Regular crash shocker

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hello,

I wrote a lovely long post on the subject of the crashes which keep happening when I try and play Galactic Civilisations 2, but, ironically, my internet crashed as I was writing it, helpfully erasing it on the clipboard too.

Anyway, here are the salient points. Between 4 - 10 turns in to any given game, I get booted out to the desktop. I am running version 1.2, and haven't used 1.0 or 1.1. the demo worked fine.

My drivers are ATI catlyst 6.5 (the latest version, 6.6, appears not to be included in its own download at ati.com), I am running at 1280x1024, and my page file has over 2 gig allocated to it (I think).

Thus, I am stumped. Why is your game crashing? It's probably my system - I have a radeon 9100 which refuses more or less to run anything beyond notepad with the detail turned down. Eve didn't work, Dawn Of War didn't work and nor did bloody Anachronox.

I hope you can help, because it looks fun, the game, and I would hate to have to not be able to play it. Below is my debug. Thanking you.


Debug Message: Version v1.2 last updated on: Mon Jun 12 18:04:26 2006
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 7/20/2006, 11:14:37
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: DR_FANTASTIC
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: XPC___
System Model: ST62
BIOS: )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 990MB RAM
Page File: 289MB used, 2099MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 9100 IGP
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RADEON 9000/9100 IGP Series AGP (0x5834)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(350MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5834&SUBSYS_F3621297&REV_00
Display Memory: 32.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6614
Driver Date: 5/3/2006 17:51:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4341&SUBSYS_C0B11297&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5950
Driver Date: 10/26/2005 17:08:00
Type: WDM
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_NONMASKABLE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): RADEON 9100 IGP
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 75
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 9e9820d0
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No string tables in C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default/Data/*.str
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Gfx\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Gfx\Race\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Event Music\*.mp3
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: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\*.xml
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Techs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\ShipComponents\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\ShipDefs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\PlanetImprovements\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\TerrainColorSchemes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\PlanetDescriptions\*.xml
*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:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Anomalies\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Events\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\UPIssues\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Invasions\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\PoliticalParties\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\StarTypes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\StarbaseModules\*.xml
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: Error loading mission 16 from C:\Games\GalCiv2\./Data/English/Campaigns/Dread Lords Campaign.gc2campaign
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: Error loading mission 16 from C:\Games\GalCiv2\./Data/English/Campaigns/Dread Lords Campaign.gc2campaign
Debug Message: Creating Galaxy
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: Clearing Turn Event Log
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: ./Data/English/Campaigns\An Unexpected Visitor.gc2map (0 x 98720151)
Debug Message: MissionWnd: Cannot find OBJID Campaign_MiniMap_Window
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 7
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Tab_Homeworld
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 42
Debug Message: Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 0
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Campaign Game Started: Dread Lords Campaign
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Enabled
Debug Message: StackedShipsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Stacked_Logistics_Value
Debug Message: StackedShipsWnd: Cannot find OBJID stacked_Fleet_More_Button
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Drengin Empire (1): Researching: Planetary Improvements
Debug Message: Altarian Republic (2): Researching: New Propulsion Techniques
Debug Message: Pirates! (26): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Destroying ship Jafo. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: First contact: Scout Ship M0-1 4 at position 1850.000000,1050.000000 rotation 4.712389
Debug Message: First contact: Scout Ship M0-1 4 at position 1850.000000,1050.000000 rotation 4.712389
Debug Message: First contact: Scout Ship M0-1 4 at position 1850.000000,1050.000000 rotation 4.712389
Debug Message: Altarian Republic (2): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Cannot find texture
Debug Message: ForeignRelationsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Relations_Destabilize_Slider
Debug Message: ForeignRelationsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Relations_Destabilize_Scale
Debug Message: ForeignRelationsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Relations_Destabilize_Title
Debug Message: ForeignRelationsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Relations_Destabilize_Value
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Altarian Republic (2): Researching: Planetary Improvements
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Saving game C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\QuickSave.sav
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Saving: Game mode is campaign.
Debug Message: Save game finished.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: First contact: Pain Finder at position 2050.000000,2050.000000 rotation 3.926991
Debug Message: First contact: Pain Finder at position 2050.000000,2050.000000 rotation 3.926991
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Altarian Republic (2): Researching: Xeno Economics
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: Random Event: End
3,350 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If you got it through SDC, it's possible you had a corrupt download, so a full uninstall/reinstall is a good first step.

