Seemingly random game crashes

from GalCiv2 Forums
I downloaded the demo version yesterday to give the game a try and I really like it and would like to buy it but It keeps crashing. It seems quite random. It happens about every 10-15 mins and I cannot figure out what the problem is... It crashes only in response to me clicking something. If i leave it alone it seems to be fine. However its never the same button twice that causes it to crash :S I could cope with this but whenever it happens all my savegames seem to be ruined. Whenever i try load them after a crash It simply finihes loading then quits to desktop.

Oh and my ships seem to be messed up. There are no textures on the models they are all just whatever colour my races base colour is. This leads me to think its a video card problem of some sort.
Help anyone?


The debug is after trying to load a save game after a crash. ill try post one of what it says after a crash from ingame.

Debug Message: Version 1.0X DEMO VERSION last updated on: Wed Mar 22 18:28:31 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 6/7/2006, 08:42:25
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: M7S5K3
Operating System: Windows 98 (4.10, Build 2222) A
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: n/a
Processor: AMD Duron(tm) Processor, MMX, 3DNow, ~900MHz
Physical Memory: 384MB RAM
Page File: 77MB used, 1586MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\Display1\U0
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type:
DAC Type:
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0110&SUBSYS_283B107D&REV_B2\001000
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit)(optimal refresh rate)
Monitor Name: IBM 0180 C51
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nvdisp.drv
Driver Version: 4.14.0010.7772
Driver Date: 6/15/2005 17:20:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SiS 7018 Wave
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_7018&SUBSYS_70181039&REV_02\BUS_00&DEV_01&FUNC_04
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: sis7018.sys
Provider: Silicon Integrated Systems Corp.(1.14.02)
Driver Version: 5.00.0000.6140
Driver Date: 9/26/2001 18:17:48
Type: WDM
Other Drivers: sis7018.sys
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Game Compatible Device (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: MODEMWAVE\HSP56_MR\PCI&VEN_1039&DEV_7013&SUBSYS_70131039&REV_A0&BUS_00&DEV_01&FUNC_06
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 89
Driver Name:
Provider: PCtel
Driver Version:
Driver Date:
Type: Emulated
Other Drivers: serwave.vxd
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Voice Modem Wave #00 Line (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: MODEMWAVE\HSP56_MR\PCI&VEN_1039&DEV_7013&SUBSYS_70131039&REV_A0&BUS_00&DEV_01&FUNC_06
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 81
Driver Name:
Provider: PCtel
Driver Version:
Driver Date:
Type: Emulated
Other Drivers: serwave.vxd
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Voice Modem Wave #00 Handset (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: MODEMWAVE\HSP56_MR\PCI&VEN_1039&DEV_7013&SUBSYS_70131039&REV_A0&BUS_00&DEV_01&FUNC_06
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 83
Driver Name:
Provider: PCtel
Driver Version:
Driver Date:
Type: Emulated
Other Drivers: serwave.vxd
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_NONE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
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: 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 1234dc
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Tutorials\*.bik
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:\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: 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:\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: TitleWnd: Quit Button.
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing 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: 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: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
6,099 views 9 replies
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well being that you like moo3 you should be used to this kind of thing.

Make sure you have dx9.0c i see directx errors, and make sure you have new drivers as well.


OH!!! You have a mx440. Count yourself out of playing any game made within the last 4 years. Horrible card, you need a new one as that is the root of your problem.
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You might think about updating your system alittle. If you can do the work yourself you can save
alot of money or have a friend build you a good system. Right now is the time to upgrade your
hardware, due ti Intel and AMD are releasing new CPUs. Also, ATI and Nvidia are doing the same
too.

Then buy GC2 ...
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Aside from trying to run it on a very underpowered computer, you are using the demo version. The latest release version is a lot less crash-prone, but I would recommend you do some major upgrading of your computer, or even go for a replacement. Seriously. I have an old laptop from 3 or 4 years ago that is more powerful.

I love these 2 lines in your debug.err, have to get some of those for my ships:
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
----------------------------------------------------------------------^^^^^^^^^^


Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
One thing stood out for me:

Driver Version: 4.14.0010.7772
Driver Date: 6/15/2005 17:20:00

There is a good thread about the instability of Nvidia MX400 drivers under win 98 here:

Link

Nevertheless, you NEED NEED NEED to have updated graphics drivers to play this game!

Try this link:


Link

They are up to version 81.98 while you are at version 4.14.

Locking up over and over again sounds like your computer is just being run too hard, and too hot. Duron processors ran VERY hot, and your computer is likely a few years old, which means that your heat sink fan might be clogged with dust, or maybe the fans in your computer just aren't doing a good job of keeping your system cool.

Try opening your case, and seeing if the system is more stable with good air flow.

Personally, my fan on my graphics card failed, but the system mostly worked so I (unwisely) let it go for a few months. The heat from the graphics card bulged some caps on my motherboard and now I'm working with a PC Chips motherboard and onboard video (shudder)!

The newer versions of the game are WELL worth the money to purchase the game if you find yourself liking it. You get good bugfixes and tons of new gameplay tweaks. It may well be that your problems are bugs in the demo version, but I suspect graphics driver issues, and heat issues. This game runs your computer hard.

Good luck!


Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah was looking at the graphics drivers before. Going to download them after midnight when it costs me less
Id love to upgrade my comp but sadly i am a poor uni student with no money whatsoever.
Pretty sure I have the latest directx.
Grr i just reinstalled my operating system recently and so nothing is up to date. Looks like im guna have to spend an hour or two updating everything.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
One good way to make reinstalling a system from scratch more bearable is to collect together all of the drivers you will possibly need (and BIOS updates, etc.) and stick them on a CD so you can install them right after you do the OS, like so:

Latest motherboard BIOS
Latest videocard BIOS
Latest motherboard driver set (chipset, IDE, onboard audio, etc.)
Latest videocard driver
Latest audio driver if you have a separate sound card or external device
Latest full standalone installer for DirectX
etc.

Another good idea, if you have Symantec Ghost, is to completely install your system with all drivers and the basic programs you always use (AV, Firewall, antispam, antispyware, an office suite or word procesor, whatever), make sure all updates are installed, and then make a backup of your install using Ghost, then burn it to a CD.

This works best if you have a D: drive or partition your hard drive, because you can put all your data, and even the Ghost image, on there and when you restore the image to C: you don't have to worry about losing anything except program settings (which you can also back up sometimes).

P.S.: Many student loans can be renegotiated to include an allowance for a computer to use for studying and preparing papers, etc.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hmm well the new drivers seem to have fixed the crashing problem but I stll cant load save games? Weird. Really like the game though. Tough is the hardest difficulty without the AI cheating right? Seems a bit easy to me and im only on my 2nd game :S
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
As I recall, the GeForce MX 400 does not play nicely with GalCiv II, as it's unable to handle many of the features. Newer versions of GalCiv II allow players to tweak features, so it may not be an issue with the full game, however.