I just bought this game a couple of days ago. It's Dark Avatar 1.59.078. This is the first game I've played on this machine that crashes. It crashes on small or medium-sized galaxies. I haven't tried other sizes. It crashes after you load the game, move some units around, manage planets, etc.. I tried playing with some settings and turning down BackgroundStars but nothing seems to help. If I start a new game, that eventually crashes as well. Sometimes sooner, sometimes later.
If there's anything else I could do please let me know, but as of right now it's been a waste of $40

since I only got 2 nights of play time and didn't get a chance to even finish a game. Here's the debug.err:
Debug Message: Version v1.50x3 Dark Avatar last updated on: Mon Mar 12 18:37:34 2007
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 4/20/2007, 00:22:15
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: CALIBAN
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: BIOS Date: 09/06/06 17:43:50 Ver: 08.00.12
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6400 @ 2.13GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 290MB used, 4675MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7900 GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0292&SUBSYS_22181682&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: ViewSonic VP930 Series
Monitor Max Resolution: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9371
Driver Date: 10/22/2006 13:22:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SoundMAX HD Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_11D4&DEV_1988&SUBSYS_104381E1&REV_1004
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Driver Name: ADIHdAud.sys
Provider: AnalogDevices
Driver Version: 5.10.0001.4530
Driver Date: 5/2/2006 13:12:06
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: 1280 x 1024
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS
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: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 7edcf590
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Event Music\*.mp3
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: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=0
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullscreenBink
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=1
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Dark Avatar\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Story Logs\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tim Fisher\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\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 asteroid fields.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid field mining bases.
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: Data Defs block size: 1124878
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: Loading TechDefs
Debug Message: Max num techs: 273
Debug Message: Loading ImprovementDB
Debug Message: Loading Component Defs
Debug Message: Loading ShipTypes
Debug Message: Loading ShipTemplates
Debug Message: Loading ParsedHardpoints
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 AFMBModules
Debug Message: Loading ShipStyles
Debug Message: Loading Game
Debug Message: Loading: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message: Loading Galaxy
Debug Message: Sectors across: 8 x 8
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 AsteroidFields
Debug Message: Loading AFMiningBases
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 Treaties
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: Eval
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S2_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Altarian Resistance Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S3_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Arcean Empire Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S6_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Dominion of Korx Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S7_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Drath Legion Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S13_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Dread Lords Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S1_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Drengin Empire Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S9_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Iconian Refuge Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S10_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Korath Clan Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S11_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Krynn Consulate Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: Pirate_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Pirate Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S0_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Terran Alliance Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S8_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Thalan Empire Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S4_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Torian Confederation Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S5_PirateShip.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Yor Collective Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S2_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Altarian Resistance Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S3_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Arcean Empire Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S6_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Dominion of Korx Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S7_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Drath Legion Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S13_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Dread Lords Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S1_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Drengin Empire Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S9_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Iconian Refuge Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S10_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Korath Clan Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S11_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Krynn Consulate Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: Pirate_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Pirate Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S0_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Terran Alliance Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S8_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Thalan Empire Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S4_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Torian Confederation Style.
Debug Message: Could not find ship config: S5_Starbase.shipcfg. This core ship will not be available for style Yor Collective Style.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=20
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuarterlyWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=16
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 2
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding ResearchWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 9
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=10
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding MessageBoxWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 3
Debug Message: EconomicWnd: Cannot find OBJID Template_Button_Back
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 3
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 3
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 3
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 3
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 3
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 3
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 3
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 3
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 3
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1