computer shuts down during game + can't register

from GalCiv2 Forums
1) Recently bought Galactic Civilizations II new out of the box. Installed it fine, but the computer shuts down within 2 minutes of playing the game.

2) Thinking it’d help, I tried to register the game (to upgrade to v 1.2) and got an "invalid registration message". I tried all possible combinations of upper/lower case w/ and w/o hyphens of the serial number on the back if the jewel box. No dice.
Help?

Thanks!
Paul

Here’s the debug.err file:

Debug Message: Version v1.0X.2 last updated on: Tue Mar 7 15:02:59 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 7/8/2006, 12:12:17
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: CPQ18944199075
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: Presario 2100
BIOS: PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0
Processor: Mobile Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 1.60GHz
Physical Memory: 702MB RAM
Page File: 192MB used, 758MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON IGP 340M
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RS200M AGP (0x4337)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4337&SUBSYS_002A103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6436
Driver Date: 5/15/2004 18:29:34
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Conexant AMC Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10B9&DEV_5451&SUBSYS_002A103C&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: caliaud.sys
Provider: Conexant
Driver Version: 6.13.0010.8282
Driver Date: 2/17/2004 17:58:40
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Modem #1 Line Playback (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID:
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 81
Driver Name:
Provider:
Driver Version:
Driver Date:
Type: Emulated
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0



Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): RADEON IGP 340M
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 60
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Loading Custom Map
Debug Message: Loading Data Defs
Debug Message: Data Defs block size: 974843
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Loading TechDefs
Debug Message: Max num techs: 248
Debug Message: Loading ImprovementDB
Debug Message: Loading Component Defs
Debug Message: Loading ShipTypes
Debug Message: Loading ShipConfigs
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Loading AnomalyTypes
Debug Message: Loading RandomEvents
Debug Message: Loading UPIssues
Debug Message: Loading ResourceTypes
Debug Message: Loading InvasionTactics
Debug Message: Loading SBmodules
Debug Message: Loading PoliticalParties
Debug Message: Loading Planet Types
Debug Message: Loading Star Types
Debug Message: Loading Game
Debug Message: Loading Galaxy
Debug Message: Loading FOW Map
Debug Message: Loading ZOC Map
Debug Message: Loading Planets
Debug Message: Loading Stars
Debug Message: Loading Anomalies
Debug Message: Loading Resources
Debug Message: Loading Civs
Debug Message: Loading Colonies
Debug Message: Loading RallyPoints
Debug Message: Loading Ships
Debug Message: Loading Fleets
Debug Message: Loading Influence
Debug Message: Loading ENDGALAXYDATA
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Yor Collective Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Destroying ship Altarian Republic Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Drengin Empire (1): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Altarian Republic (2): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Torian Confederation (4): Researching: Basic Logistics
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Pirates! (26): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: First contact: Drengin Empire Colony at position 3950.000000,4050.000000 rotation 3.141593
Debug Message: First contact: Drengin Empire Colony at position 3950.000000,4050.000000 rotation 3.141593
Debug Message: First contact: Drengin Empire Colony at position 3950.000000,4050.000000 rotation 3.141593
Debug Message: First contact: Drengin Empire Colony at position 3950.000000,4050.000000 rotation 3.141593
Debug Message: First contact: Drengin Empire Colony at position 3950.000000,4050.000000 rotation 3.141593
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: StarportWnd: Cannot find OBJID StarPort_Planet_Logo_Image
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: Save Game: About to save
Debug Message: Saving game C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\QuickSave.sav
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 4
Debug Message: Max num techs: 248
Debug Message: Total tech data size: 147504 Max tech size: 1891
Debug Message: Total improvement db size: 62512
Debug Message: Component defs data size: 109154
Debug Message: Total ship class data size: 30021 Max ship class data size: 667
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\s*_UD_*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Total Ship config data size: 0 Max ship config data size: 0
Debug Message: Total anomaly types data: 17300, Max anomaly type size: 692
Debug Message: Total random event data size: 31907 Max random event size: 1276
Debug Message: Total UP issue data size: 236940 Max UP issue size: 7180
Debug Message: Total resource type data size: 1600 Max resource type data size: 332
Debug Message: Total invasion tatic data size: 2790 Max invasion tactic data size: 476
Debug Message: Total starbase module data size: 318240 Max starbase module size: 3536
Debug Message: Total political party data size: 13576 Max political party size: 1697
Debug Message: Total planet types data size: 0 Max planet type size: 0
Debug Message: Total star type data size: 6896 Max star type size: 862
Debug Message: Game Object data: 16
Debug Message: Galaxy data: 14089
Debug Message: FOW data: 4296
Debug Message: ZOC data: 152
Debug Message: Total Planet data size: 222351 Max Planet data size: 3984
Debug Message: Total Star data size: 8480 Max Star data size: 424
Debug Message: Total Anomaly data size: 11484 Max Anomaly data size: 348
Debug Message: Total Space resource data size: 2416 Max space resource data size: 302
Debug Message: Total Civilization data size: 627762 Max Civ data size: 90393
Debug Message: Total Colony data size: 1880 Max colony data size: 270
Debug Message: Total Rally point data size: 0 Max Rallypoint data size: 0
Debug Message: Total Ship data size: 10780 Max Ship Data size: 980
Debug Message: Total Fleet data size: 0 Max Fleet Data size: 0
Debug Message: Save game finished.
Debug Message: Altarian Republic (2): Researching: Universal Translator
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Planetary Improvements
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: New Propulsion Techniques
2,451 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It sounds more like a hardware problem.

