Hard freeze on tutorial, main screen

I just bought GalCiv II Gold (on CD), installed and made sure everything got updated through Stardock Central, and went to run the Tutorials. I promptly started getting hard freezes. (Which means: cursor freezes, computer responds to neither mouse nor keyboard--not even Ctrl-Alt-Del hit repeatedly or held down--and the only thing I can do is shut it off via the physical power button.)

Before running the game I did follow the advice in the Readme and installed the latest nVidia drivers for my XP rig. Also ran dxdiag...it reported no problems.

The first freeze came when I chose Tutorials, then (before I actually played any of them) tried clicking the "Full Screen" box. An "x" appeared in the box, but nothing else happened, and the computer was locked up hard.

I rebooted, restarted the game, and decided to refrain from clicking that box again. I started up the first Tutorial video. It ran most of the way through, until the hard freeze about when the voice was reading me the last sentence.

After rebooting again I decided to give Windowed mode a go. I started the game, chose 1152 x 864 windowed, quit and restarted the game. I went back to Tutorials, and made it through the first tutorial video. Hooray. I breathed a sigh of relief, felt bold enough to click the "Full Screen" box (which worked this time), and started playing the second video. It froze about halfway through.

I purchased Star Rangers 2 via TG.net some weeks ago and haven't been able to enjoy that one yet either, as I got similar hard freezes when trying to play the RTS mode. (The introductory RTS mission locks up with a hard freeze every time I launch it, anywhere from one to five minutes in. If I decline the RTS, I can play a good long while without a glitch. Well, other than the fact that the intro video is glitched up.)

(Oh, and I have also purchased GalCiv 1, Space Rangers 1, and The Corporate Machine from you--never a lick of trouble with any of them, happy to say. Except the intro video for Space Rangers 1 is glitchy, just as with Space Rangers 2--but that's not really important.)

Perhaps the problems are related; and perhaps there is something I can uninstall or disable that might help. There are more open processes in Task Manager than I would like, and more entries in the list of Audio Codecs and Video Codecs than I understand (thanks to your FAQ for guiding me there...wish I knew more about what I'm seeing there though). I don't really know what to try uninstalling and disabling, and what side-effects I could expect from doing so.

Here is my debug.err from TotalGaming/GalCiv2:

========================================

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: 9/9/2007, 03:26:39
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: KMJ-ET3256
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: eMachines
System Model: Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 3200+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 379MB used, 2598MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6600 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00F1&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A2
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: ViewSonic VP171b-2
Monitor Max Resolution: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6218
Driver Date: 6/29/2007 00:43:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: NFORCE_VAD
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: nvapu.sys
Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
Driver Version: 6.14.0462.0000
Driver Date: 4/13/2005 12:34:02
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: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1152 x 864
Debug Message: Running in windowed mode.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_IMMEDIATE
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 0
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: Border size reported as 6 by 32
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now windowed.
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 836e3d80
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\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
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

========================================

Also, for what it's worth, here's what's listed in my Device Manager under Audio Codecs:

==========
IMA ADPCM Audio CODEC
Microsoft ADPCM Audio CODEC
Microsoft CCITT G.711 Audio CODEC
Microsoft GSM 6.10 Audio CODEC
DSP Group TrueSpeech(TM) Audio CODEC
msg723.acm
Windows Media Audio
Sipro Lab Telecom Audio Codec
Fraunhofer IIS MPEG Layer-3 CODEC
Indeo® audio software
Microsoft PCM Converter
==========

And Video Codecs:

==========
Cinepak Codec by Radius Inc.
DivX 6.6.1 Codec
EA VP6 Codec
Indeo codec by Intel
Indeo® video 5.10
ir41_32.ax
iyuv_32.dll
Microsoft RLE Codec
Microsoft Video 1
Microsoft Windows Media Video 9 VCM
msh261.drv
msh263.drv
msyuv.dll
tsbyuv.dll
vp6vfw.dll
==========

Finally, all the junk listed under Processes in Windows Task Manager, in descending order of memory usage:

==========
firefox.exe (of course, I'm using that to post this message)
explorer.exe
vsmon.exe
svchost.exe
SMSystemAnalyzer.exe
iTunesHelper.exe
ScanningProcess.exe
ScanningProcess.exe
services.exe
zlclient.exe
svchost.exe
spoolsv.exe
nvsvc32.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
ioloDMVSvc.exe
Monitor.exe
svchost.exe
ups.exe
CALMAIN.exe
csrss.exe
rundll32.exe
hpztsb04.exe
AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
wmpnscfg.exe
schedul2.exe
razerhid.exe
zHotkey.exe
PrintScreen.exe
iPodService.exe
razertra.exe
ctfmon.exe
Runservice.exe
FreeRAM XP Pro.exe
shwiconEM.exe
taskmgr.exe
razerofa.exe
schedhlp.exe
winlogon.exe
TrueImageMonitor.exe
lsass.exe
smss.exe
System
System Idle Process
==========

Any advice, suggested fixes, and/or "Dude! Uninstall that! No wonder your computer is running like a dog these days!" exclamations would be appreciated. Thanks.

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You sure do have a lot of processes there

, but the thing I was wondering is your running your dessktop at 1280 x 1024 and the game at 1152 x 864. Any special reason? It is best to match your desktop resolution.

