Gmsh (meshing for cfd programs) keeps crashing

[member 428835]

Hi PF!

Hello all

I just downloaded gmsh on Linux 64 bit running Ubuntu 18.04. When I attempt to open a .stp file I created in salome, the program crashes, leaving a terminal output "segmentation fault (core dumped)". Any idea what is going on? The step file is https://github.com/joshmccraney/step-file-tank.

And it's also randomly crashing when I try to draw lines (same error above). This can't be normal, right? To install, I downloaded the .tar package here. Just seems weird it keeps crashing.

 

[Tom.G]

Hmm... first release, today even... wait for the next one.

(or you could try a re-download and re-install)

 

[member 428835]

Hmm... first release, today even... wait for the next one.

(or you could try a re-download and re-install)

My thoughts too, so I downloaded several previous versions, all with the same issue.

 

[Tom.G]

The common things I can think of are rather general, not terribly helpful, and you've likely already done them! (I've not used either Ubuntu or gmsh)

• Check their bug list...
• ... and user feedback
• Not compatible with your OS version
• Not enough memory
• Defective memory

Edit: Also incompatible device driver, video driver is the most often culprit.

Let us know what you find.

 

[member 428835]

Thaks Tom.G! I did not find anything about video drivers and user feedback. In fact, a different user was able to upload my stl file, so it must be an error on my system? Though that user was on xubuntu 16, so very similar software. I downloaded the version for Linux 64 bit, so I don't think the OS is an issue.

I have 128 GB of ram, and 1 TB ssd which has only used a few gb. It might be the gpu, but there is nothing to support this currently. I appreciate your response though!

 

[phyzguy]

Lots of things can cause a seg fault, but a common one is trying to read an array variable beyond the bounds of the array. For example when you have an array defined with 100 data points and you try to read the 101st. Is there any way for you to check if that is what is happening?

 

[fluidistic]

I would try the mailing list. The creator of gmsh replies to most messages I think and last time I checked he seemed to reply once per day.

 

[member 428835]

I would try the mailing list. The creator of gmsh replies to most messages I think and last time I checked he seemed to reply once per day.

Yep, I actually wrote on one of their boards. After running the program in a debugger, turns out Tom.G is correct: the issue is a misconfigured system, which can not render OpenGL graphics properly. Does anyone know how to address this issue or should I post in another thread? I can provide more info if needed.

 

[Tom.G]

...can not render OpenGL graphics properly. Does anyone know how to address this issue...

Try to get a different version of the Video Driver, either newer or older. I've run into bugs in those across at least three successive versions on occasion (on Windows though). It's also possible, but unlikely, a hardware problem. For instance a dust/dirt build-up on the video card or its fan/heatsink (I've had to wash the whole card a couple of times due to a dirty environment... a project not for the faint of heart.)

I'm currently living with a minor bug that randomly causes the mouse cursor to move to a screen edge, often the upper left edge. I'm putting up with it because there were rendering problems with versions that tamed the cursor! Oh well.

Please keep us updated on your efforts/results.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[member 428835]

Try to get a different version of the Video Driver, either newer or older. I've run into bugs in those across at least three successive versions on occasion (on Windows though). It's also possible, but unlikely, a hardware problem. For instance a dust/dirt build-up on the video card or its fan/heatsink (I've had to wash the whole card a couple of times due to a dirty environment... a project not for the faint of heart.)

I'm currently living with a minor bug that randomly causes the mouse cursor to move to a screen edge, often the upper left edge. I'm putting up with it because there were rendering problems with versions that tamed the cursor! Oh well.

Please keep us updated on your efforts/results.

Cheers,
Tom

Okay, so I am in touch with AMD. Since it's taking a while to get a reply and since I have a separate harddrive partitioned to Windows, I tried it there and it worked no problem. Evidently the issue was definitely the driver, which is from AMD's website, and looks like it was designed from them.

For me, expecting to hear little from AMD, the issue is fixed, or rather a workaround is found. I appreciate your interest and help!