gendril

Join Date 02/2006

GalCiv2 crashes intermitently

seemingly random

I've been having an issue with GalCiv 2 crashing seemingly randomly. It's been getting quite annoying. It doesn't happen at every play session but it's happened both with the initial download and the update patch I got today. I want to say that this game is awesome and I'm so glad I spent the money on it, but it's getting frustrating losing 5-10 mins about 6 times now since I've been playing. None of the other games I have crash on me. Here's my system specs from System Information in WinXP (just the summary, with some parts taken out to save space/privacy):

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer VIA
System Model K7VT2
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 1 AuthenticAMD ~1799 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. P1.30, 07/03/2003
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale Canada
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 649.36 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.40 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

NOTE: - running the latest ATI drivers for Radeon 9700 PRO. Playing game at 1024x768 too.

I don't run any extra programs while playing the game either. If you need anymore information please let me know and I will happily provide it.

Too bad I couldn't submit a bug report when it happens.

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Guess to put in my two cents, been having the same problem as well, since I downloaded the new patch, the game will crash to desktop, then when I try to click back in since there is a tab for it on the start bar, it will be a black screen with music still playing. Not sure what information you need from me to help check into this, but happened about 3 times since I downloaded the update, but didn't happen before that.

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My game crashed as well with the new patch. Its really frustrating, I was doing a lot of stuff as well and didn't get a chance to save it.

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I had this problem too, especially on save/reload, alt-tab, and sometimes on the ship design screen. I tried 2 things, either of which may or may not help you.

1. Update your sound drivers. I did this in combo with #2, so you may want to try both.

2. If your graphics software can set anti-aliasing, set it to MATCH the anti-aliasing seting in the galciv graphics option screen. Don't run with it application controlled. Set it to 4x or something, which is the default for galciv, i think.

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Oh, and you might try turning down the background stars and nebulae as well.

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Alstein

Join Date 07/2004

+55

I did have a CTD when departing on the new patch- but that's a minor issue, and was after a 5 hr session. I need to figure out why I can win on Normal and not Bright now.

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i had same issue, this time /w a radeon 9800 pro /w latest drivers. I'm a MCSE so i always keep my computer in tip top shape so i'm pretty sure its nothing to do with my computer (or anyone elses updated comp) and more to do with the coding in the game.

P.S. best game in the last decade IMHO

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MCSE, ouch. MCP's cost too much, and you actually paid for 6?! you madman! And to think I'm daft enough to be saving for them too lol.

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I have the same issue. And bizzarely I'm an MCSe too. I think its unrelated though

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Ok it just crashed again, I updated it today, heres some stuff that might help:
Im running a Geforce 6800GT. Its crashing on a game with no user defined ships, havent even been in the ship design screen. I was maybe 30-35 turns into the game. Running fullscreen. Loads of free disk space, regualr virus and spyware checks etc. I hadnt had any space combat yet, so had not been into that screen. I'm playing on beginner difficulty with normal play conditions, it was a smaller than huge map (cant remember exactly which).
I had 1 of each type of starbase built, some freighters, 3 colonys, but no combat-capable ships yet. I'd met 3 different races and carried out some negotiations.
Its a really fun game, but this crash is damn regular and damn annoying ;(

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Time to fire up ol SmartException and sending them reports to Stardock. Happen to me as well. First crash since I started playing the released version.

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hmmm and again, very common now. I wonder if its actually the autosave doing it? anyway,it happened when the galactic council screen popped up

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just tried in windowed mode, it still crashes, and again just after the gaalctic council screen appears, so i reckon its a big there. i set autosave to really oftn and I dont think its that.

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My galciv2 invariably crashes as the game lenghens. I put auto-save every 4 turns to try and counter that.

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I am having this same problem, and it is driving me nuts. I have taken to saving the game each and every turn. This last time I loaded up a saved game, I crashed ten minutes after that.

My system is very new. It is the latest generation of Dell XPS 600s, with a few nice bells and whistles. All drivers are current. I play the game at 1900X1200 resolution (I have a widescreen monitor). System Specs:

General:
Dual Pentium Processors, CPU 3.20 GHz (both) (x86 Family 15, Model 4, Stepping 4)
Windows XP Pro Operating System, service pack 2.0, Version 5.1.2600
RAM: 2 GB

Additional Hardware:
Video: Dual NVIDIA GeForce 7800 cards
Sound: Creative Audigy Audio Processor

It seems to be something related to the save games. It is crashing almost immediately after I load a save game. I would almost be convinced that the save game is corrupted somehow, if it weren't for the fact that this exact same problem existed with prior games that I started.

