I90 controller described a STARS display failure when providing OJT and utilizing an adjacent display; the reporter noting the failure was apparently caused by using the TPA J-Rings or Bats beyond the RADAR 60 mile coverage; adding the anomaly was duplicated and demonstrated to maintenance several times.

Narrative

This report is in reference to STARS crashing; there was no loss of separation or even close. I have had this happen to me several times before; and I have found that under certain parameters; I can duplicate the STARS failure; and make it happen every time. When the TPA (J-rings or Bats) are being used on aircraft outside my RADAR coverage of 60 miles at the edge of the RADAR scope; I see the J-ring on the aircraft; then it disappears; then it will come back; and then the STARS will fail and the entire scope shuts down. Then you must go to ESL to be able to work traffic. This first happened when I was training and using the scope beside the trainee and I was putting 3 mile j-rings on all his aircraft they were entering our airspace; the scope crashed and the Maintenance Technician had to reset STARS and then it was fine. It then happened a 2nd and 3rd time on another day. The Maintenance Technicians then asked me if I would be able to duplicate this event on a different scope; and so I move to another one and crashed it. I was able to duplicate it 3 more times on different scopes. This is a safety issue especially if a trainee or newly checked out person is using the TPA's and happens to get it outside their RADAR coverage on the edge of their scope.