Game crashes my system

from GalCiv2 Forums
I cant even get this game to run. Whenever I start a new game, I get the blue screen of death and have to restart my computer. I have updated my video drivers and downloaded the GC2 update and installed it. Here is my debug output.

Debug Message: Version v1.31 last updated on: Wed Sep 13 18:41:18 2006
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 10/14/2006, 09:06:51
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: TOSHIBA-USER
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: TOSHIBA
System Model: Satellite A75
BIOS: PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.1
Processor: Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 446MB RAM
Page File: 251MB used, 803MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 IGP
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: MOBILITY RADEON 9100 IGP AGP (0x5835)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5835&SUBSYS_FF021179&REV_00
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6444
Driver Date: 4/22/2004 02:11:38
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_FF011179&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5490
Driver Date: 2/19/2004 02:51:08
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 (sw vp): ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 IGP
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 a6e6e5f0
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No string tables in C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default/Data/*.str
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Gfx\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Gfx\Race\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\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: * Collectors Edition *
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\*.xml
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Techs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\ShipComponents\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\ShipDefs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\PlanetImprovements\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\TerrainColorSchemes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\PlanetDescriptions\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Anomalies\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Events\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\UPIssues\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Invasions\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\PoliticalParties\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\StarTypes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\StarbaseModules\*.xml
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
*DEBUG ERROR: ***TutorialWnd: Unknown edit field Totorial_GridList_Entry type: CustomListEntry ***
Debug Message: TutorialWnd: Cannot find OBJID Totorial_All_Button
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: Deleting previous save game.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: Deleting previous save game.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: Deleting previous save game.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\David Hubbard\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
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: Galaxy Size Set: 18 x 18
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 157.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 300
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Torian Confederation: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Yor Collective: Intellence -> 30
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 = 8
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Enabled
1,013 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
ATI and most laptop manufacturers provide rather poor driver support for any but the very latest integrated chipsets, so even after updating your drivers you ended up with ones that are two years old.

If you go to http://www.omegadrivers.net/archive.php, you can find some much more recent drivers that should do the trick. However, even Omegas are now dropping support for older cards, so you'll need to use the second one on that list (the ones based on Catalyst 6.5) rather than the very latest one.

If the issue persists after updating to these drivers, post the information shown on the BSOD (the error and addresses). this information can often be googled to find a potential cause (you can also use the 'send error report to Microsoft' option if your computer brings up a 'System has recovered from a serios error' dialog after rebooting.

FYI, BSODs are almost always caused by driver or hardware issues; it is nearly impossible for software to produce a BSOD in Windows XP--it can only expose a flaw deeper in the system.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I just wanted to say thanks for the quick response. That says alot about your software company. I did what you said and it runs now. I was not aware that there were independent sites that update drivers. Thanks for showing me this. I do have one question. When I run the videos on how to play, the playback is very jerky. In another words, the video plays like a bunch of stills moving forward and the voice keeps on starting and stopping. Any hints on how to alleviate this would be appreciated. Again thanks for responding in a timely fashion.

David
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Turning off anti-aliasing should help.

In your prefs.ini file (My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2),  add these lines under Video if they're not already there:

NoPointSprites=1
GfxForceNoPointSprites=1

(If they are there, make sure that they are set to 1)

This should force GalCiv2 to run in hardware vertex processing mode (hw vp), which will make your game run faster.

While you're there, you may also want to set Multisample=0 (turns off anti-aliasing).