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I started out running the game fullscreen at 1280x1024; then switched it to the lesser resolution when changing to Windowed mode. In my experience, this has been the best policy for other games--they're less likely to get confused or crash when set to less than the full desktop size. But perhaps I should try GalCiv at 1280x1024 Windowed?

Update:

I gave it a try. Whoa...locked up even faster.

Upon restart, I didn't see a windowed border around the screen, so I went into Options to verify that the game was set for 1280x1024 Windowed. When clicking on one of the tabs at the top I got a hard freeze, as described in the post above. Here is the debug-err from this lockup:

========================================

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: 9/10/2007, 01:08:27
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: KMJ-ET3256
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: eMachines
System Model: Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 3200+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 318MB used, 2659MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6600 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00F1&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A2
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: ViewSonic VP171b-2
Monitor Max Resolution: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6218
Driver Date: 6/29/2007 00:43:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: NFORCE_VAD
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: nvapu.sys
Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
Driver Version: 6.14.0462.0000
Driver Date: 4/13/2005 12:34:02
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: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Debug Message: Running in windowed mode.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_IMMEDIATE
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 0
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: Border size reported as 6 by 32
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now windowed.
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 836eb2b0
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\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done

========================================

I have two details to add. This evening, I tried using Driver Cleaner Pro to completely remove the old nVidia display drivers, then did a reinstall of the latest version. Doesn't look like that helped one bit.

Also, I found another thread here where someone described a tutorial-video lockup, where the cursor and screen locked up but the audio continued. That's not what happens in my case. When it freezes on me, the audio stops at the same moment the cursor and display lock up.

Finally, I haven't yet tried playing around much with the various options that the nVidia control panel gives me. (For one thing, I have no idea what most of them do. What the heck is a "mipmap" anyway?) Back when I, and many others, were having trouble with pre-patch Civ IV, somebody posted a recommended set of nVidia 3D settings for Civ, and it improved stability for me greatly with very little in the way of performance or quality losses. Any similar recommended settings for GalCiv II?

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Okay, one more example. After switching back to 1152 x 864 Windowed, I decided to skip the tutorials and fire up a game. I selected Campaign, and had it start up the first Dread Lords scenario.

I got to the main screen, clicked on my homeworld and looked at the planet, scrolled around a little and looked around some more, clicked on one of my starting ships...and it froze up hard just as before. Harder, even...this time, my computer wouldn't even boot back up until I had left it powered off for a couple minutes. Wow.

Anyhow, here's one more debug.err file, from this latest freeze:

========================================

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: 9/10/2007, 01:33:06
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: KMJ-ET3256
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: eMachines
System Model: Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 3200+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 322MB used, 2654MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6600 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00F1&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A2
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: ViewSonic VP171b-2
Monitor Max Resolution: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6218
Driver Date: 6/29/2007 00:43:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: NFORCE_VAD
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: nvapu.sys
Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
Driver Version: 6.14.0462.0000
Driver Date: 4/13/2005 12:34:02
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: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1152 x 864
Debug Message: Running in windowed mode.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_IMMEDIATE
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 0
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: Border size reported as 6 by 32
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now windowed.
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 836e3d80
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\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\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:\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: 4 x 4
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 2.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 42
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
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: Error loading mission 16 from C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\./Data/English/Campaigns/Dread Lords Campaign.gc2campaign
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: Error loading mission 16 from C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\./Data/English/Campaigns/Dread Lords Campaign.gc2campaign
Debug Message: Killing hidden planet surface init thread. Waiting for it to die.

Debug Message: Aborting hidden planet surface initialization.
Debug Message: Hidden planet surface init thread dead.
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: Loading custom map: ./Data/English/Campaigns\An Unexpected Visitor.gc2map (0 x 37181855)
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 28
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 40
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 40
Debug Message: Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 95
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 = 0
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Campaign Game Started: Dread Lords Campaign
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled

========================================

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kryo

Join Date 05/2003

+458

Hm, do you have any problems with other Direct3D games? Just offhand there doesn't appear to be a lot of consistency to the freezes that would indicate a game problem, so that points more towards it being a system issue.

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Other games have run well enough. Demanding games like Civ IV and The Sims 2 go for hours without crashing. So it's not a problem with every game...though as I noted, lockup problems are preventing me from fully enjoying Space Rangers 2 as well. Perhaps these two apps are more sensitive to a particular system issue of mine than the average bear.

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Uh...guys? Anything else to offer other than a "just offhand" sentence? I tried to provide as much detail as I could on several different run-throughs in the hopes that I might get some more specific advice regarding my problem. I know it looks like I'm going to have to root out and terminate whatever it is on my system that isn't playing nicely with GalCiv II and Space Rangers 2, but I'm no longer enough of a Windows techie to know where to start, and what it's a good idea to delete versus what it's a bad idea to mess with.

(Back in the day, I was tech support...but that was helping users working with Windows 3.1 and Mac System 7. Long time ago. Now I just plead for help, utter imprecations, and sacrifice chickens like everyone else.)

(Mmm...chicken...)

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kryo

Join Date 05/2003

+458

Try contacting support@stardock.com then, to see if they can come up with anything.

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