Dark Avatar keeps crashing

I had the same issue when I started playing the game. Traced it to an overheating video card. Replaced the fan and haven't had a problem since.

If DL works better for you, try disabling the 'enhanced ship rendering' option in DA's settings. That will make it run using the DL graphics engine.

I'm not a techie but I can see that your system seems more than adequate for GC DA, not sure but think you have the latest DA patch (you might check on this) and your Nvidia GeForce8800 is a stronger card than mine and the driver is up to date. But just as a diagnostic tool I would suggest starting up with a clean boot and see if DA still crashes...if DA will run on a clean boot that will narrow down the possible causes of the problem.

@JMiddleton: The machine is brand new, well ventilated and the GPU is not overclocked. UT3, Crysis, Hellgate, CoH, GoW all run seamlessly. Can you recommend me a tool to monitor GFX card temperature?

@kryo: I disabled the 'enhanced ship rendering' option and restarted the game. Unfortunately it didn't help.

The fastest way to make it crash is to set up a new game, then return to the main menu and do the same again. Normally it does not survive the second try.

@CalifDude: Yes, all up to date. OS, bios, drivers, game. What do you mean by 'clean boot'? Disabling all the stuff that's not needed for the game?

--------------------------------

In the debug messages I see that there seems to be a problem with double buffering. I'll try to disable that, maybe turn VSync on...

That much is a known problem under certain circumstances (not the same thing).

Just found the solution. It was indeed a graphics problem. Good old trial and error. I can live with the workaround, since Twilight of the Arnor is around the corner... thanks for your help!

What solved my problem: disable both 'enhanced ship rendering' AND 'hardware transform and lighting'

Thanks for your help!

By turning off the graphic enhancements you are throttling your video card so it doesn't draw as much power or generate as much heat. Hard to believe that GalCiv II exercises the card more than some of the other games you mentioned.

8800 should have a thermal probe accessible from the nvidia tab on the display properties advanced page. I think this is called display preferences in Vista.

To clean boot run msconfig, choose selective startup and uncheck the load startup items box. This basically gets rid of all the third party software that loads on startup. You can also uncheck the system services but they rarely cause a problem. The ini files are a leftover from Win9x and can be ignored.

I have the same problem since I bought a new computer with Vista and a Nvidia card on november of last year. Thanks a lot to the post creator because I was getting mad trying new video drivers and Vista memory patches. Would have been nice to post an sticky thread with those "known issues", not just the big one relating the video drivers. I think it may confuse some people more than helping them.

At least I hope the new expansion doesn't inherit the same bug, because I'm having the same issues with the beta, the bug reports look pretty much the same, hope it helps:

Debug Message: Version v1.80e Dark Avatar last updated on: Thu Nov 8 10:48:23 2007
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 1/19/2008, 13:14:22
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: BGMMOBILE
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.071009-1548)
Languages: Spanish (Regional Setting: Spanish)
System Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
System Model: VGN-FZ21S
BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7500 @ 2.20GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1154MB used, 3156MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 8600M GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0425&SUBSYS_9005104D&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Monitor PnP genérico
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.6743
Driver Date: 11/7/2007 02:35:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Altavoces / Auricular (SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7662&SUBSYS_104D1C00&REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: stwrt.sys
Provider: SigmaTel
Driver Version: 6.10.5511.0000
Driver Date: 6/13/2007 01:08:08
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 hardware vertex processing
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Attempting to create D3DDevice at resolution 1280 x 800, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 4
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 800
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 8600M 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 da7a64
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:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\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: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\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: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_MoreDetails_FText
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_Details_FormattedText
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Scenarios/*.GC2Scenario
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Title
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Spinner_Back
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Title
Debug Error: CustomShipStyleWnd: Unknown edit field ShipList_List_Entry type: CustomListEntry
Debug Error: CustomShipStyleWnd: Unknown edit field ShipList_Avalible_List_Entry type: CustomListEntry
Debug Message: WARNING: GetShipStylePrefix called for civ and civ has no ship style
Debug Message: LoadHardpointsFromPrefsFile failed to load ship config file: ./Data/ShipCfg/\(null)_ColonyShip.shipcfg
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 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: Star Frequency: 3 Max Num Stars: 301
Debug Message: Planet Frequency: 3 Max Num Planets: 963
Debug Message: Galaxy Size Set: 18 x 18
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Star Density: Loose clusters.
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 0.
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: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: Total planets placed: 65
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: Distributing bonuses on planets...
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Asteroid Fields
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Yor Collective: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Drath Legion: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Dominion of Korx: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Thalan Empire: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Torian Confederation: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Altarian Resistance: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Creating 1 minor races
Debug Message: Creating ships...
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 0
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message: Error flipping back buffer to primary buffer.
Debug Message: Unknown
Debug Message: n/a
Debug Message: Unknown error when flipping back buffer to primary buffer.






