Crash trying to start campaign

metaverse games work fine

from GalCiv2 Forums
I posted a while back in another thread, but I'm guessing it got lost in the other posts. I sent in the SmartException trace to the bugs email address earlier in the week, but I haven't heard a response (not even acknowledging receipt), and I'm not sure if I should expect one. So, I'll try again and hopefully I can get this resolved.

I can play metaverse games without any problem. However, when I go to start a campaign game, the application crashes to desktop. The crash occurs immediately after the intro movie finishes playing. In fact, for a brief instant I can see the game screen (although the main part of the display is grey instead of showing any interface).

I tried reinstalling. I made sure my video drivers are up to date. But, the strange thing is that I can play normal games without error. So, something else is going on.

Any help?

Debug Message: Version v1.0 Digital: Bonus Pack last updated on: Mon Feb 20 19:04:13 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 2/22/2006, 15:45:22
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: KHELDAR
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Alienware
System Model: Alienware
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 246MB used, 2215MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Series GPU
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6800 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00F9&SUBSYS_C3763842&REV_A2
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1600 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8198
Driver Date: 12/10/2005 03:06:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek HD Audio rear output
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0880&SUBSYS_08800000&REV_0905
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5178
Driver Date: 10/18/2005 12:15:42
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: 1600 x 1200
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Series GPU
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 c28de880
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: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\abatishko\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\abatishko\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: Error loading mission 16 from C:\Games\TotalGaming.net\GalCiv2\./Data/English/Campaigns/Dread Lords Campaign.gc2campaign
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\abatishko\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: Error loading mission 16 from C:\Games\TotalGaming.net\GalCiv2\./Data/English/Campaigns/Dread Lords Campaign.gc2campaign
Debug Message: Creating Galaxy
Debug Message: Set galaxy size.
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: 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: Num Anomalies: 7
Debug Message: MissionWnd: Cannot find OBJID Campaign_MiniMap_Window
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Description_Text
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Tab_Homeworld
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 70
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: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: ResearchWnd: Cannot find OBJID Research_Screen_Back
16,268 views 39 replies
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I am also unable to play the campaign. I can play normal or metaverse games, but not the campaign. I also have submitted the Smart Exception Crash reports with no response. I have the Digital Download (latest - checked Sunday 2/26), with the bonus pack, and collectors edition material installed.

Here's whats happening.

I select campaign, set up the options (mainly hit next, next, next), watch the video, and then when the video is done, the UI comes up for about 1 second, and the game throughs up the windows Exception dialog, Telling me the game must close, and do I want to send the information.

I'm pretty frustrated.
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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
ccarlton: Can you post your debug.err file here? We'll try to get to the bottom of this for you guys. Thanks!
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Sure. Will do this when I get home. But I believe it's very similar to the one that's posted above. Yesterday, I was trying to get help in #galciv, and mentioned three things I see in the above debug.err file.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Chad: I see your report in the bug database. It's now on the top of our priority list We'll keep you posted on our progress.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks BoogieBac, I appreciate the attention!
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
I recieved an email from someone from stardock with a file to try. I tried it, and it didn't work. I do appreciate your prompt responses in trying to get the game working. There have been 1 or two games in the past I've been unable to get working right after release, and I didn't recieve this level of customer support. Thanks for putting in the extra hours!

I replied to the message, and added new .cra's, .dmp's, and .err's.
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

What's weird about your guys' situation is that 1. it's crashing on the research screen and 2. it SHOULD be crashing in the main game but 3. it's not. Hopefully the new crash logs will shed some more light on this issue...otherwise we can try and get a system setup with your specs and try and reproduce the bug, or give you some special EXEs to try and fix the problem otherwise.

And thank YOU for being so patitent with the problem. As a gamer myslef I can understand the frustrations so let's try and stomp this bug out ASAP

Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I don't have trouble with assisting as much as possible, let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
As a developer myself I can understand the frustration with having the product mysteriously not work perfectly for everyone.

Frankly, knowing that the issue is being looked (and seeing updates like that) makes me a lot more willing to be patient while things get cleared up.

Let me know if I can help in any way.
Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
Could this be associated with us both being Digital Downloads, Both having installed the bonus pack, and CE Material, but doing it in the wrong order?

I'm going to try deleting the contents of my ships folder tonight, I think I may have named a ship the same name in 2 different games.. I've just read that causes bad things to happen.


BTW, is there a list of "Please don't do these things" anywhere?
Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Ah, actually, could you guys zip up your "my game/galciv2" directory (everything except for the saved games).  Perhaps there's something going on there that we havn't forseen.

Just sent those files to [email protected] and cc [email protected] (who you guys have also been in touch with).

As far as I knon duplicate ship design names will just be saved over one another, but I could be wrong.  

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top
I can do that when I get home from work today.

By the way, I downloaded and installed the game on another machine using my account, and was able to start the campaign just fine. So, it's not something account specific.
Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top
I will zip up my info as well.

I have not tried reinstalling. Tonight after zipping up those files, I'll give that a try. AStott's note makes me believe that there may have been some kind of bad install that only affected the campaign.
Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top
ccarlton, make sure you delete your local data before reinstalling. Unfortunately I didn't try that when I reinstalled on my main system.
Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top
I just sent my zip file along with the SmartException crash files.
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I also had this very same problem, i was about to send my error file when i read through it myself (I'm a modder, and have been in college for computer programming (4 semesters), and then switched to graphic design, since my passion has always been 3D modeling and rendering (I'm highly skilled in Newtek LightWave 3D)) and had an idea that solved the problem, at least for me. I deleted my Prefs.ini file, moved my savegames to a backup folder, and restarted the game. Then, i only changed my resolution and AA settings, restarted, and the campaign works fine now.

Logic
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Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top
I uninstalled the game last night. After uninstalling, I did a search for galciv, and deleted all registry keys that were not removed by the uninstaller. I then went in and deleted the folders that were left behind by the uninstaller.

After doing this, I redownloaded the Game, and installed it. Without installing the CE or bonus pack content, OR playing with the game options, I was successful in starting the campaign!

Tonight, I will take a _very_ slow additive approach, trying to see what breaks the Campaign.

Here's the order I plan on trying things. Number denote general categories, commas denote individual attempts.

1. Graphics options - Resolution, Anti-Aliasing, Full-screen
2. Bonus Pack Content
3. Collectors Edition Content

I will post again tonight with the results.
Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top
Excellent! I didn't have a chance to get on last night and play around with things. I'll definitely go yank my settings folder when I've got the chance.
Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top
Just to chime in, I've reported the same problem - ticket id RIO-556941. I'm going to try resetting the prefs.ini, since the campaign game did work BEFORE I added CE content and messed with the video details.
Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top
Andrew: before you do anything else, can you simply delete your prefs.ini file? Lets see if the resolution has something to do with the crash.
Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top
BoogieBac, I'll try that, but it'll have to wait until tonight.
Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
re ticket id RIO-556941
just deleted prefs.ini and can restart campaign from beginning again. Guess the prob may be something in there.
I'll play with resolution and see if I can break it again
Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top
I've got it figured out. If I change the line in my Prefs.ini file from "SkipIntro=1" to "SkipIntro=0" the crash goes away. Change it back and the crash happens. 100% recreatable on my machine.