DA not running well. Very Choppy Gameplay....HELP!!!

Please go to C:\Program Files\Stardock\Totalgaming\GalCiv2 (or wherever you installed the game at), open the debug.err file you find there in notepad, and copy/paste the contents into a post here. If this is a DA report, you'll find the debug in C:\Program Files\Stardock\Totalgaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar instead. This will give us some technical information that can help troubleshoot your problem.

Be sure to copy the debug immediately after the error occurs; if you start the game again, the debug will be erased and recreated for the new session.

Note: If running on Vista with DA 1.6b2 or later, the debug.err is now located in My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar.

Thanks! I will paste the contents of this file when I get home.

Here is my debug.err.....

Debug Message: Version v1.6 Dark Avatar last updated on: Wed Jun 6 08:51:50 2007
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 6/10/2007, 21:34:58
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: MANOOLY
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: Pavilion zv5200 (PR466UA#ABA)
BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.0GHz
Physical Memory: 1278MB RAM
Page File: 169MB used, 1730MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: GeForce4 440 Go 64M (Omega 1.6693) (P)
Manufacturer: NVIDIA (Omega 1.6693) (P)
Chip Type: GeForce4 440 Go 64M
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0179&SUBSYS_006D103C&REV_A3
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6693
Driver Date: 10/29/2004 16:50:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00DA&SUBSYS_006D103C&REV_A2
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Provider: Analog Devices
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.4010
Driver Date: 1/13/2004 20:40:28
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: Failed to find a device that can start with hw vp mode. Trying mixed vp.
Debug Message: Using mixed vertex processing
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 800
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (mixed vp): 3D-Analyze v2.3 - http://www.tommti-systems.com
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: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
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\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\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\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\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: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.shipcfg
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\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Dark Avatar\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\SandboxGames\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Story Logs\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Greg\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: 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: 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: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: StarportWnd: Cannot find OBJID StarPort_Planet_Logo_Image
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 8
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet0.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet0.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet0.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet0.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet0.png
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet0.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet0.png
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=34
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding GNNWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=19
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding OptionsWnd
Debug Message: OptionsWnd: Quit Btn
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet0.png
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=10
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding MessageBoxWnd
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 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: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: WorkAreaBack.png not cleared 1 counts left.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 443 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally

If it just started slowing down recently, then it's most likely a cse of your rather old video chipset not getting along with the new graphic engine in 1.6 (and the betas that have been around the past month or so). You should just need to disable enhanced ship rendering in the video options (and possibly disable mixed vertex processing as well) and it will use the old method from DA 1.5 instead.

It's also probably a very good idea to update your video drivers if you can find any newer ones from omega, nvidia, or your laptop manufacturer's websites.

I appreciate your reply, but I've checked and checked again for all of the latest graphics drivers. What's funny is that all of my games have slowed down as of late. Is it possible that a laptop can be used too much for gaming and the graphics card just gets "tired"? I know laptops aren't made for gaming, but I've used mine over the past 2 years for just that. It is very strange that everything has just been running slower over the past month when it was all working fine before that. When I say "all working fine", I mean games like GalCiv2 DA, Civ4, and WOW. They are all running slower and I don't think I've changed anything. If you'd like any other info from me please ask. I'm getting desperate to fix my system. Thanks anyways!!!!

Do you think a system restore from a few months ago when everything was working fine may help? I've never done a restore before. Maybe worth a try right? Whaddya think?

(im bored so im just opening random posts lol)
if u do a system reset then u (obviously) need to backups of everything u want to keep but u should also delete as much as u can before u reset it because system resets usually dont TOTALY fix problems like that
(ive reset my old computer more than 7 times so i would know haha)