Game needs very looong for startup

V1.1 BETA 2

from GalCiv2 Forums
Since this former sticky https://forums.galciv2.com/?ForumID=274&AID=104831 seems to be outdated and I was asked to create a new thread, I start this one.

I have a serious (at least for me) problem on my main machine. The game takes very loooooong to start. It's more than 5 minutes

On a very similar computer with the same main board (both Intel onboard 82865G grafics) and the same drivers (newest available via Intel) but much lower specs (only 512MB RAM, 2.8 GHz CPU and a smaller HDD) it starts much faster.

Once the game started everything is smooth.

I'm on the beta but the same problem existed in 1.0X, too. It happens every single time I start the game.

When I installed the game the first time (version 1.01 via stardock central) I got the message that the driver is too old (from 2004). Nevertheless the game worked fine with the exception of the slow start. I upgrades to the newest available drivers (from 2005) and to version 1.1 Beta 2 but the problem still exists. I stopped all other programs like anti virus program but still no bettering.

This is the debug.err while I'm waiting:
Debug Message: Version v1.1 BETA-2A last updated on: Thu Mar 30 21:37:53 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.


Very short indeed.

While I'm waiting the Task Manager shows the following for minutes:
Image Name __ CPU __ Mem Usage
GalCiv2.exe __ 00 ____ 7.192k

i.e. CPU usage is 0% and memory usage slighlty increases in the range of 7000k to 7500k

This is the beginning of the debug.err after the game finally comes up:
Debug Message: Version v1.1 BETA-2A last updated on: Thu Mar 30 21:37:53 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 4/5/2006, 16:53:28
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: P
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: German)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: n/a
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 2040MB RAM
Page File: 441MB used, 3494MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller
DAC Type: Internal
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2572&SUBSYS_12BC103C&REV_02
Display Memory: 96.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1600 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4396
Driver Date: 9/20/2005 09:52:38
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_12BC103C&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Provider: Analog Devices
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.3620
Driver Date: 5/27/2003 18:05:42
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
8,314 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Thanks for the detailed debug report, Walldorf. We'll look into this one ASAP

Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hi Stardock,

I now have 1.1 final and the problem still exists.

I guess that it has something to do with the DirectX infos the game is asking for.

Is there any possibility to skip that or do you have an idea how to improve that?

As mentioned before the specs like grafic chip, driver version, DirectX version etc. are identical on the second machine but the problem is only on my main machine.

I'rm running out of ideas.

Please help
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Version 1.2 beta 1 and the problem still exists. Any help?
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Version 1.2 and the problem still exists. Any idea?

Could it be that it takes so looong to get the DXDiag info, and what can I do about that? I reinstalled DirectX 9.0c but it didn't help.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have a serious (at least for me) problem on my main machine. The game takes very loooooong to start. It's more than 5 minutes

On a very similar computer with the same main board (both Intel onboard 82865G grafics) and the same drivers (newest available via Intel) but much lower specs (only 512MB RAM, 2.8 GHz CPU and a smaller HDD) it starts much faster.

Once the game started everything is smooth.

It could be that something is sleightly screwy with that particular computer?

If it's taking forever to start, then it seems like maybe some conversation/querry type thing isn't getting answered, and just times out?

So here's a guess: Go to the options screen, and disable the "check for internet test" option.

Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have a similar hang-time, though just when loading (or starting a new) game. My machine is definitely on the low-low end, so my guess has been that GalCiv2 is writing a ton of info to the pagefile (which I've kicked up to 2GB to compensate for the measley 256MB RAM I have). I'll try to post my debug.err file and detailed system specs later.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
@Ynglaur
My problem is only when I start the program and is definitely not related to paging or other low end machine problems. It does not occur when I start a new game (this is too fast to read the popup with the tips).

The machine has 2 GB RAM and only 7 MB are used from the program when the problem occurs. Thus I don't think that your problem is related to this one in any way.


@AngleWyrm
I already tried to switch this option on or off. It doesn't make any difference.

Other games including GC1 but also 3D games start very quick on this machine. Only GC2 takes very long.

And yes, it might be a particular problem on this machine e.g. the DXDiag info, but how could I find it and fix it without to rebuild the complete machine?

Any idea what could DXDiag info make so slow? As described before the grafic drivers are up to date and on a similar machine with the same drivers the problem does not occur.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I see a long delay, also.

Not at startup, but only when I LOAD a game. Everything else runs very fast. Either the game is timing out somewhere or is extremely slow in the way it loads the game (although saving a game is very fast). Gives me lots of time to prepare a snack for the gameplay session.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Are the GalCiv2 folders excluded from the real-time virus scanning? These would include the folders under Program Files\Stardock as well as My Documents\Games\Galciv2.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I upgrades to the current version on Stardock Central and the problem remains.

To start the game it is 2 Minutes to start the computer and 5 Minutes to start the game (i.e. the first screen, no game is started or loaded). QUICKSTART command line option skips doesn't help in this case. As stated above I guess it is the dialog with dxinfo which cost so many time. But I have no idea what I can do about it.

It really stops me from using this wonderful game and I will definitely not buy any expansion before this problem is fixed.

@Moosetek13
It doesn't make any difference when I switch off the virus scanner beforehand.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Walldorf, have you tried reformatting your machine completely? Drastic, yes, but that's the most straightforward way to eliminate a problem with one of the DirectX files as well as any other software issue.
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
@kyro
Are you talking of a complete reinstall? Unfortunately this is not an option for me. There is too much configuration which would be lost and I need this machine daily. I could reinstall all kind of programs and drivers, but not the complete system. But maybe there isn't any other option with these stupid #@**m%! Windows machines and I have to live with it for some time.

Are there any LINUX geeks at Stardock? I have LINUX on my second machine. Unfortunately GC II does not yet run with Wine but I don't think that there is missing very much. Many similar games run fine with this installation. The Wine project is very active and helpful when someone is willing to work with them. I would offer to test any efforts on my machine and I could maintain the application database entry for GC.