total pooch screw

from GalCiv2 Forums
First, using the POS Stardock Central - I spent about 3 1/2 hours working with stardock trying to get the game installed. Finally we gave up and they gave me the urls to the installation files. The version installed is 1.ox.olo
I install the program and 12 - 15 seconds into my first game I get the BSOD.
I rebooted and tried again and it was another BSOD.

And yes, I have the latest drivers (takes care of the first delaying tactic of tech support)

before the BSOD disappears I see and error with nv4_disp.disp ( I have a geforce3)

here is the output of the debug.err file:
Debug Message: Version v1.0X.2 last updated on: Tue Mar 7 15:02:59 2006
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 4/7/2006, 17:32:14
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: TARKUS
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp.051011-1528)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Tyan
System Model: Guinness
BIOS: Phoenix ServerBIOS 2 Release 6.0
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) MP, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~1.2GHz
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 683MB used, 1776MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce3
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce3
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0200&SUBSYS_2860107D&REV_A3
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1600 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: NEC MultiSync FP2141SB
Monitor Max Resolution: 2048,1536
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8421
Driver Date: 3/9/2006 16:29:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Audigy Audio [1080]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_00511102&REV_03
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0443
Driver Date: 2/23/2004 16:11:46
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_NONMASKABLE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): NVIDIA GeForce3
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 4735d3f0
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 D:\Dan's 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 D:\Dan's Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Dan's Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Description_Text
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Tab_Homeworld
Debug Message: Creating Galaxy
Debug Message: Set galaxy size.
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: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 7.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 42
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 20
Debug Message: Dominion of Korx: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Thalan Empire: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
16,229 views 21 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I tried to edit the message 3 times and the edits don't stick. The file in the third paragraph is nv4_disp.dll
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Your Audio drivers are over 2 years old. Yes audio can crash games. Also do you have the dual-core drivers updated? I have a 3800 x2 myself, and it was pure hell getting it going at first with my games when I built back in Dec. Had to d/l a lil program called RunFirst to get alot of stuff to run on it.
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
hell how did you get gal civ running on your dual core ^^? it is really a pain to play it you know the planets keep on spinning like they were accelerated to 10 pc / sec ^^ i got the same dual core i honestly live it but somehow gal civ 2 is the only game making problems with it and i love it
there is nothing better then to play on come on just one turn one more and go to bed until sunset ^^ never met a game as good as this one so come one what are you talkin about ^^ i would be pleased to habe it running like crazy
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I do not have a dual core. I have an MP or Multiple Processor system.
The two year old sound drivers are the latest.
The nv4_disp.dll file that participates in the BSOD is an nvidia driver file, so I don't think it's the sound driver...

Thx for trying though.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
MInddweller, make sure your dual core drivers are up to date. You can find them on AMD's website. If that doesnt fix it get RunFirst and install it. Not sure where you'd find runfirst but i'm sure you can goggle it, it's a lil free program. A buddy of mine figured out thats what was messing mine up. As I had RunFirst already installed when i loaded GC2 I cant say this will fix spinning planets. But I've never had that particular problem. But I also had updated cpu drivers when I installed GC2.

Good luck and hope this helps.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Do you have broadband? Please send me the MEMORY.DMP file in your Windows directory and I'll try to resolve your issue with the Nvidia drivers. hhoppert at qwest dot net.

Move this to e-mail until we can get it resolved. (BTW: I'll make this offer to anyone seeing BSODs in nv4_disp or nv4_mini on GALCIV, I'd be happy to take a look)

My random guess is that your fan on your video card has died and galciv causes it to overheat. Might want to check that.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'd help but I really don't feel like helping folks with bad attitudes from the start anymore, even though I see a possible error and fix. I'll leave that to others with more diplomatic skills.


Hey look this troll created 2 threads trashing Stardock, great. Best of luck.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
if thats the latest.. you might need a new sound card if you can't get it working
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
coldie23 -

you are right about the fan on the geforce3, it isn't spinning

thx
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
coldie23 -



you are right about the fan on the geforce3, it isn't spinning



thx



Amazing eh.... Gasp they DO know what they are talking about.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah, might be time for Dan to get at least an FX-5200--those are dirt cheap via Pricewatch these days and do well with the latest reference drivers.
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
if you're gonna get something as old as a fx5200, you migh tas well save up another $50 and get a betetr card.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Indeed. . . An FX5200 has reasonably up-to-date technology in it, but it's slow -- probably slower than a ti4200, really. Don't ever buy one of those things.
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Amazing eh.... Gasp they DO know what they are talking about.


what are you refering to, please?
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I just fixed the fan and the game still crashes...
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I just fixed the fan and the game still crashes...
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
YOU ARE TRYING TO PLAY THIS GAME AT 1600 X 1200?

ON A GEFORCE 3 W / 64MB?

Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this picture?
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
YOU ARE TRYING TO PLAY THIS GAME AT 1600 X 1200?

ON A GEFORCE 3 W / 64MB?

Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this picture?


My desktop is 1600 x 1200. I made no changes to the setup of the game, so I got the default resolution provided by the game. I just checked and the game defaults to 1280 x 1024.

And that is setting which BSOD's my system.

So the resolution in the debug.err has nothing to do with the conditions of the game. [why am I not surprised about this]

Are you the only one who see a problem with this - no, your one of those who jump to conclusions!
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

You could try the following:

From the prefs.ini located at %userprofile%\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\

Modify the file to match the following lines under the Video key:

Fullscreen=0
HardwareMouseCursor=1
Multisample=0

Then save the prefs.ini and try running the game again.

-Mike
[Stardock Support]

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

hell how did you get gal civ running on your dual core ^^? it is really a pain to play it you know the planets keep on spinning like they were accelerated to 10 pc / sec ^^ i got the same dual core i honestly live it but somehow gal civ 2 is the only game making problems with it and i love it


I have a 3.2 dual core p4 and I've yet to have any problems.  I've not had to install anything special for galciv 2 too work on my system.
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah, might be time for Dan to get at least an FX-5200--those are dirt cheap via Pricewatch these days and do well with the latest reference drivers.


I have the 5200 FX and I concur with other posters, save your money and buy a more up to date card. I can not stress the amount of time I had to spend with the game developers on chat in SDC and here in the forums trying to fix the point sprite problem with that generation of Nvidia cards. Now that the game runs with it even with a HT 3.2GHZ machine and a gig of ram I still get jerkiness in the combat movie area.

Summation:

If you see that you have a 5200 FX in your hand in the checkout line just place it gingerly down on the nearest flat support, step away from the package carefully than run like hell to someplace else or surf to someplace else where the newer 6000 or 7000 cards are.

W/R
Suralle Straykat
Kat Lord @ Large