Crash on startup

from GalCiv2 Forums
I replaced some hardware on my computer after the old parts got fried when my power supply died. (New motherboard, graphics card) I had GalCiv II on my computer before, and it ran just fine, but now it crashes on startup every single time after the intro movie, without fail. Here's what my error log says.

Debug Message: Version v1.0X.2 last updated on: Tue Mar 7 15:02:59 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/28/2006, 01:55:57
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: LILLITH
Operating System: Windows 2000 Professional (5.0, Build 2195) Service Pack 4
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: NVIDIA
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: oC(Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+, ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 223MB used, 2236MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINNT


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7600 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0391&SUBSYS_033D10DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9147
Driver Date: 8/11/2006 21:42:52
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_0CAC105B&REV_A2
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.6160
Driver Date: 8/18/2006 13:52:00
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 2
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 (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
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: 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\Administrator\My 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: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: Not all child windows deleted for window ID: 73, pos 0, 0, size 1024, 768.
Debug Message: Child MainBackground with ID: 74, pos 0, 0, size 1024, 768.
5,035 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
First things first, you should update to the latest version. You can find the 1.31 patch on the downloads page of the site.
The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
first thing first... delete your ini setting file.
I had the exact same problems.. after driver updates and downgrades, game updates and downgrades and alot of other pain I finally went and deleted My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Prefs.ini and the game started working again... go figure.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Did you check out my thread here?

https://forums.galciv2.com/?forumid=162&aid=127231


I did read that thread and went though each step one by one. You can see from the error log that my drivers are up to date, my screen resolution is well above the minimum, my virtual memory is over 2 gigs, and my CPU isn't overheating because it doesn't have TIME to overheat before it crashes.

I'll try the ini deleting thing, though.

Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Two things: Firstly I'd like to say, Stardock has the best customer service ever. I won't go into why, but I love you guys. <3

Oh, incidently, some combonation of updating to the newest version and (yet another) clean reinstall of my video drivers fixed the problem. I don't know which one did it, though.