Screen going haywire

from GalCiv2 Forums
I just got GalCiv2 yesterday and when im playing the game it will be fine for about 20 minutes then the screen will get twitchy and after a while I can't even scroll with the mouse, I have to left click and drag and its really twitchy, I have the new update i think its 1.4, when i start it nothing like an error message pops up.

In order to fix this problem I have to restart my computer and play it again, and it still does that twitchy screen.

Has anyone else had this problem, if you have could you tell me how to fix it if you have fixed it?

Thanks
866 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Please post the contents of your debug.err file.
It can be found in the main program folder - usually C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2. You can open it with Notepad, select everything, then copy and paste it in a reply.

It may give an indication of the problem area.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Debug Message: Version v1.4x last updated on: Mon Oct 23 17:43:56 2006
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 12/17/2006, 15:47:25
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: DONUT
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: GT5028
BIOS: )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Physical Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 363MB used, 1902MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6600
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6600
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0141&SUBSYS_021F196E&REV_A2
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.7777
Driver Date: 7/20/2005 18:07:00
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_10DE&DEV_026B&SUBSYS_0CA8105B&REV_A2
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5900
Driver Date: 9/26/2005 16:07:00
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_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 6600
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 77761f70
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: * Collectors Edition *
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\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: 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
Debug Message: Loading Data Defs
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: 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: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message: Loading Galaxy
Debug Message: Sectors across: 18 x 18
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 Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Loading ENDGALAXYDATA
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 10
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Enabled
Debug Message: Doing final stat calculations.
Debug Message: End of Game Save
Debug Message: Save Game: About to save
Debug Message: Saving game C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\EndGameSave.sav
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 18
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\Mods\Default\Data\ShipCfg\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Saving: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message: Save game finished.
*DEBUG ERROR: ***SummaryTableWnd: Unknown edit field Summary_Table_Listbox_Entry type: CustomListEntry ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***SummaryTableWnd: Unknown edit field Summary_Table_Listbox_Entry type: CustomListEntry ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***SummaryTableWnd: Unknown edit field Summary_Table_Listbox_Entry type: CustomListEntry ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***SummaryTableWnd: Unknown edit field Summary_Table_Listbox_Entry type: CustomListEntry ***
Debug Message: TitleWnd: Quit Button.
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing 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: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: WorkAreaBack.png not cleared 1 counts left.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 25 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
This part right here, I tried going to C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ and it wasn't there, could this be the problem? I don't see how it would be but maybe it could.

Also when I was going to C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2 the game was saved as GalCiv2Demo, I remember removing the demo but I don't have any idea how it got saved as the GalCivDemo, I didn't alter the default install path

Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Bloodglitch\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I do notice that your video drivers are rather old, you should update them.
It may help.

My machine gets the stutters sometimes too, especially on the largest galaxy size (which you are playing), and especially later in the game when there are hundreds or thousands of ships to consider. There is a lot of processing going on, and GalCiv2 has a tendency to bring even dual-cores to its knees. When both CPU's are maxed out things can get a bit choppy, especially when there may be a lot of swap file usage.

Increasing your swap file (and making sure it is static, not dynamic) might help as well, but adding more physical ram would definitely help. 1GB does not go very far when the game can suck up well over 2GB.