It may help if you cleaned the computer. Dust builds up over time and can cause overheating. Also, check the operation of all the fans. You are using the motherboards onboard video, which means it will not be well cooled. If the case fans are not working properly the video chip may be getting quite hot, especially with this game.

The game being able to start and play, then the computer shutting down after several minutes of game play indicates an overheating problem, or a problem with the power supply.

Your video and audio drivers are rather old, as well. Game play might be improved if you updated them. But out of date drivers more often cause the game to crash to the desktop during loading, or display a distorted image. It would not cause the computer to shut down.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
It looks like you're using a laptop, but most of Moose's advice still counts. Check that it isn't overheating due to crud in the fans or blocking the vents (simply using the machine on your lap can do that). Update drivers if possible (video drivers that work for you should be available at ati.com or omegadrivers.net). Also, if you're not running off A/C it could be a power issue (GC2 can be very CPU hungry), so check your battery or try running off mains power if you're not already.

As to being unable to register/activate, see the sticky on that subject: https://forums.stardock.com/?forumid=162&aid=122873
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Thanks for the quick reply! It's got to be an overheating laptop...good call.

In regards to registering, my copy ONLY came with a serial number that starts with GC2 and contains dashes. Looked everywhere: there's nothing else on the box, manual, CDs, jewel case, nothing.

Am I missing something?

Thanks,
Paul



> 1) You're using the wrong serial.
> This is a simple but common mistake. The Collector's/Limited Editions of the > game normally include two serial keys (one for the game, one to unlock the > special extra content). Be sure you're not trying to register with the CE > serial (the one that begins with GC2). Use the other one which consist of 28 > letters/numbers with no dashes.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Paul this may help>

Some copies of the Limited Edition of the game distributed in Europe were shipped with only the code to unlock the special Ltd. content, (beginning with GC2) and not an actual game serial. You can request a game serial by providing your Limited/Collector's Edition serial and email address on this form: http://galciv2.com/paradox/index.aspx
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
One thing to remember with the above link is that Stardock do not work weekends so you will not receive a reply until Monday at the earliest. Also ensure you check your spam settings so that any email from @stardock.com is allowed through.

JJ
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I tried registering lately and found that I got a registration invalid message and and email address not found message when trying through stardock. Im sure now it was becuase the game I got had been returned and was registered by someone else before me hence my inability to register it a second time. If this is possibly the case with you (dont know how you bought it) you will need to speak to Stardock and generally expect a two-three working day wait for a response.

Cant comment on the crash but could well be unrelated to thae above problem. Probably overheating or something.

Nats
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The link worked right away, I got my real serial number sent to me and am as happy as a clam. Thanks! Just a FYI though, I bought my game in the US not Europe. Fred Meyers in Seattle if you need to track down misprinted copies.

Thanks again!
Paul