Game Freeze

from GalCiv2 Forums
For a while now, particularly last game, I've been experiencing some odd behavior where the game will just.... stop progressing from turn to turn. I can interact normally with the interface, but can only select ships through the ship list, not by clicking on them. Giving them orders will set new waypoints, but they won't move. Quicksaving and reloading solves the problem for a random period of time, usually about a turn or two. I must have reloaded thirty times last game-- obviously, unacceptable frequency, even if it is an easy fix....

The behavior happens more frequently late game, and seems vaguely correlated to setting Auto-attack on my ships, but I haven't been able to pin down anything more concrete.
5,009 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It would help if you also posted your debug.err info.

Never submit a problem report without including the debug info.
The debug info tells what version you are running, as well as system specs and where the game left off.
All of that (if not more) is necessary to track down the problem.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I think I have kind of the same problem. I haven't been able to finish my last 2 games which sucks after putting 6-7 hours in building up your colonies. My recent one I can't even get past a certain turn and I get the send error report after a black screen for a minute. I am running on a relatively old computer but I have been able to finish campaign's in the prior versions before TA without these problems. Here is one of the debugs.

Debug Message: Version v1.80f Twilight of the Arnor beta 3c last updated on: Fri Dec 14 11:43:04 2007
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 12/16/2007, 22:00:48
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: MIKE-1K8VD72U70
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: D845HV
System Model: HV84510A
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.80GHz
Physical Memory: 640MB RAM
Page File: 269MB used, 1102MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce FX 5200
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0322&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9371
Driver Date: 10/22/2006 11:22:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Live! Audio [DF80]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0002&SUBSYS_80641102&REV_08
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0252
Driver Date: 7/19/2002 09:47:52
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: 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_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Attempting to create D3DDevice at resolution 1024 x 768, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 4
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (mixed vp): NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
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 369e99
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\Gfx\Tutorials\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar\Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Tutorials\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\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: No files found matching mask ./Data/\*.xml
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: Could not find tech ability tag InfluenceAbility
Debug Message: Could not find tech ability tag InfluenceAbility
Debug Message: Could not find tech ability tag InfluenceAbility
Debug Message: Cannot find tech requirement ArtificalGravity for tech InterstellarConstruction
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo./Data/English/\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar\Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
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:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo\./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Demo./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Backup\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\CustomMaps\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Dark Avatar\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Gfx\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\SandboxGames\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ShipStyles\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\shiptemplates\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\McWilliams\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\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: 477
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 TechTrees
Debug Message: Loading TechTreeDefs
Debug Message: Loading Game
Debug Message: Loading: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message: Loading Galaxy
Debug Message: Game started in version v1.80f Twilight of the Arnor beta 3c
Debug Message: Sectors across: 18 x 18
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 = 9
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
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: Destroying ship Yor Troop Transport M2 v3 1187. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Yor Troop Transport M2 v3 1210. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: ***Attacker Iconian Refuge has courage bonus 0
***Defender Yor Collective has courage bonus 0.
Debug Message: Destroying ship Yor Collective Space Miner. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Snathi Constructor M0 v2 615. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
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Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Is the turn button disappearing and not reappearing? That does usually indicate that a ship is not completing its moves for some reason.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Is the turn button disappearing and not reappearing? That does usually indicate that a ship is not completing its moves for some reason.
End of quote



Thanks for the reply sir. I think the turn button issue was fixed in the dec 14 beta. I have not had that issue since that update. Not only that but I just had to quit the game and get back in to fix that issue. My game gets a memory leak I believe. I unable to get passed a turn. I load the game turn off all ship auto pilots turned off some ship building no battle scenes. I hit the turn button it sits goes to a black screen then a send error report pops up for windows. If I hit ctrl alt del the gc2twilight is using like 500mb LOL. Thats why I think its a memory leak issue. But no matter what I do I can't get passed that turn. I wish I could FTP my saved game (12mb otherwise I would email it) to someone else to test on their computer to see if its a hardware issue but I am 99% certain this is a bug in the game since I haven't been able to complete my last 2 games on a huge or gigantic map.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I hit the turn button it sits goes to a black screen then a send error report pops up for windows.
End of quote


That'd be a crash then, rather than a freeze. Best bet in that event is to fire up SmartException and see if it logs it (details on that are in the making beta reports sticky).
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yes, the turn button is (usually) disappearing with this error.

I'll grab an .err next time it happens (it's usually fine in the early-mid game)
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm no techie, but I notice that in the posts I've read here about crashes and freezes I haven't seen any mention of starting up with a so-called "clean boot." When I first started playing Oblivion, before I got a new Nvidia card, I had crashes. I was told to start up with a clean boot and it worked fine...no more crashes. I'm wondering if that would be a solution worth trying for all whose who aren't playing GC games on the internet, because starting with a clean boot means you are not on the net.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Again, I'm the opposite of a techie, but to me that Nvidia 5200 looks a little weak for this kind of a game.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Physical Memory: 640MB RAM
Page File: 269MB used, 1102MB available

Could be running out of memory, too.

Try upping the pagefile to 2GB.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Just tried to play on a tiny galaxy and had a crash as well. I emailed my smart exception error to [email protected]. I think something is wrong with this new beta they released. I had issues with turn button and everything else before but I could always reload and get through it. It crashes on the same turn every time now and I can't complete a game hehehe. It is a beta though.
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Got the same problem when playing a large size

The game freezes, but if i leave it for a few minutes the games completes its turn (but i can still buy improvments/ships).

Version i am running with is TA91[b].001

Never had this problem before