Continued crashes since 1st game (before playing betas) no clue here

from GalCiv2 Forums
I am baffled cause i have tried everything from deleting all video driver, reinstalling, reinstalling galciv, tweaking hardware acceleration, and a host of things i've read on the net. Never had this problem with a game before.
Usually computer will restart apx 20 minutes into any game, I've only manually saved 4 times since starting playing.
When i get lucky enough to get the popup that "windows has recovered from a serious error" sometimes the windows
error reporting will say something along the lines of " thread stuck in device driver"
anyway rock out with my debug:

Debug Message: Version v1.1 BETA 4 last updated on: Wed Apr 12 18:45:12 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 4/16/2006, 21:32:02
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: NIMH
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: NVIDIA
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.0GHz
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 301MB used, 2872MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 9550
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI RADEON 9550 AGP (0x4153)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4153&SUBSYS_04021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: SyncMaster 910V/910M/913V/915V
Monitor Max Resolution: 1280,1024
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6601
Driver Date: 2/21/2006 22:46:46
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: NFORCE_VAD
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: nvapu.sys
Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
Driver Version: 6.14.0442.0030
Driver Date: 5/25/2004 15:58:04
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 1024
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): RADEON 9550
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 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No string tables in C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods/*.str
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Gfx\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Gfx\Race\*.png
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\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Techs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\ShipComponents\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\ShipDefs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\PlanetImprovements\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\TerrainColorSchemes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\PlanetDescriptions\*.xml
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
Debug Message: Found existing ship type with class name: Ranger
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Anomalies\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Events\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\UPIssues\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Invasion\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\PoliticalParties\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\StarTypes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\StarbaseModules\*.xml
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\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: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Loading ENDGALAXYDATA
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 10
Debug Message: StackedShipsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Stacked_Logistics_Value
Debug Message: StackedShipsWnd: Cannot find OBJID stacked_Fleet_More_Button
Debug Message: Destroying ship Andians Freighter M3-2 622. Orbiting: 1
Debug Message: Was Orbiting: Andians II
Debug Message: Destroying ship Andians Constructor M0-1 39. Orbiting: 1
Debug Message: Was Orbiting: Andians II
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event Check: Indie League
Debug Message: Random Event: Non-Aligned Worlds Attempt
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Yearly Status Dialog
Debug Message: Yearly Status Dialog default
Debug Message: Destroying ship constuctor 4 644. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Andians Constructor M0-1 45. Orbiting: 1
Debug Message: Was Orbiting: Andians II
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge (9): Researching: Advanced Hulls
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Destroying ship constuctor 4 817. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship constuctor 4 813. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: StarbaseDetailsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Starbase_Details_Disband_Button
Debug Message: Error. String Not Found. Table: StarbaseDetailsWnd String Name: DisbandBtn
Debug Message: Destroying ship constuctor 4 471. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: EVENT_TYPE_ENDTURN
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Drengin Empire (1): Researching: Stinger III
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge (9): Researching: Missile Weapon Theory
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: Save Game: About to save
Debug Message: Saving game C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ass mister.sav
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 5
Debug Message: Save game finished.
Debug Message: Destroying ship constuctor 4 820. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Altarian Constructor M3-7 811. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Deleting previous save game.
Debug Message: About to auto save.
Debug Message: Save Game: About to save
Debug Message: Saving game C:\Documents and Settings\jeff\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\AutoSave.sav
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 5
Debug Message: Save game finished.
Debug Message: Finished auto save.
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge (9): Researching: Medium Scale Building
Debug Message: CampaignVictoryWnd: Cannot find OBJID Campaign_Screen_Back
Debug Message: CampaignVictoryWnd: Cannot find OBJID Campaign_Status_Title
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Drengin Empire (1): Researching: Stinger IV
Debug Message: Destroying ship constuctor 4 826. Orbiting: 0
3,941 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Generally takes about 20 minutes or so depending on ambient room tempurature for a GPU to heat up. Did you turn on GPU Throttling to see if it clears up your problem? It's been stated before (and not just by Stardock but other game devs as well) that things that restart your computer are not the result of software. This occurs when a device driver and/or hardware fails in some critical fashion. I know it's a stab in the dark but everything else in your debug.err file looks on the up and up.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
i've done the throttling. I also have mega-cooling going on cause i do a lot of video on this computer as well. I'll test the fan directly on the video card tho...
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah it was a shot in the dark anyway ...

Only other thing that jumps out at me is your sound driver is from 2004. No idea if that is an issue or not but you may want to try to upgrade that if possible.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I was having serious stability issues as well, and I eventually concluded it was my ASUS Radeon 9800XT card causing the problems. My game would play fine, for a while, then it would boot me out of the game. It started crashing very hard, and reached a point where I would start up and my screen would be usable, but full graphical errors.

In my case my videocard ended up developing bad VRAM. It was the 2nd time that my card had gotten cooked by a game. The first time was with Sid Miers Pirates, which was kind of a spectacular failure, since the fans basically got warped by the heat and fell off, and the other was kind of hanging loosly. Ultimately, I replaced the card, and while the game stil crashes occasionally, it does not happen nearly as often.

Stardock is not kidding when they say this game will push your videocard about as hard as it can be pushed. Make certain your machine is as well vented as you can make it.

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Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
This worked for me:

Put your page file size at 2 GB and turn off anti-aliasing.

I don't know what the minimum specs are, but I don't see any need for a video card greater than a gforce 3. A decent enough game game in itself, but poorly coded. I'm using a 850 pro in a P4 2.4 and run flawlessly on high settings for oblivion and bfme2 but i have to turn off antialiasing for gc2???