Mouse glitch when using scroll-wheel in DA (and TotA)

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hi,

I'm experiencing a weird glitch when using my scroll-wheel in the game, like when scrolling through some text in the window. When I scroll up or down, the cursor actually moves up and to the left a bit (i'm guessing 100 pixels left, and 30 pixels up). When I move the mouse, the cursor resets itself to the spot I had originally had my mouse in.

This is not a big problem, but it's kind of annoying.

I'm using an nvidia 7600 GT with the latest drivers (i've tested with the latest BETA drives released on march 6th as well).

I'm using a microsoft/razor habu mouse.

I'm running Windows VIsta (which I suspect is the problem... what a POS...)

Any help?
7,143 views 21 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Correction:

the location of where the art cursor moves to is fairly random - it's based on where my mouse cursor is on the screen. It's always up and to the left though.

Basically, it's like the hardware cursor (invisible) is staying in the same spot but the software cursor moves until I actually move the x,y of the mouse again.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
In Options/Video, make sure 'Use Hardware Cursor' is selected.
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Doing that made my mouse disappear. The old mouse graphic just stayed on the screen like it was stuck. I could tell that the mouse was actually moving though. When I went back to the main menu, when I moved the mouse around, the menu options were highlighting even though I couldn't see a mouse cursor. I eventually went back into options a few times and the hardware cursor appeared - yet it didn't stay that way. I just went back to the software cursor.

I don't know if this is a problem with galciv2 specifically. It could be the vista drivers for the nvidia card... or just vista. When I run supreme commander, I don't get a mouse at all unless it's window mode (and it looks like crap in that mode, with the bottom cut off). In fact, the only full screen games that work lately are Sins of a Solar Empire and Galciv2 (but it has this mouse glitch). I guess all the other games use hardware mouse cursors.

Any solutions to fixing my mouse cursor problems?
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Have you installed the latest drivers from Nvidia? If not, you should.
The drivers that ship with Vista are faulty.

And it might help if you posted your debug.err info.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have installed the latest drivers, as well as the latest beta drivers. Doesn't matter.

Here is the debug.err file:


Debug Message: Version v1.80e Dark Avatar last updated on: Thu Nov 8 10:48:23 2007
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 3/11/2008, 21:50:22
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: EGERVARI-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.071023-1545)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - Award BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1748MB used, 2564MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


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_C5533842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256 MB
Current Display Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dum,nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2um, nvwgf2umx.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.6944
Driver Date: 3/4/2008 11:02:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (Realtek AC'97 Audio)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_812A1043&REV_A2
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVAC64.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6243
Driver Date: 6/28/2007 15:21:38
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek AC'97 Audio)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_812A1043&REV_A2
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVAC64.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6243
Driver Date: 6/28/2007 15:21:38
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
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 hardware vertex processing
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Attempting to create D3DDevice at resolution 1280 x 768, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 4
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 59
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: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\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: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_MoreDetails_FText
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_Details_FormattedText
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Scenarios/*.GC2Scenario
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Metaverse\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Metaverse\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./MetaverseData/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Metaverse\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: MetaverseWnd: Cannot find OBJID Metaverse_Character_Race_Title
Debug Message: MetaverseWnd: Cannot find OBJID Metaverse_Character_Name_Value
Debug Message: MetaverseWnd: Cannot find OBJID Metaverse_Character_Race_Value
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: getPlayerData: GetCharacters request failed. RPC error code: NoCharacters
Debug Message: getPlayerData: GetCharacters request failed. RPC error code: NoCharacters
Debug Message: getPlayerData: GetCharacters request failed. RPC error code: NoCharacters
Debug Message: Error flipping back buffer to primary buffer.
Debug Message: D3DERR_DEVICELOST
Debug Message: Device lost
Debug Message: Attempting to reset device.
Debug Message: getPlayerData: GetCharacters request failed. RPC error code: NoCharacters
Debug Message: getPlayerData: GetCharacters request failed. RPC error code: NoCharacters
Debug Message: getPlayerData: GetCharacters request failed. RPC error code: NoCharacters
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 9
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Error flipping back buffer to primary buffer.
Debug Message: D3DERR_DEVICELOST
Debug Message: Device lost
Debug Message: Attempting to reset device.
Debug Message: TitleWnd: Quit Button.
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing 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 asteroid fields.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid field mining bases.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clearing Turn Event Log
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: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. -1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Current Display Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor

Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 768

Two suggestions.
Install the correct monitor driver.
Run the game at 1680x1050
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Observation (beside the point)... if Vista grabs a whole 1748MB worth of pagefile even on such a highly modern system - i won't EVER buy it.

But, moosetek may just be absolutely right... GDI mousing in a full-screen different from the desktop default can messup the relative coordinates of just about anything. Your cursor is simply trying to get away from an 'invisible' area - to the current game interface, that is.

A number of other things could create a similar issue, but try with the above first.

- Zyxpsilon.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Page File: 1748MB used, 2564MB available

Zyx is right. But I doubt that it is all OS related.
It looks like you have got a LOT of stuff running in the background when you start the game.
You are leaving less than a gig for the game, so it won't be long before you are getting OoM errors.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Debug Message: Error flipping back buffer to primary buffer.
Debug Message: D3DERR_DEVICELOST
Debug Message: Device lost
Debug Message: Attempting to reset device.

Those should not be there, and indicate a problem with the video driver.
Still looks like that mismatched resolution/monitor driver issue, though.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I will try adding my viewsonic monitor driver, but i highly doubt that is the issue. It doesn't make sense to me. I'll post back in 5 minutes with the updated driver.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Don't forget to set the game's resolution to your desktop resolution.
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Okay, I did everything you asked. I installed my monitor driver (kind of a pain to get this installed, but it's now the exact same model as my monitor) and I have set the game's resolution to the desktop resolution.

1. The mouse glitch is still there
2. The Hardware mouse cursor still makes the mouse invisible (like I discribed before).

My debug.err from my last load of the game (with switching to hardware cursor):


Debug Message: Version v1.80e Dark Avatar last updated on: Thu Nov 8 10:48:23 2007
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 3/13/2008, 04:53:56
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: EGERVARI-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.071023-1545)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - Award BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 2371MB used, 1941MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


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_C5533842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256 MB
Current Display Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: ViewSonic VX2025w Series
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dum,nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2um, nvwgf2umx.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.6944
Driver Date: 3/4/2008 11:02:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (Realtek AC'97 Audio)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_812A1043&REV_A2
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVAC64.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6243
Driver Date: 6/28/2007 15:21:38
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek AC'97 Audio)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_812A1043&REV_A2
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVAC64.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6243
Driver Date: 6/28/2007 15:21:38
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
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 hardware vertex processing
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Attempting to create D3DDevice at resolution 1680 x 1050, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 4
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1680 x 1050
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: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\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: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\egervari\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: Alt-Enter received.
Debug Message: TitleWnd: Quit Button.
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing 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 asteroid fields.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid field mining bases.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clearing Turn Event Log
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: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Like I said before, I'm sure this is a problem with vista in some way. When I was running Galactic Civilizations 2: Dread Lords on XP (I stopped playing for awhile), I had absolutely no mouse hang ups at all.
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Page File: 2371MB used, 1941MB available

I would really like to know what the heck you have running when you start the game.

You are already into the swapfile when you start the game (with 2GB of ram no less), and that is not a good idea.

In the last debug you were using 1.7GB, and with this one you are using 2.3GB.
What's the deal?

Because personally, I would not expect any game to run correctly under those conditions.

