Game crashes, pc reboots

from GalCiv2 Forums
The game crashes during the Race Select screens and the PC reboots. Sometimes it merely stalls, but then continues but with all the text blurred and "smeared" across the screen. Then crashes later.

All drivers up-to-date (I think) and game patched to latest.

Debug Message:  Version v1.5 last updated on: Thu Jan 11 13:39:19 2007
Debug Message:  GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message:  Checking DX Version.
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 2/21/2008, 20:06:48
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: LEESPC
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: P5K SE
BIOS: BIOS Date: 05/30/07 15:01:30 Ver: 08.00.12
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E6750  @ 2.66GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 369MB used, 3570MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 8600 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0402&SUBSYS_40161682&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6921
Driver Date: 12/5/2007 01:41:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0883&SUBSYS_1043829F&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5391
Driver Date: 3/26/2007 21:21:06
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: 1024 x 768
Debug Message:  Running fullscreen.
Debug Message:  HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
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 7f29dd10
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:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Lee\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Lee\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:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Games\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: 5 x 5
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message:  Number of Unplaced Stars: 12.
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message:  Num Anomalies: 59
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Done

1,915 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If the PC actually reboots, it is most likely a hardware issue.
Check your fans, and add more if you can. Overheating can cause this problem.
From your description, it sounds like your video card is getting too hot.

Also, you should be running the game at the same res as your desktop.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That or after heating up, the power supply has lost enough efficiency to dip below it's required output, resulting in a brownout...If this is the case, then either more fans or a higher-rated power supply would be in order.

I had this happen to me after following the required power supply for the video card and such. Once the card would start working harder and the power supply would heat up it couldn't get enough power to the components anymore. If it was just the video card failing due to heat...he would only loose signal as if the monitors were unplugged (another issue I came across...I have too many heat issues lol).
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The PC is fairly new, only built it 6 months ago. The power supply is about 200kw over what was required and the PC quite happily plays Bioshock and every other game I have. Bear in mind it is failing on the menu screens, I haven't even managed to get to anything which should be pushing it!

Oh and I have set it to use the same resolution also. Still crashes (but it did get as far as the research screen). I only have the one monitor. The box has plenty of fans and good airflow.

The PC has only rebooted twice, but the game crashes, well, goes funny everytime. By "funny" I mean it locks up, does some rapid beeping, and then I get control again, except all the writing in the game looks like it has been smeared/replaced with grey boxes.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
A spontaneous reboot often means your computer is tossing a Blue Screen of Death but is set to not display it. BSODs are generally caused by hardware or driver problems, and the error message it shows can help pin down exactly what the issue is.

To have your computer display BSODs instead of rebooting immediately, go to Control Panel->System Properties->Advanced Tab->Startup and Recovery Settings and uncheck 'automatically restart'.

The next time it crashes, you may get a BSOD similar to the one below (not all highlighted parts may be present):


Write down the information in the highlighted areas before turning your computer off. The information there can then be researched online to see if others have experienced similar problems, and what the cause was. You may also get a 'windows has recovered from a serious error' message when you turn your computer back on--if you do this, you should agree to send the report to microsoft. You'll then be forwarded to information about that error on Microsoft's knowledgebase, if they have any.