Random crashes in Windows Vista RC2

from GalCiv2 Forums
I installed GCII on Vista and am experiencing random but frequent crashes. I seem to be able to play around 5 - 10 min between crashes. See the debug.err file below.

Debug Message: Version v1.4x last updated on: Mon Oct 23 17:43:56 2006
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 11/21/2006, 12:12:10
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: RONBETH
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Ultimate (6.0, Build 5744) (5744.vista_rtm_edw.061003-1945)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: NVIDIA
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Physical Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 1037MB used, 1272MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7800 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0092&SUBSYS_21821682&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256 MB
Current Display Mode: 1920 x 1200 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dum,nvd3dumx.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0010.9685
Driver Date: 10/9/2006 21:55:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (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: nvapu64.sys
Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
Driver Version: 6.14.0465.0000
Driver Date: 7/26/2005 07:07:48
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Line Out (NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: NFORCE_VAD
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: nvapu64.sys
Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
Driver Version: 6.14.0465.0000
Driver Date: 7/26/2005 07:07:48
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Headphones (NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: NFORCE_VAD
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: nvapu64.sys
Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
Driver Version: 6.14.0465.0000
Driver Date: 7/26/2005 07:07:48
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 multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GT
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 59
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:\Users\Ron & Beth\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Ron & Beth\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:\Users\Ron & Beth\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Ron & Beth\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Ron & Beth\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Ron & Beth\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Ron & Beth\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Ron & Beth\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Ron & Beth\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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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 ENDGALAXYDATA
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 0
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Diplomatic Relations
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Dark Yor (17): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship 12. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Xeno Communications
Debug Message: Destroying ship Terran Alliance Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Torian Confederation (4): Researching: New Propulsion Techniques
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge (9): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Torian Confederation (4): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Universal Translator
Debug Message: Thalan Empire (8): Researching: Mass Driver Theory
Debug Message: Dark Yor (17): Researching: Space Weapons
Debug Message: Destroying ship Arcean Colony Ship M0-1 24. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Iconian Colony Ship M0-4 50. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
12,134 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Vista isn't supported because the drivers aren't fully matured.

I believe that's the vanila response?
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
GC2 will not be supported on Vista until it is released to the general public at retail. The most likely cause of problems though is buggy beta drivers.
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Vista has been gone gold, has been released and is available now.

If somebody bought a brand new PC with Vista preloaded will it now be supported?

Does Stardock intend to support DA When it has reached version 1.0?
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Vista has been gone gold, has been released and is available now.

That's why I bought my new PC just under the wire with XP Pro. Thank God for small favors.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Vista gold already?!? Aiiee, I thought we had until late January to get a decent XP box. Here's hoping Microsoft will let a few OEMs keep some XP Pro machines around for a while...
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Aiiee, I thought we had until late January to get a decent XP box. Here's hoping Microsoft will let a few OEMs keep some XP Pro machines around for a while...

I don't think you need to worry too much for a bit, but I wouldn't wait too long. Right now they're still bundled with XP Pro or XP Media Center (not even sure what this is exactly). But I wouldn't wait too much past Christmas if I were you.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The video drivers are still somewhat crappy. I would expect driver updates in mid-January.

Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
So is Vista as craptacular as every other Windows release?

We still don't have our macros (for my job) working on XP, can't wait for the next OS. Should be a real joy.
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
So is Vista as craptacular as every other Windows release?

I've heard that it phones home every ten minutes to check whether or not it's a valid copy. If it thinks it's not then you have 30 seconds to enter your 16 digit credit card number and your 3 or 4 digit security code, otherwise your PC catches fire and melts. Plus you have to digitally sign a statement admitting that you've been a bad little pirate and you promise you won't ever do it again.

Also Microsoft has required all PC manufacturers to install a special one farad capacitor that sends a 10,000 volt shock through the keyboard if you ever attempt to disconnect from the internet.

This may be a little exaggeration, but this is why I was so anxious to get XP Pro on my new PC.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I've heard that it phones home every ten minutes to check whether or not it's a valid copy. If it thinks it's not then you have 30 seconds to enter your 16 digit credit card number and your 3 or 4 digit security code, otherwise your PC catches fire and melts. Plus you have to digitally sign a statement admitting that you've been a bad little pirate and you promise you won't ever do it again.

Also Microsoft has required all PC manufacturers to install a special one farad capacitor that sends a 10,000 volt shock through the keyboard if you ever attempt to disconnect from the internet.


  That was hilarious.  
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
  Very funny
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have the same issues with GC on Vista Ultimate RTM (build 6000). I think the problem is the gfx-drivers. Currently I'm using the nvidia beta drivers (version 97.27) which are the best so far to my knowledge for nvidia-based cards. Random crashes - nothing as severe as described above, but still aggravating. The game seems to freeze up for no apparent reason. Alt+tab to desktop and back fixes the problem enough to let me make one selection ingame whereupon it freezes again. Some times this technique is enough to let me at least save the game before rebooting which is necessary every time. I get normally 10 minutes up to about an hour of game-time between crashes.

On a whole I find Vista to be a vast improvement over XP, and it is not as difficult a creature to work with as many seem to think. Even the copy-protection/activation-issues described to us at greath lenghts are easily circumvented.

I apologize for any spelling-mistakes as this is early morning here and I'm off to work right this second.

Would love Vista support to be implemented sooner rather than later though.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Even the copy-protection/activation-issues described to us at greath lengths are easily circumvented.

Although this is totally off topic and probably requires a long explanation, can you give us a hint on the ease of this circumvention about which you speak?

Of course, if you tell us Microsoft will probably have to kill you. Probably not kill you, but at least tie you up in litigation for the rest of your life and just make you wish they had killed you. I actually wish I was joking here, but I do believe this to be the god awful truth.

Would love Vista support to be implemented sooner rather than later though.

The impression I get is once the video drivers are stable then the game will be stable.
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Although this is totally off topic and probably requires a long explanation, can you give us a hint on the ease of this circumvention about which you speak?


Please do not discuss piracy methods/copy protection circumvnetion here.
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Although this is totally off topic and probably requires a long explanation, can you give us a hint on the ease of this circumvention about which you speak?


Please do not discuss piracy methods/copy protection circumvention here.


Hmmm, how to answer a question without answering a question.... guess i can't.

However, random word of advice to all those switching over to Vista, you may find it convenient to keep your old copy of windows XP and install on a new partition... or better yet, a version of Linux with FAT file support. This way... uhhh... *looks left and right* you can back up all your old files from your pc just in case Vista crashes beyond all repair like I expect it to after the first virus release .
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Please do not discuss piracy methods/copy protection circumvention here.


Sorry. I was more trying to be cute about the personal litigation concerns. I'm sure corporate litigation can be a much more serious issue.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Although this is totally off topic and probably requires a long explanation, can you give us a hint on the ease of this circumvention about which you speak?



I guess I can't do that as per forum rules.

I'm quite sure you're right though, about the gfx-drivers. Hopefully Nvidia will release a set of stable drivers some day soon.
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
officially Vista has been released gold to companies (like Nvidia) and the corporate edition is being shipped, but retail computers like Dell and Gateway will not have it until January, buy your PC now if you plan on getting a new one! (i'd give vista about 6 months before i even think about updating to it)