TotA crashes

It's failing when starting up the AIs, so you might try clearing your customracexml files from My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor in case one of them is bad.

Tried to delete the files, but didnt fix the problem. This time, I loaded the campaign, quit, and then tried to start a new game. Game crashed immediately after starting the new game. Here is the error log.

Debug Message: Version v1.96 Twilight of the Arnor last updated on: Tue Jun 24 17:37:47 2008
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 7/17/2008, 01:42:06
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.071023-1545)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6850 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1403MB used, 2923MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 8800 GTS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0193&SUBSYS_042010DE&REV_A2
Display Memory: 320 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Dell E228WFP
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.7516
Driver Date: 5/2/2008 22:46:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0883&SUBSYS_10438249&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5334
Driver Date: 12/1/2006 01:38:00
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0883&SUBSYS_10438249&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5334
Driver Date: 12/1/2006 01:38:00
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 1152 x 864, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 4
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1152 x 864
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
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 17d7840
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ObjectDesktop\DesktopX
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\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\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\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:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2./Data/English/\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\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\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:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\./Data/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: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Backup\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\CustomMaps\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Dark Avatar\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Gfx\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\SandboxGames\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ShipStyles\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\shiptemplates\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Twilight of the Arnor\*.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 ascension crystals.
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: 523
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 v1.91 Twilight of the Arnor
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 Altarian Resistance who has intelligence 50
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Thalan Empire who has intelligence 50
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Korath Clan who has intelligence 50
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Arcean Empire who has intelligence 50
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Krynn Consulate who has intelligence 50
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Torian Confederation who has intelligence 50
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Terran Alliance who has intelligence 50
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Iconian Refuge who has intelligence 50
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Drengin Empire who has intelligence 50
Debug Message: Loading player civ Vortax
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Akilians who has intelligence 51
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Carinoids who has intelligence 57
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Scottlingas who has intelligence 61
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Jessuins who has intelligence 53
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Paulos who has intelligence 54
Debug Message: Loaded Civ LentzLandians who has intelligence 55
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Dark Yor who has intelligence 51
Debug Message: Loaded Civ Snathi who has intelligence 55
Debug Message: Loaded Civ I-League who has intelligence 50
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 = 9
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
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:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2./Data/English/\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\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\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Planets\C0*.png

Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
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:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\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:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\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 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: 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.

That is usually a video card driver problem.

Your drivers are not completely up to date, but they seem recent enough.

Why are you running the game at a different res than your desktop?

Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1152 x 864

That has been known to cause problems.
Especially when conflicting 16:9 with 4:3 (as you have done).

Try running the game at your desktop res of 1280 x 800.

If the option is not available through the Options/Video screen (perhaps because of old monitor drivers?), you can manually edit the Prefs.ini file (in the respective folder to your game version's folder) to force it.

I am still playing the original DL, so my Prefs.ini is in a different place than Twilight.
Do a search for all prefs.ini, or wait for Kryo to give you the location.
Go from there.

Dreadlords event causes crash every time.


Debug Message: Version v1.96 Twilight of the Arnor last updated on: Tue Jun 24 17:37:47 2008
Debug Message: Could not query reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ComponentManager\Drengin.net value named Serial No
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 7/17/2008, 05:59:00
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: WEBRIDER-BLUE
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080425-1930)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 891MB used, 3440MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: NVxx
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0600&SUBSYS_071919F1&REV_A2
Display Memory: 1269 MB
Current Display Mode: 1920 x 1080 (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



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_11D4&DEV_198B&SUBSYS_1043829C&REV_1004
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ADIHdAud.sys
Provider: AnalogDevices
Driver Version: 6.10.0001.6280
Driver Date: 8/29/2007 11:45:38
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: SPDIF Interface (SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_11D4&DEV_198B&SUBSYS_1043829C&REV_1004
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ADIHdAud.sys
Provider: AnalogDevices
Driver Version: 6.10.0001.6280
Driver Date: 8/29/2007 11:45:38
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 1920 x 1080, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 4
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512
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 *****

[clipped for brevity by moderator, poster already has own thread]

hokiebuddy, Going back to the main menu and starting a game after already having done so before in the same session is known to cause a crash--try starting a sandbox game straight off the bat.