Cannot Start New Game

Only since Beta-4 was installed

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hello. This is my first major bug since owning this game (Been lucky huh?), and as it happens, it's a major one. I recently upgraded to Beta-4, and found that I couldn't start a new game. At all. Or restore an old one. Now, I looked around for solutions, and I tried deleting my old save games, as I found worked for somebody else. This did work temporarily, but it crashed soon into the game anyway. So anyway, I need help. I upgraded my video drivers when this started happening, and it didn't help, so should I post my Debug.err?
5,450 views 8 replies
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If you still cannot start a game, please do post your debug.err. Thanks.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Just to note I have the exact same problem. Beta 4 worked fine, but ever since I installed Beta 4a yesterday evening, it crashes every time I try to start a game (thru the metaverse, at least)
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Ya, I rolled back to .016 because of crashing on load.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Bridgehead.

If you are experiencing a crash at the start of the game, please post your debug.err file.

This file can be found in your galciv2 folder. Usually C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\Galciv2

Thank you.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That's funny. Last night I was crashing when starting a new game, every time. So I rolled back to the .016 version and it played fine again. So just now I reinstalled the .017 backup so I could get the error message posted, and the game loaded just fine. Both a new game with my custom race and a save game from .016 version.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well, it is crashing every time I try to start a game again. Here is the debug:


Debug Message: Version v1.1 BETA 4A last updated on: Tue Apr 18 13:16:01 2006
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 4/20/2006, 15:12:39
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: MOOSE2
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: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: EL409AA-ABA M7360N
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 344MB used, 3563MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6800 GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00C0&SUBSYS_C3893842&REV_A2
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8198
Driver Date: 12/10/2005 04:06:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Display device 2:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY2
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6800 GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00C0&SUBSYS_C3893842&REV_A2
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8198
Driver Date: 12/10/2005 04:06:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Audigy 4 [DE00]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0008&SUBSYS_10211102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.1164
Driver Date: 12/8/2005 11:55:46
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_2_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GS
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 75
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 a6f14630
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No string tables in C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods/*.str
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Gfx\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Gfx\Race\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\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: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Techs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\ShipComponents\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\ShipDefs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.raceconfig
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\PlanetImprovements\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\TerrainColorSchemes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\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\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Anomalies\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Events\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\UPIssues\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Invasion\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\PoliticalParties\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\StarTypes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\StarbaseModules\*.xml
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: 82.
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: 217
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 80
Debug Message: Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 80
Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 80
Debug Message: Drath Legion: Intellence -> 80
Debug Message: Thalan Empire: Intellence -> 80
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge: Intellence -> 80
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 = 10
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started




I will select the races, hit next, the loading screen starts to come up, and the game crashes after about two seconds.

Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Duane\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass

That message stoofd out to me because I do have .shipclass files in that folder.
And some of us have been wondering what has happened to the pirates. I do not ever see them anymore. Could this be it?
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***

Has the ImpossibleTech been taken out of the later beta's?


I tried this with my current custom race config file, which had a bunch of stuff added. So I deleted all the files the the My Games\GalCiv2 folder except for the .ini file to get a fresh start. No change, still crashed.

Next I tried deleting all the ships out of the ships folder, as well as any other file I had in like logos.

It started normally.

I added back in my Currentcustomrace10.raceconfig file, and it started normally.

I added the ships back into the ships folder and the game crashed on loading.

The ships I added were the Klingon set I downloaded from this site. And I have used them many times without a problem. But, the last time this happened I had different ships in there. I just swapped out for the Klingon set today. But earlier when it started it had the same set of ships in there that it had when I played earlier.


Then back to version .016 and all works fine again.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Right, I will try an uninstall/reinstall, but first I'll post my Debug.err. At least then you'll know the problem I WAS suffering, if it gets fixed. Debug.err follows:

Debug Message: Version v1.1 BETA 4A last updated on: Tue Apr 18 13:16:01 2006
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 4/21/2006, 03:23:30
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: LUKE
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: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
System Model: A7N8X-X
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2000+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.5GHz
Physical Memory: 768MB RAM
Page File: 264MB used, 858MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: GeCube RADEON 9200 SE Game Buster
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RADEON 9200 SE AGP (0x5964)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5964&SUBSYS_017018BC&REV_01
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6606
Driver Date: 3/22/2006 13:56:42
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
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: nvapu.sys
Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
Driver Version: 5.10.2917.0000
Driver Date: 12/5/2002 14:01:00
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: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): GeCube RADEON 9200 SE Game Buster
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\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods/*.str
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Gfx\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Gfx\Race\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\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: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Techs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\ShipComponents\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\ShipDefs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\PlanetImprovements\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\TerrainColorSchemes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\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\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Anomalies\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Events\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\UPIssues\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Invasion\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\PoliticalParties\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\StarTypes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\StarbaseModules\*.xml
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: 85.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 134
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 42
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 42
Debug Message: Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 42
Debug Message: Drath Legion: Intellence -> 42
Debug Message: Thalan Empire: Intellence -> 42
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge: Intellence -> 42
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 = 10
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started

There. Now to reinstall and stuff.