Hard restarts

from GalCiv2 Forums

So I recently felt the need to play GalCiv2 again, so I downloaded stardock, and then downloaded galciv2. Everything seemed to be going fine.

But then, suddenly, hard restart. No matter what I do, no matter what settings I apply, I get hard restarts, sometimes after only 10 minutes, sometimes after 2 hours, but it ALWAYS happens. Sadly, this was never a problem on my old desktop PC, which still plays it fine, although its a little on the slow side.

I figured I'd give it a shot on my new macbook pro boot camped with windows XP. But sadly, its not even worth playing with all these hard restarts, so I figured I'd appeal for help from you techie folk.

Intel 2.33ghz core 2 duo
2gb memory
ATI Radeon x1600 256mb

No other game I've installed has had a SINGLE problem. Everything from bioshock, to simgolf works fine. Even system killers that have sent "pure" mega desktop pc's in search of cover and new drivers, this macbook has played without blinking. And while I've searched just for giggles, I've been unable to find updated drivers for any of the hardware. ATI's site just shrugs at you and says "I have no idea what f***ing card you have, but it ain't the one you just downloaded drivers for."

So yeah, I'm at the end of my rope, I'd rather be able to play this game then not, but sadly, I think its coming to that. Its just sad that such a great game turns out to be the single game I've had a problem with on this computer.
3,064 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Please open your debug.err file in notepad, and copy/paste the contents into a post here. This will give us some technical information that can help troubleshoot your problem. The location you'll find the debug.err in varies depending on your game version:

Dread Lords, all versions:
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Totalgaming\GalCiv2

Dark Avatar 1.5-1.6 (non-Vista):
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Totalgaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar

Dark Avatar 1.6+(Windows Vista), 1.7+(non-Vista):
My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar

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.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Debug Message: Version v1.5 last updated on: Thu Jan 11 13:39:19 2007

Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.

Debug Message: Checking DX Version.

Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********

System Info

Time: 10/14/2007, 15:26:43

DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

Machine Name: HOME

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)

Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)

System Manufacturer: Apple Computer, Inc.

System Model: MacBookPro2,2

BIOS: Default System BIOS

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU T7600 @ 2.33GHz (2 CPUs)

Physical Memory: 2032MB RAM

Page File: 210MB used, 3714MB available

Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS





Display Info

Display device 1:

Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1

Card Name: ATI Mobility Radeon X1600

Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.

Chip Type: ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (0x71C5)

DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)

Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_71C5&SUBSYS_0080106B&REV_00

Display Memory: 256.0 MB

Current Display Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Monitor Name: Default Monitor

Monitor Max Resolution:

Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll

Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6606

Driver Date: 3/21/2007 19:12:32

DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes







Sound info

Sound device 1:

Description: SigmaTel Audio

Default Sound Playback: Yes

Default Voice Playback: Yes

Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7680&SUBSYS_106B1E00&REV_1034

Manufacturer ID: 1

Product ID: 100

Driver Name: sthda.sys

Provider: SigmaTel

Driver Version: 5.10.5185.0000

Driver Date: 3/21/2007 19:13:52

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_2_SAMPLES

Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768

Debug Message: Running fullscreen.

Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): ATI Mobility Radeon X1600

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: ***** Initializing Game *****

Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99

Debug Message: Initializing sound card.

Debug Message: initailizing bink

Debug Message: No string tables in C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM-GC2/Data/*.str

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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: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM-GC2\Data\*.xml

Debug Message: Clear data definitions.

Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM-GC2\Data\Techs\*.xml

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Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM-GC2\Data\Anomalies\*.xml

Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM-GC2\Data\Events\*.xml

Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM-GC2\Data\UPIssues\*.xml

Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM-GC2\Data\Invasions\*.xml

Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM-GC2\Data\PoliticalParties\*.xml

Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM-GC2\Data\StarTypes\*.xml

Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM-GC2\Data\StarbaseModules\*.xml

Debug Message: Reading Star Names

Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done

Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM-GC2\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map

Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM-GC2\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario

Debug Message: Creating 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: 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: Galaxy Size Set: 18 x 18

Debug Message: Creating Random Map

Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars

Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 108.

Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets

Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************

Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************

Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************

Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************

Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************

Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies

Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 300

Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources

Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done

Debug Message: Setting Game Options

Debug Message: Creating Civs

Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 15

Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 15

Debug Message: Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 15

Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 15

Debug Message: Empire of Terra: Intellence -> 15

Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done

Debug Message: Updating ZOC.

Debug Message: Updating ZOC.

Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done

Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 10

Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started

Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Enabled

Debug Message: Destroying ship Empire of Terra Colony. Orbiting: 0

Debug Message: Updating ZOC.

Debug Message: Destroying ship Terran Alliance Colony. Orbiting: 0

Debug Message: Destroying ship Arcean Empire Colony. Orbiting: 0

Debug Message: Updating ZOC.

Debug Message: Random Event: End

Debug Message: Terran Alliance (0): Researching: Xeno Research

Debug Message: Drengin Empire (1): Researching: Xeno Research

Debug Message: Altarian Republic (2): Researching: Xeno Research

Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Xeno Research

Debug Message: Akilians (11): Researching: Space Militarization

Debug Message: Carinoids (12): Researching: Galactic Warfare

Debug Message: Scottlingas (13): Researching: Galactic Warfare

Debug Message: Andians (16): Researching: Galactic Warfare

Debug Message: Pirates! (26): Researching: Galactic Warfare

Debug Message: Destroying ship Drengin Empire Colony. Orbiting: 0

Debug Message: Destroying ship Altarian Republic Colony. Orbiting: 0

Debug Message: Updating ZOC.

Debug Message: Random Event: End

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Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
ATI's site just shrugs at you and says "I have no idea what f***ing card you have, but it ain't the one you just downloaded drivers for."


I`m sorry but...LOL!!!
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It looks like you're using Boot Camp? Others have experienced issues with it before.

When you checked ATI's site, did you try the desktop drivers or the mobility drivers?

You may also try checking the 'throttle frame rate' option in game. It's possible that the laptop is overheating (yes, even if more 'intense' games don't, GC2 can).
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
ATI's site just shrugs at you and says "I have no idea what f***ing card you have, but it ain't the one you just downloaded drivers for."
End of quote

Yea, hehe, I gave up on attempting to get drivers from ATI's web site. I ended up going with the drivers from my laptop maker. My laptop runs GC2 nicely with Intel Core Duo and ATI Radeon. Though, it does suck the juice and get pretty hot. You very well could be overheating. With mine, I have to be careful the vents are not obstructed.

Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

It looks like you're using Boot Camp? Others have experienced issues with it before.

When you checked ATI's site, did you try the desktop drivers or the mobility drivers?

You may also try checking the 'throttle frame rate' option in game. It's possible that the laptop is overheating (yes, even if more 'intense' games don't, GC2 can).


End of quote


I've tried both mobility, and desktop versions of the drivers, and neither complete installation, they both start installing, and then freak out about 30 seconds later to tell me the card I have is not compatible. Meanwhile Mac offers no new drivers. I think its mostly because apple has the wonderful habit of not supporting its "older" hardware, even if your hardware is literally less then a year old. As long as they have a "newer" model out, your screwed.

I tried the throttle frame rate option as well, and it hard restarted faster then ever before, I got maybe 10 minutes before the crash. And its not overheating. With bioshock after about 2 hours the casing itself got hot enough that while it wasn't painful to touch, it was a little worrying. Galciv2 barely registers a heat increase.

I've changed up pretty much all of the settings, AA, shadows, etc. Nothing seems to work, and no single option, or grouping of options seems to have an average time increase before the hard restart. I did manage to get nearly a half hour out of it about 2 nights ago. But sadly thats about just about enough time to build 1 custom ship in the shipyard, and then hit end turn.

This is getting pretty sad :/ I'd love to be able to play this game.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Have you tried it without mods enabled?