Crash prevents game from launching

from PolMach Forums

I click the "Play Game" option on the launcher when it appears or go directly from the icon in the Program Files Directory and the game launches producing a black screen like it is going to begin, but then crashes. I've had the game for quite a while and have not had any problems before this. I also have the most recent update and have had it for a considerable amount of time.

Here's the error log:

Debug Message:  Version 1.50 last updated on: Wed Sep 17 11:56:23 2008
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 10/10/2008, 20:09:29
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: SANCTUSSERVUS
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080425-1930)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Pavilion dv6500 Notebook PC   
BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     T7700  @ 2.40GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Physical Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 1244MB used, 5093MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 8400M GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0427&SUBSYS_30CC103C&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1392 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.5665
Driver Date: 9/19/2007 05:05:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0268&SUBSYS_103C30CC&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5384
Driver Date: 3/12/2007 14:29:46
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0268&SUBSYS_103C30CC&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5384
Driver Date: 3/12/2007 14:29:46
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:  Candidate Outlines: ON
Debug Message:  Map Glow: ON
Debug Message:  Candidate Animated Bobbling: ON
Debug Message:  ParseCommandLine:
Debug Message:  ERROR (CDrawManager): Unable to retrieve animation core pointer from the component factory.
Debug Message:  Using 0 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message:  Game Resolution: 1280 x 800 (full screen mode)
Debug Message:  HAL (hardware vertex processing)NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
Debug Message:  Presentation Interval: Immediate.
Debug Message:  Refresh Rate: 0hz.
Debug Message:  Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
Debug Message:  32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
Debug Message:  ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
Debug Message:  A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message:  Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message:  Device is now ready
Debug Message:  RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message:  Shell initialization complete
Debug Message:  ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask fonts\*.otf
Debug Message:  Timer Frequency is 0 da7a64
Debug Message:  Initializing sound card.
Debug Message:  initailizing bink
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Data\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates/Packages\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Icons\*xml

4,404 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from PolMach Forums Top

I've had the game for quite a while and have not had any problems before this. I also have the most recent update and have had it for a considerable amount of time.
End of quote

Strange.  In a situation like that, I would try uninstalling the game completely, deleting it's "my documents/my games/polmachine2008" folder, and restarting my pc.  Then I would reinstall the game, restart the pc again, and then try to run the game.

Post here if that works or not.  And if you still have issues, post your new debug.err file, as it gets overwritten each time you run the game.

Reply #2 from PolMach Forums Top

I'm having the same problem when ever I run TPM. The opening movie plays and then the game crashes to the desktop. I have run all the updates on all my hardware, but also recently installed XP SP3, yet neither Microsoft or Stardock have come up with a solution to this problem yet. What am I to do? If anyone have any suggestions or can try to help me, let me know and I can start a new post with my debug.err attached.

SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from PolMach Forums Top

What am I to do? If anyone have any suggestions or can try to help me, let me know and I can start a new post with my debug.err attached.
End of quote

crdroxxpl,

Definitely start a new thread.  In it, describe the problem you are having, and then post the entire contents of your "debug.err" file (which can be opened with notepad and is located at "documents/my games/polmachine2008/").  Once we see the contents of the file, we can see what might be happening and be able to suggest solutions.