Do you ever close programs, or reboot?
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The program is the vista searchindexer.exe. This thing is constantly taking up memory. Firefox.com is taking 400mb as it is. Total, everything is only 1.1GB in memory before Galciv starts. I think you're just seeing poor vista memory management. If you also look, most of that page file isn't actually being used. The 2.5gb limit is what Vista sets the page file to by default.

Honestly, there are other people having this 'hardware cursor' problem with other games using vista. I doubt it's anything specific to do with my computer.

Here's a guy with the same problem I have:
http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=30170

Of course, people don't really understand it. There are other threads... and people are saying, "Make sure you are using a mouse pad. It's your laser mouse!" ... thinking the original poster was an idiot.

I think this has something to do with the combination of:

1) Full Screen directx applications
2) The hardware cursor
3) Nvidia drivers for GeForce 7600 (and other series as I've seen from forum posts in other games)
4) Vista

Since nvidia hasn't responded, I think game developers need to push the issue with nvidia and microsoft and ask them what the hell is going on. I'm clearly not the only one having these problems. If you do a lot of searching on google, this is a major issue. They are to find though since people can't describe the problem well.

Anyhoo, looking forward to a potential solution to this problem.
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
And oh, and many forums suggest "turning off cursor trails". Of course, by default in Vista (for PCs anyway) this feature is turned of already. Many people have tried this 'solution' when it was turned on and it didn't affect anything.

I have tried turning on and off all of my mouse settings (like the shadow, and all the others) and it makes no difference.

This is just very frustrating that this would be happening.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The person at Nvidia had some luck by running in windowed mode, have you tried that with GalCiv?
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
well, That's going to fix the problem (and I obviously knew that because it's clear the problem is in full-screen only). The problem is that running in windowed mode is probably even more annoying than running with the mouse cursor glitch. I guess I just want to get the code of the game to work as intended.
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If you run windowed at your current desktop resolution you may not even notice.
Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Dunno if that could help...

But, IF your mouse gets its valuable 'interface stepping routines' out-of-the-box (so, to speak) it is pretty much evident to me that the problem would have more to do with how Vista keeps tab over it even when in fullscreen mode with the latest Nvidia drivers.

The tricky case i'm trying to make with the above is that, invariably, when the OS unlocks (or reserves it, in a sense) the required heap for the game, it absolutely must do so within a reasonable gigabyting-sysbased-gap to PREVENT the GC_memory hugs (if there are any or some, btw) to overflow the pagefile (or the inevitable faults the swapping process is always causing, beyond the scope of minimal pagefile sizes or not).

Thus, when the mouse streaks in at nano-speeds, the game has to detect it from & with the proper location variations; a) The mouse driver hands over 'bad' references for the necessary coordinates --or-- b) Vista can't keep up since the swap interferes.

One more thing... DOM processing (and how it is configured by Vista or you) can actually wreck the scroll function big time. Sadly, there is no workaround for this since that is hardware wiring... but there's still hope; a reconfigured layout for the effective grid pixels of the mouse trails MIGHT (and i say this for a reason - 3 bits away and you'd shiver the cursor everywhere outside of GC too!!) recover enough speed to fix the issue.

- Zyxpsilon.
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Zyxpsilon, I can sort of see what you're saying. I obviously don't have that much knowledge of the inner workings of windows/directx/video cards.

I have run this game (and many others) just after a fresh reboot as well, meaning the pagefile is the freshest possible. The game still has these coordinate problems. It has the 'hardware cursor' disappearing problem too (as does Supreme Commander and many other games).

I have heard that WoW does not have this problem as Blizzard has patched their game specifically. I wonder if Stardock (and many other games) can patch their game to solve this problem as well. The 'hardware cursor' problem has been an issue for several months for me. That's why I'm excited that I can even PLAY Galciv2 in full screen mode. Still, this is clearly a long-running problem for vista/nvidia users when playing games at full screen (and some ATI people are experiencing this problem too... so it could just be a Vista thing).

Hopefully one of the devs see this thread and fix it or give some configuration advice on how to fix it.