Random game crash

from GalCiv2 Forums
I don’t have the debug info to paste in. It’s mainly used to discover old vid, sound, win drivers which are all updated on my rig. I would be very grateful for any help

The game crashes to windows at random intervals. Sometimes a save game will trigger a crash. If it does, the save game will always crash if I try to load from it. Once corrupted, future saves to the file will always crash the game forcing me do delete the file completely.
I finally got to a point where I can replicate it on my most recent, new map. It usually occurs between 6-8 turns from start. This is when I decided to troubleshoot. All troubleshooting recommended in this forum have been done:
-All drivers; chipset, video card, sound, WinXp are completely up-to-date as off 24/3/2006
-Desktop resolution at 1024x768, game at 1280x1024
-Well cooled PC (I’m a hobbyist). Low temps all round. Vid at 55C load
-Autosave turned off
-Virtual memory: 2048MB
Extra step:
-Relaxed memory timings
-Tried single slot of memory

My PC:
WinXP SP2
Asus MB
6800GS 256MB RAM
2GB Mushkin Low latency RAM
Creative Audigy
Runs Prime95, Memtest86, Windows Memtest perfectly without fail for any length of time.
7,305 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Your debug.err shows alot more than that. If you aren't willing to post it, not sure how much help you can get here without going to Stardock's support. Having said that, I would recommend downloading the latest patch for the game or the new beta patch. If you are using the autosave feature you might try turning it off and see if that helps (just manually save). Without your debug info though, there's not alot to go on.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks for the reply. I'll get a debug report in a bit later as I'm at work at the moment.
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Maybe you should set your desktop res the same or higher than your game res, or lower your game res. I read it somewhere, but I am not sure if it's for this game
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm going to bed now, but I will try to look for your post in the morning. Someone else will probably beat me to it.

I thought I typed this earlier, but you might try your game at the same resolution as your desktop as well, just to rule it out.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Creative Audigy...
I had a Creative Audigy 2 in my comp, I had the same problems you have. Lots of strange crashes in GCII and such.
After trying to upgrade the sound drivers for the card and get them to work for about 10 hours I gave up and removed the card and started using the on-board sound system (C-Media). While the sound quality is lower the computer feels more stable and I haven't had any crashes in GCII.

Uhm, the point... Your sound card might cause the crashes, try playing with another sound card or without one to see if it still crashes.
Hope it helps
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks for all the replies so far. Sounds will now be the next thing to look at

Got my debug:
Debug Message: Version v1.0X.1 last updated on: Mon Mar 6 13:57:14 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 3/25/2006, 19:33:30
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: DEREK-N0D4FC0ZM
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 312MB used, 3626MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6800 GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00C0&SUBSYS_033910DE&REV_A2
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8421
Driver Date: 3/9/2006 15:29:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Creative SB Audigy LS
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0007&SUBSYS_10021102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: P17.sys
Provider: CREATIVE
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0512
Driver Date: 7/7/2005 16:14:30
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 6800 GS
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 85
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 369e99
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\Puti\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Puti\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.raceconfig
*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\Puti\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Puti\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:\Documents and Settings\Puti\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Puti\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Puti\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Puti\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Puti\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Puti\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Puti\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\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 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: Loading Custom Map
Debug Message: Loading Data Defs
Debug Message: Data Defs block size: 965953
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Loading TechDefs
Debug Message: Max num techs: 248
Debug Message: Loading ImprovementDB
Debug Message: Loading Component Defs
Debug Message: Loading ShipTypes
Debug Message: Loading ShipConfigs
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Puti\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
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 Game
Debug Message: Loading Galaxy
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 Civs
Debug Message: Loading Colonies
Debug Message: Loading RallyPoints
Debug Message: Loading Ships
Debug Message: Loading Fleets
Debug Message: Loading Influence
Debug Message: Loading ENDGALAXYDATA
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 10
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Shameful bump...

If anyone can read the these debug texts
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
DId you try disabling your sound card like he recommended? Maybe check if the drivers can be updated for them too.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yep, completely removed the sound card and it didn't work.

I've sent a request to the support email address at stardock. Hopefully they can help me out too.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hmm, hopefully they can straighten it out for you. I've been jogging my memory and I recall someone saying that their save or end of turn was causing seemingly random CTD. Turned out that there was a ship on autopilot that when the computer went to move it at the end of turn, it would cause a CTD. Cancelling the movement or something would prevent the CTD from recurring. I don't remember all the details, but it would be something to look into.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That's exactly what has been happening in my game. It's when I save (or autosave) or when I click the turn button is when the game crashes. Ships are almost always on autopilot so I'll try keeping them still for a bit when I get home tonight. That being said, it's a strange issue and having to not use autopilot isn't much of a fix.

Once again, thanks for all the help HEEGZ.
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
After take HEEGZ advise to basically stop any ship movement, I finally found a very strange bug. One by one I isolated my ships movement to see which one causes the crash. It turns out that it isn't ship movement itself but exploration. Whenever any of my ships move towards a specific unexplored corner of the map, it crashes gauranteed. It may be that the map is corrupted or something, but previous games have been far more random in crashing. It's probably all related. So I've forwarded the error generated by SmartException to stardock support who said they'd get it to the programmers for further investigation. Hope this helps for other unfortunate people like me.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well that's about all you can do from this point. Thought I would mention that you might turn off autosaving if you are having CTD after/during an autosave (since you mentioned it). Not that big of a bother to manually save, if it avoids a CTD. I've not had that problem but since others have posted about it, it might resolve some of your 'random' CTDs.
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Once again, HEEGZ, thanks for all the help you provided. You've been a legend

I'll add notes once I get results from the support emails to stardock. Hopefully others won't have to go through such an elaborate 'trail and error' process as I have.