Game freezes every time at a certain turn

If the turn button disappears but the game is still running (you can scroll the map, etc), then a ship is probably stuck somewhere. Cycle through your ships and make sure they're all using up their movement points, and it should generally resolve the issue.

kryo,

Thanks for the quick reply.  Unfortunately the game stops running when I encounter this bug.  I cannot scroll the map or use the mouse or keyboard in any way.  I have to ALT-TAB to the desktop and kill the program.  It always happens at the end of the same turn, even if I go back 2 or 3 saves,

-mathfool

In that case, grab the debug right after you encounter the issue, it may provide better detail (that one showed a normal exit).

I saved a new debug.err file.  The message "Error flipping back buffer to primary buffer" seemed like a potential problem.

-mathfool

Debug Message:  Version v1.80g Dark Avatar last updated on: Wed Dec 19 15:10:23 2007
Debug Message:  Checking DX Version.
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 10/14/2008, 21:44:33
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: MATHFOOL07
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Ultimate (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.071023-1545)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: n/a
Processor: n/a (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 3582MB RAM
Page File: 1474MB used, 5855MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
Manufacturer:
Chip Type:
DAC Type:
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0391&SUBSYS_040310DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 254.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: SyncMaster 731B/731BF/731BA/730BA(Digital)
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Date:
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 

Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0885&SUBSYS_103C2A36&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5485
Driver Date: 9/19/2007 09:11:48
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing (3) (Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: root\tbhsd
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: tbhsd.sys
Provider: RapidSolution Software
Driver Version: 3.00.0000.0000
Driver Date: 2/20/2008 13:47:34
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing (2) (Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: root\tbhsd
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: tbhsd.sys
Provider: RapidSolution Software
Driver Version: 3.00.0000.0000
Driver Date: 2/20/2008 13:47:34
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing (7) (Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: root\tbhsd
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: tbhsd.sys
Provider: RapidSolution Software
Driver Version: 3.00.0000.0000
Driver Date: 2/20/2008 13:47:34
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing (Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: root\tbhsd
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: tbhsd.sys
Provider: RapidSolution Software
Driver Version: 3.00.0000.0000
Driver Date: 2/20/2008 13:47:34
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing (9) (Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: root\tbhsd
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: tbhsd.sys
Provider: RapidSolution Software
Driver Version: 3.00.0000.0000
Driver Date: 2/20/2008 13:47:34
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing (5) (Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: root\tbhsd
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: tbhsd.sys
Provider: RapidSolution Software
Driver Version: 3.00.0000.0000
Driver Date: 2/20/2008 13:47:34
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing (8) (Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: root\tbhsd
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: tbhsd.sys
Provider: RapidSolution Software
Driver Version: 3.00.0000.0000
Driver Date: 2/20/2008 13:47:34
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing (6) (Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: root\tbhsd
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: tbhsd.sys
Provider: RapidSolution Software
Driver Version: 3.00.0000.0000
Driver Date: 2/20/2008 13:47:34
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing (4) (Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: root\tbhsd
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: tbhsd.sys
Provider: RapidSolution Software
Driver Version: 3.00.0000.0000
Driver Date: 2/20/2008 13:47:34
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0885&SUBSYS_103C2A36&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5485
Driver Date: 9/19/2007 09:11:48
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
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 hardware vertex processing
Debug Message:  Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message:  Attempting to create D3DDevice at resolution 1024 x 768, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 4
Debug Message:  Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message:  Running fullscreen.
Debug Message:  HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 7600 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:  GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message:  ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message:  Timer Frequency is 0 da7a64
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:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\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:  Clear data definitions.
Debug Message:  Killing ship styles:
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\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:\Users\New User\Documents\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:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\CustomMaps\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Dark Avatar\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\SandboxGames\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Story Logs\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\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 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:  Loading Custom Map
Debug Message:  Loading Data Defs
Debug Message:  Clear data definitions.
Debug Message:  Killing ship styles:
Debug Message:  Loading TechDefs
Debug Message:  Max num techs: 273
Debug Message:  Loading ImprovementDB
Debug Message:  Loading Component Defs
Debug Message:  Loading ShipTypes
Debug Message:  Loading ShipTemplates
Debug Message:  Loading ParsedHardpoints
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 AFMBModules
Debug Message:  Loading ShipStyles
Debug Message:  Loading Game
Debug Message:  Loading: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message:  Loading Galaxy
Debug Message:  Sectors across: 5 x 5
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 AsteroidFields
Debug Message:  Loading AFMiningBases
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 Treaties
Debug Message:  Loading ENDGALAXYDATA
Debug Message:  Updating ZOC.
Debug Message:  UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 2
Debug Message:  UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message:  UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message:  EconomicWnd: Cannot find OBJID Template_Button_Back
Debug Message:  CampaignVictoryWnd: Cannot find OBJID Campaign_Status_Title
Debug Message:  Random Event: End
Debug Message:  Eval
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\CustomMaps\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Dark Avatar\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\SandboxGames\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Story Logs\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\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 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:  Loading Custom Map
Debug Message:  Loading Data Defs
Debug Message:  Clear data definitions.
Debug Message:  Killing ship styles:
Debug Message:  Loading TechDefs
Debug Message:  Max num techs: 273
Debug Message:  Loading ImprovementDB
Debug Message:  Loading Component Defs
Debug Message:  Loading ShipTypes
Debug Message:  Loading ShipTemplates
Debug Message:  Loading ParsedHardpoints
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 AFMBModules
Debug Message:  Loading ShipStyles
Debug Message:  Loading Game
Debug Message:  Loading: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message:  Loading Galaxy
Debug Message:  Sectors across: 5 x 5
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 AsteroidFields
Debug Message:  Loading AFMiningBases
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 Treaties
Debug Message:  Loading ENDGALAXYDATA
Debug Message:  Updating ZOC.
Debug Message:  UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 2
Debug Message:  UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message:  UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message:  Random Event: End
Debug Message:  Eval
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\CustomMaps\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Dark Avatar\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\SandboxGames\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Story Logs\*.sav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\temp\*.sav
Debug Message:  Save Game: About to save
Debug Message:  Saving game C:\Users\New User\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Math Fool 1.tmp
Debug Message:  Num Sectors Across: 5
Debug Message:  Saving: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message:  Number of ships: 27, Number of Fleets: 0
Debug Message:  Save game finished.
Debug Message:  Destroying ship Terran Constructor M0-1 32. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message:  Destroying ship Colony Ship M0-6 29. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message:  Updating ZOC.
Debug Message:  Random Event: End
Debug Message:  Error flipping back buffer to primary buffer.
Debug Message:  D3DERR_DEVICELOST
Debug Message:  Device lost
Debug Message:  Attempting to reset device.

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Ultimate (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.071023-1545)

Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: SyncMaster 731B/731BF/731BA/730BA(Digital)
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Date:

Since you are running a non-SP1 version of Vista, and there is no indication of what video driver version you are running, and you are getting video driver errors in the debug - you have some updating to do.

Go to Nvidia's site, download and install the latest video drivers. The original Vista drivers were known to have a lot of problems.

Thanks, upgrading Vista to SP1 and the video drivers fixed the problem.  I tried to upgrade to SP1 a few months ago, but it failed.  This time it worked without any problems.

-mathfool