Debug Message: Version v1.80g Twilight of the Arnor beta 4a last updated on: Wed Jan 9 16:07:52 2008
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 1/19/2008, 12:33:39
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: BGMMOBILE
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.071009-1548)
Languages: Spanish (Regional Setting: Spanish)
System Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
System Model: VGN-FZ21S
BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7500 @ 2.20GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1171MB used, 3139MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 8600M GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0425&SUBSYS_9005104D&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Monitor PnP genérico
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.6743
Driver Date: 11/7/2007 02:35:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Altavoces / Auricular (SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7662&SUBSYS_104D1C00&REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: stwrt.sys
Provider: SigmaTel
Driver Version: 6.10.5511.0000
Driver Date: 6/13/2007 01:08:08
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 hardware vertex processing
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Attempting to create D3DDevice at resolution 1280 x 800, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 4
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 800
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 8600M 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 da7a64
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\shiptemplates\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\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:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\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: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\shiptemplates\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2./Data/English/\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\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:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Arxiu\Programari\Stardock\GalCiv2\./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\shiptemplates\*.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: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_MoreDetails_FText
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_Details_FormattedText
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Title
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Spinner_Back
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Title
Debug Error: CustomShipStyleWnd: Unknown edit field ShipList_List_Entry type: CustomListEntry
Debug Error: CustomShipStyleWnd: Unknown edit field ShipList_Avalible_List_Entry type: CustomListEntry
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 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: Star Frequency: 3 Max Num Stars: 320
Debug Message: Planet Frequency: 2 Max Num Planets: 768
Debug Message: Galaxy Size Set: 22 x 22
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Star Density: Tight Clusters.
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 105.
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: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: Total planets placed: 65
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 300
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Ascension Crystals
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Distributing bonuses on planets...
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Asteroid Fields
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Yor Collective: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Creating 6 minor races
Debug Message: Creating ships...
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 1
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message: Akilians (13): Researching: Precursor Studies
Debug Message: Carinoids (14): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Scottlingas (15): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: LentzLandians (18): Researching: Precursor Studies
Debug Message: Dark Yor (19): Researching: Precursor Studies
Debug Message: Snathi (20): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Doing final stat calculations.
Debug Message: End of Game Save
Debug Message: Save Game: About to save
Debug Message: Saving game C:\Users\BGM\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\EndGameSave.tmp
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 22
Debug Message: Saving: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message: Number of ships: 6, Number of Fleets: 0
Debug Message: Save game finished.
Debug Message: SummaryWnd: Cannot find OBJID Summary_Epic_Button
Debug Message: Error flipping back buffer to primary buffer.
Debug Message: Unknown
Debug Message: n/a
Debug Message: Unknown error when flipping back buffer to primary buffer.

Try disabling Hardware TnL and enhanced rendering like the OP did.

The in-game crashes (not the back-to-main-menu-and-start-another-game one) seem to be related to a problem in the 80nm and 65nm GeForce 8s. I believe we've contacted nVidia about it, but we haven't heard of any progress.

I just got a 8800GT myself, so I guess I'll see soon enough if I run into this issue as well (waiting on PSU RMA at the moment).