Repeated game crash at end of turn - no debug.err

from GalCiv2 Forums
When ending the turn for the 1st October 2231 a windows vista message appears saying that the program has stopped working. No debug.err, no messages in SmartException. I can't load the savegame for that turn either. Loading the savegame from the previous turn works but the game still crashes at the end of the next turn.

I'm running windows vista on a notebook with an 8600 GT graphics card using 177.35 drivers. I've tried changing various in-game variables with no success. Neither the graphics card nor the processors are overheating, memory is fine.

Any thoughts or fixes?
5,811 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
No debugg.err? There should be logs on things occurring up to that point at least.

When in doubt, you could zip the game & debugg.err (it should exist at least...) & email to [email protected] and explain your problem. Once they got the savegame in their hands they can see if they can get the crash to happen on their end.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
What version of the game are you running? Unless it's an old one and you're using a limited user account, there should be a debug.err under the game's location in MY Documents\My Games.
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Heh. I found the debug.err and mailed several versions of it to stardock.

I've also reinstalled the game and the same problems occur. In addition (and as previously) the game also crashes occasionally when starting a new game. Primarily with Korx and Korath. Wierd.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Sorry about the double post: Sleep deprivation.

After reinstalling SmartException actually logs the crashes. Sweet. Looked at the dmp file using win debugging tools and there is indeed something missing. Most interesting. Alas not expert enough to understand the problem.

Have finally sent a coherent message to the bug people.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Debug Message: Saving: Game mode is normal.
This is the last line of my debug.err file, obviously it doesn't even say the game crahed. However, Vista (Home Premium, 32-bit) always reports it had to close the application because of a "Buffer Overrun" after I've started 'Task Manager' because the game hangs while displaying its activity as "Saving" after I've clicked on the turn-button or pressed >return<.
In another thread forum members advise pressing the >spacebar<, so I reloaded the game and pressed the >spacebar<. Poof, the game was gone! :SURPRISED:

Debug.err Highlights are : -

System Manufacturer: INTEL_
System Model: D5400XS_
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Extreme CPU X9775 @ 3.20GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Physical Memory: 3068MB RAM
Page File: 1110MB used, 6997MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows

Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GX2
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: NVxx
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0604&SUBSYS_23701682&REV_A2
Display Memory: 1778 MB
Current Display Mode: 1920 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.7519
Driver Date: 5/16/2008 14:01:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Debug Message: WARNING: Starbase module: Starship Repair Bay could not find tech requirement: Basic Starship Repair in galaxy tech list - Using no tech requirement. :SNIFF!:

Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: Loading Game
Debug Message: Loading: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message: Loading Galaxy
Debug Message: Game started in version v1.96 Twilight of the Arnor
Debug Message: Using mod Generic
Debug Message: Mod description: This is a generic mods folder for casual mods.
Debug Message: Sectors across: 22 x 22
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 AscensionCrystals
Debug Message: Loading AsteroidFields
Debug Message: Loading AFMiningBases
Debug Message: Loading Civs
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Terran Alliance who has intelligence 40
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Drengin Empire who has intelligence 40
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Altarian Resistance who has intelligence 40
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Arcean Empire who has intelligence 40
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Torian Confederation who has intelligence 40
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Dominion of Korx who has intelligence 40
Debug Message: Loading player civ Solarians
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Pirates who has intelligence 1
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 = 6
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Enabled
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship 283. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Destroying ship Altarian Scout Ship M0 v2 289. Orbiting: 1
Debug Message: Was Orbiting: Wisp
Debug Message: Destroying ship Arcean Scout Ship M0 v2 290. Orbiting: 1
Debug Message: Was Orbiting: Arcea
Debug Message: Destroying ship Terran Colony Ship M0 v2 275. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: About to auto save.
Debug Message: Save Game: About to save
Debug Message: Saving game C:\Users\***{edited-out}***\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\AutoSave.tmp
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 22
Debug Message: Saving: Game mode is normal.

I actually have 8Gb's of RAM although MicroSoft's system is only capable of using 4Gb's less system usage for mapped memory (driver addresses / values, etc.). I also have 2 X9775 4-core CPU's. So there's no shortage of Processing power or RAM. Sorries for the boast. I am using the Pants-Political-Parties Mod and a tweaked Anomalies Mod. and a few 'Improvement.xml' file tweaks (through the Editor).

This is not the first-time occurrence of this game phemomenon. My Civ's abilities have been tweaked for an 80% Planet Quality level which I consider to be pertinent if not somehow the cause of this fault. (:(
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I am getting the exact same problem. I have a save game file and when I click to go to the next turn the game starts the turns for the other computer players and then stops working, the mouse moves normally. My graphics drivers are all updated. I'm running the newest version of GCII: Dreadlords 1.50.135. I'm running Vista Home Premium, on a Dell Dimension E521. There is no debug.err file. I will e-mail [email protected] my save game file and explain the problem.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I am in the same boat - game seems to get hung-up mid-turn. Did any of you get resolution/solution? I just opened the box last night so I am a little disappointed. Thanks
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have a save game file and when I click to go to the next turn the game starts the turns for the other computer players and then stops working
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If the game just sticks mid-turn, try cycling though all of your ships and making sure they have no moves left. Or will it not take any input at all?
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I actually have 8Gb's of RAM although MicroSoft's system is only capable of using 4Gb's less system usage for mapped memory (driver addresses / values, etc.). I also have 2 X9775 4-core CPU's. So there's no shortage of Processing power or RAM. Sorries for the boast.
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FB-DIMMs FTL ;)