year without any hassles as well, I actually recommend turning off the Power Management options (Especially the bluetooth) as this causes the biggest problems for people in the past.

I'd be more than happy to go through this all with you at some point if you'd like over Skype and take a look at your setup and offer some suggestions, feel free to contact me through nick.wallace@freespacevr.com.au

ActionVR

Conor

Hi Conor,

Thanks for the reply. Very happy to hear that your experience is similar and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel! I have a background in software configuration, but was starting to think this was a game for super-technical hardware and software pros. You've given some hope that we'll be able to get this running smooth eventually. I had no clue that unplugging a base station while its running could blow it. We had power management on for a bit, but it was taking so long for the base stations to come online when idle, that we went back to just unplugging them at night, but we probably accidentally unplugged one while it was still running. I put the stations back on power management today and will just wait for them. That's preferable to potentially losing another. Thanks for the heads up! Joe and Jenn Dunne, ActionVR

ActionVR

NickFSVR

Hi Nick,

We are not using a Wake On Lan or remote access software, because it seems easy enough to come in, wake up the computers and check to see if there are any additional updates. Is there an added benefit other to either the Wake On Lan or the remote access software. We've taken your advice and turned the bluetooth off, just in case. We diagnosed our last remaining issue (until the next one, that is) and it appears to be the cord connecting the wireless unit to the battery. This is a common issue for wireless users. Changed out the cord and it seems to be working. Your offer to Skype is very generous, but it would be very challenging with the time difference. With the last issue being diagnosed, we think we are content for now, but if another issue arises, we will definitely take you up on the offer. Based on the responses here, we're hoping that this is the tail-end of the issues. Hopefully now we'll have time to work on marketing and do some better game curation. Thanks again! ~ Joe and Jenn Dunne, ActionVR

CCVR

Hey guys.. I opened my VR studio 4 weeks ago and for the first few weeks I lost the will to live with the issues I had.. pretty well every thing mentioned I have had. Blown base stations (replaced under warranty).. headset fault (replaced under warranty). Tracking issues, every Steam error code imaginable.

4 weeks in and I would say hundreds of hours of problem solving and I run pretty smoothly these days and gets better each day.

Up side, I know an enormous amount about the tech now (I'm not tech head) and every day gets easier.

Hang in there.. the marketing is a lot more enjoyable then the 108 error.

Cheers

Jason ccvr.com.au

ActionVR

CCVR

Hi Jason,

Thank you so much for the encouragement. Hundreds of hours of diagnosis seems about to be where we are at, but hopefully we are at the tail end. I am so grateful that I asked the question, because now we actually have some hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Your place is gorgeous. Thanks again! ~ Jenn

VR-ARRIVAL

CCVR

Hi Jason, Andrew here from Perth. I noticed on your website that you have one of the Rotor VR chairs. What are they like? Interested in logistically how you use them - does it form its own station or can it be brought in and out of an existing station? Cheers, Andrew

NickFSVR

ActionVR

Using the wake on lan tends to help with computers that installed up high, saves a bit of effort each day in turning them all on, I do everything centrally that way, for instance if I'm running a bit late to work I can turn on everything using Splashtop Remote and WakeMeOnLan and when I walk in the door all I need to do is turn on the lights and the aircon, it also means I can do some work on computers from home if I so choose, updates, tweaks etc... things that don't require me to actually be there but just need access to the computer.

Yeah, HTC have big issues with cables in general, I've been surprised to hear about even issues with the cables used for the wireless units for various reasons!!

No problems, always happy to work around and tend to be a bit of a nightowl anyway. As others have said it will take a bit of time and fiddling but hopefully you're on the tail end of the big stuff now!

Realtopia

So we have been open since mid December and are still having issues like this. Our machines sometimes go into “safety mode” and lose connection to Springboardvr and all the other issues you mentioned as well. We have tried everything and are thinking now maybe to uninstall and re-install everything but I am not sure. I wish that we could offer a real solution but we are in the same boat and it’s very frustrating because the machines work great with no one on them but when we fill up the problems start then and we have to give away free time and look like we don’t know what we are doing.

ActionVR

Realtopia

Hey Mgjr,

It’s ok that you can’t help with the technical stuff. Just letting us know that we’re not alone is helpful. We’ve given away a lot of time, with apologies and I’ve gotten good at pretending like nothing is wrong so customers think some of the stuff is normal. We’ve been lucky enough to work past issues, but some of them have been tricky to figure out and we started to feel like it was never going to end. Our biggest issue was from glare coming in from the windows and not anything technical at all. The stations are set back from the windows and dark, so we never thought it would be an issue and when the units would go haywire, we spent a lot of time and money on trying to find a software or hardware issue that didn’t exist. This thread has encouraged us that this is normal and it does end as long as a diagnosis is made and the problem corrected. Keep your head up and thanks for the response. Jenn

VR-ARRIVAL

Hi All. As a fellow newbie, I can totally sympathise and would have replied to this effect earlier if I hadn't been so busy troubleshooting! :^> I thought that most of the problems we were experiencing revolved around the fact that we were using a more open plan set-up as well as using the HTC Wireless adapters with the Vive pro units. We have got to the point where we have 7 stations up and running and working ok but only one is using the wireless adapter and the rest are cabled. Somehow we have got one of the wireless adapters to work great but cannot replicate it across the other (identical) systems. Has been a very frustrating experience and trying to get my money back from HTC Vive at the moment for the other wireless adapters. I have also found that the feedback from other arcade owners (like Nick) has been excellent but sometimes it is hard to apply what has worked for other people if they are using different hardware or configurations. Good to see that I am not the only one that inwardly cringes but outwardly smiles if you see a system loose tracking for a bit! Keep your chin up and persevere...

CCVR

VR-ARRIVAL

Hey Andrew.. the Rotor isnt shipping until May as they had a few issues.. but we have ordered one and are looking forward to its arrival. Side note.. I'm in Perth in a few weeks and will pop down for yarn if your about.. would be great to swap ideas and experiences.

I'll be in touch

VR-ARRIVAL

Absolutely Jason. Happy to have you pop in and share experiences... Our number is 08 6153 1883. Cheers, Andrew

hello

I'd say that when it comes to Vive Pro's, HTC support feels like a rip off. When their hardware isn't up to the task, the paid support takes their sweet time to push things through their warranty system. If you're running a small operation plan for having a station down regularly, or buy a full redundant system. The entire Rift S costs less than the paid support for two Vive Pro's, so that might be something to think about... I'd love to get my hands on the Valve Index systems though...

Anyhow, I turn all the computers off each day. It's a short hop to hit the power button (even with them mounted on the walls), though I am considering setting up wake on LAN... Also I am incredibly impressed with chrome remote desktop. Make an account for your place and install it on every VR station. You can even sign into the windows login remotely once you set it up. After turning all the systems on, I go around and verify all the headsets loaded right - check the tracking, make sure springboard has loaded, listen to the audio levels, reboot the headset at the connector box if the audio is crackling (pretty frequent issue), and do an extra cleaning of the lenses... Steam also seems allergic to staying logged in. I leave the controllers docked and off until someone uses the system, as they orient left and right based on where the user is looking when they power on. Finally, I putz around with audio of our big station that we mirror audio on, since the sound mirroring settings can't seem to stabilize.