Only since 1.1, Crash on save

from GalCiv2 Forums
After updating to the 1.1 version of the game I have had trouble everytime the game tries to save. The game freezes and I am sometimes not able to even return to my desktop and have to reboot the pc entirely.
I play on "huge" galaxy size with 6 other players. I didnt have this problem before. If needed, I'll post the debug.err file, but where do I find that? Thanks in advance
9,038 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
depends if you downloaded or installed from CD and if you specified a folder when installing ...

it's in the galciv2 install folder (not the one in "my documents")
here's a quick way to find the debug.err :
Start/Search
type in : "debug.err" (without the quotes)
that should be it
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have exactly the same problem. Fresh install from CD.
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
OK - when the game crashed I opened Task Manager and it reports the Page File usage at 1.38GB !!!!

Below is my debug report. I had to physically end the galciv2.exe process in Task Manager to get out of the game.

Debug Message: Version v1.1 last updated on: Mon Apr 24 19:03:49 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 4/26/2006, 20:21:22
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.050301-1526)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: GBT___
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz, ~2.8GHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 179MB used, 1388MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0321&SUBSYS_0A0210B0&REV_A1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (72Hz)
Monitor Name: CTX S500,S500B,S530
Monitor Max Resolution: 1024,768
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8421
Driver Date: 3/9/2006 15:29:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: DMX 6fire Wave
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1412&DEV_1712&SUBSYS_1138153B&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: dmx6fire.sys
Provider: TerraTec
Driver Version: 5.40.0003.0130
Driver Date: 8/29/2003 09:30:16
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: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 72
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\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods/*.str
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Gfx\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Gfx\Race\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\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: * Collectors Edition *
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\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Techs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\ShipComponents\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\ShipDefs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\PlanetImprovements\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\TerrainColorSchemes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\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\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Anomalies\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Events\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\UPIssues\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Invasion\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\PoliticalParties\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\StarTypes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\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\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Description_Text
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Tab_Homeworld
Debug Message: Creating Galaxy
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: Galaxy Size Set: 18 x 26626763
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 86.
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: *************** 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: *************** 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: *************** 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: 245
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 44
Debug Message: Torian Confederation: Intellence -> 42
Debug Message: Yor Collective: Intellence -> 38
Debug Message: Dominion of Korx: Intellence -> 38
Debug Message: Drath Legion: Intellence -> 49
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: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: StackedShipsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Stacked_Logistics_Value
Debug Message: StackedShipsWnd: Cannot find OBJID stacked_Fleet_More_Button
Debug Message: Destroying ship Arcean Empire Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Torian Confederation Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Yor Collective Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Dominion of Korx Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Drath Legion Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Torian Confederation (4): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Dominion of Korx (6): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Drath Legion (7): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Akilians (11): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Carinoids (12): Researching: Xeno Communications
Debug Message: Paulos (15): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Andians (16): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Dark Yor (17): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Destroying ship Terran Alliance Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Snathi (18): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Pirates! (26): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Drath Legion (7): Researching: Planetary Improvements
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Akilians (11): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Dark Yor (17): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Snathi (18): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Carinoids (12): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Paulos (15): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Andians (16): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Destroying ship Arcean Colony Ship M0-1 14. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Korx Colony Ship M0-1 16. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Torian Confederation (4): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Dominion of Korx (6): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: New Propulsion Techniques
Debug Message: Drath Legion (7): Researching: Research Centers
Debug Message: Carinoids (12): Researching: Universal Translator
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Advanced Computing
Debug Message: Akilians (11): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Snathi (18): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Torian Confederation (4): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Dark Yor (17): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Carinoids (12): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Paulos (15): Researching: Space Weapons
Debug Message: Andians (16): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Destroying ship Arcean Colony Ship M0-1 21. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Korx Colony Ship M0-1 24. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship M0-1 26. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Yearly Status Dialog
Debug Message: Yearly Status Dialog 0a
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\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\AutoSave.sav
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 18
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\s*_UD_*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\s*_UD_*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Waiting for hidden surface creation to complete before saving planets.


Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I also had this problem some times, but only when I've played longer on gigantic, everything abundant maps. (Pagefile up to 5GB )

Then it also crashed my game on saving and destroyed the save game in doing so...

Anyway, my solution to this has been to restart the game everyonce in a while when it's starting to run slower (i.e. once every three hours or so.)

----------

Debug Message: Deleting previous save game.
Debug Message: About to auto save.
Debug Message: Save Game: About to save

What I would love to change would be the order here. Imho the old save should only be deleted, after the new save has been successfully created, else every crash when saving is harmful.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
sevenhertz :
expand your pagefile size, especially as you only have 512MB
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
sevenhertz :
expand your pagefile size, especially as you only have 512MB


My pagefile is 1.388GB and that is sufficient: the swapfile is more than adequate.

Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Obviously it is not. As soon as the game tries to use more virtual memory than you have allocated, you will experience a crash.

The devs havve said this issue where the game will use excessive swap file sizes is the number #1 priority for 1.2. Help them out, run SmartException and send the crash dumps to Stardock support - there is a thread runnng around here from the last day or so where Frogboy put in the email addy of one of the devs who will be working on correcting this.

Until then, increase your page file to up to 4GB and the crashes casued by lack of page file space should stop. If you don't want too, fine. That's your choice.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Please send your SmartException reports to gc2bugs@stardock.com. Thank you.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Also, make sure that your page file is not bigger than the free space that you have left on your Windows partition, as I seem to recall that Windows will only use the Windows partition for virutal memory.  They might have changed that for Windows XP, though--I'll have to look it up.

Also, if you haven't defragged your hard drive recently, make sure that you do that. 

Another way to cut down on memory usage is to set your planets and stars to Rare, but make Habitable planets Abundant so that there are more good planets out of the planets that are left. 

 

Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I also have this problem except that I cannot save at all. AutoSave or manual save both lock up the system. I have to reboot everytime. The galaxy is gigantic with three races but I can play only two turns and try to save manually and I get a lock up. I have virtual memory set to 768-1536 on C: and 768-4096 on H:. Adding H: has improved speed of gameplay but has done nothing on the save issue. I am using V 1.1 and this problem did not happen in previous versions (1.0.X.2 I think). I need help bad as I cannot play at all.

Also, I have 512 MB RAM and plenty of hard drive space and this is under XP.

Not sure how important but the last line in my debug.err is also the same as above

Debug Message: Waiting for hidden surface creation to complete before saving planets.


Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Mailed customer service, and what they gave me to work with worked with this exact problem... after a fashion...

Anyway, if you want to play, the best thing to do is start up the game in CHEAT mode, then use the control+U cheat to reveal the entire galaxy before you save. Then the computer won't "create hidden surface" and it you can play somewhat normally. (If you want to be surpised about the universe... I guess just don't look... I guess not so great advice).

On the other hand, had some weird glitch afterwards so that the map would scroll up until it go to the top edge of the galaxy unless I scrolled down... which made scrolling down impossible. Not sure if that a side effect of the cheat or if i should restart my computer....
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
What I have found is that the save will occur but it takes forever (13 mins on my machine). After that first save, the saves are as they were in previous versions. I am not sure if this affects you every time you load or only for the first time after the game is created.