If that doesn't work, please install 'SmartException' from Free Stuff section in Stardock Central. Make sure that the program is running and then start your game as normal. If the game crashes it will generate an Exception report that can be emailed to [email protected] along with your debug.err. This will enable the devs/help team to see what is causing the error and hopefully provide you with a solution to your issue.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Avast caused this effect for me.
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I run Avast myself with no problems with GC2 on two different computers.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I don't even know what an Avast is...

I ran the exception report thingie and sent it to them, so we shall see. It probably is the display driver - the ATI Radeon really is quite an inept piece of kit...
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have had the GC2 cras on me a few times, but its normaly only after a few hours of play with the good or evil sounds being used. I figure they are causing a glitch in my sound drivers. But I did have a very simual problem in Civ 4 when a wonder would be finished it would crash and kick me out to the desktop. I fixed the problem when I updated my video drivers. If you don't have up to date drivers with GC2 that is a very likely event. Also your video card really does need an upgrade.

Brother Angelon
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
it does need an upgrade. marvellously, though, i bought a shuttle - one of those simply adorable dinky little desktops - and the video card appears to be unupgradeable, at least to the likes of computer mortals like myself.

ati, meanwhile, despite what seems like years of practice, seem incapable of writing stable drivers. the latest ones, as far as i can tell, are corrupted in the install file and refuse to even unpack themselves onto my hard drive.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hmm... drivers refusing to unpack has always been a sign of a virus to me. Are you running any virus scanning software?
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well, that's a bad sign that your drivers won't unpack. Assuming you get the driver situation resolved and you're still having problems, go into your Catalyst control panel and check all your settings. Try all the 3D parameters set to application controlled and then try them set by the Catalyst sub-system. Make sure the AA setting in the game agrees with the AA setting in the Catalyst control panel. Try it with AA disabled both in the game and in the Catalyst control panel.

Don't know if that's your problem, but I've heard of games freaking out because they're trying to control video card settings the drivers don't like.

Another problem is inompatabilites with resident programs. One thing about Windows is that software makers love to install little utility programs as "run on system startup". I've yet to find one that really needed to be there. They can be found in the registry in HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Run, in the Start menu's Startup folder, and can be installed as services with automatic startup. Often, an audit and removal of these programs can solve a lot of problems. It also makes your computer a lot faster when it doesn't load a bunch of resident programs on startup.

Some warnings; Most services, but not all, can be set to manual startup and Windows will start it when another program needs it. Some services are critical to the operating system and need to be set to automatic for things to work right.

Careful editing the registry. You can render your computer unusable if you delete the wrong thing. Always export a registry entry before deleting it so you can restore it if something goes wrong. Or, back up the whole registry so you can restore it if necessary.

Ok, best of luck solving your problem.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Since your desktop is set to 1280x1024, you might try the game at that resolution as well.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
i ran a fully updated virus scan yesterday; i dont seem to have any, at least according to norton. it is odd - i downloaded catalyst 6.6 about 4 different times, and it aborts during the installation, which is really stupid.

as for CraigHB's ideas - I am nervous when editing te registry, but I might have a look. I don't have a computer-y brain, sadly.

changing resolution upwars helped a touch - it lasted longer, but still booted me unceremoniously from the game after about twenty minutes. This makes me a sad galactic imperialst.

thank's for answering, by the way...