System crashes after DA game started

Hi,

i've got the problem that shortly after I start the game and make 2 or 3 turns in GalCiv II Dark Avatar, the entire system crashes and reboots. I've already tried everything from installing the lastest video card driver to re-installing the game.

I do not have these problem if I just play GalCiv II without the Dark Avatar extension.

Here is the content of my debug.err:

Debug Message: Version v1.50x3 Dark Avatar last updated on: Mon Mar 12 18:37:34 2007
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 6/3/2007, 13:23:53
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: STARFLEE-C73D1Y
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: German (Regional Setting: German)
System Manufacturer: ECS
System Model: K7S5A
BIOS: Version 1.00
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 1800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.5GHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 226MB used, 756MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce4 MX 420
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0172&SUBSYS_88521462&REV_A3
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug und Play-Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9371
Driver Date: 10/22/2006 12:22:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: C-Media Wave Device
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_7012&SUBSYS_030013F6&REV_A0
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: cmuda.sys
Provider: C-Media Inc.
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0025
Driver Date: 11/1/2002 11:11:20
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_NONE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420
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: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\Silvio de Marino\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\Silvio de Marino\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\Silvio de Marino\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\Silvio de Marino\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\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: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=0
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullscreenBink
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\Silvio de Marino\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\Silvio de Marino\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\Silvio de Marino\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\Silvio de Marino\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=1
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_MoreDetails_FText
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_Details_FormattedText
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Programme\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Scenarios/*.GC2Scenario
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Programme\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Title
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Spinner_Back
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Title
*DEBUG ERROR: ***CustomShipStyleWnd: Unknown edit field ShipList_List_Entry type: CustomListEntry ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***CustomShipStyleWnd: Unknown edit field ShipList_Avalible_List_Entry type: CustomListEntry ***
Debug Message: WARNING: GetShipStylePrefix called for civ and civ has no ship style
Debug Message: LoadHardpointsFromPrefsFile failed to load ship config file: ./Data/ShipCfg/\(null)_ColonyShip.shipcfg
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 asteroid fields.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid field mining bases.
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: 3 x 3
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 1.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 50
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Asteroid Fields
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Distributing bonuses on planets...
Debug Message: Creating ships...
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 0
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S2_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Altarian Resistance Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S3_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Arcean Empire Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S6_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Dominion of Korx Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S7_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Drath Legion Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S13_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Dread Lords Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S1_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Drengin Empire Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S9_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Iconian Refuge Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S10_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Korath Clan Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S11_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Krynn Consulate Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: Pirate_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Pirate Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S0_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Terran Alliance Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S8_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Thalan Empire Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S4_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Torian Confederation Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S5_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Yor Collective Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S2_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Altarian Resistance Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S3_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Arcean Empire Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S6_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Dominion of Korx Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S7_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Drath Legion Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S13_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Dread Lords Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S1_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Drengin Empire Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S9_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Iconian Refuge Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S10_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Korath Clan Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S11_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Krynn Consulate Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: Pirate_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Pirate Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S0_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Terran Alliance Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S8_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Thalan Empire Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S4_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Torian Confederation Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S5_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Yor Collective Style.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=20
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuarterlyWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=16
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 2
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding ResearchWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 9
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Drengin Empire Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Scottlingas (15): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Destroying ship Terran Alliance Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=10
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding MessageBoxWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=12
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding RandomEventWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=13
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 9
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding PlanetWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=12
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding RandomEventWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=10
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding MessageBoxWnd
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=22
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding HeadlineWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=16
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 2
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding ResearchWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0




1,022 views 2 replies
Reply #1 Top
A couple things.

Your GeForce4 MX 420 is sub-par. It is not a DX9 video card.

You should increase your swapfile to at least 2GB. You have very little ram to be running this game effectively.

Make sure you have the option for 'Throttle framerate' turned on in Options - Video, as well as 'Use Hardware Cursor'.

Make sure your case and cpu fans are operating correctly. If possible, add a case fan.
This game puts a lot of load on the cpu and video card. Good cooling is an absolute must. Open up the case and blow out the dust with some compressed air if necessary, as well.

And if you can, update those 5 year old audio drivers - as well as any other obsolete drivers in your very old system. (There is most likely a newer BIOS for your motherboard, too).

Hard system crashes like that are not due to the game itself, but to a hardware problem.
Reply #2 Top

Almost certainly you're running out of memory:

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 1800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.5GHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 226MB used, 756MB available

You will need your page file to be at least 2 gigs, possibly more. 

But on top of that, if your system is hard rebooting or whatever, that's a hardware issue.  The previous poster's advice seems pretty sound to me.