My version of the game is 1.0D.

I tried turning off the music, thinking that it might be sound related. Did not make a difference. I even changed my anti-laising, and it crashed faster. I decreased the default nebula and stars in the display settings, did not seem to make a difference.

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Frogboy

Join Date 03/2001

+2419

Seriously guys:

Download Smart Exception. It's in the "Free Stuff" area. Heck, if you just send us the crash address that would tell us a lot about what the issue is.

That way we could find out if it's a graphics bug in our stuff, a hardware compatibility, something. As you can imagine, we play the thing for hours and hours without crashes.

So either:

A) We're running the game differently from yours.

We are making hardware assumptions.

The build machine is mine machine at the office:

P4-3.2Ghz Dell box with an ATI 9800 Pro in it.

What's an MCSE btw?

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I will download SmartException. In the meantime, here is the debug error file:

Debug Message: Version v1.0 Digital: Bonus Pack last updated on: Mon Feb 20 19:04:13 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 2/26/2006, 16:45:23
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: D7XXVR81
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell DXG051
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A02
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.20GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 346MB used, 3591MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7800 GTX
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0091&SUBSYS_02F810DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1920 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.7774
Driver Date: 7/8/2005 23:57:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio [CCC0]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_20061102&REV_04
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0445
Driver Date: 8/6/2004 15:43:26
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_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX
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 be4a9980
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
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: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Zach\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\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 space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
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: Loading TechDefs
Debug Message: Max num techs: 248
Debug Message: Loading ImprovementDB
Debug Message: Loading Component Defs
Debug Message: Loading ShipTypes
Debug Message: Loading ShipConfigs
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 Game
Debug Message: Loading Galaxy
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 Civs
Debug Message: Loading Colonies
Debug Message: Loading RallyPoints
Debug Message: Loading Ships
Debug Message: Loading Fleets
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Loading Influence
Debug Message: Loading Tech Order
Debug Message: Loading ENDGALAXYDATA
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 10
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship M2-1 380. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship M2-1 353. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Constructor M0-1 113. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Year: 2227. Terran Alliance traded Xeno Bank Construction to the Iconian Refuge in exchange for Advanced Logistics
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship M2-1 355. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship M2-1 348. Orbiting: 0

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Additional Information from the Event Viewer:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Hang
Event Category: (101)
Event ID: 1002
Date: 2/26/2006
Time: 4:51:14 PM
User: N/A
Computer: D7XXVR81
Description:
Hanging application GalCiv2.exe, version 1.0.0.1, hang module hungapp, version 0.0.0.0, hang address 0x00000000.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 6c707041 74616369 206e6f69 676e6148
0010: 61472020 7669436c 78652e32 2e312065
0020: 2e302e30 6e692031 6e756820 70706167
0030: 302e3020 302e302e 20746120 7366666f
0040: 30207465 30303030 303030

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Hmm...I just logged back into Stardock and there is an update available that I guess I did not have installed.

The update took me from 1.0D to 1.0D1.008. Maybe that will make a difference. I will check it out later.

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Frogboy, I will try what you say. I was wondering if there was something I could do to be more descriptive.

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I've got 1.0D1.008, it still does it. Its not SLI as I dont have that. I'll do the smart exception thing this lunchtime.
An MCSE is a Microsoft Certfied Systems Engineer. I did mine years ago (MCSE) back when an MCSE was a big deal and you earned big money for it *those were the days*

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Frogboy, here's the info I gto from SmartException while playing Calciv 2 and it crashed the millionth time...

Date of report : 2006/02/27 11:04

AppName : GALCIV2.EXE
Crash Details : 0x414d85 - [1.0.0.1, Windows XP Service Pack 2 - (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 (6.14.10.8198) + Realtek AC97 Audio]

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I sent off smart exception data as requested. seems to be an intermittent bug in the gaalctic council screen. its a right pain

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as far as long games are concerned, I think I read that memory leak can be an issue as games get too large

EDIT: Klanathu: update your sound drivers from the realtek site, that may make a difference. I know on the common bugs page the stardock people loved to talk about updating sound components/drivers to get rid of crashes. Well I did that but to no avail for my own crashing problem :/

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